“Back at you. Are you and I okay? You ran off so fast last night.”
“Sure. No worries here.”
“Good. Thanks.” He strode along the path that cut through the woods to his cabin.
The quiet house suddenly felt lonely. She shook off the feeling and marched into the office. There was no time to dwell on her emotions. She picked up her briefcase, stuffed her laptop inside along with a measuring tape, then grabbed several product samples she planned to present to the homeowner this afternoon based on their brief conversation.
She sent a text off to Nicole to make sure her friend was still able to meet and to get her coffee order. She’d pick up their drinks and then go visit with her friend at the school. Nicole wanted to talk about her doing a presentation on interior design. Bailey couldn’t imagine why anyone in the fourth grade would care one whit about what she did, but she owed it to Nicole to hear her out.
Thirty minutes later, Bailey strolled into the teachers’ lounge with Nicole by her side.
“Thanks for meeting me here.” Nicole pulled a salad from an insulated bag. “Did you bring lunch?”
“No. This peppermint mocha has enough sugar and calories to count as lunch and dessert.”
Nicole nodded. “Good point. I’m glad I had you get me plain coffee with cream and sugar.” She pried the lid off her salad. “By the way, you look amazing. I noticed you are spending a little more time on your makeup too.”
“Thanks. I don’t want to let Stephen, or for that matter, Mona, down. They’ve been good to me, and I want to represent them well.”
“You are certainly succeeding.” Nicole ginned. “How’s it going with the new girl?”
“Today was her first day. I wasn’t expecting her to start for another week-and-a-half, but when her boss found out she was quitting, he told her he didn’t need her and to enjoy her new job.”
“Ouch. That sounds a little rude.”
“I thought so too, but Sierra didn’t mind, and I’m happy to have her start early. That will give me time to get her trained before Christmas.”
“Have you been busy? I wouldn’t think there’d be much business around the holidays.”
“It’s slower than other times of the year, but there’s enough to keep us both busy since we also work on the construction sites.”
“Cool. So, about visiting my classroom . . .”
“Right. I don’t see how the kids could possibly be interested in anything I’d have to say.”
“I disagree. I have several artistic students in my classroom. We are studying careers until winter break, and you’d be perfect. Plus, I happen to know the kids will love you even if you talk about something boring.”
She chuckled. “When you put it like that, I can’t say no.” True or not, she owed Nicole after the makeover. She looked around then lowered her voice. “I was hoping you’d help me sort something out.”
“If I can.” Concern filled Nicole’s eyes.
“I have a secret admirer.”
Nicole grinned. “Mm-hmm.”
“Well, I’m thinking it’s Stephen, but I’m not sure because there have been some other instances that make me think it could be someone else.”
“What makes you think that?” Nicole’s brow furrowed.
Bailey told her about the cards and the flowers. “The flowers confuse me. It makes no sense to have Spencer deliver them. Especially since they don’t really know one another. Then there’s the fact that Stephen kissed me.”
Her eyes widened. “He did? So are the two of you seeing each other or what?”
“Or what.” She shrugged. “I have no idea what we’re doing.”
A bell rang. “I want to hear more, but I need to go get my class from the playground. Call me later if you can. I’ll email the details for your presentation on Friday.”
Bailey followed her friend as far as the end of the hall, then veered toward the office where she would sign out. A young girl sat in the office near the principal’s door. Bailey hesitated for a second when she saw the child’s face, which resembled her cousin’s at that age so much they could be related. Her stomach knotted as the memories of that slumber party once again flooded her. She shook off the dread and quickly signed out, ignoring the girl.
Stephen sat at his drafting table in his cabin staring at a blank page. He’d been so excited about presenting his brothers with new designs, but now everything he thought of seemed boring. He wanted to try something bold. Cutting edge. Something homebuyers would wonder how they had ever lived without. But nothing he thought of was good enough.
Knocking drew his attention. A quick glance at the window showed the sun had gone down. He wasn’t expecting anyone, but he strode to the door and pulled it open. “Bailey! This is a surprise.” He opened it wider. “Come in.”
She shook her head. “I made stew and thought you might be hungry.” She thrust a pot mostly wrapped in a dishtowel toward him.
“Thank you. That was nice. Please come in and tell me how it went with Sierra today.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt anything.” From her position right outside the door, she glanced around his cabin. Her eyes stopped at his drafting table. “That’s new.” She stepped inside.
He closed the door. “I moved it out of my bedroom. I prefer to work out here.”
“Can I see what you’ve done?”
Stephen shook his head as he strode to the table. “I wish I had something to show you.”
“You’ve done nothing? All afternoon?”
He laughed drily at the incredulous tone of her voice. “Trust me. I’m as shocked as you. I don’t know what’s wrong. I usually have tons of ideas flying through my head.” He unwrapped the pot and lifted the lid. Steam surged up along with the savory smell of root vegetables and seasonings. “This smells delicious. When did you have time to cook?”
“It’s been in the crock pot all day.”
“I’m surprised I didn’t smell it this morning.” He pulled two bowls from the cupboard. “Will you join me? There’s plenty.”
“Sure. I left the rest in the crockpot on warm and haven’t eaten yet. Sorry. I didn’t think to buy any bread.”
“No problem.” He dished up the stew then pulled out a chair for her. After he blessed the food he took a bite. “So how did it go with Sierra?”
“She’s a quick study. If she continues to work hard and pay close attention to detail, she’ll be a huge asset.”
He studied her face. Although they’d known one another a short time, he was beginning to know her looks. He recognized concern, or perhaps it was worry, in her eyes. Maybe that was why she was really here this evening. “Penny for your thoughts.”
“Not sure they’re worth that much.”
“Try me.”
“I’m supposed to be the guest speaker in Nicole’s classroom on Friday, and I’m not so sure it’s a good idea.”
“Why’s that? Other than the whole public speaking thing.”
She stuffed a huge bite of stew into her mouth and chewed very slowly.
He chuckled at her obvious avoidance of his question. “Fine. Don’t answer.” He devoured the rest of the stew. He hadn’t realized he was hungry until he’d smelled her creation.
Bailey studied the contents of her bowl and finally met his gaze. “I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“What if the kids hate me and make faces at me, or talk over me, or—”
“Stop.” He scooted his chair closer to her and cradled her hand in his. “Where is this coming from?”
She looked away from him. “There was a girl in the office today that was the spitting image of my cousin when we were kids, and it reminded me of that night and how it made me feel.”
He ran his thumb gently across the top of her hand. “Ah, Bailey. That’s your fear talking. Those kids are going to love you. Just like Lacy and Collin do. You’re great with kids, so relax.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Thanks. I k
now I’m being silly. Old habits are difficult to break.”
“Very true.” He removed his hands from hers and stood, collecting their bowls. “I have peppermint ice cream. Would you like a scoop?”
“Of course. That’s my favorite this time of year.”
He pulled the tub from the freezer and took his time. His brother’s stern warning hit him like a bucket of ice water. He really enjoyed Bailey’s company and wondered if there could be more than friendship between them, but he never should have kissed her last night. His mother would not approve, and he strongly believed in honoring his mother—after all it was one of the Ten Commandments. He scooped up the ice cream then turned to find that Bailey was no longer at the table. “Bailey?”
“In here.”
He followed the sound of her voice and found her on the backside of the Christmas tree. “What are you doing?” he asked as he handed her the dessert.
She took the dish. “Thanks. I wanted to see this side too. Your tree turned out nice. I didn’t notice it last night though.”
He grinned and walked toward the couch. “It was right there.”
She followed him to the couch and sat. “I figured as much.” She crossed one leg over the other. “I was thinking. Wouldn’t it be fun if you joined me in Nicole’s class on Friday?”
He nearly spat out his ice cream. “Why?”
“Two designers are better than one.” She slid a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
“I don’t know about that.” Did she need the moral support? Of course, that had to be it. “On second thought, it could be fun, and maybe I’ll be inspired. Count me in. Email me the details.”
She grinned wide. “Thanks! I really didn’t think you’d go for it.”
“I’m full of surprises.”
“That you are.” The look in her eyes revealed something he hadn’t noticed before. Bailey had a playful side to her. A side he wanted to explore. If only his family wasn’t an issue. He didn’t want to do anything that would put a permanent divide between him and Rick or his mom.
Chapter Fourteen
Friday afternoon, Bailey walked through the woods toward Stephen’s cabin. The talk in Nicole’s class could not have gone better. She wanted to celebrate, and Stephen was the closest person around since she’d given Sierra the afternoon off.
Squeals of delight met her ears as she neared the cabin. She grinned. It sounded like Lacy and Collin were visiting again. She’d sure seen a lot more of the children now that Stephen was home. Over the past six months or so, she had brought them back to the house several times when Judy was detained, but Judy seemed to be busy a lot more than usual lately. The strange thing was, when they did come face-to-face, Judy was cool toward her. Had she done or said something to offend Judy?
A snowball whizzed past Bailey’s shoulder. She jumped and caught her breath. Before she could run for cover, another one smacked her thigh. She looked around for the culprit. Her insides leapt at the look of mischief on Stephen’s face. “Was that you?” she called out.
“Don’t you wish you knew?” He winked then ducked behind a wall of snow.
Smack.
She got hit from behind this time. Whirling around, she spotted Lacy run behind a pine tree. Bailey charged across the open space toward a juniper tree. She’d wandered into a war field. She ducked and formed several balls. The unusually wet snow soaked through her mittens as she packed it tight. A snowball broke near her feet. She stepped from behind the bush and pelted one toward Stephen. The snowball splattered on impact as it hit the wall of snow.
“That’s the best you have?” Stephen hollered.
More giggling erupted. Suddenly the kids burst from their hiding places and high stepped it to where she crouched. “We can get him.” Collin quickly made several snowballs then pelted one toward Stephen. “Take that!”
Bailey laughed. “I’m glad you’re on my side.”
Lacy giggled. “Uncle Stephen is the best!” She sneezed.
Bailey rested a hand on the child’s shoulder. “Maybe you should take a break and go warm up inside.”
“I’m fine.” Lacy sneezed again. “Actually, hot chocolate does sound good.” She stood and waved her arms. “I surrender. I’m not playing anymore.” She tromped toward the cabin as best she could in the knee-high snow.
“I want hot chocolate too!” Collin went after his sister, sinking to his thighs in spots, but kept trudging along as fast as he could.
Bailey stood and came out from behind the juniper. “Looks like the game is over. The kids want to warm up inside.” She hiked through the open expanse between the woods and the cabin.
Stephen met her in the middle. “You look like you could use a warm up as well.”
Her teeth chattered. “I think you’re right.” She hadn’t dressed in enough layers to be playing in the snow. She’d only planned to walk the semi-short distance between the two houses.
He draped an arm across her shoulder and pulled her closer as they walked side-by-side the rest of the way. “What brings you by?” he asked as they climbed the steps to his porch. He pushed the door open.
Warmth wrapped its soothing arms around her as she stepped inside. “I wanted to celebrate how well it went at the school today.”
He grinned as he tugged off his gloves then shrugged out of his ski jacket. “That was actually fun. To be honest, I thought it could turn out to be a disaster, but the kids really responded well with good questions.”
“I agree.” She slid out of her boots and hung her coat on the closet doorknob, then dropped her wet mittens near the fireplace. Hopefully they’d dry quickly. “I know kids change their minds many times about what they want to be when they grow up, but one little girl told me she planned to be an interior designer.” Bailey hadn’t expected to have such a positive response to her talk. “Who knows, maybe someday she’ll be my competition.”
“It’s possible.” He sauntered toward the kitchen.
She followed on his heels. The kids were standing at the microwave heating water for hot chocolate.
“Do you have marshmallows, Uncle Stephen?” Collin asked.
“Do I have marshmallows?” He pulled open a cupboard and brought out two bags—one filled with mini, the other regular sized. “What’s your pleasure?”
Collin pointed to the minis.
Thirty minutes later, a sharp rap on the door interrupted a game of Uno. The door swung open, and Rick stepped inside. His eyes widened when they met Bailey’s. “This looks cozy.”
“Daddy!” The kids shouted in unison and charged to their dad.
Bailey had the distinct impression that Rick’s comment was not meant to be complimentary. He shot Stephen a look that seemed to be filled with disapproval. But what could Rick disapprove of? The kids were happy, safe and well cared for. The man should be saying thank you rather than whatever it was he was doing.
She stood and picked up her mittens from the floor. They were still wet, but at least they had dried some. “I should be going too.”
Stephen eased from his seat and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t go yet.” He stared squarely at his brother.
What was going on here? She felt like she was standing in the middle of a draw in an old western. Rick had always been great to work with, and she liked him. Why was he sending a vibe of disapproval her way?
“Get your things, kids. Mom is waiting in the car.”
Lacy and Collin donned their winter wear then shrugged on their backpacks. “Goodbye, Uncle Stephen, ’bye Bailey,” Lacy said.
Rick nodded at them then followed after his kids.
“What was that about?” Bailey stepped away from Stephen and crossed her arms.
“Nothing.”
“That was way more than nothing. Rick looked annoyed. What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry about my brother. Remember I told you that he and Judy are going through a rough patch?”
She nodded. If she didn’t know better, she’d th
ink Rick was put out that she’d been at Stephen’s, which made no sense. But what else could be the problem? It couldn’t be the children.
“Unfortunately, he and I are going through a rough patch as well. Don’t let him get to you.”
“Oh.” Maybe she’d misread the situation. Although she was happy the man wasn’t upset with her, she felt bad he was unhappy with Stephen. “Is there anything I can do to help? I know there’ve been some issues at the current house he’s building. Maybe I should—”
He held up a hand. “Relax, Bailey. You keep doing your job, and don’t worry about my brother. I’ll deal with him.”
“Well . . .” She frowned. “I guess if you say so, I’ll have to trust you.”
A tender look covered his face, and he reached for her hand. “Thank you. I know things have been out of sorts for a while with my family, and I appreciate you sticking by us.”
“Of course.” Why did she have the feeling that he meant more than what he was saying?
Stephen had all he could do to keep from pulling Bailey into his arms. The confusion in her eyes followed by complete trust endeared her to him more than he imagined possible. But he needed to tread carefully. His family didn’t approve, and he didn’t want to hurt Bailey. Too much was at stake—first and foremost their hearts. What he needed was an ally, and he knew the perfect person for the job—John.
Bailey slipped her hand free. “Are you okay? You looked far away a moment ago.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’m fine. My thoughts wandered. Sorry about that. Do you have any plans for this evening?”
“Nothing important. Why?”
He shrugged. “Thought we could hang out. Dinner. A movie. I have several Christmas movies in my collection, and I always keep a couple of pizzas in the freezer.”
“How can I pass that up?” She grinned.
A jolt shot through him. “Great. I’ll turn on the oven.” While he was in the kitchen, he sent John a text asking to meet up with him the next day.
A Christmas Homecoming Page 13