A Good Man

by Rosanna Leo

  Emily approached the young woman sitting alone in the coffee shop. As she pored over a science textbook, the girl’s brown hair formed a long fringe. When she looked up, she tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled.

  “I am. Emily?”

  She held out her hand and they shook. “It’s nice to meet you. Michael texted me. He’s just running behind. He said to go ahead and order some drinks.” Emily prayed that was the case. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d gotten cold feet. She wouldn’t fault him for bowing out, but she hoped Michael would tell her the truth if he felt unable to appear.

  “Sounds good.” Penny motioned toward her empty latte cup. “I hope you don’t mind, but I started early. Test tomorrow.”

  “I hope we’re not taking up too much of your time.”

  “No. I’m a good student. I’m ready.”

  She grinned at the girl’s candor. “What are you studying?”

  “I’m in Life Sciences. I want to be a researcher. I want to find a cure for cancer.”

  “Wow. Very impressive. Although, I have to admit, you lost me at science.”

  “It’s not for everyone.”

  “I was more a literature and languages girl in school.”

  “That’s cool too. Science is demanding. I fully expect to spend the majority of my life cooped up in a lab.” Penny pulled a face. “I was happy to hear from Mr. Zorn. I haven’t spoken with him in a long time, but I watch all his shows.”

  “I know he’s been wanting to talk to you for some time as well. He really cares about you.”

  The girl blushed. “I know. Because of him, I stayed in school.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. When the…thing happened with my mom and dad, I planned to drop out. It was pretty hard to see beyond the next day, never mind the next four years. But when Mr. Zorn opened up that fund, I knew people believed in me and that I had to find a way to continue.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “Okay. Some days are bad. Others are worse. I’m really just trying to keep up with my studies. I keep very busy in general.”

  “Do you see your father at all?”

  She hung her head. “No. I can’t. I’m not ready for that. My aunt says I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.” She perked up. “My aunt’s great. I live with her family now. Thanks to her, I have a roof over my head. And thanks to me, she has free babysitting for her kids.”

  Emily smiled. “I’m so glad you have family to help you.”

  “Yeah. My friends are supportive too and my teachers have been great.” She sipped the dregs of her latte. “So, you and Mr. Zorn, huh?”

  “Yes. Me and Mr. Zorn.”

  “He’s hot.”

  “Why, yes, he is.”

  “You’re a lucky woman. He’s a good guy.”

  One who was now running ten minutes late. Emily checked her watch. “I’m sure he’d appreciate you telling him how you feel. He’s been nervous about today. He hasn’t been the same since the shooting. He feels…at fault.”

  Penny grabbed her hand. “Oh, no. I don’t want him to feel that way. I realize I lost my mom, but he saved a lot of lives. In a way, he saved my life too. My father lost it that day. For all we know, he might have come for me afterward. He might have shot those little kids. Mr. Zorn can’t punish himself. I thank God every night that he was there to stop my dad. He’s my hero.”

  Michael appeared quietly at the table, his face strained. “Hi, Penny.”

  The girl jumped up from her seat and threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you.”

  Michael’s gaze met Emily’s over Penny’s shoulder. He patted the young woman on the back, awkward at first, but then gave in and hugged her tight. “I’m glad you’re here too.”

  When Emily heard the catch in his voice, she had to blink back a tear. She stood and tapped their shoulders. “You guys catch up. I’m going to order some very strong coffees.”

  As she walked up to the counter, she looked back. Michael and Penny still hadn’t let go of each other.

  She smiled at the barista. “Three extra-large coffees, please. Take your time.”

  * * * *

  “We’re ready for the reveal.” Michael nodded at Eli and Nick as they did their final inspection of Emily’s new store. “You guys good?”

  “Yeah,” said Eli. “Although it was a bitch trying to hide the new signage from Emily. That woman is a snoop. I know for a fact I saw her drive by earlier, hoping for a peek.”

  “Sounds like her.” Michael chuckled. “She’s persistent.”

  “You sure you know what you’re getting yourself in for with that one, bro?” Nick elbowed him.

  “I’m quite happy with that one, thank you very much.”

  “Wait until she sees her deck,” Nick crowed.

  Michael knew Emily would be impressed. Although the deck had originally been planned as a break area for store staff, Nick had pulled out all the stops. The space was so nice Emily would be able to have customer events there if she ever chose to do so.

  They’d done a good job—one of their best, truth be told. He couldn’t wait to go home to her and tease her about not being able to see the results until the reveal tomorrow. Lacey would film them showing it off to Emily and From Scratch would finally have a home.

  He could almost envision Nonna Olivia giving him a salute.

  “Michael, can I see you for a minute?” Lacey held a piece of paper in her hands.

  Eli and Nick retreated to give them some space.

  Michael hadn’t spoken to Lacey very much lately, other than to acknowledge her work-related questions. When he looked at her, he thought of Jacob, and when he thought of Jacob, he ended up thinking about what he’d done to Trent. In general, he tried hard not to ponder his fight with Trent. One day, he’d apologize. Although Trent wasn’t his favorite person, Michael could acknowledge that the man had become a trigger for him. Jeff was helping him see that, but he knew he still had work to do.

  “What’s up?”

  “I wanted to give you an update. I’ve spoken with the producers. We’re not going to pursue a show featuring the families from the daycare.”

  Just like that, a boulder-sized knot of worry fell from his shoulders. “Why not? I thought it was signed, sealed and delivered. I thought you said my job might be on the line if I didn’t cooperate.”

  “I can see how that might not have been my best moment.” She gnawed on the inside of her cheek. “Look, Michael, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, with you, with Jacob.”

  “How’s the kid, anyway?” Jacob hadn’t returned to the job since the brick incident. Lacey had apparently talked the producers out of pressing charges. The police had let him off with a stern warning.

  “Last I heard, he got a job at some other network. I don’t know for sure what he’s doing there, but I hope he’s happy. I’m not allowed to talk to him. If I do, his mother said she’ll bitch slap me.”

  Michael stifled a grin. “Okay, but the show?”

  “You’re off the hook. We’ll continue doing what we’re doing and see if we can’t snag Create some other way.”

  Lacey chose her next words, her eyebrows coming to a furrow. Although she was naturally pale in complexion, she seemed paler today, younger even. Her eyes were dark with remorse.

  “I am sorry, Michael. My methods haven’t always been the greatest, but I want you to know I’ve always been rooting for you. In doing the show with the daycare families, I hoped it would be a way for you to come to terms with what happened last year. Some tough love. I just wanted to bring you some closure, but my ego may have gotten in the way here and there.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. You’re a great director, Lacey. I hope I never made you feel less than that.”

  She thrust the paper in her hand toward him. “Here. This is the reason I wanted to involve those families. I think it’s about time you read this. See you for the reveal tomorrow.” With a smile,
Lacey headed out of the door.

  Left alone in the house, Michael sat at Emily’s service counter and ran his finger along the pristine granite edge. He passed a hand over his mouth and unfolded the piece of paper.

  It was a two-page letter, printed on regular office paper and stapled at the top left corner. The name at the bottom of the letter was one he knew well. Alison Forester, one of the moms from Jane’s daycare, and the lady whose calls Michael had avoided.

  Dear Ms. Styles,

  I’m hoping you can help me get in touch with Michael Zorn from the Handymen show. I understand you work together. I have been trying to reach him for a few weeks but he’s never been available to take my calls. I’m not a lovelorn fan and I’m not trying to harass him. However, I do hold him in high regard and wish to express this to him. You see, Michael saved my son’s life.

  My son Logan attended Jane Ashton’s daycare. He was there the day Mr. Ashton attacked and killed his wife. Because of Michael’s quick thinking and bravery, my child came home that evening. Because of him, my husband and I were able to hold my son and rock him to sleep. My baby is alive thanks to Michael Zorn.

  Before that day, Michael didn’t know Logan from a hole in the wall. But now, whether he realizes it or not, they are bound by this tragedy. Logan speaks of him often. When he does, it sounds like he’s describing a superhero. It’s difficult for him to talk about what happened that day and the doctors believe he’s blocked out some of the events. But one thing is clear to him. He knows Michael was his savior that day.

  I just want to make sure Michael knows too.

  Please offer him our heartfelt thanks. We can never thank him enough. Logan has attached a picture for him. He hopes Michael likes it.

  Sincerely,

  Alison Forester

  He flipped over to the second page and smiled when he saw Logan’s picture. It was a portrait of Michael dressed as a superhero. The boy had even given him a cape and it trailed out behind him as if he was in motion. He had a big M scrawled on his chest and brandished a hammer that was half the length of his body. At the top of the picture, Logan had written Thak you in wobbly block letters, missing the n.

  Colors bled outside every line. It was misspelled. It was still the most beautiful picture Michael had ever seen.

  Breathing deeply to steady his nerves, he folded up the pages and popped them into his shirt pocket. Determined to make it up to Logan and his mom, he headed outside and home to Emily.

  No matter what, he would return those phone calls.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “‘Thak you.’” Emily’s face scrunched up from cuteness overload. “Oh my God, that’s adorable. Michael, you have to frame this.”

  “I just might.” In fact, he’d already considered it on the drive home. He’d thought that hearing from the daycare families might just send him over the edge, but he’d been grinning since first seeing the picture. “I might even run out and buy a red cape to match it.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but the cape is purple.”

  “It’s red, thank you very much. Anyone can see that.” He yanked a laughing Emily away from the stove, where she’d been helping him with dinner. “Get over here, woman. I need to check your eyes. You clearly can’t tell the difference between one color and another.”

  When he kissed her, she squealed. “Hey, those are my lips, not my eyes.”

  “True.” He teased the corner of her mouth with his tongue and cupped her breast. “And these are your breasts.” His hands slid downward. “And these are your hips. Shall we continue your anatomy lesson?”

  “You’re an animal.”

  He inched his hand between her legs. “And this is your tasty little…”

  The timer buzzer went off on the stove.

  “My lasagna!” She extricated herself and went over to the stove, throwing on some oven mitts. She opened the oven and pulled out a lasagna so fragrant and juicy, Michael almost forgot how much he wanted to taste her body.

  As she checked the internal temperature, he scooted behind her and rested his hand on her hip. “Ready for tomorrow?”

  “For the reveal? Yeah. I’m nervous too. Having an actual storefront means there’s no going back. I need to do this.”

  “Hey.” He turned her around to face him. “Are you having second thoughts? Because it’ll be a while before the show airs, so you’ll have time to get your bearings.”

  “I know, I’m just overwhelmed. For so long, From Scratch has been a dream, something I wasn’t sure I could achieve. Now it’s happening and I can’t stop thinking of everything that needs to be done. Sourcing suppliers. Hiring staff. Preparing the product.”

  “You can do it, Em. I have faith in you. And I’ll be with you every step of the way. I want to help you make your dreams come true.”

  “I’d like that.” She chuckled. “I mean the part about being with me every step of the way. I’d like that a lot, Michael.”

  Sweet vulnerability shone in her eyes. He saw so much more than beauty in her face. He saw trust and honesty and devotion. Damn, he swore his heart beat faster every time she looked at him like that. He slid his hands under her shirt hem, unable to resist the allure of her skin, and breathed through the adrenalin rush. “Em, I love you.”

  Her lips fell open. “You love me?”

  “Hell, yeah. You’re my angel. I don’t ever want a day in my life to pass if you’re not in it.”

  “I love you too.” She molded her body against his. “I love you so much.”

  His heart really was beating out of his chest, but for the first time, Michael didn’t dread its wild gallop. This was a good solid beat, one that held excitement and hope. He didn’t fear the future anymore. He craved it and wanted to experience all life had to offer with Emily.

  He knew in that moment he would spend the rest of his life finding ways to make her smile.

  She seemed to feel the same way. Kissing him hard, she backed him into the living room, toward the couch. They tumbled there, ripping at each other’s clothes.

  “But,” he managed to rasp between kisses, “your lasagna.”

  “Screw the lasagna, Michael.” She straddled him on the couch and whipped her blouse over her head. “Just screw the lasagna.”

  As she ground down over him, he stopped arguing.

  * * * *

  “Emily, are you ready to see your finished store for the first time?”

  As the cameras rolled, Michael helped Emily out of the limousine. She took his hand. “God, yes.”

  Everyone she knew was gathered and they all clapped wildly as she and her handsome host headed up the walkway. Chris was there with Priya. Her mom and dad were right next to them. A few of her girlfriends and former co-workers stood clustered with members of the Handymen crew.

  “As you know, Eli’s been working hard on creating some major curb appeal. Eli, tell Emily what you’ve done.”

  Eli stepped forward and spoke into the camera. “Emily’s store is part of a busy retail area. We wanted to make it pop. In retail, customers make impressions based on what they see. With From Scratch, we needed to convey a feeling of warmth and nostalgia, much like Emily’s soups. We paved over the old front lawn and gave it a clean, classic look with gray tumble stone. It’s fresh and easy to maintain. Most of all, it’s accessible.” He grinned at Emily. “Of course, no store is complete without proper signage. Take it away, Michael.”

  Emily’s throat constricted with excitement. The men had draped a cloth over the store sign.

  “Check out your sign.” He grabbed a cord and the drapery fell to the ground.

  Her hand flew to her mouth. Although she knew the sign had been professionally printed, it looked handwritten with its scrolling font. From Scratch stood out on a red and green background, a clear nod to her Italian heritage. A smaller, second sign hung directly below it, advertising Organic soups, spices and more. “I love it.”

  “There’s more, but before we take you inside the sto
re, we’re going to show you the deck and party area in back.”

  “I have a party area?”

  Michael grabbed her hand and led the group to the backyard by the side gate. When he opened the gate, her jaw dropped.

  Nick stood there, beaming. “Get over here, Emily.”

  She raced up the wooden steps and stood next to him, unable to close her gaping mouth. Not only had he given her the deck of her dreams with a built-in fire pit and planters, he’d added a pergola. Overhead lights were hidden in the pergola and were sunken in the stair treads.

  He grabbed her hand. “Just because this is a small space doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with it. Now, not only do you have a place to relax on your off-time, you have an attractive spot to entertain customers for events…or to offer a drink to your favorite deck contractor.”

  “You are all getting drinks and soup. For life.”

  “Before the party starts,” said Michael. “Let’s go inside.” He led her back to the front of the store. “Close your eyes, Em.”

  There was shuffling as he took her inside and as the camera crew readjusted their vantage points. Emily was just about to peek from between her fingers when Michael whispered in her ears. “Don’t you dare.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  Lacey readied the crew and gave him his cue.

  “Em.” Michael’s voice boomed with pride. “You can open your eyes now.”

  Seeing it all come together brought tears to her eyes. The store area was even better than she’d imagined after meeting Michael the first time. Built-in pantry shelving held containers of her colorful soup mixes. Each shelf had its own label, echoing her various flavors such as Spicy Thai and Nonna’s Minestrone.

  Open-concept, the room was inviting and looked larger than it ever had in Nonna’s time. Emily couldn’t even remember where the old wall used to be. Bistro-style seating was available to those who wished to eat in or grab a coffee while they waited for an order. She could see right through to the spacious kitchen. Although the kitchen was meant for preparing her recipes and doing her work, Michael had taken care to make it as nice a kitchen as any homeowner would want. With a neutral backsplash and calming shades of dove gray and white, it gleamed. They had furnished her with new stainless-steel appliances, but next to the vintage fittings and bronze taps, they had a retro appeal. It was a kitchen to make an Italian nonna proud.