by Kay Correll
“Hey, Nick.”
He looked up to find Annie standing beside his table. “Hi, I came in for your famous coffee.”
“You planning on hiking?” She nodded at the magazine open to an ad for hiking gear.
“I am. You want to go with me?” There it was again. The words that just sprang from his lips without him even thinking them through. “I was planning on going once it warms up just a bit.”
Annie chewed her lip. “Maybe. I’m usually pretty busy.”
“A break might do you good.” He was doing his best to convince her, and he wasn’t even sure that’s what he wanted. Of course, he wasn’t sure about much of anything these days.
“Well, we can talk about it later.” Annie seemed unwilling to commit.
“I was thinking I’d go up to the loft and work on some of the remodeling for you when I finish the coffee. What do you say?”
“You don’t have to do that. You’ve probably already had a full day at work.”
“It was a slow day. Just taught two classes. Couple of meetings. I have time. I’d like to help.”
“Well, I try to keep the noise level down while the shop is open.” Annie frowned. That darn frown of hers.
“I could prime the trim you want to put up.”
“I… yes, that would be helpful.”
Man, it was hard work offering to help Annie. Though, he knew her well. She didn’t accept help often and probably wasn’t thrilled about him helping her now. He took a last sip of his coffee and stood. “I’ll just head on upstairs.”
Annie came up to the loft about an hour later to check on him. “You doing okay?”
“Yep, found everything I need.” He lifted another piece of trim up to rest on the two sawhorses so he could paint it.
“You can stop whenever you get tired.”
He smiled at her. “Not tired. Not a bit.”
“There you are.” They both turned at the sound of a gruff and slightly out of breath voice at the top of the stairs.
“Mr. Dobbs.” Annie hurried over to greet the man.
Old Man Dobbs. Now there was a name from the past. The man hadn’t changed a bit. Surly scowl on his face. Worn slacks and a pull-over sweater. Round face that always glowed red. Nick slowly followed Annie over to where the man was standing looking around the loft.
Dobbs took a few steps into the area and paused when he saw him. “Nick Chambers?” Dobbs’s face turned even redder if that were possible. “I thought you were long gone from this town.”
“I’m back.” Nick stood his ground.
“I see.” Dobbs glowered at Nick and Annie with his famous scowl. “Well, I just came to see how the renovations are coming.” He turned to Annie. “Do you have the proper permits for all of this?”
“I do. I turned in all the proper paperwork at city hall.”
“Well, I’m just checking. We don’t want people just building things that aren’t up to code and such.”
“Didn’t know you worked for the planning commission.” Nick took a step to stand beside Annie.
She put a hand on his arm and frowned at him.
“I… well, I don’t. But I’m on the town council so of course, I like to keep up with all that’s going on in town.”
“I’m sure you’ll find all of Annie’s paperwork in order.” Annie was that type of person. Played by the rules. Did things by the book. And Dobbs darn well knew that after all these years. He was just causing trouble, and Nick would have none of that. Dobbs didn’t get to bully Annie, and he didn’t like Dobbs’s threatening tone of voice.
Annie took a step forward. “All the permits are on file, I assure you.”
“Well, make sure all this passes inspection before it opens.” Dobbs waved his hand then turned on his heels and tottered away to the stairs. He grasped the handrail as if convinced that Annie had put in the loft up all these stairs just to annoy him.
“Well, he hasn’t changed.” Nick turned to Annie.
“You didn’t need to do that.” Her eyes flashed.
“Do what?” His brow furrowed. What didn’t he need to do?
“I can take care of this myself. You didn’t need to step up and defend me.”
“Annie… I…” She was right. He’d stepped in where he wasn’t needed. “I just didn’t like the way he was talking to you.”
“I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years without your help.” Annie spun around and hurried back down to the shop.
Chapter 11
Nora handed Beth the container of cookies. “Here you go. The boys’ favorite. Oatmeal.”
“I don’t know how you have time to run the lodge and bake for the boys. I can’t seem to even have time to get our laundry done and keep the house from becoming a disaster zone.” Her daughter grabbed her purse and juggled the tin of cookies. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see these. I can’t tell you the last time I baked cookies for them. We’re kind of in the fish sticks and store-bought snacks mode the last few weeks. I’ve got to get my act together and cook some healthy meals.”
Dark circles etched their way under Beth’s eyes, which meant that she wasn’t getting enough rest. But her daughter had her hands full these days with her teaching job and the boys and all of their sports. Nora made a mental note to take the boys overnight again soon. Beth could use the break, and she enjoyed having her grandsons around.
“You let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” She handed Beth a to-go mug of coffee.
“Mom, you already do so much for me.”
Jason came walking in from the other room. “Sis, don’t argue with your mother. Besides, you know she loves to help.” He eyed her coffee mug. “How many of those have you had today?”
“Really, Jas? You, too? I’m doing the best I can.”
“Wow, not criticizing. Teasing. I’m sorry.” He lifted his hands in surrender.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m just tired and cranky today.” Beth let out a long sigh.
“How about I pick the boys up from school tomorrow? I’ll tire them out, take them out for burgers, and bring them home to you exhausted.” He snatched an apple off the counter and took a big bite out of it.
Nora waited to see how Beth would respond to her brother’s offer. Her daughter didn’t accept help often, which was part of the problem.
“You don’t have to do that.” Beth shook her head.
“I know I don’t. I want to.”
Beth paused, then nodded slowly. “Okay, thanks. That will let me get caught up on some things. I’ll grocery shop too and get some food in the house that doesn’t come from a can or a box.”
“It’s settled then.” Jason smiled and walked out the door, crunching on his apple.
“I better go. Got to get the boys from sports practice and they still have homework to do.”
“Try to get some rest.” She opened the door for Beth.
“I’ll try.”
She watched as Beth climbed into her car and pulled away. Usually, her daughter managed to juggle all her responsibilities, but occasionally, when the boys’ schedules got really crazy with sports, she struggled to do it all. If only her ex-husband would help more. But he was more of a come into town occasionally, spoil the boys with gifts, and depart again, leaving Beth with all of the day-to-day responsibilities. What Beth had ever seen in that man was beyond her. Well, okay, he’d been the star football player, handsome as all get-out, but he had no moral backbone and expected everything in life to come easy for him. Real parenting was just a bit too hard as far as he was concerned.
She turned to go back inside but paused at the sound of a car approaching. Annie waved as she pulled her car up to the cabin. Annie climbed out of the car and gave her a quick hug. “Got time for a cup of hot tea?” She linked her arm in Nora’s.
“Always. I always have time for tea with you.”
“Was that Beth I passed as I came in?”
“Yes. She was just leaving to go pick up the boys.�
�� Nora put the tea kettle on the stove and set out a plate of the oatmeal cookies.
Annie settled into her usual chair at the kitchen table. “I hear we’re supposed to get a snow storm.”
“I heard that, too. I’m ready for spring.”
“I am, too. And I’m so over shoveling snow.”
“I better be sure Jason has the blade on the tractor to clear the roads at the lodge.”
Nora sat across from Annie and waited for the tea kettle to whistle. “So, what have you been up to? Things going okay with the remodel?”
“Yes, it’s coming along. Nick’s been a big help.”
“I heard he went to dinner at your house.”
Annie looked up in surprise, then smiled. “Not much gets past you.”
“Not much. Did you have a good time?”
“We did. It’s interesting getting to know Nick now. He’s so different. He said he was looking into a research job.”
Nora didn’t like the way Annie’s eyes lit up when she talked about Nick. Not one bit. “I thought he had a practice?”
“He does… or did. I don’t know. He just said he wanted to try research now.”
Nora got up and made their tea. As she sat back down, Annie leaned forward, her elbows on the table. “He came over yesterday, too. He went up to the loft to work and Dobbs came by.”
Nora frowned. “What did Dobbs want?”
“He wanted to make sure I had all my permits for the remodel.”
“Like that’s any of his business.”
“Then Nick kind of stood up to him and…” Annie sighed. “I don’t need someone coming into my life and standing up for me. I’ve been fine on my own. I do appreciate the help with finishing the remodel, but he can’t…”
“He can’t come in and act like he’s a part of your life again?”
“Well… yes. You’re right. He was acting like he had to protect me or something. He just took over. Like I need protection from Dobbs. We dealt with him just fine with the whole pathway along the river, didn’t we?”
“We did.” Nora watched Annie’s face. She knew her friend so well. She was struggling to figure out where Nick fit in her life now. As much as she wanted to tell her to just toss the man into the river, Annie was going to have to work things out on her own.
Nora just hoped Annie didn’t get her heart crushed in the process.
Nick walked into Bookish Cafe, hoping Annie was still working. He needed to apologize. He’d overstepped with her yesterday, he’d figured that out. She was a capable woman, able to take care of herself.
It’s just that his instincts had kicked in. All of a sudden, he was back in time. When Annie had relied on him, depended on him. They had depended on each other back then. When Dobbs had started in with his bullying, he hadn’t been able to stop himself. And Annie had made it very clear that she could fight her own battles.
“Annie, there you are.” He walked up to where she was stacking books on a table.
“Nick, you don’t have to come here every day and work on the loft. It’s my problem, not yours.” She set down a pile of books with just a little too much force. They tumbled to the floor.
He bent to pick them up, but she put a hand on his shoulder. “No, I’ve got them.” She bent down, gathered the books, and carefully placed them back on the table.
He waited for her to arrange them just so. Then change them a bit. Then again. She was stalling, he could see that. “Annie, I came to apologize. I overstepped yesterday. I know you can handle Dobbs. You’ve proven you’re very capable. Look at all you’ve done with your life and this shop. I admit Dobbs has always gotten under my skin. He’s just a pompous… well, a jerk. But I shouldn’t have interfered.”
Annie looked up at him. “I don’t need you to stand up for me.”
“I know I don’t. I’m apologizing. Are you going to accept my apology?” He cocked his head to one side and grinned at her.
She tossed him a brief smile. “No need to apologize. I probably overreacted. I do that sometimes.”
“Really?” He was sure she couldn’t miss the sarcastic tone of his voice.
She smiled a full-out smile then. Finally. “Really. Only occasionally though.”
“I remember.” He could stand there all afternoon and bask in her smile. “Anyway, I came to ask you out to dinner. My way of saying I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. But I want to. How about it?”
“No, I have so much that I need to do.” Annie frowned.
Again with the frown. Bring back the smile.
“You have to eat sometime.”
“I… do, but…”
“Great. Then I’ll come by about six and we’ll walk over to Antonio’s Cantina. Tell me it’s still here.”
“It is. Still the best Mexican food and margaritas in the state.”
“Perfect. So we’re on?”
Annie looked at him, and he could see the war going on in her sky-blue eyes. She finally shrugged. “You’re right. I do have to eat, and I haven’t been to Antonio’s in forever.”
Not the glowing, enthusiastic answer he was hoping for, but he’d go with it.
“I’ll see you at six.”
Annie couldn’t seem to help herself. She’d never been able to say no to Nick’s smile and charming ways. Anyway, a woman had to eat, right? Might as well share that meal with a friend.
A friend.
Is that what Nick was? What were they doing?
What was she doing?
She glanced at her watch, then out the shop window. A light snow was beginning to fall. She just hoped this would be the last one of the season. Soon the snow began to blanket the sidewalks. She stood in the window and watched as the evening sky darkened and the snow draped itself on the trees. She was so very tired of snow this year, but she had to admit it was beautiful.
The door to the shop opened and Nick entered. He stomped his boots to knock off the snow on the large mat by the front door. He looked up and saw her, and his face broke into a large smile. For a moment she was back in time, back when that smile was her whole world. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she was fairly certain she didn’t like that. Not one bit.
He crossed over to her, oblivious to her discomfort. “You ready to go?”
“I… ah… yes. Let me grab my coat.”
They walked out into the crisp night air. The snow muffled the sounds and draped Main Street in an enchanting blanket of fresh snow.
“You want to walk?” Nick eyed her. “It’s really pretty out. I haven’t been out in snow in I don’t know how long.”
“Sure. Let’s walk.” They started down the block and crossed over to the side street to Antonio’s Cantina. Cheerful Mexican music spilled through the doorway as they entered. Antonio came over, and a wide smile spread over his face. He clapped Nick on the back and gave him a big bear hug. “Nicky. You’re back.”
Nick grinned. “I am. Good to see you, buddy.”
“It’s been a long time. But I knew my food would bring you back eventually.” Antonio grinned.
“It sure did.” Nick nodded. “Only reason I’m in town, of course.
“Come on you two. I’ll get you your old table in the back. Margaritas for both of you? No salt, for you, right Annie?”
“Right.”
Chapter 12
Nick held the chair for Annie to slip into it. At their same table in the same restaurant where they’d gone so many times. The past and the present wobbled together as he slipped into his own seat. Though this time he took the chair across from her, instead of right beside her like he always had before.
Soon he was sipping on the best margarita in the state. No lie.
They ordered their meals, and Antonio gave them a big order of nachos while they waited. Nick leaned on the table and reached for a chip. Annie reached at the same time and their fingers grazed. It took all of his control not to just take her hand in his.
&nbs
p; But he didn’t still have feelings for Annie. Those were long gone, right? It had been years. He couldn’t be having those feelings again. He’d only been back a short time. He hardly knew her anymore.
And yet… he wanted to take her hand in his.
Instead, he took the margarita in his hand, relishing the coolness of the glass, hoping it would quench not only his thirst but his… what? What was it that he was feeling for Annie?
He looked across the table at her, sitting there with a dazed expression on her face, which he was sure perfectly mirrored his own.
“What are we doing, Nick?” Her voice was low.
He wanted to act like he didn’t know what she was talking about, but she could always tell when he wasn’t telling the whole truth or was avoiding her question. “I’m honestly not sure.”
“I’m not either. I don’t think I can do this.” She set her glass on the table.
“Do what? Be friends with me?”
“Is that what we are? Friends?”
A friend he had an overwhelming urge to kiss.
“I don’t know, Annie. Can we just take it day by day? Not overthink things?”
“But I always overthink things.” She gave him a weak smile.
“I know, but this once, let’s just let it go. See where things head. I like spending time with you. I’ve missed talking to you. You’re just so easy to talk to. Or even easy to work with side by side without talking.”
Annie frowned, then quickly turned it into a smile when she caught herself. “Okay, we’ll give it a try. I’ll give it a try. But I don’t make any promises on the overthinking thing.”
They managed to avoid any more talk about what they were or were not. Which suited Annie just fine. Though, she was determined to sit quietly at home later and try to sort things out, even if Nick didn’t want her to. She had to figure out what she was doing… and if she wanted to be doing it. Whatever it was.
“Nick Chambers.”
Annie looked up to see Gloria Edmonds standing by their table. Great, just great.
