Seasons of Love (8 page)

She hadn’t prepared ahead of time for dinner and would have to scramble to pull it together. Then she needed to run to the store. She ran her hand through her hair, thinking she’d give almost anything to take a nice, relaxing shower right now.

Grandpa would go to bed early—because he woke up much too early in her opinion—so she would have to take Chad with her to shop. She reminded herself that he was all she had left of her brother, and she would do whatever it took to make things work. Besides, she couldn’t afford child care yet.

Gravel crunched outside. Riley leaned over the sink and looked out the kitchen window. Zane’s car pulled to a stop. Her heart jumped with pleasure. She chided herself for her unwarranted reaction. She knew little about him and would have to exercise more self-control over her emotions. Still, it surprised her that he’d returned, and she wondered if he’d forgotten something.

She rushed to the door and opened it. His eyes brightened when he saw her. “Pizza, anyone?” He held up three large boxes.

Relief flooded Riley. “You’re a lifesaver. But then, I suppose you already knew that. Come in.” She held the door open for him as he entered the kitchen through the mudroom.

He placed the boxes on the counter. The pepperoni pizza steamed when he lifted the lid. “I didn’t know what kind you liked or how much to get. But almost everyone loves pepperoni.”

“Pizza, pizza!” Chad bounced in his high chair.

“And I already knew that the little guy likes pepperoni. That’s what we had when he stayed with me.”

Riley couldn’t believe her good fortune. “You know, I appreciate this. I can’t tell you what great timing this is.”

He flashed his smile before grabbing a slice and holding it out to her. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“Yes, thanks. Let me grab a few plates first.” She retrieved dishes from the cabinet. “Grandpa will be excited. All he ever gets are those frozen dinners. He’s cleaning up and should be down in a while.”

Riley took a bite. Cheese strung from her mouth to the pizza, unwilling to let go. She saw Zane watching her. Embarrassed, she grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth.

She sat down at the table, and Zane joined her. They made trivial conversation, chatting about the weather and the next day’s agenda. Riley finished her second piece and was about to consider a third when she noticed that tomato sauce covered Chad’s face and clothes.

She frowned. “Solving one problem only creates another. He’ll have to go straight to a bath after this.”

“Maybe not,” Zane said. “I usually just wipe him up with a wet washcloth, and then he’s good to go. I mean, I would hate to think that I only created more work for you.” Teasing glimmered in his eyes.

“No, no. That’s not what I meant. But I do have to ask, why did you come back? Why the pizzas?”

“Well, I felt bad for the way I rushed out on you today. I had things I needed to take care of. I thought we could talk more about the business—get to know each other better in a more relaxed atmosphere. You know, without the pressure of a workday.” Zane set his pizza crust on the plate and gave her a serious look. “That’s all right, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s fine. I can’t thank you enough. I was just about to stick something in the oven. That is, if I could find anything.”

His relaxed tone soothed her nerves. It pleased her that he seemed to care about the farm and was taking it seriously. Though she understood the reason he gave—that he felt he owed it to John—she found it hard to accept that sort of concern, kindness. But Riley wanted to believe him. She couldn’t help but like Zane.

“You’re going to spoil me if you keep this up. First the mechanic, then the laptop, and now pizza! What next?”

The spark in his eyes sent a thrill through her. To avoid his gaze, she wet a cloth at the kitchen sink then began wiping Chad off in his high chair, though she mused that hosing him down might be a better choice.

“Riley?” Her stomach swirled at the way he said her name. She closed her eyes. She needed to rein in her emotions now if she was going to make it through this evening.

He continued even though she hadn’t answered him. “If it would make you feel more comfortable, you and Chad could freshen up while I clean up the dishes. Besides, your grandfather hasn’t eaten. I can visit with him while I wait.”

The man thought of everything. Though Riley loved his considerate nature, her grandmother’s words flitted through her mind.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
She thrust the negative thought away and turned to face Zane.

Grandpa whistled as he strolled through the living room and into the kitchen. “I smell pizza.” His eyes widened, and he smiled with pleasure as he stuck out his hand to Zane. “Well, what do you know? Did you bring those pizzas? You might give my Riley some competition if you’re not careful.”

Riley smiled at her grandfather’s teasing reference to her cooking, or lack thereof, and offered him a plate of the Italian food. “Grandpa, I need to get cleaned up and so does Chad. You don’t mind visiting with Zane while I do that, do you?”

“Not at all. He’s a fine young man.”

Riley pulled an unwilling Chad out of his chair. “Come on, sweetie, don’t you want to take a bath?” She headed up the stairs, trying to decide how to keep her eye on him while she cleaned up.

Zane’s unexpected appearance was a pleasant surprise. But she reminded herself that she wasn’t exactly the best judge of character. She’d spent over a year with a self-centered control freak, all the while thinking he was her dream come true. Riley groaned. Zane’s interest was a business one, connected to her brother, and she shouldn’t allow her thoughts to venture anywhere else.

She entered the bathroom with Chad, turned on the water to ready his bath, and grinned.
At least until I get to know him better.

Riley descended the stairs into the living room. After his bath, she’d given Chad to the men to watch while she washed up. Grandpa lounged in his recliner watching a game show, his eyelids drooping. He’d probably retire to his room soon. Zane sat on the sofa, a sleeping Chad leaning against his arm. He smiled as she approached but appeared tense. She wasn’t sure if he was afraid of waking Chad or if she’d taken too long to get ready.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you wait.” Riley paused in the center of the room, looking at the occupied recliner and sofa. The only place left to sit was next to Zane. “You really don’t have to stay.”

Zane furrowed his brows and stared at her as if trying to read her meaning. “I don’t want to keep you from doing anything.”

“No, it’s all right. We can talk about the farm. Right, Grandpa?” she asked.

In response, her grandfather rose from his exhausted stupor. He turned to grasp Zane’s hand and shake it. “It was nice chatting with you, son. I’ve got an early morning, and it’s my bedtime.”

They bade Grandpa good night. Riley hoped they wouldn’t wake the sleeping boy. She sat in the warm chair her grandfather had vacated but noticed it wasn’t positioned in a way conducive to conversation. “Why don’t we go to the kitchen table? I can make us coffee.”

“What about him?” Zane tilted his head toward Chad.

“I’ll put him to bed.” Riley carefully peeled Chad away from Zane, tiptoed up the stairs, and placed him in his bed.

By the time she returned to the kitchen, the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee wafted through the air. “You can’t help yourself, can you?”

Zane looked up from pouring the brew into a mug. “What? Should I just wait for you to do everything?”

She warmed at his thoughtfulness. Still, for some reason, it frustrated her. “No, but you could at least let me do something. I read that when they designed instant cake mix they decided to leave in a few steps, like adding eggs and water, so that the homemaker would feel useful.”

He laughed. “Okay, so I’ll let you make the coffee next time.”

Next time?

He handed her the I Love California cup, steaming with black liquid. “I assume this is yours.” He grinned. “Sorry, I don’t know what you take, so you’ll at least have to do that yourself.”

“Give me that.” She reached for the nondairy creamer and dumped a spoonful in.

He shook his head. “I can’t do this.” He smirked before continuing. “I can’t let you go on with the wrong impression about me—again. Your grandfather made the coffee while you were cleaning up earlier. Said he liked the instant but that you were ‘dead set on your fancy brew,’ to put it in his exact words. All I had to do was walk in here and push the button to start it.”

“Well, now, that makes me feel better.” She sipped the hot drink while questions about the man standing in her kitchen reeled in her mind. “So why don’t you tell me about yourself. In only two days, you’ve turned yourself into a necessity at Sanderford Cranberry Farms, but I don’t know a thing about you except that you were John’s business partner.”

Zane took a long drink of his coffee. Riley wondered how he could swallow it when it was piping hot. “Me? There’s nothing too interesting about me. But maybe you’d like to talk about your brother. I know that you two only learned of each other a couple of years ago. And with you living across the country, you probably didn’t get much time with him or his family.” He moved to the kitchen table. “You would like to talk about him, wouldn’t you?”

The pain she felt over her brother’s death had become far too familiar. And she hated it. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and joined Zane at the table. “Yes. You’re right. I would. So tell me, how did you two meet?”

“John and I have known each other since grade school. I wouldn’t say we were friends, though, until high school, when I was going through some… things. We became close. He was like a brother to me. We attended different colleges. Public for him, private for me. But we stayed in touch. I knew him to be brilliant, and when I decided to start Cyphorensic, I discussed everything with John. He left a good job with great company benefits to join me.”

As he spoke, Riley watched his handsome face contort. Lines she hadn’t seen before appeared out of nowhere, making him look older than before.

He paused and scrutinized the knots in the pine table. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for your loss. That’s why I want you to believe me when I say that I really want to make your farm a success.”

His need for her approval took her by surprise. A myriad of emotions swelled inside, creating nervous flutters in her stomach, and she searched for a way to dispel them. “Would you like more coffee?”

She retrieved the carafe from the counter and set it on the table between her and Zane, like a protective barrier—though she wasn’t quite certain what she needed protection from.

“No, thanks.” He toyed with his empty cup, waiting for her response.

“Zane, I believe you. I know this has been quite a blow to you, too, not only in terms of losing a friend, but to your business, as well.” Riley cleared her throat, trying to recover from the shakiness she heard there. “Have you hired John’s replacement?” It was painful to speak of her brother. She was grateful for the coffee and took a big swig.

Zane rose from the chair and jammed a hand into his jeans pocket. He paced across the linoleum floor while he rubbed his chin. Riley had noticed that he often took time to consider things before he spoke. She liked that about him.

“I haven’t been able to go forward, for reasons I can’t explain right now.” He stared at her as he sat down, leaning over the table to look intently into her eyes. “When was the last time you actually spoke to John? I mean, did you have a chance to talk to him before he died?”

Riley sighed. “Thankfully, yes. We only spoke every few weeks or so. If he didn’t call me, I’d call him. Sometimes I’d talk to Sarah or Chad.”

Zane frowned, and his expression took on that deep, contemplative look she’d become accustomed to, though it was usually interspersed with smiles. She reminded herself that the discussion of John was painful for him, as well.

“What about the night he died? Did you talk to him then?” Zane’s gaze was penetrating, his expression serious.

“No. He’d called that night. But I didn’t talk to him.”

“Then how do you know he called? He left you a message?” Zane leaned forward. “What did he say?”

“I don’t know if he left a message because I mistakenly deleted them. I know he called because I saw his number on my caller ID. I tried to return his call. Got no answer, so I left a message.”

Zane’s shoulders sagged. “What time was it when you checked messages—do you remember?”

Something in his tone sent prickles over her. He sounded like a cheesy detective questioning a suspect on a prime-time police drama. She rubbed her arms to take away the unexpected chill.

Unnerved by the conversation, Riley stood up. “Can you tell me why you want to know?”

He stiffened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I know. It’s just me. I’m tired, and talking about John, well, it’s just too painful right now, I suppose. Look, could we do this another time? I mean, I want to talk more. I’d love to hear stories of my brother, since you knew him far longer than me.” She smiled at him, hoping to ease the tension.