Blessings

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“No, you—I know! Why don’t you share lunch with Joshua and the girls? I’m sure they’d enjoy seeing a new face at the table.” She looked delighted with her idea.

Nicole wanted to run.

“Miss Blessing, there’s no need for that. Really. I’ll just make a sandwich. I’ve got a new text I’d like to study anyway.” No way was she going back inside that house with the grouch.

“You can’t!” The words burst out, loud enough to attract attention.

“I beg your pardon?” Nicole stared, amazed that this calm, competent woman seemed so frazzled.

“I—I haven’t any bread. Or buns. I forgot to bring some home yesterday. And there’s no meat. Sandwiches need meat.” She turned, caught sight of her nephew and waved him over. “Joshua, yoo-hoo.”

He came willingly enough, until he spotted Nicole.

“Is something wrong, Aunt Win?”

“No.” Nicole pressed her heels into the floor and refused to look at him.

“Yes,” Winifred said at the exact same moment. “I have a lunch date with Furly and there’s not a thing in the house for Nicole to eat.”

“Nothing to eat? At your house?” Skepticism marred Dr. Darling’s good looks.

“Not a thing, dear. I’ve been a little preoccupied lately and I guess…” She let the sentence trail away.

“You’re feeling all right, aren’t you?” He raised a hand, as if to check her temperature. “Nothing bothering you?”

Winifred backed up.

“I’m fine, dear.” She smiled at him. “I just wanted to ask you if Nicole could share that casserole I sent over for you and the girls. It’s not nice for her to have to eat all alone.”

Nicole held her breath, suppressing the laugh that bubbled up as distaste flooded Dr. Darling’s expressive eyes.

“But—why doesn’t she go with you and Furly?”

“Oh, I couldn’t do that, dear.” Winifred rushed into speech, words tumbling out at a furious pace. “Furly has something rather important that she wants to confide in me, you see. I don’t think she’d open up with someone else around.”

Oh, to be wanted. Nicole felt like a tennis ball being shunted back and forth, from one court to the other.

“Couldn’t she tell you at work tomorrow? You two are alone there for hours.”

“No, Joshua.” The older woman’s voice firmed. “I think it’s best if Nicole eats with you. There’s plenty of that casserole for one more to share.” Winifred leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you, dear.” Then she sailed away, majestically nodding to the left and right at various friends.

Joshua glared at her back, his mouth twisting into a grim line.

“Listen, I’ll look after myself. There’s no need for me to impose on you, other than accepting a ride back.” Nicole almost laughed at the chagrin that washed over his face.

“Of course you’ll ride back with us, and eat lunch, too.” His glance roved the parking lot in front of the church. “We’ll leave as soon as I find the girls.” He turned away to locate his children.

Nicole reached out and stopped him with a hand on his arm. He looked down at her hand, then up into her face.

“Problem?”

“Just because she said it doesn’t mean we have to obey. I’ll be fine. I’ll catch a ride with you, but that’s all. You just enjoy your afternoon off, with your daughters.”

His lips tightened, but he said nothing more until they were driving home.

“I’m afraid I have to insist you eat with us, Dr. Brandt. My aunt expects it. Afterward you may feel free to leave whenever you wish.”

She tried to get out of it up until the moment he turned into his drive.

“I will not change my mind, Dr. Brandt.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake!” Exasperated, she climbed out of the car. “You’ve really got to get over this rigid adherence to rules.” She stomped down his driveway toward Miss Winifred’s.

“Where are you going?”

“To change my clothes. I’ll be back in three minutes. We can eat, and then you’ll be free of me.”

In actual fact, it took Nicole more than five minutes because she made a detour through Winifred Blessing’s kitchen. While it was true that there were no buns or bread hidden away, there was a box with the familiar red Blessing Bakery script. Inside were six featherlight croissants that would have made yummy sandwiches. Nicole snatched the box on her way out.

“Two can play this game, Winifred,” she muttered, retracing her steps across the road.

Ruthie opened the front door before she got there.

“I changed, too.” She scrutinized Nicole’s favorite jeans with a curious look. “You got holes in your pants.”

“I know. It’s because I wear them so often. They’re my favorite. Don’t you have favorite clothes you like to wear?”

The little girl shifted. The door opened wider to reveal her father.

“Don’t ask that,” he warned. One glance took in the disreputable jeans. “Hers aren’t in quite that bad a condition, however.”

Nicole was not in the mood to endure another word of censure. She thrust the box of croissants at him.

“These are for lunch. Compliments of your aunt.” She glanced down as Ruthie’s hand twined into hers.

“Wanna help me set the table?”

“Sure.” It was better than staring at Joshua Darling, Nicole decided. He’d changed, too. The suit and tie replaced by khaki cords and a tan shirt, he looked every inch the respectable family doctor. Not one hair was out of place.

Sheer perversity made Nicole say it. “Are you going to help us with the treasure boxes?”

“Uh—I beg your pardon?” He walked toward the kitchen, as if he could get away from her.

Nicole followed right behind, tugging Ruthie with her.

“You remember, Daddy. We’re going to make treasure boxes so we can keep our special things in them.” Ruthie dragged open a drawer and began hauling out cutlery.

“Oh. Boxes. Yes. Right.” He plopped the croissants onto a plate and set them on the table, then turned to find the butter.

Nicole countered every step he took with her own as she searched for plates, cups, napkins. His impatience at the constant run-ins grew until he finally demanded she sit down and let him work in peace.

“I could make a salad,” she offered, and pulled the ingredients from the fridge.

“I don’t like radishes.” Ruthie frowned, watching carefully as Nicole kept slicing thin red pieces into the lettuce. “An’ me and Rach don’t like those green things, either.”

“You’re kidding?” Nicole slipped a bit of celery into her mouth and crunched on it. “This is my second-favorite food. It’s even better when you put cream cheese on it.”

“Show me.”

Nicole dressed several celery sticks. Ruthie picked up one and let it graze her lips. After a minute she took a bite, nodded and took another one.