Mrs. Buser laughed. “You’ll have to come visit me sometime.” She turned to Drew. “Please, join me. I hate to eat alone.”
Drew looked at Janie and then to Riley. “Well, Riley had her heart set on sitting up at the counter.”
Riley plopped down in the chair next to her new friend. “I’d rather sit here with Mrs. Buser.” She looked around. “Besides, you can see more here.”
Mrs. Buser laughed. “You sound a lot like me when I was your age, Riley. I liked to be in the center of everything.”
Janie nodded. “Yep, that’s Riley.”
“How long are you planning to stay in Whispering Slopes, Janie?”
Janie told Mrs. Buser about inheriting the land and how she and Riley planned to stay in town permanently.
“I must be getting rusty. I usually know all of the news around here. I’m afraid I hadn’t heard who had inherited sweet Mary Applegate’s land. What a wonderful gift for you and Riley.”
“Yeah, Mr. Drew has to help us get the camp up and running before the Fourth of July, so he can get his share of the land, too,” Riley added. “And if we don’t get it ready by then, everything goes to charity.”
“Oh, really?” the woman commented.
Janie took notice of the wide grin igniting across Mrs. Buser’s face when she spoke.
Drew exchanged a quick glance with Janie before turning back to the older woman. “You’re surprised?”
“I may be wrong, but it sounds like my old friend Mary wanted to do a little matchmaking.” She flashed a wink in Janie’s direction.
Her stomach tightened at Mrs. Buser’s remark.
A teenage girl approached the table wearing a One More Scoop T-shirt and black jeans. She pulled a pencil from her loose bun. “Hi, I’m Jenna. I’ll be serving you today.”
“Wow! This would be a cool place to work. Maybe I can get a job here when I’m older.” Riley turned to her mother, “Can I, Mommy?”
Jenna directed her attention to Riley. “It’s a lot of fun and you get all the ice cream you can eat.”
“Boy, I might want to work here, too.” Drew nudged Riley. “So what do you say to double cheeseburgers, fries and a chocolate-chunk milkshake?”
“Yay!” Riley cheered.
Janie rubbed her stomach. “I might need a long nap after that kind of lunch.”
Drew placed the order and Jenna breezed off toward the kitchen. “No napping today. We’ve got a tight schedule. I thought we’d start painting the cabins.”
“Do you plan to reopen those old structures, too?” Mrs. Buser took a sip of her sweet tea. “If I recall correctly, they were in need of repair.”
Janie had to agree. Getting rid of the mice problem was only the beginning. From what she’d seen, the floors needed to be redone and the walls needed a fresh coat of paint, but Drew hadn’t discussed it with her.
Drew intertwined his fingers and rested his hands on the table. “That’s true. They are in bad shape. Since Janie doesn’t plan to open for overnight guests until maybe late summer or early fall, I thought we’d remodel one cabin so we can use it as a model for the grand reopening.”
He’d never mentioned that idea to her. He’d just taken charge...like her ex-husband always had.
Mrs. Buser nodded. “That’s a good idea, Drew.” She turned to Janie. “Honey, aren’t you warm? Can I help you with your jacket?”
Janie pulled away from Mrs. Buser. “I’m fine, thanks.” Sweat beaded her forehead. “I need to run to the restroom. I’ll be back in a minute, Riley.” She bolted out of her chair and scurried toward the women’s room. Thankfully it was a single room. She slammed the door behind her and turned the lock. Trying to catch her breath, she stepped toward the sink and turned on the water. She caught her reflection in the mirror and rubbed her arms. Would she ever escape her past with this constant reminder she tried so hard to conceal?
And even though Drew told Riley differently, did he feel the same way her ex-husband did—that she wasn’t capable of making any sort of decision on her own? That she could never survive without a man? Well, she could. She had to. Yes, Mrs. Applegate’s last wishes had to be honored, but after that, she’d make it on her own, with Riley. No one else. Janie didn’t need another man who wanted to control her.
Chapter Seven
“Are you okay, Janie?” Drew gripped the steering wheel as he backed out of the parking lot of One More Scoop. The afternoon sun bounced on his truck, creating an inferno inside. He flipped on the air-conditioning and positioned the vents. Something was up with Janie. After she had returned from the restroom she’d hardly spoken during their lunch. She’d appeared rattled when Mrs. Buser offered to take her jacket. He wasn’t buying Riley’s explanation about avoiding the sun. Could she have some sort of skin condition she was embarrassed for anyone to see?
Janie glanced toward the backseat where Riley sat with an earbud stuck into each ear, humming a tune. She turned her attention back to Drew and rubbed her hands on the tops of her legs. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“You just seemed a little quiet while we were eating with Mrs. Buser. It wasn’t what she said about Mrs. Applegate matchmaking, was it?” He half laughed in an attempt to lighten the mood. It didn’t. “I hope you’re not worried we won’t make the deadline. I won’t let that happen.” He placed the truck into Drive and pressed his foot on the accelerator. “I have everything under control.” Still silent, Drew observed her. There she was again, tugging on her jacket as if the sleeves weren’t long enough. He put his focus back on the road. “If we’re going to work together, we need to be able to communicate. I’ve never been a good mind reader.”
“You have everything under control,” she muttered.
He noticed the emphasis she put on you. “Excuse me?”
She squirmed in the leather seat. “I really don’t want to discuss this right now.” She tilted her head back toward Riley.
“She can’t hear anything while she’s listening to music. Come on. Tell me what’s up. You used to be able to talk to me about anything.” They had a lot of work ahead of them. He wanted to nip this in the bud as soon as possible.
“It’s the cabins.”
“What about them?”
Janie blew out a breath. “Mrs. Applegate’s wishes were for us to work together to get the camp reopened.” She hesitated.
“I realize that. So what’s the problem?”
“You’re completely taking control over everything. You didn’t tell me about your plans for the cabins or that we were going to start painting today.”
This was why she was upset? Didn’t she understand he was doing this for her and Riley? “I’m trying to help you. I don’t want you to worry that you won’t have a roof over your head or money.” This wasn’t the Janie he remembered. She always liked when people took initiative. “Why would that bother you?”
“I only want to have an equal say in what we do going forward.” She turned her head and gazed out the window.
Clearly this conversation was over. “Point taken. I’m sorry.”
Silence hung in the air during the remaining drive to the farm. Drew glanced in his rearview mirror. Riley had drifted off to sleep. “Looks like someone didn’t get her rest last night.”
Janie nodded. “She didn’t have a good night.”
The last thing Drew wanted was for Riley to be upset. Maybe he could fix the problem. “What happened?”
“Before she went to bed, we were going through some old photo albums. She started asking a lot of questions about her father.” Janie shook her head. “I hate that he’s made her feel this way.”
“What kind of things did she want to know?”
“The same stuff she asks over and over. Why doesn’t her daddy want to see her? Why didn’t he want to share custody with me? It breaks my heart to see her so crushed over a man who could just
walk away from his own daughter. What kind of person does that?”
Drew wasn’t sure how to respond. He had always been a loving and attentive father to his daughter, Heidi. He couldn’t imagine ever walking away from her intentionally, like Riley’s father had. But the facts remained. God had given him this precious little girl and he failed to protect her when she needed him.
Janie sighed. “I don’t want his actions to make her feel she’s not wanted or loved.”
“I’ve watched the two of you together. Trust me, Riley knows you love her. That’s what’s important.” Drew reached for her hand. When she didn’t pull it away, he took comfort in the softness of her skin. Enjoying it a little too much, he retracted his hand.
She looked down at the sudden movement. “I hope so. I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. I know you’re trying to help, and I shouldn’t compare you to—”
Janie didn’t have to say it. She was comparing him to her ex-husband. Was he controlling in their marriage? Was that why they’d divorced? “Janie, if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”
“Thank you, Drew. I appreciate the offer. I’m just not ready.”
Drew nodded. Would she ever be? But how could he expect her to open up and talk about the past when he kept his dark secret locked away? It was only a matter of time before Janie learned what had happened to his family. Whispering Slopes was a small town and although the people had good intentions, they did like to talk. Wouldn’t it be better for her to hear the truth from him? Maybe someday. Not today. “Why don’t we swing by the paint store and get started on the cabin? You can pick out the color.”
* * *
Janie stood in the center of the cabin and dipped the paintbrush into the eggshell-colored paint. She gave it a quick stir and hoped a fresh coat would clear the musty air.
“You picked a great color.” Drew eyed the wall. “It really brightens up the place.”
“I still think purple would be better.” Riley pushed the broom across the dusty, wide-plank wood floor.
Janie and Drew laughed.
“I’m not kidding. My room in Maryland was purple. Wasn’t it, Mommy?”
Drew looked to Janie for confirmation. “It’s true. When we bought the house, we told her she could have her room painted any color she wanted.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a purple room. I guess it’s better than black.” Drew laughed and pried open another can of paint.
Riley wrinkled her nose. “Yuck! That would be too scary. The purple was really light. It was so pretty.” Riley gazed toward the open front door. “It looked like that.” She pointed to a nearby bush.
“Oh, lavender. That’s a different story.” Drew winked at Janie.
For a second, Janie’s heart drummed against her ribcage. Caught off guard by the momentary attraction, she shook it away and continued to stir her paint. “Do you want me to do the trim while you do the walls?”
Drew gave her a sly grin. “Oh no. I’m not going to fall into that trap.”
“What are you talking about?” Janie’s brow arched.
“I pick and then I’m the control freak. You’re deciding on this one.” He winked.
“I never called you that.” Janie looked down at the can in front of her and she couldn’t resist. She plunged the brush inside, pulled it out and flicked paint in Drew’s direction. Little droplets peppered his face.
Riley jumped up and down. “Paint fight! Paint fight!”
“Oh no, you didn’t!” Drew returned fire, splattering Janie’s face.
Janie looked at Riley who laughed before she threw her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, Mommy, but it was funny.”
Drew and Janie nodded at each other. They dunked their brushes and ran toward Riley catching her off guard. With a glob of paint on each cheek, Riley’s laughter filled the room.
“This is the most fun ever!” the child squealed.
Janie’s heart soared. She loved to see her little girl so happy. She’d had such a difficult time during the divorce. Still, Janie couldn’t help but worry about the attachment Riley had to Drew. The last thing she wanted was for her daughter to endure more pain. If Riley imagined a happy family scenario in her head, it would only lead to heartache. A relationship with Drew wasn’t possible.
“Okay, ladies, we’ve got too much work to do to horse around.”
“Yeah, Mommy. You started it.”
Janie shot a glance at Drew. “You made me do it.”
He laughed, grabbed a smaller brush off the counter and handed it to Janie. “Alright, I’ll accept blame. If it’s okay with you, you can use this to knock out the trim work. Since your hands are smaller, you can reach the corners easier. Riley and I will work on the larger areas. I’ll use the roller brush.”
Janie nodded in agreement.
“What am I going to use, Mr. Drew?”
Drew bent down. “You, young lady, will have the most important job.”
A huge smile spread across her daughter’s face. “Really? What will I do?”
“Actually, two things. First, you’ll carry the bucket for me as we work our way around the cabin. I’ve poured half of the paint into an empty can so it’s not too heavy for you.”
“What else? What else?” Riley chirped.
“You’ll tell me if I missed a spot. But your eyes have to be really good for that job.” He glanced at Janie. “How are they?”
Riley’s eyes opened like giant saucers. “They’re really good. Look—” she pointed “—I can see farther away than most people.”
Drew chuckled. “Is that so? Okay then, let’s all get to work.”
Two hours later Janie’s knees ached despite the throw pillow Drew had given her earlier. “I think we might need to wrap it up for today.”
“Ahh, Mommy, I don’t want to go home yet.”
Janie eyed Riley. She stuck to Drew’s side like a burnt chocolate-chip cookie on an ungreased baking sheet. “We need to go grocery shopping before we head home. I want to pick up some garlic bread to go with the spaghetti.”
“Can Mr. Drew come over for dinner? Please, Mommy!”
Janie glanced over toward Drew who was finishing up the wall closest to the front door. Had he heard Riley’s request?
“Can he?” Riley asked even louder.
Janie bit the side of her mouth. He definitely heard that. Maybe she should invite him. After all, he was using his vacation time to help her meet the deadline. Yes, he’d get some land, but she had so much more at stake. She swallowed the lump that clogged her throat and sauntered toward him. “Drew, would you like to come over for dinner tonight? I’m making spaghetti.”
Riley tore across the room, holding her breath until she heard his answer.
“That’s my favorite,” he answered.
“Mine too! Will you come?” Riley begged.
“If you let me bring the dessert.” He ruffled Riley’s hair.
She grinned. “That’s a deal. Will you bring German chocolate cake?”
“Riley, Mr. Drew can bring whatever is most convenient for him. You shouldn’t be making any special orders.”
“Sorry.” Riley rolled her eyes to the floor.
“Hey, munchkin.” Drew reached and lifted her chin. “What makes that cake so special?”
“My daddy always bought one for me on my birthday.” She shot a look at Janie. “It was his favorite, too.”
“I’ve always been a big fan of German chocolate.” Drew rubbed his stomach.
Janie had a recipe for the cake. It had been in her family for generations. Shortly after she’d married Riley’s dad, she surprised him by baking the cake for his birthday. He’d told her it was the worst he’d ever eaten. She never baked it again. Shaking off the memory, she headed to the counter and grabbed her purse. She reached inside, snatched her car keys and glanced at her wa
tch. “Does seven o’clock work for you?”
“Sounds great. I’ll finish cleaning up and run home for a quick shower.” Drew followed the two and opened the door to the cabin. “Be safe driving.”
Thoughts swirled through Janie’s head as she and Riley walked to the car. Did she really just invite Drew to dinner? Was she sending Riley the wrong message? That there was more to her relationship with Drew than an old friend helping her. She hoped not because that was all that was going on here. Wasn’t it?
* * *
An hour later, Janie stood at the kitchen sink. She swiped the romaine lettuce under the cold water rushing from the brushed-nickel spigot. With the oven preheating for garlic bread and the zesty meat sauce bubbling on the stove top, the room smelled like an Italian bistro. Italy—one of the many places her ex promised to take her before they were married.
“That smells yummy, Mommy,” Riley called out from the family room. She and Frankie sat parked in front of the television watching a movie.
Janie always loved to cook despite her ex-husband’s constant criticism of every meal she made. The dicing and slicing had been a way to escape her abusive marriage. Now free from the past, she still found solace in preparing food for herself and Riley. She blotted the lettuce with a paper towel. Was she truly free? The visible and emotional scars were a constant reminder. Could she ever trust her judgment when it came to men?
The doorbell chimed and pulled Janie from her thoughts.
“He’s here. He’s here!” Riley called out. She raced to the door with Frankie trailing behind, his toenails scratching against the hardwood floor.
Janie picked up her phone to take a quick peek at herself with her camera. Why was she so nervous? Sure, he was gorgeous, but she’d known Drew all of her life. He was just a friend helping her. She placed the device back on the counter, straightened her shoulders and headed to the family room.
“Look, Mommy! Mr. Drew brought a German chocolate cake.” Riley pointed to the red-and-white box containing the dessert.
Drew stepped inside, dressed in relaxed jeans and a red polo shirt. “Wow, it smells like a gourmet Italian restaurant.”
A Home for Her Daughter Page 7
