Thankfully, there had been no significant changes to the outside structure of the building and she was happy about that. She had no idea who her new next-door neighbor would be or what kind of business it was. All she knew was that she wanted them gone.
“Hey, you okay?” Darcy asked as she walked up to stand behind Nikita just outside the café’s doorway.
“Yeah, I’m fine, why?”
“I don’t know. Everybody seems kinda gloomy and depressed today. It’s like we all need an energy boost.”
Nikita looked up at the overcast sky and heavy clouds. “Maybe it’s just the weather that’s got us all down.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Darcy said.
They both knew it wasn’t the cloudy day. It was Nikita. She was the spark and energy of the café. When she was preoccupied and pensive, they all felt her mood. Today she was very pensive.
“So,” Darcy began, “are you all set for the Teen Dream Center demonstration this afternoon?”
“Yes. I have everything ready to go. I was just looking at all the commotion going on next door. There’s a lot of activity today. Looks like it’s official.”
Darcy glanced over, too. “Have any idea what or who’s moving in yet?” she asked.
“No, not yet and the workmen apparently don’t know, either. The area is still zoned for general business so it could be just about anything. They’re probably setting up some kind of office.”
“Well, at least that’ll mean more foot traffic and customers for the café.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Nikita said, still distracted.
“Still, talk about lousy timing,” Darcy added.
“Yeah, I know. Just as I’m ready to make my move, someone beats me to it. It’s like they knew I’d been looking at it all this time,” Nikita said.
“Who do you think it is? The property was bought outright. How many people have that kind of up-front capital?”
“Good question. Around here, not many, but broaden the scope and it could be anyone.”
“You know I tried to pop over a few days ago all friendly-like and see what they were doing inside,” Darcy said.
“How’s it look?”
“That’s just it. You know things are strange when even I can’t get a little peek inside. I even pulled out my best Southern charm. They didn’t budge.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out sooner or later.”
“I prefer sooner,” Darcy said.
“Yeah. Me, too,” Nikita said.
Nikita turned to head back inside when Darcy stopped her. “Hey, wait. Look, look, isn’t that your architect coming out of the building? He’s talking with that other guy with the blueprints in his hands.”
Nikita turned back around and looked over. “Yeah, that’s him. What’s he’s doing here?” she muttered.
“It looks like he got the job redesigning your building for someone else.”
“Yep, I guess he did.”
Then they saw Crystal Davis come out of the building. She was on her cell phone. A few minutes later Oren came out nodding his head as he talked to a man who walked out with him. They stopped, shook hands with the architect then, along with Crystal, he headed to his car parked down the street.
“Looks like we know who bought the building next door,” Darcy said. “I guess that answers your question.”
Nikita stared as Oren’s car drove down the street and stopped at the traffic light. “Yeah, I guess it does—and asks a whole lot of new ones.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no way Oren can afford to buy that building. He must be fronting for someone.”
“Nikita, in Oren’s defense, you realize he didn’t know you had the money for the building.”
Nikita took a deep breath. She knew Darcy was right. There was no way Oren would have known she finally had the money to buy the building for herself. But that still didn’t make it any easier to see.
“Hey, you okay?” Darcy asked.
Nikita nodded. “Yeah, fine,” she said quietly. But for real she wasn’t. It was like the dream she’d lived for the last few years had suddenly ended. Her stubbornness had killed it. Had she sold the cottage months ago, she would have her building, but it was too late now.
Darcy walked back into the café. Nikita followed slowly. Since the early-morning rush was pretty much over and the lunch crowd hadn’t yet descended, the place was calm and quiet.
Suddenly, Nikita felt it, too. Darcy was right. There was a gloominess in the café today. From outside she heard a car horn blow. She turned, seeing a familiar car stop in front of the café. Nikita stepped back outside and hurried over to her sister Natalia. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I think my cold is finally here. I feel lousy. I’m on my way to a doctor’s appointment. Can you watch the boys for an hour or so? I’m sorry for the short notice, but…”
“Don’t be silly, of course I can watch the boys. We’re in between craziness right now so this is perfect timing.” She looked in the backseat, seeing her nephews smiling at her. “Hey, guys, let’s go hang out in the café and make come cookies for Mom and Dad, okay?”
They cheered, immediately excited. She helped them out of their car seats then held their hands as they waved, and Natalia drove away.
As soon as Nikita and the boys walked in, the place livened up immediately. They were the energy recharge everybody, including her, needed. The counter staff laughed and joked with them, and Darcy spoiled them like another aunt.
Nikita took the boys to the kitchen and as promised prepared to make cookies. Half an hour later, with hands washed and aprons in place, dough already chilled and ready, Nikita and the boys chose cookie cutters and began making giant cookies for everyone. They baked them and when they came out of the oven and cooled, they spread on lemon butter icing. Everyone ate and enjoyed their special cookies, saving two for their mother and father.
A short time later Natalia returned. She had a smile on her face that lit up the room. Nikita instantly knew the reason. Wordlessly they hugged. “I’m so happy for you, Nat,” Nikita said, still holding her sister.
“I can’t believe I thought I was catching a cold,” she said shaking her head. “For real, it’s not like I’ve never been pregnant before.”
Nikita smiled and chuckled. “True, but not exactly the same installation process.”
“You’re right. In vitro wasn’t as much fun.” They laughed and hugged again.
“I have to call David. He’s still on location. He’s not scheduled to be home for another two weeks,” Natalia said.
“I have a feeling he’ll be back sooner than that.”
“I think you’re right,” Natalia said happily. “Thanks again for watching the boys. I’ll call you tonight.” They hugged again, then Natalia left with the boys just as the lunch crowd descended and it started getting really busy out front. Everybody went back to work in a much better mood—Nikita especially.
She was thrilled for her sister and brother-in-law. They were wonderful parents and she knew that another child was exactly what they wanted. And now with her cousin Mia pregnant, too, the Coles family was growing in leaps and bounds.
She thought about her other sister, Tatiana, and her new brother-in-law, Spencer. Their wedding had been a quiet, private affair and they were currently living in London until Tatiana sold her flat.
She smiled. She was so pleased with her sisters’ and cousin’s happiness. Then a slow sadness filled her. She had hoped once that she’d find someone, but she didn’t dare dream it would happen. Love just wasn’t in the cards for her.
“Hey, are you daydreaming over there?” Darcy said.
Nikita looked up. “Huh?”
“I asked you a question. When’s Chase coming back into town?” Darcy asked a seco
nd time.
“I don’t know. He said he’d be away for a few days.”
“Yeah, but that was almost a week ago. He paid in full for your services and technically it went by the day and not by the meal. In less than a week you’re done even if you never cook another meal for him.”
Nikita nodded. Darcy was right. It had been almost a week ago. Like a teenager with her first schoolgirl crush, she’d been counting the days till he came back.
In that time he called her twice. And both calls seemed more obligatory than emotional. They talked mainly about the cottage and her connection with it. But what did she really expect? She was no match for Chase. He was obviously too good at this “just sex” thing. She’d played the nonemotional game before, but this time she got caught.
“Darcy, I think I’m gonna head out early. I need to make a stop before I go over to the Teen Dream Center this evening.”
“Sure, good idea. We have everything under control here. Are you going home?”
“No. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Nikita nodded then grabbed her backpack and left. She’d had enough for one day. She drove home on automatic. As soon as she got home she stripped down, took a long hot shower. She was headed to the kitchen when her cell phone signaled she had messages. One was from her very excited sister, Tatiana. Another from her cousin, Mia. The third was from her mom and the fourth was from Oren Davis at the real-estate office. She listened.
“Nikita, Oren Davis here. I want to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss your Stock Island property. With the taxes going up again this year it would be to your advantage to sell. I forwarded you my offer. It’s firm. I will expect your reply within the next few days.”
Nikita chuckled as she listened to the message a second time. Oren Davis was an arrogant braggart to most of the people in Key West. He boasted about everything, most especially his business and money. But this sudden interest in the cottage was totally out of the blue. It didn’t make any sense. She knew he was no longer representing the Blackwells, so why would Oren suddenly be so interested in buying her little cottage? Who was he representing now?
Chapter 15
Chase arrived late afternoon, much later than he expected. Heavy turbulence over Colorado detoured the flight, and then a tropical depression extending from Louisiana across Florida’s panhandle and down the western coast kept the plane circling over Key West for an hour. Now, the same ominous thunderclouds threatening above made it seem far later than it actually was. There was a storm on the horizon and he feared it was much closer than it seemed. As soon as the plane landed he got into his car and headed into the city.
He drove the streets of Key West with the familiarity of a native. It was a long flight from Juneau to Key West, giving him ample time to think. Unfortunately, all he thought about was his grandfather’s warnings and comments. He knew Jacob was right; he also knew that there was no easy solution. There was no way he could have Nikita in his life and continue to work with his family.
He pressed the button on the steering wheel activating his cell phone. The first person he called was Nikita. The phone rang several times, then the voice mail system answered. He left a message. Then he called his assistant. He’d sent him back to Key West a day earlier. Kelvin answered his cell phone on the first ring. “Kelvin, I’m back,” Chase said.
“We have a situation.”
This was the last thing he wanted to hear. “What is it?”
“Daniel’s coming to Key West. He’s meeting with Oren Davis.”
“What? How did you find out?”
“Oren told me, or better yet he bragged that Daniel and he had a business meeting coming up. Apparently, he thinks that they’re working a deal together.”
“Oren is easily manipulated. I’m sure that’s what Daniel wants him to believe,” Chase said.
“I agree, but it’s still confirmed. He’s coming here.”
Chase slammed the palm of his hand on the wheel. This was the last thing he needed. Daniel in Key West was like a bull in a china store. Nothing good would come of it. “When are they meeting?”
“He wouldn’t say exactly. But I gather it’s soon— possibly by the end of the week. And one more thing, Daniel moved up the timetable. He had the architect go into the storefront earlier today.”
“Damn, does Nikita know?”
“I don’t see how she couldn’t,” Kelvin said. “The workmen have been in the building next to the café for the last few days. But as to your association with the project, I doubt it.”
“Okay, I’m on my way to the café.”
Five minutes later, Chase drove down Main Street. He parked his car and then headed to the café, not bothering to even glance at the building next door. He opened the front door and breezed in with swagger befitting the Buchanan name. He looked around the crowded café and spotted Darcy immediately. She was talking with a customer. She turned, seeing him, then smiled and motioned him over. “Hello, Mr. Buchanan. Welcome back.”
“Please, call me Chase. Is Nikita here?”
“No, she left early. Can I get you something from the café?”
“No, thank you.”
“Would you like to continue your schedule? This evening is already booked, but tomorrow would be doable. I can email a menu to you in the morning.”
“Yes, of course, that would be fine. But first, do you know where I can find Nikita?” he asked more anxiously than he expected.
Darcy smiled. “I’m sorry, she didn’t mention where she was going when she left this afternoon.”
“Okay, thanks,” he said, turning to leave.
“Like I said, she does have another job this evening,” Darcy said.
Chase turned back to her. “Another job, where?” he asked. A tense vein in his neck jerked and his expression was easily readable. He feared that Nikita had found out what he was doing and that meant she was furious. He needed to get to her and explain. Taking her land was a necessary sacrifice that would benefit the entire community. She had to understand that.
Darcy didn’t say anything for a few seconds. She just stood looking at him. Then, she said, “She’ll be at the Teen Dream Center this evening around five o’clock.”
Chase nodded. “Thank you. I’ll catch up with her there.”
He checked the time. It was still early. Going to the center early and waiting would be ridiculous. He hurried out and back to his car. He needed to do damage control or everything he’d worked for would fall apart. He drove to the store to grab a few things then he headed to the house. He made a few phone calls, changed clothes, then got back in the car and headed to the Teen Dream Center.
Everything seemed different in daylight. Gone was the soft jazz music, replaced with the incessant chatter and laughter of children and teenagers. Mia Morales stood in the hall talking with a few teens. She said something and they laughed. She turned when he walked up, and smiled with genuine happiness. He wondered how long that would last once everyone knew his true goal.
“Chase, hello,” Mia said with her hand extended. They shook. “Welcome back to the center.”
“Hello, Mia. You look great.”
She patted then rubbed her stomach. “Thank you. I feel great. So, how can I help you?”
“I was hoping your cousin was around.”
“Natalia is out today. Can I help you with something?”
“Actually, I was asking about your other cousin, Nikita. Is she here?”
“Yes, she’s teaching a cooking class in the kitchen.” She looked at her watch. “It should be over in about thirty minutes. If you want, you’re welcome to sit in.”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
“Sure, follow me.” Mia and Chase walked down the main corridor though the auditorium to the kitchen.
“Does N
ikita do a cooking class here every week?”
“She does two. It was once a week but the demand for her class was too insane. She does a nutritional and healthy lifestyle cooking class for adults and a novice cooking class for teens. We’re so blessed to have her. She donates her time and the food. Since she’s been doing the classes we’ve had to limit the students to only ten and even that’s too many, but she does it and the students adore her.”
“I’m sure they do.”
“Chase, can I give you a word of warning?” she said very seriously.
“Sure.”
“I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you. But know this, don’t lose Nikita’s trust. Believe me, it’s not easily gotten back.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
“Good. Now, if I’m not mistaken I believe today’s menu is lasagna rolls and garlic bread with fruit crepes for dessert. She also brings something special from the café. Today she brought watermelon salad.” As they approached the kitchen the aroma of tomato sauce perfumed the area. Mia opened the door and peeked inside just as Chase’s cell phone rang.
He looked at the caller ID. It was Daniel. “Mia, I have to take this,” he said.
Mia nodded. “I’ll meet you inside.”
“Yes, Daniel,” Chase said into the receiver.
“How do we stand right now? Do we have the property in hand or what?” he demanded. Chase didn’t reply. Daniel continued. “A Realtor by the name of Oren Davis contacted me last week.”
“And…?”
“He says he has the solution to our problem.”
“I’m sure he did, and of course his plan, whatever it is, will also be to his financial advantage.”
“That doesn’t concern me. We need that property secured and your time is just about up. If this Oren Davis has a solution, take it. Use him,” Daniel added.
Chase didn’t answer. He peeked into the kitchen, seeing Nikita at the stove surrounded by her students demonstrating something. She was unguarded, cheery and carefree.
Just One Taste (Kimani Romance) Page 13