by Jenna Mindel
The next step was finding out how they’d work together and, more important, how well she’d run his shop.
Chapter Eight
The next day, Simon spotted Cat through his storefront window wearing that festive red knit hat. He met her at the door. “Hello.”
“Hey. Can you keep an eye on Opal for a minute? I brought the pinecones and birch for the window box.”
“Sure.” He took a sleeping Opal, bundled in her car seat, and set her on a bench behind the cash register, where it was nice and warm.
Sunshine streamed in through the door and window, warming his retail space even more. He could see Cat moving around outside, arranging branches amid the greenery he’d stuffed there yesterday. She placed pinecones that were attached to sticks within the clumps of pine and cedar branches.
It didn’t take long before Cat peeked her head inside the store. “I’m done if you want to come out and see.”
He checked to make sure that Opal was still asleep before following Cat outside. Glancing at the window box that ran the length of his storefront window, he liked what he saw. “Really nice.”
She gave him a playful shove. “Come now, it’s better than nice. I told you the glitter would work.”
It did. She’d stuck red berries in with the pine alongside the birch and pinecones. The jazzed-up birch branches were coated in what looked like large sugary granules that shimmered in the light. She’d even twirled red velvet ribbon throughout the arrangement. “You were right. The storefront looks great with all this. Thank you.”
She smiled. “Thank you for offering me a job.”
His stomach took a dip, so he quickly checked his watch. Five long hours before he closed up shop. “Let’s get started, then. I’ll show you how the register works and all that goes with it.”
“Sounds good.” Cat entered the store and checked on Opal. “I have one more thing to grab from my car. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Go ahead.” Simon stood near the sleeping baby while Cat disappeared around the corner. Opal might not make as good a chaperone as he’d originally thought, considering the amount of time the baby slept.
Cat returned with a duffel bag.
“What’s that?”
“A portable play-crib thing. I can’t keep Opal in her car seat all afternoon. Where would you like me to put it?”
Babies came with all sorts of accessories. “How big is it?”
Cat pulled it from the duffel and popped it up in no time, adding a sort of shelf that was about halfway deep that turned it into a crib.
“Let’s put it behind the counter, in the corner. It’s warm there and she’ll be out of the way, but you can still keep an eye on her throughout the store.”
Cat smiled again. “Thank you for letting me bring her. I don’t think she’ll make any trouble. Overall, she’s pretty good.”
Until she screamed to be fed or needed changed. Even then, Cat could use the back for privacy and he could cover the store. “No problem. I like seeing her.”
Cat tipped her head as if she’d say something, but then didn’t. Cat lifted Opal out of the car seat, wrapped her in a blanket and settled the baby on her back in the portable crib.
Opal barely stirred.
Cat slipped out of her coat and hung it on the rack next to his. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Taking in how pretty she looked in the soft blue sweater she wore over black pants, he wasn’t sure he was ready for any of this. “Let’s start with the cash register. It’s tablet based and pretty easy to use. Swipe credit cards here, accept cash there with an easy balance screen when we close. Everything is linked to my business software. Everything that happens here, I can check on through my laptop or phone. It’s quite convenient.”
Cat moved close as he showed her how it worked. Catching a whiff of her soft perfume, Simon stammered, “Yes, well, I forgot what I was saying.”
“Printing a receipt.”
“Right.” Simon continued on.
“I think I have it. What’s next?”
“The jewelry, everything here, plus I’m working on more. Although, I’m only doing custom orders for pickup by Christmas. Nothing after that.” Simon scratched his forehead. “Any resizing on rings will be an issue. Perhaps I can find another jeweler not too far away we can partner with for repairs while I’m gone.”
Cat nodded.
He showed Cat the back area with a small table and a mini fridge under a tiny counter, complete with a sink, coffee maker and electric teakettle. “The washroom is through there.”
“Got it.”
He nodded. “Very well, I’ve got a few pieces to finish up.”
“Anything with those Welo opals?”
“Nothing yet.”
Cat made a face. “Too bad. I’d love to see an end product, considering I was there when they came out of the mines.”
“We’ll see.”
The bell on his door rang, announcing someone had come in. With a wiggle of her eyebrows, Cat welcomed them in and offered her assistance. She seemed very comfortable out there, even glancing toward Opal every so often.
This might work out well. For both of them.
* * *
By the end of the day, Cat had waited on several customers, successfully selling a pair of star sapphire earrings with a matching bracelet and an amazingly expensive chunky gold necklace with a large aquamarine pendant. Not bad for her first day. Even Simon had agreed.
She glanced at Opal, awake and reaching for the mobile overhead. Cat picked Opal up and made her way toward the back workshop to see what Simon was up to. He’d spent the better part of the afternoon holed up back there.
Opal cooed and kicked her legs when she spotted Simon.
Simon looked up and smiled. “It was a good day today.”
“I think so.” She leaned in for a look. “Is that an opal?”
“One of the smaller ones. What do you think?”
Cat watched the shimmers of color flash as he turned the smooth side of the stone. Red and green and yellow amid blue fire. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Not even the most valuable one either. Would you pair it with silver or gold?”
“I prefer silver, but you’re the expert. What goes better with opal?”
Simon smiled. “It’s a matter of individual preference.”
Cat tipped her head. “Do you ever wear anything you’ve made?”
He shrugged. “I pretty much stick with a watch.”
“No men’s jewelry?”
“Not yet. Something to consider, I suppose.”
“Definitely.”
“I’m thinking of grabbing a pizza for dinner. Do you want to join me?”
“I’ll never turn down pizza.” Cat grinned. “I like anything or everything on it.”
Simon clicked off the grinding wheel. “Why don’t you head for my place and I’ll finish up here? You still have the key?”
“I do. I’ll see you later, then.” Cat gathered up her things, deciding to leave the portable crib. The baby had been great, very little fussing except when she was hungry, and the customers had loved her.
By the time she entered Simon’s house and flicked on the light, she was ravenous. She’d eaten lunch before arriving at the jewelry shop but hadn’t had anything since. She spread the fleece blanket on the living room carpet and laid Opal on her belly before going about the task of building a fire.
Opal kicked and squealed as Cat stacked kindling and lit the match. Staring into the flames, she heard the door open and turned.
Simon entered with a large pizza box and a foam container on top. “Thank you for starting the fire.”
“You’re welcome.” Cat took the boxes from him so he could slip out of his coat. “Thanks for this. Pizza might be my favorite food, especially from here.”
“I’ll remember that.” He looked around. “There’s Opal. Hello, Princess.”
Cat set the boxes on the counter and then turned to face him.
Simon looked at her. “What do you think about making over that second bedroom for her?”
Cat sucked in her breath. “Now?”
“I don’t see why not. I ordered a crib and changing table from the same guy who made the rocker.” Simon grabbed plates and set them on the table.
“That’s generous of you.” She didn’t understand where he was coming from, giving her a job, his house, now a handmade crib for Opal.
“Cat, I might not know how to be a father, but I still want to provide for her. For you too. It’s the right thing to do.”
She wasn’t keen on being viewed as a duty and stifled the urge to refuse. She blew out the breath she’d held instead. “Why don’t we eat first, then discuss it?”
“What’s to discuss?”
She watched as he grabbed a couple of cans of pop from the fridge. He handed one to her and then opened the box. The smell of cheesy pizza covered with pepperoni should have made her mouth water. Then he opened the smaller container, which held a side of wings with celery and blue cheese dressing.
“Catherine?”
She looked at him.
“Are you going to sit down?” His voice was soft but firm.
She slipped into a seat.
He offered her his hand. “Can we pray?”
She didn’t feel like it but nodded. “You go ahead.”
He bowed his head, asking God to bless the food and bless them, and that was it. Nothing about wisdom in this situation like before. Evidently, Simon had it all figured out. He thought she’d fall in with his plans so he could go on his merry way, feeling he’d done right by her and Opal.
“There’s more to providing for a child than money.”
Simon’s brow furrowed. “What are you trying to say?”
She shook her head, her appetite gone. “I don’t know. Maybe you need to decide if you’re going to be a real dad to Opal or not.”
“Meaning?”
“She’s going to need you around.”
His face hardened. “If I hadn’t moved here, and hadn’t seen you at church that day, I wouldn’t know Opal even existed. You had no intention of ever telling me. Having me around wouldn’t have been an option then.”
Cat clenched her hands into fists. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you popping in and out of her life like some Santa Claus bearing gifts a couple times a year.”
Disappointment shone from his eyes, deep, dark pools of it.
“Cat, I’m doing the best I can here, but I’m not made to stay in one place.”
Her mouth went dry as guilt seared her conscience. “Have you ever tried?”
“For the last six months, and it hasn’t worked out. I’m going back to what I know.”
“But you know jewelry.”
“Yes.”
Cat took a drink of pop. There wasn’t much she could say to that sparse response.
Simon had said that he’d found God in Maple Springs, so why didn’t that endear this place to him? He’d even found success with his jewelry shop, but evidently both those things were not enough to make him stay. Neither was finding Opal here or her.
Maybe she’d been mistaken to think they’d had a connection when they’d first met. Maybe what she’d felt with Simon had only been a kindred spirit with a love for adventure. As a photojournalist for a travel magazine, Cat knew that rush well. She missed it too, but things change and responsibilities shift.
Or at least, they did for her.
Cat had come home in spite of fearing her past because it was best for Opal. She’d faced Sue Jensen at the tree lighting and she’d done all right. She hadn’t fallen apart. She still worried about being a good mother, but she had no choice but to try her best for Opal. No matter how hard it got at times when her fears took over.
The worst of it was that even though everyone had told her the drowning had been an accident, it wouldn’t have mattered had she done it on purpose. The end result would be the same.
Now she feared her future because Simon didn’t want to be a part of it. Not more than a sketchy part, anyway. No matter how he provided for Opal or her, the end result was the same. Simon Roberts was not happy here. What if Simon couldn’t be happy anywhere and that was what kept him moving?
* * *
Cat didn’t understand what he was trying to convey, and Simon wasn’t sure how to make her see that he wasn’t cut out for fatherhood. He’d tried with his sister and brother and failed. Opal would be better off knowing him from a distance as the dad who gave her things but didn’t try to mold her into something she wasn’t.
Simon brushed his fingertips over Cat’s hand. “I’d like something to show that Opal is mine. That I’m her father.”
“Why?” It came out as a hoarse whisper.
“I don’t carry my father’s surname. Roberts was my mother’s name.”
Cat looked at her plate. “I’m sorry. Opal will know you are her father, I promise.”
Simon knew he should have dropped the subject when wariness crept into Cat’s eyes, but he kept going. “What about insurance for Opal? I have a good group plan as a small business owner here, but I’ll need proof she’s mine before I can add Opal as a dependent.”
Cat didn’t look like she appreciated what he was trying to do. “Opal is covered on mine, so thank you, but no.”
Simon narrowed his gaze. He knew about insurance. When he’d made a home for his brother and sister to keep them out of foster care, he’d had to get his siblings on his health plan. He knew how costly it could be to cover a family. Cat had resigned from her job, so either she paid for COBRA coverage to extend the plan her employer had given her—paying for the whole thing out of her own pocket—or she’d applied through the marketplace. He could provide better, without the additional cost to her. “Think about it.”
She looked at him. “And then what?”
Simon wanted to pull his hair out at her obstinacy but kept his voice quiet and even. “And then you will have options.”
“And so will you.”
He sat back down and gathered up her hands between his own. Looking her in the eyes, he hoped to convey his sincerity. “I would never try to take away custody of Opal. She’s far better off with you than me.”
She squeezed his hands in return, but her eyes clouded over. Whether she doubted him or herself, he wasn’t sure.
Looking over the now cool pizza and wings, he spread his hands. “I can rewarm everything.”
She took a slice of lukewarm pizza. “This is fine. Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” He grabbed a couple of slices and they ate in silence.
Cat hadn’t finished half of her slice before Opal fussed and then cried from lying on her belly a few feet away. “Want me to get her?” Simon offered.
“Finish eating, I’ll get her.” Cat went to her.
Simon leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. Cat didn’t trust him. Was her protectiveness normal? It wasn’t as if he could ask someone. Anyone he knew well enough to even broach such a subject was part of Cat’s family.
Zach had once said Cat had a rough time of it growing up. What did that mean? Perhaps her father might have some insight. If nothing else, Andy had been a dad ten times over. He had experience that might prove helpful.
Cat returned to the table with a cooing Opal in her arms. Watching them, he was struck by the feeling of how right it felt having them here.
He noticed a darkening spot on the leg of Opal’s pants. “Is she wet?”
Cat felt it and nodded. Then she looked around for the diaper bag.
There wasn’t a good place to change her diaper at his
place other than the floor or his bed. They’d already experienced a roll off the couch, so no sense in repeating that one. Simon had nothing in the way of baby things. He’d ordered a crib and a changing table, but it’d take time before they were delivered.
Cat gently rocked Opal in her arms as she fetched the diaper bag and knelt on the living room floor.
Opal whined a little.
“It’s okay, baby. Let’s get you cleaned up and dry.” Cat’s voice sounded soft.
She was the picture of motherhood, a natural who seemed to know just what to do.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, just needs changing.”
Simon gathered his courage and approached them. “Will you show me how to do this?”
Cat gave him an odd look. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. Suddenly, he wanted to prove to her that he could do it. “What if you step away from the store or something and she needs changing while I’m the only one there?”
“So, I can bring her every day?”
“For a while, yes.” He didn’t quite trust himself working alone with Cat, and perhaps the baby might dampen any ardent ideas he had about kissing her.
Cat looked at him a good long while before she patted the floor next to her. “First thing you need is the changing mat. It’s in the diaper bag pocket here.”
Simon joined her on the living room floor.
Cat grabbed the square mat and laid it on the floor. She settled Opal on her back, pulled off her fuzzy socks and tickled the baby’s feet before pulling off the soft cotton pink pants printed with gray elephants.
Opal kicked. She had his darker skin tone over Cat’s creamy complexion.
“Are you going to give me a go?” Simon knelt down beside her.
Cat backed away, but only a little. “All right. Here’s a diaper and wipes and a fresh pair of pants.”
