A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) (16 page)

“Have you run into Mark lately?”

“Why do you ask?” Nicole shot her friend a sideways glance.

“No reason really. I thought I saw something between you, that’s all, and according to Connor the two of you are friendly.”

“Well,” she drew the word out.

“You
have
seen him!” Sarah grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. “Tell me what happened.” She sounded like a kid at Christmas.

Nicole shrugged, trying to keep her expression neutral. “There’s not much to tell really. We’ve run into each other several times, and he responded to the break-in at my house.”

“The what? You mean someone broke into your place?”

“Yes. A couple of weeks ago. It was pretty awful, but they didn’t take much really. I walked in before they were finished and got whacked on the back of my head.”

“No way! That’s horrible.”

“I’m surprised Connor didn’t tell you.”

“He knew?”

Nicole cringed at the volume of Sarah’s voice. “I was upset, but it’s not a big deal anymore. Mark told me some things I could do to make the place safer, and I feel much better now.”

“I don’t know about things where you come from, but any kind of break-in around here is a big deal. It doesn’t happen in Sunriver. I was talking to my friends Tina and Marge about that very thing before they left. They’d heard that homes were being robbed and were concerned for me. I told them they’d heard wrong, but I guess I’m the one who was wrong.”

“Where are your friends from anyway?”

“Bend. They were on a staycation.”

“Seriously? That’s only a short drive from here.”

“I know.” She stepped around a rock. “The girls actually popped in again one evening last week after spending a couple of weeks crashing in my guest room. I was sure surprised to see them again so soon.”

Nicole shrugged. She didn’t want to say anything rude about Sarah’s friends so she kept quiet. They seemed so rough around the edges compared to Sarah, that it amazed her Sarah hung out with them. “How did you and your friends meet?”

Sarah frowned and started walking again. “We go way back to my B.C. days.”

“You lost me.”

“Sorry. Before Christ. You know, before I got into church and became a Christian. It’s been kind of tough maintaining our friendship because those two don’t want anything to do with the Lord, and they give me a hard time about my faith. In answer to your question, we met at a party years ago.”

“Sounds like you don’t have much in common with them anymore.”

“I suppose. We still enjoy getting together every now and then, but only for short periods of time. Honestly this last visit was a little too long for my liking.”

Nicole stayed by her side as they finished the loop and ended in the parking lot beside Sarah’s car. “So next week, same time and place?”

“Yep, but I’ll see you at church on Sunday, right?”

Nicole nodded and felt like an airhead. She’d already forgotten about the potluck.

Sarah pulled open the car door and reached inside. “This flyer has all the details.”

Nicole took the paper regarding the church potluck. She gave it a quick glance and tucked it into her purse. “Thanks. See you Sunday.”

Chapter Fifteen

Mark stood in the buffet line at Community Bible Church. He honed in on a platter of crispy fried chicken. Something about a potluck made fried chicken taste even better than usual. Piling his plate high with an assortment of fruit, pasta, salads, and chicken, he turned from the table and collided with Connor, very nearly dropping the masterpiece he held.

He tousled the kid’s hair. “Whoa, sorry about that. How’s the arm?”

“Better, but still sore.” Connor nodded toward Mark’s plate. “That looks good.”

“I’m glad your arm’s improving.”

“Me too. Sarah’s taking me to buy a new bike this afternoon. I can’t wait.”

It didn’t surprise him that the boy missed his wheels. “You’d better get in line before the food is gone.”

“Sarah’s holding my spot.” He turned to face the front of the line. “Oh, she’s almost to the food. Gotta go, ’bye.”

Mark chuckled and pivoted toward a set of chairs lined up against a wall, but stopped as his gaze landed on a familiar face. Nicole stood in the doorway. His stomach lurched. He walked up to her. “Hey there. You should’ve told me you were coming.”

“Sarah invited me.” She pointed toward the line where her friend stood. “I didn’t realize this was your church, too.”

“I’m really glad you came.” He motioned with his plate toward the buffet table. “Join me when you have your food?”

A pensive look covered her face as she glanced around the room.

“Relax. The people here are nice.”

“That’s a relief. I was pretty nervous about coming.” She eyed his plate. “Maybe you could share some of yours. There appears to be enough for us both.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

He pulled the plate closer. “No pillaging my feast. Get your own.” He pointed to the line. “I’ll save you a seat.”

She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I’ll remember this act of greed, and someday when you’re starving and about ready to faint from lack of food, you’ll regret not sharing.”

Mark chuckled. He liked this playful side of Nicole very much. He watched as she scooted into the dwindling line. He spooned a bite of pasta salad into his mouth and nearly gagged on the strong taste of garlic. That was a mistake. He swallowed hard and washed it down with water. People meandered by with their plates, and a few children darted between them. It’d be a feat if they all made it to seats without spilling.

Connor plunked down beside him and wolfed his food. “See you later.”

“Nice talking to you.” How the boy managed to eat a plateful in less than two minutes escaped him.

He looked sheepish. “Sorry. I can’t talk and eat.”

“I guess it’s safer that way.”

“Huh?”

“Less chance of choking.”

Connor chuckled. “Right. See you.” He waved and slipped into the throng of people milling about.

Mark bit into the chicken.

“How is it?”

He looked up into Nicole’s emerald green eyes. “Cold but delicious.”

She sat in the folding chair beside him. “Good. I’m glad I grabbed a piece.”

He noted her selection of food and was impressed by the healthful choices—fresh fruit, green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, a whole-wheat roll and one piece of chicken. “You’re missing a major food group.”

“Huh?” She studied her plate.

“Dessert.”

She nudged him in the shoulder. “I try and skip that food group as often as possible.”

“Bor-ing.”

He broke his brownie in half and placed it on her plate. “You can’t sit by me and not indulge a little.” He lowered his voice and leaned close. “I heard one of the other men say these were the best brownies he’d ever tasted.”

Nicole beamed a smile toward Mark. Knowing that the church people enjoyed her baking made her all the more happy she’d decided to come to the potluck. She’d popped in before the service ended to drop off her contribution to the meal then waited for Sarah. “I baked those brownies. It’s my grandma’s recipe.”

“You made the brownies? And you don’t eat dessert?”

She nodded.

He took a bite. “They’re really good.”

“Thanks.”

“What are your plans for the rest of the day? I’d love to take a few brownies to work tomorrow. I’d be willing to help bake.” He tilted his head to the side.

Nicole stuffed a large bite of salad into her mouth and chewed slowly. She’d had a lot of downtime lately, which meant an abundance of time to think. She liked Mark and enjoyed being with him, but she could see the direction their friendship was taking, and it made her uneasy. His profession wasn’t exactly safe. Did she really want to pursue anything more than friendship? The more time she spent with him, the more she worried. “How about I make up a couple batches and drop them by the station sometime this week?”

“Really? That’d be great. Thanks!” Mark took the last bite of chicken and grinned as he set his plate aside. Holding a napkin, he touched it to the tip of her mouth. “You had a little dressing.”

A tingle zipped from her toes to her fingers. “Uh, thanks.”

“If you’re not busy, we could go do something else today. The weather is perfect for being outdoors.” He quirked his head to the side, his eyes vulnerable.

She blinked rapidly. How could he look so adorable, vulnerable, and strong at the same time? She wanted to say yes. But what about keeping her distance and sticking to friendship? Granted being outdoors would be much less confining than baking in her small kitchen.

“Come on, Nicole. I can tell you want to.”

“May I be honest?”

“Of course.”

“I like you, Mark, but you’re a cop and that makes me nervous.”

“I’m a regular guy who wants to spend an afternoon with the prettiest girl in the room. Forget about my occupation.”

Her cheeks burned as she studied his face. “Okay.”

He pumped a fist in the air.

Laughter bubbled up from deep inside her. Once she gained control, she sobered. “What did you have in mind?”

“Do you hike? We could hike to Benham Falls.”

Hiking wasn’t her favorite activity. She much preferred tennis or water sports or something that didn’t involve climbing over dusty trails and risking an encounter with a snake. She pursed her lips then snapped her fingers. “Are you interested in helping fulfill a girl’s dream?”

He quirked a brow.

“The house where I’m staying has a tandem bike, and I’ve always wanted to try riding one.”

He made a face.

She quickly added. “It’s okay to say no. I could ask Sarah sometime. I know you spend a ton of time on a bike seat.”

He groaned, then flashed a crooked smile. “I suppose there are worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. But . . .”

Nicole could tell by the twinkle in his eyes he was going to say yes. She stood to toss her garbage. “You ready?”

“Now?”

She looked around the emptying room. “Why not?” If they didn’t get a move on, she’d talk herself out of spending the afternoon with him. “Let me say goodbye to Sarah. Be right back.” When she’d told her friend about Mark’s request she sit with him, Sarah encouraged Nicole to join him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Grams had planted Mark in her life. Grams might be able to pull off a scavenger hunt of sorts, but there was no way she’d arranged for Nicole to meet the man of her dreams.

Her brain stuttered. Impossible—Mark couldn’t be the man of her dreams. He lived in the biggest city in Oregon and had a dangerous job. She didn’t like big cities, and she definitely didn’t like danger. Especially where people she cared about were concerned.

Nicole wheeled the tandem from her garage. “Here it is. What do you think?” Her nose tickled and she held back a sneeze.

Mark pushed on the tires and gave the bike a general once over. “Looks sound. The tires are a little low, but we can fill them at the North gas station.”