by Reina Torres
The question caught her off guard and she had to try a few times before sound actually made it out of her throat.
“It's this five-year checkup.” Stella nudged her plate away, and folded her hands on the edge of the table. “I didn’t think it would bother me so much, but it's like this milestone.” She winced when she heard the harsh emphasis her voice gave the word. “More than just a hurdle. Something I should have to climb over to get to the finish line. And yet, I’ve lived with it for all this time. I should be an old hat at this by now.”
Mira smiled. “Well, you know I'm an expert about old hats,” one look around Mira’s sewing room was enough to convince anyone that Mira was an expert on vintage clothing of every period. “Now I know that I'm new in St. Helena, so I wasn't here when you went through your treatment, but I know you’re not just strong on the outside,” Mira laid her hand on the table, palm up and smiled when Stella grasped it lightly, “but you’re a tough one on the inside. And you've got gobs of support from everyone who loves you… and that's a pretty big group of awesome people, if I do say so myself.”
Stella heard the truth in Mira’s words, but it still didn't settle the tangle of nerves in her middle.
“But there’s something more?”
“This thing with Kyle,” she tried to fight down a blush and failed spectacularly, “this is all fun and games and I don't want to mess it all up. And if something goes wrong-”
Mira’s hand gave hers a tight squeeze. “Hey now, stop that. Don't borrow trouble where there isn't any.”
“Yet.”
Mira was up and out of her chair before Stella knew what was happening, padding around the table in her bare feet until she was beside her friend. With their hands still joined, Mira drew her up and out of her chair, hugging her tightly. “Don't,” she spoke with their cheeks pressed together and emotion shaking in her voice, “don't do this to yourself. If something happens, you deal with it.” She pulled slightly away, looking Stella square in the eye. “And if things with Kyle are meant to be, he’ll be there for you.”
And that was the problem. Stella struggled to put a happy smile on her face, but deep down she had to wonder if she'd lose Kyle just like she’d lost Curt.
She just wasn’t ready to face the fact that losing Kyle was going to cut deeper than she’d care to admit.
Chapter 16
When Kyle found a message at his desk in Mrs. Darby’s efficient handwriting, he wasn't all that surprised to see Nico’s phone number printed on the sticky notepaper affixed to his computer screen. Instead of picking up the phone, he opened the planner on the top of his desk to check the schedule for the rest of the day and saw another sticky note.
GO! YOU HAVE AN HOUR
And then another note beneath it.
IF YOU NEED MORE I CAN STALL.
Picking up his keys from the basket on his desk, he moved for the door, calling out as he went. “Thank you, Mrs. Darby!”
Nico himself opened the door when Kyle knocked and gave the younger man a look that would strip paint, or even flay skin if given half a chance. “Before you get all het up over me being on my feet. I’ve been following your instructions and I took my time getting up.” He gestured to the window. “I could see you turn up from the road and I had plenty of time.”
He turned away from the door, leaning on the walker that Kyle had shown him how to use, and tilted his head in the direction of the kitchen. “Had a feeling you’d be a man about this and come do this face to face.”
Kyle walked behind and to the side of the older man, marking the progress of his patient, even as he worried about the reason for the call.
Nico didn’t keep him waiting for long. As soon as Kyle’s butt was in a chair, Stella’s father got to the point.
“What’s going on with Stella?”
Kyle met the other man’s gaze with an even stare. “I was hoping you could tell me the same thing.”
Nico sat forward on his chair, his hands flat on the woven placemat. “Were you an ass?”
Shrugging, Kyle answered truthfully. “Probably. I think you’ve called me that a few times during our sessions.”
Nodding his head thoughtfully, Nico’s lips pressed together in a thinning line. “I think I called you worse,” the words came out in a tone that spoke of pride, “but I’m talking about my little girl here, O’Malley. Doctor, or no, if you’ve done something to make her cry, I’ll kick your ass!”
If it had been Dax or any number of other people, those words would have been answered with a ‘Go ahead and try.’ Or maybe ‘Take your best shot.’ But looking beyond the bluster, Kyle saw the worry in the other man’s eyes.
“She stopped coming by a few days ago,” Nico’s words rushed out, “I was sure she was just busy with the build. Stan told me she’d moved to the lot, so I was sure it wasn’t you two arguing again.”
A flashback to the scene popped back into his head. The flash of something in her eyes that he had taken for anger, but adding his own thoughts to her father’s worry, Kyle wondered if there was something going on that he didn’t quite understand. Then again, anything to do with relationships was something he didn’t quite understand.
“Stella’s a strong girl,” Nico sat up a little straighter, his chest puffing up with pride, “she’s got a strong heart, strong will, strong head-”
“You mean hard head.”
Nico gave him a glare at first, and then he grudgingly nodded with a smile tugging the corners of his lips. “I’ll give you that,” he admitted, “she’s just like me.” He rushed on as if he needed to explain. “And just so you know,” Nico let out a weary sigh and looked down at his hands, fingers splayed over the dark green placemat, “when we lost her mother she was so young, she got used to doing things alone. Sure, she had Velia and Teodoro’s mama for all the women stuff, but while I tried to do right by her, I’m pretty sure I was lacking in a lot of things she needed growing up. And knowing my Steller Jay, she just sucked it up and let it go because she knew how much we were both missing her mama.”
“And then the cancer.”
Nico’s head snapped up to meet Kyle’s eyes. “She told you about that?”
Kyle nodded. “She’s pretty amazing. I know that much.”
Leaning forward on one hand, Nico pointed at the man sitting across from him. “Don’t you forget it.” He lowered his voice a little, inviting Kyle to lean closer. “I never understood why she’d follow you around all those years ago. I was hoping that she’d fall for Teodoro. Lord knows that Lorenzo was a handful and would have made me tear out my hair.”
“Lorenzo was always like that,” Velia entered the room. “But Stella was never going to be anything other than a sister to Teodoro, those two were as thick as thieves.”
“And too good to cause trouble,” he held out his hand and Velia took it, standing at his shoulder, “both of them.”
She gave him an indulgent smile. “I know you remember all those skinned knees you had to bandage, and the bike ramp they tried to build from those old boards.”
Nico cringed. “Well, sure, there were a few times.”
“We always want to believe the best of our children.” Velia’s tone was wistful and full of maternal love. “But they fall for who they fall for, and it’s not always the easiest path. No matter what you hope and pray.” She looked over at Kyle. “Stella’s struggling with something right now. I know it’s driving Nico up a wall that she’s not confiding in him, but sometimes a woman just needs her space.” She settled her hand on Nico’s shoulder and gave him a smile. “Your girl knows you love her and when she’s ready, she’ll come around.”
“And you,” Nico turned and stared straight at Kyle, “I know there’s something going on between the two of you.”
“I’m sure you have your sources.” Kyle’s wry tone wasn’t meant to be disrespectful, only stating the truth.
“That’s right,” Nico nodded, “about half a dozen men that saw you run after my girl, your shirt half on, your pa
nts falling down.”
Velia gasped and then giggled as she tried to shush Nico.
“My shirt was on and so were my pants.”
“So you say.” Nico’s eyes glittered with suspicion. “I know my Stella’s her own woman, but I don’t understand what she sees in you.”
“Oh, I know I do,” Velia looked quickly away as Nico turned to stare at her.
Nico looked back at the younger man sitting across from him at the table. “Yeah, well, I’m all for my Steller being happy. I just don’t know if you’re the man to do it.”
“I don’t know if I’m the man for her either,” Kyle was surprised how easily the words came out. Voicing the words in his head made him feel like he was nearly bare-assed in front of her father. “But I’m not going to hurt her, not if I can help it.”
“I’ll expect you to ask me before you give her a ring-”
“Nico! Stop!” Velia nudged his shoulder. “Don’t give the boy a heart attack. They’re not dating!” She quickly turned back to Kyle. “You’re not, are you?”
Kyle felt the weight of both of their stares on his face. And he wasn’t about to tell them about the ‘benefits’ of his relationship with Stella, even though they probably had their suspicions. So he opted for the truth. “No.” Getting up, Kyle started for the door. “I have to get back to the office. I left Mrs. Darby holding down the fort. If I don’t come back in time she may start flirting with my patients.”
Velia got up. “I’ll walk you to the door.” She bussed a kiss on Nico’s cheek, and his hand was slow to let hers go.
Kyle waited for her to step up beside him, and the two made their way to the entry.
“Sorry about that,” she laughed a little, “I didn’t know he was calling you over to interrogate you.”
“Well, if Jonah needs some help at the station, I’ll let him know I found him a deputy.” He stood outside on the front step and gave her a smile. “You know, Stella and I,” he shrugged, “it’s complicated.”
Velia touched him gently on the shoulder. “If it wasn’t complicated, it wouldn’t make the heart pound and the spirit soar.”
He didn’t know how to answer that.
Luckily, Velia had more than enough to say.
“So here’s what I would tell you to do if you asked me,” she leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratory whisper that wasn’t at all necessary. “Sometimes when things are rough between a man and a woman and they’re not communicating with each other. An ice breaker is what you need. A small gift. Something thoughtful goes a long way.” She gave him a wink. “Then the other someone says ‘thank you.’ You just need a start. An opening salvo.”
“Salvo I understand, but something thoughtful.” Kyle shook his head. “I don’t know if you remember, but I’m the jerk in Stella’s life, not the nice guy.”
“I’m sure you could be if you tried.” Velia rolled her eyes. “You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.”
Kyle sat in the driveway of the Vincenzo home for more than an hour, hoping for some sign that Stella was coming back anytime soon. He’d already stopped by ‘Happy Rails’ and knew that they were done for the day. A quick call to Velia told him she wasn’t there. And a quick drive down the main street of town hadn’t turned up any sign of her.
Taking out his phone, he dialed one last time, waiting while the phone rang and rang before going to voice mail.
“Hey, Stella,” he took a breath, “I stopped by to see you, hoping we could figure out what happened the other day. I hope you know I wasn’t trying to- I was just trying to-” the words suddenly weren’t there. “I don’t know what I was trying to do, but I messed things up. So here I am, standing in front of your house, worried that I can’t fix what’s wrong.
“I’m leaving something inside the house for you.”
Ending the call, Kyle dropped the phone on the front seat of his truck and picked up the box that he’d strapped in for safe transport.
Fishing the keys from his pocket, he crossed to the front door and opened it up with the key Stella had given him. He passed through the entryway and set the box down on the kitchen table, taking a look through the wads of newspaper that the clerk had used to pack it and made sure it was still in one piece.
As he turned to leave, he looked down at the key ring in his hand. Turning back to the table, he wondered if he should try to leave it behind, but he wasn’t ready to give it up just yet. Holding it tightly in his hand, he headed for the door.
Chapter 17
Opening day at Stella’s Bed and Breakfast was picture perfect. The sky was a crystalline blue and it seemed like every garden in St. Helena was blooming.
Dressed in a pressed dress shirt that was a favorite of Stella’s, Kyle parked down the road leading up to the newly installed carved wooden sign spelling out HAPPY RAILS BED AND BREAKFAST.
The tree lined property was already filled with many of Stella’s friends and family. Mrs. Darby waved him over when she caught sight of him. She had one arm linked with Mr. Ornellas, but she reached out and grabbed Kyle’s arm when he was close enough. “I’m so glad you’re here! For a little while I thought you were going to sit and pout in the office.” She blushed to her hairline. “I didn’t see an invitation come to the office for you,” she confessed in an almost whisper, “I would have brought you as my ‘Plus One,’ but I, you know,” she tilted her head toward Mr. Ornellas, “brought him.”
The older man’s indulgent grin spoke volumes. “There’s no way I would have turned you down.”
She waved off his smile. “Flatterer.”
Kyle watched the easy banter between the two and tried to avoid being pulled into it. Invitation? He hadn’t gotten an invitation to the opening. He fought off the thoughts that rushed through his head, tried to ignore the odd panic that rose up inside him. If Stella didn’t send him an invitation, should he even be here?
“Hello?” Mrs. Darby nudged his arm again and he turned to look at her. “Oh good, I was worried you’d had a stroke or something,” she turned her full beacon of personality toward the gentleman beside her, “and while Barry is a confident man, I don’t want him to have to worry if I gave you mouth to mouth. So now that I know you’re still alive, I want to see the inside of the Vineyard Express.”
Kyle put one foot in front of the other, preferring to move around while he considered what to do. Standing still almost gave him too much time to brood over things, that was probably why Stan had him run around so much when he was a kid. It helped him think through his worries.
Halfway across the grassy yard he was nearly mowed down by a toddler with a fairly impressive display of teeth. Little hands grabbed his slacks a few inches above his knees and tugged.
“Sophie!” Gabe darted out from behind a barrel of hollyhocks, taking a few running steps before coming to a stop beside Kyle. “You’re getting to be too fast for me.” With an expert sweep of his arm, Gabe plucked the little girl from the lush spring grass and settled her against his chest. “Hey, Kyle. Glad to see you here.”
Kyle nodded. He wasn’t quite so sure that Stella would say the same thing when she saw him.
“Have you seen any of the cars, yet?” Gabe turned slightly and held up a hand in greeting. Regan, his wife, was busy talking to Chiara beside a table laden with baked goods. She returned the gesture and her cheeks blossomed in a pretty pink blush before she turned back to her conversation. “I hear it’s pretty amazing.”
“Yeah, I mean, I’ve seen some of it.”
“Oh,” Gabe nodded and looked at him with a questioning glance as he bounced the little girl in his arms, and tried to keep her hands from tugging on his hair, “okay. Is everything all right?”
“Sure.” Kyle looked at Gabe and then turned away to look at the crowd. “Have you seen Stella yet?”
“Sure, she showed us around this morning. Ryo Winery is going to have a tasting here during Picnics and Petals,” grabbing his daughter’s hand, he brought it up to his lips for a loud
kiss that had the beautiful little girl giggling loudly. “And while Lexi is busy with catering the event for the hotel, I heard that Emerson is bringing her truck here.”
Kyle was barely listening to Gabe as he talked. His eyes continued to look through the crowd hoping that he wouldn’t see Stella, or rather, that Stella wouldn’t see him. He had a vague notion of her plans. Stella had made some of the plans while he’d been over at her house, talking to Emerson while Kyle had been tickling the bottoms of her feet with the stubble on his chin. Now, remembering that scores of people were going to be on these grounds in a week, picnicking on her lawn, spending time with her. And where was he going to be?
He barely realized that Gabe was still talking to him.
“I hear Stella’s got her first guests arriving tomorrow, and the cars look to be booked fairly solid for the next few months.”
“Yeah, you know I should go and find Stella,” he gestured toward the closest car and moved around Gabe with a look.
“Oh hey,” Gabe stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “I just saw her taking a group to the Bunkhouse Car. I just told you that-”
“Right, right,” Kyle was already walking to the caboose. He wanted to get one look inside before he left. It was likely the only chance he’d get to see this last part of her Bed and Breakfast.
A half a dozen people tried to stop him again before he got to the center of the lot. He barely gave them a smile, at the most they didn’t get a helping of his ‘sunny’ personality. He was in no danger of being asked to take over for his grandfather as one of the ‘go to’ Santas in St. Helena.
But he was rewarded for his efforts by a clear shot at the stairs into the caboose. The door opened easily under his hand and he stepped inside quick enough to keep the air conditioning inside the space. It was a strange feeling for him. It was as if he’d stepped into an old Hollywood Western but with vibrant colors instead of the scratchy greys that he was used to on TV. The walls were covered in various shades of scarlet that somehow managed to make the room feel warm instead of garish. And the curtains that were draped for effect were tied back by a metallic gold cord that matched the wall sconces and some of the trim.
