He made her heart flutter with his look, but her mind burned with frustration. Who caused her frustration? Was it really Connor or was she to blame?
The torment finally ended. People rose with the promise of dessert later. She’d seen the cake her mother had purchased at Sweetheart Bakery. Her favorite—cherry nut. They used that for wedding cakes she’d learned awhile ago. It was hard to think about wedding cakes with Connor here.
She piled the dirty dishes into a stack and carried them to the kitchen, then returned for more. The baseball game continued with plays bellowed out by Tito or one of her uncles. She loved her family, but today she wanted to wring someone’s neck. Maybe her own.
With perspiration moistening her hairline from the hot water and the crowd of women in the kitchen, Ellene made her way into the living room. She scanned the faces for Connor’s. Then through the window, she saw his car pull away. Her heart dropped, and she closed her eyes, knowing she’d dug herself deeper into an unending pit.
Her father gave her a questioning look. “Connor said to say goodbye. He had to pick up Caitlin.”
Ellene nodded and slipped away, heading for a quiet place. She found her father’s office empty. She closed the door and sank into the desk chair. An envelope lay on the top with Connor’s handwriting.
She shifted her hands to the flap, lifted it, then let it drop. This wasn’t her business. If she wanted to know more, she would have to ask her father. It was time she acted like an adult, and not the spoiled child that Connor had accused her of being so long ago.
He’d been right.
Connor didn’t know if he was making a mistake or not, but he pulled into the Harvest Christian Church parking lot and turned off the ignition.
“Why are we coming to this church?” Caitlin asked, staring at the unfamiliar building.
“This is where Ellene’s parents go to church.”
Caitlin’s eyes brighten. “Is Ellene here?”
“Maybe,” he said, hoping that what he’d overheard yesterday was true. “Today’s Easter, and—”
“I know it’s Easter,” she said. “Jesus wakes up from the dead on Easter.”
“That’s right, Cait. You’re very smart.”
She grinned. “He was in a tomb. Dead.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, waiting while she unlatched her seatbelt.
“But he wasn’t dead anymore. He walked out of the tomb because God let him.”
He agreed as he locked the car door.
“How come Mom didn’t rise up from the dead?”
The question smacked him between the eyes. Why now? He watched the people scurrying into the church and knew worship was about to begin. He’d hoped to get inside early enough to—
“Why not, Daddy?”
He looked at his daughter’s questioning eyes and drew her closer as they walked. “Your mom did rise from the dead, but she rose all the way to heaven. She’s living with Jesus now. Remember? We talked about this before.”
“I know, but why didn’t she get to come back for a while so I could have seen her before she went to heaven? Jesus did.”
“We can’t tell God how to do things, Cait. We have to trust Him.”
“And trust His promises.”
“You’re more than smart, sweetheart. You’re brilliant.”
Caitlin leaned against his hip as they reached the building. Connor took her hand as they climbed the steps into the church. Inside, the scent of Easter lilies permeated the vestibule.
When they entered the sanctuary, he stopped, amazed at the display of lilies and tulips that filled the worship area. A huge lily cross stood before them all. Tulips and lilies lined the recessed windows.
A banner hung from the front wall, declaring, He Is Risen. Hallelujah! Sidewall banners announced other messages: Rejoice!, He Is Risen Indeed and My Redeemer Lives.
Preoccupied with the church’s decorations, he slid into a row without looking for Ellene and her family. Once seated, Connor searched and realized they weren’t in front of him. Not wanting his curiosity to draw attention to itself, he didn’t turn to look behind him. When the first song began, he opened the hymnal.
The joyful Easter hymns were familiar and the choral music echoed through the large beams overhead. The eternal Easter message uplifted him, and the prayers surrounded him with hope. When the service ended, he no longer cared if Ellene was present. The traditional service had given him what he needed. Jesus had died for his sins, and he had plenty to be forgiven. He could rest in that promise.
Caitlin skipped beside him in her new dress. She had grown so much in the past year. Soon his little girl would be fighting off young men, and he prayed she had the same strong Christian values that Ellene had. He could only teach her, then let his teachings guide her actions.
When they stepped outside into the sunshine, Connor’s thoughts shifted back to the icy island only weeks earlier. Strange how the weather could change so rapidly in Michigan.
“Ellene,” Caitlin cried.
Her cry caught Connor’s attention, and he saw Ellene waiting at the bottom of the steps, looking gorgeous in deep-red pants with a dressy top of the same color. When she shifted, the fringe along the hem of her top swayed and captivated him.
“Caitlin,” she said, opening her arms.
The child bounded into Ellene’s embrace for a giant hug, then stepped back. “We didn’t see you in the church. Were you there?”
“I was behind you.” She lifted her gaze to Connor. “I was surprised to see you here.”
“I overheard that you were coming to your parents’ church today, and I felt I owed you an apology.”
She scowled. “You owed me an apology? I think it’s the other way around.”
Connor noticed Caitlin’s confused look. She was watching them as if she were at a tennis match.
“I hope you can forgive me for leaving without a word. You were in the kitchen, and I had to pick up Caitlin.”
“When, Daddy?”
He looked at her curious frown. “The other night when you stayed with Mrs. Whitlock.”
“I understand,” Ellene said. “I’d been very rude. I’m surprised you stayed for dinner.”
He grinned. “How could I pass up your mother’s cooking after all those years?”
She gave him a tender look.
“But I didn’t know it was your birthday dinner,” he said, still feeling uneasy about that. “I’m sorry. I could have at least brought you flowers.”
“I enjoyed my mother’s chocolates,” she said.
Connor shoved his hands into his pockets to hide his nervousness. “Your father said you were going to call me to set up an appointment.”
“Yes. Yes, I am.” She gazed at him a moment. “Do you want to set it now?”
“No, you can call me.”
She nodded. “I will. Tomorrow morning, so we both have our calendars.”
“That’s fine,” he said, miserable listening to their stilted conversation. His gaze drifted to her lips. Three weeks ago, he’d kissed those lips, and they’d kissed him back. Why had it come to this?
She took a step backward. “Then we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Her gaze drifted to Caitlin, and she knelt beside her and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you, too, Caitlin, just like I promised.”
“And we can play Old Maid and go for a walk by the water.”
She gave Connor a frantic look. “We’ll see, okay?”
Caitlin frowned. “Pepper misses you, too.”
“I miss Pepper and the quiet of the island. I miss you and Pepper both,” she said. Her gaze lifted to Connor’s. “All of you.” She rose, then backed away with a quick wave.
Connor stood transfixed, watching her stride into the parking lot. Caitlin tugged at his jacket to follow, but he didn’t. Once again, he had no idea what had happened today nor what to make out of Ellene’s comment.
All of you. Had she really missed him, too?
; On Monday morning, Ellene cornered her father in his office. She closed the door and sank into the chair across from him. “Please explain about you and Connor, Dad? I haven’t had a chance to talk with you alone. Mother was always around, and I didn’t want to start anything.”
Her father leaned back in his desk chair and propped his feet on an open desk drawer. “Connor called me about the business. He said he needed someone’s opinion. We talked. I offered to help him, and he accepted. My financial contribution was small. I did that to let him know I had faith in the business.”
“Did he tell you I said the business was doomed to fail?”
He gave a solemn nod. “He did, and he sounded beaten, Ellene. A man needs respect, if nothing more, and if you do nothing else, never hammer a man into the ground even if you think you’re doing him a favor.”
She felt her back bristle. “I didn’t hammer him to the ground. I gave an honest opinion. I didn’t want to see Connor take his life savings and inheritance and throw it away.”
Her father dropped his feet to the floor and leaned across the desk. “What made you think he would fail?”
“The store was floundering.”
“Was Connor the present owner?”
She flinched at the look in her father’s eyes. “No, but—”
“No, he wasn’t. That’s correct. Did you ask Connor how he could make the business thrive? Did you encourage ideas to make it more buyer-friendly? Did you see weaknesses without asking if he had a solution?”
“Yes, but—”
“There’s no buts, Ellene. Connor was once a friend. He was more than a friend since you’d committed to marriage. Even if you did change your mind. Why would a so-called long-time friend not listen, not encourage, not brainstorm? Explain that to me?”
She lowered her head, having no answer except her superior feeling that she knew what a good business was.
“You couldn’t compare a sport store to a construction business. It’s apples and oranges. Connor has experience in sales. You didn’t give him the courtesy of asking.”
Her fingers knotted in her lap. “Did he tell you that?”
“Connor would never say anything negative about you. He said he respected your opinion, but he felt strongly about his plan and wanted a second opinion.”
“Dad, I—”
“You’re prideful, Ellene. I probably made you that way, and that’s my fault. You’re a wonderful woman, but you want things your way. You don’t give people credit for having ideas that might be better than yours. I didn’t want to start an argument with you, but I’m disappointed, and since you brought it up, I want you to know that.”
“I’m sorry.” She felt tears sting her eyes. “I’m making a mess out of so many things.”
“Don’t tell me you’re sorry. Tell Connor. He’s a good man. He’s raising a child alone. He’s taking chances to make a good life for that little girl, and I think a man who’d do anything for his daughter’s happiness is more than a gentleman. He’s a king among men.”
A king among men. Connor was that and more. “I’ll talk to him, Daddy. I’m seeing him this weekend at the cottage to go over the plans.”
Her father arched an eyebrow.
“I promise. I’ll talk with him. I don’t know if I can undo the damage, but I’ll try.”
He rose and walked around his desk, resting his hands on her shoulders. “That’s all I can ask. You’re a good daughter, Ellene. You just have to grow up a little.”
Though she was thirty, she figured her dad was right.
Chapter Fourteen
Connor stood outside holding the screen door and watching Caitlin dash toward Ellene, her arms open like the wings of a bird. His daughter needed to be freed from her loss, but Ellene had only added to it. He felt resentment, wondering what today would bring.
Plans for the cottage, he knew, but what else? He studied Ellene’s face as she approached him with Caitlin’s hand in hers. Instead of business attire, she wore dark blue slacks and a red top with the same color trim—two of the garments she’d bought from the shop in town.
Besides her outfit, she looked different in another way—assured, but not barricaded behind the aloof business attitude he’d come to dislike. She appeared relaxed, as if she knew who she was, and she liked herself.
She carried her briefcase and a long tube under her arm—the plans, he figured. He’d been anxious to turn the cottage into a home, but since Ellene had left, the warm feelings he’d had for the cottage had vanished. He felt isolated.
“Hi,” he said, walking toward her.
She smiled, a warm smile that held a message he was afraid to decipher. Since they’d been reunited, Ellene had jumped from one attitude to another. He suspected she wanted to rekindle their past relationship but feared the outcome. But why?
Connor longed for times to be the way they’d been before their breakup—so natural—a love so pure and innocent that he could only wince at the impossibility of it now. Too much had happened, too many ruts in life’s road, too many dreams shattered.
“I have your plans.” She raised the tube like a victory cheer.
“I can’t wait to see them,” he said, managing a smile, yet feeling on guard, waiting for the moment her business persona would take over.
Caitlin tugged at her arm. “Let’s go for a walk by the lake. You can see the ducks.”
Ellene caressed the child’s head. “I’d love to see the ducks, but your daddy and I—”
“We have work to do,” Connor said.
Caitlin scrunched her face and kicked at a stone.
Her behavior upset him, and he bent to her level and tilted her chin upward. “What did I tell you, Cait?”
She gave him an I-don’t-want-to-hear-this-again look, then lowered her eyes. “Okay,” she muttered.
He rose, disappointed in her attitude.
“Here’s an idea,” Ellene said. “After we look at the plans and talk a while, then we’ll go for a walk, okay?”
“Okay,” Caitlin said, an accepting look growing on her face.
Connor beckoned to Ellene and headed for the screen door.
“Daddy?”
He halted and faced Caitlin again.
She eyed him a moment as if testing the water. “Can I go play with Pepper for a while?”
A sigh escaped him. “If Aunt Phyllis doesn’t mind.”
“I’ll ask her,” she said, pivoting on her heel and skipping across the lawn.
“She’s back to her old ways,” Connor said, watching her vanish around the corner.
“You’ve spoiled her, I’m afraid. I know someone else like that, and it causes nothing but problems.”
She caught him by surprise, and he studied her face to see if he’d understood what she meant. “She is spoiled, I know. I’ve tried to please her every whim since Melissa died, and now it’s out of hand. She thinks the world revolves around her.”
“Your world does.”
He studied her a moment, realizing she was right.
She gave him a wan smile.
“I suppose that’s the problem,” he said.
“You can do a lot of things for her—protect her, support her, love her—but you can’t spoil her. That’s not doing her a favor, nor yourself. Discipline has to be firm but loving. I know. My dad’s learning that, too.”
This time Connor kicked at a stone, uncomfortable with her message. “You’re talking about yourself, I’m guessing.”
“I am.” She held up the blueprint. “But that’s another issue. Do you want to see these first?”
He preferred to talk first, curious as to what she had on her mind, but she looked so excited about the architect’s plans. “Let’s go.”
He pushed open the screen door and held it while Ellene walked inside. She headed for the dining-room table and dropped her case, then pulled the blueprint from the tube and spread it on the table. She waited a moment while he studied the print.
“What do you think?”
She gestured to the floor plan.
He could tell she was pleased with the drawing, and he only wished he could concentrate on it and not on the unsaid things that raced through his mind.
He pulled out a chair and sat, gazing at the plan and trying to envision the rooms.
She pointed to the second-floor plan. “See, Caitlin’s room is larger. Here’s the closet space and bathroom, plus a large walk-in closet here for linens and storage.”
“I like that.” He shifted his focus to the other renovation—the new front room and screened porch.
She pointed to the details. “It’s like a sunroom with wide windows so you can look out to the channel, and there’s the window opening. It will have a wide ledge so you can pass dishes outside to the screened porch.”
“It’s nice,” he said, realizing he’d missed something important.
“You sound disappointed.”
“No. I like what I see here, but I just thought about the situation when the ferry service was closed. The cottage will still have only two bedrooms. And the downstairs bathroom is so small.”
She grinned. “I’m glad you agree.”
“Agree?” He saw a playful look on her face.
“What do you think about this?” She pulled another floor plan from beneath the original. Connor saw the dramatic change. She’d added a wing off the bath-and-bedroom hallway, adding another room and expanding the bathroom. “You thought of it all,” he said, admiring the plans, yet thinking of the added financing needed.
“I read your mind,” she said. “When I stayed here, I knew you were disturbed by the lack of sleeping space, and I wanted to surprise you. There’s even a large storage closet on this floor.” She pointed to the area. “I know it’s an added expense, but you’ll be surprised. This part won’t have a second floor so it’ll be less expensive than you might think.”
He looked into her eyes and knew it was time to talk. “Have a seat,” he said, motioning toward a chair.
She shifted the chair and sat near him.
In His Eyes Page 14