A Better Man(70)

"It's no trouble. And since I usually just cook for myself, it will be nice to feed someone else. Plus Nicole has offered to help."

Jordan's surprised gaze shifted to his sister. "That's great, Nicki."

She gave him a shrug with attitude. "It's no big deal."

"It is to me."

When he hugged Nicole, Lucy could see the girl's uncertainty whether to hug him back or not. At least she was thinking about it.

A step in the right direction.

Ziggy danced at Lucy's feet and she laughed. "Yes, I got you some treats too." 

"Can I give one to him?" Nicole asked.

"Sure. They're in the bag over there."

Nicole's beautiful face came to life as she dangled the Beggin' Strip and Ziggy showed off his tricks.

"Have you ever had a pet?" Lucy asked.

"No." Nicole's smile turned to a frown. "My father was allergic and my mother didn't want animal hair all over her furniture. Which is stupid because we've always had leather furniture and you can just wipe it off."

"Nicki," Jordan said in a warning tone. "Be careful what you say about Mom. She isn't here to defend herself."

"I know that," Nicole snapped.

Uh-­oh. Lucy sensed their nice moment was about to head south.

"Can you come wash the lettuce?" she asked Nicole as a deterrent.

"Sure." And the dark cloud was back in place.

For several minutes they all worked together in the kitchen in silence. Uncomfortable to say the least. Lucy realized that not only was it her job to keep an eye on Nicole and try to help figure out the problem, but she also needed to be the Band-­Aid between brother and sister.

"Do you have a stereo?" she asked Jordan.

"Just the music channels on the TV. You can listen to just about anything you want there."

"How about you put on some music while we get dinner together. It might . . . lighten the mood."

As soon as Jordan disappeared into the living room and the music came on, Lucy leaned in and whispered to his sister. "Talk, Nicole. Barking is for dogs."

When Nicole looked up, she smiled. "So you're saying I do a bad impression of a Rottweiler?"

"Sweetie, you aren't even a good Schnauzer."

When Nicole laughed, it lifted Lucy's heart and she kept her fingers crossed for a more peaceable evening.

An oldies station came on and Jordan came back into the kitchen looking doubtful. "Is that okay?"

"I love old Beatles stuff," Nicole said while she tore the romaine lettuce and dumped it into a bowl Lucy had found in the cupboard.

"So do I." Jordan moved up to the counter between Lucy and his sister and began slicing the tomatoes. "Do you like country music?"

"It's my favorite." Nicole grabbed a knife to slice the zucchini.

"I thought kids your age just liked rap and hip-­hop."

"My friends do. But I like music with a softer rhythm and a meaningful story."

Jordan nodded while the Beatles sang about strawberry fields.

"I'll bet you didn't even know I play guitar," Nicole said. "Or write music."

Both Lucy and Jordan stopped what they were doing, looked at each other, then looked back at Nicole.

"Nope." Nicole sighed. "I didn't figure you did."

"That's amazing, Nic. When did you start doing that?"

"About two years ago. I bought an old pink guitar I found at a thrift shop as a decoration for my room." Her slim shoulders came up in a shrug. "One night I was bored and just started goofing around with it and I got interested."



       
         
       
        

Jordan slanted a glance at Lucy that made her heart stand still. He'd just discovered more information about his sister in one minute than he probably had in seventeen years.

"I'd love to hear your music some time," Lucy said.

"I'd love to hear it right now," Jordan said.

"I didn't bring the guitar with me."

"But you'd play it for us if you had it?"

"Sure."

"Then let's go." He grabbed his sister by the hand. "Lucy? Do you have this under control until we get back?"

Lucy smiled at the exhilaration on his face and nodded.

"Where are we going?" Nicole asked as he grabbed their jackets off the hook by the door.

"There's a music store a couple blocks away. I want to get there before they close."

"Why?"

"Because I'm buying you a guitar."

When the door shut behind them, Lucy leaned back against the counter and wanted to cry. Jordan had seen the opportunity to become a part of his sister's life. He'd found a connection. And he'd seized the opportunity to make things right. Just like he'd done on the ice today.