by Lisa Jordan
Well, didn’t that just beat all!
No use sitting here and moaning about something she couldn’t fix. She yanked her keys from the ignition, grabbed her purse and Ian’s bouquet of flowers, then scooted out of the car, locking it behind her.
Halfway down the second block, she felt like a wilted daisy. Sweat dribbled from her hairline to her shoulder blades.
A loud crack like a tree splitting caused her to jump. The sky unleashed its fury.
Rain plastered her uniform to her skin and soaked her hair.
She sprinted down the sidewalk, shot through the alley behind Cuppa Josie’s and wrenched open the back door.
Seeing the kitchen lights on and hearing Josie’s iPod playing, Agnes dripped water across the floor as she hurried to the storeroom in search of a towel. “Sorry, I’m late. My car died just past the bridge. Then it poured half a block away.”
Josie sat at the kitchen counter drizzling icing over warm cinnamon rolls. The scent of sugar and cinnamon mingled with brewing coffee. “No worries. Don’t forget I have a doctor’s appointment in a little bit.”
“Give me a few minutes to dry off, and I’ll be as right as rain.” Okay, bad choice of words at the moment.
Agnes dropped her purse and the crushed bouquet of flowers on the corner of the counter. She grabbed her emergency bag out of Josie’s office, then headed to the bathroom to change and fix her hair. After touching up her makeup and refastening her still-damp ponytail, she returned to the kitchen and tied an apron around her waist. She filled a canning jar with water for the flowers, but when she picked them up, they drooped in her hand.
“Pretty posies.”
“Thanks. I found them on my car seat this morning. They’re a bit crushed from the rain.”
“Put them in water anyway. Maybe they’ll perk up.”
She did, but before Josie could ask more questions about where the flowers came from, Agnes headed for the dining room. She flicked on the lights and unlocked the front door after turning the closed sign to Open.
A glance at the pastry case showed Josie had already filled it, which pushed Agnes’s guilt meter up another notch. She headed for the kitchen to grab the air pots of coffee.
She expected a steady stream of customers driven inside by the rain.
Once the coffee bar had been set up, she paused a moment to pour hot water over a French vanilla tea bag and let it seep for a minute.
The front door opened, and Ian stepped inside. He half closed his umbrella and leaned it against the rack behind the door. Rain dotted his blue heather V-neck T-shirt, turning it almost black in spots. He wore tan cargo pants and brown leather work boots.
The sight of him curled her stomach and sent a shot of anticipation through her system.
Since no one else was in the dining room, Agnes rounded the counter and met him halfway, standing close enough to breath in his freshly showered scent. “Good morning.”
With her insides trembling and showing more bravery than she actually felt, she placed a hand on his chest and brushed a kiss across his lips. “Thanks for the flowers.”
“If that’s what it takes for a kiss, I’ll give you flowers hourly.” A grin spread slowly across his face as his eyes darkened. He pulled her close and gave her another kiss—a longer, more welcoming one. “Now, this is what I call service. I hope you don’t greet all your customers this way.”
“Only the really special ones.” She pressed a cheek to his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
“Hopefully I don’t have much competition.”
She sighed, then stepped back, considering Josie didn’t pay her to hug on her friend during working hours. “Not much. What brings you by so early?”
“I’m concerned about a tree behind Agape House, but I need the rain to let up before I can check it out. Since I was up anyway, I decided to grab coffee. I’m going to the office for a bit until the storm clears out.”
“Smart choice. Josie made fresh cinnamon rolls this morning. Want one to go with your coffee?”
“Are you able to join me?”
Agnes glanced around the empty dining room and smirked. “Looks like everyone can fend for themselves for a minute or two.”
“What happened to your car? I saw it sitting on the other side of the bridge.”
“Thanks for the reminder. I need to call Buck.” She told him about the car trouble she had.
He whistled low and through his teeth. “Ouch, Red. That’s going to be expensive.”
“Please don’t remind me. I’m just sick about it.”
“I can help you out, you know.”
“Thanks, but I’ll handle it.”
“Listen, Red—”
She put up a hand. “I got it covered…don’t worry.”
“Well, the offer’s still there.”
“I know. I appreciate it, but I’ll take care of it.”
“How about dinner tonight? Maybe around six?”
“Sure, sounds great. Have a seat, and I’ll bring your cinnamon roll right out.”
Agnes pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen and reached for a spatula to remove two cinnamon rolls from the pan.
“Did my eyes deceive me, or did I just see you locking lips with Ian James?” Josie asked.
Heat spread up Agnes’s neck faster than melted icing over warm rolls. “Um…”
“Agnes, just what have you been keeping from me?”
“Can we talk about this later?” She didn’t want to get into it with her friend, especially when she was still trying to untangle her own mixed emotions.
“Only if you promise to spill every delicious detail.”
“Promise.” Agnes crooked her pinkie in Josie’s direction.”
Josie cinched hers around Agnes’s and squeezed. “That man has been after you for years. So glad you finally had the good sense to see what was right in front of you.”
Agnes didn’t reply as she slid the cinnamon rolls onto two plates and licked leftover icing off her thumb.
She couldn’t explain why she kissed Ian a few minutes ago, or even allowed him to kiss her back. She simply wanted to enjoy the moment without thinking about the consequences.
She carried the cinnamon rolls to the dining room and sat them on the two-seater Ian sat at reading the morning paper.
“How was Father’s Day with your dad?”
“Good. We talked things out and realized we had both made mistakes. Dad’s going to try harder with Agape House, and I’m going to back off. Mom came out, and we grilled steaks while Griffin swam. You should have joined us.”
Agnes placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m so glad, Ian. And you and your family didn’t need me hanging around while you made your peace. Be right back, I need to call Buck.”
She ducked behind the counter and pulled the phone book from the door under the register. After finding Buck’s number, she dialed and waited for him to pick up. Once he answered, she explained the problem. He rambled for a few minutes, then quoted her an estimated price to fix her car. The number was a sucker punch to her gut…the cost wiping out most of her savings. Her down payment for the cottage.
Resting her elbow on the counter, she rubbed her forehead. Any practical person would tell her to ditch the relic and buy something more economical, but the convertible had been her daddy’s, passed on to her after graduation. Giving it up was losing her last link to him.
But the cottage was the kind of home she always wanted to have.
She couldn’t mention anything to Ian about it…he’d offer to pay for it or loan her the cash, which she didn’t want.
This was her problem and she’d find the solution, but no matter what she chose, she’d have to make a sacrifice that snagged a piece of her heart.
*
Could life get any better?
Maybe his concerns about Red were his own paranoia. Her greeting at the coffee shop was anything but keeping him at arm’s length. He’d still have to tread lightly not to spook
her.
Whistling, he jogged through the rain and opened the door to James & Son Insurance. He dropped his umbrella in the stand next to the door and sauntered past the cocoa-colored leather sofa in the reception area and nodded to Jess, the receptionist he shared with Dad.
In his office, he pulled back the heavy burgundy floor-to-ceiling drapes to allow light to spill across the polished floor.
Sitting in his executive chair behind his wooden desk, he laced his fingers behind his head and swiveled the chair to watch the rain bullet the Shelby River.
His eyes skimmed over his college diploma hanging on the wall next to the window and settled on one of his favorite photos—he and Red holding the Golden Paddle Award they had won during the canoe races that year.
The same year Bobby Levine decided he was interested in her and did his best to win Red’s attention. The guy was too much of an idiot to hold on to a good thing when he had it.
But seeing the rowboat sparked an idea.
Ian swiveled around to his desk and opened his laptop. He typed in the URL for the local weather. The rain was projected to stop by evening.
Maybe instead of dinner, she’d be willing to have a picnic and take the boat out before dark. He pulled out his cell phone and tapped out a text to ask her.
Dad poked his head into Ian’s office. “Got a minute, son?”
He hit Send. “Sure, Dad. What’s up?”
“You’re not busy?” He pointed to Ian’s phone in his hand.
“No, I was texting Red about possible dinner plans tonight.”
Dad dropped in one of the chairs in front of Ian’s desk and leaned forward and clasped his hands. “Patrick Laughton just left.”
“Again? Griffin wrote his sister a note of apology, and I sent a check to cover the damage to her yard ornament. We’ve made sure to stay out of her way.”
Dad held up a hand. “I know.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Ian laced his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair.
“Apparently she had words with Agnes.” Dad stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. He paced in front of Ian’s desk.
Ian sat forward. “Red? When?”
“I guess it was at the church picnic.”
That explained Red’s absence when she disappeared to get the two of them a cold drink.
But why didn’t she say something about it?
“So what happened?” Ian dragged a hand through his hair.
“Apparently Iris told him about their sister’s heated discussion with Agnes and learned Evelyn mailed a letter to the parole board to block Zoe’s release. Then she mailed a letter to the city council, requesting closure of Agape House.”
Ian exhaled into his hands. The coffee he just drank burned his stomach.
“Dad, Zoe had nothing to do with Evelyn’s son’s death. She was only nine or ten when he was killed.”
“I know that, but she sees women like Zoe getting a second chance when her son doesn’t.”
“I feel bad for her, Dad.” Ian pushed back his chair and stood. He rounded his desk and matched Dad’s strides. “No parent should ever have to lose a kid like that.”
“There’s something else to consider, too. When Zoe had the accident and Kyle Jacoby was killed, his parents wanted nothing to do with Griffin. Patrick said they’ve been notified of Zoe’s pending release, and they’re not happy. We have to be prepared for their possible petition to keep her behind bars.”
“Can they do that?” Ian leaned against his desk and dropped his head to his chest. A dull ache formed at the back of his skull.
Dad sighed and nodded. “Yes, apparently anyone can speak out against Zoe being released.”
“So what now?”
“Keep praying. Last night your mother mentioned she goes there every morning and prays through each room, then walks around the block and asks for God’s protection for the women coming in and for their families. Her faith is strong, and she believes in this project. I told her I’d do whatever I can to make sure this project succeeds.”
Hearing his Dad’s changed attitude refreshed him, but Ian couldn’t help wondering at his change of heart. “What convinced you in the end, Dad?”
“I love your mother. And I love being married to her. Forty years ago I made a promise, which she reminded me of.” Dad sighed and leaned against the desk. “The night before our wedding, she called and offered me one last chance to back out. She said once we exchanged vows, she was holding me to them because divorce wasn’t an option. She refused to put you kids through what she went through as a child when her parents separated.”
“She’s a smart woman.”
“She’s the best. And I was an idiot to turn my back on her the way I did. But we’re working through it. Speaking of smart women, what’s going on with you and Agnes Joy?”
“I’m still not sure how she feels, but I can tell her walls are crumbling.”
“If you don’t mind your old man’s advice—take it slow. Give her time to get used to the new changes in your relationship. Show her she’s worth waiting for.”
As predicted, the rain stopped and the clouds cleared away, taking the oppressing humidity with it. The evening sun stretched across the lake.
Ian released the rope and pulled the aluminum rowboat to the end of the dock so he and Red could get in for their dinner date.
Reaching for Red’s hand, he helped her into the boat. She settled on one of the benches and snapped a faded life jacket over her white T-shirt. She leaned back, closed her eyes and sighed as the breeze played with her hair.
“Long day?”
“Yes, the rain brought people inside all afternoon. I’m glad it cleared out for a bit this evening.”
“Me, too.”
Taking his place in the middle of the boat and facing the stern, he leaned forward, then pulled back to paddle the boat away from the dock.
The oarlocks squeaked as he rowed past the marshy bank where bullfrogs croaked. Gulls cawed and circled overhead. A pair of dragonflies darted between them and danced on the surface of the water.
A peace he hadn’t felt in a long time rippled through him. Even with the challenges they continued to face with Agape House and trying to get Zoe released, he knew things would work out. God had a plan.
Agnes sat up and rubbed her stomach. “What time’s dinner?”
He lifted the oars up and set them just inside the boat. Then he reached under his seat for a soft-sided cooler, unzipped it and pulled out a couple of sandwiches and two cans of Coke, handing her one of each. He pulled out a wicker basket and opened it, displaying several small bags of chips and a container filled with Mom’s chocolate chip cookies.
She set the soda next to her, then unwrapped a turkey and cheese on whole wheat and took a bite. “Thank you.”
“Nothing fancy.”
“It’s perfect.” She shivered as a small gust of wind blew over them. Goose bumps pebbled her skin.
He reached under her bench and pulled out a rolled blanket. He shook out the navy fleece and tucked it around her legs. “How’s that?”
“You always think of everything.”
“I try.”
She looked off in the distance as she finished her sandwich. “Ian, I have to be honest and tell you I’m scared.”
“About what?”
“About you. Us. Messing this up.”
At least she was willing to acknowledge the changes in their relationship. That gave him hope.
He twirled one of her crazy curls around his finger. “Sweetheart, you can’t mess this up. We have the rest of our lives to figure things out.”
“Is that a proposal?” She shot him a sidelong glance through her fringed lashes, but her question stopped his heart from beating momentarily.
He struggled to find the right words. Again, he wanted to be careful not to rush things. “Do you want it to be?”
Instead of saying anything, she popped the tab on her can and sipped her Coke.
“Relax, I’m not going to push you. I’ve waited this long.”
She trailed her fingers in the water. “What do we tell people?”
“About what?”
“Us.”
“Tell them what you want. Listen, Red, I know you had a long day, and you’ll be ready to crash soon, but don’t overthink this. Just let it progress naturally.” He leaned forward and rested his hands on her knees.
“Thank you. Just don’t freak out when I get a little crazy every now and then.”
“I’ve been dealing with your crazy for years.”
She threaded her fingers through his. “Do you remember my senior prom?”
He smiled and gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Of course. How could I forget? Matt Wilson’s case of strep throat was my gain.”
“You were so sweet for stepping in at the last minute to be my date.”
“I enjoyed every minute of it. What made you think of that now anyway?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I was thinking about the first time you kissed me.”
“My favorite part of the night. And right after you told me you liked me.”
“Yeah, I was crazy for doing that. It made things weird between us.” She pulled her hands away and reached for her Coke.
Overhead, a flock of geese honked as they flew past.
Ian rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. “You weren’t crazy, Red. I was the crazy one for not doing anything about it.”
“I was so sure you felt the same way. Otherwise I would have kept my mouth shut.”
“I did feel the same way. But I thought I needed to let you go experience life beyond the lake. I didn’t want you to feel tied down in a long distance relationship.”
“So you’ve said several times.” She dragged a hand through her hair. “We could have made it work. As much as I loved Texas, it wasn’t the same as when I was a child. I missed the lake. I missed you.”
“Seemed like you missed Bobby more.”
She snorted. “Hardly. When I came home at Christmas, you said you had met someone, remember? You told me we had a great night, but you couldn’t let that stand in the way of my future.”
“Had I known you would have gone running to him… Like I said, I was an idiot.”
