Accept Me

by Marion Ueckermann

  Double shifts… Could explain why he hadn’t been around to check on her this week. If, in fact, he’d actually said that.

  “And who would look after the folk of Chapel Cove while you were gone?” Paula tipped the tray of cookies into a serving basket. “No, I’ll tell you what you need… One of my sinful chocolate pancake stacks.”

  “You know me too well, Paula.” Riley turned to Haddie. “What about you? Are you up for something sinful?”

  Haddie’s eyes widened, heat rising to her cheeks.

  Riley spluttered, “The chocolate pancake stacks, I mean. Not…” He waved his hand and shook his head. “Never mind.”

  Haddie laughed softly. “I’d love a sinful chocolate pancake stack. Thanks.”

  “Two sinful chocolate pancake stacks coming right up,” Paula said. “Coffee with that?”

  Haddie nodded at Riley’s questioning gaze. It had been so long since she’d enjoyed a good cup of coffee.

  He turned back to Paula. “Two coffees with that, Paula. Thank you.”

  Paula turned to go.

  “Uh-uh... Not so fast. How have you been since your— Well, since New Year’s Eve’s incident? I’ve wanted to stop by and check up on you, but by the time my shifts were over, the store was closed, and all I was good for was bed.”

  Maybe he had promised to stop by. Seemed as if Haddie wasn’t the only “patient” to have missed out on a “house visit” from Riley.

  “I’m fine. No idea what all the fuss was about by everyone. It was only palpitations,” Paula muttered. “And they’re under control now with the magic pill-in-the-pocket that the cardiologist in Portland prescribed.”

  “I’m glad it’s under medical supervision, Paula. You gave us all quite a scare that night.”

  Paula rolled her eyes. “It was just a faint.”

  She turned to go. “You two lovebirds go take a seat; I’ll get those pancakes and coffee to you in a few minutes.”

  Lovebirds?

  Haddie batted her eyelashes at Riley. A giggle spilled from her mouth. “We should correct her, shouldn’t we?”

  Riley pursed his lips and shook his head. “Nah.” Placing his hand in the small of Haddie’s back, he guided her to a table at the window with ocean views. His touch sent a pleasant buzz down her spine. She’d never experienced thrills like this before. She liked the feeling. A lot.

  As they sat down, Riley asked, “How have you been? You certainly look and sound a lot better than the first time I saw you.”

  “I feel so much better. Ivy has cared for me like a mother. I’m so grateful to her. She even forced me to lounge an extra two days in bed and made sure I had books that would tempt me to stay there.”

  “Ivy can be very persuasive when she wants to be.”

  Haddie recalled the conversation she’d overheard merely an hour ago. “I’ve no doubt about that.”

  “You like reading?”

  Haddie smiled. Her favorite subject. “Love it. It’s the reason I became a librarian.”

  Riley threaded his fingers together and leaned forward. “So, you have a horse?”

  And apparently books weren’t his favorite topic of conversation. Moving on.

  “In Kentucky, almost everyone has a horse. And if you don’t, you certainly know someone who does. But, yes, I have a horse. I grew up on a stud farm. Still live there.” Haddie’s cheeks warmed, and no doubt had pinked, at the mention of the word stud. She quickly averted her gaze, lowering her head to stare at her hands nervously fumbling in her lap. This kind of reaction had never happened before, and she’d often told people what her parents did for a living. But Riley was different. If he were a horse, he’d be there amongst her father’s best thoroughbreds. A stallion. She couldn’t ignore the fact that he was a rather manly specimen, or that she found herself attracted to him.

  But she shouldn’t feed that attraction. In a few days, weeks, months, she’d find her mother—hopefully—and then she’d probably return to Kentucky.

  Whatever started between her and Riley—if she were so lucky—would be short-lived.

  “Knock knock.”

  What? Had he sensed her discomfort and was distracting her with a joke? How sweet and thoughtful. She’d play along.

  “Who’s there?” Haddie responded with a smile.

  “Two orphans.”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Like us? Although I can’t call myself an orphan. My biological parents could still be alive.” Even so, having recently lost her mom, she felt half like an orphan—maybe one of the reasons she’d felt so compelled to find the woman who had given birth to her.

  Riley chuckled. “Just answer the question, Haddie.”

  “All right… Two orphans who?”

  “It’s not too orfen I get to have breakfast with a beautiful girl.”

  Haddie stared at him blankly. Did he just say what she thought he’d said?

  “You get it? Two orphans…too often?” Riley raised his brows with his questions.

  He had said that. He not only thought she was pretty, but beautiful? Was the man blind?

  Haddie threw back her head and laughed. “I get it.” When last had she had so much fun? Probably a decade ago with Cara.

  She grew serious. “Thank you for bringing me here. This is just what I needed.”

  He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I’m glad. And I’m really sorry I didn’t get to check up on you this week like I’d promised. I heard via the grapevine you were staying at Ivy’s on Spruce.”

  So he had said it.

  “Oh. And is the grapevine reliable in Chapel Cove?” Could be useful in finding her mother.

  “Very. Anyway, as you heard me telling Paula, my week has been crazy, but I had fully intended to stop by this afternoon. It’s the first day I’ve had to breathe this month. You won’t believe how busy a small town can get in the winter. Slippery roads and porches equal all types of accidents requiring a medical response.” Riley leaned back in his chair, keeping his dark eyes fixed on her.

  Whew, was it getting hot in here? Haddie cleared her throat. “Well, I’m really glad our paths crossed down here rather than at the bookshop again. I mean—” A waitress set their pancakes and coffee down on the table between them. Haddie waved her hand over the appetizing fare, then out toward the view. “Isn’t this so much nicer?”

  “It is.” Riley’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. Was he nervous? “And much more private. I’m glad for the opportunity to get to know you better. I haven’t stopped— You’ve been on my mind this past week. A lot.”

  Had he been about to say that he hadn’t stopped thinking about her?

  Haddie’s heart soared.

  “Me too. I mean, you too… You’ve been on my mind.” A lot. “You saved my life.”

  Was that a shadow of disappointment on his face? Ugh, she had zero experience with men, but something told her she should’ve stopped with ‘you’ve been on my mind’.

  “We should eat. These chocolate pancakes are best while they’re still hot.” Riley reached across the table for her hands, bowed his head, and gave thanks for the food, just as her dad had always done. Then he lifted his knife and fork and wasted no time devouring the delicious treat.

  After a few mouthfuls, Haddie paused. She swallowed her food and licked her lips. “Oh. My. Word. These are delicious! If I stay in Chapel Cove too long, I’m going to get fat.”

  A low laugh rumbled from Riley’s chest. “Why do you think I jog?”

  “And here I thought that display on the beach this morning was all part of keeping fit for your job.” Haddie’s chuckles joined his.

  “Well, and that too.”

  Haddie set her utensils down on her plate. “Can I ask you something?”

  Riley looked up. “Of course. Anything.”

  “The day you rescued me at the bookshop’s café, Ivy mentioned something about being thankful you didn’t cut my blouse off my body… You said it was a long story and that m
aybe you’d tell me someday. Could today be that day? I’ve asked Ivy about it all week, but she’s not saying a word. Said I needed to ask you about it.”

  “Typical of Ivy. But let’s first finish our pancakes. We can enjoy that story over coffee, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  When their plates were empty, Riley lifted his coffee cup and took a long sip. He then proceeded to tell her about the Sunday he’d responded to a 911 call out to Chapel Cove Community Church and found Ivy in cardiac arrest, explaining that he’d had to cut Ivy’s blouse open to use the defibrillator, and how later, Ivy had taken every opportunity to let him know he owed her a new one.

  “I’ve been looking for something similar since then. I promise.”

  “Is it a long sleeve, button-up shirt? Blue with small white flowers?”

  Riley’s face lit up. “Yes, how did you know?”

  “There was a photo on the nightstand in my apartment of Ivy in that same blouse. Ivy had muttered something about it having been her favorite shirt right before she whisked the frame away.” But not before Haddie had admired the blouse. It was something her mother would’ve worn.

  She laughed. “It’s no wonder you couldn’t find a replacement. That was a genuine Liberty Tana lawn blouse. Ivy said she’d bought it on one of her trips to England.”

  Riley groaned. “Sounds expensive.”

  “It is.”

  An idea formed in Haddie’s mind. If Ivy still had the pieces of blouse and she could get her hands on it and a sewing machine, she could perhaps repair the shirt. Surely that would be worth far more to Riley than a box of fattening chocolates which would require extra jogs on the beach.

  “Would you like to go to church with me tomorrow morning?”

  Riley’s question dragged Haddie back from her musing. Without thinking, she responded, “Yes.”

  Chapter Ten

  REMNANTS OF Aileen and Roman’s wedding were evident around Chapel Cove Community Church. As they’d entered earlier, Haddie had spotted white rose petals on the ground outside, almost unnoticeable due to the light dusting of snow the town had received overnight. Inside the sanctuary beside the pulpit stood two large bouquets of assorted white blooms. Classic telltale signs of a wedding the day before.

  Much as Haddie didn’t want to admit, it had felt really good to be in church that morning. But maybe it had been that good purely because she was sitting next to Riley. His hand “accidentally” brushing against hers, the scent of sandalwood drifting her way, not to mention how good he looked in his jeans, white button-up shirt, and dark gray casual puffy coat, black square-toe ankle boots covering his feet… The man had her head spinning and her heart beating faster than it had ever before. And it had been nearly impossible to focus her attention on the preacher’s words.

  Oh, those pheromones.

  Or hormones.

  Or both.

  Whatever, they made her moan inwardly with delight.

  Of course, the romance of the wedding the day before still hanging thick in the air didn’t help one bit. She’d often found herself daydreaming, no thanks to the princess bride novel she’d read in bed last night. The little of the sermon she had managed to take in was good. She’d definitely like to come back and listen to Pastor Don Keller preach again. The worship team was pretty amazing, not that she’d sung at all loudly with Riley right there beside her. She didn’t have a very good voice, she thought, but Riley and his rich baritone... Sigh, could the guy be more perfect?

  If only he could be her happy ever after.

  Her heart squeezed. If only she could have gotten close to God during the singing, she would’ve enjoyed the worship. Probably almost as much as she’d enjoyed being that close to Riley for an hour or so. But there was still a wedge between her and God—although not nearly as bad as a few weeks ago. He’d taken her beloved mother and given her another in her place…one she didn’t know she’d ever find, didn’t know whether she would even be worth the effort of finding. It was all rather overwhelming at times to accept.

  Riley placed his hand on the small of Haddie’s back, just as he had the day before in The Pancake Shoppe—with the same pleasant effect on her. He guided her toward the church exit where the pastor waited at the door to shake the congregants’ hands before they left the building.

  “You’re new in town?” the pastor asked as he took Haddie’s hand.

  “I am. Haddie Hayes.”

  Pastor Don smiled. “Ah, the asthma girl. Welcome to Chapel Cove. I hope you enjoyed the service and that we’ll see you again next week.”

  The asthma girl? News traveled with lightning speed in this town. Hope ignited. Someone had to know something about her birth mom. But who? Where did she start? Of the two people she’d told, Ivy knew nothing, and Riley…well, he’d merely listened to her spill her guts about her birth mother and said nothing further on that besides expressing that he empathized with her.

  A nudge against her arm from Riley reminded her that she still needed to reply to Pastor Don.

  “Oh, yes, I did enjoy the service. Very much. And I’d definitely love to attend church with y’all next week. Thank you.” Haddie withdrew her hand from the pastor’s.

  A smile curved Pastor Don’s mouth upward. “Is that a southern accent I hear?”

  Haddie nodded and smiled. “It is. Harrodsburg, Kentucky.”

  “You’re far away from home, Haddie. What brings you all the way to the west coast?”

  Shoot. What did she say? She couldn’t lie. She was in a church—almost outside, but not quite—and this was a minister, God’s servant.

  “Um…ah… I needed a change. My mother recently passed away—” Her eyes teared up. She drew in a long, deep breath to compose herself. “I’m sorry. I–I just needed a change of scenery for a while, and living inland, I’d never been to the sea. So here I am.”

  “That is a change, and a good one for you, I pray. I’m so sorry for your loss.” Pastor Don rested his hand gently on her shoulder and tipped his head closer, lowering his voice. “If you ever need anyone to talk with to help you through your grief, my office door is always open. As is our youth pastor’s, Heath Brock.”

  He drew back, craning his neck as his gaze swept the sanctuary. “He’s around here somewhere, but I’m sure you’ll get to meet him some time.”

  “I’m sure I will.” Haddie took a step back, right into Riley’s firm chest. “Well, I— Um, we should go, give you a chance to greet the other folk.”

  “It was nice meeting you, Haddie. See you around. Riley…” Pastor Don greeted Riley then moved on to shake hands with the next couple in line as Haddie and Riley stepped away.

  They hadn’t gotten very far when Ivy’s voice called to them. “Haddie, wait.” She hurried toward them. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

  Ivy dragged a tall woman with long, dark hair behind her. “This is my niece, Nai. Nai, this is Haddie, the bookshop’s newest employee and my tenant.”

  Haddie’s hand shot out. “Hi…Nai… It’s good to meet you. Ivy has told me so much about you.”

  Nai took Haddie’s hand uncertainly, giving it a light shake. “Hello.”

  Seemed the woman was still suspicious of her. So unfair. Nai didn’t know her. But Haddie would prove all her doubts about her wrong.

  “Could I have a moment in private with you?” Haddie asked Nai.

  Nai’s eyes widened. Oh no, did she know that Haddie had overheard her conversation with Ivy yesterday morning? Did Nai think she was about to confront her about it? She’d better make her intentions known to Nai fast.

  “Will y’all excuse us for a moment?” Haddie’s gaze shifted from Ivy to Riley before she turned and walked away from the pockets of congregants still milling about despite the low temperatures.

  When she was far enough away, Haddie stopped and turned around, hoping Nai had followed her.

  She had.

  “I–I have a favor to ask of you.”

  Nai cocked her head ske
ptically at Haddie’s words.

  “Riley told me what happened to your aunt’s favorite blouse last year. I’d like to help both Riley and Ivy.”

  Nai folded her arms. “Okay…?”

  “My late mom was a very good seamstress, and well, she taught me how to sew. She practically taught me everything I know. In everything, not just sewing. Anyway, I’d like to take a look at Ivy’s damaged blouse to see whether I can repair it. Does she still have it?”

  Nai relaxed her stance, and her arms fell to her sides.

  “As a matter of fact, she does.” She rolled her eyes. “Though heaven alone knows why. I’ve tried several times to get her to throw the blouse away or turn it into a rag, but she would hear nothing of it. It’s hanging in the back of her closet, cut right up one side from top to bottom like the temple curtain that was rent in two at the crucifixion.”

  “Do you think she’d miss it for a couple of days?”

  Nai pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders. “Guess we’ll never know unless we try. Mateo and I could stop by Aunt Ivy’s later this afternoon. I’ll get him to keep her busy talking about one of her antique books while I try to sneak it out to you.”

  “Thank you, so much, Nai. I really appreciate your help. I promise I’ll do the repair justice, and if the damage is beyond my expertise, I won’t attempt fixing it.”

  Nai nodded. “You’re welcome.” She turned to go.

  “Oh, one other thing.”

  Nai stopped at Haddie’s voice and twisted around.

  Haddie took a step closer to her. “Would you know where I can get my hands on a sewing machine?”

  “Sure, Aunt Ivy has an old treadle machine. It was her mother’s but has since been electrified, so I’m sure it’s a lot easier to use. It’s upstairs in one of the unused bedrooms, buried underneath mounds of books. It’s one of those with a cast iron frame, so it weighs a ton. It would take two strong guys to carry it downstairs. We’ll probably have to think how to sneak you in there without Ivy knowing. I could take her out for an afternoon or two on the weekends to give you time.”