A Promise To Keep

by Christina Tetreault

  Kelsey reread the tickets, and a large smile formed. “First class, uh. You know how to spoil me.”

  “Trust me. I’m just getting started.”

  ***

  Kelsey disappeared into the kitchen with Ella and Cat the moment they arrived. They’d been in there for a good ten minutes, leaving him and the guys to discuss sports and get started on the food. Except for Dakota, he’d gone to school with them all, and hanging around them brought up a lot of memories. Memories that included Kelsey’s brother. Damn it, Ian, you were too young to die.

  The final conversation he’d had with Ian tried to sneak into his thoughts. It’d been the day before Ian lost his battle, and if he could wipe it from his brain, he would. Once fit and strong, Ian had been a shell of himself lying in the hospice bed. It’d taken all his energy to speak, never mind move. Slowly he’d gotten the words out. He’d made Drew promise he’d keep an eye on Kelsey. Make sure she was okay, and help her out if she ever needed it. Drew had given his promise without a second thought because Ian had been his best friend since kindergarten, and because he cared about Kelsey. He’d known her all her life. Along with Ian, he’d teased her, helped her improve her basketball skills, and watched her go from a cute kid to a beautiful woman.

  Without intending to, he’d dropped the ball and failed both Ian and Kelsey. He wouldn’t let it happen again.

  “Hey Sean, where’s Mia tonight?” Cat asked, her voice shaking him from his unpleasant thoughts as she entered the entertainment room along with Ella and Kelsey.

  “She’s looking at houses with her younger sister,” Sean answered. “Angie wants to buy a place around here.”

  “Who’s next, Mia’s mother?” Tony said from across the table.

  “Don’t go there,” Sean said with a scowl. “If she moves to North Salem, I’ll need to relocate. The woman’s a piece of work. You don’t know how lucky you are to have Mrs. Striker as a mother-in-law, Tony.”

  Mrs. Bancroft would’ve made a wonderful mother-in-law. She’d treated everyone like a son or daughter.

  “Mia’s mom still trying to convince her to move back to California?” Tony asked.

  Sean nodded and dealt the cards. “And leave me. I don’t know how Mia’s father puts up with the woman.”

  He had no experience with mothers-in-law, but what kind of parent tried to convince their daughter to get a divorce? It sounded like Sean had one hell of a witch for a mother-in-law.

  Conversation around the table slowed as the poker game got underway. Unlike the last time he played, Drew managed to win one of the first three hands. Kelsey and Striker won the other two.

  “We need to go shopping for your trip,” Cat said to Kelsey.

  From the other side of the table, Ella nodded. “She’s right. What nights do you have off this week? If I’m not teaching a dance class, we can go together.”

  Good luck getting her to the mall. He’d always assumed all women loved spending money on clothes and shoes. The day he spent shopping with Kelsey proved his belief false. She hadn’t spent time window shopping or trying on hundreds of outfits. Instead, she’d attacked the mall much the same way he did. She’d zipped in and out of the stores, only getting the items she considered essential.

  “I’m only working Sunday and Tuesday,” she answered with disgust.

  “How about Wednesday?” Ella asked.

  “Works for me,” Cat answered first.

  According to Kelsey, both Cat and Ella considered shopping a sport. They never passed up an opportunity to partake in it. Drew wondered what excuse Kelsey would come up with to get out of going. When she did, he’d remind her she couldn’t wear heavy sweaters and sweatshirts in Hawaii.

  “Sure. Wednesday night works.”

  Drew put his cards on the table facedown. “Did you say sure?”

  “Yeah. I need shorts and a bathing suit. Unless you want to go shopping for me, I don’t have a choice.” She checked her cards one last time. “I fold.”

  “Where are you off to?” Steve asked.

  “Hawaii,” Kelsey answered.

  “Lived outside Honolulu for three years when my dad was stationed over there,” Dakota said. “It’s like no other place I’ve lived.”

  Despite Kelsey’s claim they were only friends, when Dakota had walked in and given Kelsey a hug, the urge to deck the dude had surfaced. When Ella and Cat arrived, he did the same thing, and neither Striker nor Tony appeared bothered by it. Drew guessed the guy was just a hugger. Although he didn’t understand it, some people were like that.

  “I’m in.” Dakota tossed a few poker chips into the center of the table. “Which island are you staying on?”

  Kelsey’s ringtone kept her from answering. “It’s Carolina,” she said, glancing at the screen. “I need to take this. Be right back.”

  Clenching his jaw, he watched her walk away. The buyers hadn’t spent much time considering her counteroffer. Was it a good sign or a bad one?

  “I hope they didn’t reject her offer,” Ella said.

  Drew hoped just the opposite.

  They finished the hand but held off on starting another until Kelsey returned. The fact the call was taking so long worried him. If the buyers refused, wouldn’t the agent just deliver the news? He drummed his fingers on the table, his attention in the kitchen with Kelsey rather than on the conversation around him.

  “Sean, did your sister tell you she’s going for her brown belt next weekend?” Steve asked.

  Steve’s question was enough to drag Drew’s attention back to the convo around him. He knew Steve owned a karate school in town. His brother had even enrolled Joey there right after moving back to North Salem. Last he heard from Mom, Sean’s sister Charlie lived in Virginia with her husband and young son. “Charlie moved back to town?” he asked.

  “Charlie and Jake live in Virginia. Steve is talking about my half sister Taylor. She and my father live in Danvers.”

  Sean having a half sister sounded vaguely familiar. Mom must have shared the information at some point, because if a half sister suddenly appeared in Sean O’Brien’s life, the whole town would’ve talked about it.

  “Yeah, she mentioned it when she was over last week. Mia and I promised to take her out to celebrate afterwards.”

  Later he’d have to ask Kelsey for the details regarding Sean and his sister.

  Kelsey plopped back into her seat. She was frowning. Did that mean they had accepted, or they hadn’t? Considering how she felt about the prospect of selling, he couldn’t be certain.

  “What’d she say?” Drew asked, silently hoping they’d rejected the offer, giving him time to get his plan going.

  She picked up the cards Steve dealt. “They won’t budge. So, I’m back to square one.”

  His shoulders relaxed. “Don’t worry. Other offers will come in.” He squeezed her arm before he picked up his cards.

  “Drew’s right, Kelsey. The right buyer will come along soon,” Ella said.

  Even sooner than you think. First thing in the morning, he’d call Jack and discuss his plan. Jack would come through for him. If Kelsey ever learned the truth, he’d deal with the fallout then.

  ***

  He kicked back the blankets and searched for his cell phone. It was on the nightstand somewhere. He always left it there, but if he needed it he turned on a light. This morning he didn’t want to disturb Kelsey, and being so early, there was almost no sunlight coming through the windows.

  His hand hit an object. Nope, her new sunglasses wouldn’t help him. Drew’s fingers brushed over another object. Bingo.

  Without turning on a light, he crossed the room toward the door. His navigation skills were off and instead of reaching the door, he plowed his toe into the bureau. Damn it. Well at least he knew where in the room he stood.

  If given the opportunity, he would happily stay and sleep until nine or ten in the morning. Not his buddy Jack. He got up before the roosters. A farmer could rely on Jack to wake him up in the morning. The
first month they roomed together, Drew had thought the dude was nuts. Jack would go for his runs before the sun came up, and willingly signed up for eight o’clock classes every semester.

  Today his friend’s habit of getting up ridiculously early came in handy. He could get Jack on board and not worry about Kelsey overhearing his conversation.

  Jack answered on the second ring. “Give me a minute, I need to grab a protein shake. I just finished my run.”

  Five thirty in the morning, and he’d finished his run. The dude was nuts.

  Drew heard a blender whirling in the background.

  “Okay. Shoot. What d’you need help with?”

  “Do you remember Ian?” While he and Jack attended LSU, Ian had gone to Tulane, so although at different schools they’d spent a lot of time together.

  “Yeah.”

  Even though he was downstairs and Kelsey remained in bed, he closed the library door. “His sister is selling the family business. I need you to buy it. Sometime after Kelsey and I get married, you—”

  “Whoa. Back up. When did you get engaged? You were dating some chick named Melissa when you left for Hawaii. Now you’re engaged to Ian’s sister.”

  “I’m asking her in a week.” Drew glanced at the closed door. This was one conversation Kelsey could never hear. “Maybe six months after the wedding you can put the garage on the market, and I’ll buy it from you.”

  “Buddy, you haven’t asked her? Don’t you think you should get a yes from her before you make post-wedding plans?”

  “She’ll say yes.” What if she doesn’t? They’d been together less than a month; no matter how much she loved him, she might not be ready to marry him. One problem at a time.

  “Can you help me out and do this?” He needed to bring this convo to an end. If Kelsey woke up to get a drink or use the bathroom and found him gone, she might come looking for him.

  “You want me to buy a business. And later after you marry a woman who hasn’t even agreed to marry you, sell it to you?” Jack asked, sounding confused. Drew didn’t blame him. It was a nutty idea. “Why don’t you buy it yourself?”

  “She won’t sell to me. Are you in? We can figure out the best way to handle the financial and legal aspects later.” He didn’t expect Jack to use his own money.

  “Hey, I got your back, even if this is the craziest idea I’ve ever heard,” Jack said. “What’s the name of the business I’m buying?”

  “Bancroft Automotive. It’s here in North Salem. I’ll e-mail you the listing. Be sure to offer the full asking price.”

  “And when should I do this?”

  “As soon as possible. Whatever you do, don’t let on we’re friends. I don’t want this getting back to Kelsey.”

  “Yeah, kind of figured that one out myself. I’ll give the listing agent a call and set something up.”

  “Thanks. I owe you one.”

  Jack laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll collect.”

  Whatever favor Jack called in, he’d do.

  One problem solved. Drew’s head hit the pillow again, and Kelsey curled into him, her arm going around his waist.

  “Mmm, good, you’re here,” she whispered, her voice clouded with sleep and her eyes closed.

  A cocktail of emotions washed over him, and he touched his forehead to hers. “I’ll always be here for you.” Drew spoke around the gigantic knot in his throat. He’d enlisted his friend with the sole purpose of deceiving her. His heart told him it was wrong, but his brain kept reminding him she’d given him no other choice. Don’t let this come back and bite me in the ass.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kelsey popped her trunk and dumped her bags inside. She’d stayed later than usual at school grading homework assignments. Friday night, when she and Drew boarded the plane for Hawaii, she didn’t want thoughts of all the work she was leaving behind bothering her. Nope, when she and Drew left Massachusetts, she planned to focus on them and nothing else. Thoughts of the garage, the house, and everything else would remain safely tucked away in North Salem where they belonged. When they returned, she’d take them out, dust them off, and get back to dealing with life. Drew had been absolutely correct. She needed a vacation. Thanks to him, in a few days she’d start one many people only dreamed of ever taking.

  She’d pulled out the tickets half a dozen times since Saturday. Hawaii. She smiled and started her car. It was number one on her top ten places to visit someday, followed by Alaska. The two destinations were so different from each other and the rest of the country; who wouldn’t want to see both. The Scottish Highlands and the Grand Canyon tied for the number three spot.

  The sound of an old-fashioned phone ringing kept her from backing out of her parking spot. Drew knew she planned to meet Cat and Ella at her least favorite place on earth, the mall, so the call wasn’t from him. Cat and Ella usually sent text message rather than calling. Kelsey crossed her fingers before she reached into her purse for the phone. Maybe it was Carolina with good news. The real estate agent had received another inquiry from someone interested in the garage. Getting a reasonable offer she could accept before leaving for vacation would be beyond awesome.

  “Fabulous news,” Carolina said after greeting Kelsey.

  The woman’s words were music to Kelsey’s ears.

  “The gentleman who called Sunday made an offer this afternoon after looking at the property. Full asking price.”

  Did she hear that right? “Full? Really?”

  “Yes. I’ll e-mail the offer to you as soon as we’re done. If you want to accept, all you need to do is sign and fax it back to me. Once I have it, I can get the ball rolling.”

  If she wanted to accept? She couldn’t pass up this opportunity. She’d be able to pay off the business loan and the rest of the home equity loan. It was the answer to all her financial problems. Thanks to this unknown buyer, she could leave teaching in June and get back to the life she’d intended.

  “I’ll sign and get it back to you before I do anything else tonight.” She’d have to make a quick stop at the garage to use the fax machine, but Ella and Cat would understand if she was a few minutes late. Selling the business had been their idea in the first place.

  Usually when she entered the mall, aka her least favorite place on earth, dollar signs and credit card bills flashed through her head. Tonight, she walked toward her friends’ favorite meeting spot with almost a smile on her face instead. If she’d been entering anything other than a mall, even the dentist’s office, it would’ve been a smile. Finally, after almost four years, she was waking up from the nightmare that had started when Ian passed away.

  Both Cat and Ella sat outside the first-floor café. Located near the mall’s main entrance, it was a great place to meet. It also helped that the café served outstanding coffee and baked goods. Kelsey waved to them both before going inside to order a little pick-me-up.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Cat asked before reaching over and touching her forehead. “You don’t feel warm.”

  “I’m fine.” She took out the double chocolate brownie and broke off a corner. “Why? Do I look sick?” She wore a minimal amount of makeup to work, but hated the stuff. When she’d left school earlier, she hadn’t bothered to touch it up.

  “You look happy and you’re in the mall,” Cat answered.

  Across the table, Ella nodded as she lowered her cup. “She’s right. You’re almost smiling. Did Drew finally say he loves you?”

  “No, that’s… well he did, but that’s not why I’m happy. Carolina called. Someone offered full asking price for Bancroft Automotive. Come this fall, I’ll be back at Brandeis.”

  Ella and Cat gave her high fives, and she savored the moment by biting into the divine brownie beckoning to her.

  “I’m not sure which makes me happier, the news you’re going back to school or the fact Drew told you he loves you,” Cat said.

  Without a doubt, she knew which made her happier. Going back to school was fabulous, but being with Drew went way beyond f
abulous. She’d waited almost twenty years for him to share her feelings, and she planned to enjoy every moment with him.

  “Seriously?” Ella asked. “That’s an easy one. The fact Drew finally got his head out of his butt is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.” Ella turned her gaze to Kelsey. “I’m really glad you’re going back to school too, but in my book love is more important.”

  Ella had a romantic streak a mile wide and a mile deep. Everyone knew it. “On this one, I agree,” Kelsey said. “But the other is a close second, followed by the fact I’m leaving for Hawaii the day after tomorrow.”

  “Did you find someone to cover your shifts?” Ella asked.

  “Yup, and I finished correcting every homework assignment and test I have.” Drew had been right. Annie and Penny had agreed to cover her shifts the moment she asked them.

  Cat tossed her napkin into her paper bag. “Then all that’s left is shopping.” She rubbed her palms together and wiggled her eyebrows. “Ladies, let’s get started.”

  Across the table, Ella raised her coffee cup in the air. “I second the motion. Time to have some fun.”

  Oh, man. She was in for it now. “Guys, I don’t want to go crazy. A few pairs of shorts, some T-shirts, and a new bathing suit will be sufficient. I’m only going to be away a week.”

  Cat and Ella looked at each other and then her. Both laughed at the same time. “You’re going to paradise, Kelsey. Splurge a little. And you need at least two bathing suits,” Cat said before she took the final sip from her coffee cup.

  “Two bathing suits? I can only wear one at a time. I don’t need two.”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “Trust us, you do. You need a suit good for swimming in the pool or the ocean. And you need another for lounging on the beach and making Drew salivate.” She looked at Cat for confirmation.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Cat said. “I know the place to look. Sand and Water sells every style suit imaginable. It’s on this level. We can start there and work our way upstairs.”