“There’s just times I wish I had a mommy, but I can’t tell Daddy that.”

Jesse’s heart constricted. There were times she was sure Nate wished he had a father, but she could never see herself married again. She had been lucky once.

Please, Lord, help me be there for Cindy as I was for Nate. Guide me in the best way to help Cindy.

With her arm still loosely around Cindy’s shoulder, Jesse asked, “Does your father have any lady friends?”

“He’s always too busy working when he should be resting.”

A plan began to materialize in Jesse’s mind. “Maybe we can do something about that.”

THE LADIES OF SWEETWATER LAKE:

Like a wedding ring, this circle of friends

is neverending.

GOLD IN THE FIRE (LI #273)

A MOTHER FOR CINDY (LI #283)

LIGHT IN THE STORM (LI #297)

MARGARET DALEY

feels she has been blessed. She has been married thirty-three years to her husband, Mike, whom she met in college. He is a terrific support and her best friend. They have one son, Shaun, who married his high school sweetheart in June 2002.

Margaret has been writing for many years and loves to tell a story. When she was a little girl, she would play with her dolls and make up stories about their lives. Now she writes these stories down. She especially enjoys weaving stories about families and how faith in God can sustain a person when things get tough. When she isn’t writing, she is fortunate to be a teacher for students with special needs. Margaret has taught for over twenty years and loves working with her students. She has also been a Special Olympics coach and has participated in many sports with her students.

A Mother for Cindy
Margaret Daley

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to

harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon Me and come and

pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek

Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your

heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord,

and will bring you back from captivity.

—Jeremiah 29:11–14

To Judy Pelfrey

Thank you for twenty-five years of friendship

and for your guidance and grace. May you reside

in God’s loving arms always.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Letter to Reader

Epilogue

Chapter One

Peace at last.

With a deep sigh Jesse Bradshaw sank into the chair at her kitchen table. After the hectic past hour getting her son off to visit his friend Sean O’Brien, she now had time to read her daily verses from the Bible and collect herself before starting her day.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to make it through—

Honk! Honk!

Jesse bolted from her chair, nearly toppling it to the tile floor, and raced for the door. Not again. Stepping outside, she scanned her backyard and found that her geese had a large man who was holding a crying little girl, trapped by the edge of the lake. As Jesse hurried toward her pet geese, the one overriding impression was the anger carved into the stranger’s face. He tried to shield the child from the irate birds that flapped their wings, hissing and honking their displeasure at their space being invaded.

“Step away from the nest,” Jesse shouted across her yard that sloped to the lake behind her house.

“What do you think I’ve been trying to do?”

The man’s anger was momentarily directed at her as she neared him. His dark gaze drilled into her while Fred darted at him and nipped his leg. The stranger winced and held the little girl up higher to keep the geese from attacking her.

“I’ll get their attention. You run.”

“My pleasure,” he agreed between clenched teeth at the same time Ethel took her turn at his other leg.

“Daddy, Daddy, make them go away! I’m scared!” The child hugged her father tighter and curled her legs around him so they weren’t a dangling target for the geese.

“Everything’s okay, Cindy.” He awkwardly patted the child’s back while glaring at Jesse, clearly conveying his own displeasure.

“Fred! Ethel!” Jesse put herself between the geese and the man with the little girl. She waved her arms like a windmill and jumped up and down, yelling the pair’s names in her sternest voice, hoping none of her neighbors saw this undignified display.

Thankfully Ethel calmed down and waddled toward her nest. Fred, however, would have nothing to do with her. He focused on the stranger, who was trying to back away. Flying around Jesse, Fred went for the man’s leg again. Jesse threw herself in front of the goose. She got nipped on the thigh.

“Get out of here,” she whispered loudly. Pain spread from the sore place on her leg as she continued to come between Fred and the intruders.

Carrying his daughter, the man hurried across the yard, a limp to his gait. At the edge of her property, he threw a glance over his shoulder, an ashen cast to his dark features. Jesse shivered in the warm spring air. This man was definitely not happy with her geese—or her.

Fred settled down as the two people moved farther away. After giving one final loud honk, he toddled back to Ethel and stood guard, his beady black eyes watching the pair disappear inside the house next door.

So those were her new neighbors, staying in the Millers’ summer home.

Jesse headed for her back door, rubbing the reddened area on her thigh. Everyone in Sweetwater knew to stay away from her backyard while Ethel and Fred were guarding their nest. They could be so fierce when their home was invaded.

With all the activity at her own house, she’d forgotten about her new neighbors who’d moved in two days ago. She supposed she should bake them some cookies and welcome them to Sweetwater—oh, and warn them about her geese.

Shaking her head, she stepped into her bright kitchen and came to a stop just inside the door. Her grandfather sat at the table, his gray hair sticking up at odd angles, a scowl on his face.

“Those geese could wake the dead,” he muttered into his cup of coffee while taking some sips.

“I’m sorry. I know you went to bed late last night. But someone was in our backyard. You know how they get with strangers.”

Her grandfather’s head snapped up, and he regarded her with a pinpoint gaze. “Not the Hawthorne boys trying to steal their eggs again?”

“Nope. Our new neighbors.” Jesse eased onto the chair next to her grandfather. “And I have to say I don’t think I made a very good first impression.”

He peered at the clock over the stove. “It’s barely eight. Awfully early to be paying us a visit.”

“I don’t think that’s what they were doing.”

His bushy dark brows shot up. “What kind of neighbors do we have?”

“Gramps, that’s what I intend to find out later this morning.”

Several hours later at her neighbor’s house, Jesse pressed the bell and waited and waited. When the door finally swung open, she hoisted up the plate of chocolate chip cookies, as though it was a shield of armor, ready to give her welcoming spiel. The words died on her lips.

The man from earlier filled the entrance with his large frame. He wore a sleeveless T-shirt and shorts that revealed muscular legs and arms. Sweat coated his body and ran down his face as he brought a towel up to wipe it away. When her gaze traveled up his length, power came to mind. Her survey came to rest on his face. Her smile of greeting vanished along with any rational thought.

Earlier she hadn’t really had time to assess the man who had been partially hidden by his daughter. The impression of anger and the need to get the man and his daughter to safety had been all she had focused on. Now her attention was riveted to him. His rugged features formed a pleasing picture and only confirmed his sense of power—and danger. When she looked into those incredibly dark-brown eyes, she felt lost in a world only occupied by them.

One of his brows arched. “Come to finish me off?”

His deep, raspy voice broke the silence, dragging Jesse away from her thoughts, all centered around him. “No.” She swallowed several times. “No, I brought you and your family some cookies.” She thrust the plate at his chest, nearly sending her offering toppling to the porch at his feet.

With a step back, he glanced down at the plate of cookies.

“They’re chocolate chip,” she added, conscious of the fact that he was now staring at her. Not one hint at what was going on in his mind was revealed in his expression. “I wanted to welcome you to Sweetwater—properly.”

Finally he smiled, deep creases at the corners of his eyes that glinted. The gesture curled her toes and caused her heart to pound a shade faster. My, what a smile! His wife sure was a lucky woman.

“And earlier wasn’t a proper welcome?”

“I’m sorry about not warning you concerning Fred and Ethel. Everyone knows to stay away from my backyard at this time of year. I meant to. But you know how it is. Time got away from me what with the order I needed to fill.” Realizing she was babbling, she clamped her mouth closed, trying not to stare at his potent smile that transformed his face.

“Fred and Ethel are pets?”

“I raised Fred after a pack of wild dogs got his mother and father. A friend gave me Ethel for Fred. He really can be a dear.”

“A dear? I don’t think our definition of a dear is the same.”

Despite his words, amusement sounded in his voice, and Jesse responded with a grin. “Well, not at this time when he’s playing he-goose. You know males and their territory.”

The man laughed. “I suppose I do.” He took the plate and offered her his hand. “I’m Nick Blackburn and I’m sure my daughter and I will enjoy these cookies.”

No wife? Jesse wondered, slipping her hand within his and immediately feeling a warmth flash up her arm from his brief touch. “I’m Jesse Bradshaw. Are you and your daughter going to be here long?”

“Two months.”

She remembered the little girl’s pale face and plea to her father. “Is your daughter okay?”

“Cindy is happy as a lark now that she’s sitting in front of the television set watching her favorite show.”

“How old is she? I have a son who just turned eight.”

“She’ll be seven later this summer.” He stepped to the side. “Please come in.”

When she’d come over to his house, she’d had no intention of staying. She still had that order to complete. “I’d better not. I can see I interrupted your exercises.”

“Your interruption gave me a good reason to call it quits.”

Again she looked him up and down, assessing those hard muscles that could only have come from a great deal of work. He had to exercise a lot or his body wouldn’t be in such perfect shape. She began to imagine him pumping iron, sweat coating his skin. When she peered into his face, she found him staring at her, and she blushed. She didn’t normally go around inspecting men.

“Well, uh,” she stammered, searching her mind for something proper to say, “I’d like to say hello to your daughter and explain about Fred and Ethel.” Jesse stepped through the threshold into his house. She felt like Daniel going into the lion’s den, as though her life were about to change.

“Would you like a cup of coffee or iced tea? I think Boswell made some yesterday.”

“I’ll take a glass of iced tea if it’s not too much trouble.”

He gave her a self-mocking grin. “I’m not great in the kitchen, but I believe I can pour some tea.”

“Is your wife home?” Boy, that was about as subtle as a Mack truck running someone over.

He turned and headed toward the back of the house, still limping slightly. “No, she died.”

“Oh,” Jesse murmured, feeling an immediate kinship with her new neighbor. Her husband had been deceased for the past four years and she still missed him.

She followed Nick into the kitchen and stood by the table. He took two glasses from the cabinets and retrieved a pitcher from the refrigerator. After pouring the tea, he handed her a glass and indicated she take a seat.

He tilted the glass to his mouth and drank deeply of the cold liquid. “This is just what I needed. It’s unseasonably warm for the end of May.”

“Are you from around here?”

“No, Chicago.” He massaged his thigh.

“I noticed you’re favoring your right leg. I hope Fred or Ethel didn’t cause that.”

“No. I just overextended myself while exercising. Sometimes I take my physical therapy a step too far.” He shrugged. “I guess you can’t rush Mother Nature.”

Jesse chuckled. “I agree. Some forces have their own time frame.”

“Like Fred and Ethel.”

“Definitely forces to be reckoned with.”

“Yes, I have a few bruises to prove that.”

“I really am sorry. As I said earlier, I’ve been working hard to finish my latest order and before I realized it, two days had passed since you all moved in. I should have come over that first day and warned you.”

“Well, consider us warned.” Nick sipped some more tea, draining his glass. “Do you want any more?”

Jesse shook her head, realizing she hadn’t drunk very much. She watched him go to the refrigerator and refill his glass. He still favored his right leg. “You said something about physical therapy. Did you have an accident?”

A shadow clouded his dark eyes, making them appear almost black. His jaw tightened into a hard line. “Yes.”

A naturally curious person, Jesse wanted to pursue the topic, but his clipped answer forbade further discussion. “Are you here for a vacation?” she asked instead.

“Yes.” Again a tight thread laced his voice.

“This is a nice place to take a summer vacation. Do you fish?”

“No, never had the time.”

“Maybe Gramps can take you and your daughter out fishing one morning. He loves to show off his gear and favorite spots on the lake.”

Nick didn’t respond. He made his way back to the table and eased down onto the chair across from Jesse. “I’m afraid I’ve lived in the big city all my life. The great outdoors has never appealed to me.”

“Then why did you come to Sweetwater?”

“The Millers are friends of mine. Since they weren’t going to use the house this summer they offered it to me. It met my needs.”

She opened her mouth to ask what needs but immediately pressed her lips together. Nick Blackburn was a private man who she suspected had opened up more in the past fifteen minutes than he usually did. Whereas anyone meeting her for the first time could glean her whole life history if he wanted. She wouldn’t push her luck. Besides, he would be gone in two months.

“Daddy, I’m hungry. When’s Boswell gonna be back?” Cindy asked, entering the kitchen. She came to a halt when she saw Jesse sitting at the table with her father. Her eyes widened, fear shining bright in them.

“Don’t worry. I left Fred and Ethel at home.” Jesse smiled, wanting to wipe the fear from the little girl’s expression. “I came over to bring some cookies and to tell you how sorry I am about my geese this morning. When they’re guarding their nest, they can be extra mean.”

“I just wanted to pet them.” Cindy’s eyes filled with tears. She stayed by the door.

“They don’t like strangers much, especially right now. Maybe later I can introduce you if you want.”

Horror flittered across Cindy’s face. “No.” She backed up against the door.

“That’s okay. Do you like animals?”

The little girl hesitated, then nodded.

“Do you have a pet?”

She shook her head.

An uncomfortable silence descended, charging the air as though an electrical storm was approaching. Jesse resisted the urge to hug her arms to her. “Maybe you can come over and meet my son and his dog, Bingo.”

“He has a dog?” Cindy relaxed some.

“Yes, a mutt who found us a few summers ago.”

“Found you?”

“Or, rather Fred and Ethel. You thought their racket was loud this morning. You should have heard it when Bingo came into the yard. I found him hiding under a bush, his paws covering his face. Of course, you would think that would teach him a lesson. Oh, no. Bingo still tries to play with them. They won’t have anything to do with him.”

“Not too smart. I’ve learned my lesson after only one encounter. Stay away from the geese,” Nick said with a laugh.

“Actually, Bingo is pretty smart. Nate has taught him a lot of tricks. Maybe you can get Nate to show you, Cindy.” Jesse felt drawn to the little girl who seemed lost, unsure of herself.

“Can I, Daddy?”

“Sure, princess.”

“Great. Nate will be home later this afternoon. Come on over and I’ll introduce you to my son and Bingo. I promise you Bingo is nothing like Fred and Ethel.”

“Do you have any other pets?” Cindy took several steps closer.

“I’m afraid I could open my own zoo and charge admission which I probably should since it costs so much to feed them all. Nate has a fish aquarium and a python as well as three gerbils.”

“He does!” Cindy’s big brown eyes grew round. “He’s lucky.”

“I don’t think he feels that way when he has to feed them. You should hear him complaining.”

“I wouldn’t mind doing that if I had a pet.” Cindy’s hopeful gaze skipped to her father.

“Princess, we’ve talked about this. We live in an apartment. Not the best place for an animal.”

Cindy sidestepped to Jesse and whispered so loud anyone in the kitchen could hear, “Daddy’s never had a pet. I think one would be good for him. Don’t you?”

Nick looked as uncomfortable as the silence had felt a moment before. He raked his hand through his dark straight hair that was cut moderately short. “I have enough on my plate without having to take care of a pet, too.”

“But I’d do that, Daddy.”

“Cindy, I don’t think we should bore our guest with this.”

The firmness in his voice brooked no argument. The little girl’s mouth formed a pout, her shoulders sagging forward.

“Well, I’d better be going before Gramps wonders where I disappeared to. Come over after three, Cindy. Nate should be home by then.” Jesse stood.

Nick rose, too. “Let me show you to the door.”

“That’s okay. I know this place well. I often visit when the Millers are here. I’m glad since they’re going to be gone this summer that someone is going to be living here. I hate seeing this old house go to waste.”

Nick smiled, the gesture reaching deep into his eyes. “Thanks for the cookies. I know I’ll appreciate them.”

His warm regard sent a shiver up her spine. She backed away. “Welcome to Sweetwater,” was all she could suddenly think of to say. Her mind went blank of everything except the man’s smile. Before she made a fool of herself, she rushed from the kitchen, relieved he would only be here for a short time.

“I’m sorry Nate couldn’t be here this afternoon. He ended up staying at Sean’s,” Jesse said, running her palm over Bingo’s wiry brown hair.

The medium-size dog rubbed himself up against Cindy, nudging her hand to keep her petting him. “That’s okay. Bingo sure is nice.”

“Yeah. We were lucky he found us. He has more loving in him than most dogs.”

Cindy buried her face against Bingo’s fur. “I wish Daddy would let me have a pet. I’d take good care of him.”

“I bet you would.” Jesse knew of a family down the road whose poodle had puppies a few weeks ago. They would soon be looking for homes for them. Maybe she could convince Nick that a dog would be good for Cindy. A poodle was a small enough dog to live in an apartment. “While you’re here, you can play with Bingo any time you want.”

“Nate won’t mind?”

“Are you kidding? He loves to show off his animals. He wants to be a zookeeper one day.”

Forehead creased, Cindy looked at her. “And you don’t mind the snake?”

“I have to confess at first it bothered me. But now, I don’t mind it. He usually keeps it in its cage. It’s only gotten loose once.”

“Mommy would have had a fit—” Suddenly the little girl stopped talking and stared down at the sidewalk.

“Snakes, especially big ones, can be scary.” Jesse placed her hand on the child’s shoulder, wishing she could take her pain away. She remembered having to deal with Nate’s feelings after his father had died. She wouldn’t have been able to help him as she did if it hadn’t been for her faith in the Lord.

“Yes,” Cindy mumbled and proceeded to pet Bingo some more, her face still averted.

“How long has your mother been gone?” Jesse asked, her voice roughened with sudden intense emotions.

Cindy lifted her tearful gaze to Jesse’s, her lower lip trembling. “About a year. She died in a car wreck. Daddy was in the car, too. He was in the hospital a long time.” Her voice wavered. “Daddy doesn’t like to talk about it.”

Jesse drew the child into her arms, stroking her hand down her back. “If you need to talk to someone, I’m a good listener.” It had taken Nate a while to open up to her about his father’s death, and after he had, he had been much better.

Sniffing, Cindy pulled away. “I’m okay. It’s just that sometimes Daddy doesn’t know what to do with me, being a girl and all.” She swiped her hand across her cheeks and erased the evidence of her tears. “There’s just times I wish I had a mommy, but I can’t tell Daddy that.”

Jesse’s heart constricted, making her chest feel tight. There were times she was sure Nate wished he had a father, but she could never see herself married again. Mark had been a wonderful husband, her childhood sweetheart. She could never find another love like they had. She had been lucky once. She couldn’t see settling for anything less than the kind of love she had with Mark.

Please, Lord, help me to be there for Cindy as I was for Nate. Guide me in the best way to help Cindy. She’s hurting and I want to help her.

With her arm still loosely about Cindy’s shoulder, Jesse asked, “Does your father have any lady friends?”

The little girl shook her head. “He’s always too busy working when he should be resting.” She glanced toward her house. “That’s what he’s doing right now. We’re supposed to be on vacation, but he’s been on the phone for hours.”

A plan began to materialize in Jesse’s mind. “Maybe we can do something about that.”

Cindy’s eyes brightened. “What?”

“I’ll have a party and invite some friends to introduce you all to Sweetwater.”

“You will?”

“Yes. How does tomorrow night sound?”

“What about tomorrow night?”

Nick’s question surprised Jesse. She hadn’t heard him approaching and to look up and see him standing only a few feet from her was unnerving. Her heart kicked into double time. She surged to her feet, smoothing down her jean shorts that suddenly seemed too short.

“Cindy and I were planning a party to welcome you to Sweetwater.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to. So pencil me in.”

His eyebrow quirked.

“It won’t be a large gathering. Just a few people.” Jesse heard herself talking a mile a minute. She stopped and took several deep breaths. “How about it? I’m a great cook.”

“After tasting your cookies, you won’t get an argument from me. They were delicious.”

“Yeah, Daddy had half the plate eaten before I even had a chance to eat one.”

Jesse laughed. “Then I’ll make some more for dessert tomorrow night. My son loves chocolate chip cookies, too. They’re a staple around our house.”

“But not your husband?” Nick asked, a lazy smile accompanying the question.

“He loved them, too, but he died four years ago. A freak accident. He was struck by lightning.” There she went, telling a person more than he asked.

“I’m sorry.”

“Daddy, Bingo can do all kinds of tricks. Watch.” Cindy stood. “Roll over.” After the dog performed that task, she said, “Sit. Shake hands.” The little girl took his paw in her hand. “Isn’t he terrific? Dogs make good pets.”

Nick tried to contain his grin, but it lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m sure they do, princess.”

“Then we can get one?” Cindy turned her hopeful expression on him.

“I’ll think about it when we return to Chicago.”

“You will?”

“That isn’t a yes, young lady. Just a promise to consider it.”

Cindy leaned close to Jesse and whispered loudly, “That means we’ll get one when Daddy says that.”

“I heard that, Cynthia Rebecca Blackburn.”

“Oh, I’m in big trouble now. He’s using my full name.” The little girl giggled and began petting Bingo.

“Would you like to throw the ball for him? He loves to play catch.” Jesse retrieved a red ball from the flower bed loaded with multicolored pansies along the front of her house.

“Yes.” Cindy moved out into the yard and tossed Bingo’s toy toward her yard. The dog chased it down.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Cindy, but I know where you could get a poodle puppy.”

His dark gaze fixed on her. “Thank you for not saying anything in front of Cindy.”

“Then you aren’t interested?” She heard her disappointment in her voice and grimaced. She never liked fostering her ideas onto another—well, maybe she did. Anyway, pets were good for children and clearly his daughter loved animals.

“I don’t know. I—” He looked toward Cindy. “I’ve never had a dog before. Or any pet for that matter.”

For just a few seconds she glimpsed a vulnerability in his expression before he veiled it. “If you decide to get one, I’ll help.”

“Until we go back to Chicago.” A self-mocking grin graced his mouth. “Then, I’m on my own.”

“It’s not that difficult. Love is the most important ingredient.”

“Isn’t it always?”

“Yes, it is.” She couldn’t help wondering where his world-weary tone came from.

He took a deep breath. “I’ll think about the puppy. I’ll have to consult Boswell, too, since he’ll be taking care of the dog.”

“Is that the older gentleman I’ve seen leaving your house?”

“Completely bald?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s Boswell. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He takes care of the everyday details of my life as well as Cindy’s.”

“Cindy said something about you working this afternoon. What do you do?”

“I’m CEO of Blackburn Industries. We’re into a little of everything it seems.”

“And you live in an apartment?” she asked without really thinking. Her picture of his home obviously wasn’t right.

A sheepish look fell over his features. “I guess it isn’t your idea of an apartment. It takes up the top floor of the building I own on the lake in downtown Chicago.”

She chuckled. “No. What pops into my mind is maybe four or five rooms at the most.”

“Okay, maybe I have space for a pet. I just think dogs should have a yard. All I have is a terrace. Not the same thing.”

“If you don’t think a dog is a good idea, I know a lady in town who has some kittens she wants to find a home for.”

“I get the distinct impression that if I want something, you’re the lady to come to.”

Jesse warmed under the smile directed at her. The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepened and his stance relaxed completely. “I do know what’s going on around Sweetwater. If it’s to be had, I can probably get it for you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“A kitten can be a totally indoor animal.”

He threw up his hands. “Enough,” he said, laughing. “You’ve convinced me, but I still need to talk with Boswell. Thank you for showing Bingo to Cindy. I haven’t seen her smile like that in a while.” He turned to leave, then glanced back at her. “You know, I could use a negotiator like you working for my company. If you ever think about moving to Chicago—”

Jesse shook her head, the idea of a big city sending a chill through her. “No, that will never happen. My home is here. I’ve lived here all my life and can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Oh, well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.” He started toward his daughter.

“I’ll see you at six-thirty tomorrow night.”

He stopped and swung back around, a question in his eyes.

“The dinner party. Casual attire. And Cindy is invited, too, as well as Boswell.”

Cindy pulled on his arm. “Can we come, Daddy?”

“Sure, princess, if it’s not too much trouble.” He peered at Jesse.

“No problem. A piece of cake. I throw parties all the time.”

Jesse watched the father and daughter walk away. If he only knew about her famous little dinner parties, he might pack up and leave in the dead of night. Tara Cummings would be perfect for him. Cindy needed a mother and Nick needed—well, he seemed awfully lonely. He masked his vulnerability well, but she’d glimpsed it. Besides, any man who worked all the time needed to loosen up. There was more to life than work. Tara was definitely the person to match him with, especially after Clint broke off their engagement. Jesse hurried inside to call her friend.

Chapter Two

“Tara, you’re early,” Jesse exclaimed when she opened her front door to find her friend standing on the porch.

“I wanted all the juicy details before I meet this man. I heard the Millers weren’t coming this summer to Sweetwater Lake. It’s your new neighbor, isn’t it?”

Jesse turned away from Tara. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Jesse Bradshaw, we all know when you throw one of these little dinner parties it’s to fix someone up. I’m single and recently out of a relationship. Perfect target for your matchmaking.”

“I invited Susan Reed tonight, too. You won’t be the only one single.”

“If we exclude you, I’ll be the only single woman here under the age of fifty. Right?”

Jesse slid her gaze away. “Cindy’s coming.”

“Who’s Cindy?”

“My neighbor’s almost-seven-year-old daughter.”

“I knew it! You’re up to your old tricks. Okay, tell me about your new neighbor. I’ve heard he is dynamite-looking, some kind of millionaire, and besides having a little girl, he has a manservant. He’s from Chicago and is only here for a couple of months.”

“Where did you hear all that?”

“The usual.”

“Susan Reed?”

Tara nodded. “The best source of info in this town. Far better than our newspaper.”

“There isn’t much else I can add.” For some reason she didn’t feel right gossiping about Nick. Tara would have to discover for herself how vulnerable he was, how lonely he was, how attractive—whoa, stop right there, Jesse Bradshaw! A little inner voice yelled.

“Susan said something about you talking to him yesterday. Is he nice?”

“I wouldn’t have invited you if he wasn’t.”

Tara brushed her long black hair behind her shoulders. “I knew that. I guess I’m a little nervous. Ever since Clint ran out on me, I’m a little gun-shy.”

Jesse put an arm around her friend and began walking her toward the kitchen. “Perfectly understandable. Clint will regret his hasty decision one day.”

“I just don’t understand why he left.”

Jesse patted Tara’s arm. “Neither do I.”

“Do you think he was overwhelmed with the wedding preparations? He kept asking me to elope with him and end the madness. I should have listened to him.” Tears filled Tara’s eyes.

“There, there. You’ll forget about him in no time.” Jesse continued to comfort her friend while she glanced up at the clock over her stove. Fifteen minutes and still so much to do. “You’ll see, tonight will be the beginning of something magical.”

Tara pulled back. “You think?”

“You know me. I have a sixth sense when it comes to matching people up.”

Tara gave her a skeptical look. “You’re the one who fixed me up with Clint last year.”

The heat of embarrassment singed Jesse’s cheeks. “We all fail every once in a while. Just a temporary setback.” She waved her hand in the air. “Look at Maggie and Neil. They’re getting married next month. It all started here one evening at one of my little dinner parties.”

“Don’t get me wrong, but they haven’t gotten married yet. They had a loud argument today at the bank. I wouldn’t be surprised if the wedding was called off.”

“They did?”

“Yeah. He was angry about the money she was spending on the wedding.”

The timer on her stove buzzed. Jesse jumped, startled by the sound, but glad for the interruption. She would check with Maggie tomorrow to see what was going on. Her reputation was obviously at stake here. “I’d better get these cookies before they burn.”

“Chocolate chip?”

“What other kind is there?” Jesse reached into the oven at the same time the doorbell chimed. “Can you get that? I have one more batch to stick in, then I’ll be in the living room. Just make Nick and his daughter feel at home.”

“It could be Susan Reed.”

“Nah. Gramps went to pick her up. You know he takes forever.”

Tara halted at the entrance into the kitchen. “Is there something going on there that I should know about?”

Jesse laughed. “Could be. They’ve been friends for a long time and are now finally dating. It’s about time that Gramps got involved with someone.” So he will stop meddling in my life, she added silently.

“Now I know why you asked Susan here this evening. You’re killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.”

The doorbell rang again.

“Go, before my guests decide I’m not home.”

“He sure is impatient,” Tara grumbled and made her way toward the front door.

While spooning cookie dough onto the baking sheet, Jesse tried to listen to the people in the foyer. It was awfully quiet for a good minute, then she heard Tara’s raised voice. Not a good sign. Jesse quickly finished her task and stuck the cookies into the oven.

When a man’s voice answered Tara, Jesse knew something had gone wrong. That wasn’t Nick speaking. She remembered his voice—how could she forget such a deep, raspy baritone that sent chills down her spine? Hurrying into the living room, Jesse came to an abrupt halt just inside the doorway. Standing toe-to-toe in her house, hands balled at their sides, were Tara and Clint, both furiously whispering to each other.

“Clint, what are you doing here?” Jesse asked, wiping her hands on her sunflower apron. I didn’t invite you, she silently added, visions of all her hard work that day going up in smoke.

He shot Jesse a narrowed look. “Coming to stop my woman from making a mistake.”

“I’m having dinner. How can that be a mistake?” Tara’s voice rose again. “And I’m not your woman. Not since you sped away from my house after calling our wedding off so fast you probably got whiplash.”

“We all know why Jesse has these little dinner parties.”

The doorbell sounded. Dread trembled through Jesse. Oh great, her guest of honor had finally arrived and World War III was about to erupt in her living room. “Shh, Clint. If you behave yourself, you can stay,” Jesse said as she scurried past the couple, smoothing her apron down over her white pants.

“And watch Tara flirt—”

“Clint Clayborne, you heard Jesse. Quiet.”

The man thankfully closed his mouth, but the mutinous expression on his face spoke volumes. This wasn’t going to be the fun-packed evening she’d envisioned, Jesse thought as she plastered a wide smile on her face and pulled open her front door.

“I’m sorry I’m late, but I got a last-minute call I had to take.”

Nick returned her smile with a heartwarming one that quickened her pulse. “That’s okay. Gramps isn’t back with Susan Reed yet. Come in.” Jesse stood to the side to allow Nick, Cindy and an older man, with a completely bald head, to enter. She offered her hand to him. “You must be Boswell.”

“Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bradshaw.”

“Please, Jesse.”

She eyed the man dressed in an impeccable black suit, even though it was nearly summer and the dinner was a casual affair. Boswell fit the bill perfectly for a proper English butler with a rich accent, she thought, and she decided her grandfather would have competition for Susan’s interest. That might shake things up a bit tonight—not to mention Clint sending her dagger looks every time she glanced his way.

“Mom. I can’t find Bingo.” Her son came to a screeching halt in the hallway.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my son. Nate, this is Cindy, her father, Mr. Blackburn, and Mr. Boswell.”

“Just Boswell, madam.”

Barking followed by honking permeated the sudden silence. “I think Bingo is out back.”

“He knows to stay away from Fred and Ethel.” Nate hurried toward the kitchen.

“Please have a seat in the living room. I’d better check on Bingo,” Jesse murmured, following her son.

Before she took two steps into the kitchen, the dog shot through the doggie door and raced past her as if monsters were on his tail. She heard one of her geese’s familiar honking and realized the dog had narrowly escaped—again.

“I thought he learned his lesson the last time,” Jesse muttered as her son rushed after his pet.

“I only have to have one confrontation with those…geese to know not to get within a hundred yards of them.”

Jesse jumped, surprised at the sound of Nick’s voice behind her. He had come into the kitchen through the dining room and stood framed in the entrance, looking wonderfully handsome in denim jeans and a casual light-blue knit shirt.

“Then you’re smarter than Bingo.”

“What a relief.” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorjamb, a crooked grin on his face. “Can I help you with anything?”

“With Boswell in your employ, I don’t see you asking to help out in the kitchen much.”

“I know my way around. I can fend for myself if the need ever arises. Remember, I served you tea yesterday.” Nick threw a glance over his shoulder and lowered his voice, “Besides, things are heating up in the living room and I thought I would give—the man and woman some privacy.”

“Oh, you must mean Tara and Clint.” She’d almost forgotten about them as though Nick’s appearance had wiped her mind blank. “Where’s Boswell and Cindy?”

“Cindy ran after Bingo and Boswell ran after Cindy.”

“They’re probably all in Nate’s room by now trying to coax the dog out from under the bed. That’s where he goes to hide from Fred and Ethel.”

“Not a bad idea. Smart dog.”

“I’ve got everything under control.”

Nick’s brows shot upward.

“The dinner, I mean.”

“Are you sure?” He gestured toward the stove.

Jesse whirled about, the scent of burning cookies mocking her words. If she hadn’t been so preoccupied with her new neighbor, her senses totally focused on him, she might have remembered she’d had them in the oven or at least smelled something was wrong before it was too late. He had a way of dominating her thoughts. Scary. She was definitely glad he was only going to be here a few months.

Rushing forward, she yanked open the door, smoke billowing out into the kitchen. She coughed, the blast of heat hitting her. Grabbing the hot pads, she pulled out the baking sheet with fifteen toasty, dark-brown chocolate chip cookies on it.

She dumped them in the kitchen sink along with the baking sheet, then turned to find Nick not two feet behind her. Heat scored her cheeks, and she attributed it to the oven temperature bathing her face not seconds before, not to the fact he was so near that she actually could smell his clean, fresh scent with a hint of lime. It vied with the scent of scorched cookies and definitely was a much more pleasant aroma.

“Thankfully that’s only one batch of the cookies. Dessert isn’t completely ruined.” She fought a strong urge to fan herself and instead flipped on the exhaust fan over the stove.

He scanned the kitchen which was neat and clean with little evidence of any meal preparation having taken place. “What are we having tonight?”

“Aren’t cookies enough? Granted, I don’t have as many as I wanted, but I think each person will have at least three of them.”

“A virtual feast. You’ll get no protest from Cindy.”

“And you?”

He shifted and leaned against the counter, taking his weight off his right leg. “I may need a bit more nourishment.”

“Well, in that case, I have a potato salad, hamburgers and baked beans. I thought that would suit the children better. Now that the cookies are done, I’ll put the beans in the oven and start the grill.” She moved toward the refrigerator and took a casserole dish out.

“Grill them? Out back?”

Jesse peered at him as she placed the beans on the rack in the oven. “Yes.”

“With those mon—geese?”

“The grill is on the deck. I thought we would eat out there, too. The evening is lovely. Fred and Ethel won’t bother us.”

“Weren’t they just out on the deck chasing Bingo?”

“No, they always stop short of coming up the steps.”

“You couldn’t tell from the racket they were making.”

“When night comes, they settle down.”

“Night isn’t for a few more hours.”

She straightened, looking him directly in the eyes. “Trust me. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m not worried about myself, but Cindy was very upset yesterday morning.”

“I know, but I want her to feel comfortable over here. Fred and Ethel will stay by the lake and their nest. I promise.” She sensed the little girl needed a woman’s influence right now in her life. She could never turn her back on a child in need. She intended to befriend Cindy while she was here. “If you want to help, you can bring the tray in the refrigerator out onto the deck while I check to make sure Tara and Clint are all right.”

Nick pushed away from the counter. “I haven’t heard any sounds from the living room in the past five minutes.”

“No, and that has me worried. They were engaged and Clint called it off the other day, just weeks before they were to be married. Claimed he wasn’t ready for marriage.”

“Smart guy.”

Jesse halted at the entrance into the dining room. She remembered Cindy’s words about wishing she had a mother. “You don’t believe in marriage?”

“It’s fine for some people, but I’m not one of them.”

The bitterness in his voice caused her heart to ache for the pain he must have endured. What had made him so against marriage? His late wife? Her death? She recalled her own anger after her husband had died. But she was definitely over that. She had been lucky to have one good marriage. The Lord had been good to her and she wanted to share the bounty. She wanted others to have what she’d had.

She escaped into the dining room, warily approaching the living room. She didn’t hear any voices. Had they done bodily harm to each other? Clint had been furious that Tara was at one of her little dinner parties. When Jesse stepped into the room, she stopped at the doorway. Clint’s arms were wrapped around Tara, his lips locked to hers, their bodies pressed together. The couple didn’t even hear her come in nor sense her, so absorbed were they in each other. She was happy for her friend, but now, who was she going to find for Nick? The man needed a good woman to ease the pain in his heart. And Cindy needed a mother.

Deciding she had to rethink her strategy, Jesse started to back out of the living room when Clint and Tara came up for air. Her friend peered over at her and smiled.

“Clint ask me to run off and get married and I said yes.” Tara’s eyes were bright with happiness. “We’re leaving tonight. Not a word to anyone until tomorrow, Jesse.”

She held up her hands. “Not a peep out of me. Promise.”

Clint threw her a perturbed look. “I should be really mad at you, Jesse, but I guess this dinner you planned knocked some sense into me, so for that reason you’ll be welcome in our home.” He drew Tara against him. “We need to get moving before Susan gets here.”

Tara hurried to Jesse and hugged her. “You know just the right thing to do. What a matchmaker you are! I owe you.”

The couple was gone before Jesse could blink. Okay, this was a success. Not quite the one she had planned for the evening, but a match had been made. She would end this evening early and start over tomorrow. There had to be someone for Nick Blackburn, someone special who could change his mind about marriage and give Cindy what she wanted.

His leg ached. Sinking onto a chair on the deck, Nick rubbed it. The two geese were keeping a wary eye on him and he was keeping a wary eye on them out in the yard under a giant maple with a tree house in it and a large sign posted that read, No Girls Alowed. He chuckled at the sign on the ladder leading up to the tree house. What a cool place to escape to and play in. As a boy he would have liked it. But his childhood had been very different from Jesse’s son’s.

He couldn’t believe he was even here this evening. He was doing it for his daughter who had taken a liking to Jesse. She needed a woman’s influence in her life and most likely wasn’t going to have one when they returned to Chicago in a few months.

Just this morning Cindy asked him about makeup. Six years old! His baby! He had told her she was years—and years—away from wearing any. She had wanted to know where her mother’s was. That had stopped him cold. He had hated to tell her he’d thrown it out. The look on his daughter’s face made him regret doing it in a fit of anger after he’d come home from the hospital that first time.

The throbbing in his leg reinforced his determination to wipe his wife from his memory. The only good thing that had come of their marriage was Cindy, but what was he supposed to do with a little girl? He felt out of his element. He was at home in a boardroom, not playing dolls with his daughter.

He was determined to bond with Cindy one way or another these next couple of months. He owed her that after the past year with him in and out of the hospital having several surgeries on his leg or with him working long hours at his company because of all the time he had been injured. Now at least, he had a good team in place who could run the business while he kept in touch long distance. The only thing he needed to figure out was how he was going to accomplish bonding with his only child.

“I hope you’re hungry. I think I prepared enough to feed half of Sweetwater.”

Shoving away those memories he usually kept locked up, Nick turned his full attention to the petite woman hurrying across the deck toward him. She reminded him of a breath of fresh air. He liked her straightforward manner, something he wasn’t used to in a woman. With his wife he’d never been sure what mood she would be in. Their last year of marriage, all they had done was argue.

“I can probably eat my fair share.” He pushed to his feet, ignoring the dull throb that he hadn’t managed to massage away.

Favoring his leg, he made his way to the propane grill, ready to assist Jesse. After she lit the grill, she slapped the hamburgers on the metal rack and stood back. He took a deep breath, inhaling her particular scent of jasmine. It teased his senses, reminding him he hadn’t been around too many women socially this past year. He wanted to lean close and take another deep breath. He didn’t.

Needing some space, he stepped to the railing, his back to her. He stared at the lake, its smooth, blue water having a calming effect on him. “It looks like you have everything under control.”

“Yeah. Gramps accuses me of being a control freak. I’m not. Just very organized.”

“So am I. I find it’s easier to run a company that way.”

“And a house.” She came to stand next to him.

Her arm brushed against his. He tensed, the feel of her electric. He sidled a step away, a finely honed tension bolting through him. “Where’s everyone? Still trying to coax Bingo out from under the bed?”

“I’m sure by now Nate is showing off his animal collection to Cindy and Boswell. Tara and Clint left. And I’m not sure where my grandfather is. He should have been home fifteen minutes—”

The sound of the back door opening interrupted Jesse. She turned at the same time Nick did and ended up touching him again. She shivered from the brief contact. The deck ran the whole length of the house, and they couldn’t manage not to brush against each other?

“There you are, Gramps. We were just wondering where you were.”

“Susan had something to show me. Lost track of time.”

“I’m so glad you could come tonight, Susan.” Jesse offered the older woman a bright smile she hoped would cover her sudden nervousness at the nearness of her neighbor. Stepping forward, she made the introductions.

“I wouldn’t miss one of your little dinner parties for the world,” Susan said as she checked out Nick. “It’s so much better to get the latest firsthand.”

Jesse blushed, aware that Nick was suddenly staring at her.

“Where’s Tara?” Gramps asked, breaking the silence that had followed Susan’s declaration.

“She had to leave—with Clint.”

“Clint!” Susan exclaimed. “My, my, that does shake things up tonight. What are you going to do, my dear?”

Nick came up behind Jesse and said in a low voice, “Why do I get the feeling I’m missing something here?”

Jesse tried to ignore his question while she thought of an appropriate answer for Susan. “Not a thing. We’re going to eat soon and enjoy each other’s company. I’m tickled pink that Tara and Clint are back together.” Jesse was sure her cheeks were past the pink stage. Cherry-red was more like it.

“You should be. You fixed them up in the first place.” Gramps took Susan’s hand and led her to the love seat where the tortilla chips and guacamole dip were on a glass table in front of them. He began to munch.

If her grandfather kept his mouth full, maybe she would make it through this evening without Nick realizing she’d planned for him to meet and hopefully date Tara. Of course, there was always Susan, who was a fountain of information and loved spewing it. Jesse was positive that Nick wouldn’t appreciate knowing he was part of one of her matchmaking schemes, especially after his earlier comment concerning marriage.

Why was he so against marriage?

“Jesse, dear, I think you should turn the hamburgers.” Susan scooped up some dip on a chip and popped it into her mouth.

Caught off guard, Jesse spun about and hurried toward the grill. She flipped the patties over, grimacing when she noticed the slightly charred side. “I really can cook, Nick. I’ve been distracted this evening. Normally one of my parties goes over without a hitch.”

“How often do you entertain?” Nick asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Oh, whenever the urge strikes me.” She waved her hand in the air as though to dismiss the subject as unimportant and hoped no one commented.

“I have to admit, this is a beautiful setting for a dinner. I had my doubts about eating outside with those two so near.” Nick tossed his head in the direction of the geese now waddling toward the lake. “But you were right. They’re staying away.”

Fred flapped his wings as though he knew he was being discussed. Jesse chuckled. “You probably shouldn’t take a tour of my backyard any time soon.”

“You’ll have no argument from me.”

The back door burst open again, and the children, followed by Boswell, came out onto the deck. Cindy and Nate raced toward them, skidding to a halt a foot in front of them.

Cindy grinned, showing her missing front tooth. “Daddy, you should see Nate’s room. He has so many pets. I got to hold Julia, Rita and Sadie. They’re gerbils. Julia went to the bathroom on Boswell.”

Jesse swallowed her laugh and tried her best to keep a straight face. Looking at Boswell, she noticed a wet spot on his black suit coat. “I’m sorry. She does that sometimes when she’s picked up. Nate should have warned you.”

“It must have slipped his mind.” Boswell sent a censured look toward Nate.

“It did, Mom. Promise.”

“I just came out here to tell you, Mr. Blackburn, that I’m going back to the house to change.”

“Sure.” Nick, too, was having a hard time keeping his mirth to himself if the gleam glittering in his eyes was any indication.

“Please, begin eating without me. I know the children are hungry.”

When Boswell disappeared, Jesse and Nick couldn’t contain their laughter any longer. “I wish I could have seen his expression when that happened,” Jesse said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“His face turned real red.” Nate grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them into his mouth.

“I never saw Boswell move so fast.” Cindy giggled. “I wanted to play with the animals longer, but Boswell thought we should join the adults.”

“Is Boswell a nanny?” Susan asked.

Cindy pulled her father over to the other love seat. “Oh, no. Boswell is a manservant,” she answered in a serious tone as though she had been corrected before about Boswell’s role and wouldn’t make that mistake again.

While Nick and Cindy got to know her family, Jesse finished the dinner preparations and put the food on the long picnic table she’d already set earlier. She removed Tara’s place setting, genuinely happy for her friend. Tara wouldn’t have been right for Nick, Jesse decided, now that she knew him better. Tara was flighty and so absentminded that she would have driven Nick crazy after the first date. No, she would have to find someone more disciplined and in control, more organized.

God, please help me to find someone for Nick, someone to be a good mother for Cindy.

As she called the others to the table, the perfect match came to Jesse’s mind. Felicia Winters, the lady with the kittens, and Jesse knew how she could get them together without raising Nick’s suspicion with another dinner party. She smiled as she sat between Gramps and Nate and across from Nick. She looked right into his dark eyes and shivered. He was staring at her with an intense, probing gaze as though he were trying to read what was going on in her mind. Heavens, she couldn’t have that!

“Do you think Boswell will come back?” Nate asked after Jesse said the prayer. He bit down on his hamburger, managing to stuff a third of it into his mouth.

“Young man, this isn’t a race to see who finishes first.” Jesse passed the baked beans to Gramps.

Her son stopped chewing for a few seconds, then swallowed his food, making a gulping sound. Jesse rolled her eyes and hoped she didn’t run out of patience.

Nate slurped some of his milk, leaving a white mustache on his face. “Sorry, Mom.”

She unfolded his napkin and gave it to him. “Please wipe your mouth.”

“Jesse, he’s doing fine. He’s just being a boy.”

Jesse resisted the urge to nudge her grandfather in the side to keep him quiet. Instead, she sent him a narrowed look. She loved Gramps, but he wasn’t the best role model for her son. Thankfully he wasn’t cussing like he used to. When he’d first come to live with them three years before, she remembered having to cover her son’s ears on more than one occasion.

“Mr. Blackburn, do you think Boswell will be coming back?” Nate asked again after wiping the napkin across his mouth. Her son took a smaller bite of his hamburger this time.

“He rarely passes up a meal he doesn’t have to cook.”

“Boswell cooks?” Nate screwed his face into an expression of disbelief. “Gramps wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen.”

“He does more than cook. He takes care of Cindy and me.”

A frown creased Nate’s forehead. “He’s a maid?”

Nick leaned forward. “I wouldn’t say that too loud. He doesn’t like to be referred to as a maid.”

“But that’s what he is,” Gramps cut in between bites of his baked beans.

This time Jesse did nudge her grandfather in the side.

He grunted. “Well, child, if he cleans up the house, he’s doing the work of a maid. If he ain’t proud of his job, then he shouldn’t do it.”

“I’m very proud of my vocation,” Boswell said from the steps that led up onto the deck.

Gramps shot him a suspicious glance. “I wouldn’t be hanging around down there too long. No telling when Fred will—”

“Gramps! You know Fred isn’t that bad. Don’t scare Cindy.”

Her grandfather mumbled something under his breath and resumed eating.

“I’m not scared,” Cindy announced to the silent table of people.

Boswell sat next to Susan Reed and smiled at her as he placed his napkin in his lap. “I must say the aroma coming from here would entice anyone to crash this party.”

“I love your British accent. How long have you been in this country?” Susan asked, her whole face lit with a smile.

Gramps muttered something else, just low enough that no one else could hear. Jesse was thinking about stomping on his foot to keep him quiet, but decided nothing would keep her grandfather quiet if he chose otherwise.

“Twenty years.”

“Then you’re practically an American.”

Boswell looked shocked at even the thought of not being considered English. He tightened his mouth while his hand clutched his fork, his knuckles white.

“This is the best—” her grandfather paused, groping for the right words to say with children listening “—country in the world,” he interjected in the conversation between Boswell and Susan.

Boswell’s face turned beet-red. His knuckles whitened even more around the fork still clenched in his hand.

Jesse knew the Revolutionary War was about to be fought again on her deck. She shot to her feet, her napkin floating to the bench. “Gramps, will you help me with the dessert?”

“I’m not through yet. Besides, what can be so hard about carrying a tray of cookies?”

“I—” She couldn’t think of anything to say.

“I’ll help you.” Nick stood, walked by Boswell and leaned down to whisper something in the man’s ear.

Jesse followed Nick into the kitchen. “I don’t know if it’s wise to leave my grandfather and Boswell out there together. When Gramps gets going—” She let the implied threat trail off into silence.

Nick’s chuckle was low. “I believe Boswell can hold his own. I reminded him that Cindy and Nate were listening.”

“I wish that would work with my grandfather. He told me when he turned seventy a few years back that he had earned the privilege of speaking his mind whenever he wanted. I’ve gotten him to tone down his language, but even that was a battle. I love my grandfather, but he isn’t always the best male example for my son.” She peered out the window at the group left on the deck. “Well, I guess what you said worked. The two men are still seated and I don’t hear any shouting.”

“That’s a good sign.”

“I really don’t need your help. I was just trying to get Gramps away from the table.”

“Really?” One of his dark eyebrows quirked.

“And as usual, it didn’t work.” Jesse walked to the refrigerator to retrieve the gallon of homemade peach ice cream she and Nate had made earlier that day. “If you want, you can get the bowls from the cabinet and some spoons from that drawer.” She gestured toward the one next to the dishwasher.

She slid a glance toward him as he opened the cabinet. They were alone. This was her chance to see about the kitten for Cindy and set her plan in motion for him to meet Felicia. She noticed the sure way he executed his task as though he was very familiar with her kitchen. This man seemed at home anywhere—even when Fred was attacking him yesterday morning. His well-built body—whoa! That wasn’t what she was supposed to be doing, ogling her guest, a guest she was planning to fix up with Felicia.

Jesse tore her gaze away from him and asked, “Have you made up your mind about the kitten for Cindy?” There she was back on track with her plan—Felicia and Nick.

Chapter Three

“I don’t think I have much choice.” Nick placed the bowls and spoons on the counter.

“You always have a choice. I’ve got a feeling you’re never backed into a corner that you don’t want to be in.” Jesse cradled the ice-cream container against her chest while retrieving the tray of chocolate chip cookies. The cold felt good against her. It seemed to be unusually hot in the kitchen.

“True, especially in business. But this is personal and it involves my daughter. She wants a pet bad. I suppose a kitten is better than a dog, snake or gerbil, and Boswell agreed with me.”

“Then you’ll get Cindy a kitten?”

“Yes. You said you knew where I could get one.”

She nodded. “We can go tomorrow afternoon. I’ll call Felicia and arrange it.”

Nick opened the back door and let Jesse go first. “Don’t say anything yet to Cindy. I want it to be a surprise. I don’t think she would get a wink of sleep if she knew she was going to pick out a kitten tomorrow.”

“My lips are sealed.” Jesse pressed them together to emphasize her point, but it was hard for her to contain her happiness. Her plan was back on track. Tomorrow he would meet Felicia and be impressed with her knack for organization. Her home was spotless.

Okay, so maybe Felicia was just a little bit too organized and obsessed with having a clean house, Jesse thought. The sound of the sofa cover crunching beneath her when she sat on Felicia’s couch punctuated the silence with that declaration. The plastic stuck to the backs of Jesse’s legs and made her conscious of her every move.

The simple act of crossing her ankles and smoothing her shorts down drew Nick’s attention. One corner of his mouth lifted. For a few seconds his gaze ensnared hers, and she felt as though they were the only two people in the room. His way of drawing a person’s focus to him must be a valuable tool in the business world. In her world, it was disconcerting, Jesse decided.

“I’m so tickled you want to give one of my babies a home.” Felicia straightened a stack of magazines on the coffee table. The top one sat at a slight angle from the others. Definitely out of place. “I won’t give my babies away to just anyone. Thankfully Jesse can vouch for you.”

Somehow Felicia managed to cross her legs, the silence from her action indicating a certain degree of grace that Jesse obviously didn’t possess or the fact this woman had had a lot of practice sitting on her plastic covers. Jesse wanted to believe it was the latter.

“Have you ever had a pet before?” Felicia asked, cutting into Jesse’s musing.

“No, but I’m sure we’ll be able to manage,” he answered with all the confidence of a man who was used to running a large company.

“You have to do more than just manage. You have to love your pet.” One of Felicia’s cats curled herself around the woman’s leg, purring. She picked up her pet and buried her face in its fur.

“I can do that,” Cindy chimed in, bouncing several times in her enthusiasm.

The sound reverberating through the room drew Felicia’s look. The “look” would have made anyone freeze, Jesse thought, and she began to reassess her friend’s candidacy for Cindy’s mother. Glancing about, Jesse wondered if Felicia spent every wakened moment cleaning her house. The thought sent a shiver through Jesse. She hated cleaning her house and avoided it whenever possible.

Maybe she was being too harsh in her judgment of Felicia. After all, the woman loved cats and anyone who was an animal lover must have room in her heart for children. Jesse stood. “Why don’t Cindy and I go pick out a kitten while you and Nick work out the details?” Jesse took the little girl’s hand and quickly left the living room. Nick and Felicia needed time alone to get to know each other.

The four kittens were out in the sunroom. One was sleeping on the white ceramic tiled floor, two were prowling and the last one was playing with a piece of gold ribbon. The black kitten with a white mark on its forehead batted the ribbon, chasing it around. Cindy laughed and went over to it. It stopped to check the little girl’s lacy socks, licking her leg. She laughed again and picked up the kitten. Jesse noticed the cat was a male.

“I want this one. What do you think?” Cindy cuddled him to her face. “Oh, she’s so cute.”

“It’s a male.”

“How can you tell?”

Jesse wasn’t prepared to go into the facts of life with Cindy. For a second, nothing came to mind. “He’s made differently,” she blurted out, sweat beading on her upper lip.

“Oh.” Cindy seemed to accept that lame reason, hugging the kitten to her. “Let’s go show Daddy.”

So much for giving Nick and Felicia time to get to know each other. Jesse searched her mind for a delay tactic. “Don’t you want to check out the other kittens to make sure he’s the one?”

Cindy shook her head. “I know.”

Jesse stood for another minute in the middle of the sunroom, before saying, “Then I guess we should show your dad.” Hopefully five minutes was long enough for them to strike up a…friendship. Suddenly the idea of a relationship between Nick and Felicia didn’t seem right and that thought bothered Jesse.

When she and Cindy entered the living room, silence hung in the air, Nick’s expression neutral. Felicia looked as though she were sitting in a dentist’s chair waiting for the drill. Jesse plastered a smile on her face, intending to get the conversation going.

Nick shot to his feet. “We’ll take good care of the kitten. Are you sure you don’t want any money, Miss Winters?”

Miss Winters? Not a good sign.

Felicia straightened, bristling at his suggestion. “No. A good home is all I request, as I told you a few minutes ago, Mr. Blackburn.”

Mr. Blackburn? Definitely not a good sign.

“I’ll take real good care of Oreo,” Cindy said, nuzzling the kitten.

At the door Nick stooped to slip on his shoes while Jesse put hers on then held Oreo so Cindy could buckle her sandals. When Felicia had asked them to take off their shoes before coming into her house, Jesse should have realized the meeting would go downhill from that moment. Nick had started to say something but snapped his jaws closed. That hadn’t stopped Cindy from blurting out the question they had all wanted to know, “Why?”

“Goodness me. You might get some dirt on my carpet,” Felicia had answered.

Well, one good thing came of this visit, Jesse decided as the door closed behind them. Cindy had her kitten. That had to be worth something.

“An interesting woman,” Nick commented as they walked to Jesse’s car. “I’m surprised she has cats in her house. Won’t they track in dirt?”

“Her cats never go out.”

“I see.”

Jesse doubted it. She really needed to try one more time. “Felicia’s very nice and good with animals…well, cats at least.”

“I’m sure she is.”

“She’s the town librarian. Every Saturday she has a story hour for the children. She’s quite good at reading to them. Nate loves to go. Maybe Cindy could go with him next Saturday.”

“I’ll see,” he said as though he wasn’t certain he wanted his daughter within a hundred yards of the neat freak whose house they were standing in front of, not a blade of grass out of place.

Nick finished his last leg lift and pushed to his feet. Sweat drenched him. Taking a towel and wiping his face and neck, he stared out the picture window that faced Jesse’s house. He saw her climb the steps to the deck and enter her kitchen, her movement a graceful extension of her lithe body. With her brown hair cut short and feathered about her face, her large green eyes and ready smile emphasized her pixie look.

He remembered the time he’d seen Jesse right after he’d finished his physical therapy exercises. He couldn’t believe it had only been five days ago. She was all Cindy talked about—besides her kitten and her new friend, Nate. Suddenly he seemed surrounded by Jesse and her family. And the last thing he needed or wanted was another woman in his life. He was still piecing his life back together after his accident and his unhappy marriage to Brenda.

He turned away from the picture window and limped toward the door, determined to accomplish two things this summer: get to know his daughter better and get back to being one hundred percent after the last operation on his leg. For two months he’d promised to devote himself to those two tasks. He could run Blackburn Industries from here for that short amount of time. He would have to leave the everyday affairs of his company to his capable staff, but he already had been doing that since the accident. Cindy needed this. He needed this.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Cindy slid to a halt, tears streaming down her face.

He knelt in front of her, the action intensifying the pain in his leg. He ignored it and clasped his daughter’s arms. “What’s wrong, princess?”

“Oreo’s gone!”

Jesse kneaded the dough, flipped it over and started all over again, shoving her palms into it. She pounded her frustration out on the soon-to-be loaf of bread. Still no one came to mind as a possible candidate for Nick and time was running out. He would only be here seven more weeks. Courting a potential wife didn’t happen overnight. Of course, it would help if he left his house more often. Then she might have a better chance of fixing him up with someone.

Who? That was the problem. She had been so wrong about Tara and Felicia. The third one was the charm. But who?

She placed the dough in a blue ceramic mixing bowl and covered it with a damp cloth. The doorbell chimed. She quickly washed her hands, then hurried to answer it.

The worry on Nick’s face prompted her to ask, “Is something wrong with Cindy?”

“Yes—I mean, no, not her exactly. Oreo. He’s gone. We can’t find him and she’s beside herself. You haven’t seen him, have you?”

“No.” She stepped out onto the porch and automatically scanned the area as though that would produce the errant kitten.

“I thought so, but I had to ask. I’m desperate. I promised Cindy I wouldn’t come home until I found Oreo. I’ve been up and down the street, along the lakeshore. Nothing.”

“What happened?”

“Oreo darted out the front door when Cindy came back from playing with Nate this morning.”

“I’ll get Gramps and Nate. We’ll come over and make some posters to put up around town. Cindy can help with them. It’ll make her feel better if she’s doing something.”

“When I left, she was in her room crying. She didn’t want to talk or do anything.”

“I’ll get the supplies we need and be right over.”

“What should I do in the meantime?”

“Hold Cindy.”

“I tried. She cried even louder.”

“That’s okay. Hold her anyway.” Jesse rushed back into her house to gather some poster board, markers and her family.

When they arrived at Nick’s house, Boswell immediately opened the door before Jesse had a chance to ring the bell. Silence greeted her as she entered. She hoped that meant that Cindy had calmed down.

As Boswell closed the door, the little girl, with Nick following, rushed into the foyer, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “You think we’ll be able to find Oreo? Daddy said you’re gonna help.”

The eager hopefulness in the child’s voice touched Jesse. She hated making promises she couldn’t keep, but it was hard not to say what Cindy wanted to hear. “If Oreo is in Sweetwater, we’ll find him.”

Heavenly Father, please help me find Oreo. Cindy has already lost a lot in her short life. I know I just made a promise I might not be able to keep. Please help me to keep this one promise.

“What if—”

Jesse laid her hand on the child’s shoulder. “No what-ifs. That’s wasted energy. We need to make some posters to put up around town and then form search teams to scour the area.”

“Then let’s get going.” Cindy took Jesse’s hand and dragged her toward the kitchen.

Jesse threw a glance over her shoulder at the rest of the group who remained standing in the foyer. “You heard her. Hop to it.”

The children sat on the floor in the kitchen and made posters while the adults used the counter and table. Cindy copied off Nate and drew a kitten that looked more like a dog.

Nick leaned close to Jesse and whispered, “Do you think this will help?”

Jesse got a whiff of his clean, fresh scent with that hint of lime. Her pulse rate kicked up a notch. This was a rescue mission, nothing more, she reminded herself and said, “I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t. The people in this town are wonderful. When they hear that Oreo is missing, they’ll help look, too. This is the best way to get the news out. That and talk to whomever we see while we’re putting the posters up.”

Doubt reflected in his gaze, Nick went back to work, absently massaging his thigh.

“Is your leg bothering you?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

Jesse wondered about that as she studied the tired lines on his face and the pinched look he wore. He’d already been out looking for the kitten.

“I think it might rain later. I have more trouble when the weather is about to change.”

“Then we’d better hurry and get these posters up. We can probably put them in some storefront windows so if it rains it won’t matter.”

When the group was finished, Cindy wanted to go with Nate and Gramps while Boswell was going to check out the lake area again. Jesse and Nick decided to go in the opposite direction from the children and Gramps. They were all to meet at Harry’s Café on Main Street when they were through.

As they started to go their different ways, Cindy said, “Boswell, please don’t go near Fred and Ethel.”

The older man smiled. “I wouldn’t think of it, Miss Cindy.”

“Oh.” The little girl brought her hand up to cover her mouth, her eyes growing round. “What if Oreo went close to Fred and Ethel? Shouldn’t someone check?”

Jesse bent down in front of Cindy. “Believe me. We would have heard a ruckus if Oreo had. But if it will make you feel better, I can check.”

The tears returned to Cindy’s eyes. “Please.”

“Then that’s my first stop.” She started to stand up.

Cindy tugged on Jesse’s arm, stopping her, and whispered in her ear, “Please don’t let Daddy get too close. I don’t want him hurt again.”

A lump jammed in Jesse’s throat. “I’ll take good care of your father.”

“He might not be able to walk very far. His leg’s hurting him. It always does after he does his exercises. He’ll need to rest, but he’ll act like he doesn’t.”

Surprised at the child’s keen observation and assessment of her father, Jesse gave her a reassuring look. “I’ll make it seem like it’s my idea.”

Satisfied that her father would be taken care of, Cindy hurried to Gramps and Nate at the end of the driveway. Boswell took off toward the lake.

Nick came up beside Jesse. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing. Just girl talk.”

“Girl talk?” He shook his head. “In the middle of all of this?”

“Let’s go. I told Cindy I would check the area by Fred and Ethel’s nest first, but you have to stay back.”

“Believe me, I didn’t have any intentions of going near those two.”

Nick followed Jesse around back of her house and waited by the deck while she approached the two geese. They never took their eyes off her, but they remained quiet while she surveyed the area for she wasn’t sure what. Everyone would have heard if Oreo had come near Fred and Ethel. But a promise was a promise.

As Jesse made her way back to Nick, his gaze fixed on her and her pulse rate responded as it had earlier. For a few seconds she felt as though they were the only two people in the world. He had a way of stripping away the rest of mankind with merely a look. The intensity in his eyes unnerved her. She wasn’t even sure he was aware of it. It cut through defensive layers that protected her heart and was very confounding. When she’d lost Mark she vowed she would never put herself in that position again. The pain of losing her husband had been too much. Sticking to that promise had kept her safe for the past four years.

“All clear,” she said, eager to get their search started. There were lots of people in town and suddenly she needed to be around a lot of people. She might even be able to come up with a third candidate for Nick while they looked for Oreo.

As Nick nailed up the posters, Jesse stopped various townspeople to let them know they were looking for a lost kitten, all black except for a patch of white above his eyes. She assessed the women they encountered as possible candidates, but none were suitable.

“Do you know everyone in town?” Nick asked as he hammered another poster to a telephone pole.

“Practically, but then I’ve lived all my thirty-two years here.”

“I’ve lived all my thirty-five years in Chicago, and I don’t know everyone there.”

Jesse chuckled. “Not the same thing. A few million more in population can make a difference.”

He eyed her. “I’m beginning to wonder with you if it would. Have you ever met a stranger?”

“Sure. You.”

Nick favored his right leg more than usual as he walked beside her down the street. He tried not to act as if it were bothering him, but Jesse noticed, had for the past three blocks. That was why she had taken a shortcut to the café. She’d promised Cindy she would look after Nick—whether the man wanted her to or not. And she suspected he would be appalled if he knew what she was thinking.

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