Saving Drew

by Lara Van Hulzen

  And she was going to win the lottery tomorrow.

  “Hey, boss. You okay?”

  Eva, one of her employees nudged her arm.

  “What? Oh. Yeah. Sorry. Just daydreaming.”

  “If I had a guy like that looking at me the way he did with you, I’d be daydreaming too.”

  She wiggled her eyebrows and walked away.

  Gracious. Baylee shook her head. Eva was young. Still in college. Well, not that much younger than Baylee but still. Baylee knew better than to believe Drew was looking at her in a... For goodness sake. It was time for her to get her head out of the clouds and back into her kitchen. She had muffins in the oven she didn’t want to burn. And a business to run. Not to mention a son to raise. Spending time thinking about Drew MacIntire was not on the agenda.

  At least not for today. Tomorrow was another story.

  “Hey, Mama! I’m home!” Baylee called as she entered her house.

  Well, a cabin really. But with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, it was perfect for her and Casey. Her mom lived down the road in her own place, but was a huge help. Baylee’s hours meant she could pick Casey up from school but being at the bakery so early, her mother came by and got him ready and off to school in the mornings.

  Her mom, Jenny, was her anchor. After Baylee’s dad passed away from a heart attack, her mom was so... lost. Then Baylee got divorced and wasn’t much different. She decided to move away and her mother said a new start for her sounded about right as well. Turned out, they needed each other more than they’d realized.

  Besides, Jenny wanted to help with her grandson. She flew back to Texas every few months to see Baylee’s sister and kids, but her sister understood. Baylee needed the help and it did wonders for her mom to be around Casey.

  “We’re in here, sweets!” Her mom called back.

  Baylee made her way through the front living room and into the kitchen. Her mom was facing the stove, her back to Baylee. Casey was propped on a barstool, a sketch book in front of him at the high counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.

  Baylee ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his cheek. He continued to draw.

  “Hey, Case. I like your drawing.”

  “Hello, Mama.”

  “He’s been working on that one for a while now,” her mother offered. “I asked him if he wanted to help me with dinner but he said no.”

  Baylee smiled. No big surprise there. Casey wasn’t big on cooking. For an almost six-year-old, he was set in stone on what he liked and didn’t like.

  She watched her son as he moved his pencil along the paper with meticulous care. His ability to focus, the intensity of his concentration, continued to boggle her mind. He was her precious, treasured gift and the joy of her world. His hair was more yellow since it was mid-January. It could turn almost white in the summer sun. He was a towhead through and through, just like she had been as a kid.

  Baylee moved next her mother and gave her a sideways hug. “That smells amazing, Mama. As always.”

  She smiled her thanks. “Why don’t you set the table for us?”

  “’Kay.”

  Baylee retrieved plates and cups from the cupboard and placed them on the table. Her mom reached over and turned on the radio that sat on the counter. Not one for new technology, her mom still listened to a portable radio. “I like to hear the news in between songs, people talking mixed with the music. It’s like having friends with you all day who likes the same songs as you.”

  Baylee smiled as Rascal Flatts sang about liking the sound of a full evening with a loved one. Being with a favorite person. Laughing. Hanging out. Drew’s face came to mind. There’d been only comfort being with him earlier that day. Which was strange, really. She hardly knew the man. And yet, there was a sense of being right where she was supposed to be when she sat across from him.

  “Now, what in the world could you be thinking about that has the goofy grin plastered across your face?”

  Baylee attempted to wipe away her smile, her mom’s words pulling her from her thoughts of Drew.

  She shrugged. “Nothin...” Humming along with the song, she placed silverware on the table next to the plates.

  “I’m your mother. You can’t hide things from me.”

  Baylee bit back a smile as memories of all the secrets she and her sister had shared as kids came to mind. “If you only knew...” she whispered to herself.

  “What’s that you’re saying?”

  “Nothing, Mama.”

  Her mom looked over her shoulder from the stove and narrowed her eyes. Her mouth turned up on one side though, aware of just how much she didn’t know about her daughters.

  Baylee blew her mom a kiss. “Love you.”

  Her mom chuckled and turned back to what she was mixing on the stove. “You better.”

  Baylee laughed. The banter between them an age-old way of showing love in their family.

  They finished making dinner while dancing to the music and moving around the small kitchen with ease. Once they were settled at the table and had thanked God for the food, her mother asked again.

  “You think you’ve gotten past me and my nosiness, but you haven’t. What’s with the cheeriness this evening?”

  “I’m always cheery, Mama,” Baylee said then took a bite of her dinner. Mmmmm, no one made mashed potatoes like her mom.

  “That’s true, but there’s something else.” Her mom put a small amount of potatoes, roast beef, and gravy on Casey’s plate and placed it in front of him. He began to eat in quiet.

  “Well, if you must know, I’ve got a lunch date tomorrow. Well, not a date... just lunch with a friend.”

  Her mother’s eyebrows rose. “If you say date and you’re this chipper about it, I’m going to venture it’s with a man.”

  Baylee nodded and took another bite of potatoes.

  Her mother placed her hands in her lap and stared.

  Baylee finished her bite of food. “Don’t give me that look. It really isn’t a date.” She set down her fork and looked at her mom. “He’s Kate’s brother. He’s in town visiting and asked if I wanted to go on a picnic or something. I’m just being nice to my friend’s brother while he’s in town.”

  Her mother harrumphed and picked up her fork again, stabbing a piece of roast beef and putting it in her mouth.

  “His name is Drew. He came into the bakery today and we got talking. He’s nice. And sad.” She shrugged. “It won’t hurt to have a meal with the man. Maybe it will cheer him up.”

  Her mother looked at Casey and then at Baylee. “What about Casey?”

  “He invited him along.”

  That knocked her mother off her game. “Really?”

  “Really. He didn’t seem to mind that I have a son.”

  “Well, one point for Kate’s brother, Drew, but I’m still not sure it’s a good idea.”

  Baylee had had the same thoughts herself, but continued to reason them away. It was one picnic. Not a marriage proposal. She looked at her son who had placed his cut pieces of meat in a tidy row on his plate. His potatoes now sat in a perfect circle.

  Having lunch with Drew wasn’t a bad idea, but maybe taking Casey along was. At least not right out of the chute.

  Reading her mind her mother said, “Why don’t you go on ahead by yourself. I’ll get Casey from school tomorrow.”

  Baylee nodded. The only person more protective of Casey than Baylee was her mother. Drew had been receptive to Baylee having a son, but she stepped carefully where Casey was concerned. Maybe spending a little time with Drew on her own first was a good idea.

  Her mother patted her hand. “Finish up your dinner and don’t worry. Have a nice afternoon with Drew and leave Casey with me.”

  Baylee nodded and took a bite of her meal. A nice afternoon with Drew. That sounded all too appealing.

  Casey looked at her and tilted his head.

  “I love you too, little man.”

  He went back to eating his dinner.


  She sighed. Loving the tiny man across the table from her was overwhelming sometimes. Was her heart was ready to love a grown man again? She shook her head. Tomorrow was only about lunch, not love. She’d do well to remember that. Nice afternoon. Not love. She could do that.

  Her head said so. Her heart wasn’t so sure.

  Chapter Four

  Drew looked in the mirror again. Cargo shorts and a golf shirt were okay for a picnic lunch, right? Not too casual. He’d gone for a run that morning and although it was cool when he first set out, the sun came up and the day was warm.

  He shook his head at his reflection. “You’re acting like a friggin’ girl, MacIntire. Get your head together.” Besides, it wasn’t like a date or anything. She was bringing her son. It was an outing among friends. A friend he’d dreamt about all night, curves and all. He woke up more frustrated than rested. A long run had helped to clear his head a bit but now he was tired and his shoulder ached. A constant reminder of the crap storm that was currently his life.

  Drew sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his socks and shoes. Baylee had a son. When she’d said so the day before, it had thrown him, but only for a second. He liked kids. A lot. They were one of the things he loved about his job. He made sure he stayed after each game to sign autographs. Wide-eyed toddlers looked up at him from under the visors of their ball caps, grinning as if he were some kind of god. Ha! If they only knew how human he really was. But he had been the exact same when he was young. Begging his dad to take him to games and idolizing the players on the field. That was one of the things that motivated him – kids looked up to him. He didn’t want to let them down.

  Maybe Baylee’s son liked baseball. That would be cool. Give them something to talk about. Drew frowned. Maybe her son already knew who he was. Not that that was a bad thing, but he was enjoying living under the radar here in Silver Bay. He didn’t want to disappoint the kid either, have him see Drew... broken. His throwing arm not what it was.

  “You’ve got some deep thoughts going there, son. You need to me to remind you how to tie your shoes? Or should I just do it for you?”

  His mother’s teasing brought him back to the room. She stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, her arms crossed in front of her. The twinkle in her eye was one he recognized all too well. Rose MacIntire was the epitome of a sassy woman, but loyal as hell and a fierce mama bear when necessary. His love and respect for her knew no bounds.

  “Sorry. Just lost in thought.”

  “You’ve been lost quite a bit lately.”

  He nodded, only then seeing he had one shoe still in his hand. It hadn’t made it to his foot yet. His mind did wander more than normal these days.

  The mattress beneath him moved a bit as his mother sat beside him.

  “Don’t say it, Mom.”

  “Say what?”

  “That you’re worried about me. I get enough of that from my siblings.”

  “Oh, poor you. You have two siblings who love and adore you and are concerned for you.”

  One corner of his mouth tilted up. His mother was also tough as nails. She was good about letting him and his siblings feel what they needed to in life, but pity parties weren’t allowed. Ironically, she’d given him some space to have one since he arrived last week. She’d push him now and then to get out of the house beyond his workouts, but otherwise, she let him brood. Hadn’t bothered him much.

  “Where are you off to today?”

  Her subject change caught him off guard. He hadn’t mentioned Baylee to her, to anyone, but he hadn’t exactly been Mr. Social since he’d arrived in Silver Bay. He’d attended the wedding events Kate had asked him to, but beyond that, he’d kept to himself. Well, until he met Baylee. Now all he could think about was when he’d get to see her again.

  “Hmmm, I recognize that look. Something tells me a woman is involved in you actually leaving the house.”

  Drew leaned forward and put on his shoe. He tied it, avoiding his mother’s eyes.

  “Ah, your silence is telling me all I need to know.”

  He sat up again and laughed. “How can silence tell you anything, Mom?”

  “I’ve known you a long time. All your life, quite frankly...”

  Drew fought the urge to roll his eyes. She used that line on all three kids their entire growing up. And even still.

  “People used to say to me, ‘Drew is so quiet. Mellow.’ They assumed you were just daydreaming, not paying attention. But I knew better. You missed nothing. You still don’t. Something is always spinning in that head of yours; it just doesn’t come out your mouth all the time like it does with your sister.”

  They laughed. Kate did have a knack for speaking her mind. Drew eyed his mother, sure of which parent his sister gained that trait from. His father had been more of an observer like himself.

  “What’s her name?” His mom nudged his shoulder with hers and smiled. His good shoulder.

  There was no use in trying to be coy with her. She’d find out some other way and with the way she and her friends jabbered, she’d get some story that wasn’t true, or a blown out of proportion version.

  “Baylee.”

  His mother’s eyes lit up. A good sign, yes, if he wanted her approval. A bad sign if he didn’t want her meddling and playing matchmaker.

  “I know Baylee! She’s lovely. And, man, can that woman bake.” She patted her middle. “Our bible study group at church gets treats from her bakery for our meetings. I have to keep myself to only indulging in them on that day. Any more and I’d gain a hundred pounds.”

  Rose MacIntire weighed barely a hundred pounds soaking wet. Petite and feminine in every way.

  “I think you could indulge a bit more if you wanted to, Mom.” He smiled, earning him a swat on the arm.

  “Oh, stop. But, really. I like Baylee. I’m glad you’re taking her out. She has so much on her plate with running the bakery and raising her boy by herself. Her mother is a godsend to help her, but still...”

  Drew’s mother had more information about Baylee than he did, which made sense since she lived there and he didn’t. His curiosity toyed with the idea of asking his mom more but, instead, he chose to wait. Getting to know Baylee via spending time with her was what he intended, not hearing it through his mom.

  “I’m taking her and her son on a picnic.”

  “Well, that’s a lovely idea.” She patted his knee. “If you’d like, I can recommend the perfect spot for it. Help you put together some lunch.”

  He’d thought about that late last night when he couldn’t sleep. He’d offered a picnic to Baylee before thinking through the fact that he didn’t live in Silver Bay and had no clue where a good spot was to do so. His mother’s offer to help was exactly what he needed. He was struggling to dress himself, for crying out loud. Putting together a picnic might send him over the edge.

  “That’s sounds great. Thanks, Mom.” He put an arm around her and kissed her cheek.

  She stood and headed towards the kitchen, talking to herself. “Not sandwiches. That’s too common. Something fun like crackers, cheese, meats...” She tapped a finger to coincide with each item she ticked off verbally and left the room.

  Drew leaned his elbows on his knees and linked his fingers together. What was he doing? Taking a woman with a kid out to lunch in a town he didn’t live in and only planned on staying for... hell, he didn’t even know how long. His future was unknown and his career teetered on the edge of a cliff. His gut said to cancel plans and go back to brooding in his mother’s living room. But something else pushed aside that thought and pulled him towards the blonde baker.

  He stood and rolled his shoulders back. Unknown future be damned. Never one to break a date, he wasn’t about to start now.

  Drew parked his rental can and entered Baylee’s Bakery. His heart pounded in his chest like it was the beginning of a game on opening day. Why was he so nervous? His mother had packed a gourmet feast, told him the exact spot to take Baylee, and he even brought his
glove and a baseball in case her son wanted to play catch. He wasn’t even sure how old her son was, but Baylee couldn’t be older than himself so definitely young. But old enough to throw a baseball?

  “Hey stranger.”

  Baylee’s voice brought him from the rambling he was doing in his head. He’d been standing just inside the door of the bakery, hands in his pockets, trying to calm himself down. Baylee had walked right up to him and he hadn’t noticed until she said something. How was that possible? He looked at her now, her hair in loose curls around her face, little to no makeup as far as he could tell, and those perfect lips curved into a smile as she looked up at him. He kept his hands deep in his pockets, afraid he’d wrap his arms around her and kiss her if he didn’t.

  “Hey.”

  “You okay?”

  He blinked.

  Her smiled faded a bit. “You still up for a picnic today? I was able to get Eva to cover for me until closing.” She pointed a thumb over her shoulder to the young woman he’d seen working behind the counter the day before.

  Picnic. Picnic. Picnic. Right!

  It took his brain a moment to register everything, his senses lost in those green depths of hers. “Yes! Of course. I’m ready if you are.”

  She nodded. “I am.”

  He pushed the door open and held it for her. As they walked down the sidewalk toward his car it hit him that something was off. “Wait. Where’s your son?”

  “Oh! I hope you don’t mind, but I decided to leave him at home with my mom. He’s... not that good with new people.” She shrugged. “And I thought it would be nice to have an afternoon off.”

  They reached his car and Drew opened the passenger side door for her. “Nothing wrong with an afternoon off.”

  She smiled as she touched his arm then got into the car.

  As he closed her door he thanked God again for the knack she had of always touching him – his hand, his arm.

  He climbed in the driver’s side and started the car. “What?’ He looked at Baylee.

  “You shook your head and sort of... grunted when you started the car.” Her smile teased.