Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest 1)

Besides, there was no downside, he reasoned. When Simon recovered, Mike would step down as chief of police; he would leave town as he’d planned all along.

Cara always felt a mix of admiration, gratitude, and envy when she visited the Marsden house. She appreciated the sense of family they shared and wished with all her heart she had the same for herself. But she’d long since stopped pining for things she couldn’t have. Instead she appreciated the fact that they included her on occasion. Today felt different because she wasn’t coming at Sam’s request, but Mike’s.

She didn’t know why he’d asked her or what it meant, but she’d promised herself she’d take the invitation at face value. Dinner with a family she’d always felt close to, that was all.

She rang the doorbell and Ella Marsden greeted her almost immediately. “Cara! I’m so glad you could make it,” she said, opening the screen door to let her inside.

“I appreciate you having me on such short notice.” Cara stepped into the foyer.

“Nonsense. We love having you. Now what’s that?” Ella asked, glancing at the foil-covered pan Cara was holding.

“Lasagna. I thought you and Simon could freeze it and eat it on a day when you aren’t up to cooking.” When Cara had called, Ella insisted Cara didn’t need to bring anything tonight, not dessert or side dishes. As usual, she had it handled.

That was fine, but Cara knew how tired the older woman had to be, taking care of and worrying about her husband. Flowers seemed like a useless thank-you, so Cara had gone shopping early that morning for the ingredients and made the dish when she got home.

She held out the pan for Ella to take.

“Thank you.” Ella accepted the food and tipped her head, indicating that Cara should follow her into the kitchen. She passed through the family room where Simon dozed in his recliner and caught a glimpse of the wall of family photos, pausing for a closer look.

She had to smile at the variations on the family photo that changed over the years as the kids grew up. Sam and Erin were lighter in coloring than Mike, both resembling their mother and Simon. For the first time, Cara wondered what Mike’s real father looked like, whether his hair was as dark as his son’s, his eyes like delicious hot chocolate.

“Cara?” Ella called.

“Coming!” Cara headed for the kitchen, a smile still on her face. “I was just looking at the pictures on the wall.”

Ella smiled too, but Cara noticed the strain around her eyes and mouth, small lines that hadn’t been there last time she’d seen her. “They make me happy too. Let’s sit. The boys aren’t here yet, and Erin said she’s running late.”

Cara joined Ella at the table, declining her offer of a soft drink.

“So how are you?” the older woman asked.

“I’m good. Busy, which I like. Between work and volunteering at Havensbridge, I don’t have much downtime.”

Ella nodded. “I’m thinking of doing some volunteer work myself once Simon’s back to himself. Maybe driving cancer patients to the hospital for treatment or reading to the children who are inpatient there.”

“That’s sweet,” Cara said. “What do the doctors tell you about Simon?”

“That he’s progressing nicely. He tolerates the treatments well, and he’s been able to have them consistently. They hope he’ll be in remission soon. And once he’s finished with this part of the treatment, he should start to feel stronger and want to do more.”

“I’m glad,” Cara said.

They talked for a few more minutes about small things before Ella cleared her throat, looking suddenly serious. “Cara, honey…”

“Yes?”

“When Michael called and told me you were coming for dinner, he mentioned the incident at your parents’ last night.”

Everything inside Cara ran cold. Since driving away from her parents’ apartment, she’d deliberately not let herself think about them. She didn’t want anyone else thinking about it either. Knowing. Judging.

Mike obviously was doing one or more of the above. “So he invited me out of pity, then,” she said without thinking.

Ella’s frown told her she didn’t agree. “You know better than that. You’re comfortable here and we love having you, and I’m sure you can use being around people who think of you as family at a time like this.” The older woman paused, not breaking eye contact. “Although, family’s more Sam’s way of thinking about you than Michael’s.”

Cara knew she blushed a deep red, and she couldn’t think of a witty reply.

“I think Michael just wanted you here,” Ella mused.

Cara shook her head. This conversation was getting awkward on every end. “I don’t know what to say to any of this.”