He hauled his cell phone from his coat pocket and punched a number. Ill check with Rebecca first. Do you have family here in town that can pick you up tomorrow?
Now was the moment of truth. I dont have family in town.
Oh, theyre flying in?
It was an assumption she should correct, but when she opened her mouth, she hesitated. Saying the words No Ill be alone for the holiday was hard. She had to gather up her gumption and just as she was opening her mouth to correct his misimpression, Rebecca must have answered her phone, because Spence started talking. Lucy could personally come up with a thousand excuses why Rebeccashe knew her from church and the bookstore, of coursewouldnt want to have her privacy invaded, but Spence snapped off the phone.
Its settled. He didnt look at her as he put the truck in gear. Rebecca is more than happy to have you. She got so excited I couldnt get a word in edgewise. If you have no objections, Ill take you there.
She thought of how difficult and dangerous the county roads were and then of Spence fighting them back to town. She looked up at the hotel, very nice but so impersonalso lonely. My cat will miss me, but I always leave plenty of food out for her. If I dont, she gets huffy.
Spence frowned, staring intently at the hotel sign. Ill take that as a yes. Do you mind if I stop by the grocery store? I was going to grab a bite to eat on the way home, but most places are closed.
Sure, lets stop. That way I can pick up a few things, too. Shopping with Spence. How could that be fun? She tried to picture him doing something as ordinary as pushing a grocery cartand she could as long as she imagined a frown on his face.
The traffic report droned on, filling the silence between them. Spence was absorbed in negotiating the slick streets. Snow fell harder with each passing minute so that by the time they climbed out of the truck three blocks away, she sank into snow up to her knees. And to think it had been sunny with blue skies only this morning.
She crunched in beside Spence, who stopped to make sure she didnt fall on the shoveled walkway in front of the automatic doors. The rock salt was having a hard time keeping up with the gathering ice. Once inside, Spence separated a cart from the others with a snap of his wrist and, with a commanding walk, took off in the direction of the bakery.
Due to bacterial formation, you should always buy from the meat department last, he told her.
Yes, this was pretty much as she imagined it. She wasnt surprised when he hauled a list out of his pocket and, with a glance, headed off for the bread aisle.
She, being much less serious, lingered by the boxes of donuts. They didnt have the powdered sugar kind, so she chose a package of blueberry muffins with powdered sugar tops.
Give them to me. He held out his hand.
Dont tell me how bad these are for me, she warned him with a smile as she clutched her muffins.
They arent steel cut oatmeal, thats for sure. He took the package and set it in one corner of his cart, far away from his whole grain, extremely healthy kind of bread. The next aisle over is coffee and tea.
Oh, and hot chocolate. She led the way. The moment she turned the corner, she spotted Marin Baylor, youth pastor from the church, debating over two boxes of tea.
Lucy. She looked up with a welcoming smile. That smile slid from her face like snow off a tin roof when she gazed over Lucys shoulder. Spence?
Marin sounded a little shocked to see them in the same store together. It was the together part that was so shocking, apparently. My car got plowed under. Spence is rescuing me.
Thats mighty Christian of him. Marin nodded thoughtfully. Spence, did you get my message about Project Santa? Im sure Im on your callback list, but since were face-to-face
Yes, I meant to call you. The week got away from me. Now that he was speaking with Marin, the tension eased from Spences jaw and broad shoulders.
He really is a handsome man, Lucy thought as she watched him reach into his other pocket and pull out a small notebook. He thumbed through it, pulled a pen out and made a note or two. It was church business, and she didnt want to interrupt or listen in, so she let her mind wander.
When exactly had he started avoiding her? She studied the man who looked so good in his black winter coat, trousers and black boots. He was in good shape; he probably was one of those admirable individuals who worked out and ate wisely all the time.
But what was attractive to her about Spence wasnt his physical appearance. It was how he stood soldier straight and full of honor. It was the respectful way he talked to women. It was the kindness he showed to small children. Shed seen him with his niece and nephew when they were in the store or at church. Why was a great man like him still not married? Aside from the distant and difficult personality.
Well, Marin said. Ive got to get going. Theyre forecasting another six to eight inches before midnight. You two drive safe. See you on Sunday.
Lucy had time to say goodbye and give Marin a wave before the pastor was off, hauling out her cell phone. Spence, judging by the scowl building on his face, had noticed, too. Lucy feared the ramifications. Do you think shell tell Katherine?
Spence shook his head. This spells trouble for me, but Im used to trouble. Its hard not to be with so many sisters. You must have siblings, too.
One sister, but she and I are worlds apart.
Some days I think Im on earth and my sisters are on Pluto, but I dont think thats what you mean.
Who knew Spence McKaslin could quip? Lucy started down the aisle, wondering what other surprises might come her way. Spence always seemed so, well, grim. Maybe he was an interesting and potentially funny guy. Im the only Christian in my family. It annoys my mother to no end, who treats me as if Ive been sucked into oblivion by a giant sea squid.
Is that a roundabout way of saying she does her best not to talk to you?
Yep. My dad pretty much follows her lead. Hes a pharmacist and somehow uses that as his reason why there cant be a God. Anyway, Im not exactly banned, but if I announce that Im coming home, theres this long silence and a polite, well, how nice. Im sure we can make room for you. And exactly why was she telling him this? She didnt tell anyone this. Embarrassed when he didnt say anything, she turned the corner and headed down the milk and eggs aisle. She grabbed a carton.
He came up beside her and took one, too. What about Thanksgiving? Theyre not flying in?
No. Now he probably thought she was someone who allowed deception. Her chest bunched up, making it hard to breathe. I dont like to actually explain this to people.
You mean to someone you dont especially like?
To someone I dont especially know, she said and wondered at the wince on his facenot a scowl. Spence might not be as grim and as emotionless as shed always thought. Its painful, and so I just try not to have to talk about it. You have a wonderful family. Your sisters adore you. You have the perfect parents. You are very blessed, Spence.
He shook his head. Maybe you dont know that Dorrie isnt my real mother.
No. She didnt know the family well, only Katherine. I guess I just assumed.
He shook his head. Maybe you dont know that Dorrie isnt my real mother.
No. She didnt know the family well, only Katherine. I guess I just assumed.
Nothing can hurt like family, he said quietly.
For a nanosecond, she heard something else in his voice and then in his silence, but he broke away and headed toward the packaged shredded cheeses. She went to grab a box of butter quarters, and the span of distance was between them againnot just a physical one but one far more significant.
It was hard to see much of anything through the amazing downpour of thick, continuous, wind-driven snow, but the condominium complex looked new and snazzy. Shrouded trees and bushes lined plentiful sidewalks and walkways. Long stretches of white hinted at lush spacious lawns hidden beneath.
A front light flashed on, illuminating a snow-covered walkway and porch. Lucy unlatched her seat belt. This was it, where she and Spence parted company. At least the uncomfortable silence would be over, but that didnt make her feel any happier.
Ill walk you in. Spence pulled the e-brake and turned off the ignition. Without the engine noise, the howl of wind and the ping of snowflakes sounded loud in the silence. He cleared his throat, looking pained that she was still in his company. I picked up a few things for Rebecca at the store.
That was surprising. He said it casually, as if he did favors every day. Spence McKaslin was definitely a surprise. She grabbed her bag by the straps and heaved it off the floor. Did you go shopping for anyone else?
Katherine needed a few things. Ill drop her stuff by on my way home. I dont live too far from her.
She had never given much thought to where Spence livedin a cave, a townhouse, a tidy home in a cul-de-sac? She couldnt picture him anywhere. Spence McKaslin was more than a surprise, he was a genuine mystery and the opposite of what she expected. If you live near Katherine, does that mean down the street? In the same subdivision?
Three streets down, five blocks over.
A homeowner, then. She still couldnt picture it. She was glad he hadnt insisted on taking her all the way home. The fifteen miles out of town and then all the way back across town would have taxed her conversational skills. Spence was not an easy man to chat with. Thanks for this. You could have left me to freeze beside my car.
Sure, but then I would have had to deal with all my sisters. They would have been very mad at me. He almost smiled again.
Yep, there was a hint of dimples, just as shed imagined. Their gazes met, and it was like a spark from a live wire against her soul. What she saw in that brief moment was Spences heartgood and noble and lonely.
Lonely was something she knew a lot about.
Theres Rebecca. Spence gave a nod in the direction of the condo and yanked open his door.
Bitter cold and bulleting snow filled the passenger compartment. Through the haze of snow coating the glass, she could see Spences hulking shadow cut around the front of the truck. She reached for the door handle, but then the door was already opening. Spence stood with his hand out, gloves on, to help her down.
Careful, its slick. Thats all he said and tersely, as if she were annoying him.
She remembered the glimpse shed seen of him. The hint of a smile, the niceness. She didnt take his gruff tone seriously as she placed her hand in his and launched off the trucks high seat. She landed knee-deep in snow, nearly blown over by the gusting wind, but Spence steadied her. He was solid and reliable, refusing to let her fall.
A haze of the porch light winked like a lighthouses beacon on a far shore. Spence yanked his hand from hers and turned his back to gather the groceries from the backseat. He took hers, too, and walked alongside her so as to block the worst of the storm.
Quick! Before you two freeze. Rebecca held the door open more widely.
Since she was already about to become a snow woman in two more seconds, Lucy gladly tumbled through the doorway and into the warm condo. Spence was on her heels, groceries in the crook of his arm. The door slammed shut. The arctic blast of the wind died. The last of the snow tumbled to the entry rug, and Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. A hot current of air blew at her ankles. Blessed warmth.
Lucy, this is going to be so much fun. Rebecca took one of the grocery sacks from her brother. Ive got the fire going in the living room. The guest bed is made up with the electric blanket on high. Ive got a pot of lemon tea steeping to warm you up. Spence, come this way and put that heavy sack on the kitchen counter.
Spence glowered. Ive got to hit the road. More stops to make before I get home.
Lucy struggled with her zipper, watching him through her lashes. The way he said it, no one would guess that he had groceries to deliver and family to check on. Or that he did so gladly. Thanks again, Spence. You are my lifesaver.
Next time pay better attention to the weather reports. He marched past her dripping snow on the carpet and disappeared into another room.
He said it as if she had majorly inconvenienced him. But she had this suspicion that wasnt the truth at all. What was Spences truth? she wondered as she shucked off her coat and let Rebecca hook it over the back of a nearby chair. Spence was definitely a man of mystery.
He marched straight out of the shadows as if he were a part of it. He nodded to her once as he passed straight to the door. Rebecca, let me know if you need anything else. I bought an extra flashlight and a pack of batteries, just in case.
Oh, I didnt think about the lights going out.
He nodded as if he wasnt surprised by that comment and grabbed the door. The spill of overhead light shone on him just rightor maybe it was her imaginationbut for one brief moment his harshness lifted, his gaze found hers and there was that vulnerable heart of his. It was simple to see his loving concern for his baby sister and his protective nature, and more.
Yes, she saw much more. Like a flash of concern for her, too. He was glad that she was safe from the hazards of the storm.
Good night, Lucy, he said quietly, not harshly at all. He opened the door, the storm claimed him and he was out of her sight.
But not out of her thoughts.
Chapter Three
Between the heat from the fireplace and the comfort of the electric throw she was wrapped up in, Lucy was blissful. Add to that the pair of comfy sweats and warm fuzzy socks Rebecca had lent her, and she never wanted to move.
That was Katherine on the phone. Rebecca swept into the living room with a tray of drinks and two plates of goodies from the grocery sacks. She said Marin called her a while ago and said she had an interesting experience in the grocery store. Im sorry, but she knows about you and Spence now.
You say that as if there is something more at work than his stalwart Christian duty.
There could be. Katherine couldnt remember the last time Spence gave a woman who wasnt family a ride, let alone went grocery shopping with one. He tends to keep his distance.
Tends to keep his distance? Now thats an understatement if Ive ever heard one.
Hes a pro at it. If it was an event at the Olympics, he would be a gold medal winner. For the last decade. Maybe longer. Rebecca curled up on the opposite couch and stole a chocolate-covered marshmallow cookie from the tray. Its just his personality. Hes been that way as long as I can remember. Hes the nicest guy beneath all the frowning.