by Emma Miller
Laura didn’t think he sounded so sure, and she wasn’t feeling a whole lot of certainty, either. She waited for him to click the end button on his cell then asked, “Do you think all of the hotels in town are booked, too?”
He picked up his glasses and slid them back in place to rest on his nose. “See, that’s the thing. Claremont doesn’t have any hotels.”
Laura felt her jaw drop. “None that have rooms, you mean?”
“None at all. The town’s population is only 4,500. Usually the bed-and-breakfast offers more than enough room to house tourists...except when we have the crafting festivals.”
“First Friday, that’s a craft festival?” She’d heard him mention the term in his conversation.
“No, the First Friday festival happens every month, and it’s basically a combination of crafters and performers, as well as a chance for all of the square’s merchants to showcase their merchandise.” He leaned against the counter. “First Friday brings in practically everyone from Claremont and the surrounding counties, but they don’t typically stay overnight. However, November’s First Friday is a little different, in that it leads into the annual Holiday Crafters Extravaganza, which lasts a full week. The crafters will have booths set up around the square through the following weekend, and each of the local stores coordinates activities for the festival, as well.”
“And they’ve booked all of the rooms at the B and B,” Laura said.
“As well as all of the hotel rooms in Stockville, which is the nearest city. Not that that would matter, though, since Stockville is a good twenty miles away, and you wouldn’t want to drive that far.” His brows lifted as he apparently thought of something, and then he asked, “About driving...how long will you be able to drive? I’m assuming there’s a certain time when the doctors tell you to stop driving in pregnancy?” He glanced at her stomach and probably wondered how she could fit all of that behind the wheel. Laura had almost doubted the possibility herself, but she’d been able to pull it off by adjusting the steering wheel and seat.
“I don’t have to stop driving,” she said. “I did ask my doctor before taking the trip here today, not because I thought I couldn’t drive but because I was traveling so far. She told me as long as I took periodic breaks to rest, I’d be fine, and I didn’t have any problems.” Laura had been amazed at how smoothly the trip had gone, but apparently the drive to Claremont wasn’t her biggest dilemma. Thanks to the crafters in town, she had no place to stay. She’d been so worried about getting a job that she hadn’t thought to consider locating a place to live before she traveled nearly four hundred miles. Her mother often said she acted too impulsively, and this was yet another time she’d be proving her right.
David must have noticed her anxiety because he moved to the seat next to hers and reached for her hand. The warmth of his large palm encircling hers reminded her of all the times he’d consoled her in college whenever Jared had let her down. Why couldn’t her heart have fallen for someone like David instead of always tumbling head over heels for the one who’d treat her wrong? Even in high school, she’d been drawn to the bad boys. They just seemed so intriguing, dangerous and undeniably tempting.
“Some girls are just drawn to guys that treat them badly,” her mother had said in an apparent effort to make Laura feel better about her situation. It didn’t help. In fact, it only made her more resolute that she would not be hurt again, because she wasn’t going to rely on a guy again.
Uh-huh, right. Then why did you come running here to David? her mind whispered.
Laura shook that thought away. She’d never thought of David “that” way. He was her friend and he’d always been there for her, just like he was now. This was a different situation entirely. She wasn’t relying on a guy; she was counting on a friend.
“We’ll find somewhere for you to stay,” he said, solidifying the fact that she could, in fact, count on him. “Even if we don’t find a place tonight, you have somewhere to go. You can stay in my apartment.” He pointed to the ceiling. “It’s above the bookstore.”
Laura was touched that he’d offer, but she knew she couldn’t accept. Asking David for help with the job was one thing; living in his apartment would be something different entirely. She’d gotten too close to Jared without the boundaries of marriage, and she’d been left to raise her babies on her own. She was certain that wasn’t what David was offering, but still...the two of them staying together in his apartment wouldn’t give the right impression to the people around town, or to David, for that matter.
She didn’t need him thinking that she wanted more. She didn’t—not with David or with any guy. Not for a long, long time. The wound inflicted by Jared was still too raw. “David, I don’t think that’s a good idea, for us to stay together....” She searched for the right words but didn’t have to say anything because David halted her progress.
“Oh, no—” he shook his head “—hey, that wasn’t what I meant. You can stay in my apartment, and I’ll stay with one of my friends in town.”
She felt her cheeks flush. “Oh, I should have known that wasn’t what you meant.” A little surge of adrenaline, or something, pulsed through her veins as she tried to shake the embarrassment. She was seven months pregnant...with twins! “I’m sorry,” she said, then added, “and embarrassed.”
Still holding her hand, he tenderly squeezed her palm. “It’s okay. A few years ago, those first three years of college, I’d have been exactly the kind of guy to ask a girl to stay at my place and wouldn’t have thought a thing about it, but that’s the old David.”
His comment reminded her of the fact that he’d changed during his last year at UT. Something had happened that caused him to turn away from his wilder ways and back to his faith. Laura had been so wrapped up in Jared at the time that she hadn’t thought a lot about what caused David’s rapid transformation. But now she wished she could recall.
“So you don’t have anything to worry about.” He grinned, and Laura spotted a slight dimple creasing his left cheek. Funny, she’d never noticed it before, but she liked it, very much. And she liked David, even more for making her feel at ease with her crazy presumption.
She laughed at her foolishness and slid her palm from his. For some reason, it suddenly seemed a little too intimate for their current relationship, friend-to-friend and boss-to-employee. “Okay, then, if you don’t mind, and since there doesn’t seem to be another place in town, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
The bell on the door sounded as someone entered the shop. “Welcome to A Likely Story,” David called toward the front. Then he stood and held out a hand to help Laura rise from the chair.
She occasionally had a little trouble off-balancing her weight when she stood, and the support of his strong hand was a welcome addition. “Thanks.”
“Anytime,” he said, and she knew he meant it. David would help her stand and help her with a job and even help her find a place to live. Already, in less than an hour, he’d done more for her than anyone else had in years, and the gratitude for that compassion washed over her at once. She blinked back the urge to cry.
Luckily, a blond little boy dashed through the aisle knocking a few books from the endcap as he circled and taking Laura’s attention off of herself and the man currently taking her under his wing.
“Kaden, please, slow down.” A pretty brunette picked up the dislodged books and tucked them back in place then gave David an apologetic smile. “I told him we needed to hurry if we were going to make it to the bookstore before you closed at six, and I’m afraid he got the impression that we had to run all the way in.”
“Not a problem at all,” David said, tousling the boy’s blond curls. “What ya so excited about, Kaden?”
“My teacher says I need some more books because I’m not—what did she say again, Mom?”
“Challenged,” the lady said. “He’s breezing t
hrough the sight word books and because of that, he’s becoming a little disruptive during reading time at school.”
“And we only get library day on Tuesday, and I can only check out one book for the whole entire week, and I really want more books than just one book, so Mom said we could come and buy some.”
“I see,” David said to Kaden.
Laura liked the way he didn’t change his voice to talk to the boy. He spoke to him as though speaking to an adult, and Kaden nodded his head as if he totally believed David did see and understood his dilemma. Then he seemed to forget all about David as his attention zoned in on Laura. “Wow, how many babies are in your tummy?”
“Oh, my,” his mother exclaimed. “Kaden, that isn’t something that we ask...” She tapped her finger against her chin and seemed as though she didn’t know how to complete her instruction to her son. Then she looked at Laura. “I’m so sorry. We have a baby at home—well, she’s eighteen months now—but I had explained to Kaden when I was pregnant about how baby Mia was in my tummy. However, I forgot to explain how some women may not want to give the details....”
Kaden’s brows drew together and he shrugged as though he couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong, and Laura laughed. “It’s fine,” she said. She pointed to her stomach and told Kaden, “Actually, there are two babies in my stomach. Two baby girls.”
“Wow! Cool!”
This time David laughed, too, and Kaden’s mother simply shook her head.
Kaden, undeterred, moved right on to his next pressing question. “So, can you help me find some books?” he asked, focused intently on David.
“Tell you what. This is my friend Miss Laura, and she just started working at the bookstore today.” David tilted his head to Laura, and she smiled at Kaden, who turned his attention from David to her. “I think she will be able to help you find some really good books, and while she’s helping you, I’m going to go get her things out of her car.” He glanced to Laura. “Sound good?”
She felt a tinge of excitement at already being trusted to help a child. This was going to be...wonderful. “Sounds great.” She’d dropped her purse on the table, so she turned, opened it and retrieved her keys. Handing them to David, she said, “It’s the same Volkswagen I drove in school, and it’s parked by the five-and-dime. I’ve got one large suitcase and a smaller makeup bag.”
“That’s it?” he asked.
“I brought some teaching supplies, just in case.” She still hoped that she’d eventually get to teach. “But for now, I only need the two bags. I appreciate you getting them for me.”
“No problem at all.” David seemed to realize he’d forgotten introductions. “Mandy, this is Laura Holland. She’s moved to Claremont and is going to be working here. Laura, this is Mandy Carter—Mandy Brantley, I mean. You’d think after all this time I’d get used to that.”
“Not a problem,” Mandy said.
“Mandy is married to the youth minister, Daniel Brantley, who also happens to be one of my best friends. And she owns Carter Photography on the square. She’s a pretty amazing photographer. You’ll have to check out her studio.”
“Thanks,” Mandy said. She smiled at Laura. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
“So, you ready to help me find books?” Kaden asked, grabbing Laura’s hand and tugging her toward the children’s area.
“Sure.” Laura let him tug her away, but even though she listened to Kaden talk about the kinds of books he liked, she also heard David ask Mandy whether he could bunk at their house tonight. Laura hated making David move out of his own apartment, but she didn’t know what else to do.
“Which ones do you think I should try?” Kaden squinted at the titles on the shelves with his hands on his hips.
“Well, let’s see.” Laura scanned the books and was pleased with the variety David offered. “How about these Dr. Seuss books?”
“Already read ’em.”
“All of them?” Laura asked.
He bobbed his head. “Yep.”
“Here’s a good one. Where the Wild Things Are.”
“Read it, too.”
Mandy had finished talking with David and now walked to stand behind her son. “He loves to read.”
“I can see that,” Laura said, reaching for Curious George’s First Day of School.
“I like Curious George, but I’ve read them already,” Kaden said matter-of-factly. “But that one would be good for baby Mia.” He pointed to the Curious George Pat-A-Cake board book.
“We’ll get that one for her,” Mandy said to Kaden, “but let’s find some for you, too.”
A hint of a memory crossed Laura’s thoughts. David, talking about Mia from Claremont, and what a special person she was. But that wouldn’t be this baby, since she hadn’t even been born at the time. Laura tried to remember, but before she could bring the memory into focus, Kaden forged ahead in his search for books.
“What else do you have, Miss Laura?”
Laura ran a finger along the spines and then saw a group that she thought might appeal to Kaden, if he hadn’t read them yet. She pulled out the first book in the series. “How about The Boxcar Children? Those were some of my favorite books when I was young.”
“Mine, too,” Mandy said.
Kaden took the book and studied the illustration of four children and a red boxcar on the cover. “Is it a girl book, or is it for boys, too?”
“It’s a great book for both boys and girls,” Laura said.
“That’s true,” Mandy agreed. “Our librarian, Miss Ivey, read the books to us when I was in elementary school. Everyone loved them, and then we’d go on the playground and pretend we were the boxcar children.”
“What’s it about?” Kaden asked.
Laura could tell his interest was piqued. “It’s about four brothers and sisters who have run away and find a boxcar to live in.”
“They have to take care of themselves? All by themselves?” Kaden asked.
“Yes, they do. And there are all of these books that tell you about their adventures.”
“Okay, I want some of these books, Mom! I wonder if Nathan knows about them. He might like them, too, huh?”
“Nathan is one of Kaden’s older friends,” Mandy explained.
“He’s nine,” Kaden said.
Laura thought about the possibility of Kaden and his friends starting to read the series together. That could be a very good thing, not only for the kids, but also for her to prove herself as an asset to David’s bookstore. “Why don’t you see if Nathan, and maybe some of your other friends, would like to read the stories? I’m sure Mr. David would be happy to order more copies, and then all of you could read them together.” Her mind kept churning, and she liked where her ideas were headed. “Maybe we could start a Boxcar Children club here, and you could all come talk about the books and the adventures.”
David entered the children’s area a little winded from his trek with the luggage, but he’d obviously heard Laura’s idea. “That sounds good to me,” he said.
“I’ve never thought about a book club for children, but given Kaden’s appetite for reading, it’d be great for him. I’ll call Nathan’s parents tonight, as well as a few more of Kaden’s friends,” Mandy said. “Go ahead and get the first three books in the series, and we’ll get that board book for Mia.”
“How is the littlest Brantley?” David asked.
“Chattering up a storm now,” Mandy said. “I’ll bring her the next time I come.”
“Sounds great,” he said, then to Laura added, “I got your luggage. I put it by the checkout counter for now, but I’ll carry it upstairs for you after Mandy and Kaden are done shopping.”
“We’re ready,” Kaden said, grabbing the three books and clutching them to his chest. “I wan
t to go read some before I have to go to bed.”
“Okay, take the books up to the counter so we can pay,” Mandy instructed, and Kaden ran off with his new books. Then she turned to David. “Daniel and I would love for you to stay with us, but I think I have a better idea. My apartment is open above my studio. I haven’t lived there since Daniel and I married three years ago, but I kept the furnishings intact. Laura, you could stay there. It’s clean and ready, and you could stay as long as you like.”
“Oh, I couldn’t take advantage of you that way,” Laura said.
“Nonsense. It’s just sitting there, and it’d be convenient for you if you’re working at the bookstore. It’s only a few doors down on the square. And then David wouldn’t have to stay anywhere else, either. It’d be perfect.”
“I’d want to pay you,” Laura said.
“We’ll work something out,” Mandy promised. “I’ll ask Daniel about payment, but really, we haven’t been using it anyway.”
“That would be convenient,” David said, “if it sounds good to you, Laura.”
“It sounds great, actually. Thank you, Mandy.” She was a little stunned that someone she just met would offer her a place to stay, but she could already tell, not only from David, but also by the first people she met in Claremont, that people here were different, and she meant that in a very good way. Maybe, in Claremont, she and her babies would have a real home.
Chapter Three
David used the key Mandy gave them to unlock the door to her studio, then carried Laura’s luggage through the gallery and toward the apartment. “All of the shops on the square are designed the same, with a kitchen in the back and then a small second-floor apartment. My grandparents lived above the bookstore when they first started out, but then they bought a farmhouse a little ways out from town when they had my mother.”
He’d reached the kitchen and turned to make sure Laura was doing okay, but she wasn’t there. Instead, she’d stopped to admire one of Mandy’s photographs displayed on an easel. David put the luggage down and went to see what had her attention.
