She’d try to call Russel tomorrow, after work. She updated Katy on what had happened, trying to gain some perspective. Katy was sympathetic but suggested that she was being a little hasty in judging him, and that Clarisse should at least discuss her feelings with him.
The more she thought about it, the more she agreed with Katy. Russel was a good man. Her parents liked him, even though her father hadn’t made it obvious. They seemed to get along fine when they were in town. Thinking back to her mother’s comments, she chuckled. I wonder why he’s not answering his phone. Why didn’t he call me? He said he would.
Chapter 16
Russel met the pilot in the private area lounge at the airport at six-thirty in the morning. He looked at least ten years younger than Russel. He wasn’t sure if that made him feel better because the kid probably had good reflexes or worse because he wondered how much experience this kid could have had in the cockpit.
Regardless, Russel followed him to the plane and waited while Ryan, the pilot, did a preflight on the aircraft. He explained to Russel that the maintenance people had already serviced and fueled the twin-engine Cessna before he’d gotten to the airport. They’d should be on their way soon, and the flight would take about four and a half hours.
Russel tried to call Clarisse again, but she didn’t answer. Not completely unexpected as she was probably already at work, but it still left him uneasy. He couldn’t explain this irrational need he felt to get back to Berkeley as soon as possible. He just knew that if he didn’t, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
The flight actually took four hours and fifteen minutes. As soon as they hit the runway, Russel used his phone to arrange for an Uber driver to pick him up and told the driver his destination would be Cupid’s Café. He assumed Clarisse would be at work, and he needed to see her right away. That nagging feeling had only intensified during the flight.
Clarisse was rushing to get out the door on time. That morning, she had gotten Tommy up and dressed, and started fixing breakfast. Tommy had decided to go out in the driveway and practice his dribbling before going to school. They didn’t have a basketball hoop close by so he couldn’t practice shooting, but he was serious about perfecting his moves, as he called them.
Just before she went out to call him in for breakfast, she heard tires screeching and a loud bang. Her heart practically stopped beating, and she dropped the dish she had been holding, letting it shatter on the floor without a second thought. Clarisse flew out the front door and saw a car up against another car that had been parked in the street.
A scream vibrated its way up her throat as she pictured her boy crushed between the two cars. Thankfully, before she began crying, she caught a glimpse of Tommy. He sat on the pavement to one side of the cars, holding his elbow. He’s in one piece. Thank you!
Clarisse ran to his side. “Tommy, what happened? Are you alright?”
“I’m okay, Mom,” he said, but he looked frightened.
His elbow was bleeding, but it didn’t look like more than a scrape. Careful not to jar his arm, Clarisse hugged Tommy to her, willing her heart to stop pounding. It could have been so much worse.
A woman’s frantic voice called out, “Are you okay? Is he okay? Please say he’s okay?”
Clarisse let go of Tommy and looked up at the woman. Tears streamed down her face. “Are you his mother? It happened so fast. I… I didn’t see him, and then, he was just there! I slammed on my brakes and turned to avoid him. Then, I hit that car. Please say you’re alright.”
“My elbow hurts,” Tommy said, trying manfully not to cry. “She didn’t hit me, Mom. The car didn’t hit me. The lady hit the other car to keep from hitting me.”
Clarisse hugged her boy again and offered a timid smile to the woman who looked miserable with fear. She hadn’t hit Tommy, and that was a blessing. She lifted a shaking hand to Tommy’s face, and he promptly burst into tears.
“It was my fault, Mom. I lost the ball, and it went out in the street. I went after it and fell. I hit my elbow and scraped my knee,” Tommy confessed.
She hadn’t seen the bloody tear in his pants, but a few scrapes seemed like a small consequence, and maybe it would remind him to think before following the ball out into the street.
“It’s okay, Tommy,” she soothed, trying to steady her hand enough to wipe away his tears. “Everything will be fine. Don’t worry, sweetheart.”
Clarisse helped Tommy up and onto the sidewalk. He wasn’t bleeding much, so she hoped the injury wasn’t something serious. At this point, Mrs. Elsmore came out to help. It gave her an idea.
“Ma’am,” Clarisse said to the driver. “I’m going to take my son to the urgent care. Can you give your information to Mrs. Elsmore, here, and I’ll get back to you later? I’m awfully sorry about this.”
“Of course,” the woman said. “I hope he’s okay. I don’t think there’s any real damage done. Mine’s an old car, and I didn’t hit that one all that hard. I’m just so glad I swerved out of the way in time. You go ahead and take care of your son.”
“Thank you, and thanks, Helen,” she said to Mrs. Elsmore. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She led Tommy to her car and backed carefully into the street and headed for the Urgent Care on Telegraph.
Forty-five minutes later, the doctor on duty told her that Tommy’s elbow was just badly bruised, not broken, and the cut on his elbow wasn’t serious. They cleaned it and the scrape on his knee, and put a brace on his arm. She had called Cupid’s and left a message with Robert to tell Katy that she would be late. She and Tommy went home, and she called the school to tell them Tommy had been in an accident and wouldn’t be in until tomorrow.
She made Tommy a new breakfast and put him in front of the TV while she got ready for work. Katy called and told her not to come in. They would handle everything today, and she could stay home and take care of Tommy. Katy is the best boss on the planet.
Clarisse changed into comfy clothes, preparing for a day of relaxing with her son and reminding herself how grateful she was that this morning hadn’t been more serious.
They watched some superhero cartoon that made absolutely no sense to Clarisse, but instead of insisting on changing the channel, she snuggled in with Tommy. He’d been too old for cuddling in front of the TV for about a year now, but this morning must have softened that viewpoint. He hadn’t muttered any protest when she pulled him against her and threw a blanket over them both. Exhausted mentally, they both fell asleep in front of the TV.
Chapter 17
Russel got out of the Uber car and went into Cupid’s. He searched the front and was about to check the patio for Clarisse when Katy came out from the kitchen.
“You’re back early! Clarisse will be so glad. Did you want something to eat or drink before you go over to Clarisse’s house to check on Tommy?” Katy asked, holding up a steaming pot of coffee.
“I don’t understand. What’s wrong with Tommy?” Russel asked. That uneasy feeling ratcheted up to an alarming level.
“You didn’t know? I assumed you had talked to Clarisse. Isn’t that why you’re back early?”
Russel rubbed a hand through his hair, spiking it up in every direction. “No… I… I… had a bad feeling last night and chartered an early flight back this morning. I left my truck in Wyoming and caught a ride here.”
“Oh, dear. Then, let me tell you what I know.”
Katy explained that Clarisse had called and that Tommy had had a minor accident. “He’s all right, just some cuts and bruises. She kept him home from school today. I told her to stay home with him today, poor kid.”
“I better go,” he told her.
“Then, you’ll need a ride.”
Russel reached for his phone. “I’ll call a cab or Uber or something.”
“Oh, don’t call a cab, and I hate the whole idea of Uber.” She held up a hand. “I know. I know. I’ve heard it all, but I don’t like the concept no matter how great it works. It doesn’t matter anyw
ay. David Rivera is here, and I think he’s about to leave. Let me ask him if he can drop you at your office.”
“Oh, don’t do that,” he said, “Forget Uber, I’ll get a cab.”
“Nonsense. At Cupid’s we help each other out.”
Russel wanted to protest, but hitching a ride with David would be faster, he wanted to get on his way quick.
“David!” Katy called out and a man in his early fifties diverted from his path toward the cash register to Katy.
“What do you need?” David asked.
“This is Russel Burke. He needs a ride to his office. Can you give him a lift?”
“Sure,” David said, shaking hands with Russel. “Always, happy to help Katy out. Did she tell you that she set my girl up with her fiancée?”
Katy planted her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. “I had nothing to do with that as I’ve told you a million times.”
“Uh huh,” David said and winked at Russel. “Sure, you didn’t.”
Russel didn’t get David’s hint, but the man was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Maybe the cab is a better idea. “It’s fine. I’ll just call a cab.”
“Never try and talk Katy out of something when her mind is set. Just put my usual on my tab, and I’ll settle up with you tomorrow, Katy.”
“Sounds perfect, David. Russel, you be sure and tell Tommy I hope he feels better, and if Clarisse needs another day off, tell her just to give me a call,” Katy said, practically pushing them out the door with her farewell wave.
“See what I mean?” David said, gesturing to Cupid’s closed door.
Russel chuckled and shook his head. “She just smiles cheerfully as she bullies you, doesn’t she?”
“Regulars, like me, are used to her particular charm and love her all the more for it. She really makes Cupid’s a special place. I couldn’t imagine the community without it.”
Russel thought how he’d met Clarisse inside Cupid’s doors and how much that one event within the diner had changed his entire outlook on life. “I can see what you mean.”
As they walked to the car, David asked, “You’re Clarisse’s friend, right?”
“Yes.”
“She’s one of Katy’s best. I’m glad she’s getting her Master’s degree. She’ll do great things.”
“Yes, she is a wonderful mother too. She’s raised her son Tommy to be quite the little man. He takes after his mother, too. Sharp as a tack.”
“Yes, Katy said something about his getting hurt this morning. I hope he’s okay,” David said as they reached his car and got in.
Me too. Russel gave David directions to his office. Unable to stay still, he drummed his fingers along the car door, watching the familiar scenery go by. When he got near his business, Russel pointed out where to turn.
Russel thanked David for the ride and turned to go inside.
David’s voice called out. “Don’t worry. Katy’s never wrong.”
Russel swiveled back to David, not understanding the man’s comment in the slightest, but David was already driving away. Shrugging his shoulders, Russel went inside.
He made a quick mental checklist of all he had to do before he could head over to Clarisse’s. He wanted to be back out the door in less than ten minutes.
After touching base with his foreman, and getting the Harley, he sped over to Clarisse’s house. He rang the doorbell, and no one answered. Her car was in the drive, so he knew she must be home. Russel’s fingers itched to keep pressing the doorbell continually until she answered. He reigned in the urge, just barely, and rang the bell once. This time, he heard steps coming toward the door.
Clarisse opened the door, looking sleepy.
Russel burst out “Clarisse I—”
“Oh, Russel, it’s—”
Russel stepped inside and threw his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. She hugged him back. He held her tightly, feeling his unease and worry slip away. If she let him hold her, then they could work it out. Whatever was wrong, it didn’t matter. They could work it out.
He gave her a final squeeze and then stepped back. “You first.”
She laughed and said, “No fair, but all right. Just a minute, though.” She looked over her shoulder at the sofa, where Tommy lay sleeping against a pillow. The TV was playing softly, and she held her finger to her lips. “Shhh. Let’s let him sleep. He’s had a hard morning.”
Motioning him toward the kitchen, she stepped aside and let him come in. In the kitchen, there were some pastries under a glass dome on the counter, and the coffee in the coffee maker was still hot. Without asking, Clarisse put together two plates of pastries and poured two mugs of coffee. She handed one set to him and pointed silently at the patio door. They went outside and closed the sliding glass door, so they wouldn’t wake Tommy.
“Is he okay?” Russel asked as he set down his plate and mug, waiting for her to sit.
She sat, saying “Oh, aside from some cuts and bruises, and the blow to his pride, he’s fine. The doctor has him in a brace and a sling, but just so he can rest it for a couple of days. He’s going back to school tomorrow.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said, looking pleased. “He really is a good kid.”
“He likes you, too, Russel, and that’s saying a lot. He doesn’t take to most men.”
She leaned forward toward him, “Look, I’ve been foolish.” When he started to speak, she said, “No, hear me out. Russel, you’re the first man I’ve dated in years for longer than a few weeks. I, well, I just haven’t clicked with any of them, or they with me. And most men, when they meet Tommy, or even find out I have a son, disappear.”
Clarisse took a sip of coffee and sighed. “You never make me feel as if we have to work around him. You try to include him in a lot of our activities. And that’s really sweet.”
“Like I said, he’s a good kid. I like spending time with him.”
Clarisse placed a hand on her heart. “That’s just the way to a mother’s heart, through loving her boy. But I know that means we don’t get to spend much time alone.” She paused, unsure of just how to continue. Her next words would make her vulnerable, and that was something she hadn’t felt in a while. “Russel, are you even… I don’t know how to say this… but are you happy with what we have together? We’ve seen each other a lot, lately, but I’m not sure how serious you are about me… about Tommy. It’s just Tommy likes you a lot.” She looked away from Russel, seeming to find her coffee mug and the small chip in it suddenly fascinating.
Russel had to know exactly how she felt. He’d envisioned an entire future for Clarisse, Tommy, and himself, but that all hinged on Clarisse.
“I’m glad Tommy likes me.” He took Clarisse’s mug from her hand and set it on the table. He held both of her hands in his. “How about you, Clarisse?”
He held his breath and waited for her answer. It felt like a million years before she spoke.
“Yes. Yes, I do. Of course, I do. I’d never have let you get this close to us if I didn’t.”
The pent-up fear that she’d reject him left. Russel kissed her knuckles. He grinned at her. “I like you, too. I—”
“I want to say something else.” She took a breath, looking away. “It would be foolish of me to want you to pass up an opportunity to improve what you’ve worked for all this time. It was wrong of me to get angry with you for not telling me sooner about Wyoming.” She looked back at him. “I’m sorry.”
Russel stared at her. He had the most perfect woman in the world sitting in front of him. “Clarisse, I’ve come to a decision. I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last few days. I literally had to fly back here to tell you. I…” he chuckled at himself, all nerves and feeling like a bumbling young kid. “I just left the truck in Laramie with Jerry in my hurry to get back here. I have plans, Clarisse, and I want them to include you and Tommy. That is if you’ll let me.”
“Okay,” she replied, cocking her head to the side, looking a bit unsure.
Russel knew he was sc
rewing this up, but the words just tumbled out. “I am going to buy Jerry out. We’ve got it all worked out, financially, and it will happen in the next year. There’s this perfect place—”
“In the next year? Really? But I… we—”
“Now hear me out, please,” he said, trying desperately to make her understand. “I’m not moving to Laramie. At least not yet. When I do… well, if I do, I want you and Tommy to come with me. But I’ll wait for you to finish school. I’m sure you could get a job there, in your field, or do whatever you want. I’ll wait.”
She looked puzzled. “But how could you afford two businesses and live in California? Would you sell this one? Surely, you couldn’t drive back and forth? You wouldn’t want to do that, and then we’d miss you. You’d be gone all the time.” She stopped, “I mean...”
“That won’t be a problem,” Russel said. “Clarisse, we’ve never discussed it, but, well, I’m not rich by any means, but I’ve saved and built my business. I can afford to buy Jerry’s and still live here.”
“Oh,” she said in a small voice, “I didn’t know.”
“None of that matters. You’re missing the important point. Or rather, I’m not doing a very good job of making myself clear.”
“Okay…” Clarisse said, looking at him with a lost expression.
“Here’s the thing. I chartered a flight back here so I could tell you about all of this and the deal with Jerry right away.”
“Why would it matter what I think?”
Russel kissed her hand again. “Because I didn’t want to go ahead with the deal until I had told you—your approval makes a difference.”
“My approval? I don’t know anything about the HVAC business.”
“If you will consider my proposal, I’ll keep both businesses open, and stay here until you graduate. I know you love working at Cupid’s. I’ve seen you do it. You love people. Clarisse, I could support you and Tommy until you graduate, but I’ve got a feeling you’d hate me if I suggested that. Am I right?”
A Slice of Heaven (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 6) Page 8
