Nickels

by Karen Baney

  “I thought I said hiking boots or tennis shoes,” he said pointing at her flip-flop clad feet.

  “I hate socks.”

  “Tut-tut. Go change.” Turning her towards her room he gave her a gentle shove forward. “Oh, and bring a leather jacket if you have it. You may want to wear a ponytail too.”

  She shouted from her room as she put on socks and hiking boots, “Aren’t we a little demanding today?”

  He stood in the doorway, leaning against one side. “Trust me, Niki. It’s your comfort and safety that I’m concerned with.”

  Such an odd comment. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and grabbed her leather jacket before standing in front of him. “Do I pass inspection, Lieutenant?”

  “Hmm. Turn around, and I’ll let you know.”

  She swatted him instead.

  When they stepped out of her house, she stopped short, not seeing his truck. “How did you get here?”

  He pointed at the motorcycle she failed to notice before.

  “No way,” she said as he held her hand and pulled her forward. She tried to shake loose. “I’m not riding that thing.”

  “Come on. You’re long past due for your next lesson in fun.”

  She managed to free her hand. Crossing her arms, frown in place, she shrieked, “That is not fun, it’s dangerous!”

  “It’s perfectly safe.”

  When she didn’t budge, he said, “Trust me. I think you’ll like it.”

  Sighing, she capitulated. “Where do I sit?”

  He got on and patted the seat behind him. “Put your arms around me.”

  “Oh, I see. Is this all a ploy to get me to hold you close?” she teased.

  “Maybe.” As he started the engine, he added, “Hold tight now. And don’t make any sudden movements.”

  “Got it,” she yelled over the roar of the engine.

  As Kyle moved the bike forward, she squealed, holding him very tight. At the stop sign he told her a little less tight might be good. When they headed toward the freeway, she stiffened. He couldn’t be taking her out there on this thing!

  He did. And he kept going, taking the 101 north to the 60 east, headed towards Apache Junction. Exiting the freeway at Ironwood, he glanced back as they waited for the light.

  “Doing okay?”

  “Sure,” she said, her voice sounding strained.

  “Good. We’ll be there soon.”

  She hoped so, since dusk started to fall and she wasn’t sure she wanted to be on the back of this bike in the dark—even if she was having fun.

  When they turned onto another road heading farther from civilization, Niki wondered where he was taking her. Finally, they pulled to a stop at the entrance for Lost Dutchman State Park. He paid the full daily fee to get into the park, which she thought silly since the sign said they closed in an hour or so. He stopped the bike in a parking area.

  As she dismounted the bike, she stretched her legs. Kyle seemed completely unaffected by the long ride.

  “Come on,” he said, pulling a flashlight from some hidden cubby hole in his bike.

  Intertwining his fingers with hers, he led her up the Treasure Loop Trail at the base of Superstition Mountain. Fifteen minutes later, he stopped. He pointed to a bench perched on the side of the steep slope. When she sat down, her breath left her lungs in a whoosh.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, watching the bright oranges and yellows striping the horizon, topped with a deep purple blue. Not a single cloud marred the perfect painting.

  “Is that downtown Phoenix?” she asked, pointing at some barely distinguishable buildings at the distant edge of their view.

  “I think so,” he whispered in her ear, placing his arm around her shoulders.

  “It’s so incredible.”

  For several minutes, they sat in the complete silent stillness, watching the sun dip lower. Looking back over her shoulder, Niki motioned for Kyle to look. Superstition Mountain glowed rust orange in the fading light, outlined by the deep twilight blue of the sky.

  When she turned her attention back to the setting sun, he blocked her view. Kneeling before her, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small item. She couldn’t tell what it was in the fading light. But that didn’t stop her heart from picking up pace in anticipation.

  “Niki Turner,” Kyle’s husky voice broke through the peaceful quiet. “I would like to know…” He cleared his throat. “If you would do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me as my wife?”

  She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Yes!” she shouted. Leaping forward into his arms, she almost knocked him backwards.

  “Hold on there,” he laughed, as he steadied himself.

  He pulled the ring from the small box and slipped it onto her finger. Then he stood, pulling her to her feet. “I love you, Nickels,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her.

  As darkness fell around them, Niki knew, beyond any doubt, this man was the perfect man for her. She belonged with him.

  Epilogue

  December

  “Morning, beautiful,” Kyle’s soft voice broke through Niki’s sleep fogged brain as he traced his finger along her jaw line and down her neck.

  “I don’t feel beautiful,” she pouted while patting her protruding belly. “I feel fat.” She turned onto her side to face him.

  “And I see you’re still grumpy in the morning, too.” He chuckled.

  She swatted at his hand, mock frown in place. “It’s all your fault, you know.”

  “That you’re grumpy?”

  “That I’m fat.”

  “You’re not fat, you’re beautiful,” he said with such tenderness in his voice. “Besides, I’m pretty sure it took both of us for you to conceive on our wedding night.”

  She groaned, knowing he was right. “Do you have to be right all the time?”

  He nuzzled her neck with his nose. “Can I quote you on that? For some reason, I think I’m going to need that one for later.” As he started kissing her neck, she rolled away from him.

  “Aren’t you going to work this morning?” she asked.

  “And miss your appointment? Not a chance. I took the day off,” he said, catching her before she slid off the bed. Pulling her close, he teased, “So, I’m not in any hurry to go anywhere.”

  “It’s this sort of thing that got us into this situation to begin with,” she teased back, not moving.

  Kyle groaned. “Fine, Mrs. Jacobs. I’ll keep my hands to myself.” He moved to the edge of the bed and stood. Shooting her a roguish grin, he added, “At least I will this morning. I don’t make any promises about later.”

  Niki sighed, tempted to snuggle further into the warm covers. Instead, she pushed them back, staring at the big mound protecting their sweet child. He moved around to her side of the bed. Sitting on the edge, he placed his hand on her belly.

  “How are you treating your mama this morning, baby Jack?” he asked. Turning his head to the side, he placed his ear against her stomach and smiled. “He says he’s ready to get out of there. It’s kind of dark and all.”

  He stood. “I’ll go start some breakfast. Take your time.”

  She forced herself from the bed. As she started to get dressed, a sharp pain cut across her abdomen, shortening her breath. A minute later, another similar pain stopped her short.

  “Niki, breakfast is ready.” Kyle stopped at the sight of her. “Are you okay?”

  “Fi—ne,” she elongated the word as another pain hit. Waiting for it to pass, she took a deep breath. “I think your son was serious when he said he was ready.” She tried to smile, but another pain interrupted.

  “I can see that. Do you want me to roll the bike out? Or will the truck be fine?” he asked, grabbing their filled overnight bag.

  Niki glared. How could he be so calm?

  “I take it you want the truck?”

  “Yes!”

  Kyle helped her into the truck. Once he pulled out, Niki th
ought he took his sweet time getting her to the hospital. Dropping her at the hospital entrance, he hurried to park the truck. It was only a minute or two, but it seemed like forever to her.

  “Come on, Nickels. Let’s get you to bed,” he said, teasing.

  She rolled her eyes.

  Two hours later, she was still in labor, waiting on their son to make his entrance. She was grateful the doctor said her son was healthy, despite his attempt to arrive a few weeks early.

  Hours went on. She wasn’t sure how many. Kyle stood by her side the entire time, whispering words of love and encouragement. Finally, the doctor said Jack was on his way. A few more good pushes and he’d be here. Following every word of instruction, Niki pushed.

  When a baby’s cry pierced the air, tears streamed down her face. Her baby Jack.

  The nurses cleaned her son, then placed him in her eager arms. He was finally here. Kyle climbed onto the bed next to her and placed his arms around both her and Jack. He kissed her forehead, her lips, and her cheeks.

  Once home from the hospital, Niki stood over Jack’s crib in the nursery—the room that once belonged to her brother Jack—Kyle at her side. Leaning over, she kissed her sleeping son’s chubby cheek, filled with such overwhelming love.

  “Someday, little one, we’ll tell you the story of your namesake,” she whispered. “How he finished raising your mama. How he died for his country. And how he would have loved you had he met you.”

  A tear trickled down her cheek, as she quietly backed out of the room behind Kyle.

  Pulling the door closed to just a crack, he pulled Niki into his arms. “You know what I thank Jack for the most?” he whispered, brushing her tear away.

  She shook her head.

  “That he got stationed in Germany while my family was there. Because, that’s where I first got to meet the most precious woman I would ever know.”

  “You mean the one you tortured in high school?” she teased, remembering how he created so much trouble for her then.

  “Yeah, that’s the one. Little did I know, I’d get to torture her for the rest of my life,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

  “You forget one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That I get just as long to tease you back.”

  Author’s Note

  I hope you enjoyed Niki’s story and the glimpse into the world of software engineers (or computer programmers or coders or developers or whatever you want to call us). We’re a snarky, funny, unique breed.

  There were many scenes or phrases inspired by people I’ve worked with as a software engineer over the years. My shout out to Jason–or Spike or whatever name you told the Starbucks person today when you ordered your coffee (and no, I won’t put your last name cause I know how paranoid you are)—was with the “bucket o’ popcorn”. Sorry, no bacon or bacon wallets. Rick, Ricky, Jamie, and Collin – remember the screeching monkeys we had in the office, oh, and the code monkey song? Yeah, I loosely worked in a reference to a monkey. It just had to be done. To my current co-workers, sometimes we have a blast don’t we? But, did you remember to enter your Planview? (Take that Scottie. This is the ultimate Planview reminder).

  Every book I write, I am humbled with the wonderful people I get to work with. Thanks Fae and De for working hard to edit this thing and for making sure my tech speak didn’t go overboard. Thanks to my hubby for always listening to me about the ups and downs of writing and for your steadying calmness. You know I love you more than anything. Thanks to my dad – I love you and am so grateful for your constant support and love. Thanks to my three closest friends, Sherri, Marnie, and Lori. I couldn’t do this without your prayers and support. Thanks for sharing in the joys and the sorrows with me.

  Most of all, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without You, I am nothing and I have no words. Use this book for your glory.

  Book Club Questions

  1. Why do you think Niki had such a hard time letting go of the image of Kyle from high school?

  2. Have you had a similar experience where you hung onto something you knew you should let go of?

  3. Todd was the epitome of a difficult co-worker. Have you had a similar experience, working with someone who just seemed to have something against you? How did you handle the situation?

  4. Do you think Kyle was wrong to let his heart get entangled with Niki before she was saved?

  5. In what ways did the new Kyle exhibit a changed heart?

  6. In what ways did Niki exhibit a changed heart?

  7. What did you like the most about the group of friends (Matt, Joe, Chad, Marcy, Niki, and Kyle)?

  8. What assumptions did Niki and Kyle make about each other that got them into trouble? What could they have done differently to keep the rift from forming between them?

  Karen Baney, in addition to writing Christian historical fiction and contemporary novels, works as a Software Engineer. Spending over twenty years as an avid fan of both genres, Karen loves writing stories set in Arizona.

  Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. She is active in various Bible studies throughout the year. Karen and her husband make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University.

  For more information about other books written by Karen Baney, please visit www.karenbaney.com.

  Prescott Pioneers Series:

  A Dream Unfolding

  A Heart Renewed

  A Life Restored

  A Hope Revealed

  Contemporary Novel:

  Nickels