Czytaj książkę: «A Husband For Christmas»

Chapter One

“Why did I say yes?”

Nina Jerome looked out her front window at the neighbors toting folding tables and chairs or picnic tables for their annual end-of-summer block party. She’d tried to refuse the invitation, but her neighbor Angie Turner wouldn’t listen, and Angie didn’t give up.

Retracing her steps to the kitchen, she opened her refrigerator and eyed her pasta salad. It looked a bit bland so she sprinkled sliced ripe olives and slivers of red peppers on top for color. She would attend whether she wanted to or not so no one would think of her as antisocial.

She shrugged. Who would care? In the few months she’d lived on Lilac Circle, she’d gotten to know very few people, but she preferred it that way. Or did she? “Face it, Nina. You can’t be a recluse. You need to meet your neighbors.” She spoke aloud to herself, and then chuckled. She had become a master of having great conversations with herself—or should she question her sanity?

The sound of the doorbell drew her from the kitchen. When she opened the door, she wasn’t surprised. “Hi, Angie. I—”

“You’re joining us, aren’t you?” Technically it was a question, but Angie’s expression was only allowing one answer.

“I sure am.” She tried to brighten her voice. “I just put some finishing touches on my salad. It’s ready.” She opened the front door wider.

Angie stepped in. “Can I help you carry something? You don’t need a table. You can share ours, but you might want a lawn chair.”

Nina motioned for Angie to follow her to the kitchen. Angie carried her salad, and she grabbed a lawn chair in one hand and a plate of cookies in the other.

Angie led the way across the street and down the block. Cars lined her end of the street where they’d been moved to make space for the food tables.

Angie’s soon-to-be stepdaughter, Carly, played on their front lawn with three other children. One girl, Nina suspected, was the niece of the single guy she’d heard about. It was probably that information which had discouraged her from attending the event.

When she’d first met Angie and admitted she was divorced, Angie had mentioned the single man who was caring for his young niece. Nina sensed an ulterior motive, and any reference to matchmaking stopped her cold. She’d had enough of men. Todd had walked out of their marriage at the worst time in her life without an apology or even an attempt to offer a sensible explanation. She had to provide one for herself. And she didn’t like what she’d come up with.

“You can put your food down there on the tables.” Angie pointed toward a row of long tables behind the sawhorses. “We’ll be eating soon.”

Following Angie’s direction, she worked her way around the lawn chairs, giving a nod to those she hadn’t met. When she found a spot for her pasta salad and shifted items to make room for her cookies, an elderly gentleman appeared beside her. “You’ve made a friend today, neighbor.”

She looked up and couldn’t help but smile, a real smile, at the man’s glinting eyes and friendly greeting.

He extended his hand. “Everyone calls me El.”

“El must stand for something.” She grasped his palm.

“Elwood Barnes.” His eyebrows lifted. “And you are...besides being the lady who brought cookies?”

“Nina Jerome. Everyone calls me Nina.” She chuckled, captured by the smile in his eyes. For the first time since she’d moved, she felt comfortable with a stranger. “I also brought a pasta salad.” She pointed toward the selection of dishes. “With olives and red peppers on top.”

“I’ll be sure and try some.” He motioned toward a man sitting alone on a lawn chair. “Come meet my neighbor across the street.”

While he steered her closer, she tensed, suspecting she was about to meet the single man on the block. He was good-looking with light brown hair and one of those five o’clock shadows that gave him an attractive rugged look, yet he appeared bored, as if someone forced him to join the party. She almost chuckled, aware of the similarity to her attitude.

“Doug, this is another new neighbor, Nina.” El shifted his focus. “Jerome, is it?”

Doug rose and jammed his hands into his pockets, his expression polite but stoic.

She eyed him without making a move.

“Nina, Doug Billings and little Kimmy over there.” El pivoted and motioned toward the children. “They moved here a month or so before you did if my old brain recalls.”

Doug glanced toward the children. “I’m sort of caring for my niece.”

She pressed her lips together, hoping not to laugh. “Sort of caring?”

He shook his head, as if waking from a bad dream and finally looked at her. “I do my best.”

He looked more uncomfortable than she felt. “Nice to meet you, Doug.” She detested the meaningless phrase. “I’ll head back before Angie thinks I ran off. Thanks, El, for introducing yourself and for...” She motioned toward Doug. “I’m sure I’ll see you both around.” She strode away, monitoring her legs to keep from running.

Avoiding meeting people had become a new problem. Though never outgoing, she knew how to be civil and welcoming. And she liked El. He was a sweet grandpa-type.

“There you are.” Angie looked at her, a hint of coyness in her grin.

Nina grasped her lawn chair and pulled it open. “El is a real gentleman. He introduced himself.” She slipped into the chair.

“He is.” She arched a brow. “Meet anyone else?”

The telltale look on Angie’s face gave her away, and Nina squirmed. “You must have seen El introduce me to Doug Billings.”

Angie grinned. “I wondered where you’d gone so long, and then I noticed you with him.”

“He’s worse than I am, Angie. Either he’s very shy or he’s preoccupied.”

Angie shrugged. “I suppose he’s worried about his sister. It has to be hard on Kimmy to be away from her mom so long. It’s already been over a month. I think Doug had planned to watch her for a week or so while his sister and her friend went on a trip, and then the accident happened. Now she can’t travel or do much for herself with her injuries. Two broken legs plus he mentioned something about a torn retina.”

Nina shook her head, unable to imagine what it would be like in that situation and stranded from her child.

Stranded from her child. She felt that way at times. Having a physician tell her she could never carry a child to term and, in fact, might never get pregnant again sliced through every nerve. Her husband’s lack of compassion, his turning his back on her and walking away at a time she needed his love, had destroyed her trust and hope of being a wife, let alone a mother.

“Nina?”

She jerked her head upward. “Sorry. I was empathizing with Doug and his sister, I guess.” She shifted her gaze, wanting to drop the topic. “The kids seem to be having tons of fun.”

Angie nodded. “I hate to stop them.” She motioned toward the tables. “But it’s nearly time to eat.” She swung back, a question in her eyes. “Did you receive your wedding invitation?”

“I did. Thank you.” Envy stabbed at her heart. “Sorry. I should have mentioned it.”

“No need to apologize. A cousin called a couple days ago and said hers hadn’t arrived. I know I sent it so I’m a bit antsy now.”

“It was most likely a fluke, Angie. Mine came three weeks ago. I wouldn’t miss the wedding. Carly’s your flower girl, right?”

A glow filled Angie’s face. “She is, and she’ll look beautiful. I adore that little girl.”

“I know you do.” She swallowed. “I’m ashamed to say that sometimes I envy you.”

“Why? It could be you one day, Nina. Love happens even when you least expect it, and it covers all the flaws and fears we’ve carried into our lives. Everything worthwhile deserves a second chance.”

Angie’s words sank in, and though she loved the idea, it seemed impossible. “You might be right.” She scrutinized the tables overflowing with casseroles and platters. “I think you’re definitely right about the food. I see people heading that way.”

Angie looked again. “Then we should round up everyone, I suppose.”

“Can I help?”

“I was thinking about inviting El to sit with us.” Angie gestured toward his house. “Do you mind asking him?”

“Not at all.” She bounded from the chair and retraced her steps toward El’s front yard. As she approached, Doug crossed the street with a dish, set it on the table and approached her.

“Hi.” He gave her a hangdog look. “I’m afraid I hadn’t been very welcoming when Mr. Barnes introduced us.” He tucked his hands into his pockets again.

Was that a nervous habit or a way of binding his hands to keep them out of mischief? She grimaced at her thought. “You’re forgiven. What’s in your dish?”

A faint grin curved his full lips and she spotted a different side of him emerging. “Baked beans. You know. I open a can, pour them into a casserole, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce, dice up onions and cocktail wieners and bake. It’s one of my limited bachelor dishes.”

Her pulse skipped, wondering how this nice-looking man escaped getting caught up in wedding bells. She often wished she’d made a wiser choice. “I don’t think marriage is for everyone.”

His eyes narrowed slightly until he shrugged. “Maybe, but in my case life got in the way, I suppose.”

Digesting his words, she realized life had got in her way, too. “And you have Kimmy to care for. You must be a special uncle.”

“Not really. Love motivates.” He looked downward as if embarrassed. “Speaking of Kimmy, I hope she’s at Angie’s. I forgot the beans and went inside for a few minutes.” He shrugged.

“She was playing ringtoss in the front yard.”

He craned his neck to check for himself. “She’s in good hands. When you go back would you ask her to come home? It looks about time to eat.”

“Sure will.” She turned toward El, noticing he had a card table sitting with two chairs on his front lawn.

El smiled as she arrived.

“Angie asked me to invite you down to her table to eat.”

He gave her a wink. “Tell her thanks, but I’ve already made plans with Birdie. Angie’ll understand.”

“Birdie?”

He grinned as if she were in on a joke.

“Okay, I’ll tell her. See you later.” She headed back to Angie’s, curious about El’s sudden friendship to Birdie.

When she told Angie, her eyes widened like a full moon. “You are kidding.”

“No. He said you’d understand.” She anticipated an explanation, but Angie only stared at her with her mouth agape.

Finally Angie chuckled. “Birdie has been one of those neighbors everyone’s tried to ignore.” She released a long breath. “But you realize El has a loving heart. One day, he asked me to befriend her because he suspected part of her problem was loneliness.”

“He asked you?”

“Me.” Angie rolled her eyes.

“Why?”

She shrugged.

“I’m not sure since I was the one who called her a gossip. I felt ashamed, but I did it because he asked. I baked cookies, of all things, and went to visit, but she wasn’t home. I praised the Lord for the reprieve.”

Nina couldn’t help her chuckle. “And then what?”

“Birdie appeared at my door a couple days later saying she’d heard I’d been snooping around. When I told her why I’d come, she actually apologized in her own way, and softened a bit. She even had a bounce to her step when she left.” She lifted her shoulders. “Maybe she’s been thinking about her behavior and realizes she’s chasing people away rather than making friends. I have no idea but something happened.”

“Good for you.”

“Have you met Rema?”

Nina checked the direction of Angie’s gaze and spotted a woman heading their way. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Then it’s time you two meet.” Angie flagged her over. “I thought you were missing the party?”

“No, I goofed. I thought my casserole was warming in the oven.” She shook her head. “But I’d forgotten to turn it on.” She lifted the cover. “I hope I’m not too late.”

“People have just begun to eat.” Angie motioned toward Nina. “Rema, I don’t think you officially met Nina Jerome.”

Nina extended her hand, and then recalled Rema was holding a heavy casserole so she let her hand drop. “I’m glad to meet you.”

Angie rested her hand on Rema’s shoulder. “If you have no other plans, please join us. We have lots of room here.” She motioned to the picnic bench and the long table she’d butted up next to it.

“No plans. I’m just being neighborly.” She gave a shrug. “Thanks for the invitation.” She tilted her head toward the food. “I’d better get this to the table before everyone’s eaten.” She turned and hurried down the street.

Nina eyed the food line and spotted Doug standing alone in front of his house. A lonely feeling crept through her. She’d been doing the same thing since Todd had turned his back on her. Alone. Her memory kicked in, and she snapped her finger. “Doug asked me to tell Kimmy to go home so she can eat.”

Angie eyed the line and then turned toward Rick. “Time to eat.” She pointed down the street.

Carly bounded across the grass with Kimmy on her heels. “Can Kimmy eat with us? We have room.” She gestured to the long folding table.

Angie looked down the road. “Kimmy, you need to ask your uncle Doug first. If he says yes, tell him we have plenty of room at our table and he’s invited, too. I don’t want him eating alone. Okay?”

Kimmy nodded, and Carly jumped in on the task.

Angie grinned. “Okay, you can both go, but wait down there. We’re going to get in line, too.”

“I’ll go with them.” Before Angie responded, Nina followed behind the children. As she neared Doug, she scrutinized him in a way she hadn’t before. When they met earlier, she’d noticed his good looks but not his physique. He had to be nearly six feet with a lean waist and a great set of shoulders. She liked his executive haircut that seemed to have a mind of its own.

Doug stood as she neared, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed her steady gaze. By the time she arrived, the girls had already given him the invitation.

“I’m sorry, Doug. I almost forgot to deliver your message, but here she is.” She chuckled, hoping he would smile. “You might as well join us.”

He hesitated, a thoughtful expression growing.

“I’m sitting with them, too. Makes it more of a party.”

“Please, Uncle Doug.” Kimmy’s plaintive urging did the trick.

“Why not?” He shrugged, and again his hands vanished into his pockets.

Nerves or a habit? She longed to know which.

When Angie arrived, the kids joined her, and then she and Doug fell into line.

When Nina spotted Doug’s baked beans, she took a big spoonful and he gave her a smile. Surprised, she grinned back, liking that he’d finally let her see a new side of him. The man was too attractive to not smile. She completed her plate with a slab of ham, but chuckled when the girls headed for the hot dogs. Kids and hot dogs.

“I’ll check out desserts later.” She tilted her head toward the array of goodies and maneuvered her way back to Angie’s table with Doug’s smile the sweetest treat of all.

* * *

Doug stared at his plate, wishing his appetite would return. He’d become overwhelmed by too many things. He’d always been a responsible person, sure of his decisions and able to roll with the punches. Not lately. He’d weighed the reasons, and the best answer he found was Roseanne’s accident and feeling unprepared to be a temporary father figure. Though he could handle a multifaceted career, he had no idea how parents kept up with a child’s energy and needs. No wonder he’d hesitated looking for a wife.

He looked at Nina. Something about her captured him. Although nice looking, she wasn’t a woman most men would call beautiful, yet he saw a kind of beauty. He admired her long wavy hair, the color of a chestnut, sort of brown with hints of red. She tied it back, and he longed to see it flowing around her shoulders. Her eyes tilted downward, and though she held a direct gaze, something in her eyes seemed haunting. She had an appeal that went deeper than physical beauty.

Delving his fork into pasta salad, he stopped his musing. Women hadn’t penetrated his hardened mind for years, so why now? His job kept him busy, and he’d always tried to be there for his sister, whose life hadn’t been the smoothest. And then sweet Kimmy. That broke his heart.

He swallowed hard, forcing the pasta down his throat and following it with a long drink of iced tea.

“You’re quiet.”

Nina had leaned close enough for him to smell her fragrance, like fresh-picked fruit. “Sorry.” He managed a grin. “My mind got tangled somewhere. I think in your scent. You took me away to an orchard. I could almost hear birds singing.” A flush grew on his cheeks. “Sorry, I got carried away.”

Nina grinned. “It was a lovely compliment.” She paused while a question flickered in her eyes. “What kind of birds?”

He laughed and it felt odd. “I’ll have to think about that.”

When she chuckled, his spirit lifted. How long had it been since he’d really laughed?

Though they had been talking drivel, his shoulders had eased, and a good feeling rolled through him. He glanced toward Kimmy to make sure she was behaving. But he had no need to worry. She and Carly were talking and giggling like old friends. “I’m glad the girls have each other. I moved here at a terrible time. I’d thought Roseanne would be back by the time moving day arrived, but with the accident...” He shook his head.

“Kimmy seems to have adjusted well. You’re, apparently, doing a good job.”

“I’ve misled you if you think that. Every day was a struggle until Carly came along. I was trying to balance my work hours with child care hours. Can you imagine my telling her bedtime stories?”

“I can.” Her grin broadened. “You have a nice speaking voice, and I’m sure you can read.” She added a wink. “And, most of all, you love her. I can tell.”

His cheeks warmed with her compliment. “Thanks. I do love her.”

“You’ll make a good dad one day.”

Her comment addled him, and not knowing what to say, he changed the subject. “What brought you to Owosso?”

“I work in public relations, and I was tired of traffic and high-priced apartment rentals. I couldn’t afford a house in the city. So when I learned we had a branch in Owosso, and I could transfer, I jumped at the chance. Home prices are much better here. Payments are less than my apartment.”

“I found that to be true, too. But do you like small town living?”

“I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I think I do. It’s friendly. Have you ever had a block party in downtown Chicago? Or Detroit?”

He chuckled, but before he responded, Angie’s voice cut through their prattle.

“What are you two laughing about?”

“The weather.” Nina grinned. “About apartments in the city versus owning a home out here.”

Angie’s fiancé, Rick, nodded. “I’m with you on that one. Not so much the price but the space and freedom. Carly loves the yard. My apartment doesn’t have one.”

Angie rose. “Anyone ready for refills?”

Rick eyed the girls. “More food, ladies, or dessert?”

Kimmy bounced beside him. “Me, too, Uncle Doug?”

After he gave her permission, Angie and Rick left for the food table with the girls while he and Nina stayed behind, making small talk, but he enjoyed it. For so long he’d feared that a woman might think he was coming on to her and not just being friendly. But Nina had a way about her that gave him no worries that she was looking for romance.

More at ease, he returned to their discussion. “I’m guessing our places are similar. Mine has three bedrooms and a good-sized dining room.” He doubted she cared, and he disliked small talk, too, but that’s all he could come up with.

“Mine’s similar. Would you like to see it?”

“Sure, but let me check on Kimmy first.” He rose and spotted Angie returning with the girls. “Will you keep an eye on Kimmy for a few minutes? I’m going—”

“No problem.” She flashed a playful wink. “Have fun.”

Nina arched an eyebrow. “It’s only... Never mind.” She brushed her words away and rose. “We don’t need to explain, do we?”

“Not at all.” He enjoyed her lighthearted spirit and joined her on the sidewalk, heading to her home. Though he’d passed her house often, he’d never really noticed its homey look. It had a porch on half of the front and the other side, an overhung alcove with attractive wide windows. His home lacked the warmth and was more streamlined. Too much like him. “It has a friendly feel, Nina. Like you.”

“Me?” Her voice rose. “I’m just boring.”

“To yourself maybe, but not to me.” Hearing his honesty startled him.

“Thank you, Doug.” Her stunned expression set him back.

She opened the door, and they stepped inside. “This is the living room, naturally.”

The size surprised him. “It’s like a great room. I like the corner fireplace.”

She didn’t comment. “Dining room.” She made a sweeping gesture.

He slipped his hands into his pockets, uneasy that he had no awareness of what she was thinking. He noted the wide archway added even more space to the already-large living area.

Nina gestured to the doorway leading from the dining room. “And the kitchen.”

She stepped inside and he followed, noting numerous cabinets but minimal counter space and a pair of folding doors. “Is this a pantry?”

“I wish.” She folded back the doors to expose a washer and dryer. “This is my laundry room.” She gave a shrug. “No basement.”

“Mine is a small room off the kitchen.” He leaned his back against a counter and studied her a moment. “You have lots of room for one person. Are you anticipating finding someone to share it with?” He cringed. Why not just ask if she was engaged or dating someone?

“I’m not anticipating anything.” Her tone had an edge. “I like the space.”

He wanted to undo the damage. “You never know about the future.”

A frown shot to her face. “No marriage plans in my future, if that’s what you mean. None. Not interested.”

He drew back, wishing he’d kept his mouth shut. “I’m sorry, Nina. That sounded crude and too nosy. I have no plans at the moment, either. Once Kimmy’s back with her mom, it’s just me. That was an ignorant comment.”

Her frown faded, replaced by an unreadable expression. “Doug, I’ve been married once. I don’t think it’s meant for me. Once is enough.”

Though he reacted as if he understood, her sharp response sent a sliver of disappointment through his chest and left him even more curious.

“Back to the tour.” She strode through the kitchen doorway to a short hallway on the opposite side of the house. “Three bedrooms. Right now the smallest is sort of an office with my computer and some exercise equipment. The middle size is a guest room.” She raised her eyebrows. “Now all I need are guests. And the master bedroom is large and faces the back with a walk-in closet and master bath.”

She didn’t step inside but raced through her descriptions, gesturing as he glanced into the three rooms. Her manner had changed since he’d stupidly asked the personal question about her future plans. He’d messed up, but then he’d done that before. He mumbled something about the attractive rooms and watched her edge toward the front door.

Obviously she wanted out of the situation. He decided to give her a solution. “Thanks for the tour. I should get back to Kimmy.”

She didn’t say a word but headed for the door.

He followed her into the great room. “You have a nice place here, Nina.”

She only nodded and opened the front door.

His chest constricted. He had no doubt this was the end of their amiable relationship. And he knew it was for the best. He had nothing to offer except his preoccupation with his sister’s horrible situation and Kimmy’s needs. Then he had his own feelings, ones he disliked more than he wanted to face. Inadequacy had never been a word in his life until now. But when he’d opened his mouth to repair the damage he couldn’t even put a patch on it until he got himself and his head in the right place. Obviously a repair job was pointless. He’d made a mess of it, and of all things, he liked her.