by Jenna Mindel
“Beth—”
She sniffed and pulled her hands from his. “Don’t you see why I won’t go through that again?”
He brushed away a single tear with his thumb. He couldn’t make her any promises, and that was what made it so tough. “I’m not your dad.”
She glared at him. “You could be.”
“We have something here.” He pulled his jacket closed in front of her and gently tugged on the lapels, drawing her against him. “I know you feel it, too.”
She surprised him by giving him a wan smile. “Why do you think I’m telling you this?”
He caressed her face. “To scare me off.”
She shook her head. “No. To scare me off. To remind me why...”
“You don’t date cops,” he finished for her.
“Right.”
“So don’t call it dating.” Nick searched her pretty blue eyes rimmed with dark eye shadow.
“That’s not going to work.”
His lips were mere seconds from hers. “We can make it work.”
“We can’t.” But Beth’s eyes drifted closed.
He touched his lips to hers and wrapped his arms around Beth’s waist. Easy, take it easy.
Nick didn’t deepen the kiss. He heard the band leader announce the bouquet toss, and the guy expressly asked for the two bridesmaids. Beth and Anne.
He couldn’t keep Beth out here. “We’ve got to go.”
Beth’s eyes flew open and in them Nick saw horrified regret. Whether she regretted the interruption or kissing him, he didn’t know. All he knew was that they had to get back inside that tent.
“Come on.” He gave her his hand.
Beth didn’t take it. She slipped on her high heels and made a sink-in-the-grass dash back where they’d come from. He followed close behind her and then took his jacket from her when they slipped through an opening in the tent.
Beth made her way onto the dance floor but hung back toward the side.
Nick noticed that Eva had been searching the group for her. The bride smiled when she spotted Beth amid the cluster of single ladies. Turning her back on them, Eva tossed the bridal bouquet behind her head. The thing had some height to it as it sailed past women literally throwing themselves forward to catch it.
But it landed.
Right in Beth’s arms.
She bobbled it but managed to keep the bundle of flowers from hitting the ground. Beth looked surprised. She looked embarrassed. And then she looked at him.
Nick smiled at her. If ever he’d been given a sign about Beth being the one for him—and Corey—that was it.
Chapter Ten
“Go to dinner with me Friday night.” Nick held open the passenger door for her.
“Thank you, but no.” Beth plucked at a broken stem of a pink rosebud from the bridal bouquet and held it to her nose as she slid into the seat.
He started the engine and then looked at her. “Come on, Beth. Don’t you think we’re inevitable?”
She sighed. “Because I caught the bride’s flowers and you caught the garter? Really, Nick, that’s nothing but superstition.”
“Maybe. Or maybe it confirms what we feel.”
Beth didn’t want to examine what she felt for Nick. “Look, I’m sorry if I led you on by inviting you to this wedding.”
Nick smiled. “You didn’t lead me on. We’ve been dancing around this attraction since the day we met.”
He was right about that. “Doesn’t mean we have to act on it.”
“Too late. It’s deeper now. I trust you. Especially with Corey.”
Corey.... Beth closed her eyes. She’d fallen for the boy since his first day in her class.
“He needs you, Beth.” Nick knew how to fight dirty without so much as raising his voice.
“That’s not fair.”
“Neither is your fear.”
Maybe not, but it was real. The risks Nick took every day were real, too. “Have you ever considered leaving law enforcement?”
She glimpsed a flash of anger in his eyes.
“Would you leave teaching?” His voice was soft and dangerously low.
She understood where he came from. Nick’s job was his calling, as teaching was hers. “No. I suppose not.”
They were almost to her mom’s house. The silence that settled between them in the car was louder than any radio cranked up on high volume. The space echoed with tension. And regret. At least on her part. She wanted to go out with him but knew better. What might have happened had they not been interrupted from that kiss?
Probably a good thing she didn’t know.
Beth glanced at Nick driving. His lips were a grim line and his hands gripped the steering wheel. He’d rolled up his shirtsleeves and she marveled at the steel of those lean arms. Even the hairs on his forearms were reddish-gold. She closed her eyes, remembering the feel of them wrapped around her on the dance floor.
When he kissed her...
They pulled into her mother’s driveway.
“I’m sorry,” Beth muttered.
Nick slammed the car in Park and turned toward her. “Yeah, me, too.”
“I’ll get Corey so you don’t have to come in.” Beth opened the door, but Nick stalled her with the touch of his hand to her shoulder. Her shoulder was encased in his jacket again.
His touch was gentle. Coaxing. “I’m not giving up.”
Beth’s belly flipped.
And then he gave her that lopsided grin of his. “Just so you know.”
“Thanks.” At least they were still friends. “I’ll get your son.”
The porch light came on, and Beth’s mom opened the door. A sleepy-looking Corey stumbled out onto the porch. Peanut flew past him toward the car, her tail wagging furiously, but she couldn’t make the jump into the backseat.
Beth bent down and picked up the little dog. Peanut cuddled right into her neck. The dog couldn’t weigh more than fifteen pounds, but her belly felt bigger and more hard. “She’s got to be getting close.”
“Yeah. I’m afraid so.”
“Hopefully, Corey will get to see the puppies born.” Beth knew what an educational experience that would prove to be. She’d watched their family Lab deliver pups long ago, and she hoped Peanut waited until the end of the school day. Summer break was only two weeks away, but she didn’t think the dog had that long.
Corey climbed into his booster seat in the back, buckled in and then sprawled.
Beth settled the dog next to the drowsy boy. Her heart ached with the knowledge of what she gave up because she was too afraid to say yes to Nick.
“Good night, Beth.”
“Your jacket.”
“I’ll get it later.” He winked.
Beth shut the passenger door and watched as Nick backed out of her mother’s driveway. Seconds turned into minutes, but she didn’t move.
“Beth, honey. Are you coming in? It’s cold out there.”
It was. Beth pulled Nick’s coat closer and inhaled his clean-scented aftershave, but she was already too chilled to feel any warmth from it. “Yeah. I’m coming.”
She walked into her mother’s house and tossed Eva’s bridal bouquet on the dining room table.
“Everything all right?” Her mom’s eyes shone with concern.
“Yes.” Things were as they should be.
So why did she feel so horrible?
“Good night, Mom, and thanks for watching Corey.” Beth kissed her mother’s forehead and made her way upstairs.
Slamming her hands in the coat pockets, she felt that string restraint and frowned. It was better to feel the hurt now rather than later, after she gave everything she had to Nick only to lose him.
* * *
Wedn
esday morning, Beth checked her watch. Today was Occupation Day, but her first of three speakers was late. She’d asked Julie’s husband, Gerry, to talk about sailing since her class had been studying historic ships of the Great Lakes.
Not to mention the biggest third-grade field trip in the fall was sailing on a tall ship out of Traverse City. Gerry must have been held up at his firm. Hopefully, the other two speakers showed.
One of them was Nick.
A knock at the door brought Thomas’s father, Todd Clark, a chef by trade, peeking in the door. “Am I too early?”
Beth smiled. “Not at all. Our first speaker didn’t show. Come in.”
Todd brought props: his chef’s hat, an apron and what looked like the ingredients to make bread. “I’m going to need a table.”
Beth stepped closer. “Can you make whatever it is you’re making in twenty minutes? I have another speaker scheduled.”
“It’ll be tight, but yes. This is a hands-on chemistry lesson about how gluten is formed.”
“Your hands on or theirs?” Beth giggled.
Todd donned his apron and hat with a smile. “Both. I brought everything I need with me, and I see you have a sink with hot and cold water. Perfect.”
Beth nodded. The kids were going to love it, but not because of anything to do with chemistry. Her kids would simply want to stick their fingers in the dough.
She introduced Chef Todd and then stepped to the side to let him take over.
Leaning against the wall, she watched as Todd opened a sack of flour. He measured and then with a sinister face, Todd tossed the flour into a bowl, causing dust to fly.
Her students laughed.
Beth shook her head. Thomas’s dad was quite the showman.
The kids laughed harder when Todd made more faces as he ran the water until it reached the right temperature. “Who’d like to touch this water and see how warm it feels?”
Kids swarmed.
Halfway through Chef Todd’s mixing of the dough, she smelled the yeasty concoction clear across the room.
“Ewww, it smells.” Gracie Cavanaugh plugged her nose.
Beth smiled. Her mom must not make homemade bread.
“That’s the yeast doing its thing,” Todd explained.
After some kneading, Todd separated out bits of sticky dough. “Feel it. Now add more flour—that’s it. See? That’s elasticity forming. The smelly yeast eating up the flour will make the dough rise.”
“Oooooooh.”
Beth didn’t hear the door open, but she felt Nick’s presence as he quietly stepped into her classroom.
“Looks like I’ve got a tough act to follow,” he whispered.
“You’ve got your work cut out.” She glanced at him.
Nick stood next to her, looking rigid as a soldier in his brown sheriff’s uniform complete with hat.
Formidable and distant.
For a man who’d said he wasn’t giving up on her, he certainly hadn’t tried very hard. After the wedding, she didn’t see him or Corey at church the next morning, or the rest of the day. The past two nights when Nick picked up Corey and Peanut after his shift, he hadn’t stayed long.
“That’s an understatement, Miss Ryken.” His eyes were full of mischief and he winked at her.
Was Nick lying low on purpose? Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that sort of thing? Clenching her jaw, Beth had to admit it had worked. She’d missed him.
Her attention was snagged by her students’ clapping.
Chef Todd’s demonstration was over. “Thank you, kids. Drop your dough balls into this bag. Yup, that’s it.”
He cleaned up his props and threw away the dough in seconds. Only the flour-covered table remained. And the yeasty smell of dough and chalky flour.
“Thank you, Mr. Clark. Don’t worry about the table. I’ll take care of it.” She shook the man’s hand and then brushed away the dusty flour left behind.
“Okay, kids, everyone wash up and then take your seats. Our next speaker is Deputy Officer Grey.”
Beth heard the oohs and aahs and spotted a couple of kids poking Corey in the side. They knew Nick was his dad, but that didn’t diminish the awe shining on the boy’s face. Corey was proud of his father.
And Nick looked equally proud of his son, if the softening of his features was any indication. Nick gave Corey a quick nod as he walked to the front of the room.
Once her students were seated, Beth pushed the table into the corner and then turned the time over to Nick. He started with the usual police officer speech encouraging kids to steer clear of strangers and never accept candy or a ride from anyone without their parents’ approval.
He looked tall and fierce but friendly. How could he not when construction-paper sailboats hung from the ceiling over his head? His hat touched a couple as he slowly paced in front of the chalkboard, giving a brief description of his daily duties.
Looking around the room, he asked, “Any questions?”
Several hands flew in the air, so Beth picked one. “Grace.”
“Do you pull over a lot of speeders?” the little girl asked.
Nick had pulled her over. She’d never forget that morning.
He glanced her way with a half smile. “Some days, yes.”
The kids laughed.
Beth felt her cheeks heat. Obviously, Nick hadn’t forgotten, either.
“What’s the fastest speeder you ever caught?” another called out.
Nick rubbed his chin. “A man driving one hundred and twenty.”
“Wow...” the students seemed to chant.
“Did he go to jail?” Grace asked.
Nick smiled. “Yes, he did.”
“Did you ever shoot anyone?”
Beth cringed. A typical question, but she dreaded the answer. She glanced at Nick and waited.
Would he answer?
He looked stern. Nick’s demeanor changed to very serious. “It’s not like you see on TV. A police officer never brags about shooting, nor does he pull his firearm unless there’s no other option. Unless he intends to use it.”
The room fell silent and the kids stared at Nick with wide eyes.
“Did you ever get shot?”
“Ahh...” Nick hesitated.
Beth looked at Corey, whose face had gone pale. No way could she let Nick answer that here. Not with her heart pounding hard in her ears.
“Okay, Officer Grey, I believe our time is up. Thank you for coming.” She rushed to the front of the room.
His eyes narrowed, but he nodded. “Thank you.”
The kids clapped.
Beth took Nick’s arm and ushered him toward the door.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“For now, yes.” Beth would explain later. Maybe.
Gerry stuck his head inside the room right when Beth opened the door for Nick. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay. This is Nick Grey. Nick, Gerry.”
Gerry extended a hand. “You’re the one sailing with us in a couple weeks. With your boy, right?”
“Yes.” Nick ended the handshake.
Gerry glanced at Beth and then back at Nick with a curious smirk. “Excellent. Excellent. You’ll love it. We’re gone all day to the Manitou Islands. They’re a beautiful place.”
Nick gave her a questioning look. They hadn’t gone over the details.
She’d tell him all that later, as well. She practically pushed Nick out the door. “Yeah, great. Come on, Gerry, the kids are waiting.”
“Maybe Nick here wants to stay and see the slide show? See what he’s in for.”
Beth stopped pushing and heat flooded her face. What was wrong with her? “Do you want to stay?”
He stared
at her a long time before he answered. “I’m on duty. Maybe another time.”
Beth swallowed hard. “Another time.”
He tipped his hat and left.
“You okay?” Gerry asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
Because she’d rudely shoved Nick out the door? Because she was afraid of his answers to the kids’ questions? Because she was falling for the guy?
Gerry shrugged. “No reason. You seem...agitated.”
Beth shook her head and tried to look innocent. “No.”
“You’ve got yourself a tall one there.” Gerry patted her shoulder before making his way to the front of the class to load his DVD into the TV’s player.
Beth wanted to deny it, but Nick was hers for the asking.
She glanced at Corey. The boy’s color had returned and he laughed at something Thomas said. No harm done. But her stomach still roiled. Had Nick answered yes to the last question, that he’d been shot, did he know what that knowledge would do to his boy? To her?
This weekend was Memorial Day weekend—a time when folks got rowdy with the unofficial start of summer. Parties and fireworks and calls made to 911. Nick was on duty this weekend. He’d be out there on patrol. Right in the thick of it.
* * *
Nick hesitated on the porch of Mary Ryken’s house. The front door was open, but a screen door stood in his way. He could hear his son’s voice as he read a story about himself. Corey still hesitated and stuttered, but he could read.
Nick’s heart nearly burst when he overheard Corey read the last few lines.
“I want to be a cop when I grow up, just like my dad.”
“That’s good, Corey. Very good.” Beth’s voice sounded soft. “You’ve earned your sailing trip, that’s for sure. But you’ll have to keep at it over the summer. Promise?”
Corey nodded. “I promise.”
Good thing he had the following weekend off. He’d never been much of a boater and wouldn’t want his son sailing the big lake without him. He rapped his knuckles on the wood of the screen door before stepping inside the warm house. “Hello?”
“Dad!” Corey tore down the hall out of the kitchen toward him.
“Hey, bud.”
“Wait till you see the sailboat we’re going on. It’s so big and really cool!”
