by Holly Jacobs
“We’d agreed, so of course I made it.”
“What would you like?” He nodded at the menu.
“A house decaf.” She wanted her caffeine. Wanted it desperately. Already, the baby was impacting her life. Her decisions.
“After all our meetings, you switching to decaf just seems wrong.”
He was teasing, and Eli knew it, so she smiled. “I’m turning over a new leaf. Actually, a few new leaves.” Whether she wanted to or not.
“How does Arthur feel about these changes?”
“Arthur’s out of the picture.” It was the first time she’d said the words out loud in conversation. It made the fact he was gone seem more real. More permanent.
“We broke up,” she added, more for herself than for Zac.
“Oh.” Zac paused. “Sorry.”
“Our relationship had progressed as far as it could. It was time to make a clean break.”
Zac seemed puzzled, and Eli waited for him to ask her more questions, but after a moment, he nodded. They waited in silence for their coffees.
She wondered what he was thinking.
But he didn’t give her a clue. After their drinks were in hand, he simply said, “Why don’t we take the coffees next door to my office and I can show you the schedule we’ve put together for Ariel.”
“Great.”
ZAC AND ELI CONTINUED in silence as they walked to Keller’s Market. Other than the first day, they’d never met in his office. He always insisted they meet over a lunch or coffees. It seemed more relaxed, more personal. And that was just what he’d wanted to be with Eli Cartwright.
The news that she’d broken up with her boyfriend meant he was free to get even more up close and personal.
He’d love to ask her out right away, but he knew he should wait and give her some time to recover from the breakup.
How much time did it require?
Hours?
Days?
Not weeks. No, weeks was too long. Some other guy was bound to ask Eli on a date as soon as the news got out that she was available. Zac wasn’t going to lose out to some quick-on-the-draw stranger.
Since he knew he had to wait, this once, keeping things all business was probably for the best. That was why he suggested taking their coffees to his office.
“Zac?” Eli said.
He noticed they were standing in his office doorway. “Sorry. Thinking about things I have to do.” Mainly asking out Eli. “Have a seat.”
He had a copy of Ariel’s schedule in his briefcase, but handed her the one on his desk instead. “Here you go.”
She reached for it, and for the briefest second, their fingers touched. Zac didn’t think of himself as a sentimental sort of man, which is why his awareness of that smallest of touches surprised him. Of course, it shouldn’t have. Yet, everything about Eli Cartwright touched him.
“It looks—”
Eli was cut off as Cessy burst into his office. “Z-man, help. I need a ride to—” Cessy stopped short as she caught sight of Eli. “Sorry, Ms. Cartwright. I’m not used to Zac having people in his office this early on a Saturday morning. I’m much better behaved on weekdays. Uh, the principal didn’t send you in to talk to Zac about my inability to be quiet in class, did he?”
Eli laughed. “No. I’m not here about you.”
Zac knew he should reprimand his irrepressible sister, but she stood there grinning and practically radiating happiness. He couldn’t muster up even a small tsk of disapproval.
She ran a hand over her brow. “Phew. I’d rather the principal talk to Mom and Dad any day of the week. They’re pushovers. Zac, he’s tough.”
He laughed. “Yeah, that’s why you’re coming to me for a ride somewhere, because of my world-renowned toughness?”
“Zac, I say you’re tough in front of people so they won’t catch on to what a marshmallow you are.” She fished in her pocket and pulled out a small thing to twist her wildly curly hair into a ponytail.
“So, where are we riding to?” he asked.
“I was sort of hoping you’d drive me over to Grove City’s outlets after I finish my morning shift. They’re having a preholiday sale, and I’d really like to go do some early Christmas shopping.”
“Mom and Dad said you could go?”
She shook her head. “I’m going to ask after I have everything set up. It makes it harder for them to say no if I have all my bases covered.”
He chuckled. “Sure.”
“Thanks. See you later, Ms. Cartwright.” His sister gave a small wave, then proceeded toward the door.
“Hey, Cessy,” Zac called, halting her progress, “don’t forget I’m sending down a new employee for you to show the ropes to.”
“I won’t forget. I’ll have her swinging from the ropes before the morning’s over,” she promised. “And Zac, don’t forget your promise…I’m Cecily out in public.” And with that reminder, she ran out of the office.
“So Cecily’s your sister? You don’t look anything alike.”
Zac knew that was an understatement. “We’re both adopted. Actually, I’m the oldest of five. We were all adopted, so there’s no family resemblance, but maybe that’s why we’re so tight. Cessy—” remembering his promise, he corrected himself “—pardon me, Cecily is fifteen, she’s the youngest.”
“I should have put the last names together. She’s a whirlwind. I don’t have her in any classes, but I see her around school and hear her name on the announcements a lot because of sports. It’s hard not to know who Cecily Keller is.”
“That was a very polite way of saying Cessy is loud. When she asked if you were here on a mission from the school, it was only because it wouldn’t be the first time we’d had reports of Cecily’s—” he searched for the appropriate word to describe his sister “—exuberance.”
“That’s an apt description.”
“I was going to use boisterous, but exuberant sounded—”
Cessy interrupted as she burst back through the door, a tall blonde behind her. “Hey, Ariel’s here. Ariel, my brother Zac Keller. Zac, this is Ariel.” Introductions made, she turned to Ariel. “Go pretend to listen to him—he likes it when employees act as if they hold him in high esteem and appear to hang on his every word.”
“Something my little sister doesn’t even bother to pretend to do.”
Cessy cackled. “Like I’d feed your overinflated ego, Mr. Keller, sir.” She dropped her voice to a stage whisper. “You’re making Ariel nervous, Z-man.”
“I’m not nervous,” Ariel protested, standing straight and squaring her shoulders as if to prove the point.
“Good, ’cause I can assure you, my brother’s a pushover. Go listen to his spiel, then I’ll show you around.” Cessy flew back through the door, shutting it loudly behind her.
Zac turned to Eli. “You’re sure you’re not here on behalf of the school to talk to me about my sister?”
She grinned. “She’s just exuberant. Remember?”
He grinned. “Hi, Ariel. Have a seat.”
Eli patted the chair next to her. “Come sit down.”
When Ariel was settled, both women looked at him. He didn’t want to dive right into business. He wanted to put the girl at ease. “You and Cecily are friends?”
“We know each other, Mr. Keller. The school’s small enough that it’s hard not to know everyone. But she hangs out with the jocks—” she stopped abruptly and amended “—basketball team, and until recently, I hung out with the cheerleaders.”
“Two different circles in high school terms,” Eli explained.
“But we get along, Mr. Keller,” Ariel added hastily.
“Call me Zac. We’re not very formal at Keller’s.”
He could see the girl was nervous. Eli must have sensed it, too. She slid the paper she’d been looking at before Cessy’s entrance toward Ariel. “Zac was showing me the schedule he drew up for you.”
“It’s only prelimi
nary. We can fine-tune it as you get comfortable and see what works. And later, when the baby comes, we’ll adjust it even more.”
Ariel studied the schedule for a minute. “Thanks. This is so much better than the hours at the restaurant.”
“Well, if it gets to be too much, say something. I thought we’d start you out on the register. And Ariel, Keller’s offers partial scholarships to any of our employees who are going to college. You need a good work record, and at least a B average at school, and we can help defray some of your education costs. Ms. Cartwright has glowing things to say about you, including the fact that you are definitely on the college track.”
“Really?” Ariel looked surprised.
He wasn’t sure if she was asking really about the partial scholarship, or really about whether Eli really had glowing things to say about her. He simply answered, “Really.”
“I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Keller. I’ll do my best to make you and Ms. Cartwright proud. I’ve made so many mistakes lately, but I will try to do better.”
“Ariel, everyone makes mistakes,” Eli assured her. “Life happens. What truly defines us as people is how we handle what life throws at us.”
Zac nodded. “Do your best. That’s all we ask for here at Keller’s. And remember, I’m here if you need anything.” He figured that about covered what he needed to say today, so he added, “Why don’t you go find Cecily and let her show you around? Tell her to put you on the clock for the tour. And make sure she takes you to Millie, to fill out all the paperwork.”
Ariel stood. “Really, Mr. Keller, Ms. Cartwright. Thank you.”
Eli reached up, took Ariel’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “You’re going to do great, Ariel. I’ll look for you when I’m getting ready to go.”
Just as Ariel left the room, Eli’s cell phone rang. She pulled it from her bag, glanced at the number and asked, “Do you mind?”
“No problem.”
She got up and stepped outside the office. Moments later she was back.
“Problems?”
“No. My parents called to cancel our dinner plans. Seems some old neighbors are in town only for the weekend, and they’re seeing them.” She sat back down with a sigh. “It’s a relief, actually.”
“You don’t get along with your parents?” He knew better than most that not all parents were created equal. He hated the thought of Eli growing up in a bad situation.
“No, I didn’t mean it to sound that way,” she assured him. “It’s nothing like that. I have some news for them, and I don’t think they’re going to like it, so the reprieve is not a bad thing.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” As he said the words, Zac admitted that he wished she would confide in him. She looked so stressed at the thought of whatever she needed to tell her parents. He wanted nothing more than to ease some of that burden.
“Thanks. But I’m not really ready to talk to anyone about it. At least, not yet.”
She probably needed to tell them she’d broken up with the boyfriend. Maybe they’d liked him and that’s why she was reluctant to tell them. “Hey, if you were going to be with your parents, that means you don’t have plans anymore, right?”
She nodded slowly. “Right.”
“Why don’t you come with us to Grove City? We could ask Ariel to come as well. From what little you’ve said, it sounds as if she’d appreciate having some fun. We could all make a day of it.”
“I don’t know. There are a million and one things I should be doing.”
“I’m all for doing what should be done, but sometimes, there’s merit in taking a break. And to sweeten the offer, there’s a great restaurant right outside the outlet mall. We could grab something to eat and take your mind off your parents.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude on your time with your sister.”
Zac didn’t want to tell her just how sure he was and scare her off. So he settled for, “Of course, I am. I mean, I’m smart enough to want an ally while shopping at an outlet mall with a teen.”
She chuckled. “Ah, so asking me was selfish on your part.”
Eli’s laughter. It was one of the things about her that got to him. She worked with kids who were in such tough straits. He’d seen how she went to the wall for each and every one. And still, despite the fact she dealt with such trying experiences, she still managed to find the joy in things.
“Eli, I can assure you that my asking you was definitely in my own self-interest. Absolutely selfish.”
“Glad to know you have a flaw or two, Zac Keller. Anyone who’s too perfect makes me nervous.”
“You think I’m perfect?” he teased.
“I did, but now I know that you have an occasional selfish moment. It makes you seem more human.”
“Well, don’t talk to Cessy too much about me, she’ll tell you so many flaws that I’ll go from human to subhuman in record time.”
“I doubt that, Zac. You are truly one of the nice guys.”
The phrase nice guy set his teeth on edge. His ex had used the phrase when she’d broken up with him. You’re such a nice guy. I’m sure you’ll find someone else, someone better.
He couldn’t help but remember the phrase, “nice guys finish last.”
He pushed away the thought and tried to remain upbeat. Eli was available. He was available. They were going to spend the day together.
Nice guys sometimes finish first.
And if he had anything to say about it, this would be one of those times.
BEING WITH ZAC WAS EASY. Cecily and Ariel ran from store to store, while Eli and Zac trailed behind at a more sedate pace. They’d gone into one store that sold Waterford crystal and Zac had bought a beautiful frame. “My mom will love it,” he said with a hint of embarrassment.
“Real men buy crystal frames,” she’d assured him as they strolled together.
They went by a maternity shop, and part of Eli wanted to go in and look. She’d never been in one before. She’d never had the need, and never thought she would. She knew Zac would have obliged her, but she wasn’t ready to confess.
She wasn’t ready for anyone else to know.
She’d received a parental reprieve, and so for one more week, she’d hold on to her news and hopefully adjust even more to the idea of being a mother.
So she just walked past the maternity store. There would be plenty of time to shop at one later.
“So, fill me in about your siblings. Cecily is the youngest. You’re the oldest.”
“Then there’s Seth. He’s a cop in Erie—we don’t see him much anymore.” There was a sadness in his voice, telling her there was some kind of trouble with Seth. He didn’t share, and she didn’t ask.
“Next there’s May,” he continued. “She’s in Pittsburgh trying to find herself. This week she’s a waitress, I think. I’ve offered her a job at Keller’s, but she wants to make it on her own. Then there’s Dom. He’s graduating from Pitt in the spring, then Layla, who’s at Carlow University in Pittsburgh.”
“Wow. How on earth did your mom manage all of you? Six kids. I can’t imagine.” Trying to wrap her brain around raising just one child was taxing at best.
“Mom’s…” He paused. “She’s all heart. We were the kids no one wanted to adopt. Older. Damaged. But Mom put us all together and made us a family.”
“She sounds wonderful. And you are lucky.”
Zac nodded. “I am. We all are, and we know it. And Mom is fantastic.” He paused. “Are you going to the girls’ basketball game tomorrow at the school?”
Eli planned on staying at home tomorrow to figure out how to turn her guest room into a nursery. It was just an idea. One she wasn’t sure she was ready for. Having a baby’s room in the house would make everything seem so much more real.
A girls’ basketball game would be easier. “I might go.”
“Great. So you can probably meet the whole Keller clan. It’s sort of like taking medicin
e. Best to get it all over with at once.”
“What a way to talk about your family,” she mock-scolded. “I’m sure they’re all lovely.”
“If by lovely you mean loud, then yes. All of us. Maybe especially my dad, who likes listening to his music as loud as possible. Mom banned his CD player to the garage, but even then we’d hear the music inside the house. Mom would holler at him because it was so loud, and after he turned it down, he’d say, ‘Loud? Why it was quieter than inside the house,’ in a puzzled way. It was a standing joke. He was the only one who laughed, but it made him laugh every time. He was the king of one-liners. You’d say something like, ‘My head hurts.’ His favorite response? ‘Does your face hurt?’ When you said no, he’d add, ‘’Cause it’s killing me.’ He cracked himself up with that one as well.”
Eli laughed. “He sounds like a riot.”
“Now, he does. When you’re fifteen and on the phone with a girl, not so much. What about you? Your family?”
“Just me. An only child of two only children. Quiet. That’s the best way to describe our house. Mom and Dad are great, though. I see them most every weekend when they’re in town. This weekend’s pass is a fluke.” Unexpected, and just this once, welcomed.
“When they’re in town?”
“They’ve become snow bunnies. Heading for Florida before the snow, and not coming back until it’s long since melted. But even when they’re down south, we’re close.”
“That’s nice. One of Mom’s cross-stitched sayings goes, ‘It’s not the size of the family, it’s the size of its heart.’ In our case, sounds like we both have big ones.” He groaned. “Okay, I feel emasculated by saying that out loud.”
Eli laughed. “No, you sounded sweet. And I find it hard to believe your mom had all those kids and still found time to cross-stitch?”
“Actually, there’s something my mother made in every room at my place. One Christmas she made all us kids a cross-stitch that said, ‘I didn’t carry you for nine months, but once I met you, I knew you were mine. So, now I’ll carry you in my heart for the rest of my life.’” His voice gave a little hitch.
“Oh, Zac, that’s lovely.”
