Yes—her thoughts exactly. He could be on America’s Most Wanted. His picture might be posted on the wall of their post office. She’d have to phone Betty, the postmaster, to check for her. Of course, the idea of him being a wanted man seemed a little far-fetched. He appeared to be a good person despite his intentions to ruin her life.
Joshua continued. “I thought maybe I could pick up you and Bella.”
Did he mean both of them? She pulled the phone away and rubbed her ear. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“I thought the three of us could go to dinner before the dance.”
“Together?” Was this his way of asking her on a date? She wasn’t ready to go out with men. She’d come to the conclusion recently that she may never be. How could she ever build a new life with someone? All her memories of Chris would fade into oblivion. She’d never want him to think he was so easily replaced—that their marriage had meant nothing.
He laughed. “Yes, we can grab a bite to eat, and then we can all go to the dance together.” He hesitated. “Kind of like a family.”
Together? Family? Was he serious? “Ah...I’m not so sure it’s a good idea.”
“Look, Faith, try and put your own feelings about me and the inn aside and think of Bella. We’ll be doing it strictly for her and no other reason.”
Why did this seem so important to him? Did he really care that much about a little girl’s feelings...one he’d only known a couple of weeks? She had no answers, but her gut told her he was right. She knew how much Bella wanted to attend the dance. Swallowing hard, she accepted the fact that she had to do it for her daughter. “Okay.”
“Great! I’ll pick you both up at six.”
Still stunned by her own answer, she placed the phone back on the charger. Joshua’s excitement played over in her head. Then the words a family poured into her mind. Guilt covered her like the oppressive humidity of an August day in the South. Was she betraying Chris by accepting Joshua’s invitation?
* * *
“I like your car, Mr. Joshua. The seat is really comfortable,” Bella announced as the three headed to the restaurant. “And it smells like peppermint...just like you do,” she added with a giggle.
He laughed at the sweet voice coming from behind him. He’d been looking forward to this night ever since Bella had invited him. He wasn’t so sure about her mother, though.
His breath accelerated as he realized this was the first time a child had ever sat on his leather seats. As a young boy, the few times his father had let him ride in his car, he’d put towels down. We’ve got to protect the leather. He shook away the voice. Not tonight. “I’m glad you like it.”
“How come you don’t have any kids, Mr. Joshua?”
“Bella! That’s not any of your business.”
Faith leaned toward him. “I’m sorry, sometimes she blurts things out without thinking.”
The question had caught him off guard, but he shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, ladies. I don’t have any children now, but it doesn’t mean one day I won’t be blessed with a houseful.” He glanced in the rearview mirror and spotted Bella grinning.
Joshua hit the brake for a red light and watched the little girl as she gazed out the window.
“I wish you could be my daddy, Mr. Joshua.”
“Bella!” Faith turned and grimaced at her daughter. “You need to learn not to say every thought passing through your head.”
“But you always told me to tell the truth, and it’s the truth.” Bella crossed her arms, appearing satisfied with her response.
“I’m sorry if she embarrassed you.”
Joshua couldn’t restrain his smile. He wasn’t the least bit embarrassed, but the redness filling Faith’s cheeks told him she sure was. “Actually, her words made me feel good.”
His self-confidence had taken a beating since he’d quit his job and Jessica had left. Hearing Bella speak her heart, with her childlike innocence, was a nice change of pace.
Spotting the sign for The Wagon Wheel, he hit the turn signal.
“I love this place,” Bella shouted from the back seat. “They have yummy desserts.”
Joshua put the car into Park and unfastened his seat belt. “From what I read on the internet, their steaks aren’t half bad, either.”
He rounded to the passenger side and opened the door for Faith as Bella leapt from the vehicle. When he took Faith’s hand to help her from the car, it was stiff. Bella’s comments had obviously made her uncomfortable. Not him. He hadn’t had such sweet words spoken to him since before his mother passed.
An hour and forty-five minutes later, with three overstuffed bellies, they entered the gymnasium at Bella’s school. Joshua scanned the packed room. Balloons and rainbow-colored streamers hung from the ceiling. Music and chatter filled the air. A 1970s-style disco ball splashed flecks of flashing light on the walls. Across the floor, two long tables were lined with bowls of pink and yellow punch, along with an array of sugary treats.
“Boy, it’s a big turnout.” He turned to Faith. “I guess it’s good I invited you so you could help chaperone.” Truthfully, his reasons for the invitation were stirring up some conflicting emotions. Had it really been just for Bella? It had to have been. He certainly wasn’t interested in a relationship. The pain he’d endured after his marriage broke up was enough to last him a lifetime. He shook away the thoughts. “Would anyone like some punch?” Joshua shouted over the music blasting through the nearby speakers.
“That would be nice,” Faith answered, raking her fingers through the back of her hair. “It is a little warm in here.”
Bella jumped up and down. “I’ll have some, too.”
Faith rolled her eyes at Joshua. “Just what she needs, more sugar.”
“Ah...come on, it’s a special night. I’ll be right back with the punch.”
Joshua weaved in and out of the crowd when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He reached for the device and scanned the screen. Melissa. His mood wasn’t exactly conducive for a conversation with his lawyer, but she could have some new information on the auction. Unable to hear her inside the gym, he turned toward a nearby exit. The last thing he wanted was to have her hear music and begin interrogating him as to where he was and who he was with. Since Jessica had left him, he’d gotten vibes from Melissa that made him a little uncomfortable.
“Hey, Melissa, what’s up?” A tractor trailer whizzed by, its engine roaring.
“That sounded like a freight train. Where are you?”
Here we go. “I had a little dinner at a steak house and just stepped outside.” That was kind of true. “So what’s going on?”
“Your father’s attorney called. The auction has been officially scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow, so I thought I’d check in.”
His pulse quickened. “That’s great news. It’s a little sooner than I’d anticipated.”
“Your father is back in the country and he’s ready to move forward. Is it a problem?”
Not for him, but he couldn’t help thinking about Faith and Bella. In just a couple weeks, they’d be without a home. If only Faith weren’t so stubborn, they could still live on the property, once the condos were built. When his mother’s beautiful face flashed in his mind, those thoughts disappeared. “No, of course not.” His voice cracked.
“I’m sure you’re getting excited to take over the place.” She paused for a moment, and then continued. “I’ve been thinking.”
This can’t be good. “About what?”
“What if I move up there and help you run the place? I’m rarely in court. I could work from there.”
Her words rammed him like a bumper car at a county fair. He’d learned years ago that it was best to be up-front with Melissa. If he wasn’t direct, she’d twist things around in her own mind. He swallowed the lump in his throat in preparation. “I don�
�t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
Think, man. “Well, I’m not exactly a shoo-in to get the inn.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Faith Brennan plans to bid, and she’s going to be tough competition.” He didn’t know for sure if she’d actually bid. This was his best defense. Besides, Faith was determined, and she did say she had a plan B. If anyone could come up with the funds despite being denied the loan, she would.
“Faith? The woman who cared for you after the accident? The one you’ve been cooking for? Are the two of you dating or something?” Her voice shook.
“Yes—I mean, no, we’re not dating, but she is the one who cared for me. She’s got some strong family ties to the place, and she’s determined to gain ownership.”
He could almost hear her wheels turning, devising a plan of action. He knew her well.
“Well, I can lend you some money, so you’d be sure to outbid her. All the money my grandfather left me when he passed away is just sitting around collecting interest.”
Joshua cringed. There was no way that would happen. “No—but thanks. I need to do this on my own.” He had to show his father he was still a capable businessman and didn’t need to rely on his trust or anyone else. Once the new resort was making money, maybe his father would finally be proud of him.
“What if I send someone up to bid against her?”
He scratched the side of his temple. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“A bogus bidder, you know, to run up the price. Obviously, money is no object for you. Even though your father cut you off, you’ve still obtained the loan. Getting the funding probably won’t be as easy for her.”
Joshua squeezed his phone. “You can’t be serious?”
“Of course I am. What’s the problem?” she asked.
This coming from his attorney—unbelievable. “Aside from being completely dishonest, it sounds illegal, too.”
“Don’t worry. There are ways around it. Besides, I know how much the inn means to you.”
Joshua had always known Melissa was tough when it came to business, but he didn’t know she was capable of something so unscrupulous. She was untrustworthy—just like Jessica. If ever there was a time to cut her loose, it was now. She was trouble with a capital T. “Look, I don’t think this is going to work any longer.”
“What are you talking about?” She hesitated and a garbled voice sounded through the phone. “I’ve got to catch my train. I’ll be up the day before the auction—we’ll talk then about me moving to Whispering Slopes.”
He sucked in a breath and released it. “Please—send me this month’s bill. I’m going to find a new attorney.”
“You’re joking, right?”
Breaking ties with her would be more difficult than he’d imagined, but he knew it was the end of not only their business relationship but also a friendship, whether she accepted it or not. She’d crossed the line, and one thing he wouldn’t tolerate was dishonesty. He’d had enough of that with Jessica later in their marriage, when she was unfaithful.
Without another word, the line went dead. It was just as well. What more could he say? Her idea to defraud Faith out of a chance to make her dreams come true had infuriated him. Yes, he wanted the inn, but he’d gain possession walking an honest path. His anger toward Melissa bubbled deep in his gut. But then, as he stood under a streetlight in the parking lot, he wondered if he was any different from Melissa?
Chapter Eleven
Early Saturday, Faith had to struggle to get Bella out of bed. After they’d come home from the father-daughter dance the previous night, Bella’s feet had never touched the ground. Reading her a bedtime story had been next to impossible, with the five-year-old full of tales of her and Joshua twirling on the dance floor. Faith’s heart had soared all evening as she’d watched her daughter. She’d never seen Bella so happy in her life.
As she wiped down the granite countertop, Faith peered out the window. The once-fat snowflakes were fine and coming down harder than when she’d dropped Bella off at the church earlier, to practice for the children’s play. Since the snow predictions were for little or no accumulation, Bella would stay at the church for several hours before Joy picked her up for a sleepover. This was perfect timing, giving Faith an opportunity to tackle the mound of paperwork she’d brought over from the inn.
Thirty minutes later, her stomach twisted when she spied Joshua walking up the snow-laden path toward the house. When he’d dropped her and Bella off last night, he’d said he’d be over to cook lunch around ten. Glancing at the clock on the stove, she saw he was right on the dot. Feeling a little uneasy about being alone with him after Bella’s remark wishing he were her daddy, she wondered if she should bring it up with him or not. She sucked in a deep breath when he softly knocked on the door.
Whish.
A strong, gusty wind ripped the doorknob from her grip and sent a blast of wet snow and ice into her face.
“Whew! It’s getting pretty nasty out there. This should be great for business.”
Of course, his mind was always on her inn. Why wouldn’t it be? She stepped aside and motioned him inside. Even with the strong winds, she couldn’t escape his sweet peppermint scent.
Plato zipped to the door, licking up the melted flakes dotting the hardwood.
Faith snapped her fingers and pointed toward the bed. “Plato, it’s okay, go lie down.”
She scurried over to the coffeepot while Joshua set three grocery bags on the table. “We’ve got a lot of cooking to do today,” Faith said as she removed two large mugs from the cherry cabinet and poured them each a cup of brew.
“The coffee smells great—thanks,” he said as he accepted her offering and took a slow sip.
“Do you want me to get the salad going while you prepare the casserole?” she offered, since she didn’t know the first thing about making any of the fancy dishes he’d suggested last night for today’s menu. Her specialty was baked mac and cheese. It had been one of Chris’s favorites.
Unloading the bags, he looked over. “Sounds good to me. I picked up a couple of cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as some Italian dressing.”
Thirty minutes later, the salad was made and the casserole bubbled inside the oven, filling the room with the aroma of garlic and oregano. They settled into the chairs at the kitchen table with a second cup of fresh coffee and some chocolate-nut biscotti. Icy pellets of snow flicked against the windows.
Faith cleared her throat as she traced her finger along the lip of her cup. “I wanted to say thank-you again for last night. You made Bella the happiest little girl in the entire Shenandoah Valley. She was still chattering about it when I dropped her off at the church earlier.”
“I should be thanking you for agreeing to the evening. Bella is such a special and compassionate child. Being around her brings so much joy into my heart.” He paused and glanced toward the frosty window before turning his attention back to Faith. “She also reminds me of what my life is missing.”
Moving forward after losing Chris in the fire had been the most difficult thing Faith had ever done. If it hadn’t been for Bella, she wasn’t sure she would have survived those early years. “Children are indeed a gift from God,” she whispered.
“My wife—excuse me, ex-wife—left me for another man. We’d been married for five years. I wanted children, but she didn’t.” He ran his hand across his face. “I take it back. She didn’t want children with me.” A moment of silence passed through them. “I heard through a friend that she and her new husband recently had a little boy.”
She touched her parted lips with her finger, not sure how to respond. Since they’d met, in her mind she’d seen him as a man who put business first, with no desire for a family. “I’m really sorry, Joshua. That must be hard for you.”
“Honestly, when I first heard, I was
happy for her.”
“How could you be?”
“I always thought she’d make a wonderful mother. We had a good marriage for a couple of years...at least I thought we did. Other than the disagreements about having children, we never argued much. Before I quit my job, she seemed happy—I know I was. I’d accepted the fact I’d never be a father and I was okay with it because I loved her so much. When I made the decision to leave my job, she lost all respect for me—I guess I can’t really blame her. She grew up with money and wanted a man who’d take care of her financially. One day, I came home and found a note saying she was in love with someone else.”
Faith swallowed hard and, without hesitation, reached out for Joshua’s hand. “Few men would have that kind of reaction to their ex becoming a mother. That’s very selfless of you.”
A slight smile tugged on his lip. “It’s what I felt, at the time. Sure, I wish she’d wanted children with me. If I hadn’t chosen to walk away from my father and the position, maybe eventually we would have started a family, but I have to believe God has another plan for me.”
When she realized she was practically holding his hand, she pulled it away with a jerk. What was she doing here—with him? What had started as a casual conversation between them had gotten way too personal. She broke eye contact with him and focused her attention on the storm. “Have you heard any updated weather reports?”
“The last I heard they were predicting a light dusting. Let me check my phone real quick.” He pulled the device from his jacket pocket.
When a draft moved from the laundry room into the kitchen, Faith reached for her cable-knit sweater hanging on the back of her chair.
Joshua looked up from his phone, concern washing over his face. “Well, that changed fast. It looks like we’re under a blizzard warning.”
“What?” She bolted toward the windows and yanked open all of the plantation shutters. Normally, she could see the inn from her house, but now it was a wall of white.
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