“In the form of Estelle Rogers?” Pastor raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. She refuses to leave town unless I agree to accompany her to Los Angeles. Which puts a serious crimp in my life and my love life, or lack thereof.”
“I assume you are referring to Kayla Russell.”
Derek nodded. “You really are in the know.”
“You were spotted together on several occasions. I put two and two together. I imagine having Estelle at your mother’s house isn’t helping, either. I’m curious about something.”
“What don’t you know?”
“Why you decided to say yes.”
“Leading worship is a dream of mine from way back, but I got sidetracked. I’ve been praying about it and feel this is what the Lord wants for me. To be completely honest, there’s another reason as well, and it’s not very spiritual. Kayla thinks I’m going to leave town. This is the best way to prove to her that I’m here to stay.”
“I see.” Pastor’s face was unreadable. Had he said too much?
“I only have one concern.” He waited until Pastor Miller made eye contact. “Are you sure about me leading worship? I tend to create a circus atmosphere.”
“I’m not worried. I trust the people of this church to behave themselves. Tell you what—you can start this Sunday. Let’s do a one-month trial. If at that time either of us is dissatisfied, I’ll find a replacement for you. Deal?” He rose and held out his hand.
Derek’s stomach leaped. He bolted to a stand and grasped the outstretched offering. “Deal.”
* * *
Kayla slid her key from the lock of the flower shop with a sigh of relief. She’d made it through one more day at the store. The added responsibility of the festival along with her normal job made her wish she’d taken that vacation Jill had suggested. At least she had her part of the festival planning complete and now all that needed to be done was the float. Derek seemed convinced he would have it finished in time, and rather than worry about it, she decided to trust him—at least where the float was concerned.
Too tired to cook dinner, she headed toward the Deli on the Rye.
“Kayla!”
She stopped and looked around for the familiar voice and spotted Derek waving from across the street. Her heart skipped, and she waved back. It was difficult to stay angry with the man. He couldn’t help his past, and he was doing her a huge favor by building the float. It was time to move past her disappointment that he wasn’t the one and treat him as she’d treat any other good friend. “Hi,” she called out.
“Hold on. I’ll be right there.” He looked both ways, then stepped into the road after a car passed and jogged across. “I have news.”
His face practically glowed. She steeled herself for the news she expected to hear when she found out his true identity—he was leaving.
“I was offered a position as the worship leader at Oak Knoll Community Church.”
“Isn’t that kind of a step down from being a famous musician?” She scooted closer to the building to allow a mother and her children to pass.
“Not the way I see it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have followed both of my dreams.”
Kayla shook her head. “You lost me.”
“Where are you headed?”
“The deli.” She gestured at the restaurant nearby.
“How about we grab a bite, and I’ll fill you in on the details?”
She hesitated. Her gut response said no, but that was not how a friend behaved. “Sure. I’m not in any hurry.”
He pushed the door open. “After you.”
“Thanks.” They placed their orders, then found a table. “You said you followed both of your dreams.”
“Right. When I was a young teen, I felt called to the ministry as a worship pastor, but then the chance of a lifetime was handed to me, and I went in a different direction.”
“I had no idea. Then again, how would I? It’s not like I was a groupie.”
He chuckled. “You are nothing like a groupie. Besides, that bit of information was between the Lord, me and my parents.”
“Are you sure you’re up to being out of the spotlight for good?” Although he seemed sincere, she couldn’t help doubting he’d actually be content as a worship pastor. “You won’t be traveling or singing in a different venue every night.”
“I’m thankful for the experience I had and that I was so successful, but I’m through with that life.” A thoughtful expression covered his face. “Tell me, what is it about me that makes it impossible to convince you that I’m not returning to my singing career?”
Kayla blinked. “Uh—”
Nick, the owner of the deli, placed two plastic baskets that held their meals on the table. “Bon appétit.”
Kayla waited until Nick was out of hearing range, then cleared her throat. “I guess I’m questioning you because I would have a difficult time leaving fame and fortune behind, so I expect that you would, too.”
He shrugged. “But I’m not you.” He bowed his head.
Kayla followed his lead and prayed a silent blessing over her meal. They looked up at the same time. Her gaze rested on his kind eyes. Was she making a mistake shutting her heart to him? He was as close as any man had ever come to meeting all the requirements on her list. But the one thing he lacked was a big one—she couldn’t trust him. There were too many unknowns where he was concerned.
“Why do I have the feeling I’ve failed some kind of test?” Derek’s brows furrowed as he bit into his Reuben sandwich.
Kayla shrugged. “Beats me. I’ve always wanted to travel. Someday I want to go to Venice and ride in a gondola.”
He chuckled. “That was a rough transition. I take it you don’t care to answer my question.”
Her cheeks burned. She’d hoped to change subjects without him noticing.
“Don’t worry—I don’t mind. You’d love Venice. Would you believe I spent five months in Italy this past year?”
Her eyes widened. “No way. I’m officially jealous. I have wanted to go there for as long as I can remember.”
“Do you have a passport?”
“Yes.” She thought about the little blue book sitting in her dresser drawer that contained no stamps. She hadn’t even been to Canada, which was an easy drive. Maybe that was where she should take the vacation Jill encouraged her to go on.
“Then why not go?”
“Venice is meant to be enjoyed with someone else.” She bit into her ham and cheese on rye. She couldn’t tell Derek about her silly girlhood dream of visiting Venice on her honeymoon. Going there alone would spoil the dream.
“I don’t agree. I went to Italy alone and enjoyed myself a lot. Granted, I was running from everything and everyone and all I wanted was peace and solitude.”
“Did you find it there?”
“For the most part.” He took another huge bite and chewed slowly.
Kayla wondered what it would be like to walk the cobbled streets of the ancient city and visit the famed Saint Mark’s Square. “What was your favorite part of Italy?”
“That’s easy—the food.” He grinned and tossed the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth.
“You were going to tell me about the details of your dream?”
“Right.” He wiped his hands on a napkin. “The church position is on a one-month trial basis. If Pastor Miller or I feel it’s not a good fit, I walk away.”
That was exactly what she feared would happen. “Are you concerned about drawing the paparazzi into the church?”
“No. They won’t go in there. I was more concerned with being a distraction and taking away from worship.”
She nodded. “I can see why you’d have that concern, but that’s not for you to worry about. You have no control over people and where their minds are at church.”
He grinned. “Great point.” He tilted his head. “What’s different? You’re being nicer.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about the way I acted before.” She reache
d for her cup of water and gulped down a few swallows, then set the cup down slowly. “I realized I was being silly. You had a right to keep your past private. Although I’m not sure how you expected that secret to stay hidden forever. It’s not like we are on another planet.” She shook her head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude. It’s just that—”
He reached across the table and grasped her hand. “Relax. I think I understand. You didn’t like that I deceived you and didn’t get why I wasn’t up-front about my past, since it was bound to come out eventually.”
“Pretty much.” The feel of his touch sent tingles rippling up her arm. Derek might think he was sticking around, but time would tell. How much time would pass before she was convinced he was staying? What if she waited too long, and he found someone else?
Chapter 10
Kayla waited in the foyer of the church a few feet from Derek as a couple of women a year or so younger than her fawned over him. She’d gone to high school with these ladies, and their behavior knotted her stomach. From the strained look on Derek’s face, he was desperate to escape.
Surely he was used to this kind of thing, but she couldn’t bear to see him so uncomfortable. She marched up to the threesome. “Hey, girls. How’s it going?” She offered her best smile and motioned for Derek to make a run for it.
“If you ladies will excuse me.” Without waiting for a reply, Derek fled across the foyer and down the stairs leading to the church office.
She returned her attention to the women. “That was a great service.”
“Uh-huh,” the duo said in unison.
Kayla pointed. “Oh, look, my mom is waving for me to hurry. She likes to get to the restaurant before the church across town lets out. See you.” She hustled through the foyer and caught up with her mother at the doors leading to the sidewalk. They’d walk to Bridget’s Diner since it was only a block away.
“Your Derek did a fine job this morning,” Mom said as she clipped along beside Kayla. “I heard a lot of folks talking and they were pleasantly surprised.”
“About what?” She’d let it go that Mom called him her Derek since even though it wasn’t a reality, she’d like to secretly think of him as hers.
“Some of them doubted his ability to lead worship, but I must say he did well.”
Kayla’s insides warmed, and she walked with a little bounce in her step. “I agree. I’m afraid I was one of those doubters, too, but not anymore. I’m really proud of him.”
“I have a surprise for you at the diner.”
A smile touched her lips. She loved surprises, and her mom’s were always good. “What is it?”
Mom dragged a finger across her lips; then she mimed locking them and tossing the imaginary key.
“Not even a hint?” Several people milled around outside Bridget’s. Hadn’t her church service gotten out on time? She glanced at her cell phone and gasped. “We’re ten minutes late!”
“No worries. I sent someone ahead to get us a table.” Mom’s eyes gleamed mischief.
Kayla’s insides trilled in anticipation of the surprise. She pulled the door open, motioned for her mom to go in first and followed.
Mom greeted the hostess, then strode toward the back dining room, where it was generally a little quieter. Bridget’s Diner had been a staple in Oak Knoll for as long as she could remember and they’d been having Sunday lunch here for years. Mom stopped beside a booth where a handsome man sat. With his trim physique, tanned skin, and salt-and-pepper hair, he reminded her of George Clooney.
He grinned wide, flashing his perfect teeth, and stood. “I was beginning to wonder what happened to you.” He pulled Mom into a hug and kissed her cheek.
“Close your mouth, dear,” Mom said as she scooted into the booth. “Stan, this is my daughter, Kayla. Kayla, meet Stan.”
Kayla tipped her head to the side—the Stan from Florida? Why was he here, and why did she have a feeling life had just taken a crazy twist?
“Your mother has told me so much about you.” He slid in beside Mom.
Kayla gave a tentative smile as she sat across from the couple and worked to form an intelligent thought. “She said she had a surprise waiting, but I never imagined it would be you. It’s nice to meet you, Stan. Where are you staying?”
“The Best Western.”
“Oh.” She’d half expected he’d be staying in her guestroom, but then, maybe her mom didn’t feel comfortable with that arrangement. It was Kayla’s house, after all.
“Stan flew into Portland on Friday.”
“So you’ve been in town a couple of days, and my mom is just now getting around to introducing us?” She raised a brow and sent her mother a you-have-some-explaining-to-do look.
Mom’s face glowed and she seemed clueless to Kayla’s tease. She looked at Stan with such love in her eyes. What was really going on here? Kayla narrowed her eyes, and then she saw it. Her mom’s left-hand ring finger held a rock she had to be blind not to have seen.
“You’re engaged? Oh my goodness!”
Mom nodded and held out her hand for Kayla to examine the ring.
“You sure didn’t waste any time. Congratulations!” Excitement tempered with caution bubbled through her. Her mom deserved to find love again, but she and Stan barely knew each other. How could they possibly jump into marriage so quickly?
Stan chuckled. “When it’s right, it’s right.” He looked to her mother and cradled her hand between his.
Mom’s eyes shone with adoration.
How had she missed that her mother was so much in love? She had been distracted since Derek walked into the flower shop last month.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” Mom’s forehead scrunched. “I’m sorry for springing this on you. I didn’t think—”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I was so caught up in my own drama that I missed yours.”
“You’ve been focused elsewhere lately, what with the festival preparations and mooning over Derek.”
“I wasn’t mooning.” Kayla cast a quick glance at Stan. A knowing smile covered his face. “I was… Oh, I don’t know what I was doing, but it wasn’t mooning.”
Stan chuckled again. “She’s exactly like you described her, Livy.”
Mom nodded.
Livy? No one had ever been allowed to shorten Mom’s name. She’d always demanded that everyone call her Olivia. Clearly her mother was in love, but marriage? Kayla looked down and realized she was shredding her paper napkin, but she really was happy for them, and Stan seemed like a kind man who clearly loved her mother, but still… They’d known one another for only a couple of months.
Derek’s baby blues danced in her mind, sending her heart into overdrive. So what if she’d known him a few days before tossing around the idea of marrying him? Besides, she hadn’t followed that train of thought all the way to the station. “When is the wedding?”
Mom and Stan glanced at each other. His face sobered. “We still need to tell my children, and I’m not sure they’ll take it as well as you.”
Kayla gulped. She’d been an only child her entire life, and now she would have three stepsiblings. But they were all adults, so they’d probably never see each other except at holiday gatherings. Her gaze darted toward the exit. She needed time to digest this news away from her mother. Mom knew her too well and would sense her unease. “How about you lovebirds take lunch to figure things out? I can grab a bite to eat at home.”
“Are you sure, honey?”
“Yes. I’ll catch up with you later. And, Stan, don’t be a stranger. I expect to see you at our place for dinner every night you’re in town. That is, unless you have other plans.” She scooted out and stood, not waiting for a reply.
On the way to the exit, she bumped shoulders with a man. “Excuse me,” she mumbled, and kept going.
“Kayla?”
She looked up and started—Derek.
* * *
Derek studied Kayla’s pale face. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, but if you
plan on eating here, you’re going to stay hungry for a while. They’re packed.” She pressed her lips together. “You have to get here early to get a table on Sundays.”
“Now you tell me,” he said playfully. He’d planned to meet his mom here. Estelle was supposed to drop her off, but she’d just sent a text saying his mother had been cleaning the house all morning and was taking a nap instead. He’d been on his way out when Kayla had rammed into him. “Have you eaten?”
She shook her head.
He grinned. “In that case, let’s get out of here. I have an idea.”
“I don’t know, Derek. I feel a headache coming on.”
Her face registered turmoil. What was going on? He gently guided her out the door into the cool sunny day—the perfect spring afternoon.
“What a relief to be out of there.” She rubbed her palm on her forehead. “I skipped breakfast.”
“Is that why you have a headache?”
“Probably. That and the fact my mom and her fiancé just announced their engagement.”
He let out a low whistle. “We’ve both had quite a day. How about grabbing takeout and eating in the park?”
She looked around. “Where’s your entourage?”
“I think they gave up and returned to Los Angeles. Estelle never leaves the house, although she was going to drop my mom at Bridget’s Diner. She must have lain low long enough the paparazzi figured she’d gone home.”
“So she’s still here?”
Was that censure in her eyes? He probably deserved it, but after talking with Pastor Miller the other day and praying, he felt it was best to let his mom decide when it was time to send Estelle packing.
“She’s a guest of my mother at this point, or I’d have sent her away a long time ago. My mom seems to enjoy her company, and she feels strongly that she needs to share the Lord with Estelle. After all Mom has been through, I don’t want to upset her.” He shrugged. “It’s her house. I’m staying in the guest cottage out back.”
“Okay.”
“Okay to get food or okay about Estelle?”
“Both.” She grabbed his arm. “Come on. I’m starving and food will probably help ease this headache.” She tossed him a grin as they set out on foot.
A Valentine for Kayla Page 8