“Did you listen?”
“Sadly.” His gaze was steady on her. She wasn’t sure what he meant. He moved on quickly. “So tell me about Boston and your company.”
“Wait, first I want to hear about Will and Izzy. Last I heard, Cassie barely returned to the states and got married, maybe in March? How does she have two children already?”
Nick checked on the kids who were still racing around the playset, taking turns helping Izzy or carrying her. “Will is the reason Cassie and Jed met. He’s been in foster homes in Park City since he was four, and recently he had been assigned into their care. They’re getting all the paperwork in line to adopt him. Cassie rescued Izzy from traffickers at Christmastime.”
Mary’s eyes widened, and her stomach dropped.
“They formed a bond through that. Jed and Cassie are finalizing her adoption from an orphanage in Cozumel.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine being newlyweds and already having two children.”
His gaze was intense on her. “Can you imagine being newlyweds?”
Mary stilled, lost in his deep brown eyes. She could. She definitely could … with him. Visions of them in their own little house laughing as they did chores or cooked a meal together, snuggling on a porch swing, or snuggling in their bedroom filled her imagination. Sixty degrees suddenly felt like ninety. She broke from his gaze and fanned her face. “I guess Gavin and his wife started out with one, right?” She pointed at Austin, who was waiting for Izzy to jump to him from a platform.
“Yeah.” His voice sounded full of disappointment, as if his comment had been baiting her and she hadn’t risen to the occasion.
“So what are all your new in-laws like?”
He smiled and talked easily, sharing different stories about Jed and Cassie, Heath and Hazel, Trey and Ella, and Gavin and his brand-new wife Kari. He finished with, “We just got home from Kauai and them eloping. That’s why I have Austin. Apparently, a week-long honeymoon wasn’t enough for those two.” He lifted his eyebrows.
Mary’s face was burning hot. She was very grateful, as always, for her ancestry and the ability to hide a blush with her dark skin.
“It was harder to talk Cassie into letting me take Will and Izzy away from her, even just for ice cream and the park. She’s so overprotective it’s a wonder she lets Will go to school.” He chuckled to show he was teasing.
“Uncle Nick?” Will called.
“Yeah, bud?”
“I think something’s wrong with Izzy.”
Nick and Mary both stood and rushed to the playset. Izzy was pulling a face, crossing her legs, and holding herself. Mary smiled. “I think she needs to use the bathroom.”
“Oh! Girls are so weird, why didn’t she just say?” Austin asked.
Nick shook his head. “Not knowing English might be the problem. C’mere love.” He swept her into his arms and jogged to the park’s bathrooms. Mary and the boys watched as he tugged on the doors, but they were all locked. If Mary remembered right, they only opened them in the summer.
Mary looked to the church but nobody was in the parking lot, and she doubted it was open. “Let’s go back to the shop,” she called.
Nick nodded and started jogging that direction. Mary gathered up the garbage and dumped it then walked with the boys. When they reached the shop, Izzy was apparently in the bathroom while Nick and Chelsea were close together, talking rapidly. They both jumped awkwardly when Austin threw the door wide and it hit the wall.
“Hey.” Nick raised a hand. Mary thought he definitely looked guilty.
What in the world? She knew Chelsea was an uncommon beauty but she was seventeen. Nick was Mary’s age, twenty-five. Was he chasing her little sister? Jealousy, anger, and disgust all rolled around in her abdomen.
Chelsea gave Nick a significant look and said, “So … dinner?”
Nick simply smiled and then turned back to Mary. “Do you want to go to dinner tonight?”
She put a hand on her heart. “Me?” What the heck? Was he chasing her too-young sister or interested in Mary?
“Yeah, you.” He gave her a cocky smirk. “It’d be fun to chat and catch up.”
Catch up? “So dinner … catching up like old friends?”
His mouth tightened, and he darted a gaze to Chelsea as if asking for help.
Chelsea pumped her eyebrows. “Friends? Ha!”
Luckily little Izzy came out of the bathroom at that moment. She walked straight to Nick and put her arms up. Nick picked her up, and she cuddled into his neck. It was the cutest thing Mary had ever seen. She couldn’t imagine her ex-boyfriend, Blake, holding a child so sweetly if his life depended on it. He spent his life in a suit and tie, looking perfectly polished, and the few times they’d even been near children he’d seemed annoyed by them.
“I’d better get this little one home for story time or Cassie will have my head.”
“See you later, girlfriend,” Austin called, holding the door open.
“Bye,” Chelsea said.
“Six?” Nick directed to Mary.
She shrugged, trying not to show how excited she was about the dinner invite. “Okay.”
“Okay.” He gave her one more appealing look with those incredible dark eyes of his and disappeared out the door.
“I rock as a matchmaker,” Chelsea squealed.
Mary whirled on her. “Is that what you were doing when we came in?”
“Yep.” She beamed at Mary. “And your stupid ‘friend’ idea is lame.”
“Did he say he wants to be … more than friends?” Her chest seemed to constrict.
“He didn’t have to.” She rolled her eyes. “Just notice how he looks at you. Take my advice. The ‘friends’ garbage is over.”
A couple teenage girls came in. Chelsea greeted them warmly, chattering about Senior Ball. Mary wondered if Chelsea was right, and Nick wanted to be more than friends. Yet he’d given her what she thought were interested and lingering glances in high school and had never pursued a relationship with her. What could possibly be different now?
Chapter Three
Nick whistled as he got ready for his date that night in the attached bathroom of the bedroom he was staying in at Gavin’s massive house. He liked being here with Jed, Cassie, Austin, Will, and Izzy, but he would need to figure out different housing when Gavin and Kari got home from their honeymoon. He was not living in a house with newlyweds. He supposed Jed and Cassie were basically newlyweds but with two children to take care of he didn’t often catch them making out on the couch. He could move over to Mama’s, but Papa was having a really awful bout of pneumonia. He’d gotten special permission from his doctors to go to the wedding in Kauai but it had taken its toll, and he’d just gotten home from a three-day stay at the hospital. They were all staying away to keep the germs to a minimum, so Papa didn’t catch something else while he was recovering.
Nick wished he could figure out where he wanted to be and what he wanted to do. He’d always planned on a career in the military but that obviously wasn’t happening now. Marketing for Gavin felt like a fluff job to him. Cassie had offered for him to coordinate the security for their halfway house in downtown Denver. He might try it for a while. It didn’t sound too challenging though, and he’d definitely like a challenge.
He pushed all of that away and strode through the upper balcony and down the stairs. The kids were all in the kitchen with Jed and Cassie, helping them make some kind of pasta. Cassie rarely wanted to eat out. She was very practical and after living in different countries throughout the world for the past four years doing humanitarian missions, she seemed to thrive on just being at home and doing simple things like hiking, skiing, or making a meal with the family.
Will and Austin looked to be mutilating veggies for a salad as Izzy stood on a chair, a much-too-big apron on, stirring sauce. Jed stood right by Izzy, watching her closely as if he worried she’d burn herself, and Cassie was rushing around the kitchen doing who
knew what besides being an incredibly busy and fabulous mom. Cassie had taken to motherhood like she’d been waiting for the role all her life.
“Hey!” Austin called out. “You going to get Mary?” He said her name all sing-songy and cute.
“It’s okay that you’re jealous,” Nick teased. “Thankfully, she didn’t change my diapers.”
Austin picked up a piece of broccoli and chucked it at him. Nick snagged it out of midair and popped it in his mouth. “Thanks, man.”
Austin stuck out his tongue.
“Are you jealous?” Cassie asked the little man.
“Yes. You should see Mary. She’s per-fect.”
“But you have a hundred and twenty-six girlfriends,” Jed reminded him.
Austin pumped his eyebrows. “You told me all you wanted was one.”
Jed grinned at his wife. “When she’s the perfect one that’s all you need.”
Cassie smiled. “Not everyone is as lucky as you.”
Nick laughed. “Hopefully I can get as lucky.”
“With Mary,” Austin teased.
Jed ruffled Austin’s hair. “You think this is the one for Nick?”
Nick shook his head and answered for his nephew. “I’m not looking for the one.” He lowered his voice and muttered, “First I’ve got to figure out my own life.” He clamped his mouth shut. That was nothing he should admit, even to family.
Will’s dark gaze was steady on him. The kid really seemed to get him. The almost thirteen-year-old had been through so much heartache and pain. For some reason Will’s dark eyes directed Nick’s thoughts to Logan. Nick had failed Logan. His usual sixth sense and intuition hadn’t even warned him. God had failed them both. If Nick was still a praying man, he’d beg the Lord to not let him fail Will, Austin, or Izzy.
“But you’ve got everything figured out, Uncle Nick.”
Nick pasted on his happy smile. Maybe Will didn’t get him. That was good. At least he’d fooled the kid. “Some days, bud.” Most days he faked it. “What are you all up to tonight?”
“We’re going to make cookies after dinner, and then go swimming in our pool.” Austin gestured with his chin out the massive windows showcasing the large backyard and the trees and mountains beyond that. It was early May and still not warm in the Colorado mountains, but Gavin already had his pool close to ninety degrees, Nick assumed because Austin loved to swim in it. Gavin would do about anything for Austin.
“Sounds fun.” He lifted a hand. “Well, wish me luck.”
“Good luck smooching,” Austin taunted.
“You’re just jealous it’s not you,” Nick teased back, but the image of kissing Mary made his stomach fill with an unfamiliar heat. He’d met women on and off base the past seven years who were intriguing and attractive, and he’d had his fair share of dates, but he couldn’t recall being this invested in any woman so quickly. Yet it was Mary, so it wasn’t really quick, building on the friendship and crush of his high school years.
“Naw, I don’t kiss my girlfriends,” Austin said.
“Why not?” Jed asked, smiling fondly at their nephew.
“Cause I play hard to get,” Austin said with a knowing smirk on his cute face.
Everyone laughed, except Izzy. She smiled at their laughter but probably had no clue what was going on. Nick hoped she picked up the language quickly. Jed and Cassie were both working on their Spanish, but it wasn’t coming easily.
“What about you, Will?” Jed asked. “Do you want a hundred and twenty-six girlfriends or just one?”
Will shook his head. “I don’t want any girlfriends. Gross.”
Jed grinned at his son. “You might not feel that way for long.” He gave Cassie a warm look that almost had even Nick blushing.
“Don’t worry, cuz,” Austin said. “I’ll teach you how to snag the ladies. They all love me.” Austin gave a wink that was more of an exaggerating blink with both eyes.
Will looked down at the tomato he’d been more squishing than slicing with his knife and muttered, “The girl I used to like at school …” His voice dropped low. “She told her friend in a really loud voice … that I stink like garbage.”
Cassie gasped in outrage as Nick’s stomach clenched painfully. They were pretty certain Will had been neglected by his foster parents. They hadn’t had any confirmation that he’d been abused, but he hadn’t been in the best situation before Jed and Cassie got custody of him. Yet to think kids at school were being mean, in addition to a hard home life, was another blow that Nick hated for the boy.
“How dare she?” Cassie demanded.
Will pushed his knife at the tomato and muttered, “I probably did stink. I didn’t always have soap or toothpaste, or get my clothes washed very much. So I’d try to stay clean with water but …” His voice trailed off.
Cassie rushed to her son and gathered him into her arms. Cassie was petite and thin, but Will was even smaller than her. His arms hung down to his sides for a beat as Cassie hugged him tightly, but then he eased them around her back and clung to her.
“It’s okay, Mom, it’s okay,” he murmured.
Cassie leaned back and brushed at the tears on her face. Austin looked embarrassed to be watching this and Jed met Nick’s eyes. Nick could sense that he was a little sick that Will hadn’t even had soap or toothpaste at times, but Cassie had alluded to the fact that Jed had a similar upbringing to Will so he probably understand far better than Nick did. They were all so grateful that Will was here with them now. Hopefully the love of Jed, Cassie, and all of the extended family could heal this boy’s wounds. They weren’t even sure the extent of Izzy’s wounds. She’d been in a very nice orphanage on Cozumel for the past year but before that nobody knew much of her history or parentage. Thankfully she was young and seemed content and happy.
“You’re the cutest ever,” Cassie murmured to her son. “Comforting me.” She gave him a conspiratorial wink. “Next time I come for school lunch, point out that girl. I’ll dump my chocolate milk on her head … on accident.”
Nick, Jed, and Austin all laughed. “You wouldn’t,” Austin said. “You’re the nice one. It’s Ella who’d do something like that, your evil twin sister.” Austin gave a demented-sounding laugh.
“Some bratty girl messes with my boy, she’s gonna feel the wrath of Mama Bear.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Will muttered.
Nick loved being part of any family moment with these guys, but it was almost six. “I’ve got to go. Love you all.”
Everyone but Izzy called love you and goodbyes as Nick hurried into the garage where Gavin’s Lexus LS 460 was parked. Nick didn’t even have his own vehicle yet, and he hated it. Gavin was happy to let him use his sport utility any time. Nick rarely left the lodge and their little valley, so he didn’t need a car until he figured out where he wanted to be and what he wanted to do. Being Gavin’s marketing manager was a too-easy position in his mind. Everything was running smoothly, the lodge full to capacity every day in the summer and winter, and on the weekends in the off-season. He set up promos with different hotel sites, posted bubbly things on social media, and dealt with anything else he could to help Gavin and Gavin’s assistant Thomas. He was bored and needed something that was his.
Driving quickly down to the valley, he approached the Coulter’s two-story house in the only real neighborhood Lonepeak Valley had. Next to town and the church there were a couple dozen houses with big yards but rarely a fence. Most of the houses were older and smaller, but a few like the Coulter’s were nicer and a little more updated. As young teenagers, Nick and his brothers used to love to come down to “town” and toilet paper, doorbell ditch, and set-off fireworks to make the dogs bark.
He strode to the wide front porch and knocked on the door. Chelsea answered it. “Yes!” she cheered. “You look stinking hot.” She winked. “Mary’s right, the scar just makes you look better than ever.”
“Mary said that?” Did she believe it? Women like Teya still came onto him, but Nick figured that w
as the shallow type of woman he deserved now. Could he truly have a chance with Mary?
His heart thumped quicker as Mary walked into the room, looking perfectly gorgeous in a long, pale blue dress with short sleeves and a flirtatious neckline that complimented her dark hair and skin. Her heels brought her closer to his six-three, but he still had four to five inches on her. She wrapped a long, white drape-thing around her shoulders. She was so stylish and beautiful.
“What did I say?” Mary asked.
“Nothing,” Chelsea answered quickly, winking at Nick. “Have fun, you two!” Then she darted out of the room.
Mary’s eyes darted to him then away, as if being alone with him made her slightly nervous.
“Hey,” he said softly.
Mary glanced at him. “Hey.” A soft smile appeared on her beautiful face.
“It’s just me, Mare.” He held out his hand to her, hoping she’d take it. He’d longed for light in his life to push out the darkness created not just by losing his men but by him turning from the Lord. Could Mary be that light?
Instead of taking his hand she stared at him, and then her mouth pursed. “‘Just me’? I’ve got news for you, Nick Strong, you could never be ‘just me’.”
His brow wrinkled, and his hand dropped to his side. “What do you mean?”
She strode past him, hurrying out the front door before he had a chance to open it for her.
Nick hurried after her onto the porch, shutting the door behind him. He caught her as she reached Gavin’s black sport utility. “Mary!”
She whirled to face him, and he was struck by her incredible beauty and the brightness of her dark eyes. “Sorry,” she murmured.
He stepped closer, and she backed up into the car. “What’s going on?” Maybe she was as confused, and yet crazily hopeful, as he was that something could develop between them.
She studied his shoulder and whispered, “Nothing. Can we just … go to dinner, please?”
Nick stared at her, wishing he could see what she was hiding, why she seemed upset with him. Finally he realized she wasn’t going to give him anything standing here in front of her parents’ house. He opened the door and waited as she climbed in and murmured, “Thanks.” Nodding, he shut the door and strode around. Just when he thought he might have a sign from above, no matter how bitter he’d been, he was slammed back to reality. Mary didn’t want to be his light. She hadn’t taken his hand. What had he expected?
The Strong Family Romance Collection Page 79
