A Father's Promise (6 page)

The place was hopping.

A woman in a pink bandanna bustled in, sliding trays of premade sandwiches, wraps and bagels into the display case and barking out orders to the two young men at the grill.

While Arlan and Zach took their place in line, the woman in front of them turned around. Her bright eyes and white permed hair were set off by the vibrant blue of her velour jacket and pants. The blinding-white running shoes were wishful thinking. Zach doubted the older woman did more than amble in them.

“Arlan, this must be your son,” the woman said, gesturing toward Zach. “He looks just like you.”

“Zach, this is Sophie Brouwer. One of our clients,” his father said with a smile that underlined his previous comment about client contact.

“I’ll need to talk to you about updating my will now that my son, Ben, is married,” Sophie said.

“I heard. Congratulations,” Arlan said as the line moved.

“Eloise Beck and I had a hand in bringing him and Shannon together, you know,” Sophie said, lowering her voice as she leaned closer, her bright button eyes glowing with pride. “We have a bit of a matchmaking reputation,” she said, turning her attention to Zach, as if he might be interested in enlisting their services.

He gave her a vague smile, hoping she didn’t see that as encouragement.

“Zach’s wife died not that long ago,” his father said to Sophie, putting his arm around Zach’s shoulders.

“Of course. I understand,” Sophie said, placing her hand on Zach’s arm in a gesture of sympathy. “But if you ever need to talk to someone, we’re available.”

The only reply Zach gave her was a quick nod. Then, thankfully, it was Sophie’s turn to order.

The young girl at the cash register gave Sophie a wooden spoon with a number on it. Sophie took her change, dropped it in the pot by the cash register and, after waving in Zach and Arlan’s direction, headed directly for a table by the window where another older woman was motioning to her.

“That was...interesting,” Zach said, turning his attention back to the chalkboard with the day’s menu written on it. “Nice to know that the women of this town have my interests at heart.”

“Oh, she’s not the only one,” Arlan said as he pulled out his wallet. “You’re considered quite a catch.”

“Plenty of menu choices for a small café,” Zach said, preferring to ignore his father’s comment. Though his father wasn’t as overt as Sophie Brouwer, he had, from time to time, made comments that one bad experience shouldn’t sour him to all future relationships.

Trouble was, it had. He had misjudged Molly so badly and been so betrayed by her actions that he didn’t trust his judgment. Thankfully, it seemed Tricia hadn’t suffered any long-term repercussions from a marriage that had been crumbling. And working on the scrapbook seemed to show her that Molly had, at times, been a loving mother.

Once they received the soup and sandwiches they’d ordered, his father took the tray and wove through the crowded tables to the large French doors open to the patio. “Thought we’d eat outside,” he said as he stepped through the doors. “Not as crowded.”

Zach didn’t care either way. He just wanted to eat and get back to the office. Saturday he’d taken Tricia out to the ranch to see the horses, and Sunday he’d gone to church with his father. Though weekends off was probably a normal occurrence for his father, Zach was still adjusting to the concept.

“Doesn’t look like there’s any place to sit here, either,” Zach said, glancing around the crowded tables.

But his father ignored him, and when Zach realized where his father was headed, he almost groaned aloud.

Renee sat at a small wooden table, leaning close to her mother, the sunlight glinting on the waves of her caramel-colored hair. Her hands fluttered as she spoke, emphasizing a point she was making. Brenda laughed and Renee joined in, the sound settling in Zach’s soul.

He couldn’t help but think of the steady litany of complaints that had personified Molly’s relationship with her own mother. He couldn’t ever remember her laughing with her mother, let alone having lunch with her or working with her.

Or making the sacrifices Renee was willing to make for her own mother.

As his father drew closer, Renee’s mother looked up, and her smile widened as her hand brushed her hair away from her face. “What a pleasant surprise,” she said, glancing from Zach to his father. “Why don’t you two join us,” she said, pointing to the two empty chairs at their table. “We have lots of room.”

Zach guessed, from the faintly smug look on Mrs. Albertson’s face and his father’s hasty agreement, that this was a setup.

What was his father doing?

As they settled themselves at the table, Zach realized he was far too aware of Renee sitting across from him. Her blue-and-orange-flecked nail polish, a whimsical touch for someone who seemed so practical, sparkled in the sun as her restless fingers fiddled with the locket hanging from her neck.

His father and her mother were chattering away like old friends, but Zach’s mind went suddenly blank.

Zach took a spoonful of soup, wishing he didn’t feel so awkward in her presence. Though they had already spent a couple of afternoons together, there existed a curious discomfort between them. He knew part of that unease had to do with the fact that Renee was Tricia’s biological mother.

Zach would be fooling himself if he didn’t admit that another part of the awkwardness had to do with the struggles he was dealing with. Renee was a beautiful woman, a caring daughter and faithful friend. Where did she fit in his life?

Then, as he looked over at her, their eyes met. Zach knew he should look away but didn’t want to.

Her eyes were an intriguing mix of green and brown bordering on hazel. Her lashes were thick, and her eyebrows had an intriguing arch to them, emphasizing her heart-shaped face.

Just like Tricia’s.

Reality lumbered into the moment, and Zach dragged his gaze away.

“And how was your weekend?” she asked, her quiet voice startling him. “I understand you went out to Evangeline’s ranch to ride?”

“How did you know?” he asked as he sprinkled salt into his soup, trying to keep himself busy.

“Evangeline told me.” She gave him a self-conscious smile. “I don’t mean for you to think that we were gossiping. It’s just, well, she’s one of my best friends. We talk a lot.”

“I guess that’s all part of small-town life,” he said. “Gotta get used to that.”

“And if you’re not careful, whatever you say here will get passed around by way of the Mug Shots Messaging Service.”

“The what?” he mumbled around the food in his mouth.

Renee waved her arm toward the people gathered on the outside deck. “This place always has people coming and going. They talk, they share information, and it spreads all over town.”

Zach laughed. “Actually, the day at the ranch went well. Tricia is getting better on her horse. I’m hoping to take her out on a longer ride soon. Carter offered to let me come to his ranch and ride the trails.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Do you ride?”

“Evangeline and I would take our chances on the horses her father occasionally brought to the ranch. I wouldn’t call it riding as much as hanging on.”

“Sounds risky, riding unfamiliar horses.”

Renee laughed. “We were young and foolish and had the usual dreams preteen girls have about horses. That they wanted to be our friends.” She shook her head as she brushed some crumbs off the table beside her plate. “Just one of the many silly notions young girls have.”

Her voice took on a plaintive note, and he wondered if she was referring to Tricia’s biological father. Though she had told him what he needed to know, he caught himself wondering at the relationship.

And if she’d had any since then.

“Tricia seems to have the same romantic view of horses you do,” he said. “She doesn’t realize that horses are a friend that could easily kill you with one well-placed kick.”

“Now there’s a lovely thought to carry with you next time you go near a horse,” she said with a chuckle.

Her laughter was infectious and Zach joined in, easing the tension between them. They grew quiet, then Zach’s attention was caught by his father’s laugh.

“Are you sure that’s how it happened?” Arlan was asking as he leaned closer to Renee’s mother.

“Have I ever lied to you?” she returned.

Zach watched them a moment, confused at the flirtatious tone in Mrs. Albertson’s voice. And his father’s. Zach hadn’t seen him smile like that since his mother died.

What was this all about?

He caught Renee glancing at her mother, then at him, her expression as quizzical as his.

“Are you seeing what I think
I’m
seeing?” he said, leaning closer and lowering his voice.

“I’m not entirely sure what you’re seeing,” she returned, her voice equally low and filled with confusion. “But I’m starting to understand why she insisted on sitting at a table for four.” Renee turned her head toward him at exactly the same time he looked at her.

Their gazes connected. Held. And as Zach looked into her eyes he felt as if his soul was slowly drifting from its moorings. For a moment he let himself wonder about him and Renee.

Then he drew back and clenched his fists. He couldn’t do this. Couldn’t allow himself to get pulled into Renee’s life.

“With both you and your mother here, who’s minding the store?” Zach asked, bringing them back to reality.

“We have a girl who comes in to help us from time to time,” Renee said, pleating her napkin. “She also comes in every Monday to work the lunch hour so my mother and I can have our lunch date.” Renee turned away from him, toward her mother. She reached over and laid her hand on her mother’s arm.

The action was so natural it produced a twinge of melancholy in Zach. Renee had a warm, loving relationship with her mother that, for a moment, made him miss his own mother.

“Look at all of you, so cozy and precious,” a voice called out from the sidewalk running alongside the patio.

Zach heard Renee groan, then turned to see who was talking. Evangeline, her long wavy blond hair flowing over her shoulders, waved at them, her other arm clutching a large manila envelope.

“Hey, Evangeline,” Renee said. “Zach and his father joined us for lunch.”

“I can see that,” Evangeline said, the gleam in her eyes making Zach wonder if he was missing something. “Did you have a good ride?” she asked him.

“I did,” Zach replied. “Tricia enjoyed it, as well.”

“Awesome. Glad that worked out for you.” Evangeline glanced from Zach to Renee and winked at her.

What was that about?

“Don’t you have books to inventory? Shelves to stock?” Renee asked.

Evangeline held up the manila envelope. “Just got back from the accountant. Need to mail out the ranch’s and bookstore’s year-end stuff for my dad to sign.”

“Well, then, you better get to the post office,” Renee said, a surprisingly stern note in her voice.

Evangeline just laughed, grinned at Zach, then flounced off, the full skirt of her dress flowing behind her.

Zach was truly mystified. He glanced back at Renee, who looked apologetic and was about to say something, when his father called his name.

“Zach, we’re not busy on Mother’s Day, are we?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“Great.” Without any further explanation, his father turned his attention back to Mrs. Albertson.

Okay, his father was up to something. And Zach was convinced it had as much to do with him and Renee as it did with, what it seemed to him, his father and Renee’s mother.

Trouble was, Zach wasn’t sure how he felt about it all. He glanced at Renee, and when she smiled at him, his own confusion grew. He reminded himself that Renee had her own plans, and they didn’t include sticking around Hartley Creek.

He wasn’t going to put his daughter, or himself, through that kind of emotional turmoil again.

Chapter Six

“S
o, you didn’t come by yesterday,” Renee said as Tricia and Zach settled themselves at the table in the back of the store.

Zach didn’t meet Renee’s eyes as she chatted with Tricia. He knew his excuse for not coming yesterday had been lame. Truth was, he’d needed breathing room from Renee Albertson. Their little “lunch date” on Monday had been too enjoyable.

“My daddy said he was too busy.” Tricia pouted. “But I got to go to a friend’s place.” She tipped her head to one side. “I like this page, don’t you, Daddy? Me and you and Mommy had fun on this trip.”

“Yes, we did,” Zach said, thankful that Tricia’s memory of that day didn’t mesh with reality. He and Molly had had a huge fight that day, and, for Tricia’s sake, he had tried to keep a fragile peace.

“Looks like you and your mom and dad went on lots of great trips,” Renee was saying, bending over the pictures Zach was sorting. “Where were these taken?”

“Toronto Island,” Zach said, forcing his attention on the pictures. “You liked that adventure,” he told Tricia, trying to ignore the scent of Renee’s perfume as she stood between him and Tricia.

Tricia smiled and nodded. “I remember we went swimming and Mommy pushed you into the water. I laughed and laughed when you got your pants and shirt wet.”

Again Zach was thankful for her innocence. Molly had pushed him off the dock because she was angry with him, her erratic behavior becoming increasingly troubling.

“But it was a warm day, so I dried off quick,” he added.

“And then we went biking.”

“That sounds like a good time,” Renee said. “So, what do you want to add to this page?”

“I think we should just keep this page simpler than the other ones we did,” Zach said, laying the pictures of the bike trip out on the empty page of the scrapbook. “We need to get this book done on time.”

Tricia frowned as he pulled out the tape dispenser. “On time for what?”

“Um, Mother’s Day, of course, and that’s in four days.” He pulled that deadline out of nowhere, and he saw from the puzzled look Renee shot him that she also wondered why there was a rush.

“But Mommy’s not here,” Tricia said, flipping through a couple of sheets of stickers.

“Well, don’t you think it would be kind of special to have it done by Mother’s Day anyway?”

“Kind of.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Renee added, as if guessing at his reasons, as well.

Zach shot her a grateful look. Her careful smile told him she seemed to be feeling the same as him.

“Hello, everyone.”

A female voice snagged Zach’s attention. A petite, dark-haired woman stood in the doorway of the craft room. Her short hair enhanced elfinlike features. She glanced from Zach to Renee with a speculative gleam in her brown eyes and a pair of dimples flashing from her cheeks.

“Oh, no,” Renee breathed, holding her hands up to the woman as if in warning. “Hey, Mia, Mom’s out in the store if you need anything.”

“Oh, I don’t need anything. I was just talking to Evangeline.” The woman named Mia looked from Renee to Zach and then back again, grinning. “Thought I would come and see what you’re doing.”

“I’m making a scrapbook of my mommy,” Tricia said helpfully. “Do you want to see?”

Zach caught Renee’s look of dismay and wondered what seemed to be the matter.

“I would love to,” Mia said, pulling out a chair beside Tricia as if ready to settle in. “Why don’t you show me what you’ve done already.”

“Tricia and Zach are busy,” Renee said, catching Mia by the arm before she sat down.

“Oh, I’m sure you and Zach are busy, too,” Mia said with a broad wink in Zach’s direction.

Renee rolled her eyes, then tugged on Mia’s arm. “And you’re busy, too. I think I see someone going into the flower shop.”

“Blythe is there. I’m just taking a break from a big order from the inn,” Mia said, her dark eyes focusing on Zach and Renee as if looking for something. “Larissa and Garret are having some fancy shindig there. Something to do with some bigwigs from the government and other sawmills for Larissa’s dad.”

“That’s great,” Renee said, walking toward the door, practically pulling her friend along with her. Considering that her friend was only a few inches above five feet and Renee looked to have about six inches on her, it wasn’t much of a contest.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you around,” Mia said, pointing to Zach and adding a bright smile, flashing her dimples again.

Then they were out the door, and Zach turned his attention back to helping Tricia, making quick work of putting the photos down on the page.

“Now we have to write something about the pictures,” she said, pulling the cap off a colored pen.

“We can do that at home. Let’s just get the pictures done first,” Zach said. He wanted to get this book done. Wanted to get away from the confusing distraction Renee was causing in his life.

Renee came back a few minutes later looking flustered. She glanced over her shoulder, then back at Tricia. “My mom said she has some new stickers to show you, Tricia. Do you want to see?”

“Were those the ones I wanted?” Tricia said, dropping the pictures she was holding.

“They certainly are. My mom is at the front of the store with them.”

“Yay!” Tricia bounced off the chair, knocking over the pile of remaining pictures onto the floor.

Zach blew out a sigh, then bent over to pick them up just as Renee reached for them, as well. Their fingers brushed, and Renee snatched her hand back.

“Sorry about that,” Zach muttered, his own fingers tingling with reaction. “That kid has the attention span of a gnat sometimes.”

“She’s doing really well,” Renee said, getting to her feet and straightening out the supplies lying on the table, fussing with the scraps of paper. She shot another look behind her, then turned to Zach, her expression serious.

“I sent Tricia away for a few moments. I...I feel like I should explain something.” She sighed and folded her arms over her chest. “Mia and Evangeline...I’m sure you’re wondering about their strange behavior the past few days. It’s just...they’re...well...” She paused, her one hand wavering in the air as if trying to capture the words she labored to get out. “They seem to think that we’re an...an item.”

Zach looked baffled. “Item?”

“They think I’m interested in you.” Renee lifted her shoulder in a self-conscious shrug as her words registered with Zach.

To his own surprise, he felt his heart give a juvenile thump.

“It started when Evangeline stopped in last week.” Renee moved closer, lowering her voice. “Evangeline has always been at me about trying to find out where my daughter...well, Tricia...was. She’s a romantic at heart and seemed to think that it would be good if my daughter found out who her biological mother was. I never wanted to mess up my daughter’s life like that.” Renee stopped, blew out her breath as she plunged her hands through her hair in a self-conscious gesture. “This is a small town. News travels. Evangeline already knew about you and Tricia and that she was adopted. So when Tricia came up to the desk to ask about the glue container the other day, Evangeline was staring at her. When she started asking questions about Tricia, I got nervous, and to deflect her questions about Tricia, I sort of, well, made it sound like...we...you and I...” Renee let the words hang between them, a flush working its way up her neck.

“Sorry, I’m not sure what you’re getting at,” Zach said with a light frown.

“I made it sound like I was interested in you. That the reason I was working with you and Tricia was because it was a way to spend time with
you.
” Her words tumbled out as the pink in her neck reached her cheeks.

Zach stared at her, her last words surging around the small space they occupied.

“That’s why Evangeline made those comments the other day at Mug Shots,” Renee continued. “And that’s why she went hotfooting to Mia, who of course had to come here to see for herself. Ever since you came to town, they’ve been joking about what a perfect couple we’d make and we both know that can’t happen but I made it sound like it could.”

Renee’s last words came out in a rush followed by a heavy sigh, as if she was glad to be free of them.

But even as what she said registered, the fragments of conversation, the arch looks and the heavy hints all became crystal clear.

“I was wondering what Evangeline was talking about at Mug Shots,” he said. “And that’s why Mia was looking at me with that look just now.”

“Exactly.” Renee dragged her hands over her face. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I did it to distract Evangeline from Tricia. I was so worried she would put two and two together—” She stopped there, looking behind her again.

Her concern for Tricia’s well-being touched him. He guessed it wasn’t easy for Renee to admit all this, or to even distract her friend the way she had. In spite of her discomfort, he admired her selflessness.

“I’m really sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” Renee repeated. “My friends mean well, but they can get carried away. Especially Evangeline.” Renee shook her head and blew out another sigh. “I just hope she hasn’t been blabbing to our other friends.”

Zach laughed at the dismay on Renee’s face, surprised he didn’t mind. “Don’t worry about it. I think my dad has been thinking the same thing your friends were.”

Renee shot him a look of horror. “Has Evangeline talked to him?”

Zach held up his hands in a placating gesture, smiling at the look of dismay on her features. “I have a feeling that’s how we ended up sitting together at Mug Shots the other day. So don’t worry about your friends, because I think my father is on the same wavelength.”

Renee released a nervous laugh. “Oh, boy.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Suddenly self-conscious, they exchanged a quick glance, then their gazes broke apart.

She probably thought her little speech would release some of the tension between them, but instead, Zach found himself more aware of her than before.

He sneaked a quick look at her, to gauge her reaction, and caught her looking at him, too.

“So, I guess we need to figure out how to get around this,” Zach said, knowing they needed to deal with this, yet feeling a curious reluctance to be realistic and practical. “I mean, you’ll be leaving soon and—”

“I don’t want Tricia to find out about me.”

Zach nodded. They were being mature and responsible. Nothing could begin between them.

“Maybe I could tell Evangeline that it just didn’t work out,” Renee suggested. “You and me. That would keep her brain going in the right direction.”

“You mean, you’re breaking up with me?” Zach placed a hand on his chest, injecting a note of humor into the situation.

Renee’s bubbling laugh made Zach smile even more.

“It could have been such a happy-ever-after,” Renee sighed dramatically, playing along. “Just the type of story Evangeline loves.”

Zach laughed again, and in that moment, as their eyes met, he felt a flutter of disappointment that puzzled and confused him even more.

The file on his desk dealing with the builder’s lien against the store was a reminder of Renee’s future.

Tricia’s presence a reminder of Renee’s past.

“I just hope Evangeline can stay distracted until we get this scrapbook done,” Renee said, growing serious again. “We can’t let Tricia find out.”

“Let me find out what?”

Zach’s heartbeat faltered as Tricia skipped into the room, holding a package of stickers.

His shocked gaze flew to Renee, who stood there, hand pressed to her lips.

“Um, can’t let you find out about the surprise,” Zach said.

Tricia just laughed. “I already know about the surprise.”

“You do?”

Zach and Renee spoke at the same time, and Tricia giggled. “Now you have to fist bump,” she said, looking from one to the other.

“That’s you and your dad’s thing,” Renee said, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes riveted on Tricia.

“It could be your thing, too,” Tricia said with a grin.

Zach knew Tricia wouldn’t let it be, so he made a fist and reached across the table. Renee hesitated, then at Tricia’s urging, made a fist herself. They bumped, their eyes met again, and Zach felt his heart quicken.

Then Renee pulled her hand back.

“So tell me what you know about the surprise,” she asked, wrapping her arms around her midsection.

Tricia giggled again, her hand over her mouth, shoulders hunched. “That Mrs. Albertson has something special for me when I finish my scrapbook.”

Relief sluiced through Zach as he caught Renee’s puzzled look. Obviously she was as confused as he was.

“Then we have to hurry,” Renee added, sitting down at the table beside Tricia. “We have only a few more pages before Mother’s Day.”

To Zach’s surprise, Tricia nodded, grabbed a couple of pictures and laid them out on the page. “We can use these stickers, okay?” She held up the package that Zach suspected Mrs. Albertson had given her.

Zach nodded, and the next half hour zipped by as Tricia, inspired by whatever it was Mrs. Albertson had said, devoted herself fully to the task at hand.

“Will we get it done tomorrow?” Tricia asked as she cleaned up the scraps of leftover paper.

“Maybe not tomorrow, but certainly the day after that.”

Tricia nodded. “That’s good, because Mother’s Day is on Sunday. And that’s when—” She stopped, her hand flying to her mouth as if to prevent what might come out.

“That’s when what, honey?” Zach asked, slipping the pictures that hadn’t been mounted yet in a colorful box Renee had provided.

Tricia giggled and shook her head. “Can I go look at some more stickers before we go?” Tricia asked.

“You just looked at some stickers. Besides, it’s almost closing time,” Zach said. “And you need to help us clean up.”

“I’ll be quick.” And she ducked out before he could stop her.

“Sorry about that,” Zach said, feeling a need to apologize for Tricia’s flightiness.

“She got a lot done in the last half hour,” Renee said as she stacked up the papers.

“That was mostly thanks to you,” Zach said quietly, dropping the pens into the bucket Renee had set out. “I really appreciate how you managed to keep her on task. She’s so distractible.”