“You don’t have to do that.” She managed a forced smile. “I’ll be too busy to be able to talk.”
He studied her, his hazel eyes assessing her in a way he’d never done before. Like he was looking beneath her skin and trying to figure out a way to understand this new version of her. Well, she understood herself, and she’d tried to explain it to him last night: She didn’t want his pity and she certainly didn’t want him saying things he didn’t mean because of it.
“Like I said, I’ll be by later to check things out,” he said, ignoring her.
She clutched her bag. “Suit yourself. Thanks for the ride.” She opened the door and hopped out of the car.
She let herself into the shop, with the car engine humming behind her, as Sam waited until she was safely inside before taking off.
She brought her hands to her face and groaned. What was she going to do with him? The good news was, she had no time to worry about it.
She had a business to open.
Nicole didn’t know what to expect from the day, but based on last week’s slow build of sales, she had high hopes. Those hopes were exceeded. As Sam predicted, they had long lines during the prework hours, when people would pick up coffee from Cuppa Café and come by for food.
Her cranberry and hazelnut scones were a hit with the moms, and the kids loved the chocolate chip ones. The cinnamon and cream cheese muffins were treats everyone seemed to enjoy. And people ordered Lulu’s pies for their weekend barbecues. By the time the day ended, Nicole’s legs ached from being on her feet all day, but her emotions were running high with their success.
Then there was Sam. True to his word, he stopped by during the day. Not once or twice but three times, offering moral support and buying food. He didn’t stay to talk or hog her attention, but she felt his warm gaze on hers for the duration of his visit. His proud gaze.
And his words from last night came back to her. You want to know why I want to be there for you when you need me? Because I love you.
Could he mean it, she wondered? And more importantly, could she t
rust him, especially after his insistence on not wanting or believing in relationships and love for himself?
Come to me when you're free—of everything. Then we can talk. Tyler never thought the day would come. In fact, up through last night, his father had been refusing to cooperate with the police, proclaiming his innocence and thrusting all the blame on his accountant. Only when Paul Farnsworth had refused to stand by him did Robert Stanton break down and confess. He’d truly believed that his partner, Nicole’s father, would understand the need to bolster the firm during tough economic times, no matter the means.
Tyler was still coming to terms with his father’s betrayal of everything moral and right. His mother? He didn’t think she’d ever forgive her husband, and at this moment she was meeting with her attorneys. Not to delve into the legal status of her campaign funding, but to file for divorce. That was his mother. No second chances.
Before he could go talk to Macy, he had to do some legwork on something he hoped would prove to her that from this moment on, she came first. Whatever happened between them in the long run, Tyler knew it wouldn’t be for lack of trying.
Daisies. Sam sent daisies to the store every morning for a week straight. Each day, they brightened up the area by the cash register, and when Nicole ran out of the room, they lined the windowsill overlooking the street.
“Someone’s in love,” Aunt Lulu said, turning the lock on the door and hanging the CLOSED sign from the doorknob.
“Are you talking about me? Or Sam?” Nicole asked her partner.
Aunt Lulu waggled her eyebrows. “Oh, a little bit of both of you.”
Nicole bit down on the inside of her cheek. “Is love enough?” She asked the question that had been nagging at her day and night.
“Oh, honey. Of course it is.” Aunt Lulu placed an arm around her shoulders and led her to a small table in front. “Sit.”
Not one to argue with this woman, Nicole did as instructed. Aunt Lulu pulled up a seat beside her. “I lost my first love to cancer before we ever got married. If I could have him back, just to experience that love again, I truly believe all would be right in my world.” The woman who always seemed so together and strong looked suddenly frail and sad.
Nicole reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
Aunt Lulu shrugged. “It’s in the past. I can’t change it, so I just push forward. But I can advise you not to waste one single day.” She rose to her feet, obviously finished with sadness and reminiscing. “So aren’t you glad we hired people to help with the cleanup?”
“More than anything. I don’t know if I could handle it,” Nicole admitted, stretching her legs and wiggling her aching feet.
A knock sounded at the door. “Who could that be?” Nicole asked.
Aunt Lulu stepped closer and glanced outside. “A very distinguished-looking gentleman I’ve never seen before.”
Wary, Nicole stood and checked the visitor for herself. “Dad!”
“That’s your father?” Aunt Lulu asked. “Nice-looking man.”