Michelle couldn’t help but laugh. “Have you lived in Lake Falls long?” he asked, offering her a chair. She glanced around. The office, like the rest of the house that she’d seen so far, was tidy and neat. There was no clutter anywhere.
“All my life, except for the time I moved away to attend college, then worked in Memphis for a few years. In fact, I grew up in a house right around the corner from here.”
“Your parents still live there?”
“No. My mom died eight years ago while I was away at college, and my father died six months ago.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.” She felt there was no need to go into any details about why she had turned down the promotion of a lifetime at the corporation in Memphis where she’d worked to return home to take care of her ailing father. How could she explain that those two years together had been both uplifting and sad?
“I didn’t expect you to be so young.”
At his appraising glance, she felt a warm rush of blood through her veins. She was attracted to him and that wasn’t good. She found herself struggling to remember that this was a business meeting. “I’m here to break the myth that only older women know how to cook these days.”
“So who taught you how to cook?”
“My grandparents. They owned a restaurant in town for years and I worked for them. That’s where I learned to peel my first potato.”
“Do you mind if I asked how old you are?” he asked.
She wondered why he wanted to know but answered anyway. “Twenty-eight.” Deciding they needed to begin talking business, she said, “I have a couple of suggestions for your daughter’s party.”
“Okay, what are they?”
Opening the folder she was carrying, she placed several colorful documents on his desk and pointed at one. “This popular treat is called a pizza porcupine and will serve as part of the main course. The number of teens you’re inviting and whether the majority are boys or girls will determine how many I need to make. Guys tend to have bigger appetites.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that,” Paul agreed. He had meant to go over a guest list with Heather last week. However, she had been a little under the weather after coming down with a slight cold. She was feeling better now but was trying to play catch-up with that science project.
“I’ll double-check with Heather to determine the number of friends coming. It’ll be less than twenty, I would think.”
Michelle nodded. “Here are some other choices I’d suggest, because they’re usually big hits. Hamburgers and hot dogs are always popular with teens, and chips are a favorite with practically any kind of dip.”
“Everything looks good,” Paul said as he scanned the papers.
“My job is to make sure it tastes good, as well. Once you give me the go-ahead, I’ll come up with a menu that I think will work and present it to you by the end of the week. And I suggest you do run it by Heather. She’ll know what her friends like.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’ve hired Ravine Stokes as party planner. She’ll be responsible for working out the music and games.”
Michelle smiled. “Ravine is a high-school friend of mine and she and I have worked together on a number of projects. By the time they finish all the activities she’ll have lined up for them, they’ll be ready to eat. And I’ll make sure they have lots of snack foods when they first arrive. I’d like to drop off some sample treats tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to do that. You came highly recommended by both Ravine Stokes and Amy Poole. And I understand Ms. Amy’s word is gospel in this town.”
Michelle chuckled as she stood. In a way, she was grateful the meeting with Paul was coming to an end. She found it hard sharing the same space with him. “It is. Ms. Amy has been around forever and has made herself a spokesperson for the town’s welcoming committee.”
He was about to open his mouth and say something when his brows drew together in a worried frown and he quickly got to his feet. “Heather! Baby, what’s wrong?”
Michelle turned in time to see his daughter stumble into the room, gasping for breath. Michelle immediately recognized the signs of an asthma attack, since she had suffered from a number of them throughout her childhood. She rushed out of her seat and made it to Heather’s side the same time her dad did.
“Get her inhaler,” she ordered, starting to loosen Heather’s blouse.
“What?” Paul asked in a frantic voice as he helped his daughter to the sofa. “She doesn’t have an inhaler. She hasn’t had an asthma attack in years, not since she was around five. She outgrew her asthma.”
Michelle glanced up at him. It was obvious he didn’t know that a person didn’t outgrow asthma. “Grab my purse.” She pointed to the chair where she’d been sitting. “We can use my inhaler.”
For a split second she could sense Paul Castlewood’s hesitation, and then, as if he’d decided to trust her with his daughter’s life, he did as she asked. Michelle continued to hold the young woman, who was still fighting for breath.
“Everything is going to be fine, Heather,” she said softly. This attack was relatively mild compared to others she’d seen. Her own, when she did have them, tended to be more severe. But Michelle knew mild attacks could quickly become life threatening, and was taking no chances.
“Here.” Paul thrust her purse into her hands. She pulled out her inhaler and immediately sprayed four puffs into the air. It was now primed and ready to deliver a full dose. “Relax, Heather. Try breathing out gently. We need to empty your lungs as much as possible.”
Luckily, the teen was calm enough to follow orders.
“That’s right,” Michelle said, putting the inhaler in place. “Now I want you to start breathing in slowly and as deeply as you can.”
“I don’t understand,” Paul said. “Heather doesn’t have asthma. Why is she having an attack?”
It wasn’t until then that Michelle realized just how close he was standing beside her. She turned her head and looked directly into his eyes. “It’s quite obvious, Paul. She does have asthma.”
His expression was one of disbelief. “But that’s not possible. Like I said before, she had asthma as a child but over the years she’s outgrown it.”
Michelle shook her head. “You never outgrow asthma. It stays with you for life. Symptoms may go away for long periods of time and then come back when something triggers it again, like right now.”
“Something like what?”
Michelle quickly assessed Heather. The girl was breathing more deeply now, though she still looked frightened. Michelle gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before turning back to Paul.
“Several things. Pollution, changes in the weather, allergies, colds or flulike symptoms, and—”
“She had a cold last week. But she’s had them in the past and this has never happened. That doesn’t make sense.”
Michelle wished she could explain to him that nothing about asthma really made sense. It was a condition that affected more than fifteen million people in North America, and was the primary reason for most hospital stays. One good thing was that it could usually be controlled enough that a person could live a normal and active life...as she was trying to do.
“I know it might not make sense, but the effects of asthma are real. Heather’s symptoms could have been much more serious if not treated early. Ordinarily I would never share my inhaler, but this was an emergency.”
Paul lifted a brow. “How long have you had asthma?”
Michelle shook her head. “I don’t recall a time that I didn’t have it. And because I know how serious asthma can be, I’m a member of AANMA, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics. It’s a national organization, and I’m part of their network and I volunteer as an outreach service coordinator. In fact, I’m taking a truckload of materials to various elementary schools in town.”
Heather made a move to stand up and Paul and Michelle backed away a little. Michelle almost stumbled and he automatica
lly reached out and grabbed her around the waist. Again she felt a rush of warmth at his touch. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
She glanced up at him, fully aware that his arm was still around her waist.
“Sorry, Dad.”
Paul dropped his arm from Michelle and slipped it around his daughter. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for, honey. How do you feel?”
A shaky smile touched Heather’s features. “Better. It was scary. One moment I was coughing and the next I felt like I couldn’t breathe.”
Paul glanced at Michelle before turning his attention back to his daughter.
“That hasn’t happened in years,” Heather said. “I probably just got overworked doing that project. And the smell of those markers I was using almost took my breath away. That’s probably what did it. I don’t think it had anything to do with asthma.”
Michelle shook her head. “Paul, I suggest that you take Heather to a doctor tomorrow just for a checkup. There are a number of medications for the treatment of asthma and they can—”
He didn’t let her finish. “Thanks for the advice, and I appreciate all your help, but I think I can take things from here.”
It was obvious to Michelle that he wanted her to leave and wasn’t open to anything she had to say regarding his daughter. “All right. I’ll contact you about the party menu.”
She glanced down at Heather and smiled. “I’m glad you’re doing okay now.”
The girl returned her smile. “Thanks for being here, Ms. Chapman.”
“You’re welcome.” She turned to Paul, but he was looking at his daughter. “I know my way out.”
* * *
MICHELLE HAD MADE IT to the front door when Paul called her name. She wanted to keep walking, but then remembered he was a new client and she needed the business. “Yes?” she said, swinging around to watch him approach. Once again a tingling sensation swept through her. Once again she thought that he was a very good-looking man. “Was there something else you wanted?” she asked when he came to a stop in front of her.
“You can’t go anywhere without these,” he said, holding up her car keys.
“You’re right, I can’t.” She reached out to take them from him.
He handed them over easily and then seemed to hesitate. “About what happened in there...”
“Yes?”
“I appreciate you coming to Heather’s aid, and I know you believe you’re absolutely sure about this asthma thing, and her not outgrowing it. But I beg to differ. You heard her yourself. She probably got a whiff of those markers she’s been working with and it got to her. I’m thinking it was probably nothing more than an allergic reaction.”
Michelle was convinced otherwise but knew it was best not to argue with him. “Just do me a favor and take her to the doctor for a checkup to be on the safe side. She really needs her own inhaler.”
He leaned against the doorjamb. “So now in addition to being a caterer, you’re also a social worker who gives family advice, as well?”
“No, I’m only a caterer,” she said, again hearing a sting in his tone. “One who has asthma. Goodbye, Paul.”
She opened the door and walked out.
CHAPTER
TWO
“SO WHAT DO YOU think of Mr. Castlewood?” Michelle closed the oven door and glanced up at the elderly woman who was sitting at her kitchen table sipping a cup of tea. Amy Poole had turned eighty-two her last birthday, and years ago the mayor had declared May 1 of every year as Amy Poole Day in Lake Falls. It was an appropriate honor for a woman whose ancestors had been among the town’s founders.
“He’s okay, I guess,” she responded in a nonchalant manner.
“Just okay? You mean he didn’t make your heart go pitter-pat?”
Michelle smiled, deciding she would definitely not admit the man had done a little more than that. It had taken a trip to the grocery store, as well as a couple of hours of working outside in her yard yesterday, to get her heart rate back to normal. The man had rattled her in more ways than one.
“Yes, just okay. He’s definitely a person who doesn’t like anyone getting into his business.”
Ms. Amy’s brow wrinkled. “Why do you say that?”
Michelle decided to tell her about the incident involving Heather.
“My word,” Ms. Amy said in alarm. “That child doesn’t have an asthma-management plan?”
Michelle smiled sadly. “No. And I honestly think he believes a person can outgrow asthma. It’s like he’s determined to block anything I say regarding the matter out of his mind. But I’m hoping that he takes her in to see the doctor for a checkup like I suggested. I would hate for her to be caught unawares again.”
“So other than disagreeing on his daughter’s condition, everything is fine between the two of you?”
Michelle raised an eyebrow. Ms. Amy was talking as if they were a couple. “If you’re asking if I was hired to be the caterer for his daughter’s birthday party, then the answer is yes. Thanks to you and Ravine, I got the job.”
Michelle placed another tray of cookies in the oven.
“But you do think he’s good-looking?” her visitor asked.
Michelle’s heart jolted in her chest at the thought of just how good-looking Paul Castlewood was. But by the end of their conversation yesterday, she had dismissed the image from her mind and replaced it with one of a grouch.
“Yes, he’s handsome, but you know what they say. Beauty is only skin-deep.”
“Yes, that’s true, but I had the privilege of holding conversations in church with Mr. Castlewood, and found him to be a very nice man.”
Michelle laughed as she joined Ms. Amy at the table. “He would be nice to you, since you’re old enough to be his grandmother.”
“And you, young lady, are young enough to drum up some interest where he’s concerned.”
Michelle frowned. It sounded as if Ms. Amy was trying to play matchmaker. She certainly hoped not, but just in case, figured she should set the record straight. “I’m a woman with good eyesight, so there’s no way I’m going to sit here and pretend I didn’t notice how attractive Paul Castlewood is. However...”
“Hmm, sounds like a big however.”
“It is. However, the man rubbed me the wrong way yesterday.”
“Is that why you baked all these treats for him today?”
She’d wondered how long it would take Ms. Amy to mention that. “I only baked them because I wanted him to have a sample of what I can do.”
“I told him what you could do. He doesn’t need any samples. What the man needs is a good woman to mend his broken heart.”
Michelle had been up since the crack of dawn, and it was nearing noon. She didn’t have the strength to argue. Besides, it wouldn’t do any good. Amy Poole was convinced that what she was saying was true. “In that case, you should have sent Wanda Shaw his way.” Wanda worked at the local post office. “She’s looking for a husband.”
Ms. Amy released a snort. “Wanda is looking for someone to take care of her so she won’t have to work again. She and Mr. Castlewood aren’t right for each other.”
“But you think that he and I are?”
“Yes.”
With a heavy sigh, Michelle got up from the table. In her heart she knew that Ms. Amy wanted what was best for her, but she just couldn’t figure out why the older woman thought she would be interested in Paul Castlewood or vice versa. “I didn’t bake these just for him, you know.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. I plan to stop by the children’s hospital and drop a few batches off there.”
“That’s kind of you.”
Michelle smiled. “I’m a kind person.”
Ms. Amy chuckled. “Yes, you are, which is why I think you and Mr. Castlewood would get along nicely.”
* * *
PAUL PARKED HIS CAR under a moss-draped oak tree and studied Michelle Chapman’s business card. He had thought about calling her, but k
new that wasn’t good enough, especially after the way he’d treated her yesterday. She deserved a personal visit.
After Heather had taken a nap, she had been her old self. Convinced his daughter had had a possible allergic reaction instead of an asthma attack, he had thrown out those colored markers she had been using and gone to the store to purchase the unscented kind.
He had waited until after lunch today to drive over to Michelle’s. He glanced around now as he strolled up the brick-paved walkway. Michelle had an older house with a large veranda. He was immediately taken by her picturesque flower garden, as well as her home’s stately entranceway. The neighborhood, like his, oozed Southern beauty and charm.
When he reached her door, part of him wondered why he was really paying her a visit. She had indicated that she would be contacting him to provide him with a sampling of her cooking. He could have waited to have this conversation with her then. Why was he determined to see her now?
He would be the first to admit that although he had gotten a bit annoyed with her yesterday, he had appreciated that she was a good-looking woman. And each time their gazes had connected he had felt his pulse rate go up. Her face, the color of chocolate, was a perfect round shape, and her dark brown hair fell like soft waves around her shoulders, giving her a radiant look. Still, he couldn’t help wondering how one woman could have piqued his interest so easily.
He heard the sound of footsteps within seconds after ringing the doorbellz and saw the surprise on her face when she opened the door to find him standing there.
“Paul? Is something wrong? How’s Heather?”
“She’s fine. May I come in?”
“Sure,” she said, stepping aside. “Is there anything I can get you to drink?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t plan to be here long. I just wanted to thank you for yesterday.”
“You’ve thanked me already.”
“Yes, but I also felt I was a little abrupt at the end. My only excuse is that I was shaken by what happened and wasn’t open to any suggestions or comments about what might have been wrong with my daughter.”
More Than Words: Acts of Kindness: Whispers of the HeartIt's Not About the DressThe Princess Shoes Page 2
