Читать книгу Heart's Haven - Lois Richer - Страница 6

Cassidy Preston was late.

Ty tossed two more bags of garbage into a plastic bin, then glanced—for the tenth time—at the big metal clock on the kitchen wall.

“Seems like the cook must’ve slept in, Elizabeth,” he muttered as he swept up a pile of debris. “How is she going to handle breakfast at six if she can’t get to work on a Monday morning by eleven?”

“You might be surprised by what I can handle.”

Ty whirled around. Cassidy leaned against the door frame, wearing a short espresso-toned jacket shot with the same silver as her eyes. Her smug expression told him she hadn’t been sleeping in. He was stupidly pleased by the way her eyes lit up when she looked around.

“Very nice.” Her gaze rested for a moment on the saucepan he’d left on the counter—the sparkling clean saucepan. A smile eased the severity of her lips. “I hear Jack was released. Everything okay?”

“He’s doing very well. Thanks for asking. The doctors sent him home once they were sure he was okay and the stitches were holding. He’s supposed to be on bed rest till school starts, but I doubt anyone can hold him to that.” Ty grimaced. “Keeping him quiet while he heals is going to be the hard part.”

“Well, he is a boy. I don’t suppose it’s all that easy to lie around when all your friends are outside.”

Ty could’ve told her that Jack didn’t have many friends, that ever since his mother’s death he’d grown more introverted. He could’ve told her that he was concerned by the boy’s aimlessness, by his lack of interest in the swimming team on which he’d once excelled, or the Rollerblading that had worried his mother. He could’ve told her that, since Gail’s death, he’d tried a thousand things to draw the boy’s interest and that none of them had worked.

Thankfully, he didn’t get a chance to relate that sad history.

“You’ve made quite a difference in here. Did you work all weekend?”

“Nope. I started at the crack of dawn.” No way would he tell her why. “Someone tried to break in Friday night so I hired Mac to act as our night watchman. He was a cop once. He says you’ve met.”

She nodded.

“When I showed up here this morning it was pretty early. I think I scared the wits out of him.” The old man’s disgruntled complaints still rang in Ty’s ears.

“Well, whenever you started and however long it took, you’ve done a great job.”

“Thank you. Does that mean you’re cooking lunch?”

She tossed him a “when pigs fly” look.

“Regarding that.” Cassidy frowned. “I wonder if it would be possible to haul out those old refrigeration units while you’re in your cleaning mode. They smell.”

“Haul them away?” Did he look like an ox? “Sure—if I can scrounge up about another six men and some kind of pulley system.”

“I can help you.” She took another look, shaking her head. “You’re right. We’d need Hercules.”

Ty probed past the friendly smile, glimpsed something she wasn’t saying.

“These old things are all we have. If we throw them out—”

A satisfied smirk originated in Cassidy’s silver-gray eyes and swooped down to tip up the corners of her generous mouth. Funny he hadn’t noticed her great smile before, but then she hadn’t smiled all that much on Friday.

“They were all you had.” A spark of mischief played with her smile. “I found something better.”

“You bought new refrigeration?” he asked in disbelief, temper rising at her temerity. He tamped it down with difficulty. “Cassidy, there is no way we can lay out expenditures like that without sourcing all possible providers and getting quotes for the best price. I know you want to get started but you can’t rush ahead on your own.”

“If you’d only—”

“Wherever you got it from, it will have to go back. I’m sorry.” Ty pinned her with a glare, hoping she understood what he wasn’t saying—he was the boss. “You have to take it back.”

“Could you listen—”

“I don’t have to hear any more. It goes back.”

Ty was in charge so she’d better realize he would make the major decisions about where the money was spent. He could be more blunt if he had to, but confrontation wasn’t his usual style.

Apparently their new chef had no such problem.

“How dare you?”

Silver flashes from her eyes speared him. So she had a temper. Well, he wasn’t any pushover, either.

“There is no dare about it,” Ty informed her with a firmness that, thanks to Jack, he’d recently learned to apply. “Elizabeth Wisdom’s foundation donated money to turn Gail’s dream into reality. But I can’t authorize—”

“Stop!” She took one step toward him, anger shimmering around her like a field of overcharged electricity. Her voice had risen but her next words were modulated. “I realize you’re in charge here, Mr. St. John. I’m well aware that everything must be approved by you. You are the boss. Got that.”

“Then?” He would not back down.

“I have no intention of threatening your power. I was merely trying to help get this place off the ground. As quickly as possible.”

“But—”

Cassidy’s upheld palm stemmed his protest.

“That’s why I contacted a friend of mine—to get a lead on some equipment. Davis was willing to donate some very good units for which he has no further use.”

His anger shrank to the size of a shriveled pea. “Donate?”

“As in free. Gratis. No charge.” She glanced at her watch for the second time. “They’ll be delivered in about two hours. Also free. If we have everything ready, they might just agree to move the units into place.”

Ty had jumped to conclusions, neglecting to ask questions first. In short, he’d done exactly what he always counseled his patients not to do. Like some power-hungry freak that sensed his control was threatened, he’d waved his big stick of authority to prove to her that he knew what he was doing.

“I’m sorry.”

It wasn’t much of an apology, but at least it was sincere. Ty stared at his toes, waiting for her response. What happened now would signal how their relationship progressed. Yes, he’d messed up, but they still had to work together.

She could have called, he told himself, and alerted him to the possibility that she’d found some equipment. She could have mentioned she was going to ask some friends for help. She could have—

Ty didn’t have time to analyze his defensiveness.

“Clearly, I made a mistake. You don’t want them.” Cassidy shoved a length of hair behind one ear. “Fine. I’ll phone Davis, see if he will take it all back. I didn’t realize that you had something else already planned. I got so excited when this was available for free that I guess I thought—” She heaved a sigh, closed her eyes and shook her head. “Never mind. I’m sorry I interfered with your plans.”

Now he felt like a first-class jerk.

“I didn’t actually have any plans. Yet. I’m very happy you found this opportunity for us, Cassidy.” Ty caught himself waiting for the glow to return to her face.

“You’re sure?” Who could blame her for being confused?

“Positive.” He took a deep breath and said what he should have said in the first place. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a little awed by the responsibility of getting this place up and running. My sister, Gail—” he struggled to find the right words “—she had a very precise idea of what she wanted the Haven to be like. She spent a lot of time working in this community as an outreach worker. She chose this place because our brother died near here.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“You couldn’t have. As much as I can, I intend to make her dream come true, preferably without spending all the money Elizabeth provided us before we open the doors. Most of the time I’m in way over my head, just trying to stay afloat. And it scares me to death. I guess I took my fears out on you.” Forcing that admission cost Ty but he pressed on. “I sincerely apologize.”

Cassidy’s body language told Ty she wasn’t ready to accept his apology quite yet. He tried again.

“If it seems like I’m a little overprotective about the place, it’s probably because I am. Organizing a shelter—” He held out his hands, palms facing upward. “It’s not my area of expertise and I don’t want to make any mistakes. I’m feeling my way through.”

“What is your field?”

“Counseling. I’m a psychologist. I used to work in the military with the soldiers serving in Iraq.”

“You don’t now?” Curiosity lit up her expression. “Why is that?”

“I quit.” He struggled to find words that would make sense of a situation that even now confused him. “Shortly after I came back, Gail had a massive coronary.”

At first he’d considered coming here charity work, but the longer he concentrated on the Haven, the more Ty began to imagine Gail’s vision coming alive for the residents of this neighborhood—for people like Donnie, who had fallen through the cracks.

In running the Haven Ty saw himself finding his way back to counseling, to helping people improve their lives, work he’d loved.

At least that was his hope.

The truth was that he’d latched onto the Haven like a life preserver because he never again wanted to relive the gut-wrenching horrors he’d seen, terrors he still dreamed of every night.

And of course there was Jack. Ty hoped seeing his mother’s dream come true would help Jack get past the grief that still showed in his eyes, help the two of them bond.

But that wasn’t the entire truth.

In reality, Ty desperately needed the myriad details of this place to keep from panicking about raising a twelve-year-old boy alone.

“Losing your sister must have been devastating, both to you and to Jack,” Cassidy murmured. “Especially for you, having also lost your brother. I’m so sorry.”

That she could be so considerate, especially after his temper tantrum, touched Ty.

“Thank you. It was difficult. But knowing her vision for the Haven is going to become real—that helps a lot.”

“Would you mind telling me what that vision was? How it started?”

Ty closed his eyes, raked a hand through his hair as loss squeezed a grip around his heart.

“Gail and Elizabeth Wisdom were friends for years. They sat on lots of charity boards together.”

In fact, it was Gail who’d introduced Ty to Elizabeth. He recalled the Christmas benefit as if it were yesterday. He’d attended just before he’d been shipped out and found himself caught up in their projects, in the joy they took lending help where it was needed. Those had been happy days.

LaterTy had been glad of the connection when he’d contacted the Wisdom Foundation about making Gail’s dream come true.

“The two of them were like twin caped-crusaders, hunting for things that needed to be done to make the world a better place, and tackling them till they got the results they were after.” He shook his head ruefully. “The Haven grew from an idea Gail had at her last high school reunion. Our brother died of a drug overdose in his senior year. When Gail found out this school was going to be demolished, she decided to use it to make this neighborhood better for the people who live here.”

“She sounds very generous.”

Good thing Jack wasn’t here. Ty longed to talk about his sister, but since Jack hadn’t yet opened up about losing his mother, Ty wasn’t sure exactly how to broach the subject. So he kept silent, never speaking about the sister he’d loved, allowing Jack time to deal with his grief in his own way.

Someday he hoped to share all the funny stories from his childhood. Someday he’d pull out the old photos, talk to Jack about Donnie, how he’d gotten messed up because he made the wrong choices. Someday Ty and Jack would laugh, push past the strained relationship they now shared.

“I’m sorry if it’s painful—”

Ty shook his head.

“Gail had a very successful career in real estate. She left it to work in this community as an outreach worker because she felt that God had blessed her so much she had to share, to make a difference in the world. And for several years she did.”

“I see.”

Ty breathed deeply, forced his shoulders to relax and his fingers to unclench.

“The Haven was Gail’s last dream. I made myself a promise that I’d see my sister’s final project through to completion.”

Silence stretched between them for several moments. Ty felt Cassidy’s gray gaze studying him but he kept his head down, his focus on the floor, because he didn’t want her to see how much that promise was costing him.

Nobody knew of his long nights lying awake, trying to recall if he’d dotted all the i’s, crossed all the t’s, missed any detail that would jeopardize the project. That’s why he didn’t go to bed till long after midnight. That’s why he’d been up at four this morning.

Well, one reason why.

He spent precious hours deliberating over every decision, desperate to avoid the mistake that would spoil Gail’s dream. But even when he finally made a choice, Ty could never be sure it was the right one. That and the constant nightmares were just a small part of the legacy post-traumatic stress disorder had bequeathed him—chronic worry and uncertainty. PTSD was the primary reason he’d left the military, left counseling to someone else, someone who wasn’t dragging about his baggage.

Eventually he hoped to ease back into practice in his own way, on his own terms. Elizabeth had been great with her advice and support, her foundation equally generous, but even she didn’t know exactly how much he had at stake. Whether he could recover, whether he could listen and help someone else—what he discovered here would decide whether he ever practiced again.

For now Ty would see the Haven through to completion—errors and all.

What happened after that—Ty didn’t want to think about it right now.

“May I say something?”

He’d almost forgotten she was there. Cassidy waited until he lifted his head and looked at her.

“I am not trying to usurp your authority, Ty. I don’t want to get in your way, change your decisions or mess with your plans. That is not my intent.” She stood straight and tall, unflinching in her vivid sweater and frayed but fitted jeans. “I am here to help for six months. I owe that to Elizabeth because six years ago she gave me back my life. But at the end of my six months I’ll go my own way, get on with my own plans.”

“Okay.” Gave her back her life? There was more to that story, but Cassidy didn’t look inclined to explain at the moment.

Ty’s curiosity grew. That was the second time she had emphasized that she was here for six months. Had she repeated it for his benefit, or for her own?

“Until then, please know that I’ll do my very best to help you make the Haven succeed.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your commitment.”

“I am committed. From now on I promise not to spring any further surprises on you. I’m sure you’re juggling a thousand things already. You don’t need me adding to your stress.” She offered a tentative smile. “All right?”

Ty shook his head.

“Not all right at all. Please don’t apologize for helping. This whole misunderstanding was my fault. For now, let’s agree that we will cooperate to make things go smoothly. The Haven is our common goal. Okay?”

“Very okay.” She glanced around the room. Suddenly her eyes opened wide. She gasped. “Oh, how silly. I forgot.”

“Forgot who?”

“Not who, what.”

Ty followed her pointing finger and saw two brown paper cups sitting on the table by the door she’d entered. Next to them she’d left a white bag with his favorite bakery’s red logo printed across it.

“Those.” She handed him a cup. “I hope it’s not cold yet.”

“You’ve been back in Chicago what—five days? And you’ve already found Sugar’s?” Ty sniffed the aromatic wisps emanating from the tiny opening in the lid. “Costa Rican. Double dark, twice ground with real cream.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “I take it you’re familiar with that brew.”

“You could say that.” He closed his eyes, inhaled and sighed. “This is going to be a very good day.”

“I should have given you the coffee first.”

The way she said it made him study her. A tiny smile kicked up the corner of her pretty mouth; her eyes sparkled as if enjoying a private joke.

“Because?”

“We could have avoided a lot of misunderstanding if I’d known one cup would mellow you out for the whole day.”

“Okay, probably not the whole day,” Ty admitted. “But it’s a very good start. Thank you.” He sipped the drink and allowed himself a moment to savor it. A crackling bag drew him back to the reality of the Haven’s less than immaculate kitchen.

“I suppose you’re not into apple Danish?” She held out one of his favorite delicacies. When he didn’t immediately take it, she shrugged. “That’s okay. I’m starved. I bought four thinking I’d have one for breakfast, one for lunch and share the other two. Guess I’ll keep some for tomorrow.”

“I don’t see any need for you to suffer like that.” Ty plucked the golden pastry from her fingertips. “I’m happy to help out.” He bit into it quickly, so she couldn’t snatch it back, then faked wide-eyed innocence. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I eating yours?”

Ty’s mouth watered. He’d missed breakfast, and dinner the night before was a faint memory of peanut butter and dill pickles. Jack’s favorite. They made a decent sandwich if you were starving, but only just.

“You don’t look very sorry.”

“I truly am.” He held the uneaten portion toward her assuming his saddest look.

“Nice gesture.” She took a tiny bite, laughed at him. “You don’t do pathetic well, you do know that?”

Ty gave it a second effort but she merely shook her head.

“Forget it. I prefer apricots, anyway.”

“You have apricot Danish, too? That’s another favorite of mine.” He enjoyed watching laughter change her face. “Yours has more icing.”

“Tough.” She took another bite, displaying not the least hint of regret.

“As your boss, I feel compelled to say—”

“Thank you, Cassidy. You’ve saved my life. Again.” She tilted her head sideways in a sassy fashion. “That was what you were going to say, wasn’t it?”

“Sort of.”

“There’s a guy outside—hey, nobody said anything about food. I love Danish.” Mac glanced back and forth between the two of them like a puppy who doesn’t know which benefactor to attack first.

“That must be Davis.” Cassidy dabbed her lips with a napkin and held out the bag. “We meet again, Mac. Help yourself. There’s plenty.” She grabbed her coat.

“Maybe you should wait to sample the goodies till later, Mac.” Ty eyed the pastry bag, licked his lips. “At least until we see what Cassidy’s friends have brought us.”

“Until you get your gums around it, you mean. No way.” Mac chose his Danish and carried it with him as he followed them upstairs, smacking his lips to taunt Ty.

Ty pulled on his jacket thinking how Mac accepted everyone at face value. But Ty had a thousand questions about their chef.

Was she married? Why had she left Europe? Did she have any family?

“Tyson St. John, meet my friend Chef Davis Longfellow. Davis, Mac.”

This guy was a chef? He looked like a wrestler and it had nothing to do with the thick down coat he wore. Ty exchanged greetings before the gigantic stainless-steel units lying on the flatbed attached to a half-ton grabbed his attention. They looked like they’d require a crane to lift them off.

“Thank you so much for the donation, Davis,” he said, meaning it. “It’s very generous of you. The Haven will put them to good use.”

“Then that’s thanks enough.” Davis hopped on the back of the flatbed and began undoing the ropes that secured the units. “God sure moved in a timely fashion on this.”

“Why do you say that?” Ty applied himself to untying a second set of ropes at the back of the truck, jumped when Davis’s laugh burst out like a clap of thunder.

“‘Why?’ he asks. Let’s see, I’ve been waiting for my new refrigeration units for close to six months. Last week the vendor called to say they had been lost in shipping, that they couldn’t supply for another eight weeks at best.”

“Bad news.”

“It was, until last night. After the dinner rush, I got a call. The truck had mysteriously arrived in town. It was on a rush order, and if we couldn’t get my stuff unloaded right away I’d have to wait till they were able to come back around—some time next week, while I’m on vacation.” He tossed the rope free, gave Ty a questioning look.

“Okay,” Ty agreed. “That does sound like God put in some overtime.”

“It gets better. Two minutes after I got off the phone, Cassidy wandered in to say hello and mentioned she was looking for used equipment. If that isn’t God working, I don’t know what is.”

“Well, it’s certainly our good fortune.” Cassidy picked up the ropes and set them in a neat pile beside the walk.

“Oh, Cass, you doubter!” Davis shook his head in disgust and hopped down. “Good fortune, nothing. It’s perfect planning by the Father and you know it.”

“It’s chance.”

“Chance?” He hooted with derision, winked at Ty. “How’s this for chance? If that stuff had come while I was away I would’ve had to come back and my family would not have liked that. At all.”

“That doesn’t mean—”

Ty didn’t understand why she’d grown so annoyed.

“If it had come tomorrow morning, I would’ve missed the plane we are supposed to catch—the one with nonrefundable tickets to sun and surf. If I’d had to wait another eight weeks, the repairs they’re doing on the building would’ve had to be put off.” Davis waggled a finger at her. “As I said, God at work.”

“I think you’re right.” Ty smiled at him.

“You guys always stick together.” Belligerence colored Cassidy’s voice.

“I have some repairs planned for around here, too. Moving this stuff in after they’re completed wouldn’t have been easy,” Ty added. He wished Jack had shoveled off all the walks when he’d been asked. Now patches of ice had formed making the sidewalks treacherous.

“Your boss agrees with me, Cass. Divine Providence at work for both the giver and the receiver. How can you still doubt?”

Cassidy’s pretty face hardened into rigid lines. “Believe what you want,” she snapped, chin lifting.

Puzzled by her reaction, Ty walked around the flatbed, studying it from many different angles.

“How exactly do we get these beasts inside?” he finally asked.

“Many hands make light work.”

“Davis is big on these homilies.” Cassidy’s eyes danced with glee. “Actually, Davis is just plain big.”

“Ha. Cassidy is too funny today.” Her friend didn’t seem to take offense. “Move out of the way, you puny woman. We men have to work.” He flexed his bicep then leaned his head toward Ty. “See the way her eyebrow twitches. That means she’s steamed and she’s thinking up ways to pay us back.”

“Thanks for the warning.” Judging by the glares the two were exchanging, Ty guessed they’d known each other for quite a while. “Forewarned is forearmed.”

“Don’t you start.” Cassidy yanked hard on a bit of leftover rope. “I thought you said you’re getting ready for a vacation, Davis. It’s cold out here. Don’t you have something to do other than stand around and jabber?”

“Tsk tsk. I hoped Europe would have cured you of that crankiness.” Davis pulled out a cell phone and began dialing. “If I can just figure out where my ‘many hands’ are, I will prove how much truth there is in my little homily.”

He hadn’t completed punching in the last number before a big black truck pulled up to the curb and four muscled men jumped out.

“About time you got here.” Davis introduced them to Ty.

Once they’d greeted him, the men took turns wrapping Cassidy in a bear hug, swinging her around, then planting a loud kiss on her cheek. By the time they were finished her face glowed and she giggled like a young girl. Ty couldn’t stop staring at her.

“Good to see you again, Cass.”

“Good to see you, too, I think.” When they lunged toward her again, Cassidy stepped backward and pointed to the flatbed. “Could we get some work done here today? It’s supposed to snow again, you know.”

The four men glanced at Davis. “Hasn’t changed much, has she?”

“Nope. Just as bossy as she ever was.”

Cassidy snorted her disgust while the four pulled a cart from the truck’s bed and handed it up to Davis, who began fastening it to the first piece of machinery. Obviously they knew what they were doing, so Ty followed their directions and did exactly as he was told. A little better than half an hour later, both units were installed and running nicely. The old ones had been removed and were now tied onto the flatbed.

He overheard Cassidy promising to repay the five men with her specialty, which sounded chocolaty and very fattening.

“You going to provide shelter here, too, like with beds and everything?” Crank, the man with the biggest biceps, insisted Ty give them a tour of the old school building.

“That’s the idea. It’s a bit much for us to do all at once so I guess we’ll start with a soup kitchen and work up from there. Want to see more?”

“Yes.”

Ty led them through the building. Eventually they came to the gym. “This is the best part.”

“No kidding.” Hart, the tallest of the four men, grabbed a basketball from a box in the corner, raced across the floor and sank a hoop shot.

“You haven’t lost your touch.” Cassidy lounged in the doorway, watching them. “This old school has a big playground. Come spring, you guys could spend a day putting up a fort, some swings, maybe a few slides. Couldn’t you?”

“Could,” Hart agreed.

Ty couldn’t help staring. He hadn’t imagined Cassidy had given any thought to the Haven, let alone considered future possibilities.

Furtive whispers drew him back to awareness. Cassidy nodded at Crank, who seemed tongue-tied.

“He’s willing to donate some bedsprings from a motel he just bought.”

“Great.” Feeling as if he’d been grasped by one of those muscled arms and shaken, Ty gulped. But before he could accept, she continued.

“Hart’s brother’s a football pro. He could get some gym equipment for you.”

“Not fancy, but free,” Hart inserted.

“It’s really kind of you, all of you.”

Apparently his message about being in charge hadn’t sunk in at all. But Ty didn’t mind when Cassidy took over, coaxing Davis to approach his church for donations toward a day care, mocking his upturned nose.

“What’s the matter, Davis?” Cassidy teased. “Not into diapers?”

“Funny.” He ignored her to face Ty. “Her humor hasn’t changed since we were in high school together. It’s still nonexistent.”

“High school?” Ty recalled the way she’d interacted with the other men. “All of you?”

“Afraid so.” Davis laughed at Cassidy’s groan. He leaned toward Ty and spoke sotto voce. “Cassidy was number one on everybody’s dating list.”

“Liar. I never made it onto anyone’s dating list.” She thumped Davis on the shoulder. “You never even knew I was alive until you discovered I could cook.” She glanced at Ty. “They had some kind of contest to see who would persuade me to go out with them first.”

“I won.” Davis thrust out his massive chest.

“You won because you conned me.” Her scathing tones dared him to deny it. “Anyway, that wasn’t a date. You got me to cook a meal under the pretext of helping your poor sick mother.”

“He said you offered because you were infatuated with him.”

“You actually believed that?” Cassidy rolled her eyes.

Crank made a threatening gesture at Davis. “Your past is coming back to haunt you big-time now that Cass is back. You know what she’s like about lying.”

“Hates it. Yeah, I know that.” Davis sobered immediately. “I’m sorry, Cass.”

Ty found her reaction curious. His first impression of the chef had been of a strong, aggressive and capable woman. Somehow he never imagined her as an uncertain high school girl trying to figure out the intricacies of dating. Seeing her interaction with these men added a sense of vulnerability, made her more approachable.

“You’re going to be very sorry you lied about me, Davis.” Cassidy’s words held a thin edge of pain. A moment later her grin flashed. “I’m going to think up some really big payback.”

“Look, forget the past. I’m more interested in the present.”

“I’m sure you are.” Cassidy winked at Ty then turned to face her friend. “I could tell a lot of stories on you, Davis, and you know it. But because you came through today, I won’t.”

Relief washed over the big man’s face.

“And because you got me interested in cooking and pushed me to get my own place, I guess I owe you one, too.” He risked a look over one shoulder. Crank and his friends were huddled together, muttering about a football game on the weekend. Davis ignored them, turned to face Ty. “So it’s okay with you, if I suggest your place as a project for our church?”

“I’ll be very thankful for anything your church is willing to help us with.” Ty glanced at the others. “That goes for all of you. The Haven is only going to work if we get community support. Then people will see we are only trying to help. Hopefully that will allay any suspicions that are out there.”

“That sounds like you have problems.” Cassidy frowned at him.

“Some local kids have made a few threats. Nothing we can’t handle.” Ty hoped that was true.

“You’re welcome to join us at our church if you like, Ty. First Street Community Church isn’t big, but it’s all heart. We would welcome you anytime.”

Since Ty had been thinking about finding a permanent church home for himself and Jack since they’d moved, he listened to Davis’s directions.

“If I can persuade my nephew, you might just see us there on Sunday. And you must feel free to come here anytime—all of you. As soon as I get a coffeepot working there will be a cup for you whenever you like.”

“Thanks.”

Each man shook Ty’s hand, teased Cassidy, then clambered up the steps. Except for Davis. He lingered behind while the others called for Cassidy and Mac to come and see something on the big black truck they’d arrived in. She gave the two of them a speculative look before following the others outside.

Ty walked up the stairs beside Davis wondering what the other man was struggling to say.

“So you and Cassidy are both chefs,” he prodded. “That’s interesting.”

“Technically I’m a chef, but I’m not in Cassidy’s league.” The big man shrugged. “She’s won about every award they give, made her mark with the best in the business. She could work anywhere and they’d be more than happy to have her.”

“Yet she chose to come back to Chicago.” Ty wanted to hear more about Cassidy Preston. Particularly why she was so adamant about not overstaying her six-month term.

“She always had big plans for her future.”

Something in Davis’s voice made Ty pause just outside the door, while they were still out of earshot of the others.

“You don’t think her future is why she came back?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Ty met his look, smiled faintly. “You didn’t have to.”

“Psychologist, huh?” Davis shook his head. “I’ll have to watch it.”

“You going to hang around here all afternoon, Davis?” Hart bellowed. “Or do you want help unloading that stuff?”

“I want help, of course. Think the Haven might get a few bucks for the metal if we take it over to that friend of yours?”

“Why not?”

Moments later the men and the old equipment had disappeared down the snowy street.

“Not a bad morning’s work,” Cassidy said as she turned to go back inside.

Ty grasped her arm. “Wait a minute.”

She glanced at his hand, eyes steely as she waited for him to release her. Then she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Yes?”

“It’s past noon,” he said, checking his watch. “I’m hungry.”

“Oh. Okay. Well, have a nice lunch.”

Ty stepped in front of the door so she couldn’t go inside. She lifted her perfectly arched eyebrows to glare at him. “Excuse me?”

He laughed.

“I can see I’m going to have to practice my communication skills. That was supposed to have been an invitation for lunch. I’m buying. As a thank-you,” he explained. “Getting that equipment, bringing those men here, listening to their offers to help—if they pan out, the place will have taken a giant leap forward. Thanks to you.”

“You’re welcome.” It was a duty response carrying little emotion.

Ty tried again.

“So what do you say we take a break over lunch and you can tell me what other things you see happening at the Haven?”

For the first time since Ty had met her, Cassidy Preston was speechless.

He waited, shuffling from one foot to the other until, exasperated by her lack of response, he burst out, “I’d appreciate a decision soon. I do have some work to do this afternoon.”

Her laughter bounced off the building and down the street.

“I think, counselor, that you need a refresher in patience.”

“What I need is an answer. Lunch?”

She studied him for a few moments, her expression unreadable. He was about to give up when she nodded, once.

“I guess we could take a break. For an hour or so.”

Within ten minutes she was seated in the front seat of his car and Ty was trying to figure out how Cassidy Preston could be so animated when some old high school buddies showed up, yet turn into a marble statue when they were alone.

As he pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant, Ty saw her check her watch for the third time.

Apparently he had about as long as it took to order and eat lunch to find the answer to his questions.