“Look, Honey. You’ll be taking away my only granddaughter and I don’t know when I’ll be seeing her again. Since I don’t have a car I don’t know when I’ll be taking off to come down and visit you.”
Misty sighed. “Okay.”
“Are you going bye-bye again, Mommy?” asked Jennifer.
Misty touched her daughter’s smooth brown cheek. “Only for a little while. Mr. Sterling and I are going out to get some chicken. We’ll eat an early dinner and then you can go home with me and see cousin Adrian, okay?”
The girl nodded. “Okay.”
The two of them got into the car and drove around Lehigh Acres. She frowned, wondering about her mother’s weird behavior. “What’s wrong?”
She sighed. “Nothing…well, nothing major, anyway. My mom is acting funny.”
He turned a corner. “She didn’t seem too happy to see me.”
“She’s acting weird. I’m sorry about that. Usually, she’s glad to meet new people. You know, I almost got the impression that she wanted us to take a long time to get the chicken.”
She shook the weird feeling away, focusing on showing him around Lehigh Acres. She showed him her old high school and she even stopped through the junior college where she’d received her associate’s degree.
After they’d gotten the chicken from the Willie’s Chicken Shack, they returned to her mother’s home. He carried the bucket of chicken and she led the way to the front steps. She opened the door, anxious to eat their meal before taking Jennifer and returning home. She entered the living room and gasped.
“Hey, Baby.” Nate lounged on her mother’s couch, hugging Jennifer in his tattooed arms.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you—” He noticed Sterling, his dark eyes lowering into slits. “What’s he doing here?”
“Nate, he drove me here.”
He put Jennifer aside, striding toward Sterling, lowering his voice. “Well, I don’t want this guy anywhere near my daughter.”
Jennifer opened her mouth, sobbing. Tears gushed down her fat brown cheeks and her eyes widened as she gazed at her angry father.
Misty grabbed Jennifer, holding her daughter in a tight, vise-like grip, kissing her salty tears. Her mouth quivered as she stared at her ex. “Now look what you’ve done.”
Misty silently prayed, still attempting to calm her daughter. She needed some Tylenol because she felt a headache coming. She sensed it was going to be one doozy of an afternoon.
Chapter 10
Misty kissed Jennifer’s tear-stained cheek. She hummed, rocking her sobbing daughter until she finally calmed down. Before they sat at the kitchen table, she glared at Nate. “Behave yourself while we eat. I don’t want Jennifer getting upset,” she hissed.
Misty sat at the kitchen table with her mother, Jennifer, Nate and Sterling. Jennifer still gazed at Nate, her dark eyes full of sadness. Her mother took the lead, serving everybody a plate of chicken, potato salad and rolls. Misty breathed deeply, willing her erratically beating heart to slow down. Misty stared at the greasy, golden fried chicken and creamy potato salad, losing her appetite. Nate glared at Sterling, but Sterling ignored him, continuing to eat his food while calmly talking to Jennifer. Misty could tell he was trying to get Jennifer into a good mood again.
“Don’t be talking to my daughter!” Nate’s voice sliced through the room like a hot knife, and Misty stood, her chair grating against the kitchen floor.
Sterling finally eyed Nate, frowning. “I was just—”
“I don’t care what you were doing. Don’t be talking—”
Misty grabbed Nate’s arm. Using all of her strength, she forced him from the kitchen. Seconds later, they entered her old bedroom. She slammed the door, struggled to control her anger. “What are you trying to do? I told you to behave yourself.” She lowered her voice, balling her shaky hands into fists.
“Aw, Misty.” His tone turned contrite as he attempted to pull her into a hug. She groaned. Nate always wanted to share a hug and kiss after an argument. She slipped away from his arms, plopping onto her bed. She grabbed the edge of her jade-colored bedspread, fisting the material, gritting her teeth. “Honey, don’t get mad.” He touched her arm. “You’re shaking.”
“Don’t touch me!”
Sterling’s voice bellowed from behind the closed door. “Misty, are you okay?” His deep voice sounded, sad, tired, and concerned. Misty suddenly felt sorry for poor Sterling. He’d been so nice to her over the last few days and he now had to endure Nate’s rude behavior.
“Ain’t nothing wrong with her!”
“Sterling, I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute, I promise.”
His footsteps faded down the hallway and Misty sighed with relief. Continuing to fist the bedspread, she stared at Nate. She didn’t know what else to say, and she figured if she remained silent, he would hurry up and share his thoughts. “What’s up with that big dude out there? Are you trying to let him take my place as Jennifer’s daddy?”
Misty rolled her eyes. “What kind of a question is that? I’ve been raising Jennifer alone since she’s been born. All you do is waltz in and visit whenever you feel like it. You can’t keep a job so you can’t help me take care of her.”
“It ain’t all about money.”
“I know, it’s not all about money, but Nate, your actions scare me. When you came to Adrian’s drunk, trying to force me to talk to you...I hate it when you act like that. I don’t want Jennifer to see you drunk out of your mind.”
His mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry.” He plopped onto the bed beside her, about to take her hand but she pulled her arm away. He flinched, but continued speaking, his voice softening. “Honey, I really miss you, and I don’t like that you moved to Miami without telling me. I miss Jennifer. You know I love her.”
Misty observed Nate, sensing he spoke the truth. She remained silent, waited for him to continue. “Look, I have a cousin who moved to Miami last year. He has his own place and he told me I could use his extra bedroom if I was serious about doing this.”
“Doing what?”
He took a deep breath. “I want to move to Miami.”
She gasped. “No!” Angry, she slammed her fist down on the end table. Was Nate determined to follow her wherever she moved?
“Dang, Misty. You don’t have to get so upset. Do you hate me that much?”
Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths. Lord, help me. Taking another deep breath, she swallowed her anger, realized she was over-reacting. “I’m sorry, Nate. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” Questions fluttered through her mind, so many questions that she didn’t know where to start. “Why do you want to move?”
“I want to be close to Jennifer.” He paused, as if gathering his thoughts. “And I want to be close to you,” he finished in a soft voice.
“Nate, we’re through.”
He shook his head, as if he didn’t want to hear the words tumbling from her mouth. “Baby, don’t say that. I’ve been thinking, you know we were together for a long time. We were together for years.” He opened the drawer on the old, scarred bedside table. He pulled out the framed professional photo they’d had taken together when she was pregnant with Jennifer. Misty had tossed the picture into the drawer the day she’d broken up with Nate. “Remember how happy we were on the day we took this picture?” His fingers grazed the glass frame.
Misty blinked, recalling the vivid memory. “I remember.”
“Honey, we can get past our problems and be together again. I want to straighten out my life.”
“How?”
“I want to move to Miami and find a job, a good job, and be the best father for Jennifer that I can be.”
Misty turned away, not sure if she believed him. He’d lied to her so many times she’d lost count. After thinking about his words for a little while, she voiced her thoughts. “Why do you want to do this now?”
“Huh?”
“Why do you want to suddenly ma
ke your life better?”
He shrugged, looking away. “I just do, okay?”
“No, it’s not okay. There’s something you’re not telling me and I want to know what it is.” When he remained silent, she voiced her thoughts. “I think you just want to move to Miami because you can’t stand the thought of my being away from you, able to make a better life for myself, being independent. I think it bothers you that I might, eventually, meet somebody else who could be a better father to Jennifer than you.”
“You think that big dude sitting in the kitchen can be a better father to Jennifer than me?” His voice turned low, heated, and his eyes narrowed to slits. “Let me tell you something. There ain’t no man alive who loves that girl more than I do.”
Misty stood, bringing an end to the conversation. “Nate, it’s getting late and I need to get going.”
He looked her up and down. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
Misty sighed, not sure what else she could say. She knew that Nate was prone to lying and until he made an effort to move, and actually showed up living in Miami, she doubted that she needed to give this conversation more thought. Jennifer’s high-pitched laugh carried down the hallway, and her heart fluttered with sudden joy, knowing Jennifer would soon be living with her again. “Yes, that’s all I have to say.”
“You don’t look so good.”
Taken by surprise by the sudden change in subject, she glanced down at the floor, scratching the back of her neck. “I’ve been sick.”
“What happened?”
She told him about her weekend illness, and mentioned how Sterling had helped her.
“Just because he helped you doesn’t make him a better man than me.”
She shook her head, walked toward the bedroom door. If she wasn’t more forceful about putting an end to their conversation then Nate would continue talking all evening. “This isn’t a contest. Sterling is my friend and he’s helped me a lot since I’ve moved. He’s Adrian’s neighbor and that’s all there is to it.” She opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
She walked down the short hall to the kitchen. Sterling played with Jennifer and when she entered, he glanced at her, an unasked question in his eyes. She tried to calm down before speaking. “I think we’d better get going. I have to get up early to go to work and drop Jennifer off at the daycare.” She mentally sighed with relief when Nate didn’t follow her into the kitchen.
“But, you didn’t eat any chicken,” her mother protested.
The sight of the golden fried chicken and creamy potato salad curdled her stomach. She squeezed the back of a chair, suddenly wanting to lie down and sleep. She was now glad that Sterling would drive them home.
“Misty, are you okay?” Sterling’s voice was full of concern.
“Yes, I just feel tired.”
Her mother glanced at both of them, and Misty figured her mother would be calling her within the next day or so, asking tons of questions about Sterling. Her mom packed up the leftover food for them to eat later. She also pulled Jennifer’s packed suitcase from the bedroom. After the car was loaded, and Jennifer was in her car seat, Sterling opened her door for her and Misty got into the vehicle. Her mother leaned over Misty’s open window. “Now, take care of my grandchild.”
Misty scoffed. “You know I will, Mom.”
Her mother offered Sterling a tight smile. “Thanks for driving Misty. I appreciate it.”
Sterling nodded, smiling warmly, “My pleasure.”
Once they had left Lehigh Acres and had pulled onto the main road, Misty soon heard Jennifer’s deep breathing from the backseat, signaling that she’d fallen asleep. Palm trees and wildflowers raced by in vivid green and yellow shades as they drove down the highway. Sterling didn’t play his music, and she wondered if he kept the car quiet because Jennifer was asleep, or, if he sensed that she needed some quiet after her troublesome conversation with Nate.
Deep embarrassment filled her soul. Nate had acted horrible, and she wouldn’t be surprised if Sterling never offered to help her again. Since darkness was falling, she was able to easily observe him without his knowing. He drove with confidence, and for some reason, she felt that he enjoyed taking her home today. He was so tall that she sometimes felt dwarfed while standing beside him. He was easily six feet tall and with his thick, muscled arms and trim waist, she wondered if he worked out regularly.
“Are you still tired?” The question popped out of Sterling’s mouth.
“A little.”
“You should go to sleep.”
She glanced out the window, suddenly curious about Sterling. She didn’t know very much about him. Curiosity sprung through her like a newly blossomed flower. “Have you always lived in Miami?”
He nodded, giving her a quick glance. “Yep, my whole life.”
She wondered about his family. When she’d visited his home after he’d helped her move, she’d noticed a picture on his coffee table. In the photo, Sterling looked to be about ten years old and he had his arms around two identical toddlers, obviously twins. She then recalled his father’s recent death. “You’d mentioned your dad recently died.”
He nodded. “Yes?”
“Well, I wondered about your mom. Do you see her very much? Does she live in Miami?”
He shook his head, frowning. “My mom died a long time ago.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “It happens. It was really hard on us when she died.”
So, both of his parents were dead, how sad. She mentioned the picture she’d spotted on his coffee table. “You have two younger brothers who are twins?”
He nodded, but kept silent.
“Do you see them very much? Do they live in Miami?”
“Yes, they live in Miami.”
She recalled that his face had been bruised when they first met. Adrian had mentioned something about his having an argument with his brother. She again wondered why Sterling’s brother would punch him in the face. How could she ask about something like that? Still curious, she repeated her question. “So, do you see them much?”
He glanced at her again, his mouth set in a hard line. “I see them some.” He switched lanes before speaking again, his voice hardening. “What was Nate saying to you back in the bedroom?”
The abrupt change in subject made Misty pause. Why didn’t he want to talk about his brothers?
Forcing herself to stay calm, she told him about her conversation with Nate.
“What? You’re kidding.” Sterling’s reaction boomed throughout the car, causing Jennifer to stir in her car seat. Misty glanced into the back, pleased when Jennifer didn’t wake up. “You told me he couldn’t keep a job. How’s he going to move and start working in Miami?”
Misty touched Sterling’s arm and tried to calm him down. “I’m not taking him seriously until he actually moves.” She explained that Nate didn’t always tell the truth.
“So, what’s the point in telling you that if he’s not going to do it? Did he tell you that just to upset you?”
“Probably.” Misty didn’t mention that Nate might feel threatened that someone else might take his place as Jennifer’s father.
He continued steering with one hand, patting her shoulder with the other. “Well, the last thing you need is to get upset over nothing.” He shook his head. “It’s terrible that he’d tell you something like that just to get you riled up.”
The low hum of the car motor lulled Misty, and she yawned, not wanting to talk about Nate any longer. “I’m going to sleep for the rest of the way.”
Later, when they pulled into Adrian’s driveway, Sterling cut the ignition. “Did you need me to carry Jennifer inside?”
“Do you mind?” Misty just wanted to get into bed and sleep. Plus, she needed Jennifer to be well rested for her first day at her new daycare.
He shook his head. “I don’t mind at all.”
He helped her unload the car and he carried Jennifer into the house. Mi
sty scrutinized him while he cradled her daughter in his strong arms. He laid Jennifer on her bed. Not wanting to awaken Jennifer, she allowed her to sleep in her regular clothes instead of changing her into her pajamas. Misty removed her daughter’s shoes before they exited her room.
She followed Sterling to the front door. He scratched the back of his head, and looked away for a few seconds, as if he were nervous. “Look, I just wanted you to know that if you ever need any help, or…or anybody to talk to or anything, you can come to me.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I know you didn’t want my help the past few days, but, I’m here if you need me, okay?”
Misty smiled, warmed by the offer. “Thanks. In spite of how I acted, I really do appreciate all that you’ve done for me. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come to pick me up from work when I was sick.”
He dipped his head. “You’re welcome.”
She didn’t know if she’d be asking him for help anytime soon. After all, he’d been kind enough over the last few days. She was sure that once Adrian’s car had been purchased, things would smooth out in her life and she would again be able to handle everything on her own. His large brown fingers grazed her palm as he gave her the car keys for the rented vehicle. Unable to resist, she stared at him as he crossed the street and entered his home. It still bothered her that he didn’t want to talk about his twin brothers. Did he have some family secrets that he didn’t want her to know about?
Chapter 11
“No, Mommy!” Jennifer clung to Misty’s arms, refusing to let go. Misty’s eyes settled with tears as she held her daughter, peeking into Jennifer’s new daycare.
Lucy, a kind, middle-aged, copper-skinned woman who was Jennifer’s new daycare provider, gave Misty a sympathetic smile. “It’s always hard on the first day.” She patted Misty’s shoulder, stepping away from the door, giving the twosome a small measure of privacy.
Misty attempted to put Jennifer down, but, her daughter refused to let go. She finally walked into the room, and sat in a rocking chair. “Jennifer, you’ll need to stop this. This nice lady will take care of you while Mommy goes to work.”
Sweet Dreams (The Bakery Romance Series Book 3) Page 7
