A Mother for Cindy

“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.”