Moonbeams: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series Book 5)

by JoAnn Durgin

“Go,” Cassie said. “Winnie and I can handle things here while you check on her.”

  “I’ve got her, Lexa.” Sam walked into the kitchen with one small daughter cradled in each arm. Lexa pulled Leah into her arms and together they worked to strap the girls into their highchairs. Watching them, Cassie marveled at how well they’d adapted to the twin routine. Squirming in her seat, Leah started to bounce up and down and clap her hands, and Hannah soon followed.

  “Snack time. Yum.” Removing his suit jacket and hanging it on a hook by the side door, Sam took a chair at the table with his girls. “What are we having today, Leah?” He nuzzled his baby girl’s cheek.

  “Dada!” Leah giggled and clamped both hands on Sam’s cheeks, squeezing them between her two small, chubby hands. When he blew a loud raspberry, both girls giggled like they’d never stop.

  Hannah reached for Sam with both hands, wanting her turn.

  “Of course, Hannah Banana.” Sam obliged and she let out a belly laugh so loud that Cassie turned to stare at the blonde-haired tyke. So did Winnie.

  “Now, those are some mighty impressive lungs,” Cassie said. “To think we’ve always thought Hannah is the quiet one. I suggest you give that child vocal lessons in the near future. Channel all that power into something worthwhile.”

  “She didn’t get it from me, that’s for sure.” Lexa put small bowls with pureed fruit on the table for the girls and then handed Sam a peach.

  “Have any more of those apples or grapes?” Winnie asked. “Non-pureed, that is?” She patted her stomach. “Little Josh or Joshina is getting hungry.”

  Lexa laughed. “I keep forgetting you’re pregnant since you’re not showing yet, Winnie, but please don’t name that poor child Joshina. You want some fruit, too, Cass?”

  “Grapes sound good, thanks.” Cassie started to rise from the counter stool. “Let me help you.”

  “You stay. I’ll get them.” Lexa reached for the bag of grapes.

  “What are you writing now, Sam?” Cassie asked a minute later as she popped a seedless green grape into her mouth.

  “I’m just getting started, but if I can convince her, Lexa’s going to co-author this one with me. Advice for women in how to help their husbands become a better man and reach their full potential, that sort of thing. Tips for how a couple can work together toward a healthy, God-honoring marriage. What do you think?”

  “If you’re asking me, I think it’s a fabulous idea,” Winnie said. “I’m good for a few hints and tips. After all, I trained Josh and he turned out pretty well.” She blew air kisses to the twins and then took a bite of an apple wedge.

  Cassie’s eyes widened. “Kevin mentioned the same thing last night—the part about helping a man reach his full potential.”

  “By the way, I heard from Max Thomas, the TeamWork director in New York, and he told me Mitch has been invaluable. He’s been working behind the scenes with projects in the Bronx and Harlem.”

  “I didn’t know that, but he’s helping to build a screened-in porch at Tam’s Place,” Cassie said, stealing an apple wedge from Winnie. No big surprise Sam had picked up on the fact she’d inadvertently referred to Mitch.

  “You and Mitch are keeping in touch every day?” Sam asked.

  “Several times over. Once I finally agreed to start texting, the man hasn’t been able to stop. He must be exhausted every night from all the texting he does.”

  “Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” Sam spooned pureed fruit into Hannah’s eager mouth.

  “Sam!” Lexa scolded although she couldn’t stop her smile.

  “Tell us more about these rules, suggestions, or whatever you’re calling them for your new book,” Cassie said.

  “Sounds like you have a vested interest in this subject, Little One.”

  “I guess I do. For the future.”

  Sam winked at his wife. “For starters, offer your man his favorite fruit at least once a day and he’ll love you forever.” Taking a bite of his peach, he chewed it slowly. “I’m mulling over a few more. Mind you, these are in no particular order and subject to change.”

  “Enough with the public service disclaimer or whatever.” Winnie waved her hand. “Get on with it already.”

  “Pregnancy must make some women a little slaphappy,” Cassie teased, plopping another grape in her mouth. Winnie threatened to send a flying apple slice her way and she held up her hands as if to catch it. To think this woman was her boss. Ah, she was blessed.

  Sam’s smile lines appeared. “Okay, here goes. Stifle the first thing you start to say in the morning that you know you’ll regret later on in the day. Don’t worry so much about what you look like and focus on keeping your heart healthy and happy. If your heart’s healthy, it will be reflected in the rest of you. Find one thing about your partner to praise each day and be gracious in accepting compliments when they’re offered.”

  He paused for a minute to feed each of the girls a spoonful and then wiped their messy mouths.

  “Be adventurous and willing to try one new thing each day. Focus on at least five small things that make your partner happy each week and work on fulfilling those needs. Have a date night once a week. And without fail, pray together every single day.”

  Sam took another bite of his peach. “That’s what I’ve got so far.”

  “I think I’m still reading between the lines of some of those,” Winnie said. “Still, really great material.”

  “Pway!” Hannah clapped her hands together. Cassie smiled as Hannah bowed her head and closed her eyes.

  Mimicking her sister, Leah did the same. “Pway!”

  Out of the mouths of babes.

  Chapter 42

  Friday, July 16, 2004

  “What time is Josh getting here?” Cassie asked Winnie as they arranged appetizers on a tray.

  “Don’t worry. He’s coming.” Under normal circumstances, Winnie would be pacing the floor an hour before an event if her husband hadn’t arrived. A pregnant Winnie should be even more agitated. Then there was the fact she’d been avoiding looking her in the eye. Something was amiss. What, she couldn’t begin to fathom.

  Cassie fisted her hands on her hips. “Forgive me for saying this, but the time might be coming when we don’t recruit husbands to help out with these events. I mean, if they can’t be on time—”

  “Give it up already, Cass.” Winnie winked at Lexa. “Our guys dress up the room, they have muscles we need, and—perhaps the biggest shocker—they don’t mind helping us out.”

  “Don’t forget they’re cheap labor,” Lexa said.

  “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” Sam put his arm around Lexa and dipped his head for a kiss before heading back out the side door to bring in more trays from their cars.

  “If it makes you feel better, I’ll call Josh.”

  “It would, actually,” Cassie said. “Thanks, Winnie.”

  “Yes, Little General.”

  Cassie made an effort not to roll her eyes. “Please don’t tell me that’s my new nickname.”

  “Nothing new about that one.”

  “Be right back.” Needing to escape and focus on the task-at-hand, Cassie left the kitchen and went into the small ballroom to check on the servers. Everything seemed to be in order and the room looked beautiful. White linen tablecloths, fine china and good silver—all special requests of the relatives planning this special birthday party. The floral arrangements in shades of purple, lavender, pink and gray were elegant and a very nice touch. Gayle and Marta waved to her from across the room.

  “We light the candles on the tables in twenty minutes,” she told the head server. Next she checked the buffet line. The food was warming, the servers ready and waiting. She breathed a sigh of relief. All the details seemed to be in place.

  “Gotta run. Love you.” Winnie snapped her phone closed as Cassie entered the kitchen again. “Josh is five minutes away. Traffic is bad and he got a late start.”

  “Thanks for checking. We’re all set n
ow, and the guests should be arriving soon.”

  Winnie’s eyes welled with tears. “Honey, you’re so good at this. And you look prettier than ever tonight.” She gave her a quick, fierce hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Cassie patted her friend on the back. “Everything okay, Winnie?”

  “Fine,” Winnie said, pulling away. “Just. . .pregnancy hormones kicking in. I predict this night is going to be”—she sniffled—“very special for you, sweetie.”

  For her career? Wow, those pregnancy hormones must be really strong.

  ~~**~~

  Mitch started through the door of the hotel’s side entrance, but Josh put a hand on his arm, stopping him. “Wait here a minute. I’d better run interference.”

  “What is this, spy games?”

  “Shh. I don’t want Cassie to hear you if she’s in the kitchen,” Josh whispered. “Our six-foot-five lookout is checking. He’ll give us the all-clear soon.”

  Sure enough, Sam appeared in the doorway within the minute. “Great to see you again, Mitch,” he said, first shaking his hand and then pulling him into a quick hug. “Glad you could make it. How was the flight?”

  “I survived without a major panic attack, so that’s a positive step in the right direction. A commercial jet doesn’t seem to induce as much anxiety as a private plane.”

  “I told Mitch that working this event with us tonight is a rite of passage for TeamWork guys,” Josh said.

  Sam winked at Mitch. “Especially those in love with TeamWork women. Okay now, time to get on with it. The last penguin has arrived.”

  “Come back in now, you sappy boys. Mitch!” Lexa opened the door and tugged him inside the kitchen before wrapping her arms around him. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re here. The guests have started to arrive and Cassie will be occupied for a while, so it’s safe to come in the kitchen now.” Pulling back but still holding onto his arms, Lexa gave him an approving once-over. “You look so handsome. Thanks for agreeing to help us out tonight. I know it’s not exactly how you wanted to spend your first night here with Cassie.”

  Mitch opened his arms and smiled. “Whatever you need. I worked as a waiter in a tony restaurant in Cambridge during my undergrad years at Harvard. Might be a little rusty, but put me to work and I’ll try not to do too much damage.”

  “You’re a welcome addition to our group of servers, and I can’t wait to see Cassie’s reaction to having you here.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Winnie said, coming into the kitchen as Lexa departed with a small wave. “Cassie’s working hard, but having you here will give her a second wind. And then some.” Her breath caught and she moved one hand over her heart. “This will be the best surprise ever for that sweet girl.” Following Lexa’s example, Winnie enveloped him in a warm hug and then kissed his cheek. “Normally we don’t allow the help to kiss our staff, but we’ll cut you some slack in this case.”

  Mitch lifted a brow. Pregnant?

  Josh gave him a thumbs-up sign and then raised two fingers while Winnie pulled a tissue from the pocket of her apron and dabbed it beneath her eyes. “As you can see, I’m over-the-top emotional these days and cry at the drop of a hat. What a mess.”

  “You’re not a mess, sweetheart.” Josh pulled his wife into his arms, giving her a light kiss. “Why don’t you sit down for a few minutes?”

  “I think I’ll do that.” Winnie said, hopping onto a counter stool by the stainless steel island in the middle of the kitchen. “I’ll park myself right here and you can bring trays or whatever needs to be refilled. Just for a few minutes, though. That’s all the time I need and then I’ll be good as new.”

  Sam and Josh asked Mitch questions about his TeamWork experiences in Haiti and the Dominican Republic while they waited for the signal to go into the ballroom. Talking about it energized him and kept his mind occupied. Otherwise, he’d live up to Amy’s nickname of Mitch the Itch and drive himself nuts.

  Marta rushed into the kitchen a few minutes later. “Cassie’s coming in here! Mitch, hey. Great to see you again, but you need to step outside for a minute, okay?”

  Mitch chuckled. “Hi Marta, but why can’t Cassie just come in here and discover me shooting the breeze with my homeboy fellow penguins?”

  “Come with me, funny man.”

  “You TeamWork women sure do like to manhandle the help.” Mitch pretended to grumble even as he allowed Marta to tug him back outside the building.

  “Wait here. It’ll be worth this silliness in a few minutes. Promise,” she whispered, smoothing her apron before hurrying back inside.

  Leaning his head against the wall, Mitch wondered how much longer he’d need to wait. He smelled cigarette smoke coming from a small group of hotel employees on their break. Hopefully, they’d call him back in soon.

  “Josh and Sam, we’re ready for you to come serve the appetizers.”

  Cassie. He’d know that voice anywhere, that great accent. Closing his eyes, Mitch steeled himself not to barge through the door in spite of their plans for the big surprise. Holding her in his arms again was the only thing on his brain. Knowing she was so close and he couldn’t make his presence known made him crazy.

  A few seconds later, Gayle came out to summon him into the small ballroom. “Hi, Mitch. Thanks so much for helping us out tonight. Cassie’s going to be so surprised. Now, come with me, please.”

  “My pleasure. Thanks.” With a quick tug on his bow tie, Mitch squared his shoulders. “Houston, we’re good to go.”

  ~~**~~

  Cassie couldn’t believe what she’d witnessed. With a firm set to her jaw, she made a mental note of the server’s nametag as she neared the buffet line. Stepping behind him, she leaned close and lowered her voice. “Please go wash your hands. Wash for a full minute with hot, soapy water. And when you come back out, don’t return to the serving line. You’ve been reassigned to bus tables.”

  The man ducked his head, guilt written all over his expression. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Marta sidled up to her. “What’s up, Cass? That guy giving you a hard time?”

  “Um, no. I almost wish he had. Let’s say he shouldn’t be serving food. And he won’t be tonight.” She shook off a mock-shudder.

  “Enough said. Listen, there’s a cute new server tonight. Never seen him before.”

  “We have a few new ones tonight.” What was this about?

  “I’m not interested for myself,” Marta said, “but I can see where a lot of women would take a walk around the block with this guy.”

  She smiled when Cassie slanted her a frown. “Only making an observation. The guests really like him. It’s sort of cute—but also sort of strange, I guess—to hear all the comments from sixty and seventy-year-old women. They keep talking about how he looks like some old time movie star. . .or something like that.”

  Cassie’s pulse sputtered at that comment. Could it be? No, of course not. Mitch would have told her if he planned on coming to see her. A wave of sadness threatened to overwhelm her, but she couldn’t allow it. Raising her chin, she was determined to be a professional and not act like a lovesick woman. Even if she was. Glancing around the crowded room with the thought of spotting this new server, she couldn’t find anyone she thought might be him. A number of guests were standing and milling about, and the room was abuzz with conversation.

  Oh, Mitch, why won’t you come see me? Practically every day and every evening, he told her how much he missed her. He was the one who didn’t have a full-time job at the moment. But he was devoting his energies to very worthwhile causes. Still, if he didn’t come soon—or if she didn’t go to New York—she’d need to fabricate some mission called Operation Cassie and beg him to come. Okay, now she was losing it. She did have the trip scheduled in August to see him under the guise of the cooking lessons, after all.

  “Cassie, honey? Where are you? Yoohoo.” Marta waved a hand in front of her face.

  “I’m here,” she said, her tone a bit snappish. “Why are
we even talking about this guy?”

  “Sorry,” Marta muttered. “I’ll be moving on my way now. Guess someone’s a little touchy.”

  “Marta, forgive me.” Cassie bit her lower lip. “I’m in boss mode, I suppose. Do you all really call me Little General?”

  “Only at events like tonight. But it’s all good. You get the job done. Winnie’s so overly emotional right now with her pregnancy hormones flying all over the place, so you help keep us straight. Someone’s got to do it.”

  Cassie allowed a small smile. “At ease, Corporal.”

  Marta saluted. “Aye-aye.” Her expression softened. “We know you’re missing Mitch. Never fear. I have the feeling that situation will be remedied in the near future.”

  Right. August can’t come soon enough. Moving slowly around the room, Cassie made sure the needs of their guests were being met and the empty plates were promptly cleared from the tables. A number of guests beckoned her over to their table to compliment the food or the service, sometimes both. Always good to hear.

  Gayle walked over to her as Cassie checked to see whether the entrées in the buffet line needed replenishing. “We have a great new server tonight. Have you met him yet? Winnie said he came highly recommended.”

  Cassie kept her eyes on the buffet line or else she might snap at Gayle, too. All this fawning over some gorgeous new server needed to stop. Counting under her breath, she stepped aside so they didn’t block the way of the guests. “Let me guess. He’s handsome and getting the eye from a number of the ladies?” She darted a glance at Gayle. “Marta already told me. I’m glad he’s working out so well. If you can get his name, I’ll be sure and tell the temp agency to specifically request him for future events.”

  “That’s why I mentioned him. He’s a charmer who can schmooze with the best of them.”

  At the word schmooze, Cassie’s heart skipped a beat. Silly girl. How lovesick was she that the mention of a word made her all mushy inside? Is this what yearning felt like?

  “I’m afraid I won’t remember what he looks like, Gayle.” How ridiculous was she? It’d only been a few months, not years, since she’d last seen Mitch. Getting emotional while on the job definitely wasn’t a good thing. She needed to regain control and get on with it or she’d drive herself crazy.