by Lois Richer
On the phone Shay had promised she’d meet him here in five minutes. So where was she?
“Nick? What’s so urgent?” came her voice from behind him, gilded with laughter. “And what’s that on your pants?”
He twisted to get a better look at his backside and groaned. “It figures.”
“It looks like—icing?” Shay frowned. Then her eyes widened. “Your mom’s birthday cake…?”
“…is now mush,” he finished, trying not to grit his teeth.
“Because?” She waited for his explanation, but her gaze slid back to the icing.
“Because some kid went racing through a stop sign. I hit the brakes to avoid him and the cake—well, it flew all over the place.” Nick grimaced. “Trust me when I tell you there is no way to salvage any of it for this afternoon.”
“I see.” She arched one eyebrow, but he caught the flicker of a smile at the corner of her mouth.
“This is not funny,” he barked.
“Yes, it is. Kind of.” She giggled as she reached up and touched the top of his head, then showed him the pink icing on her finger. “You’re wearing a lot of this cake.”
“What am I supposed to do, Shay?” He realized his entire right sleeve was also plastered with mashed cake and icing. “I checked with the bakery. They don’t have another cake that big, or anything close to it. I also checked the grocery store. No big cakes. Just a ton of little round ones. Buddy Simms is pretty mad. Their delivery got doubled or something.”
“Cupcakes?” Shay asked, her green gaze narrowing.
“I guess that’s what you call them.” He waited impatiently. Shay had come up with the answers to so many other issues—was it expecting too much to think she could solve this, too? He watched as she pondered the dilemma while he found himself pondering just how beautiful she was. He caught himself—now was not the time.
“Go and buy them,” she said.
“Buy the cupcakes?” He frowned. “How many?”
“We guessed there’d be over a hundred people to come for your mom’s party, but yesterday Heddy Grange said there will probably be more like two hundred.”
Heddy Grange knew everything about everyone in Hope. If she said they’d have a full house—well, he wasn’t going to argue.
“How many does the store have?” Shay asked.
“I think he said—maybe around six hundred?” Nick frowned. “I can’t remember. Apparently they always order a bunch for some school event, but the company shipped way too many. Buddy told me he was going to freeze the overage until the truck comes back next week.”
“Maybe he won’t have to.” Shay tilted her head to one side, her copper hair shining in the sun. “Maybe he’ll give you a deal, just to be rid of them.”
“But they don’t have any icing or decorations,” Nick sputtered. “Why do we want a bunch of plain little cakes?” This was not the solution he’d hoped for.
“Never mind that. Just go over there and buy them. Tell him I’ll pick them up in twenty minutes. After that,” she said, pushing his shoulder, “go join your family for breakfast at the restaurant. I’ve got an idea.”
“You always seem to have an idea.” He had to smile. “Bike wheels, birthday parties, cake messes. The mind boggles.”
“Don’t worry, Nick. It will be fine.” She was scanning numbers on her phone. “If there are leftovers, you can take them to coffee time at church tomorrow morning.”
Somehow, Nick knew Shay would handle it. Again he was struck by how much he was willing to put his trust in her when he wouldn’t have afforded anyone else the same, especially if it involved his family.
“Sure you don’t want help?” he asked. “I feel like I’m dumping this in your lap and running.”
“You are dumping it in my lap,” she teased. “But at least there’s no icing on me. Yet.” She laughed when he groaned. “Anyway, I’ll have help—Brianna and Jaclyn are at my place now with Zac and Kent. I came to pick up the coffee I bought yesterday and left in my office. Everything’s under control. You go enjoy your sisters and their families.”
“Okay.”
“You might want to wash some of that icing off first, though. Your mom might guess about the cake.”
“I owe you, Shay,” Nick told her sincerely. “Big-time.”
“And I intend to collect soon. But that day is not today.” She waved at him. He started to walk away but then she called him back.
“Yes?”
“Maggie?” she asked, her beautiful face telegraphing her anxiety.
“Will be moving around like a hummingbird searching for flowers,” he told her. Nick cupped her cheek in his palm, loving her for her concern about his niece. How could one woman have such a generous heart? How lucky was he to have her in his life? “For now, and that is thanks to you and that tricycle. But Mags wants to surprise you, so I can say no more.”
Shay’s eyes sparkled. “That little girl has got the faith of a giant. And the heart of a champion. Just like her uncle.”
“Then we’re in good company,” he said, brushing the end of Shay’s nose with a fingertip of icing. His heart felt huge in his chest. Shay Parker thought he had heart. What a compliment. He hoped she’d never think less of him.
When she didn’t immediately back away from his touch, Nick’s heart rate accelerated until he could barely breathe. Could that be because she wasn’t afraid of him anymore? He checked her eyes and found no fear lurking there. That made him want to hold her close and reassure her that he’d always be there for her.
Only—he wouldn’t be.
So all he said was, “Later.”
Nick headed to his car, fully aware that he would never be able to get enough of the icing and cake off his clothes for his family not to suspect something was amiss. Well, let them suspect. He wasn’t going to explain. This was his mom’s day, and nothing was going to ruin it.
Thank heaven for Shay. As Nick drove away, he saw her talking on her phone a mile a minute wildly gesticulating. Before he turned the corner, he watched her hesitantly peek into the rear of her car before climbing in.
So Shay wasn’t afraid of him, but she was still afraid of something. Nick made a decision. He was going to help her let go of the past and move into the future. No way could he let that beautiful woman who held such a special place in his heart suffer any longer. It was time for Shay to embrace life, and he was going to help her do it.
He owed her at least that much.
*
Shay watched as Nick led his mother to the table where the cupcakes were assembled into a beautifully decorated birthday display.
“I can’t thank you enough, Susan,” she murmured to Ted’s mom. “You’ve made them look so beautiful—far better than the ordinary cake we had planned. A lot of people are going to ask who made that masterpiece.”
“I’d be happy to get another job,” Susan said. “I used to work in a bakery. It’s something I really enjoy.”
“You’re certainly good at it,” Shay said.
Nick’s stunned surprise on seeing the cupcake cake was gratification enough. The “thank you” he now mouthed at Shay was, well, icing on the cake. A quiver that started in her stomach moved up to hug her heart. Did he know she’d do almost anything for him?
“I’d better get home. Ted’s with his dad. They probably both need rescuing.” Susan’s eyes widened when she saw the check Shay handed her.
“This party wouldn’t have been the same without a cake. Thank you.” Shay smiled as the grateful woman left, thinking she’d be sure to mention Susan’s name this afternoon. Maybe she could help Ted’s mom get more work. The woman was talented, and it had to be tough for her to manage on part-time cleaning wages and her husband’s disability check.
When Nick led everyone in a slightly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday,” Shay joined in, clapping with everyone else as Mrs. Green made a vigorous effort to blow out the relighting candles Nick had chosen. Then Shay motioned to the girls from the cheerl
eading squad, who’d agreed to act as servers, to begin handing guests a beverage.
A sweet sense of satisfaction blossomed deep inside Shay as she noted how easily people mingled through the yard, enjoying the food and the company. A local group—old friends of Nick’s sister Cara—played music that soon drew a few dancers. The babble of conversation and Mrs. Green’s glowing face proclaimed this party a total success.
Kids squealed and giggled nearby as they jumped and bounced inside the blow-up castle Nick had rented. But it was Maggie who caught Shay’s eye.
Shay knew Nick had attached the wheels from Mrs. Campbell’s tricycle to Maggie’s Tiger machine, but how he’d done it so successfully was a mystery. Maggie moved freely over the gravelly ground, captivating everyone with her bubbling laughter.
“The party’s a success, isn’t it?” Nick murmured in her ear a few minutes later.
“It certainly is,” she agreed. There was that quiver again and the rush of warmth to her heart that Nick always brought.
“It’s because of you, Shay.” Nick’s dark gaze held hers. “None of this could have happened without you. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Are you kidding?” She shook her head. “You were the driving force. Anyway, look at your mom’s face. That’s all the thanks I need.”
“Me, too.”
They stood together, watching Mrs. Green hand out cupcakes to her friends. The fatigue of the previous day had vanished, leaving a carefree woman who interacted with each grandchild who rushed up for a hug before disappearing back inside the jumping castle.
“Excuse me, Shay,” Brianna said. “Hey, Nick. Great party.”
“That’s Shay’s doing,” he answered, smiling at Brianna. Brianna turned to look at Shay and gave her a wink that made Shay blush a little.
“I just wanted to let you know, Shay. We’re running a bit low on coffee and I can’t find any more grounds,” Brianna said. “So I’m going to take a run into town.”
“I’ll do it. I’m the one who miscalculated.” Nick dug his keys out of his pocket. “I guess I’m not very good at planning for parties.”
“Everyone here thinks you’re great at it. Including me.” Shay grinned at him. “And you didn’t miscalculate. There’s lots of coffee. I just forgot to take it out of my car after we finished unloading those cupcakes. I’ll go get it.”
“I’ll join you in a sec,” Brianna said. “First I want to ask Zac to put together those treat bags Jaclyn and I plan to give the kids later.”
“Great idea.” Shay touched Nick’s arm to gain his attention. She waited for the usual sense of panic and realized with surprise that it wasn’t as strong as usual. “Maybe you and your sisters could take over passing out the cupcakes and give your mom a rest. She’s scrunching up her hand as if it’s sore.”
“Really?” Nick took a quick look at his mom then faced Shay again. “Don’t miss a thing, do you?” For a moment, Nick stood there, looking down at her as if there were something else he wanted to say, but after a moment he seemed to change his mind. “Thanks. Again,” was all he said.
“You’re welcome.” As she walked back toward the house, Shay felt a surge of satisfaction. The party was everything she’d wanted for Mrs. Green. Maggie was as mobile as possible. The day was sunny and warm without being stifling. And Nick—Nick was happier than she’d seen him in a long, long time.
“Thank You for answering Maggie’s prayers,” she whispered. “And mine.”
It felt odd to walk inside her house without unlocking the door, but there was no way to keep the house locked up when so many people needed access. She walked through the kitchen, trying to ignore the chaos. The place would need a good cleaning when the party was over, but a little mess was well worth the amount of joy the party had brought. She opened the garage door to get the coffee out of her trunk and flicked the light switch. With a flash the bulb burnt out.
“Great timing,” she grumbled. Shay grabbed for the flashlight she kept hanging by the door for just such emergencies. Then she remembered leaving it in the pecan shed last night. “Oh, for goodness’ sake,” she muttered in exasperation as she hesitated. “Just get the coffee out of the car, Shay.”
Her voice sounded shaky in her own ears. Suppressing her disquiet over the darkness, she felt her way along the car’s fender until she found the door. She opened it and reached inside, flicking the trunk switch. At least the interior car light provided a little illumination.
The quiet snick of the trunk lock releasing did not drown out the rustle of something behind the car.
Shay froze.
“Is someone there?” she asked, peering into the shadows.
Nothing. And then it came again, a sound that was like shuffling footsteps.
“Who’s there?”
No answer.
The ominous dread of knowing someone lurked in the shadows made Shay’s knees knock. As she cowered in the semidarkness, she tried to remember the verses she’d read.
But all she could think of was, Please, God, send Nick.
Chapter Eight
“Have you seen Shay?” Nick asked Brianna.
“No, and we’re getting really low on coffee.” Brianna frowned. “I’ll go check on her.”
“I’ll go. You finish the kids’ bags,” he told her with a wink. “Your work is much prettier than what my feeble attempts would produce.”
Waylaid by several people on his way to Shay’s house, Nick took longer than he intended to get there. His concerns ballooned when he didn’t find her in the kitchen.
“Shay?” Her name had barely left his lips when he noticed the door to the garage standing ajar. He reached for the doorknob then paused when he heard a soft whimper. “Are you in here, Shay?” No answer. Then he saw her.
The dim glow of the car’s interior lights made Shay a ghostly figure as she huddled on the hood of her car, hugging herself. Nick spotted a switch on the far side of the wall. He negotiated his way over, flicked it upward and then pushed the door opener. As the garage door slid up and daylight flooded the space, he hurried back to her.
“Shay, what’s the matter?” he asked. He had to repeat himself twice, until finally she lifted her head.
“Someone’s there,” she croaked in a hoarse voice. “Behind the car.” Her emerald eyes stretched wide with terror.
Nick glanced over one shoulder. “I don’t see anyone.”
“They were there,” she insisted. A shudder made her body tremble. “I heard someone.”
“Okay, I’ll check.” Nick walked around the car to see a plastic bag caught in the door hinge rustling as the wind toyed with it. He grabbed it and returned to stand beside her. “It was just a bag. It must have caught in the door from all that wind last evening. You’re safe, Shay.”
Her glazed green pupils gradually narrowed into focus. “A b-bag? That’s it?”
“That’s it. There’s nothing else there, Shay. I promise. Come on.” Nick held out a helping hand as she slid off the hood of her car. Her fingers clung to his. Nick had no intention of letting go. For the first time since New York Shay needed him and it felt good to be able to be there for her when she’d done so much to help him.
Maybe it felt too good?
It was great she’d begun to trust him. But who would be there to help after he’d gone back to Seattle? The realization that he might not be there when Shay needed him most made Nick clasp her hand that much tighter.
“I feel so s-stupid,” she stuttered, avoiding his gaze.
“You aren’t stupid.” She was shaking. Nick wrapped his arms around her and held her. “You got spooked. It can happen to anyone.”
“Sure it can.” She inhaled then pulled away from him. “Does it happen to you?” she demanded, her green eyes furious. She strode up the stairs into her house. “What an idiot I am.”
“You’re not.” He followed her then suddenly stopped. “Shay?”
“Yes?” She turned.
Her beautiful face was
so pale. Nick’s breathing hitched at the pain he saw. He wanted to hold her until the fear dissipated. He wanted to comfort her. But he knew she’d pull away. All he could do right now was give her some space and be there if she needed him.
“Didn’t you come out here for the coffee?” he asked.
“Oh. Yes, I did. It’s in the trunk.” She scurried inside.
Her distress gutted him. To see her so shaken—well, Nick was grateful for this small reprieve to regain his equanimity. He retrieved the cans of coffee then followed her into the kitchen. When she saw him, she reached for the doorknob. Her hand was trembling, and she knew he’d seen it. But she pretended all was normal.
“I hope no one’s gone thirsty.” The tremble in her self-conscious laugh gave her away.
“I doubt it. We’ve only been away a few minutes.” Nick frowned.
“Oh.” She inhaled deeply. “Good.”
“Listen, Shay, you should get the light switch moved over beside the house door. It’s not a good thing to go out there in the dark,” he said quietly. “A rattler could have gotten in, and they don’t like being disturbed.”
“It’s the one mistake the contractor made that I haven’t rectified,” she agreed. “I had the hall light on when I went out. It didn’t seem that dark then.” She visibly struggled to keep her tone even. “Besides, I always close the garage door as soon as I drive in. A snake couldn’t get in that fast.”
“You were never afraid of rattlers anyway.” Nick suddenly recalled a high school biology presentation she’d made about handling dangerous snakes. It had included a hands-on demonstration. “Snakes don’t bother you, but people do,” he said half-jokingly.
“Totally irrational, isn’t it?” Chin thrust forward, she headed out the door and walked toward the party.
“Nobody ever said fear was rational.”
Shay didn’t answer. Nick touched her arm, and she jerked away.
“Talk to me, Shay,” he begged. “You thought your stalker was back, didn’t you?”
“It’s—Nick, I’m fine. I just let my panic get out of control.”
Or you lost control. But Nick didn’t say that as Shay turned away.