Necessary Detour (37 page)

Pete threw his arm into the air, waved it madly, and stepped into the aisle to be seen, knowing this was his chance. He wasn’t sure if she’d be glad to see him, but he had to try.

Nikki’s gaze stopped when she saw him waving from the aisle. The expression on her face was one of disbelief, causing people to turn around. As he moved cautiously up the aisle, two security guards descended on him, and she shook her head at them. “It’s okay.” Nikki pointed to Pete. “The handsome man in the aisle.”

Pete stepped forward. “Firstly, let me say that pending motherhood suits you, Ms. Crossland.”

“Thank you.” A smile spread across Nikki’s face.

Phyllis looked annoyed.

“Next, may I ask if part of your glow has anything to do with being in love?”

Nikki put out her good arm to stop Phyllis from cutting him off. Photographers had pulled out their cameras and were madly taking pictures of Pete walking up the aisle. He pulled his baseball hat further down his forehead.

“Good question,” Nikki answered. “May I ask you, Mr...”

“Daniels.” Pete stopped and cocked his head.

“Mr. Daniels…do you believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder?”

Ha! “I don’t know what to believe anymore.” The room was silent. “I’m afraid, Ms. Crossland, that absence has recently made my heart break.” Camera flashes went off on both sides of the aisle, as Pete continued a slow walk to the stage. “In my case, anyhow.”

“Why broken?” She looked puzzled.

“The absence wasn’t my choice.”

Nikki smiled sympathetically, and leaned on the podium. “I’ve heard the heart mends remarkably well.”

Pete was close enough to see that Nikki wore the Yoruba necklace. “My heart is making a miraculous recovery, right now, in fact.” He took another few steps.

Nikki laughed out loud. “Where was this heart, these last weeks?”

“It was here.” Pete put his hand on his chest. “It wasn’t for lack of trying to get through.” He held out his arms in surrender. The room was deafeningly silent as Pete approached the stage. “Will you mend my broken heart, Nikki?”

“You know I will.” Nikki’s smile lit up her face.

Pete jumped up onto the platform, removed his hat, and took her in his arms.

“I love you, Pete. I didn’t say that before, but I love you.”

Even though he wanted to hug her tight, he was careful of her left shoulder and whispered into her hair. “I love you, Nikki, and I love your baby, and I’m so happy that you’re both alive.”

He pulled back to look into her eyes.

Tears filled Nikki’s eyes. “I’ve been heartbroken, waiting for you,” she admitted.

“I’m here, now. And not going away. Ever.” He kissed her cheek tenderly. “I have a name for the boat.”

She searched his face. “What is it?”

“Forever.”

She closed her eyes and smiled sweetly. “I like the sound of that.”

“I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” With one finger under Nikki’s chin, he tipped her head up to brush her lips with his, in only the hint of a kiss. It was a kiss to suggest what might come later. A kiss that the press couldn’t see because Nikki Crossland had turned her back to them.

2 ¼-oz envelopes of dry active yeast

1/2 cup warm water (100-105 degrees)

1 cup warm milk

1/2 cup soft butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup raisins

Combine yeast and water in bowl, let stand 5 minutes. Add milk and next 5 ingredients. Beat at medium until blended. Combine flour and cinnamon, add to mix, beat 2 minutes. Stir in raisins. Place in greased bowl, cover with damp towel. Let rise for 2 hours. Punch down. Rise another 30 minutes.

On floured board, roll to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into two inch circles and let buns rise in rectangular pan for 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until browned. Cool and *glaze in the shape of a thick X.

*Glaze- 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 1/2 T milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla, whisk together until smooth

When finished, package in a pretty basket and wander innocently next door to see if the handsome neighbor is hungry.

Once a rock singer herself, Kim traded her microphone and sparkly costumes years ago, for a jean jacket and motherhood in the Seattle area. Kim lives overlooking a lake with her hubby, Roland, her two kids, Jack and Ila, and two extremely disobedient dogs where the Pacific Coast rainy days leave lots of time to daydream and plot books.