by JoAnn Durgin
“Mitch Jacobsen, as I live and breathe! What a sight for sore eyes you are. It’s about time you came to see us.” A robust woman with a beaming smile walked toward them, carrying an armload of towels. Lowering them onto a nearby chair, she opened her arms. Within seconds, she’d gathered Mitch in a huge bear hug. “Imagine finding you here in the house,” she said, stepping back and turning to her. “Tell me. Who’s this beautiful young lady you’ve brought to see us today? Is this why I haven’t seen you for over a week?”
“Helena, this is Cassie Thorenson. Cassie, may I introduce you to Helena Goodall. We couldn’t run Tam’s Place without her. I’m sorry I haven’t been by, but things got crazy at work.”
“Any friend of Mitch is a friend of mine,” Helena said. “He works too hard at that fancy Wall Street job, but this man’s got a big heart. Together with Amy and Landon, they’re our founders and major investors in Tam’s Place. They roll up their sleeves and pitch in with whatever needs to be done. You tell me how many people as busy as they are would take the time.”
Helena beamed and winked at Mitch. “And now they’ve brought in their friends from TeamWork. These good people know how to show God’s mercy to those who need it, but then again, don’t we all need that same mercy?” She leaned toward Cassie and put a hand to the side of her mouth as though telling her a secret. “I think they come to check up on me and Tam and make sure we’re not getting into trouble.”
“If you’re trouble, then you’re the best kind,” Mitch said. “Cassie’s a volunteer for TeamWork, too.” He put his arm around her shoulders and tugged her close. “The Houston branch.”
“Ah, then you must know Mr. Lewis and his wife, Lexa,” Helena said. “They show up every now and then. Mercy, that tall cowboy gets this old heart fluttering.” The good-natured older woman laughed when Mitch rolled his eyes. “You need to get yourself one of those Stetsons.”
Mitch laughed. “I’ll think about it.”
Helena pointed to the door. “Our new front door’s courtesy of Mr. Lewis’s most recent book success. And Josh and Winnie Grant are big contributors for the meals and maternity clothes.”
“I work for Lexa and Winnie’s catering business,” Cassie said.
“Do you now?” Helena’s warm brown eyes twinkled. “You must be a mighty good cook then. Keep her around, Mitch.”
That made her laugh, but Cassie mock-frowned when Mitch chuckled. “They keep me in the front office and away from the food, but I help serve and supervise at catering events.”
“Tam around today?” Mitch asked.
“She had to take Henry to the doctor, but they’ll be back any time.”
“Nothing wrong I hope?” Mitch’s brow creased with concern.
“Oh, no. It’s his regular checkup. He’ll be one in July,” she told Cassie. “Cutest little baby boy you’ve ever seen. He livens up this place and the girls love him. I’m sure Tam will want to meet you, Cassie. Let me get one of the girls to run these towels upstairs and then I’ll give you the nickel tour.”
“Sure. Thanks,” Cassie said. “What exactly is Tam’s Place?” she whispered to Mitch, hoping her voice didn’t carry as they waited in the hallway for Helena to return.
“At its core, it’s a personal counseling service for pregnant and abused women. If they need a temporary place to stay, it’s also a safe haven. Based on Christian principles but also run with other state and local agencies. Lots of upkeep since it’s an older home and there are many rules and regulations. It seems there’s always something that needs to be repaired, replaced, painted or tweaked. But we’ve got everything in order and been blessed to help a number of women who’ve come here for assistance of some kind.”
Within a minute, Helena motioned for them to follow her. “Tam’s Place started more than twenty years ago but under another name, and it offered most of the same services. Of course, we’re more modernized now and keep up with the newest technology and programs.” The women, some with Bibles on their laps, glanced up at them as they walked through the living room. Next Helena led them into the inviting, spacious kitchen where three ladies sat at the table, enjoying a light lunch. “Being Saturday, this is our busiest day,” Helena said. “Lots going on, and we have our weekly Bible study and prayer time tonight. Our numbers are growing, and we had thirty here last week.”
Helena leaned heavily on the wooden railing as she started up the main staircase leading to the upper level.
“Helena, we don’t need to go upstairs,” Mitch told her. “I know you had knee surgery, and that’s a whole lot of steps for you to climb.”
“Good enough.” Helena’s breathing sounded a bit labored.
“I’m going to talk with Landon about installing an automated chair lift,” Mitch said.
“That’s a very good idea,” Helena said, stepping back down to the landing. “If they’re needed, Cassie, we have six bedrooms on the second level. Then there’s a large attic that we’ve converted into another large bedroom that can hold up to six more women.”
“Do you have many overnight guests?”
“More in the winter than this time of year, but you never know. We want to have a warm bed and food available for any woman who needs them.”
“What a wonderful ministry,” Cassie said. “Does Tam live here in the house?”
“Yes, she’s our live-in manager and I live here, too. I’m more or less their Dorm Mother,” Helena said. “That girl’s awfully young, but she’s smart, organized, sassy and got a heart of gold. A born leader if ever I’ve seen one.” She moved her gaze to Mitch. “That sister of yours is real smart and recognized a good soul when she met Tam. As soon as Tam told Amy she wanted to do something to help TeamWork, the idea was born. I happen to know for a fact Landon flies her down to see her family in Texas every now and then, too, so they can see Tam and her little boy.”
The back door closed and they heard some of the women greeting Tam.
“Tam, we have a visitor,” Helena called to her.
Within a few seconds, a darling little moppet with curly brown hair hanging nearly to his shoulders ran around the corner and straight into Mitch’s legs. Laughing, Mitch fell onto the floor with the squealing child on top of him. “Cassie, this is Crazy Man, also known as Peter Thomas Goodall.”
“My three-year-old grandson,” Helena said.
Mitch struggled to sit up with Peter hanging onto his neck. “Cassie, save me, please!” He waved one hand in her direction.
“I’ll save you, Mr. Mitch!” Cassie planted both feet on the floor and pretended to have an invisible tug of war. Peter finally released his hold and rolled off Mitch, tumbling to the floor.
“Peter,” Mitch said, sounding official, “I’d like to introduce you to my very special friend. This is Miss Cassie.”
Cassie bowed. “It’s my honor to meet you, Sir Peter.” The little boy giggled and ran to his grandmother, giving Helena a kiss. The older woman’s face lit with pure joy.
“What’s all the commotion out here?”
A young woman holding an infant boy rounded the corner, and her eyes lit when she spied Mitch. Tall and thin, she was pretty with several bright purple streaks in her otherwise dark hair. “Well, look who’s here. About time you came back over here, Wall Street. We’ve missed you the last couple of weeks.”
Cassie smiled at the nickname as Mitch gave the girl a quick hug.
“Hi, I’m Tam,” she said, stepping forward and offering her hand to Cassie. “And this is my son, Henry James Coughlin.” She smoothed her hand over his downy brown hair. The child rested his head on his mama’s shoulder and gave Cassie a sleepy, blue-eyed stare.
“It’s nice to meet you, Tam. I’m Cassie. Wall Street brought me. This is such a great place.”
“Yeah, it is. Wall Street, Mr. Handsome and the Mrs. have been real good to me, Henry and all our guests.”
“Enough with your nicknames.” Helena waved her hand, laughing.
“Ah, give it up, Helena.
It’s fun and it’s not hurting anyone.” Tam turned back to her. “I’m guessing you’re from Mississippi? Alabama?”
“Alabama.”
“Then that’s what I’ll call you. You two want to stay for lunch? I can whip up some soup and sandwiches in no time. We can chat.”
Mitch glanced at Cassie for confirmation and she nodded. “We’d love to,” he said. “Thanks.”
Cassie worked with Tam to prepare the simple meal and then sat beside Mitch at the large, oblong table in the kitchen. Henry had been taken upstairs for his nap and Peter sat in a booster seat at the end of the table. As they ate, the ladies told Cassie more about the different services they offered.
“You’re so young to have this much responsibility,” Cassie said to Tam as she dried the dishes after their lunch. “You seem more than capable of handling it, though. Looks to me like you’ve found your niche.”
Cutting up potatoes for the evening meal, Tam darted a quick glance at Mitch. Playing with building blocks, he sat on the floor with Peter. Like with the TeamWork kids in Houston, Mitch possessed an easy, comfortable manner and kids gravitated to him.
“You know, all it took was one person who cared enough to say she believed in me,” Tam said. “Amy told me she could tell I was smart and encouraged me to make my child a part of living the dream instead of letting it hold me back from whatever I wanted to do in my life. That’s why when she, Mitch and Landon took over this place and asked if I wanted to come and work here, I jumped at the chance. I was itching to get away from Texas and start fresh, you know?”
Cassie nodded. “I did the same thing when I left Alabama. I couldn’t wait to get away, meet new people, and go places. I’d never been so scared. . .or more excited.”
“Right.” Tam scraped the cut potatoes into a bowl of water and set it aside before retrieving a bag of carrots from the refrigerator. “Not that I’ll be here my entire life,” Tam said next, pulling a roasting pan from a bottom cabinet. “But it’s where the Lord’s planted me, and I plan on blooming here until the next opportunity comes knocking. Then again, I could be here forever.” She shrugged. “Who knows?” In that moment, Tam sounded younger, more vulnerable. “Now I’ve got someone else to think about, so it’s not all about me anymore. You got any kids, Alabama?”
“No, but I hope to someday. Hand me a peeler and I’ll work on the carrots.”
Tam pulled one from a utensil drawer and handed it to her. “Here you go. Thanks.”
They worked together in silence for a couple of minutes, smiling at the antics of Mitch and Peter. They’d moved to a small table set up in one corner, and Mitch’s long legs were scrunched under the table as he colored with an oversized, fat crayon. Could the man be any cuter? She wondered all over again why he wasn’t married.
Maybe God saved him for you.
That thought startled her. Then again, more and more, Cassie believed the Lord had saved her for Mitch. She’d never believed in destiny, fate or any of those New Age philosophies, but she definitely believed in God’s providence.
Tam opened an upper cabinet and rotated a spice carousel. “I never asked them to name this place after me. Just so we’re clear on that.”
“We’re clear,” Cassie said as she added another peeled carrot in a bowl on the counter. “I’m sure Tam’s Place has been a huge blessing for a lot of women.”
“I hope so. Helena keeps me straight. She can be a real pain sometimes, but then, so can I. She helps me out a lot with Henry, and I’ve adopted her as my official mother since my mom died last year.”
“I’m sorry, Tam. My mom died five years ago.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, too, Alabama. That’s tough. I pray every day the Lord will use me in some special way for the girls here. I know exactly how they feel because I’ve been there. A lot of them are young, pregnant and scared. They’re not sure what they’re going to do or how they’ll support themselves much less take care of a baby. Pure and simple, we’re here to give them hope.”
Tam paused in her work. “I know that’s what God wants me to do. He’s blessed me with so much, and now it’s my turn to share the wealth.” She grinned. “Mitch said you’re part of TeamWork, too, and that’s what they’re all about, right? Rebuilding lives?”
She nodded. “Yes, and I love being part of such a great organization. In a lot of ways, they’re my family.”
“You’re blessed,” Tam said. She angled her head toward Mitch. “Don’t mind admitting to you that I’ve had a crush on Mitch since forever. That man’s so fine. I mean, that red polo he’s wearing can’t keep up with all those bulging muscles.” She laughed under her breath. “Whoever said brokers can’t be hot has never met Wall Street.”
Cassie ducked her head but couldn’t hide her smile.
“You’re special to him. I can tell. It’s in his eyes.” Crossing the room to the pantry, Tam pulled out a bag of onions. “Speaking of eyes.” She laughed as she put the bag on the counter. “Never met an onion yet that didn’t make me cry.”
“Do you have anyone. . .special in your life?” Cassie asked, unsure if that was appropriate, especially since Tam was so young.
“I’ve got a guy back home in Asher, Texas. His name’s Denton. He was so sweet when I was pregnant with Henry and stayed with me through the whole thing. He even changed Henry’s diapers and gave him his bottle when I was too tired to take care of myself much less a baby. Denton’s sweet on me, and I love him, but there’s no heat, you know? There’s a new girl in town, and I’m praying Denton might take up with her. She’s nice and I think they’d be real good together. He deserves the best.”
“The right guy will come along for you, too, when you least expect it, Tam. I’m adding you and Tam’s Place to my prayer list. Do you have a business card?”
“Sure.” Tam dug in her pocket and handed Cassie a card. “Is that how it happened for you and Mitch? The not looking for it but it dumped in your lap kind of thing?”
That question gave her pause for a moment, but it also made Cassie smile. “Yes and no. We were kind of pushed together by some well-meaning matchmakers, and neither one of us was really looking for a relationship. It’s tough since I live in Texas.” She lifted her shoulders. “We’re taking it as we go and trying to figure it out.”
“Well, I’ll pray for you and Wall Street to make it. You owe it to yourself to give it a fighting chance.”
Cassie and Mitch said their good-byes with hugs all around a short time later.
“Instead of taking a taxi, can we try the subway?” Cassie turned big eyes on him, laughing at his expression of shock.
“You sure about that?”
She nodded. “I’m feeling brave, I guess.”
“Would you listen to you?” he teased. “And to think you didn’t even like the big city. You’re here all of a day and a half and now you’re ready for the subway.”
“Why not? I like trains.”
“Well,” he scoffed, “the subway’s a train, but you might want to hold your nose and shield your eyes. And maybe cover your ears. You never know what you’ll find on a New York subway. I’m thankful you’ll be there to protect me.”
Cassie laughed and curled her fingers around his arm. “Just another adventure. Let’s go.”
Chapter 37
“I learned a lot about you today,” Cassie said over dinner in Mitch’s kitchen. “And survived a ride on the subway. All in all, I’d say that’s not bad for a first trip to New York.”
“And we still have all of tomorrow,” he reminded her.
“Can’t wait.” They’d picked up Chinese food and she sighed as she attempted to use chopsticks, failing miserably. Of course, Mitch was very adept with his. “You are such a city boy,” she said, dropping her chopsticks on the table. “It’s impossible to actually get something in your mouth with these skinny wooden sticks. If I were forced to use these things all the time, I’d either starve to death or else become a pig and lap up everything with my mouth. I assu
re you, it would not be pretty.”
Mitch’s eyes sparkled from across the table. “Not to change the subject, but I’m glad you got to meet Helena and Tam. Peter poked me in the arm and said the word pretty.”
“Oh? About the picture you were coloring together?”
“No,” he said after chewing another bite. “You are so adorably clueless sometimes. He was talking about you, Alabama.” Picking up some noodles and a piece of chicken between his chopsticks, Mitch leaned across the table and offered it to her. “Here, take this before you make me feel guilty that you’re not eating.”
“You should feel guilty about not allowing me to eat with a fork.” She balked when he practically shoved the bite in her mouth. Laughing, Cassie captured a runaway noodle and then Mitch fed her a few more bites. The man was smart, after all, and he’d obviously figured out they’d be sitting at the table all night if he didn’t help her.
“Now it’s time for our fortunes.” Rising to his feet, Mitch took his plate to the sink. He reached into the bag on the counter and pulled out two plastic-wrapped fortune cookies.
“You don’t really believe those things, do you?” Cassie accepted the cookie he offered.
“No, but they can be fun. I’ll go first.” Unwrapping one, his eyes widened as he returned to his chair.
“Well?” Cassie prompted.
“Maybe I, uh, shouldn’t read this one out loud.” His cheeks flushed, a rare sight.
“What could that fortune possibly say that would put a blush in Mitch Jacobsen’s cheeks?” Surprising him, she tugged it from his grasp. “Your true love will grant you all the desires of your heart tonight. Oh, my. I see what you mean.”
“Told you.” Mitch sat back with crossed arms, a smile teasing the corners of his mouth. “Your turn.”
“Okay, here goes.” She pushed her long hair behind one shoulder. Tearing open the wrapper, she pulled out the thin white strip of paper from between the jaws of the hard cookie. “Your true love will climb many mountains for you and hold your hand through the valleys.” Cassie considered the words. “That’s a lovely sentiment, wouldn’t you say?”
