Smitten (27 page)
I’ll take care of it. It will save on your heating bill.”
“Thanks, Nick. You take good care of me.”
“That’s what friends do,” he said with a smile, pointing to the plate of cookies.
Just then Shelby’s cell phone rang. With a glance at the caller ID, she said, “I’m sorry, I’d better get this.” She clicked on the phone. “Hi, Rose. Everything okay? . . . Oh dear . . .
No, of course, I understand. Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure out something. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She clicked off.
“Something wrong?” Nick asked.
“The pipe to Rose’s water filter was corroded and burst while she was in Stowe today. Her kitchen floor and hallway are flooded. She has to clean it up and get new flooring. She was going to host my classes while the repairs were made to my house. Looks like I’ll have to find another place.”
Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “You could hold your classes in my outbuilding.”
Shelby brightened. “Really?”
“Why not? It’s pretty good-sized, and it’s heated. It’s the one I use to display candles, lights, ornaments—Christmas decorations for sale. Remember?”
“Of course.”
“I’m not using it at the moment. Probably about the time I’ll need it, your place will be up and running again.”
“That’s so sweet of you to offer, Nick.” Shelby thought a moment. “I’ll agree to it if you let me help you on the tree farm when things get busy. At that point, my classes will be over till January, and I’ll be available.”
“Deal,” he said with a wide smile. “But just so you know, if you work on the farm, you might have to get dirty.”
Shelby gave a mock shudder. “I think I can manage.”
“You’ll have to wear jeans.”
“I don’t wear jeans.”
“You can’t go around the farm with nice clothes on, Shelby. You’ll ruin them,” he said.
Shelby glanced at Willow, who just stood there staring at both of the adults. “I think we have time to talk about that one, don’t we?” Shelby turned her attention to Willow.
“Anyway, the school bus stop is right down from my house, if you ever want to get off and visit me. My house is the one that has a sign out front that says Social Graces.”
“Thanks.”
Nick thought he saw a flicker of interest in Willow’s eyes.
“Well, that’s all. Just wanted to introduce myself and bring a welcoming gift. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. Both of you.”
“Thanks, Shelby.” Nick walked her to the door. “I appreciate it.”
Shelby stepped outside. “See you later. And thanks again for the use of your building.”
Nick waved and watched her go.
“I’m going to bed now,” Willow said as he closed the front door.
He said good night and noted the firewood in the basket was low. “I’m going to cut some wood. I’ll be outside if you need me.”
“Have you talked with Nick since he brought his daughter home?” Natalie asked as she, Julia, Reese, and Shelby took a walk around Timber Lake.
“Poor kid. That’s tough to lose your mom and your home all at the same time,” Reese said.
The others struggled to catch up to her.
“Yeah. Maybe you can ‘mother’ her, Shelby. After all, you have no real risk of involvement with Nick. You’ve said so yourself,” Julia said with a wink.
“Nick is a good friend. That’s all he’ll ever be,” Shelby said.
“No matter how much the three of you want it to be otherwise.”
“But you’re perfect for each other,” Reese said.
Shelby stepped over a stick. “You can’t base a marriage on a mutual fixation on Christmas.”
“It’s a start,” Natalie said. “Besides, he’s so cute.”
“Come on, you guys. The man has chin stubble. You know I can’t handle that. And he probably eats from a can.”
The girls laughed.
“He’s just a friend,” Shelby said.
“Whatever,” Julia said. “Still, friendship is a pretty good place to start. Who’s to say what will happen once you start working on his property?”
“Now, cut that out. Our goal is to save the town, not get me married off,” Shelby said.
“You do look cute together,” Reese said.
They all laughed, the laughter of good friends sharing together.
Natalie shrugged. “Oh well, girls, we tried.”
“I have news,” Reese said, changing the subject. “I’ve taken steps toward the purchase of my outfitters shop. I’ve applied for financing to see how much I qualify for.”
Natalie’s eyes grew as wide as chocolate cupcakes, with the same sweet sparkle. “That’s wonderful!”
The women talked excitedly about how they could help.
Their conversation finally dwindled as they attempted to catch their breath while keeping up with Reese’s walking pace.
“My skin is drying out already, and it’s not even winter,”
Julia said, touching her cheeks.
“Mine too. The good news is I’m coming into the spa soon for my facial.” Shelby grinned at Julia.
“Oh, good. When you come, plan on staying for lunch at the grill.”
“Sorry, friend, but I don’t eat goopy hamburgers, even for my best friends.” Shelby laughed.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Reese said.
“I’m willing to take my chances.”
Natalie sighed. “Girls, if she won’t risk a hamburger, there’s no hope of her taking a chance on love.”
Laughter rang through the air, and Shelby wondered if they knew just how true that was.
After the morning walk, Shelby showered and dressed. She passed the day finishing her current project, a dress and leggings that a young girl would pick up this evening, then worked on her class plans. Hopefully she’d get a few more students before registration was closed.
She walked into the kitchen to get a glass of iced tea when the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Shelby. This is Dad.”
Her stomach tightened. “Dad. How are you?”
“I just got the scarf and cap you knitted me for Father’s Day. Thanks.”
“But I sent that months ago.”
“Yeah, it just got to me. You sent it to Minnesota. I’m in Florida now.”
He’d moved . . . again. “Sorry. Guess you won’t have much use for a cap and scarf there.”
He laughed. “Oh, that’s no problem. I’m just tired of this dead-end job,” he said. “I’m thinking of looking for something else.”
She could recite this conversation by heart. “There in Florida?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I have an old army buddy in Tennessee.
He told me they’re hiring where he works.”
Same old, same old
.
“Dad, when are you going to settle down?”
Why couldn’t she just let it go? He’d never change.
“Why do I need to, Shelby? I’m not hurting anybody.”
Not now. But what about all those schools you dragged me through?
“You could move here with me, Dad. I have a huge house—” It was the right thing to say. But what would she do if he accepted?
“I won’t mooch off my daughter.”
They both knew it had nothing to do with that. He couldn’t—
wouldn’t
settle down. It was just as well. It would be like living with a stranger.
“Well, I just wanted to thank you for the gifts. They’re nice.”
“Um, you’re welcome.” Why was it always so awkward to talk to him? “Let me know if you move again,” she said. “We should, you know, stay in touch.” Sad that she had to say that to her own father.
“Will do. Talk to you later, kiddo.”
“Okay. See you, Dad.”
Shelby clicked off the phone and stared at it in her hand.
The one thing she wanted more than anything was a relationship with her dad, but with her mother gone, she doubted it would ever happen.
Her thoughts flew to Nick and Willow. She prayed it would go better for them. Maybe she could help . . .
E
llie Draper wore her forty-two years with pure joy. Round, puffy cheeks stained with pink gave her a jolly image. And who wouldn’t be in a constant state of bliss running a fudge shop? A hairnet pulled her cropped dark waves tight against her head. A full-length white apron, streaked with chocolate, covered her plump torso. She wiped her hands on a cotton cloth. “Shelby, so good to see you.”
“Morning, Ellie. Is it all right if I post a flyer on your bulletin board?”
“You know you can. You don’t even have to ask. I think it’s a wonderful thing that you’re doing, helping young girls the way you do. God bless you for that.”
“Thank you.” Shelby stepped up to the display case and looked at the candy. “Oh my.”
Ellie chuckled. “Now you know why I have such a time with my weight.” Her hand flew to her mouth, followed by another jovial chuckle. “Guess I shouldn’t say that. It’s bad for business.”
“I haven’t had your peanut butter fudge in a very long time.” Shelby eyed the candy with longing.
“Then it’s high time you did.” Ellie reached for a bag, gave it a quick snap to open it, and scooped a couple pieces of fudge inside. She shut the display door and handed Shelby the bag.
“How much?”
Ellie waved her off. “Consider it an unexpected blessing.”
That was Ellie, always thinking of others.
“I walked around the lake with the girls this morning, so a little indulgence can’t hurt. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I’d give you a hug, but I don’t suppose you’d want chocolate all over that beautiful sweater you’re wearing.” She waved good-bye and had gone back to stocking fudge before Shelby reached the door.
She stepped out of Sweet Surrender and came face-to-face with Nick and Willow. “Hey, what are you up to?”
“Oh, I’m looking into getting new windows for my house,” he said. “Since we were in town, Willow wanted to look around.”
“Windows, huh?”
“Yeah. The locks don’t work on half of them, and I want to make sure Willow has a lock on hers. Too many weirdos out there.”
Willow looked uncomfortable with her dad’s overprotective attitude.
“New windows would help with winter too,” Shelby said.
“True enough. Listen, Shelby, I thought Saturday might be a good day to start moving tables and whatever you need for your classes. Does that work for you?”
“Works fine. Are you sure you’re still up for it? I mean, you’ve got a lot on your plate right now.”
“Nothing I can’t handle. I’ll be by around nine o’clock Saturday, and we’ll get started.”
“Thanks so much, Nick.”
Shelby took another look at Willow. The girl’s thick, wavy brown hair stopped at her waist. Her expression reminded Shelby of Nick, but the bright blue eyes beneath dark, thick lashes must have come from Willow’s mother. Nick’s eyes were brown. Chocolate brown. Almost liquidy smooth, like melted chocolate.
Willow wore a newsboy cap, a frilly blue and black dress with matching leggings, and tan boots.
“I love your outfit, Willow,” Shelby said. “Did you know I’m a seamstress? Maybe you can come over sometime and give me your opinion on a couple of outfits I’ve been considering.”