by JoAnn Durgin
“Whatever soothing method works can only be a good thing. I assume you adopt that particular pattern after every conversation with your mother?” Why that mattered, he didn’t know. All Alex knew was that he wanted to keep her talking so she wouldn’t dwell on the sadness. She didn’t deserve the heartache she’d endured—not that anyone did.
Nicole glanced at her watch. “Yes. About this same time, like clockwork, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon.” Her smile was wan. “Alex, do you still have both your parents in your life? Are you that blessed?”
He nodded, feeling oddly selfish about that fact. “Yes.”
“Then do me a big favor.”
“Anything. What’s that?”
Another tear slipped onto her cheek. “Next time you see them, hug them tight, kiss them, and tell them how much they mean to you. Love them, Alex. With everything in you.”
At her sentiment, tears pooled in his eyes. Strangely enough, he wasn’t embarrassed.
“Here, take this, if you’re going to cry about it.” She handed him a tissue across the desk.
He balled the tissue in his hand. “You don’t have to be so tough all the time, Nicole. At the risk of ruining my macho image, I’ve cried a few times in my life.”
Nicole’s lips thinned as she pressed them together, making his heart jump when he saw her lower lip tremble. “Thank you for being here, Alex, and for listening.” She wiped the back of her hand across her eyes. “This conversation is off the record, right?”
“Only between us.” Scooting the chair closer to her desk, not knowing what else to do, Alex offered her his hand. After only a moment’s hesitation, Nicole met him halfway. He enfolded his much larger hand over hers, so soft, warm, and small. When he lightly squeezed her hand, she squeezed back. Never in his life had anything felt more right.
“I’m honored to be your friend,” he said.
In that moment, something—he couldn’t be sure what—passed between them.
“For what it’s worth, at least from what I’ve seen so far”—she dabbed at her eyes again—“I think you’re a pretty remarkable man, Alex. On and off the record.”
9
Wednesday Evening
“I’m calling it a day, Jeannie. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Nicole tucked the Starlight file under her arm and turned to leave.
“Nicole?” That deep, resonant voice gave her chills, but it wasn’t from the cold temperatures outside.
From the corner of her eye, she caught Jeannie’s amused expression. She’d last seen Alex an hour ago when they’d ended the meeting with a small core group of Wake Up, Des Moines! viewers invited to the station for a round table question and answer discussion. A bi-annual event, the station sprung for small prizes and offered incentives along with finger foods. She’d always enjoyed interacting with the group—mostly female fans wanting to meet Colin, talk with Colin, and touch Colin. The producers always left those meetings pumped with new ideas and enlightening perspectives, and Colin always managed to keep his ego in check.
“Hi, Alex.”
Dressed in his expensive, well-tailored, dark business suit, the man was too attractive for his own good. Did he have a clue as to the drooling women left in his wake? That was just the female staff members. A couple of the guests had tried to waggle his phone number from her. As if she were some kind of matchmaking service.
“Jeannie mentioned that you’re going to a downtown mission tonight.” He hesitated and shifted from one foot to the other.
Could it be possible he was nervous? She couldn’t begin to fathom such a thing.
“Look, I know I said I wouldn’t tag along after hours, but I’d really like to go. If it’s all right with you.”
Nicole studied him. Why he wanted to come, she couldn’t imagine. Maybe he traveled a lot and didn’t often have the opportunity to help with ministry-related projects. They could always use extra helping hands at the mission—especially strong masculine ones—so what could be the harm?
“Only if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and serve food. And be a target for spit practice.”
His grin was charmingly boyish. “Not a problem. I love babies.”
“Those, too,” she said, returning his smile as she buttoned her jacket. “I’m talking about the seniors. Sometimes they need help feeding themselves. A tip? You might want to remove that expensive silk tie.”
A glint of surprise surfaced in Alex’s expression for a fleeting moment before it disappeared. “I always liked the look of a paper napkin tie, anyway. Has a certain je nais se quoi, don’t you think?” He started to remove his tie.
His gaze encompassed the length of her, no doubt noting she’d changed into jeans. At least he hadn’t done it in a leering way, and she’d glimpsed appreciation in his eyes.
“Should I go to the hotel first and change? If you give me the address, I can meet you there.”
Nicole hoped she wouldn’t regret what she was about to say. “What you’re wearing is fine, and you’re welcome to ride with me. Where’s your coat?”
His grin grew wider, and a shock of dark hair fell across his forehead, making him look somewhat rakish. Now that was a Rose Valentine term if ever she’d heard one.
“Give me three minutes,” he said.
Before she could respond, Alex headed down the hallway with his long stride.
Jeannie’s sigh was audible. “Alex has such a great—”
“Don’t say it.” Nicole held up one hand and shook her head at the older woman’s knowing smile.
“Sense of humor, Nicole.” Jeannie’s laugh was hearty. “Goodness, what were you thinking? And you might want to readjust those buttons.”
“Huh? Oh, no.” She’d missed the top button and the bottom of her jacket now hung at a cockeyed angle. Her cheeks must match her jacket. “Thanks.” She quickly refastened the buttons, hoping Alex hadn’t noticed she couldn’t do something most four year olds had mastered.
“Honey, I’d be stumbling all over myself if a man looked at me the way Alex just looked at you.” Jeannie leaned one elbow on her desk and raised a brow. “He’s a fine-looking man, but he’s also a nice guy. Genuine, you know? Real generous spirit, too.” She gestured to the gorgeous poinsettia plant in the corner of the office. “Courtesy of Mr. Kingsfield. And when he heard me mention the kids’ toy drive at my church, he came over to me in private later on, dug out his wallet, and tucked a couple of hundred dollar bills in my hand. Said he wished he could be there to help hand out the gifts, but he’ll be back in New York by then.” She sighed. “That’s sweet how he wants to go with you to the mission tonight. If you hadn’t agreed, I might have swatted you to bring you to your senses, my friend. You don’t turn down a guy like that.”
Jeannie continued her work, leaving Nicole to her musing. Alex had been with them for one day, yet she’d allowed him access to her personal life. But he was going back to New York in five days. Why did that make her sad?
While she waited, Colin strolled into the outer office. He handed a file to Jeannie and exchanged a few words with her, then turned and gave Nicole an appraising glance. “Don’t you look festive in your cute little red coat? Off on one of your do-gooding projects tonight? Since it’s Wednesday, I’m guessing it must be the mission.”
Tamping down her irritation, Nicole pulled her gloves from a side pocket. “Colin, why must you mock my work at the mission?” Reading with the kids, helping gather donations of clothing, and serving meals filled her with a sense of satisfaction she found in little else.
“Ah, come now. I don’t mean to mock you, love. I actually find your little charity projects endearing. Just another reason to adore you.”
“Good, because you might very well be my next project. One day soon I’m going to take you downtown and open your eyes to how the other half doesn’t live, you spoiled British snob. Time to transfuse some human compassion for the common man into that hardened heart of yours. Through an intravenous drip, if necessary.” Sh
e hadn’t meant to snap, but why must he make light of something so important to her? Colin had a tender heart, but she sometimes needed to dig down deep beneath the layers of sarcasm to uncover it.
Colin scoffed and clutched his chest in mock despair. “You wound me with that sharp, biting tongue of yours, Nikki. It’s almost Christmas. Where’s your sense of holiday cheer and compassion for your fellow man?”
Guilt slashed through her. “I’m sorry. Forgive me. Thanks for putting up with my inner Scrooge.”
“Buy me a nice big present for Christmas and all will be well.”
She shook her head and tugged on her gloves. “What would that be?”
His smile sobered. “Honestly, love? What I need most is one of those things no amount of money can buy.” With that, he waved and walked in the opposite direction.
“What was that all about, do you suppose?” Nicole said to no one in particular.
With ear buds in her ears, Jeannie hummed “Let It Snow” as her fingers clicked across the keyboard, apparently oblivious to Nicole’s question.
A minute later, Alex reappeared, wearing a gray wool jacket that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. From the looks of him, he must work out on a regular basis. He pulled a red knit hat out of a pocket and placed it over his head. The dark strands peeking out from beneath it made him look like a kid.
“You sure you don’t want me to drive? I’m conditioned to cold-weather roads.” He walked beside her down the narrow hallway that led to the back parking lot.
“So am I, but I’m a better driver than navigator.” Besides, if he drove, their time together would seem more like a date. Being alone with him in the confines of her car was enough to get her heart pumping overtime as it was. More of Nicole’s resolve to resist Alex melted when he held open the glass door. Old-fashioned or not, she loved it when a man exhibited fine manners, an art in serious danger of extinction. Saying “excuse me” after belching in public was not indicative of good breeding. Leaning halfway over her to shove open her car door was not chivalry.
Not that she believed Alex would do any of those things. On the contrary. Trying to stop her from drinking rum-laced eggnog, scooping her up in his strong arms to save her from slipping on an ice patch, and expressing heartfelt sympathy about her mother’s condition, were noteworthy acts.
With everything he did, Alex was making it all that much harder not to fall under his charms. A man like this surely had a woman—or more than one—waiting for him back in Manhattan. Why he wasn’t already married was the question, but no sense in speculating.
Still, if she wasn’t careful, one of these days she might slip and call him Slade by mistake. Smiling, Nicole accepted when he offered his arm.
****
Nicole stole another glance at Alex across the room. Within five minutes of escorting her through the mission’s doors, he’d tossed aside his overcoat and hat. Then he unfastened his cufflinks, rolled his shirt sleeves and offered to help feed an elderly gentleman. He’d listened as Harold Keller slobbered in between bites, all the while relaying his oft-told stories of serving in the Korean War. Something about the gentleness in Alex wiping the mouth of the older man reached a place deep inside Nicole. He’d even managed to get a few rare belly laughs from the veteran. What a great sound.
“Miss Nicole, can I have some more mashed potatoes?”
“Sure, Terrence.” She snapped to attention and focused on the young teenager as he waited in the serving line. “As long as you ask nicely and promise to eat a bite or two of broccoli. Big bites.” She held the serving spoon above the tray of steaming mashed potatoes and quirked a brow. And tried not to make it obvious that she noticed his jeans were an inch too short and his T-shirt looked as if he’d worn it three days straight. The mission director might have a good idea of his sizes, and Nicole made a mental note to pick up a few new things for him.
Terrence made a choking sound and grasped his neck with both hands, making her laugh with his antics. “Whatever,” he said, heaving an exaggerated sigh. “Hit me up with some of that tree stuff. Please.” He grinned. “I guess you’re gonna watch to make sure I eat it, huh?”
“You know it.” Nicole spooned mashed potatoes onto his plate followed by a small portion of broccoli. At the last minute, she poured brown gravy over the potatoes, knowing how much the boy loved it.
He surprised her by not darting away immediately after she handed him the plate. Tilting his head, he surveyed her. “Who’s that guy with you? Your boyfriend?”
“No,” she said. “He’s a friend visiting from New York.” That seemed the best explanation, although her pulse beat a bit faster at Terrence’s question.
“Well, he’s lookin’ at you right now like you’re his girlfriend. Maybe you two should talk.”
Nicole couldn’t help but laugh. Now that he was a teenager, Terrence was a wise guy and a relationship expert. “You think so, huh? Tell you what. If you eat all that broccoli, I’ll make sure you get an extra cookie for dessert. How’s that?”
“Yeah, sounds good. You’re cool, Nicole. Hey, I saw your picture on the side of a bus the other day. That was awesome. I told my friend, ‘I know her.’ Not sure he believed me, though. Catch you later.” He grinned. “Oh, and chocolate chip’s my favorite cookie. Remember that.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Terrence darted off to another part of the dining hall. He plopped into a chair at a table beside another young boy while his mother sat nearby, deep in conversation with an older lady.
“Can we sit and sup together, or are we still on duty?”
Nicole turned to face Alex, trying to ignore the fluttering inside her. She was growing more hopeless every time she talked with him. “You’ve got to stop sneaking up on me. Sup?”
Alex shrugged and a sheepish smile crossed his lips as he rolled down his sleeves. “My new friend Harold used that term a few minutes ago. Short for supper. My grandmother used to say it, too. Makes me nostalgic, I suppose.”
“I know. I just think it’s cute to hear you say it. As far as sup, I usually grab dinner on the way home.”
“Want to grab a burger together? Or a salad? Your choice.”
“Sure, but I’m on clean-up duty, so it might be a little late.” An after-hours activity would seem even more like a date, but they had to eat. Any excuse would do.
“Count me in.” Alex gave her that infectious smile again. “You’re my ride, after all.”
“True, but I insist on treating you to that late sup as a way to thank you for helping out tonight.”
He fumbled with his cufflinks.
“Here, let me see that wrist.” Taking hold of his arm, she caught a whiff of his cologne, felt his warmth, and noted the fine quality of his dress shirt. “My Grandma Camille always fastened Grandpa Joe’s cufflinks for him. Not that he wore them much. Mainly for weddings. And funerals.” Touched by the intimacy of the moment, Nicole avoided Alex’s gaze. After fastening the cufflink on the second sleeve, she gave his arm a light pat. “There you go. All set.”
“Thanks. These pesky things are a lot easier to take out. You’re a certified cufflink master. Did your grandmother also tap Grandpa Joe’s arm like you just did?”
She widened her eyes. “I guess she did. Funny the things we subconsciously pick up on, isn’t it? I don’t know if I’d call it an inherited trait, exactly. Maybe it’s more of a learned behavior.”
“Here’s one for you,” Alex said. “I whistle at random times, usually when I’m deep in concentration. Just like my dad. I don’t even know I’m doing it until someone mentions it.”
“I know. I’ve heard you whistle.”
He raised a brow. “You have? Now you know why I keep my office door closed most of the time.”
“At least you’re in tune.” Nicole shot him a grin before glancing around the room. “I think everyone’s been served now. If you want, you can help fold the chairs and stack them against the far wall. I’m going to grab a wet clot
h and start wiping down the tables.”
“Sure thing, but first I promised to take Harold upstairs and read a few chapters from his Bible.” Alex’s smile was wide. “Tonight we’ll be reading in Ephesians.”
“You’d better get moving then. Fair warning. Harold will try to get you to do wheelies. He’s the mission champ, but his methods can sometimes be a little shady.”
“Oh, he already tried to bribe me.” He winked, and it warmed her down to her boots. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
After Alex pushed Harold up the ramp leading to the second level, Nicole grabbed a couple of chocolate chip cookies. Placing them on a napkin, she called for Terrence. Even with something as seemingly insignificant as cookies, a promise was a promise. Hopefully, one kid in the mission tonight would see that some adults kept their word and wouldn’t let him down.
10
“I’ve had a lot of burgers around the country, and I have to say, this Zombie Burger’s pretty great. Ranks right up there with the best.” Alex eyed her as he drained his iced tea. “How’s your burger? What’s it called again? Dawn of the Dead?”
Nicole leaned over the basket, hoping her burger hadn’t dribbled on her blouse. She’d given up trying to be dainty five bites ago. At least the dim lighting in the restaurant should hide a host of food stains. “Dawn of the Dead was my runner-up. This one’s called They’re Coming to Get You, Barbara. It’s delicious but…very juicy.” She grabbed her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. “Want to try my Cookie Monster’s Revenge? It’s delicious.”
“What?” Clamping both hands over his ears, Alex scrunched his features into a comical frown. The music was loud—as in pulsating, head-banging loud—in the popular East Village theme restaurant. Lowering his hands, he laughed. “This is one of those places where my grandpa would say he couldn’t hear himself think. Did you offer me a taste of your milkshake? If so, hand it over. Don’t mind if I do.”
