When Grace Sings (34 page)

Alexa jumped up and reached for her pajamas, which she’d placed on the chair in the corner. With her back to the other girl, she began dressing for bed. “Good looks aside, Mr. Briley Forrester is trouble waiting for a place to happen. Only a fool would take his teasing seriously.”

“Oh.” Anna—Grace’s soft voice carried to Alexa’s ears. “That’s disappointing.”

To her chagrin, Alexa agreed.

Briley

Briley stepped into the kitchen Tuesday morning, took one look at Alexa, and burst out laughing.

She lifted her frown from the computer screen and aimed the glower at him instead. “What’s so funny?”

“You. Your face.” He laughed again, then drew his hand over his mouth to stifle the sound. If he didn’t know better, he’d suspect she spent the night barhopping. But wouldn’t she look out of place in a bar in her tunic-style sweater, long twill skirt, and tennis shoes? “Sorry, but I’ve never seen you so bleary-eyed.”

“You’d be bleary-eyed, too, if you only got three hours of sleep.”

He rested his hip against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “And just what stole your sleep last night?”

She gave him a look that said she had no intention of answering.

He chuckled again. “Okay, aside from being tired and cranky, what’s the matter?”

She pointed at her laptop screen and huffed out an annoying breath. “I have a guest upstairs who is vegan, which means no food from animals—no meat, eggs, any kind of dairy product … I’ve been hunting for a vegan breakfast recipe, but I don’t keep tofu or chard or black beans in my cupboard. I have no idea what to fix for her!”

Briley pinched his chin. “Do you have potatoes, onions, and peppers?”

“Well,
of course
.”

She really was in a foul mood. He could have some fun tormenting her, but she might decide not to serve him breakfast. The scent of bacon seasoned the entire kitchen. He wouldn’t risk it. “Then make O’Brien hash browns—fried in vegetable oil instead of bacon grease—and toss a piece of dry toast on the plate.”

“Dry? Why not with jelly?”

“The strictest vegans won’t touch anything with jelling agent in it.” He remembered something. “Oh, and unless your bread is free of animal-based oil or eggs, it’s a no-go, too. So hash browns and whatever fresh fruit you have around—a banana, an apple, or an orange—and call it good.”

She gawked at him. “How’d you know all that?”

“My boss is vegan. I’ve gone to enough breakfast meetings with him to know what he orders.” He fought a smile, remembering Len’s excitement about the possibility of turning the public’s eye on an illegitimate birth in the midst of a Plain community.

“Well, thanks for the suggestion. I can do hash browns without too much trouble.” She closed the computer and set it aside. “For the vegetarians I’ll add scrambled eggs and a sprinkle of cheese.”

“A vegan and vegetarians in the inn, huh?” Briley waggled his eyebrows. “My, my, you’re branching out.”

She frowned as she moved toward the refrigerator. “A family from northeastern Colorado got stranded in Arborville, and they ended up here by default. Their daughter is supposed to compete in a talent show in Branson on Thursday, so they’re eager to be on their way.”

He’d likely be on his way soon, too. Len had encouraged him to pry out the details of his discovery and hightail it back to Chicago as quickly as possible. Yesterday the prospect of returning to the newspaper office made him eager to go. The sooner he got the story written, the sooner he could see his byline in print. Len had promised front-page status—a huge step up from the
middle-of-the-paper articles he’d done in the past. But at that moment, leaning against the counter in Alexa Zimmerman’s clean, good-smelling kitchen, he experienced a reluctance to leave this place behind.
You gettin’ soft, Forrester?

He straightened and headed for the dining room doorway. “Good luck cooking for those veggie lovers, but remember I’m not one of ’em. I want some of that bacon I smell frying.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get some.”

As he reached the doorway, she called his name. He turned and found her pinning him with a repentant look.

“I shouldn’t have been so snappish with you this morning. I laid awake last night worrying about—” A delightful blush stole over her cheeks. “Well, just worrying. And I kind of took it out on you. I’m sorry.”

In his circle of acquaintanceship, the girls had forgotten how to blush. Sad, because he found the pink flush adorable. He grinned. “I figure I’ve given you a reason or two to snap at me in the past, and you held your tongue. We’ll just call this one payback for those times, okay?”

A weak smile crept up her cheek, making her seem much less tired and cranky. “Thanks, Briley.”

“You’re welcome. Now, pay attention to what you’re doing and don’t burn my bacon!” He waited for her huff, then entered the dining room laughing. He poured a cup of coffee and sat in his regular spot at the table. In the closed bedroom behind him, Mrs. Z and her nurse chatted, creating a soft mumble. From the kitchen, clanks and clunks told of busyness. He inhaled the aromas of coffee, bacon, and bread, and he heaved a sigh. As much as he hated to admit it, even to himself, he’d miss the homeyness of this place.

Alexa zipped around the corner with a plate of muffins and a sectioned dish containing whipped cream cheese, butter, and strawberry jam. She placed the items on the table.

He raised one eyebrow. “That is
not
bacon.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s coming, it’s coming …” She flashed a grin, then trotted back into the kitchen.

He sighed again. Even harder to admit, he’d miss her. He’d grown rather attached to the not-quite-Mennonite innkeeper. He sipped his coffee, frowning. Would Len agree to let him create pseudonyms for the people in his article? He hoped so. He fully intended to share the story he’d uncovered. He had to tell the story. But he’d do what he could to protect Alexa at the same time. He might be a tease, but he wasn’t a traitor.

Alexa

The Kirkleys’ vehicle, which needed a new water pump, wasn’t finished until Wednesday afternoon, so they chose to stay one more night and get an early start on Thursday. Nicole threw a minitantrum over the decision, but her father remained firm. Alexa was glad to see it. Over the short time with them, she’d been given the impression Nicole ruled the roost, and although she had no experience with parenting, she was wise enough to recognize that the girl didn’t possess the maturity to be in charge.

Everyone ate breakfast at seven thirty Thursday morning so the Kirkley family could get on the road as quickly as possible. Alexa had a hard time not giggling at Nicole’s reaction to Briley sitting beside her. The girl was young, but she knew how to use her feminine wiles. To Briley’s credit, he remained friendly and attentive without lapsing into flirtation. She considered commending him, but then decided he didn’t need anyone giving him compliments.

More importantly, she needed to hold her distance from him. Over the past three days, he’d gone beyond curious to pushy, questioning her about why she’d been raised in Indiana instead of Kansas, why she didn’t dress like the other Zimmermans, why she wouldn’t talk about her father.

Sometimes he caught her when she was working on something else—cooking or cleaning or checking e-mail, which meant she answered before she thought. Other times he started out talking about himself, little pieces of growing up in the foster care system without a mom and dad to claim as
his own, and it seemed natural to share about her life in return. She’d told Anna—Grace only a fool would fall for Briley’s charm, and apparently she was more foolish than she’d ever believed. Twice she’d let slip things she wished she hadn’t, so now she stayed on her guard. He wouldn’t trip her up again.

Today it would be easier to avoid his questions because she intended to spend the day with Anna—Grace. Of course, she’d still have to be on her guard, but at least she didn’t suspect Anna—Grace of intentionally digging for information. And in all likelihood, Anna—Grace’s focus would be on the house. The girls planned to go to the Meiers farm, take measurements of all the rooms, then drive to Wichita and shop for paint and wallpaper. Alexa found it somewhat amusing that Anna—Grace was nervous about making selections, but she didn’t say so. No sense in hurting the girl’s feelings. Besides, she enjoyed looking at paint and wallpaper samples. It should be a relaxing day. And after dealing with Nicole, whose moods changed faster than a chameleon racing through a flower garden, she’d earned it.

She waved good-bye to the Kirkleys, then hurried in to clean the kitchen so she and Anna—Grace could leave. Anna—Grace was already there, scraping and rinsing the dishes. She smiled when Alexa came in.

“Please don’t chase me out. You’re doing me a favor today, so I want to return it. Let me do the dishes.”

“But—”

“Don’t you need to go strip the beds and gather the towels?”

She should get the laundry started before they left. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind.” Anna—Grace pointed imperiously toward the doorway and set her face in a mock scowl that perfectly mimicked Aunt Shelley. “Now
go
.”

Alexa dashed off. She pulled the rumpled snarl of sheets from the bed in the room Nicole used and gathered a half-dozen towels from various places on the floor, including under the bed. She dumped the armload at the top of the stairs and then entered the 2 Corinthians 9:8 room. The bed was neatly made,
and towels hung over the bars in the bathroom. If the towels hadn’t been damp from recent use, she’d wonder if anyone had even stayed in the room. It looked vastly different from the hurricane Nicole left behind. As she began to strip the bed, she noticed an envelope marked
“For Alexa”
propped against one of the pillows.

Curious, she opened it and pulled out a folded sheet of the notepaper she’d placed on the dresser for guests’ use. She unfolded the page and read:

Warmed by the kind note, Alexa peeked into the envelope again. She gasped in surprise. A hundred dollar bill rested inside! She hadn’t expected tips at all, and to receive such an extravagant one sent her pulse into a mad gallop. She forgot all about stripping the bed and raced for the stairs, leaping over the pile of laundry on the way.

She found her grandmother in her usual spot beside the front room window, embroidery hoop in hand. She waved the bill under her nose. “Look what the Kirkleys left for me. Can you believe it?”

Grandmother smiled. “Why, yes, I can believe it. The Lord knows you’re concerned about finances, so He’s showing you He’s able to provide.”

Alexa blinked back tears. “They left me a really nice note, too, thanking me for my hospitality.” She sniffed and flattened the bill against her bodice. “Now I feel bad for thinking evil thoughts about the little would-be music star, Nicci K.”

Grandmother laughed long and hard. “She was something, wasn’t she? But she definitely has an amazing talent for one so young. I hope she’ll use it wisely and not let it go to her head.”

“Me, too.”

Anna—Grace joined them. “The dishwasher is running, and I cleaned the table and countertops. Are you ready to go?”

Alexa shook her head. “I got sidetracked. Let me get a load of wash going, and—”