Project Love (Cascade Brides Series) (18 page)

He took the container in his hands, absorbing the
warmth. “Fresh from the oven.”

She pulled a stick of butter and jar of jam from the
basket and set them on the table. Next, she pulled out a red plaid
Thermos. “Tea.”

“
Bless you,” he said, awe in his voice.

A corner of her mouth twitched. When she looked up at
him, she scanned his face. “I didn't know what your symptoms were
so I brought a variety of things.” From the depths of the basket
came a selection of pain pills and cold medications along with a bag
of cough drops, Vitamin C tabs, and even a jar of Vicks.

He picked it up. “I haven't seen this in about a
million years.”

Charity's mini-smile faded. “It works if you have a
chest cold. Trust me.”

“
I do.”

Her eyes flashed. “You have a chest cold?”

“
I trust you, Charity. Thank you for bringing me a
care package.”

She regarded him steadily, her expression unreadable.
“And I brought this.” She pulled a large envelope from the bottom
of the basket. “It's the fund-raiser paperwork. All the
arrangements have been made, the website has been updated. Everything
is done. You shouldn't need to follow up on anything, but if you do,
all the contact numbers are on the first page.” She set it on the
table, her gaze on the envelope. “I didn't want you to think I
flaked on doing my part.”

Once more his heart lurched at her sad little words. His
only regret was that they would not be working on the project
together. He began to cough, all the while cursing the stupid cold
that made him unable to kiss the girl senseless and take up where
they left off a week ago. When he could speak, he said, “Thank you.
It's a big help.”

Charity gave a light shrug then went into his kitchen.
She returned with a plate and coffee mug. She motioned to the couch.
“You should go sit down.”

“
I'm not supposed to eat in the living room.”

Her eyes widened at his teasing, then she shook her
head. “Seriously, go sit down. I'll bring everything over.”

He did what he was told, trying not to wince at the
renewed pounding in his head. By the time he was settled on the
couch, she appeared with food and drink.

Charity set a plate of scones, already buttered and
covered in jam, next to a mug of hot tea. Another round trip brought
a tall glass of orange juice along with all the meds. Then she
perched onto the end of the couch and watched him.

“
Take off your coat and get comfortable,” he said,
trying to sound hospitable instead of on his death bed.

She shook her head. “I can't stay.”

Daniel deflated a little. “Oh.”

“
I just want to make sure you eat something before I
go.”

Then I'll eat slow
.
He examined each medicine bottle and found one good for coughs. After
swallowing a couple of tablets with orange juice, he picked up the
plate. “What I
can
smell smells great.”

“
When did you get sick?”

“
Friday at work. Had to head home early.” He broke
off a piece of scone and nibbled at it, wishing he could actually
taste the thing.

“
Describe your symptoms.”

He sighed at having to table hopes of rekindling a
relationship. “Rotten headache, rotten cough, stuffy nose.” As if
on cue, he sneezed. At least he managed to get his arm up in time to
block any spray.

Charity studied him. “How's the breathing?”

Daniel took a deep breath. “Okay, except for when I
cough.”

“
Any fever?”

He shrugged. “I don't have a thermometer.”

She got to her feet and stood over him. Expecting her to
touch his forehead with her hand, he was surprised to feel the soft
press of her lips instead. She stepped back and returned to her
corner of the couch. “You're just a little warm.” She cleared her
throat. “I want to see you eat at least one scone and drink the
whole cup of tea.”

“
Aren't you supposed to starve a cold...?”

His words faded before the stern look in her eyes.

“
Yes, ma'am,” he said meekly. Daniel ate his way
through a scone. When he drained his cup, he sent Charity a look of
accomplishment.

She nodded. Then her expression shifted and she prepared
to stand.

“
I wish I could've tasted it better,” he said
quickly, “but I still know it was good because you made it.”

Fiddling with the length of her scarf, she got to her
feet.

Daniel floundered for a topic of discussion. He didn't
want her to leave. He wanted to haul her next to him and feel her
warmth pressed against his side. Her wanted her lips against his, not
on his forehead. He wanted her like he'd never wanted anything in his
life. “Charity...”

“
I have to go.” She moved toward the front door.

He stood slowly to avoid a feeling of dizziness. Then
again if he passed out, maybe she'd stay close by his side. The fact
that she'd arrived with a care package meant she cared a little.
Right?

Daniel frowned as a new thought occurred to him. “Uh,
how did you find out I was sick?” He hadn't spoken to a soul all
weekend and he hadn't given an excuse when he left work early.

Charity's face flushed. “I...just heard.” She looked
at the door as if eager to make her escape.

Daniel made his way to her side. “How did you get
here? That would be a pretty long walk.”

“
I took the bus.”

He felt for his wallet and keys. “Let me give you a
ride home.”

She adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “Daniel,
you're not well. Go sit down. I'll be fine on the bus.”

Despite her momentary mercy, her look was implacable. He
started coughing.

Charity opened the door. “I hope you feel better
soon.” She licked her lips. “I'll be praying for you.”

Bracing one hand on the door frame, Daniel looked down
at her, wishing he wasn't at such a disadvantage. “Thank you for
coming by. It means a lot.”

Her cheeks darkened again. “I just didn't want you to
worry...about anything.”

His gaze flicked to the folder on the dining room table
before returning to her. “That's a huge load off, too. Thank you.”
He shook his head. “I just wish—” He stopped himself, not
wanting to make her uncomfortable.

Charity tugged on her knit gloves, her eyes averted. “I
took care of that, too. Just so you know.”

“
Took care of what?” Suddenly he remembered telling
the nurse at the care home he couldn't come in because he was ill.
“You went to see Evelyn,” he said, shocked.

She bobbed her head in response and turned to head down
the porch steps. “I had stopped by to give you the folder. And
since I was already there...” Another shrug.

Daniel reached out to stop her. “Charity, I'm
surprised, but I'm so grateful. I was sick about missing my time with
Evelyn.” He held out his hand to her. “Thank you.”

Charity stared at it like it was something she'd never
seen before. She was wearing gloves. Surely it was safe. And he
needed the confirmation of her touch.

Charity placed her hand in his and briefly looked up at
him. Her fingers trembled in his as he gave a gentle squeeze. Then
she pulled away and stepped off the porch.

But not before he saw the flash of tears in her eyes.

***

Charity's tip jar did a little better on Monday. Tuesday
wasn't bad either. It helped to restore her equilibrium that she
wasn't completely off her game.

Jessie sidled up to her after glancing at the jar.
“Looks like someone and someone are back together.” He sent a
look over to Amy who nodded.

“
Nope. Maybe I'm just getting my mojo back.”

Her boss leaned against the counter and surveyed her.
“Hmm. Maybe you're just being coy and don't want to admit it.”

Charity offered a vague smile. “Have you seen him in
here lately?”

Jessie frowned. “Well, mojo is better than nothing.
Keep it up, girl.”

A customer walked through the door. Charity smiled as
Jill approached the counter. “Hey! Haven't seen you in a while.”

Jill gave the window glass a once over before addressing
them. “Not so many event posters now that the weather has turned.”

“
What?” Jessie said. “We're Oregonians! We don't
let the weather slow us down.”

“
Well, now that you mention it,” Jill said with a
sly smile as she pulled a poster out from behind the bib of her
overalls. “I do seem to have one that needs a home.”

Charity smiled. “You can play him like a fiddle.”

“
I know,” she said with a grin.

Jessie rolled his eyes, but put out his hand for the
poster. Jill placed it on the counter.

Charity's heart skipped a beat when she saw it was for
the Lutheran care home auction. Where did Jill get the posters?
Charity's part in helping for the event had been more programming and
less advertising. So someone else was responsible.

“
I don't know,” Jessie said. “I have to be careful
when anything has a religious persuasion. “Corporate doesn't want
any controversy.”

“
The care home is sponsored by the Lutheran church,
true,” Charity said quickly. “But it's open to the community. The
patients represent any and all faiths.”

Jessie's brow went up. “You seem well-informed on the
subject.”

“
I'm actually already involved with this fund-raiser,
so I had to do some research. Run it by corporate to be sure, but
they'll probably okay it since it's non-exclusive.”

He turned to Jill. “Gotta go up the chain of command
for this one.”

She shrugged. “Hey, no skin off my nose. I just pass
'em on. And I just now remembered another one.” She slid a second
poster out from the bib of her overalls.

Amy laughed. “How many do you have in there?”

“
Last one, I promise,” Jill said, an impish light in
her eyes. “But this one might not be any less controversial.”

Charity's eyes widened when she saw it was for a group
protesting the new water treatment plant. Surely it was the project
Daniel's company was working on.

Jessie sent her a sharp look. “You know anything about
this one?”

She shook her head. “I hadn't heard of any protest.”

“
I saw it on the news last night,” Amy said.
“Apparently, some people don't want trees cut down for the plant. I
don't think it's virgin forest or anything, so I really don't
understand the fuss.”

Jill quirked her mouth. “Might be some endangered
critter in the way or something.”

“
Or something,” Charity said, distracted. Poor
Daniel. He must be having to deal with protesters now in addition to
suspicious journalists. She felt a pang of regret at leaving him in
the lurch.

“
Well, it does make my decision easy,” Jessie said.
“Corporate definitely says no to anything involving protests. Can't
you bring me posters about book club meetings or something else with
kitty cats?”

“
I'm just the conduit,” Jill said, raising her
hands.

“
Okay, okay. I'll keep the auction poster for now, but
I won't put it up until I hear from the brass.”

“
Sounds good,” Jill said. “Oh, before I leave, you
might want to consider getting your windows cleaned. All this rain is
causing spots...”

“
They're not that bad,” Jessie said, shaking his
head. “Hit me up next week.”

“
Will do!” After a cheerful wave, she headed for the
door.

Someone held the door open for her and Charity realized
it was Daniel.

Her heart jumped into her throat at the sight of him. As
he strode to the counter, she noticed more than his damp, mussed hair
and crooked tie peeking out from under a wet coat. His face was pale
and strained.

“
Charity, can I talk to you privately?” he said
without preamble when he reached the counter.

Her eyes widened. “Is this about the protest?”

He frowned, then shook his head as if distracted.

“
Go ahead and take your break,” Jessie said.

Charity pulled off her apron in a daze. Whether from
worry or the shock of seeing Daniel so flustered, she wasn't sure.
She came out from behind the counter and followed him to a table near
the door. As she lowered herself onto the chair, she caught a whiff
of his cologne and was struck with a fierce longing to be in his
arms. “Um, how are you feeling, by the way?” she asked to cover
her discomfiture.

“
Uh, fine. My cough is all but gone.” He leaned
forward and took both her hands in his. “Charity, I'm sorry to be
so abrupt having to tell you this way, but Evelyn...passed away.”

“
What?” Charity felt the blood leave her face.
“When? How?”

“
They discovered her early Monday morning,” he said
in a low voice. “I just found out myself today. Apparently the care
home didn't have my contact information.” He shook his head. “Why
would they? I'm not family. I just happened to call in and ask about
her condition.”