Lakeside Hero (Men Of Millbrook Lake Book 1) (10 page)

So he did accept it with a nod and a wave. And he let out a sigh, knowing these diners had accepted him, too.

Now if he could just meet little Gabby and get her acceptance.

Chapter Twelve

“H
ey, good news.”

Marla smiled into the phone. “And hello to you, too, Alec. What’s going on?”

“The old car dealership property—I got it. We sign the papers at the end of the month.”

Marla motioned to Brandy and another worker to take over transferring a batch of I Need a Brownie Now marshmallow-pecan cream-cheese brownies to the cooling rack. The smell of baked chocolate always calmed her nerves.

While the sound of Alec’s deep voice always jingled her nerves all over again. She’d need a brownie once they finished this conversation.

“That’s great. So you’re on your way with opening Caldwell Canines Service Dog Association.”

“Yes,” he said, “but we’ve still got a long way to go. I won’t keep you, but...I was calling to see if you wanted to do something to help me celebrate.”

Marla thought about her busy schedule. “I don’t know. I mean, I want to celebrate with you but I have a lot of events coming up this weekend. I have to deliver a wedding cake to the church tomorrow morning and then I need to get several Mother’s Day orders out, too.”

“Mother’s Day.” She heard him exhale a breath. “I hadn’t even noticed it’s this coming Sunday.”

“Well, we’re all aware of it here. One of our busiest days. People used to cook big meals, complete with dessert. Now they order cakes and cookies and pies, anything they can find. Which gives them more time to spend with their families.”

“What about you and your family?”

“I don’t work on Mother’s Day. We never work on Sundays unless it’s an emergency and we have a backlog.”

“I’ll help you,” he said on a quick breath. “Preacher’s always telling me I need to volunteer more and he mentioned you sometimes use volunteers to help with deliveries.”

Marla’s heart rate bubbled over. “Uh, Alec, you’re not exactly the delivery-man type.”

“I won’t deliver to birthday parties or crowded rooms. I don’t want to scare little children.”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” she replied. “Your smile takes away from your scar, so don’t talk like that.”

“Hey, I’m okay. I’m learning to laugh at myself, thanks to Preacher and others making me feel more comfortable. You included. I’ll do whatever you need me to do. Ice cupcakes, test the samples, wash up all the pans.”

She laughed at his animated tone. Could she get her work done with him around? Probably not. He’d be a big distraction. But they had been getting closer over the last week. Marla didn’t feel any pressure with their slow-and-steady relationship. She considered Alec a friend and a business acquaintance. Having his strong presence here in her bakery? That was an entirely different matter.

“Marla, if you’re not sure—”

“Okay, be here at seven sharp and wear old clothes. Be prepared to work hard. But you will be rewarded.”

“I can hardly wait. You can pay me in cupcakes.”

“You’ll be so tired you won’t be able to lift a cupcake.”

“I’ll be there.”

She hung up with a smile on her face.

Only to turn around and find Brandy and the teenager who worked part-time grinning at her.

“Was that him?” Brandy asked with a hopeful expression.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Marla replied before going back to her busy work.

“It was him,” Brandy said to Jennifer. “He’s so dreamy.”

“But you said he has a scar,” Jennifer retorted with big eyes.

Marla shot a frown at her love-sick staff. “Hey!”

“I mean, Brandy said his scar makes him mysterious and dreamy and that he’s really one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.” Then she gulped air. “Am I fired?”

Marla shook her head. “Nobody is fired. I need all the help I can get. Alec is coming to help tomorrow and I expect both of you to be professional and...don’t gawk at the man you call Mr. Dreamy McMarine.”

“See, I told you,” Brandy said, giving Jennifer a high five. “They don’t know it yet, but our boss and Mr. Dreamy McMarine are gonna fall in love.”

“Okay, back to work,” Marla said, wagging her finger at the giggling girls hovering around her. “This is a place of business and we have to stay busy.”

That falling-in-love comment hit a little too close to Marla’s tender heart. She couldn’t afford to fall in love with Alec. What if Gabby never got over her fears? What then?

“Right,” Brandy said with a wink. “Busy watching his every move.”

She ran off to the other side of the kitchen before Marla could spread creamy icing on her pert nose.

* * *

Alec’s pulse jumped and skidded in a nervous anticipation that was unfamiliar to him. He’d been a marine captain, trained to have nerves of steel. He’d commanded a large company of men during the heat of battle. What kind of man was afraid to go into a place that housed cupcakes and petits fours?

This kind of man. The kind who was slowly falling for the pretty woman in the white apron who stood behind a counter full of enticing pastries and pies.

The kind of woman he could envision in a kitchen with children running around and Angus at her feet begging for treats.

“Are you going to stand there all day or go in and help us out?”

Alec turned to find Brandy smiling at him with a pleased expression. “Uh, I guess I’ll go in. I have to say, I’m a little intimidated.”

She snorted in a very unladylike way. “You’ll get over that soon enough. Things get mighty dicey in there at times, but at the end of the day we’re all still sweet.”

Alec laughed and shook his head. “Did you practice that line on some unassuming college kid?”

Brandy whirled past him and held the door open. “Sure did. Now we’re engaged.”

Alec liked Brandy. She was spunky and self-assured. Maybe she’d protect him from flying pans and spilled-over chocolate sauce.

“Hello,” Marla called from the kitchen. “I have several people lined up to help today so let’s all gather around to get our instructions.”

She smiled at Alec. “We appreciate you joining us, Mr. Caldwell.”

Alec waved to everyone. “My pleasure.” He noticed an older gentleman giving him a crusty once-over. Alec held out his hand. “Alec Caldwell. Glad to meet you.”

“Dipsey McQuire,” the older man said, reaching out to shake Alec’s hand. “So you’re Vivian’s son?”

“Yes, sir,” Alec replied. The older man had a firm grip and the broad chest with pecs and biceps to back it up. “Are you the bouncer?”

Mr. McQuire let out a loud hoot of laughter. “Yeah.” He pointed to Marla. “Her daddy sent me.”

“Really?”

When everyone started laughing, Alec shot Marla a worried glance.

“He’s messing with you,” Brandy said through a giggle. “He’s here to help with the heavy lifting. You get to help with that, too.”

“Oh, right,” Alec said, flexing his own muscles.

“I work out at the senior citizen fitness room three times a week,” Mr. McQuire said. “We let young’uns in if you wanna go at it, son.”

“I’ll consider that, thank you,” Alec replied, his eyes now on Marla. He had a feeling he’d be outdone in that fitness room.

“Mr. McQuire is retired navy.” She sent him a soft smile and then shooed everyone to work. When they were alone, she walked over to Alec. “Ready for this?”

“Reporting for duty, as requested, yes.”

“I run a tight ship,” she replied in a mock-stern voice.

“I’m not a sailor, ma’am. Just a poor retired marine.”

“You’re not poor and I’ve always heard, once a marine, always a marine.”

“I think I’ve met my match with your merry band of followers.”

She gave him that mysterious smile again. “If you survive this day with us, you just might be a keeper.”

He leaned close, the scent of her floral perfume mixing with the scent of chocolate chip cookies. Lowering his voice, he said, “I like the sound of that.”

Marla’s eyes flared in shades of blue-green but she slapped at his arm. “The cupcakes have eyes, you know.”

He shook his head. “I guess I’d better keep my distance. Don’t want to get fired right off the bat. Or whipped over by Mr. McQuire.”

“I think you’re safe. He talks big but I have it on good authority that he suffers gout now and then.”

With that, she went back to ordering people around and Alec’s respect for her went up a couple more notches.

* * *

By the end of the day, he was exhausted, amazed and pretty sure he never wanted to see another cookie or cupcake. Ever.

“I’ve been in a lot of tricky situations,” he said to Marla as they finished tidying up, “but this day takes the cake.”

“Your jokes are endearing,” she said with a smirk.

He looked outside, the sound of thunder and lightning shaking the building. “At least I didn’t leave the cake out in the rain.”

She started giggling like a schoolgirl. “Do I need to call Mr. McQuire back here to straighten you out?”

“Please don’t. I had to witness him doing a one-armed push-up at just about every stop.”

“Did he make you do them, too?”

Alec bobbed his head. “Yes, but he beat me every time.”

“Did you let him win?”

“Of course. I’m not completely stupid.”

“Brandy said you did a great job, helping to carry the cake into the church. That’s the hardest part of our job.”

“It was a small cake and I followed Dipsey’s instructions to the letter.”

“He and my dad take turns helping out. Dad had another commitment this weekend.”

“Oh, something important?”

“Yes. A deep-sea fishing trip out in the gulf.”

“In this weather?”

She looked out the window. “Well, it wasn’t raining this morning. Hopefully, they’ve made it in by now.”

Alec checked his phone’s weather app. The storm hovered out over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. He didn’t say anything to Marla since he didn’t want to worry her.

“Need to go?” she asked, her gaze hitting on his phone.

“No, nothing planned tonight. What about you?”

“I’ll go and pick up Gabby, and I guess I’ll either have dinner with my folks or come home and order a pizza for the two of us before I tuck her in.”

Alec leaned back against a counter. “I wish I could share a pizza with you and Gabby. We never had our official celebration.”

“I know,” she said. “And I’d still like to celebrate your purchase of the property to build your training school.” Glancing around the neat bakery kitchen to make sure they were alone, she turned back to Alec. “Her therapy is going pretty good. I’m supposed to take her for a walk around the neighborhood and encourage her to wave to anyone she sees, especially all the other grandfatherly types.”

“That should make her more comfortable with strangers.”

“She’s afraid of Mr. McQuire but she did notice that he looks like Santa Claus.”

“Is she afraid of Santa?”

Marla nodded. “That’s been an issue, but I’ve never been one for forcing children to sit on Santa’s lap just to get a picture.”

“Good point.”

The conversation tapered off as he watched Marla going around to check doors and set the alarm.

He walked her to the back door. “Do you have an umbrella?”

She motioned to a coatrack. “Yes. I’ll be fine.”

“And you’ll drive carefully out to the retirement center?”

“Yes, I will.”

Then he had an idea. “Have you ever considered a service dog for Gabby?”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe if she had a dog of her own, she’d feel safer?” He brushed at the shining aluminum counter. “It could be a puppy or a smaller dog so she won’t be overwhelmed. I can research different breeds, talk to some experts.”

“I’ve never thought of that,” Marla replied. “I’ll ask her therapist, but I don’t know that we could keep a dog, with my hours and this tiny apartment.”

“Service dogs are trained to be docile when needed. And the dog could stay with your parents a lot anyway, right?”

“Yes. Gabby practically lives with them as it is.”

Seeing the regret in her eyes, he reached out a hand to touch a cluster of wild curls dangling near her left temple. “You’re a good mother, with good parents to help.”

“I know. I just miss her when I have long days such as this one.” She shrugged, her struggle evident in her eyes. “But I love what I do and I’ve worked hard to be independent.”

“Gabby might not understand that now but one day, she’ll tell you how proud she is of you. You’re a great example for your daughter.”

“Thanks,” she replied, a soft smile pushing at the traces of fatigue on her face. “I need to spend more time with her while she’s still young.”

He moved his hand from her hair to her cheek. “You’ll see her soon.”

She touched a hand to his. “Alec, I want you to meet her. I really do. But I’m so afraid.”

“I understand.”

They stood there for a split second, a second between their two worlds that could define the future. When a clap of thunder hit outside the door, they took one look at each other. Then Alec pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Marla tasted as sweet as this bakery smelled. She was all sweetness and light, all richness and temptation. She molded into his arms as if God had made her just for him. The kiss lasted through a couple more sighs and thunderclaps and then she pulled away.

“Wow, that was some reward,” he said against her spice-scented hair.

Marla looked flushed and surprised. “Yes. I was going to go home and settle for pizza and ice cream...but...wow.”

“Wanna try it again?”

She answered him with another kiss.

And then, they laughed and ran out into the rain together.

Chapter Thirteen

M
arla breathed a sigh of relief when she finally made it out to the Millbrook Lake Retirement Village. The rain was pouring in a steady pounding of thunder and lightning and flooded roads. Her old van was pretty sturdy, but she was shaking by the time she pulled into her parents’ driveway and ran up onto the tiny porch.

Her mother opened the door. “Hurry in, honey.”

Marla noticed right away that something was wrong. “Mom, is Gabby okay?”

Her mom whirled and pressed a shaky finger to her lips. “She’s fine. She’s in the den coloring a picture for you.”

“What is it, then?” Marla asked, worry spiking through her system. Then her heart skidded in realization. “Where’s dad?”

“Honey, he hasn’t checked in. The charter boat hasn’t returned to the marina.”

“What?” Marla went still but from the look on her mother’s face, she recovered and went into action. “Mom, it’s going to be all right. I’m sure they’re safe. The boat captain is experienced, and even if they’re out in this storm his crew will know what to do.”

“I know, but I’m so worried.”

Marla refused to think past the obvious. “Has the Coast Guard been alerted?”

“Yes.” Mom held her hand to her chest. “I’m staying near the phone but I don’t want to upset Gabby.”

“No, we can’t do that.” Marla guided her mother back toward the den and kitchen area. “We’ll make grilled cheese sandwiches and...act natural. It won’t be long until her bedtime so we just have to occupy her for a couple of hours.”

Joyce hugged Marla tight. “You are so strong, honey. I’m so glad you’re here.”

Marla thought she wasn’t that strong. The memory of Alec’s kisses just a short while ago gave her the strength she needed right now, however.

That and a prayer held on a breath she wasn’t quite able to let go.

* * *

Alec stood in his office, watching the rain through the yellow glow of the security lights surrounding his home. He was worried about Marla’s dad but he hadn’t called her yet. He didn’t want to upset her if Mr. Reynolds hadn’t made it home yet. But darkness had settled over the lake quickly with this gloomy sky. He’d give it another half hour. Then he would call her.

“It’s bad out there,” Aunt Hattie said from the doorway. “I thought you might like some coffee.”

Alec turned and rushed to help her with the tray she carried with coffee and a sandwich.

“I know you said you weren’t hungry but you need to eat something. I baked a big roast for Sunday dinner but I’d say a roast beef sandwich might be in order for tonight.”

“Thank you,” he said, taking the tray and setting it on a nearby table, where they always shared these intimate meals. His aunt made sure he was well fed. “Where’s your dinner?”

“I had a bite when I was slicing the roast,” she said with a shrug. “I did bring my one cup of decaf.” She lifted her dainty cup off the tray and took a seat across from where Alec stood.

He sat down and admired the hefty sandwich. “Why is it that food is so important, Aunt Hattie?”

“Well, we have to eat to stay alive,” she said on a laugh. “Is there more to it? Yes, of course. Food brings people together and gives us comfort.”

“I remember mother’s funeral,” Alec said, wondering why he needed to talk about this. “All that wonderful food. I wasn’t even hungry but each time I’d turn around, someone would hand me a plate of good Southern cooking.”

“It’s a tradition,” his aunt said, her hand holding her cup close. “We really don’t know what to say or do in times of great grief. But food speaks for us. We cook and we bring food and try to keep the kitchen running, and then we stand around and we hope.”

Alec took a couple of bites of the sandwich, the warm tender beef covered with spicy gravy giving him the exact kind of comfort his aunt explained. On a rainy night such as this, a warm sandwich and a sweet aunt for company was more than he deserved.

He didn’t deserve Marla’s kisses, either, but that kind of comfort sure was hard to refuse.

“Is there a reason for this discussion?” Aunt Hattie asked in her quiet, kind way.

He put down the fat sandwich and wiped his hands on a pale blue linen napkin. “Marla Hamilton,” he said. “She’s amazing. She brings people comfort and happiness and she makes these impressive concoctions that...might not be good for our health or our waistlines, but they seem to be a necessary part of life.”

“I’ve never seen anyone but maybe a supermodel frown at a cupcake,” his aunt retorted. She patted her midsection. “Obviously I’ve had my fair share.”

“I did, too, today.”

“So you enjoyed helping Marla?”

“I did. It’s hard work but I had a good time. I’m exhausted but proud of myself. I was actually the jumper a few times.”

Aunt Hattie quirked one manicured eyebrow up into a question mark. “The jumper? You didn’t have to use a parachute to deliver cookies, did you?”

Alec laughed and shook his head. “No, nothing so dangerous as that. The jumper is the one who gets out of the delivery van and actually hand-delivers the items. I didn’t really jump, however. I had to be very careful with some of the items.” He nibbled his sandwich again. “We took a wedding cake to the church this morning.”

“Oh, yes. I heard the Horton girl was marrying the Baker boy. They’ll make a good match.”

Alec laughed at his aunt’s report. It was close enough. If he pressed for details on that analysis, his aunt would give him a thorough rundown of the family tree on both sides.

“That’s right,” he said. “Cute couple. A small cake, white with silver eatable pearls and delicate cream lace icing.”

“I’m impressed, Chef Caldwell.”

“Marla’s young assistant, Brandy, aka the Drill Sergeant, explained each delivery to me in meticulous detail. In case the customer had any questions or complaints.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Although I think she just enjoys describing Marla’s work to everyone. A good word-of-mouth salesperson.”

Aunt Hattie nodded in approval. “Marla has a good head on her shoulders, and she’s worked hard to grow her business and help downtown Millbrook come back to life. The report at the last chamber of commerce meeting showed we’ve been attracting more and more tourists to our little inland hamlet. I give part of that credit to Marla’s Marvelous Desserts.”

“Everyone loves cupcakes,” Alec said, reaffirming their earlier discussion.

They laughed and moved on to other subjects. Alec glanced at his empty plate. “Thank you for the food. It did bring me comfort.”

Aunt Hattie stood, but he got up, too. “I’ll take this to the kitchen, and then I’m going to call Marla.”

Aunt Hattie inclined her head to one side. “Oh, so you two have really hit it off?”

“We’re good friends. But I need to call her to check on her father. He went out on a deep-sea-fishing charter today and...well, the storm moved in and she was worried about him.”

“Let me take the tray, then,” Aunt Hattie said. “You stay here and call Marla. And let me know that everything is okay.”

Alec didn’t argue with her. Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he leaned close. “Thank you. You are my favorite aunt.”

“I know,” she said with a grin.

He watched her go, wondering how two sisters could be so completely different. His mother loved him but she never was the motherly type. He missed her anyway.

Opening his phone, he hit Marla’s number and waited for her to pick up. He hoped she’d have good news regarding her father’s whereabouts.

* * *

Marla’s cellphone buzzed in her pocket. Glancing toward where her mom sat reading to Gabby, she turned away. Alec’s number and name flashed across her phone screen.

“Hello?” she said on a low breath.

“Hey. I...I’m just calling to check on your dad.”

“He’s not home yet,” she said. “We can’t leave or make any calls. Gabby is still up. So we’re just waiting to hear.”

“I can make a few calls for you,” he said, his deep voice calm and sure. “They might be waiting it out or they could be near the marina. Sometimes it’s hard to connect when you’re away from shore.”

“Thank you,” Marla replied. “I’d appreciate anything you can find out.”

She ended the call and turned to her mom with a smile. “That was my friend who helped me today, Mom. He’s going to call around about that concern we have.”

“Oh, what a good idea,” her mom said with misty-eyed clarity. “Your friend is very considerate.”

Gabby, always watchful, looked up at Marla. “When is Pawpaw coming home to tuck me in?”

“I don’t know, sugar-pea,” Marla said. “But Memaw and I will tuck you in.”

“Am I staying here tonight, Mommy?”

“Since it’s raining so much, we’re both staying here. A special time with Memaw.”

Gabby clapped her hands. “Yay. Are you sleeping in my room?”

“Yes,” Marla replied in an animated voice. “On the other bed that matches yours.”

“Can we go to bed now?”

“I can certainly get you ready and then, after we read and tuck you in, maybe I’ll stay up with Memaw a while, okay?”

“’Kay,” Gabby replied. She hopped up and turned to her grandmother. “I’ll come get you when I’m weady, Memaw.”

“Okay, sweetie,” Mom said, her words hiding the fear in her low voice. She nodded to Marla. “Go on. I’ll check on some things myself.”

* * *

Alec closed his phone after rallying his buddies together. Blain Kent was calling around to check on any reports of charter boats not reporting in or making it back to shore. Hunter Lawson was down at the marina, doing his thing by questioning and intimidating anyone who’d listen to him.

And Preacher was tuned in to his hotline to God. He was praying and he’d told Alec he’d get the church prayer chain on this, too.

Since they had two friends in the Coast Guard who’d also promised to do some checking, Alec felt they had done everything they could do for now. But Alec couldn’t stop the restless need to do something constructive.

“Aunt Hattie, I’m going down to the marina.”

His aunt stuck her head around the sitting room door. “Is there news?”

“No, but I can’t sit here waiting. I’ll go down and meet up with Hunter. See what he’s heard.”

His aunt inclined her head in approval. “Be careful and call me, please. I’m sending prayers.”

“Thanks.” Alec headed for the garage, then turned and came back to give his aunt a kiss. “You know I love you, right?”

“Or course,” she said with a soft smile. “Unspoken but obvious.”

“I need to tell you that more,” Alec said, meaning it.

Maybe if he and his mother had said those words more to each other, she wouldn’t have died angry and disappointed in him.

* * *

Marla’s phone buzzed around midnight.

“It’s Alec,” she said to her mom.

Mom sat up and blinked. “News? Does he have news?”

They’d both sat on the couch, trying to sleep. Her mother had just dozed off.

“Alec, what have you heard?”

“Your father is fine,” he said.

Marla started crying, but Mom gasped. “He’s okay, Mom. It’s okay.”

Her mother grabbed a nearby tissue box and started wiping her eyes. “Oh, thank You, Lord.”

Marla turned back to her phone. “What happened?”

“They did get caught in the storm but they managed to hold the boat steady. It was apparently a long, treacherous ride to shore. I’ll let your dad tell the rest.”

“Is he really okay? Are they all okay?”

“Yes. Just some bumps and bruises. I think he might have sprained a wrist when he slipped on the wet deck. I’ll have him home soon.”

Marla glanced out at the pouring rain. “You’re bringing him home. In this weather?”

“I offered to take him to my house ’til morning but he refused. Said he could drive himself home.”

“No, he can’t do that. I’ll come and get him.”

“You will not do that,” Alec said in what she could only call his marine voice. “I’m bringing him home.”

“Okay,” Marla replied, too tired and relieved to argue. “Thank you, Alec.”

When she turned around, her mother rushed into her arms to give her a hug. “I was so scared.”

“Me, too,” Marla said. “But Dad’s okay. They’re all battered and bruised but no major injuries and...they all made it home.”

Her mom stood back and wiped her eyes. “So if I heard right, Alec is bringing him home?”

“Yes, he insisted.”

Marla didn’t want to think about the implications of having Alec here again. While her mother went to work on making coffee and finding something for the men to eat, Marla hurried down the hallway toward Gabby’s room. She’d make sure the door was pulled shut before Alec came in the house. Things had gone okay last time he was here but with this much excitement, Gabby could wake up and come running.

After giving her sleeping daughter a kiss and pulling the seashell-patterned quilt over her, Marla hurried back to the kitchen to help her mother.

She owed Alec a lot for what he’d done tonight.

He truly was the kind of man any woman could call a hero.