“Oh, Howard, you’re the sweetest man!” Violet gave him one more quick hug before untangling her legs from his.
“Would it be alright for me to court you?”
Violet bubbled with laughter. “That’d be fine, except this isn’t the eighteenth century. Maybe we could try dating?”
“Dating, it is, then.” He got up and started cleaning up the remains of their meal. “Thank you so much for the excellent dinner, and even more for the excellent company.”
“Anytime.” Violet replied, gathering up her belongings. “Should you try and drive in this weather?”
He looked out the window only to see that the snow coming down even harder now. “I’ll be fine,” Touched by her concern, he pulled her back into his arms. “Don’t forget I drive a snow plow, it’ll go through anything. First though, I’m going to walk you home.”
“It’s just across the street. I’ll manage.”
“I’m sure you will, but I’ll feel better if I know you’re safely inside.”
He helped her into her jacket and opened the door to a blast of frigid snow. “Gotta love Colorado in the winter.”
They trudged across the hidden street, Howard putting his arm around her back to steady her.
She must admit, she was glad he was there beside her, even if it was only a few hundred feet. Since she wasn’t alone, it made sense to walk around the building to the kitchen door to avoid tracking snow in through the dining area. The drifts by the door reached at least waist high, so Violet stood aside while Howard grabbed her snow shovel and quickly cleared a path for her.
Pushing open the door, Howard held it while she stepped inside stomping her boots to get as much snow off as possible before heading upstairs to her apartment. Howard wanted to walk her up to the upstairs door, but she feared if he did, it might prove impossible to send him home. No, it seemed best to say goodnight right here. He pulled her into his arms, as best he could through their bulky apparel, and gave her one last long, lingering kiss.
“Goodnight, Violet. I had a wonderful time tonight.”
“I did too. See you tomorrow.”
Entering her apartment and shedding her snow covered jacket and boots, Violet made a twirl around her tiny living room.
“Lucky, I had the most amazing night with the most amazing man. Who knew that he was right here in front of me all these years.”
As she curled up in bed with her purring cat beside her, the surrounding warmth came more from the glow within her heart than from her comforter. She was excited for life, and she couldn’t remember the last time she felt like this. Content maybe—but excited, not in a long, long time. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
That smile lingered as she awoke to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee seeping through her floor boards. She bundled up in her fuzzy robe and climbed out of bed. She looked out the window to see that the snow has stopped sometime in the night, and Howard had already plowed Main Street and a wide path to the café’s porch. She hummed as she showered, fed Lucky, and hurried down the stairs. Her face curved into the biggest smile. He was sitting at the counter as usual. Except, there was nothing usual about the way she felt this morning.
“Mornin’, Howard.”
“Mornin’, Violet. You sleep well?”
“Perfect, you?”
“Short night. I got up around four to get the street plowed. It’s beautiful out there. We got a couple feet at least.”
Violet bustled around the café getting set up for breakfast, Howard’s eyes following her every move. Although they didn’t discuss the previous evening, a special connection sizzled this morning—a level of comfort between them. It reminded her of the old days when she and Stan started the day working side by side. It just felt right.
“Well, I better get over to the garage. Got this feeling there may be quite a few folks needing my plowing services today. You have a nice morning.”
Howard zipped up his jacket, pulled his wool stocking cap over his ears and headed for the door. He opened it to a wintery blast of cold air and turned back around. “And Violet, I sure enjoyed our dinner last night.”
Before she even responded, he disappeared into the snow.
***
It always amazed Violet the way her regulars showed up, regardless of the weather outside. Today was no exception. She barely got the biscuits out of the oven when the door opened to June and Jeff Walker.
“Mornin’, Violet, what smells so good?” Jeff took a seat at the counter with his wife.
“Biscuits fresh out of the oven. Want some?” Violet filled two cups of coffee and set them in front of her first customers.
“You bet. Can we get some scrambled eggs, too?”
“Coming right up. How are the roads? Awful lot of snow out there.”
“Nothing a gorgeous husband with four-wheel-drive and can’t handle.” June winked at Jeff. “I just love blizzards like this. You look nice this morning Violet. How was your night?”
Violet felt her face turn as red as her apron. “Good, really good.”
“Oh, I’m so glad.”
“Something I’m missing here?” Jeff piped in.
“Just girl talk. Violet, I’ll come back later. I want to hear everything.”
***
Back at the garage, Howard realized that it was a school day and picked up the phone to check in with Melanie. He didn’t know if she should be driving Sophie all the way to Mountain High in this snow.
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“Just wondered if you want me to come and take Sophie to school? The roads aren’t completely clear yet.”
“That’s nice of you to offer, but Brandon is stopping to get her on his way down from Peaktop. I may relax a bit this morning. See you at the house in a couple of hours?”
“Okay, let me know when you get to town. I will probably be out on the plow somewhere.”
Howard shook his head. He was being overly protective, but he’d missed so many years of his daughter and granddaughter’s lives, he didn’t want to miss out on any more.
As he hung up, both lines started ringing at once. It was going to be a busy day.
***
Melanie enjoyed a leisurely morning at the cabin. After she finished cleaning up the breakfast dishes, she curled up in front of the big fireplace with her latest romance novel and lost herself in the story. When she next looked at her watch, it was already eleven. Jumping up, she decided to venture out into the snow. She wasn’t surprised to see that someone, no doubt her father, had plowed the driveway and lane leading into the cabins. It felt strange to have someone take care of her, after a lifetime of self-sufficiency. Strange in a good way.
Time to get to town and start working. As she drove gingerly down the snow-covered roads, she couldn’t help wondering about this man she now knew as her father. He possessed such a caring soul—seemed like the type who’d have married and had a big family. As far as she knew, he hadn’t dated anyone since the failed relationship with her mother over thirty years ago. Did that experience traumatize him so much that he couldn’t love anyone else? She knew full well how “difficult” her mother could be…but still. There had to be more to his story. He deserved some happiness in his life, and she vowed to see that it happened.
Melanie smiled with pride, pulling up in front of the house that would soon become her home and business. Jumping out in the snow, she headed over to Violet’s to grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich before starting to work.
“Good morning, Violet.” She stomped her boots on the mat to clear off the snow.
“Hey, Melanie. Things okay out at the cabin?”
“Oh, it’s wonderful. Everything’s so beautiful with all of the new snow. I just decided to sit in front of the fire and take it easy this morning.”
“Good for you. No need to rush out into the cold. I’m afraid your dad stayed up most of the night plowing everyone out.”
“That sounds like him
. I didn’t see his truck as I drove up. Must still be at it somewhere.”
“What can I get for you? Some nice hot coffee?”
“Yes—to go—please. I’ve already wasted enough time today. Could I also get a ham sandwich to eat while I work?
“No problem. It’ll only take a minute.”
Melanie loosened her scarf and sat down at the counter while Violet went in the kitchen to make the sandwich. Since it was between breakfast and lunch, there was only one other person in the café; an authentic-looking cowboy, hunched over reading the paper at the end of the counter. He glanced in her general direction, and she saw that it was the Peyton’s wrangler Hank.
“Morning,” he said looking over at her. “I like what you’re doing across the street. He had chocolate brown eyes, mostly hidden beneath his cowboy hat and his somewhat shaggy, curly brown hair. He lowered his gaze—back to his paper.
“Morning,” she answered with a smile. “Thanks for coming by with Jim and helping the other day. I can use all the help I can got with my renovations.”
“I’m glad to see that eyesore getting a much needed renovation. Everyone in town is.”
Violet walked up with a to-go box and large coffee mug in her hands. “Here you go. Have you met Hank?’
“Yes, he has been over to help with the bookstore.” He didn’t look up again, seemingly engrossed in the Denver Post. “What do I owe you?”
“Nothing. Howard said to put everything for you guys on his tab. He settles up with me at the end of each month.”
She started to protest, but Violet shut her down. “He’s got a lot of guilt he’s still trying to work through—all those years of your life he missed. Let him do this.”
Melanie made sure to leave a nice tip on the counter. “Thanks, Violet. Nice talking to you, Hank.”
“You, too.”
Interesting man. He never had much to say. She wondered what his story was. Making her way to the other side of the street and carefully walking across the rickety porch to the front door of her new home, she was thankful that someone had shoveled a path. She needed better snow boots.
The inside was coming along nicely, but the outside work would have to wait until the spring thaw. She walked into the kitchen amazed to see the new wood floor almost finished. She knew her father stayed late into the night to get things done for her. She needed to talk to him about that, he didn’t need to work so hard. There really wasn’t any rush.
She set her coffee down on the newly installed kitchen counter and unwrapped the sandwich. Bending over to throw the wrapper in the wastebasket, she noticed two paper plates, some paper silverware and an empty bottle of wine. Did her father have a party without her? He wasn’t much of a drinker. Curious, she looked a little closer. One of the napkins clearly had lipstick on it. Maybe her father enjoyed a life she didn’t know about after all!
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Howard drove wearily back into town. It was only 1 p.m. but he was already exhausted. He’d been plowing since about three a.m. His face lit up seeing his daughter’s SUV parked in the street. What a responsible, hard worker Melanie turned out to be since she got here. Despite all his bad memories of Connie, she obviously had done something right in raising this one. He parked the plow at the garage and made his way over to the house.
He walked into the front room and saw her standing on a ladder, paint brush in hand. “Hey, honey. Looks like you’re hard at work.”
“Nothing better to do on a snowy day. The floor looks amazing! Long day?” She climbed down and gave him a hug.
Howard beamed. He still wasn’t used to having a family who cared about him. Why had he wasted so many years alone? This feeling of being loved and needed—he could get used to it.
“Yep, plowing for a few hours. Done for the day now. What can I help with?”
“I’m ready for a break. Let’s sit for a few minutes. What’s new?”
Howard tugged at the collar of his flannel shirt, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. What was Melanie asking? He’d made a solemn vow to be honest and forthcoming with his daughter, no secrets allowed. But his relationship—if it was a relationship—with Violet was something else. Not something one discussed with his daughter, at least he didn’t think one did. What did he know about being a father?
“You know me, nothing much new in my life. How about you?”
“Just trying to get used to Colorado winter.”
“It took me awhile when I first got here, too.” He relaxed and walked into the kitchen to look at the remaining floor boards. Conversation on his private life avoided.
“I stopped by the café to get coffee and a sandwich. Violet seemed in an unusually good mood today.”
Dang, his kid was too perceptive, but private was private. “She’s a very cheerful person, always has been.”
With that he turned up the radio and began work, blocking out any further discussion. They worked side by side. He finished the flooring, while Melanie painted the walls a cheery “Sunshine Yellow”. At four o’clock, they stood back the survey their work. Melanie looked pleased.
“We make a pretty good team,” she said giving him a big hug.
“That we do. What do you say we call it quits for today.”
“Sounds good. I probably need to get home and start some dinner for Sophie. Would you want to join us?”
“I’d love to. But you don’t have to cook for me. You’ll let me know if I’m ever intruding?”
Melanie grabbed him by the arms and looked into his kind eyes. “Dad, Sophie and I came back here because we want to get to know you. Make up for lost time. You’re family now and we want to spend as much time as possible with you. It’s never an intrusion.”
Howard’s eyes misted over. He had no idea what he’d ever done to deserve the miracle of Melanie and Sophie entering his life. Whatever it was, he’d be eternally grateful. He didn’t really consider himself a religious man, but he found himself thanking God on a regular basis these days.
He watched Melanie drive slowly out of town and then started to clean up their supplies. He’d just shut things down over at the garage and head out to the cabin. Maybe he’d lend a hand with dinner before Sophie got home.
Howard locked the door to the home and trudged across the street in the fading afternoon light. His old bones ached in the frigid air. At sixty-five years young, a twelve hour day was becoming too long. He was ready to relax in front of the fireplace with his family.
Opening the door to the garage, the phone ring twice and then stopped. Good—probably someone needing their driveway dug out. He’d let it wait until tomorrow. He shut off the lights and grabbed his keys, but just as he started to pull the door shut, the phone began ringing again. Dang. He’d better answer it, maybe someone was really stuck and needed his help. He truly cared about all his neighbors in Peakview. They’d been his only family for many years. Reluctantly, he turned around and picked up the phone.
“Howard’s.”
Sophie’s panic stricken voice screamed through the line, “Grandpa, help!”
“Sophie? What’s wrong?”
“We’re in the river. Come get us, please.” Her voice dissolved into sobs.
“Honey, calm down. Where are you?” Fear clutched at his heart. It began racing in his chest.
“In Apple Creek. Rachel was driving us home, and her car slipped off the road. We went through the ice. It’s cold and we’re starting to get wet. We can’t get out!”
“Sophie listen to me. Do you know exactly where you are?” He fought to calm his voice so as not to panic his granddaughter.
Howard heard her asking the other girls who both sounded equally hysterical. He fought becoming hysterical himself. He had to get to them—and soon. For the first time in his life, he regretted that he didn’t own a cell phone. He’d have to hang up to get to them.
“Rachel says we’re about two miles from town, right past the big bend in the road, where the picnic benches are. Hurry Grandpa!”
“Don’t worry, honey, I’ll be right there.”
He hung up and dialed 911. The girls might need more help than he could provide.
“911—what’s your emergency.”
“This is Howard Crandall over in Peakview. A car of teenage girls has gone off the Apple Creek Road, and they’re in the river somewhere near mile marker seven. Can you send an ambulance right away?”
“Sir, are you at the scene? Is anyone hurt?”
“No, I’m in Peakview, and I don’t know if they’re hurt. I just got the call. I’m on my way now. I’ll meet the ambulance there.”
“Sir, I need you to stay on the line and wait for the paramedics…”
Howard stopped listening as he hung up and grabbed the keys to the tow truck and raced out the door. This was Sophie. Who knew what could happen to her if he waited on the paramedics. No, he had to get to her as fast as he could. He jumped in the vehicle and tore off down the road. He’d just found his granddaughter and he wasn’t about to lose her now. He tried to think positive. Apple Creek wasn’t very deep this time of year, but his mind kept imagining the worst. Even with his four-wheel-drive, his tires slipped on the icy road. He slowed down to take the curves. If he went off the road, he wouldn’t get to Sophie.
By the time he skidded into the small pull-off, total darkness had descended. He turned his truck to face the creek and flipped on the high beams. There…he thought he saw something a few yards down in the middle of the creek. Howard jumped out and grabbed his large metal flashlight and ran toward the water. Reaching the edge, there was definitely a vehicle lodged up against a fallen over tree trunk. He took a deep breath and plunged into the icy water. No time to worry about his own safety, he had to get to those girls. The beam of his flashlight hit the vehicle, and he heard the frightened cries from inside.
“Help us. Please help us!”
He reached the vehicle in a few more large strides. His legs already numb from the cold, icy water. He banged on the window.
Breakfast for Two (Peakview series Book 2) Page 8
