“I’m glad you were able to stop by for dinner. After we eat, I wanted to talk to you about something.” Adrian placed a pitcher of lemonade on the table.
They made themselves comfortable in Adrian’s kitchen chairs. “Sterling, would you mind saying grace?”
The warm, inviting scent of tomatoes and garlic filled the kitchen. His stomach grumbled and his mouth watered. He’d not eaten since breakfast. Things had been too hectic at the bakery for him to stop for lunch. He took the women’s hands and bowed his head. “Lord, thank you for this food. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share a meal with these two wonderful women. Please help Misty with all that she’s going through. Please be with Adrian as she goes through her day tomorrow. Lord, please be with me as I struggle with all that’s going on in my life, Amen.”
Misty glanced at him, her dark, pretty eyes suddenly shy. She looked down at the table before again meeting his gaze. “Thanks for praying for me.”
He nodded toward her. “You’re welcome.”
He waited while Misty served herself and Adrian. She also poured all three of them a glass of lemonade. He helped himself to the green salad, dripping with fresh herbs and vinaigrette dressing. He then dumped spaghetti and garlic bread onto his plate. He ate the salad. The wonderful crunch of veggies mixed with herbs comforted his foul mood. Adrian’s spicy spaghetti tasted awesome. The flavorful meat and tomato sauce had been seasoned to perfection. The taste of red pepper, garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper proved a wonderful combination. He loved tasting others’ food, figuring out what they’d used to season it. It was something his dad had taught him how to do a long time ago. He barely looked up from his plate as he consumed two helpings of food. “Great meal, Adrian.” He complimented the cook, sopping up the last of his sauce with a piece of garlic bread.
“Thank you, Sterling.” Adrian made a pot of coffee and brought out a bakery box. “These are the cookies I brought from your bakery today. I thought we’d enjoy them with some coffee for dessert. I wanted to talk to you about helping me.”
Puzzled, he frowned, accepting a steaming cup of coffee. He loaded cream and sugar into his drink, but he declined the offer of one of his oatmeal-raisin cookies. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
Misty selected a cookie from the box. She bit into the cookie and his heart warmed with pleasure when she grinned. She’d been frowning during their entire meal, and he figured Nate’s surprise visit had placed a damper onto her mood.
Adrian returned to the table, sipping her coffee. She had two cookies in front of her and she took a bite of one, smiling. “You are probably the best chef in all of Miami.”
He returned her grin. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
“Well, now, down to business.” She finished one of her cookies before starting the conversation. “Misty needs to buy a used car so that she can drive to work, take me to work, and help with shopping and errands. We need to make sure the vehicle has enough room for a car seat for Jennifer. I’m buying the vehicle, but, I would feel better if you went with Misty when she looks for cars.”
Setting his coffee cup down, he glanced at both women. “You want me to help her to car shop? How come?”
“Why do you think? It’s because, I value your opinion. Of course, I’d need to be there when we make the purchase.”
He sighed. His schedule had been tight lately. “I can do it, but it’ll be after the bakery is closed. I’m trying to hire another assistant since Dad died.” He glanced at his new neighbor. “Do you work? What’s your schedule like?”
Misty hesitated. “Yes, I have a job over at a law firm as an admin. I get off at five. I’m free to meet with you after work.”
“How are you getting to work now?”
She finished her cookie. “I take the bus.”
“Okay, how about we meet in a few days after you get off from work? I’ll have to give you a time later.”
Misty nodded. “Okay.”
He asked Adrian some questions about the type of vehicle she was looking for. After he was done questioning her, she announced she was tired and was going to go into her room to read one of her Braille magazines before going to bed.
“I’ll clean up the kitchen,” Misty offered.
He stayed to help. As she rinsed dishes and he loaded up the dishwasher, he figured he should speak up. They hadn’t exactly gotten off to a good start when they’d first met. “I’m sorry about making you mad the other day.”
She stopped rinsing, focused on him. “Are you talking about your implying that I’m a bad mom?”
He barely nodded. He’d acted shameful, and it was wrong for him to make such a rash judgement about her. Heck, it was wrong for him to judge anybody about how to raise a child. “I shouldn’t have said those things to you. When Adrian invited me over here, she mentioned that you had to wait awhile to get your daughter.”
She lifted another dish, held it under the water. “Apology accepted.”
She didn’t seem to be mad at him anymore, which was a good thing. Maybe he needed to change the subject. “Earlier, I heard you shrieking when I was walking to the door. That’s why I came back there to see what was wrong.”
She cringed, and he thought she would drop the plate that she held. “Nate makes me so mad.”
He touched her shoulder. “Did you want to talk about it?”
They abandoned their task and sat at the table. She closed her eyes, and he wondered what she was thinking. He finally voiced a question. “Are you and Nate still seeing each other?” He hadn’t heard the conversation.
She shook her head. “No, I broke up with him a while ago, but he won’t accept my decision.”
“Do you want to patch things up with him?”
She scoffed, narrowing her pretty eyes. “You’re kidding, right? I can’t stand that man. The only reason I put up with him now is because he’s Jennifer’s father.” She shook her head, staring at the curtain at the window. “If only I’d followed Christ earlier in my life, then I wouldn’t be caught up in this mess…”
He frowned, trying to understand. “What mess?”
She sighed, placed her head into her hands. “My Nate mess. I loved him, I really did, but we’re just not suited for one another.” She pointed to the back door where they’d been standing a mere hour ago. “You saw Nate drunk. Plus, he can’t keep a job. He’s been fired from so many jobs that I’ve lost count. He makes me sick, and I regret the day I ever got involved with him.” She mentioned how he’d abandoned her while she’d been in labor.
He touched her arm. “Maybe he’ll learn to be more responsible.”
She scoffed. “That’ll be the day. He runs around with a rough crowd of friends.” She lowered her voice. “I never really know the type of stuff he’s involved in and he gives me zero child support for Jennifer. That’s why, when he does visit her, I make sure there’s somebody with him, either me or my mom.” She shook her head. “I just don’t want him exposing her to anything that I don’t approve of.”
He tilted his head, staring at her. “What does your mom think?”
She shook her head. “She wants us to work things out. Sterling, I’m not sure if you’d understand this, but my family’s pretty messed up. I’ve got two sisters and none of us have ever had much of a steady relationship with a man. My mother’s never been married and neither me or my sisters have ever known our fathers.” She stopped speaking, peered into his face, and he was almost lost in the dark pools of warmth shining from her eyes. “Nate’s the first guy in our lives, any of our lives, that really seems like he wants to make an attempt at a long-standing relationship.”
He paused and digested this new information. “Does he want to marry you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s never mentioned marriage.”
“Well, Misty, I wouldn’t give him the time of day if he abandoned you during childbirth and you’ve dated him for years and he doesn’t mention marriage.”
She shrugged ag
ain. “Just like my family, most of the people in his family never got married. I don’t really think he’s used to the idea.”
“Do you love him?”
She shook her head. “Not really, not romantically, anyway. Like I said earlier, I only keep communication open with him for Jennifer’s sake.”
“I can understand that.”
When they returned to their dishwashing chore, he wondered about Misty’s life. What would it be like to not even know who your father was? Vivid memories of the time he’d spent with his dad filled his mind as he placed a dirty plate into the dishwasher. He now understood why Misty was somewhat open to allowing Jennifer to see Nate – she wanted her daughter to have a father. He shook his head, wondering about Jennifer’s fate, being exposed to a loser like Nate. Jennifer deserved a strong responsible man in her life. He just felt sorry for the poor guy that ever ended up marrying Misty. The man would have to put up with Nate and that could wreak a lot of havoc in someone’s life.
Chapter 8
Sterling pulled into his driveway. He turned the ignition off, resting his head against the back of his seat, staring at his house. He closed his eyes. He’d interviewed a few more people that day about the job opening at his bakery. Soon he’d be making a decision about who he’d hire to replace his father in the business. The thought of sharing his bakery with a stranger unnerved him a little, but it needed to be done.
He got out of his car and strolled to the cluster of metal mailboxes down the road. Removing his keys from his pocket, he opened his box and pulled out the sheaf of mail.
The familiar return address of the cream-colored envelope caught his attention. He clutched the envelope, realizing it was the life insurance check. He needed to figure out what to do. Later, he entered his home, threw his keys onto the kitchen table, before pulling a large glass from the cabinet. Opening the refrigerator, he removed a gallon jug of water and poured some into his cup. Guzzling the liquid, he found a bit of solace, the water cooling his parched throat. He drank another cupful before abandoning the glass in the sink and returning to the living room.
He dropped into the chair, clutching the envelope. Taking his index finger, he slit the envelope open. The thin slip of beige paper fell into his lap, revealing the check that had caused so much turmoil and strife between him and his siblings. He sighed, glanced at the huge amount he’d been awarded from his father’s life insurance policy.
The thought of ripping the check to shreds crossed his mind as he thought about the problems the money had caused in his relationship with Leon. What should he do now?
He ran his finger over the amount, $50,000. He blew air through his lips. That was a lot of cash. The thought of splitting it with his brothers fluttered through his mind. But, again, doubts crept into his brain about what he should do. Leon was anxious to get the cash and he seemed to have a lot of problems. He didn’t want to give Leon the cash and then he squandered the funds away.
He then thought about Louis. Even if he split the cash with Louis, it would further deepen the rift he had with Leon.
“Lord, what should I do? How long will it take me to figure this out?” Still holding the check, he rested his head on the back of the couch, recalling the years he’d spent with his father, the deep camaraderie they’d shared. Still closing his eyes, thinking, he recalled one hot day after they’d been working in the bakery. His father had been in a talkative mood and as they’d put the leftover pastries aside to donate to the local food bank, his father had clapped him on the shoulder.
He’d said, “You know, Son, whenever I do something it’s always for a reason. I never do things just because I do or don’t want to do them.”
Sterling had just removed his apron, and had given his dad a puzzled look. He’d just mentioned that Leon had a drinking problem and that Louis was worried about his twin. At times, Sterling noticed that his father would rankle whenever he mentioned his siblings and he still wondered why his father failed to get close to Louis and Leon. “What do you mean? What did you do?” His dad had sighed and suddenly Sterling noticed the wrinkles on his father’s nut-brown skin. Fatigue showed on his worn face and he wondered what was bothering his dad. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Son.”
“Dad, why don’t you like Louis and Leon?” There, he’d said it. It was an unspoken question that he’d always been afraid to broach, but now, he had to wonder about his father’s weird mood when he mentioned his brothers.
He shook his head. “The twins, your mom….”
Sterling threw his hands into the air. “What? Mom’s been dead for years, Dad.”
“I know, but, there are things about the twins and your mom that you don’t know.”
Sterling frowned. “Well, tell me.”
His father shook his head. “It’s nothing you need to know.”
The unfinished conversation burned in his mind like a hot biscuit. His father had passed a week later from a massive heart attack and then he’d found out about the insurance money. For some reason, his father didn’t want him to share the funds with his brothers. He wanted to share the money with Louis but didn’t want to go against the wishes of his now-deceased father without figuring out his reasoning.
“Oh, Lord, what will I do?” The unanswered question hung in the air.
Minutes later, he headed to his bank. The bank had evening hours tonight and if he hurried, he might make it there in time to make his deposit.
Chapter 9
Misty awakened, opened her eyes. She blinked against the weak sunlight streaming through the blinds. She swallowed and cringed. Her throat raged with hot, fire-like pain. The pain shot through her left ear. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she swung her legs out of the bed. This was the worst sore throat she’d ever had. Hopefully, she’d feel better tonight. She was supposed to volunteer at the soup kitchen that evening.
She stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing her ear. Adrian came into the room, her fingers searching for Misty at the table. “Misty, you okay? I heard you stumble in here.”
Misty swallowed again, the raging pain consuming her. How in the world was she going to make it through this day? “No, I’m sick.” She described the pain in her throat and her ear. “I promised to volunteer at the soup kitchen tonight.” This was just the first step in applying for Jennifer’s scholarship.
“Don’t worry about that now. You still have plenty of time to work some soup kitchen hours before you apply to for that scholarship” Adrian patted her shoulder. “You should stay home from work today.”
She’d worked hard to get this job and she couldn’t mess up by taking a sick day so soon. “I’m going to work today.”
Adrian sighed. “Misty, you can’t go to work sounding like that. Why don’t you just call your boss and explain?”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that.” She didn’t want her co-workers to think she’d messed up already. “I’m going to work and tonight I’m going to volunteer in the soup kitchen. You wouldn’t believe how much effort it took to get the soup kitchen to agree to let me come.”
“Misty—”
“Adrian, I have to go to work.” She’d worry about the soup kitchen later. For now, she’d just focus on getting to her job.
Adrian sighed. “Oh, Misty. You haven’t changed a bit since we were kids. Still stubborn as usual.” Adrian paused and seconds later, she rested a warm mug in Misty’s hand. “Drink some tea and come over to the window.” Misty obeyed and looked outside. “Is Sterling’s car still in the driveway?”
Surprised, Misty nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, I’m calling him to see if he can drive you to work. You’re in no condition to take the bus this morning.”
Misty swallowed, wincing at the pain in her throat. Sterling had been so busy that he had not had time to go car shopping yet. Adrian had agreed to rent a car once Jennifer arrived if Sterling was still too busy to go car shopping. He’d promised to clear time in his schedule the following week.
Misty sipped the tea. It soothed her sore throat a little, but, not much. She rested her head on the kitchen table and closed her eyes. A loud knock pounded from the front door. Adrian answered it and Sterling strolled into the kitchen. In spite of Misty’s discomfort, she found it hard not to stare at him in his white shirt and blue jeans. For some strange reason, warmth filled her soul when she realized he’d come to help her. She pushed the thought aside. He didn’t come to help her. He only came as a favor to Adrian.
He frowned, and Misty wondered if he was upset by Adrian’s request to drive her to work. “You didn’t have to come,” she croaked. “I could’ve taken the bus.”
His caramel brown eyes widened. “You sound horrible. Do you have a cold?”
She shrugged, holding her sore ear. “My ear is killing me.”
“Do you have any medicine?”
She shook her head. “Could we stop at the drug store before you drop me off at work? I wanted to get some Tylenol and some cold medicine.”
He shook his head, concern etching his handsome features. “What you need is a doctor.”
She raised her eyebrows, surprised about his concern. “I’ll be okay once I buy some medicine.”
He didn’t say anything, but, Misty figured he didn’t agree with her. After she managed to get ready for work, they got into his car. While he drove, Misty rested her head against the headrest, her eyes closed. When the car stopped minutes later, she was almost asleep. He gently shook her shoulder. “Misty, we’re at the drugstore. I’ll run in and get the medicine for you.”
She shook her head, holding her sore ear. “No, I can do it.” She sniffed. “I feel bad about making you late for work.”
Sweet Dreams (The Bakery Romance Series Book 3) Page 5
