Sweet Baklava (28 page)

"It's doing better than that," Steph said, her voice tightening with excitement. "Alexa just got a huge order from one of the biggest retailers in the country, and my uncle is interested in selling one of his stores at the other end of the sponge docks. I thought you might want to look at it before he puts it on the market." She turned to Paula when she got to a stoplight. "It's about 50 percent bigger than where you are now, and it's a lot brighter."

"Sounds good. Any idea how much he wants?"

"I'm sure you'll get a good deal on it since you're practically family. Oh, and get this. Amanda asked for next Saturday off so she can go to Disney World with her parents."

"That's the most amazing thing ever."

"I know. One day she's a latchkey kid with two totally absent parents, and a couple months later she's having an all- American family weekend."

"God is good, isn't he?"

Stephanie nodded. "He's the best."

As soon as Paula put her things away, she went to the shop to check on Alexa and Amanda. They were deep in discussion over a new product display.

"What do you think, Paula?" Amanda asked.

Paula cut her eyes over to the stand. "Very nice."

"These are the candles you were working on before you left. Mildred got her crew working on them right away so we'd have them when you got back."

"I understand you've been doing well while I was gone."

Alexa told her all about the big order that came in. Once she finished talking, Amanda told her how she was learning to up-sell customers. "When they come in for a candle, I try to get them to buy more. I even show them soap with a matching fragrance. Alexa's been teaching me all kinds of stuff about sales."

"Good job," Paula said. "You're turning into quite a salesperson."

"She sure is," Alexa agreed, pride sparkling in her eyes.

Paula had known the shop would be fine without her, but it was even better than fine. For the first time, she was sure it would run just as well if she didn't even come in.

Y
ou're not gonna believe this!"

Paula snapped her head up to see Charlene walking in. "Hey, Charlene. What's up?"

"Seriously, I have some news."

"Okay, spit it out."

Charlene's eyes were lit up, and she looked as if she were about to jump out of her own skin. "Guess what couple is the hottest item in town these days!"

"Um . . ." Paula tapped her chin. "Kate and Sam?"

Charlene's shoulders slumped. "How did you know?"

"Amanda works for me. Yesterday she said she hopes they fall in love again and get married. I don't think her feet touched the floor during her entire shift."

"Think it's possible?"

"Of course it is. The Lord can make anything happen."

"Yeah, but you have to admit that would be a miracle," Charlene said.

Alexa came out from the back room. "Miracles do happen. Look how God used Amanda's attempt at shoplifting."

"What?" Charlene tilted her head. "Amanda shoplifted? Where?"

"Where have you been all this time, little sis? We caught her shoplifting here."

"So . . . you decided to hire her . . . why?"

"It's a long story, but you'll understand after we tell you. But first, did you know Kate and Sam are going to church now?" Paula asked.

"Another miracle," Charlene said.

"If you'd go to church with the rest of us, you'd know this stuff," Alexa said.

Paula laughed. "Amanda and her mother came as my guests, and last time Amanda visited her dad, she talked him into going with her."

"Wanna hear my other news?" Charlene said, wide-eyed.

Paula and Alexa both looked at her. "Other news?" Paula said. "Like what?"

Charlene looked at Alexa. "You heard Papa talking about it last night, didn't you?"

Paula glanced at Alexa, whose eyes suddenly narrowed. "I can't believe you're blabbing this. It's supposed to be a surprise."

"Oops." Charlene pretended to cover her mouth with her fingertips. "Sorry."

"Okay, what's going on?" Paula said. "Why do I have a feeling this surprise has something to do with me?"

"You wanna tell her, now that you've opened your big mouth?" Alexa said.

"Nick is coming back . . . like very soon."

"He is?" Paula's voice screeched. She'd just spoken with Nick last night. He asked if she'd like to see him again soon, but he'd mentioned months.

Charlene nodded. "He can't stay away."

Paula leaned against the counter. "I wonder why he didn't tell me."

Alexa rolled her eyes and glared at Charlene before turning back to Paula. "I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be a surprise."

"Yeah," Charlene said, looking contrite. "And I blew it."

"Don't worry about it," Paula said. "This isn't the kind of surprise I like."

"That's what Nick said, but Uncle Cletus talked him into not saying anything yet."

A customer arrived, so they went to work. Paula's thoughts swirled all afternoon, and she found herself staring off into space daydreaming.

That night after dinner, Nick called. "I guess you heard the news, huh?"

"Yep. So you were planning to just show up without any warning?" She needed time to emotionally prepare for him.

"I would have told you, but probably not for another week or two."

"How long will you be here?"

"Not long this time. Less than a week. I have something very important to discuss with you."

"Like what?"

"My reenlistment in the Air Force is coming up soon."

Nick stood at the arrival curb, watching for Steph's car. Seeing Paula instead gave him a kick of joy.

"Steph was supposed to be here," he said as he tossed his suitcase into her trunk. He leaned over and gave her a brief kiss then slammed the trunk shut.

"Disappointed?" Paula asked after they got in the car.

He turned to her and grinned. "What do you think?"

She shrugged and cast one of her good-humored but smirky looks at him. "Never know what's going on in that pretty head of yours."

He fluttered his eyelashes. "You probably say that to all the guys."

"Actually, that's the first time I've ever said it."

He rubbed her shoulder. "I know."

"So what's this trip all about?" she asked.

"You."

"Me?" She glanced at him but kept her focus mostly on the road.

"I guess I should have said us. We'll talk later. Did my loyal girl cousins ask you to set aside a couple of nights for me?"

"Yes, of course they did. They even worked up a schedule and told me I wasn't allowed to work more than the hours they had me down for."

He chuckled. "So who's in charge of your shop now?"

"I'm beginning to wonder. But I can't complain. Alexa and Amanda are both very good at their jobs. Steph wants to phase into working more for me so she doesn't have to stay in the restaurant or bakery businesses. The problem is, things keep happening at the bakery, and they need her."

"Sounds like I'm not the only family defector."

"I always thought it would be nice to know my family was there for me with a safety net of established businesses, nice houses, and helping hands."

"Things aren't always as wonderful as they appear." He thought for a few seconds then added, "But I shouldn't complain. My family may have its flaws, but they're good people who have enough unconditional love for all of us."

"Yes," she agreed. "That's a wonderful thing."

"So tell me what nights you'd like to get together with me."

Paula broke into a smile. "I'm free every night while you're here."

Nick pumped his fist. "Yes! The girls came through for their pitiful cousin."

"Pitiful?" She shook her head. "I don't think so."

"I will be if I don't get my way."

"Oh, come on, Nick. You're being silly."

"That's what happens when I'm around you. I get all silly and goofy."

"You are definitely a goofball."

"So tell me more about Kate and Sam. That's one I didn't see coming."

Paula told him all about how Kate started going to church regularly, and Amanda talked Sam into attending after that night when he'd stormed into the house, angry at Kate. Something in the pastor's sermon that week struck a chord in him, so he returned and kept going back.

"Everyone was shocked to see them out and about together."

"It's incredible how things have worked out."

"I guess you can say that Kate and Sam are living proof of what God can do," Paula said.

"Isn't that the truth. I'm happy for Amanda."

"She's doing so well in school she might qualify for some scholarships if she keeps her grades up through next year."

"Amanda's going to college?"

Paula nodded. "She said she wants to run a business just like mine, and I convinced her that college will give her a foundation for it. She'll probably go to the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College—at least to start with."

Nick knew that all this talk about Amanda was the easiest way to divert attention from what was on both of their minds. But that was fine. He had a plan, and now wasn't the time to execute it.

"Where to?" Paula asked as they entered Tarpon Springs. "Who won the privilege of hosting the golden boy this time?"

"I was just here, so they didn't do that. My parents are expecting me."

She dropped him off at his parents' house. After he got his suitcase, he leaned over and talked to her through the window.

"What time will you be ready tonight?"

"How about seven?"

"I'll be at your doorstep at seven sharp."

She laughed as she gave him a mock salute. "Aye, aye, sir."

"Paula. I'm in the Air Force, not the Navy."

"Sorry." She pulled away with a smile on her face, warming his heart and letting him know he'd made the right decision.

Paula tried on three outfits before she decided on something. She laughed as she thought about how much she was becoming like Alexa. That made sense, though, because they'd been spending most of their afternoons together. Alexa was becoming more businesslike, and Paula had gotten more girly. She'd even started going to the mall and ogling handbags. That was a first for her.

The phone rang, and it was Kate. "Ready for your big date yet?"

"Almost. I wish I knew what was going on with Nick. Something seems different."

"Come on, Paula. You know exactly what's going on. That man is pulling out all the stops to make you his."

Paula laughed. "So how about you? Tell me what's going on between you and Sam."

"He started sweeping me off my feet, but then he got scared."

"That's not what I heard."

Kate laughed. "If you heard it from my daughter, there's no telling how the story went."

"So are you and Sam an item now or not?"

"We're trying to be, but there are still a lot of issues. I'm supposed to make an appointment with the pastor for us to work through some stuff."

Paula was happy to talk about Kate and keep the conversation off her and Nick. She asked a few more questions then said she had to go.

"Make sure you listen to whatever Nick has to say with an open mind. I'd hate to see the two of you waste more time. You're not exactly getting younger, ya know."

"Thanks, Kate. I'll talk to you in a day or two."

"You better believe you will. I'm calling tomorrow for a full report."

As Paula hung up, she thought about her unlikely friendship with Kate. Both of them had overcome their insecurities through their mutual faith and Amanda's increasing insistence they all get together. The more she got to know Amanda's mother, the more she realized how similar she and Kate were. They both had absentee fathers and mothers who did the best they could without help from anyone. The biggest difference between them was that Paula's mother had brought her to church that one time, and she'd been pulled into the loving congregation at Crystal Beach Community Church. And now that Kate was part of the same phenomenon, all their lives had changed. Paula wanted things to work out for Kate and Sam so Amanda would have a stable home. It came sixteen years late, but at least it seemed like there might be hope for them.

Nick was at her door right on time. And Paula was standing there waiting for him.

He looked her up and down. "Still the most beautiful girl in Tarpon Springs."

She rolled her eyes as she pulled the door closed behind her. "We're in Palm Harbor now."

"Palm Harbor too."

She laughed. "And you're still the biggest charmer in town."

"Only when I'm with you. I thought we'd drive over to Crystal Beach before dinner if that's okay with you."

"Sure. You're in charge of our schedule tonight."

He parked the car near the church. After they got out, he gestured toward the path. "Wanna walk?"

Paula was glad she'd decided against high heels in favor of some sequined flats Alexa talked her into buying. "Sure."

They walked about twenty feet before Nick stopped and turned to face the water. "Nothing is as gorgeous as the sunsets here . . . except . . ." he tilted her face toward his. ". . . you."

"Nick." Her breath caught in her throat as he leaned down and dropped a kiss on her lips.

He cleared his throat. "Paula, I've decided not to reenlist."

"What are you talking about, Nick? You love the Air Force. How can you do that?"

"Yes, I do like the Air Force. A lot. But I love you with all my heart, and if I can't have both, I've decided I'll do whatever it takes to have you in my life."

Paula suddenly felt sick to her stomach. "No, Nick, I can't let you do that."

"You don't exactly have a choice."

"Maybe not," she said as she looked into his eyes. "But I won't be part of something that pulls you away from the career you've always wanted."

The pained expression on his face ripped at her heart. "I'm miserable without you."

She was miserable without him too, but she knew if he left the Air Force, he might wind up resenting her in the future. "We can figure out something, but not this."

Nick placed his hands on her shoulders and held her at arm's length as he looked into her eyes. "I want you to know that I'll do anything it takes to be with you. Nothing else matters to me."