Dreaming of Daisy (A Red Maple Falls Novel, #6)

by Theresa Paolo

  “You keep going the way you are you’ll be an even bigger star than me,” she said.

  He pulled on his suspenders and smiled, revealing a few missing teeth. “Ain’t it something?”

  “It is. Caleb told me all about it. He’s really proud of you.”

  The corner of Old Man Simpson’s mouth tugged upward, pride emanating from him in powerful waves. A glow brightened his old weathered skin. “He’s a good egg that one.”

  Daisy nodded. Her brother-in-law was a good guy and Daisy was happy he and Kate found each other. “Are you here to see him?” Daisy asked.

  “I am. Have a few business questions for him.”

  “I won’t keep you then. It was good to see you.”

  “Likewise.” He tipped his hat to her and flashed that toothless grin. “Don’t be a stranger in these parts.”

  “I won’t.” She gave him a wave as he passed Serenity Glass Blowing Studio and went to Caleb’s. Daisy walked up the steps to Kate’s place Daisy let herself in and closed the door behind her.

  The shelves along the walls held vases, glasses, and various shaped animal figurines while handcrafted pedestals made out of refurbished wood showcased Kate’s larger pieces. Multi-colored glass balls hung with clear fishing line decorated the big front windows.

  Kate called from the back where she had a huge studio space dedicated to her art. “I’ll be right there. Feel free to look around.”

  Daisy always loved to look at Kate’s pieces. She was insanely talented, and Daisy was impressed how she could create such amazing works of art. This place was everything to Kate. She had a dream to open it up by the time she hit thirty and she’d made it happen. Daisy had wondered if any of it had to do with luck, but when she glanced around the place, taking in the detail, the unique one-of-a-kind pieces and the framed articles about her larger pieces being bought by casinos and resorts, Daisy knew luck had nothing to do with it. It was pure talent and drive, hard work and dedication.

  While Daisy was thrilled for Kate and her success, it was also hard to see how far Kate had come while Daisy was still schlepping from one audition to the next with little to no fanfare.

  Kate walked in from the back, her strawberry blonde hair swept up in a messy bun. The front of her white t-shirt was tucked into a pair of ripped jeans. “Sorry to keep you waiting… oh! It’s you,” she said.

  “It’s me. I came to say hi.”

  Kate hugged her. “Perfect timing. Come back here and see this piece I’m working on.” Kate pulled back and grabbed her hand, guiding her to the back.

  Daisy immediately spotted the piece as they walked into the studio. She honestly couldn’t miss it if she tried. In the middle of the floor was a larger-than-life vase filled with cobalt blue and gold flowers, all hand blown and each more beautiful than the next.

  “Wow,” Daisy said as she moved closer to take in the exquisite detail. “Kate, this is stunning.”

  Kate smiled. “It’s turning out better than I envisioned.”

  “Do you have a buyer for it yet?”

  “It’s actually a custom piece for a restaurant in Connecticut. The owner stopped in a few summers ago and has become one of my best customers.”

  “That’s really great.” Not only was Kate successful with selling her pieces, but they were also being displayed for thousands of people to see and appreciate. She was making a name for herself; her name might not have been surrounded by bright lights, but it was a name people would remember.

  “So what brings you to my end of town?” Kate asked as she moved around some tools on her desk.

  “Just feel like I haven’t seen much of you other than at the hospital.”

  Kate straightened a handful of tools in her hand. A strawberry blonde strand fell from her pony tail. “It’s been a little hectic.”

  “To say the least.” Daisy had been home for only a short time yet between everything with Betty and Nick it felt like so much longer.

  Kate pinned her with her bluish-green eyes. “Now be honest, are you here to catch up or to talk about taking off with Nick.”

  Daisy waved her hand in the air like it was nothing. “That was unintentional.”

  “Mmmhmm.”

  “Honestly, it was,” Daisy defended herself. “I went to the brewery to work, to distract myself.” She didn’t need to fill Kate in on the rest. The way Nick was there for her, comforted her, gave her strength. How jealous she got of Hollie, a nurse that was married. No, Kate didn’t need to know any of that. “Waiting in that room was torture, and I had to get away,” Daisy said instead.

  “I get it,” Kate said. “When things get tough, you bolt.”

  “That’s not true.”

  Kate laughed. “Don’t argue with me. Your track record speaks for itself.”

  “Fine, so I have a habit of running away from things that make me uncomfortable.”

  “As long as you can admit it.”

  Daisy looked at Kate, arching her eyebrow for emphasis. “Why did I come here again?”

  “Because you love me and you’ve missed me.”

  “That’s debatable.”

  Kate covered her mouth with her hand in mocked shock then turned sad puppy eyes on Daisy.

  Daisy laughed. “At least I did love you and miss you until I walked through the door and you…”

  “Made you face the facts?” Kate said with a tilt of her head. Her eyelashes mockingly fluttered over her eyes.

  “More like threw my insecurities in my face.”

  Kate pulled Daisy into a side hug. “If you’re big sister can’t do that then who can?”

  “I’d prefer it if nobody did.”

  “Oh stop being so sensitive. Now sit down so we can catch up.”

  Kate sat down at her desk and motioned to the chair across from her. Daisy settled into the worn leather and leaned back while Kate grabbed a mug.

  “Since when do you drink tea and not coffee?” Daisy asked.

  “I’m trying something new. But who cares about my tea, I want to know more about Nick.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Do you honestly think you can get away with that answer with me?”

  Kate met her gaze and held it until Daisy broke the connection and stared down at her hands. “He was there when I needed him. It was nice.”

  “How nice was it?”

  Daisy picked up a pen from Kate’s desk and chucked it at her. “Get your mind out of the gutter. It wasn’t like that.”

  “What was it like then?”

  “He had a couple meetings with potential clients, and I tagged along. It was a nice distraction, nothing more.”

  “Your words are saying one thing but that look in your eyes is saying something else.”

  “Really? And what exactly are my eyes saying.”

  “You still have feelings for him,” Kate said matter-of-factly.

  Maybe she did, it would explain the kiss, the way her body reacted to his touch, the unexplainable jealousy. But she couldn’t discard the lost years between them, and the fact that she wasn’t planning on staying. “It’s more complicated than that,” she said.

  “It doesn’t have to be.”

  A loud beep echoed through the open space. Kate picked up her cell and turned the sound off, but with the alarm the casual ease that she radiated turned off, too. Her shoulders rounded, body straightened, and she looked like she was ready for war.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yup.” Kate glanced to the door, her hands fidgeting on her desk.

  Daisy continued to talk, but Kate was too busy staring at the door. “Where the hell is he?” she mumbled under her breath before picking up her cell phone and typing on it frantically.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Daisy asked again.

  Kate didn’t answer, too fixated on her phone and the door. She downed the rest of her tea and when she put the mug down Daisy snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Earth to Kate. Are you in there?�
��

  “You’re late!” she said, and Daisy turned to the door to see Caleb walking in.

  He was tall and dominated the doorway with his presence. “I was talking to Bert about his business.”

  “If you don’t want to put the effort…” Kate said, but she stopped herself when Caleb’s dark brown eyes narrowed on hers.

  “Hi Caleb,” Daisy said, trying to diffuse the tension that was currently filling the room.

  “Hi Daze,” he replied, but his tone was on edge.

  Daisy wondered if she should slip out, but she couldn’t leave her sister and brother-in-law like this without at least trying to break the tension. “Is everything okay?”

  “It’s fine,” Kate said at the same time Caleb said “No.” Kate let out an annoyed sigh. “We don’t have time for this.”

  “Are we going to mess up your ridiculous schedule?” Caleb asked.

  “As a matter of fact, yes!”

  Caleb stepped forward and lowered his voice. “The time of day isn’t going to help us get pregnant.”

  Oh! Daisy looked to the door ready to slip out while these two hashed out their problems, but she felt like she was stuck between them, caught in the crossfires as they continued to go back and forth.

  She stayed where she was, keeping still not wanting to get involved. This topic was completely out of her wheel zone and not something she had any experience with. It was also a private matter that didn’t require an outside opinion.

  Caleb’s voice rose. “Putting your legs over your head isn’t going to help either or drinking whatever concoction you have there today.” Caleb waved his hand toward the empty mug on Kate’s desk. “I don’t give a shit what the damn internet says.”

  Kate’s hands went up then back down, slapping against her thigh. “At least I’m trying!”

  “Maybe that’s the problem!”

  Kate’s eyes darkened and narrowed to two tiny slits. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  Caleb stepped toward her, his movements swift and determined. “Sex used to be fun and spontaneous. Now it feels like a job. One that I’m failing.”

  Kate’s eyes widened and the anger slipped to sadness. “I thought you wanted this.”

  Caleb took a deep breath, letting git out slow, his hands falling to his sides. “I do, but I’m starting to wonder if the stress and the pressure are causing more harm than good.”

  “So it’s my fault we’re not pregnant,” Kate chirped.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “But that’s what you meant.”

  Caleb ran his hand through his hair, turned to walk away, then stopped and spun back around.

  “Daisy is that what I meant?”

  Oh no. This was exactly what she didn’t want. “I...I…,” she stuttered.

  “Don’t bring my sister into this.”

  Caleb took a deep breath and walked toward Kate. “I need you to listen to me, and I need you to listen good.” He took Kate’s face in his hand, running a finger across her cheek. Daisy felt like she should leave, but she was afraid to move and interrupt whatever breakthrough they were about to have because it seemed like it was a long time coming. “You listening?” Caleb asked and Kate nodded.

  “I love you. It’s ridiculous how much I love you. I want children and I want them with you. Only you. But I miss my fun, spontaneous girl who would show up in my office for a quickie.”

  Oh geez. Maybe she should cover her ears.

  “But because she wanted me,” he continued. “Not because her eggs are releasing.” Caleb rested his head against Kate’s. “I miss her.”

  “I do, too,” Kate said but it was a mere whisper.

  “Then can we make a promise to stop trying so damn hard and just let things happen?”

  Tears built in Kate’s eyes, and she looked up at Caleb. “I think I can do that.”

  He tilted her chin up and captured her lips, and Daisy looked away as soon as his hands went to her ass and hoisted her up.

  “Okay… that’s my cue to leave. Good luck, guys. Bye.” She grabbed her bag and speed-walked to the door, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

  For so long Kate didn’t want kids, and to see her completely one-eighty made Daisy think that what you want one minute might not be the same the next. Being a famous actress on Broadway had always been her dream. She lived it, breathed it, and did everything in her power to achieve it, despite the constant rejection. But with nothing to show for it, she wondered if she still wanted that dream.

  It would be easy to say yes, to continue living the life that she had been, unfulfilled and lonely. Or she could—for once—look to the harder road, realize that the dream that she survived on for years, was no longer what she wanted in life.

  But to accept that meant she had to accept she had no idea who she was anymore, and that was the scariest thing of all.

  Chapter 11

  Nick had a few hours to kill before he had to be at the brewery, so he decided to treat himself to brunch at The Happy Apple. He’d been working hard and hadn’t had a good meal in a long time, choosing to grab things while on the road.

  When he’d moved back after his dad had gotten sick, he’d spent a lot of time in this place, grabbing takeout and unwinding after a trying day of doctor appointments and hospital stays. It became almost a salvation.

  Terry, the owner, treated him like family, as she did with most people. She had a kind soul with a heart bigger than her personality, which was larger than life to begin with. She was a woman who danced to her own beat and didn’t give a crap about what anybody else thought. He regarded her with the utmost respect. It also didn’t hurt that she made some of the most delicious meals he’d ever had. He had been dreaming about her apple pie pancakes and waffles, her apple cider glazed porkchops and her apple cheddar turkey burger. It was a lot of apple, but the way she mixed them in with the different ingredients made each meal unique and delicious.

  He walked in and was immediately greeted by the buxom redhead. “Look who decided to grace me with his presence,” Terry said as she pointed to her cheek. “Come on, give me some sugar.”

  Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek hello, avoiding her marking him with her bright red lips. Whatever lipstick she wore was a bitch to get off.

  “Where have you been?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest and making him feel like he was a kid being interrogated by a school principal.

  “Busy with work, he said but when that answered didn’t seem to be enough, he added, “Been out of town a lot.”

  She smacked his shoulder with a menu. “You must be craving a real meal then.”

  “How’d you know?”

  She popped her hip out to the side and rested her hand on it. “Because if it’s not my cooking, it’s no good.” She glanced to the window, and quickly turned him toward the dining room. “Why don’t you go grab yourself a seat, and I’ll bring you over a big plate of my apple pie pancakes, a couple eggs, and bacon.”

  “That sounds like a little piece of heaven.”

  “Because it is. My pancakes will make the angels sing,” she said.

  “I have no doubts. Can I get some coffee, too?”

  “Can you get some coffee, too?’ she mocked him. “You know where it is,” she called over her shoulder as she hurried away.

  Terry treated the regulars like family in her own kitchen. She liked them to feel comfortable and serve themselves if they liked. Some people liked to be catered to, and Terry knew that, but Nick wasn’t one of those people. He didn’t mind grabbing his own coffee.

  “Pour two cups while you’re at it,” Terry said from behind him. “I’ll join you so we can catch up.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Terry disappeared into the back and within seconds he heard her and her husband, Walt, arguing over who makes the pancakes better. Nick laughed and took a seat at a table by the window. When his dad’s hospital stays grew longer and the house grew quieter, he loved coming here because the
delicious smells coming from the kitchen, the arguments between Terry and Walt, and the overall warmth and love that spilled out the doors and windows reminded him of a time when his dad was healthy and his family wasn’t slowly falling apart.

  He took a sip of his coffee when he heard the door open and Terry’s voice call out from the kitchen that she was coming. He didn’t bother looking, too busy enjoying his coffee and the view of Main Street.

  “I have the perfect seat for you,” he heard Terry say, and he finally looked up only for his eyes to lock on two familiar blue gems. Daisy’s hair was its usual mess of beautiful blonde curls, tucked behind her ears. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose were red from the cold, and when she saw him sitting alone by the window, a spark in her blue eyes ignited, even if it was only for a second.

  Terry ushered Daisy toward his table. “I was going to join Nick, but Walt needs help in the kitchen so take my seat while I go get your order started.”

  Daisy went to speak, but Terry waved her off and teetered away on her red high heels.

  “Hi,” Daisy said, tugging on a curl. “Why do I have this strange feeling that we were set up?”

  “Probably because we were. Did she know you were coming?”

  “She cornered me outside of Kate’s place.”

  “I should’ve picked up on it when she told me to pour her a cup of coffee. She never drinks coffee past noon.”

  “I don’t have to sit with you,” Daisy said. She was wearing a fancy black ski coat that was more practical for a runway than the ski slopes. It was cinched at the waist, revealing her petite frame beneath. Her designer scarf poked out the top. She was dressed with confidence but right now that confidence stopped there. She shifted from one foot to the other, hands shoved in her pockets, “There are plenty of other tables.”

  He had no idea what had changed since the other day but he didn’t like her unease. “It’s fine. There’s a fresh cup of coffee with your name on it.”

  “If you don’t mind…”

  “Daisy.” Those big blue eyes stared at him. “Sit down.”

  She slid onto the chair, and he passed her the small ceramic apple that held the sugar.