“Will I see you tomorrow?”
Her smile was forced. All because of him. “At church. However, Laurel invited me to join her, Wes and Sarah-Jane for lunch.” She sighed. “Since I haven’t had much time with Sarah-Jane lately, I plan to take full advantage of all the snuggles I can get. Besides, I promised to help Laurel with ideas for her nursery.”
“Okay, well...”
A voice inside urged him to tell her now. But he needed to think things through first. Otherwise, he’d bumble his way through any sort of explanation and probably dig himself a hole he might never find his way out of.
Placing her hands against his chest, she pushed up on her toes and brushed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you for a wonderful night. I hope we can do it again soon.”
He did, too. But if he didn’t tell her the truth—“Christa?” He cupped her elbows as she lowered herself.
“Yes?”
“I—” The words tangled on the tip of his tongue. If he told her now, he’d only make a bigger mess of things. He needed to sleep on it. Sort through his thoughts. “Sleep well.”
Chapter Fourteen
Most Sundays Mick enjoyed Pastor Kleinschmidt’s messages, but this morning’s sermon seemed to go on forever. And sitting beside Christa, Mick felt as though there was a noose tightening around his neck. Sleep had evaded him most of the night, and he knew he wouldn’t be at peace until he told her that he was the owner of the Gebhardt building. He could only pray she wouldn’t be angry with him for not being forthcoming last night.
When the final chords of the doxology ended, Mick turned to Christa as she gathered up her purse. She looked amazing in a floral-patterned pale blue blouse, dark wash skinny jeans and a pair of those heeled booties that all the women seemed to be into lately.
“When you’re done at Laurel’s would you mind giving me a call? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
She looked at him, her brow puckering. “Sure. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah.” Or would be, just as soon as he told her. At least, he hoped so.
“Okay. I’ll call you when I get home.”
“Have fun with Laurel and Sarah-Jane.”
“I’m sure I will.”
As she walked away, Mick felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Bum grinning from ear to ear.
“The two of you sittin’ together has become a habit.”
Mick just hoped this wasn’t the last time.
“You don’t look too happy, son. Did Christa send you packin’?”
Not yet. “She’s going to Laurel’s for the afternoon.”
“I see. Well, why don’t you and that young’un of yours come join me for lunch? I’ve got a roast in the slow cooker with some potatoes and carrots. There’s more than enough.”
Comfort food. Mick could use some comfort about now. Not to mention a friendly ear. Perhaps Bum could help him get things straight in his mind before he talked to Christa.
“All right. Let me gather up Sadie and we’ll see you in a bit.”
“I haven’t been to Mr. Bum’s house before.” Sadie looked left then right as they made their way up Bum’s long drive a short time later. “He’s got cows just like you.”
Mick couldn’t help grinning. “He sure does.” He eased his truck around the circle drive before coming to a stop in front of the 1970s-era brick ranch-style house. He climbed out first, then helped Sadie while Bum waited at the door.
“Thank you for ’viting us, Mr. Bum.” Standing on the porch, Sadie peered up at the older man.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here, young lady.”
She took hold of Mick’s hand as they walked into the house, obviously feeling a little on the shy side.
“Oh, look out there,” Bum said as a miniature brown-and-white fur ball barreled past them. “Sassy, you be careful ’round that little one.”
Sadie giggled as she moved in a circle, trying to keep track of the shih tzu that had belonged to Bum’s wife, Dorothy. Finally the dog dropped in front of Sadie, seemingly smiling up at her while it wagged its curly tail.
Sadie promptly dropped onto the tile floor. “Aw, it’s so cute.”
Sassy must have taken that as her cue because she pounced into Sadie’s lap and began licking her.
“Let her alone, Sassy.” Bum shooed the dog away. “You can play with her after we eat.” He eyed Mick then. “Food’s ready, so y’all come on in the kitchen.”
The meal was as tasty as it was hearty, rounded out with some of those crescent-shaped rolls from a can and peach cobbler from Rae’s Fresh Start Café.
“Can I play with Sassy now?” Sadie scooted out of the wooden captain’s chair a short time later.
Mick eyed her empty plate. “If it’s okay with Mr. Bum.”
Her green eyes moved to the older man.
“You sure can. She’s got a basket of toys right around the corner. And she loves to play ball.”
“Careful with the ball, though,” Mick was quick to add. “Roll it so you don’t risk breaking anything.”
As she hurried away, Bum said, “She’ll be all right. There ain’t nothing she can hurt.” Fork in hand, he scooped up another bite of cobbler. “You seem a little somber. Is it the lawsuit?”
“Not this time. This has to do with Christa.”
“I would think all this time you’ve been spending with her would put a smile on your face.”
“Normally, it does. But I’ve gotten myself into quite a pickle.”
“How so?”
Mick took a sip of his iced tea before revealing Christa’s desire to purchase the Gebhardt building, his refusal to sell and his silence when he found out she was the one wanting to buy it. “I’m standing in the way of her dream. But at the same time, I’m not sure I should let the building go.”
“Christa’s a smart woman. Just explain that to her.” Bum wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “You know what they say. Honesty is the best policy.”
“Yeah, I probably should have exercised that last night, but I was so blindsided I didn’t say a word. And I’m afraid that might come back to bite me.”
“Then I’d suggest you rectify things just as quick as you can.” Bum belched under his breath.
“That’s what I intend to do. I told her to call me when she got home.”
“Good.” The older man massaged the area beneath his breastbone, his expression suddenly pinched.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. This heartburn’s really been getting to me lately.” He picked up his plate. “Reckon I need some more of those antacid tablets.” When he stood, Mick noticed his friend was looking a little gray. And he was sweating.
“Maybe you should go lie down.”
“Nah, I’ll be—” A look of panic lit Bum’s eyes. He thrust the plate toward the counter. It landed with a crash as Bum clutched his chest.
“Bum!” Mick bolted from his chair and caught the man before he hit the floor. Easing him onto the tile, he looked down at the seemingly unconscious man. “Can you hear me, Bum?” He scrambled for his phone. Dialed 911. Lord, please let him be okay.
Sadie rushed into the room, screeching to a halt when she spotted Bum on the floor.
“Uncle Mickey?” Her lip quivered.
“It’s okay, princess. Mr. Bum just fell, but I need to get him some help.” It had taken all of his effort to keep his voice calm. Just then, the dispatcher came on the line. Mick relayed the information as succinctly as he could, adding that he suspected his friend was having a heart attack.
Ending the call, he looked at Sadie who was sitting in a chair, her eyes wide. “Mr. Bum isn’t feeling well, so the people from the hospital are on their way to help him.”
Bum started to rouse. “What happened?” He looked around. “What am I—?” He tried to
sit up, but Mick stopped him.
“Easy, my friend. Ambulance is on its way.”
“Ambulance?” Bum frowned.
“I think that heartburn might be indicating a problem with your heart. We need to get you checked out.” To Mick’s surprise, the man didn’t argue. It was as if he’d had the same suspicions. “Have you got some aspirin? They told me I should give you one.”
The man nodded and pointed toward the collection of bottles beside the sink.
Sassy wiggled toward them as Mick stood, her ears back, tail low as she sniffed her master.
Mick was certain the dog sensed something was wrong. Especially when she plopped down beside the big man and nosed at his hand.
“It’s okay, Sassy.” Bum stroked the animal.
Mick located the aspirin and filled a glass with water. Looking down at his friend, Mick knew he couldn’t let him go to the hospital alone. Bum’s daughters lived in Dallas and Abilene, and while Mick would let them know what was going on, they were a minimum of four hours away. Still, he hated to make Sadie go with him.
“Sadie, I’m going to see if you can stay with Miss Christa while I go to the hospital with Mr. Bum, okay?” He hated to do it, but she was his only option.
“Okay. But can Sassy come, too? Cuz we can’t leave her here all alone. And I know Dixie will love her.”
“We’ll see what Miss Christa says.” He dialed her number and waited while it rang. Just when he was about to give up, she answered.
“Mick? Hey, I’m still over here at Laurel’s.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need your help. Bum collapsed and I’m waiting for an ambulance. I think it’s his heart.”
“Where are you?”
“At Bum’s.”
“I’m on my way.”
He could hear the ambulance approaching as the line went dead. God, please don’t take Bum away from me now. I’m not sure I could bear losing another loved one so soon.
When the EMTs arrived, Mick explained what happened and answered questions before taking Sadie outside to wait for Christa. He glanced up at the brilliant blue sky, wondering how such a beautiful day could turn ugly so fast.
The sound of tires moving over gravel had him shifting his attention to the drive and Christa’s SUV.
Once she parked, Sadie hurried to meet her.
Mick joined them a moment later.
“How is he?” Christa rested her hands atop Sadie’s shoulders.
“Probably won’t know much until they get him to the hospital.”
“I was praying all the way here. I told Wes and Laurel. They’re praying, too, and they activated the church’s prayer chain.”
Hands on his hips, Mick couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, I reckon everyone in town ought to know by the time we get to the hospital then.” A sound had him turning to see the EMTs wheeling Bum out on a gurney. Mick moved toward them.
An oxygen mask covered his friend’s nose and mouth, but his color was still ashen.
Mick reached for the man’s hand. “You know, if you were trying to get out of doing the dishes, you could have just asked.”
Bum managed a weak smile.
Mick eyed one of the EMTs. “I’ll follow you to the hospital.”
While they loaded Bum into the ambulance, Mick rejoined Christa and Sadie. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
Christa held up a hand. “Doesn’t matter. Sadie is fine with me. You just take care of Bum.”
“Can we take Sassy?” Sadie eyed a confused Christa.
“Bum’s shih tzu,” Mick added.
“Sure. Dixie would love having another playmate.” She hugged Sadie.
Mick caught Christa’s attention, hating that he still hadn’t been able to tell her about the Gebhardt building. “I’m sorry I interrupted your time with Laurel.” He shrugged. “I didn’t know who else to call.”
“Mick, there’s no need to apologize. You look after Bum, and we’ll see you when you get back.”
Mick spent the following hours contacting Bum’s daughters, Sandy and Carrie, and fielding incoming calls from well-meaning church members and townsfolk asking what they could do. He told them all to pray, knowing that was all they could do right now and what Bum needed most.
When the doctor informed Mick they were transferring Bum to a hospital in Houston, Mick notified the man’s daughters of the change, encouraging them to go straight there. Then Mick waited with his friend, praying with him before he was loaded into another ambulance.
Piling into his truck at almost seven thirty, Mick felt completely drained. Emotionally, physically. And he still had to talk with Christa.
He knocked on her door a short time later, feeling as weary as he would if he’d been working fence all day. Instead, he’d done nothing but sit around, worrying and praying.
Christa opened the door, looking like a breath of fresh air. “How is he?”
Mick relayed everything as he followed her into the kitchen.
“You look exhausted. Can I get you something to eat?”
“No, I’m good.” Except he wasn’t good. He still had to come clean with her. But if he thought his mind had been muddled last night—“Where’s Sadie?”
“On the couch, watching—”
“Let me guess. Frozen.”
“Of course.”
He moved to the opening between the kitchen and dining room to check on his niece. She was sitting on the sofa with a snoozing Sassy at her side. Yet while Sadie sat upright, her head kept bobbing, and she was barely able to keep her eyes open.
“I think she’s ready for bed,” Christa whispered over his shoulder.
“Yeah.” He faced her now, longing to take her into his arms. “Sassy, too.”
“I know you wanted to talk about something, but I can tell you’re spent.” She rubbed his upper arm, her warmth seeping into him. “Why don’t we wait until tomorrow?”
Waiting would only prolong the agony. But right now he wasn’t sure he could string the words together in a way that wouldn’t be misunderstood. “Tomorrow it is, then.”
* * *
After the early-morning rush on Monday, Christa worked alongside Patsy on the store’s spring window display. They’d started with some faux grass, added a bench and a small wheelbarrow. Now it was time to add all those little things people would need for springtime planting. Shovels and spades, watering cans, gardening gloves, colorful pots and a multitude of other things.
Christa positioned an old soda crate atop a small outdoor table. “Patsy, what do you know about the Gebhardt building?”
“You mean the one next door?” The woman pointed, as if there was more than one Gebhardt building in Bliss.
“Yes.”
Patsy filled a bright green metal bucket with a selection of seed packets. “Used to be one of them old mercantile places. You know, a general store. I went in there once or twice when I was real little. About all I remember, though, are the wooden shelves and the jars of penny candy on the counter by the old cash register.”
“Sounds like a cool place.” Christa took the now-full bucket from Patsy and set it atop the crate. Just the pop of color she wanted.
“Yeah, there’s been a lot of stuff in there since it closed in the midseventies, but nothing near as interesting.”
Straightening, Christa stretched her back. “Why’d it close?”
Patsy shrugged. “Louise Ashford’s parents had taken it over when her grandparents retired, but Louise had no interest in running the place, so when her folks retired they just put it up for rent.”
“Ashford?” A sick feeling began to stir in Christa’s gut.
“Louise was Mick’s mama.”
Christa’s gaze narrowed. “Who owns the building now?”
“I reckon Mick and his sister.” Patsy adju
sted her ponytail. “Well, make that Mick, now that Jen is gone.” She shook her head. “So sad.”
The sick feeling Christa had threatened to turn into a full revolt. Mick owned the Gebhardt building, yet he never said a word the other night when she’d gone on and on about her desire for the space. Instead, Mick had lied to her, just like Brody. She didn’t care if it was a lie by omission. A lie was still a lie.
Anger propelled her from the window into the store. “Patsy, would you mind finishing this up for me? I have someplace I have to be.”
Without waiting for her assistant manager to respond, she retrieved her purse from her office and went outside to her SUV. She would not let Mick get away with this.
Gray clouds raced across the sky as she drove toward the ranch. Just like Brody, Mick had been using her. He didn’t care about her feelings or her dreams. He only wanted someone to help him with Sadie. And she’d allowed herself to be played. Again. How foolish could she be?
As she pulled into the main drive, Mick’s truck was coming out. Ignoring him, she continued into her driveway and got out, hoping he would follow.
He did.
The wind whipped her hair into her face as she crossed her arms over her chest and waited.
Finally, he pulled alongside her, smiling as he stepped out and moved toward her. “Hey, I was just on my way to see you.” Hands dangling from the pockets of his faded jeans, he stopped in front of her.
“How could you?” She shoved a hand against his chest. “You lied to me.” Tears threatened but she willed them away, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
Rubbing his chest as though she’d hurt him, he said, “Huh?”
“I know that you own the Gebhardt building.”
He heaved a sigh, appearing suddenly crestfallen. “That’s what I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
“Oh, sure. Now that you’ve been outed.” Scraping her hair behind her ears, she glared at him. “Yet you let me sit beside that fire and pour my heart out to you without ever saying a word. You even encouraged me to rent.” And she’d actually been pondering some of his recommendations! “Who does that?”
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