Tie the Knot in Good Hope

by Cindy Kirk

  Owen glanced around and rocked back on his heels, his expression inscrutable. “I assume you’ll be converting it into a nursery.”

  “Maybe.” Lindsay gazed at the room that was smaller than most walk-in closets. “For the time being, it’ll be my office.”

  “What about the baby? Where will she sleep?”

  “I’m thinking of going with a co-sleeper bassinet, instead of a crib.” Lindsay kept her tone offhand. “Ami and Beck used one for Sarah Rose and swear by it.”

  Puzzlement blanketed Owen’s face. “I don’t even know what that is.”

  “Think of it as a bassinet that attaches to the side of the parent’s bed.” Lindsay felt her cheeks warm as she continued. “If she wakes during the night and wants to nurse, I’ll be right there.”

  Owen frowned. “I thought having a baby sleep in bed with you was dangerous.”

  “She’ll be in her own bassinet,” Lindsay emphasized the word. “She won’t be in bed with me.”

  “Mindy always slept in a crib,” Owen murmured, then cleared his throat. “What if the boys need a place to crash?”

  The abrupt change of subject had Lindsay’s head spinning. Apparently, he was done discussing the baby. Unfortunately, he’d picked a sensitive topic for the switch.

  Though his voice held no judgment, Owen was aware of the turmoil in Cassie’s home. He also knew Lindsay provided a haven for the boys when troubles in the home escalated.

  The worst situation had occurred several years earlier when Lindsay had taken in her niece for months in order to protect her from Cassie’s live-in boyfriend.

  Lindsay still hadn’t fully forgiven her sister for putting a guy above Dakota’s welfare.

  “I’ll always make room for my niece and nephews.” Lindsay would sleep on the floor before she’d turn them away or leave them in an unsafe situation. “The boys will be happy with an air mattress on the floor, as long as I make them chocolate-chip pancakes in the morning.”

  “I’d sleep on the floor for those pancakes of yours.”

  Lindsay laughed. “They are amazing.”

  A knock sounded at the door.

  “Looks like I’m not the only early one.” Owen sounded disappointed.

  Last night, she’d been relieved when Ethan had volunteered to help move the furniture so she wouldn’t have to be alone with Owen.

  Now, as Lindsay slipped out of the bedroom, she realized she didn’t have anything to fear from Owen. The only thing she had to fear was leftover longings for a life that could never be hers.

  Sixteen

  “That wasn’t so bad.” Owen gazed at the furniture stacked in the back of his pickup, ready for delivery to a family in need.

  “It makes a difference when you have two men.” Ethan pushed up the tailgate. “Are you sure you won’t need help unloading this stuff?”

  “According to your sister, there are people at the house where this is going who will help.”

  “If they aren’t there, text me.” Ethan’s gaze met his. “I have a meeting at noon, but I’m free until then.”

  “Thanks, Ethan.” Owen held out his hand.

  “I was happy to help.” Ethan gave Owen’s hand a shake.

  “I misjudged you.”

  Eliza’s baby brother had been just enough younger that Owen had had little contact with him growing up. Owen had judged Ethan based on his money and his success. Based on what he’d observed this morning, he’d been wrong.

  “We got off on the wrong foot.” Ethan gestured with his head toward Lindsay, who’d started down the steps of her third-floor apartment. “If I’d known you and Lindsay were involved, I’d never have agreed to escort her to the wedding and reception.”

  “We’re not—” Owen stopped, not sure how to describe what was between him and Lindsay. “Lindsay and I are friends.”

  The phone in Ethan’s pocket emitted a sound that reminded Owen of the Law & Order chimes. Pulling it from his pocket, he glanced down. “Looks like the meeting has been moved up. I have to go.”

  Lindsay strolled up. “Pancakes and coffee are on the table.”

  “Thanks, but I’m going to take a rain check.” Ethan lifted a hand. “Take care of that back, Lindsay.”

  Without waiting for a reply, Ethan slipped behind the wheel of his truck, and the engine roared to life.

  “What am I going to do with all the pancakes?” Lindsay wailed as Ethan’s taillights disappeared from view.

  Impulsively, Owen slung an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, you still have me.”

  A look he couldn’t quite decipher crossed her face. “Yes, I guess I do.”

  The only trouble was, she didn’t look very happy about it.

  Lindsay tried to calm herself. She’d been certain today’s mail would include her seller’s certificate. After all, it had been nearly three weeks since she’d submitted her application. Instead, the handful of mail held only bills and a circular promoting sales at the Good Hope Market.

  It would be okay, she reassured herself with false heartiness. Lindsay was still feeling out of sorts when she received a text from Owen asking if she was free this evening.

  She wasn’t sure why the text pricked her temper. Maybe because she hadn’t heard a peep from him since he’d helped her move the furniture last week. Not that she expected them to be in daily contact.

  This wasn’t like last spring when they’d spoken or texted every day. Whatever was between them now was a totally different animal. Still, hearing from him at five o’clock on a Friday night rubbed her the wrong way.

  Did he really think she’d be waiting around, hoping to hear from him and eager to get together? When she found herself wanting to tell him to come over, she informed him she already had plans.

  She did have plans. With herself and the television. She didn’t mind spending a Friday night alone. She’d certainly had a lot of practice.

  Even in her younger years, she’d never been a partier. A movie, a bowl of popcorn and an early bedtime would round out this evening. The phone rang while she was trying to decide if she was in the mood for a romantic comedy or an action movie.

  She smiled at her sister’s name on the display.

  “Hey, Cass.” Lindsay put the phone on speaker and settled back in the chair, her hand on the remote. “How are you?”

  “That piece of junk I call a car won’t start. I have to get to work.” Cassie’s words tumbled out, and Lindsay heard the panic. “I’m supposed to be there at six. Ryder is counting on me.”

  Ryder Goodhue owned the coffee shop where Cassie worked. Recently, he’d started turning over some of the day-to-day supervision to her sister.

  “What about the person watching Axl?” Her sister had numerous babysitters on speed dial, so Lindsay wasn’t ever sure who was watching her youngest nephew. “Can she give you a lift?”

  “The boys are watching him tonight.” Cassie’s voice turned pleading. “Please, Lin, can you give me a ride? I’ll figure out a way to get home.”

  “No worries. I’ll be right there.” Tossing the remote aside, Lindsay hopped up from the couch, then glanced down. Normally, she wouldn’t consider going out sans makeup and in the soft flannel pj’s she’d pulled on for a “movie night” at home. She reassured herself this would be only a quick trip in the car.

  Cassie was in the driveway next to her rusted-out foreign compact when Lindsay pulled up. The second Cassie’s seat belt was buckled, they were on the move.

  “I have another favor to ask.” Cassie lifted a hand when Lindsay cast her a suspicious glance. “Feel free to say no.”

  “What is it?”

  “K.T and Braxton were begging to go to the high school tonight and work on the homecoming displays.” Cassie gave a little laugh. “They’re desperately hoping their club wins the free early-entry tickets to the haunted house.”

  The puzzle pieces fell into place. “You’d like me to watch Axl.”

  “And maybe drop off the boys at the high school.”
Cassie shot her a hopeful smile. “They can ride their bikes if they have to, but it’d be nice if someone—meaning you—could give them a lift.”

  “Sure.” Lindsay wasn’t sure why Cassie was acting like any of this was a big deal. She liked helping her sister. “I can do that.”

  “Thank you. Thank you.” Cassie flung her arms around Lindsay. “You’re the best sister.”

  “Hey, I’m driving here.” But Lindsay couldn’t help but smile as she pushed her sister back with one hand.

  It was good to see Cassie excited about work and the boys interested in school activities. For years, Lindsay had worried about her sister and her nephews. Now it seemed life in Cassie’s household had settled into an easy rhythm.

  Perhaps, seeing the psychologist had helped. Maybe it was Dan’s support. Or even Ryder giving her a job and boosting her confidence with added responsibilities. Whatever it was, Lindsay hoped it continued.

  After dropping off her sister, Lindsay headed back to the house. She came to a full stop at the lights and was careful not to speed. The last thing she needed was Cade, or one of his deputies, to pull her over. She couldn’t imagine offering her license and registration to an officer of the law while wearing pink pajamas covered in frolicking monkeys.

  She released the breath she must have been holding when she pulled into Cassie’s driveway. The door was unlocked, and Lindsay stepped inside without knocking. Braxton glanced up from an iPad while K.T.’s eyes remained focused on his sketch pad. Axl sat on the floor, eating Cheerios straight out of a family-sized box.

  The house Cassie called home was a white single-story with peeling paint and leaky windows covered with plastic. The inside wasn’t much better, although Lindsay noticed that Cassie was doing a better job of keeping it clean.

  Other than the Cheerios scattered on the floor, the worn rug looked like it had been recently vacuumed, and there were no dishes in the sink. The two Rottweilers were gone, taken by Clint when he moved out.

  “I hear you two need a ride to the high school.” With that one sentence, Lindsay captured her nephews’ attention.

  Braxton lifted a dark brow. “Does this mean you’ll watch the brat?”

  Despite the term, Brax’s tone held affection.

  “That’s right.” Lindsay shot a glance at Axl, then refocused on her eldest nephew.

  Braxton’s hair was shaved up the sides, while the rest had been left long. The jet-black strands on the top were bleached. It was a new look for the computer geek, but it suited him.

  K.T., a talented artist, had also altered his hairstyle since Lindsay had last seen him. Instead of brushing his shoulders, it was now a short messy mop that suited his thin, angular face. The strands she remembered being streaked with violet were a rich, chestnut brown.

  Both boys wore jeans with holes and graphic T-shirts with sayings Lindsay wasn’t sure she wanted to read.

  “Awesome.” K.T. scrambled to his feet. “What about Axl?”

  “Were you zoned?” Braxton set aside the iPad Lindsay had given him last Christmas. “Aunt Lindsay said she’d watch him.”

  Lindsay crouched down beside the little boy who was shoving cereal into his mouth as if he expected the box to be snatched away any second. “Hey, buddy. Want to go for a ride in the car?”

  It took only a minute for Braxton to transfer the car seat from Cassie’s beater to Lindsay’s vehicle. Then only another ten or so minutes for them to reach the high school. Lights blazed from every window, and the parking lot was full.

  “All this activity can’t be from club members working on displays.” Lindsay pulled her brows together. “What’s going on at the school tonight?”

  “All-school play.” Braxton slung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped from the car. “Appreciate the ride, Aunt Lindsay.”

  “Yeah.” K.T. slammed the back door. “Thanks.”

  “Wait,” Lindsay called out when they turned to walk away.

  “What is it?” Braxton shifted impatiently from one foot to the other, casting quick glances at the school.

  “Do you have the phone with you?” Lindsay knew Cassie provided the boys one cellphone with limited minutes to share.

  K.T. patted his jeans pocket. “Right here.”

  “When you’re ready to come home, let me know, and Axl and I will pick you up.”

  “No worries.” Braxton waved a hand. “We can catch a ride.”

  “Text me when you’re ready to leave. We’ll discuss possible options then.” She shifted her gaze from one boy to the other. “Understand?”

  K.T. only shrugged, but Braxton nodded. “Sure.”

  “Have fun.” Lindsay knew it was silly, but she didn’t immediately drive off. She wanted to make sure they were safely inside the building before she left.

  She smiled when Braxton deliberately bumped K.T. and his brother immediately shoved him back. Despite their different interests and personalities, the boys were good friends. A friendship that had helped them survive some difficult times.

  The boys had just disappeared inside the school when a tapping sounded on her car window.

  Lindsay whirled, then smiled and rolled down the window. “Gladys. Hello.”

  “Babysitting tonight?” Gladys glanced into the backseat to where Axl sat, slamming two red foam cars together.

  “Cassie’s car wouldn’t start, so I took her to work. The boys are working on homecoming displays, and this little guy”—Lindsay gestured with her head toward the backseat—“is my date this evening.”

  Gladys, resplendent in an ice-blue caftan with silver swirls, cocked her head. “What about Owen? Is he helping you?”

  “Not this evening.” Lindsay found herself both amused and disturbed by the older woman’s assumption that she and Owen were joined at the hip. “Owen mentioned something about getting together, but I was busy.”

  No need to tell Gladys that the babysitting gig had been a last-minute addition to her plans.

  “What about you?” Lindsay tried to deflect. “Are you here to help with the homecoming displays or to watch the play?”

  “The play.” Gladys answered, then immediately shifted gears. “You mentioned Cassie’s car. What’s wrong with it?”

  “No idea.” Lindsay shrugged. “All I know is when she went to leave for work, it wouldn’t start.”

  “That must have been frustrating.” A thoughtful look stole over Gladys’s face. “Especially with her and the boys sharing one vehicle.”

  Lindsay nodded. “That’s why I’m praying whatever is wrong is something that can be easily fixed.”

  “Owen is a whiz with cars. You should have him look at it.”

  “I suppose.” Lindsay spotted Ruby and Katherine coming up the sidewalk, headed straight for Gladys. “Well, it looks as if your friends have arrived. Enjoy the play.”

  “You enjoy your evening as well.” Instead of rushing off, Gladys remained on the sidewalk while her friends joined her. Shoulder to shoulder, the three women watched her drive away.

  “Well, Axl,” Lindsay said to the boy in the backseat. “It looks like it’s just you and me tonight, buddy.”

  “Car,” Axl called out, seconds before the foam roadster hit her in the back of the head.

  Owen pulled to a stop at the curb in front of Cassie’s house and cut the engine. Lindsay’s import sat in the driveway, parked behind her sister’s hunk-a-junk.

  He, or one of his mechanics, had worked on Cassie’s vehicle numerous times in the past couple of years. Owen wondered what he’d find wrong this time.

  Gladys had told him she thought it was likely the battery, but that had been replaced right before Christmas last year. He still didn’t understand why Lindsay had had Gladys call him instead of simply contacting him herself.

  In ground-eating strides, Owen covered the cracked sidewalk to the sinking concrete stoop that functioned as a front porch. His heart picked up speed at the thought of seeing Lindsay.

  He couldn’t believe it had been
more than a week since he and Ethan had moved the furniture for her. The last eight days had been crazy busy.

  Colton, one of his transmission specialists, had been out with a new baby, leaving Owen to pick up the slack. He’d arrived home late every night, too tired to do anything but crash.

  With Cody back on the job today, Owen had been able to leave the garage on time. He’d hoped to spend the evening with Lindsay, even if he had to answer parenting or relationship questions in the process.

  When she’d texted back that she already had plans, he’d wondered if that was an excuse.

  Was she pissed she hadn’t heard from him? That made no sense considering she was the one who’d made it clear she wasn’t eager to pick up where they’d left off. Owen didn’t want that, either.

  Too close, too fast came to mind when he thought of those four months after Mindy passed away. What he and Lindsay were building now was different. She was having his baby. They were forging a partnership, not having a romance.

  Still, he’d missed seeing her, talking with her, laughing with her. Owen opened the rickety aluminum storm door and rapped on a wooden door with peeling varnish.

  After several seconds, it opened. Lindsay stood with Axl riding her hip. The pink pajamas she wore were something Mindy would have loved. Lindsay’s face was shiny clean, her hair pulled back with two pink, heart-shaped clips.

  She was obviously spending the night. He wondered why she would stay instead of driving the short distance to her apartment. Cassie’s house was so small, it barely accommodated her and her three boys.

  “Owen.” Lindsay bit her lower lip, drawing his attention to her mouth. “What are you doing here?”

  Pulling his gaze from those luscious lips, he gestured with one hand. “Mind if I come in for a second?”

  She hesitated for only the briefest of moments before stepping aside to let him enter. Once he was inside, Lindsay shut the door, then gave it a second push with her backside to get it to latch.

  When she turned back to him, her blue eyes were watchful. “To what do I owe this honor?”