Tomorrow's Promise (The Hawks Mountain Series) (5 page)

Suddenly, a warm hand cupped her chin and gently raised it until she was eye-to-eye with Granny Jo. “There’s no shame in letting folks lend a hand through the hard times. You should know that’s the way of things here in Carson. We help our own.”

Too choked up to speak, Faith nodded and forced a smile. Granny Jo’s protective concern surrounded Faith like a warm blanket, reminding her of her beloved Gramma Harrison, her maternal grandmother. Mentally, she pulled the emotional blanket Granny Jo offered tightly around her. Maybe coming home hadn’t been a mistake. Maybe, with the love and help of these gentle people, this could be a new start for her and Lizzie.

The compassion of this small community seemed to reach out to her from every corner. Now, all she had to do was find a way to support her little family, and that prospect was looking dimmer every day.

Chapter 4

FAITH HAD CHOKED down the hamburger and fries that she’d been served by Terri’s waitress. Lizzie had devoured the cut-up hot dog Terri had brought her. Getting the food past the clog of fear and disappointment in her throat had been hard, but Faith didn’t want to insult Terri’s generosity by not eating.

Faith glanced at Lizzie. Her nap time had come and gone and the little girl’s eyes drooped. She flashed a lazy smile at her mother, then yawned, laid her head on her teddy bear and rubbed her eyes.

When Terri left the table to take their dirty dishes to the kitchen and get Lizzie a dish of ice cream for dessert, Granny Jo covered Faith’s cold hand with hers. Without thinking, Faith turned her hand over and clasped Granny Jo’s. The warmth emanating from the older woman’s hand seeped into Faith, clearing away some of the almost paralyzing fear of being on her own with a small child and no immediate prospects for a means of support.

“It appears like that little one needs a nap?”

Faith nodded. She knew Lizzie should be home in her crib sleeping, but Faith had to consider her priorities, and finding a job was at the top of her to-do list. “I know, but unfortunately, I have no one to watch her while I job hunt, so she has to come with me.”

Granny Jo squeezed her hand and flashed a knowing smile. “Well, you do now. You tell me what time tomorrow, and I’ll be there with bells on.”

Faith shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that. Besides, I can’t pay you.”

“Did I say anything about money?” Granny Jo frowned. “Goodness, I’ll do it just to spend some time with that little sweetheart. For me, that’s payment enough.”

Gratitude flooded Faith. Tears burned her eyes. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to the benevolence of the goodhearted people of Carson. “Thank you, Granny Jo.”

It was becoming harder and harder to stick to her vow of independence and not depend on anyone else for her and Lizzie’s well-being. Besides, considering she’d accepted a house and groceries from Doc Amos, transportation from Cole, and lunch from Terri, Faith decided that ship had already sailed.

GRANNY JO HAD offered to take Faith and Lizzie home, but Faith had declined for a couple of reasons. She was determined to hit every store on Main Street in hopes of finding work. Besides, Granny didn’t have a car seat for Lizzie.

However, by the time Faith had carried a sleeping baby’s dead weight up and down the street and been turned down by all the shopkeepers, she wished she’d accepted Granny’s offer of a ride. She knew she couldn’t walk home while carrying Lizzie, and that left her one alternative . . . Cole Ainsley.

After shifting her sleeping daughter to a more comfortable position on her hip, Faith crossed the street and reluctantly headed toward the sheriff’s office. By the time she stepped through the door and into the office, putting one foot in front of the other took concentrated effort.

The man at the desk, who Faith recognized immediately as Laureene Talbot’s husband Graylin, looked up from what he’d been doing. “Yes, ma’am, can I help you?”

“I need to see Sheriff Ainsley.” Her voice betrayed her fatigue. She swayed on her feet.

Deputy Talbot shot from his chair and rounded the desk. “Why don’t you sit down here, and I’ll get the sheriff.” He guided her to a straight-backed chair against the wall.

Faith sank into it gratefully and positioned Lizzie on her lap. “Thank you.”

The deputy nodded and then hurried off down a side hall. Moments later, he returned trailing behind Cole.

“Are you okay?” Cole kneeled down in front of her. Her obvious exhaustion tore at his heart.

Without any resistance from Faith, he lifted Lizzie from her arms. The child’s clothing was damp with perspiration and a dark sweat stain showed on the front of Faith’s blouse. Deep blue circles beneath her eyes showed vividly against her creamy skin. The worry lines he’d seen on her face the first day he’d met her seemed to have deepened. From her defeated expression, he guessed that her job hunt had been a flop.

Placing his free hand under her elbow, he pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get you two home.” As he guided Faith toward the door, he paused and turned to Graylin. “Watch the store. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Graylin gave his boss a sharp salute. “Yes, sir.”

Under other circumstances, Cole would have explained to Graylin, again, that he did not have to salute him, but at the moment, that was the least of his worries. Getting Lizzie and Faith home topped his to-do list.

He slid his arm around Faith’s shoulders and hurried her from the office. Lizzie snuggled into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes. He inhaled her baby scent and allowed a new contentment to wash over him.

As soon as that soft, sweet smell filled his nostrils, the familiar dreams of a family took shape in his head. He quickly pushed them aside. No sense starting something he couldn’t finish. Faith had made it clear that she wasn’t interested, and he wouldn’t be in Carson long enough to put down roots. As soon as the election was held and a new sheriff took office, he’d be gone.

Oddly, that didn’t feel as satisfying as it once had. And if he wasn’t planning on settling in Carson, why the heck was he so determined to get Faith to work for him? He liked to think it was because he wanted to see her self-sufficient. But, deep down, he knew there was more to it than that. Much more. And much more selfish.

He settled Lizzie in her car seat and then opened the car door for Faith. Just then, a car slowed to a crawl as it passed them. Faith stared at the driver.

“You know her?”

Faith nodded. “I’d recognized that condemning glare anywhere. It’s my mother.”

FAITH JOLTED AWAKE. She sat up and looked around, amazed that the car had come to a stop, and that they were parked in her driveway. Embarrassed that she’d fallen asleep, she quickly climbed from the car without looking at Cole and hurried around to the other side to get her daughter. When she got there, Faith found Cole already holding the little girl, who had snuggled up against his wide shoulder and gone back to sleep.

When she reached for her daughter, Cole shook his head. “I’ll take her.”

Apprehension sliced through her. If he carried Lizzie, he’d have to come inside. She didn’t want him in her house again. She wasn’t exactly sure why, but . . . “No need. I can handle her.”

He frowned. “That wasn’t a question, Faith. You’re dead on your feet. I’ll carry Lizzie.” He walked around her and headed for the house, leaving her with little choice but to follow.

She had to admit he was right. She was exhausted. But that had nothing to do with her not wanting him inside. So why was it she was trying to keep him out of her home? Out of her life? Was it really because she resented him doing things for her?

That couldn’t be it. She’d been selling herself on that excuse ever since she’d met Cole, but now, she wasn’t so sure. After all, she’d allowed so many people to help: Doc and Harriet Amos, Granny Jo, Terri. So what was it about Cole Ainsley that made her take a step back from his kindness while she willing accepted it from others?

Faith pushed her dilemma aside. She was far too tired to think.

Inside, Cole went directly to the bedroom where he’d set up the crib the day before. Faith headed for the kitchen, knowing if she didn’t start supper before sitting down to rest, she might never get up, and neither she nor Lizzie would eat. She opened the refrigerator and surveyed her choices for supper.

“Not a good idea.” Faith jumped. She spun around to find Cole behind her pushing the basement door closed. “You have an inquisitive little girl who could fall down those basement stairs.”

Faith shook her head. “I didn’t leave that open.” She frowned and leaned against the refrigerator. “At least I don’t think I did.” Her tired brain refused to work. She shrugged it off.

Cole stared at her for a moment, and then guided her to a kitchen chair. “Sit. Lizzie was stirring when I laid her down and will no doubt be looking for supper in a few minutes. You sit there, and I’ll warm up some soup for you.”

It took all her strength, but Faith sprang to her feet. “Stop it! I’m fine. I can take care of it,” she snapped.

Cole opened his mouth, no doubt to argue the point, but appeared to think better of it. “Okay,” he finally said. “Listen. I’m a cop. I’m trained to step in and help where I see it’s necessary. I’m not trying to run your life. Just help you out. Okay?”

She nodded.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”

She nodded again. Before she could add that she was grateful for him going out of his way, he was heading for the door.

She watched him leave and immediately regretted her sharp tone of voice. He was just trying to make her life easier. Once again, she wondered why she couldn’t accept Cole’s benevolence. Was it because he sometimes got a bit heavy-handed, sometimes a little smothering? Or was it something else? Something her heart was trying to tell her.

FAITH HAD JUST brought Lizzie into the kitchen the next morning and set her on the floor with a few toys when there was a knock on the back door. She had no idea who it could be. Only Doc, Harriet, and Cole knew she was there. Besides, he always came to the front door. For a moment, her heart pounded with an old and familiar fear. Then she reminded herself that Sloan was dead and no longer had any claim on her or Lizzie.

Faith picked up Lizzie, then cautiously peeked through the glass in the door and spotted a young boy, of about ten or eleven, and his rather shaggy, gray dog staring up at her. The boy flashed a wide smile and called “Hello” to her.

She returned his smile and swung the door open. “Hello.”

Warm brown eyes sparkled up at her. “I’m Davy Collins and this here’s,” he pointed at the dog, “Sadie. We live next door, and my mom said we needed to come over and be neighborly.” He grinned again, but this time, it seemed to cover his entire face and exposed a missing tooth.

“Well, hello, Davy. I’m Faith and this,” she pointed at her daughter, “is my little girl, Lizzie. Would you like to come in?”

“Sure. Can Sadie come, too?”

Faith stared at the dog. It was very big and sent a chill of apprehension down her spine. She clutched Lizzie a little closer.

The child squealed and pointed at the dog. “Dawg!”

Faith tightened her hold on the squirming child. “Is . . . it friendly?”

He turned to his dog. “Oh, she sure is, ma’am.” He gave the dog’s ear a gentle tug. “Aren’t you, girl?” The dog turned to Davy and licked his hand.

Still a bit anxious, Faith relented, but held tight to Lizzie. “Okay, bring her in.”

“Come on, Sadie.” They ambled past Faith and into the kitchen.

Sadie immediately walked to Faith’s side and smelled Lizzie’s bare toes and then licked the bottom of her foot. The child giggled and pulled her foot out of Sadie’s reach. The shaggy dog’s tail beat happily against the side of the cabinet.

“Your dog likes children.”

The boy laughed, and then said matter-of-factly, “Lots of folks think Sadie’s a dog, but she’s a wolf.”

Wolf?

Faith’s blood turned to ice in her veins. Her body remained frozen in place despite her desire to run to another room and barricade herself and Lizzie behind a closed door.

“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. Sadie is really tame. She likes people, and she’s never hurt anybody.” Davy patted the wolf’s head. “My dad doesn’t believe that, but since he and Mom got divorced, she says he doesn’t have any say anymore.”

Barely registering that the mayor and his wife were no longer together, Faith continued to eye the large wolf. Not about to tempt fate, she continued to hold on to Lizzie, who was now squirming to get down.

“She ’specially likes little kids, so you can let Lizzie down.” When Faith made no move to release Lizzie, he shrugged. “Anyway, my mom says you should come over for coffee when you can. Lizzie can see Sadie’s puppies, too. She’s got three babies. My mom says she thinks Sadie got cozy with our neighbor’s German Shepherd.” He grinned and cupped his mouth with his hand. “Getting cozy means they had sex.”

Faith coughed. “Well, I’ll take your mom up on her offer of coffee first chance I get. Please tell her thank you for me.”

“Okay. I gotta go to work now.” Davy moved to the door. “I help Doc Mackenzie out at the animal hospital. Come on, Sadie.” He motioned to the wolf. She immediately went to his side. He waved goodbye, and they left.

Faith breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t believe she’d just had a wolf in her kitchen. Lord, but life in Carson was a lot more exciting than she remembered it. She set Lizzie on the floor and piled her blocks in front of her.

“You stay there while mommy makes coffee,” she told the toddler. Cole would be there soon to pick her up. The realization brought a strange bottomless sensation to the pit of her stomach. Yes. Definitely. Coffee was what she needed to combat the sheriff’s charm. Although, she wasn’t sure that a stiff shot of Scotch might be more effective at putting to rest her unwelcome attraction to the handsome Cole Ainsley, except alcohol usually made her more romantic. She’d stick with coffee.