After Shelby left, he turned toward his mom’s smirking face. “Stop. We’re just friends.”
“Uh, huh. And I’m the Easter Bunny.”
Since when had his mom become such a smartass?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Chester didn’t want to accept an apology from the kid who stole his football, but the teacher made them shake hands anyway.”
Chester Tries to Forgive
Shelby admired the beautiful orchid in the center of the kitchen table at Nick’s mother’s house. Emily had texted—or had someone do it for her—before school asking if they were still going to write a book together about being in the hospital. No way she could say no to that. “This is so pretty. But I hear they’re hard to keep alive.”
Mrs. Caldwell, who had insisted Shelby call her Linda, smiled. “I enjoy the challenge, but haven’t had one in years. Nick’s father sent it. He’s been acting strangely lately.” Linda sat across from Shelby and passed a plate of still-warm-from-the-oven cookies toward her. “Now that I think of it, it’s been ever since I started dating a younger man.”
Linda took a bite of cookie, then her eyes grew wide. “Nick doesn’t know I date, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything about that, Shelby.”
“No, of course not.” Nick didn’t know his mother dated? Something was up. She’d have to explore that later.
The front door opened and a deep voice called out, “Anyone home?”
Linda frowned. “We’re in the kitchen, Ed.”
Nick’s father walked in and laid his hands on Linda’s shoulders. “You got the orchid. Hello, Shelby.”
“Hi, Mr. Caldwell. It’s nice to see you again.”
Linda’s brows scrunched. “Thank you for the orchid, but I still can’t figure out why you sent it. Maybe you should get a physical. It’s like you’ve had a stroke and you forgot to act like the ass you’ve been for the past twenty years.”
Shelby stifled a laugh.
He said, “We used to always have one in the house, so I wanted to buy you another.”
“That confirms it. You have had a stroke, Edward.” Linda hopped up and scooped cookies off of the pan. “Don’t you remember why I always had an orchid in the house? It reminded me of our Hawaiian wedding, and how in love we were back then. When you left, I tossed the one I had out, just like you did with me and the kids, and I vowed to never have another!” Blinking back her tears, Linda turned her back to him and pretended to clean her already spotless kitchen counters.
Things were getting way too personal for Shelby’s taste.
Nick’s dad said, “Maybe I wanted to see if we could make an orchid grow again, Linda.”
Deciding it best to leave the two of them alone at such a crucial moment, Shelby stood and headed for the door, only to run into a familiar, hard chest.
Nick’s big, hard chest.
His hands slipped to her waist to steady her. “What are you doing here? And where’s Lori?”
“I have no idea where your sister is.” Why would Nick ask her that?
He glanced around the kitchen and when he saw his father, a scowl darkened his face.
His parents’ discussion came to an abrupt halt. They all stared at each other as tension hung thick in the air.
She felt like someone should say something, so she looked up at Nick. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be home in bed? Aren’t you still sick?”
“I stayed home from work but I’m bored out of my skull. Mom mentioned she was baking cookies today and she made a batch for me. I thought I’d save her a trip.” He tugged her closer. “So, why are you here Shelby?”
Before she could answer, an excited six-year-old bounded through the door. Emily sent her backpack flying onto a chair before she launched herself at the back of Shelby’s legs, wrapping them up tightly. “Hi, Shelby. I’m ready to write!”
She slipped out of Nick’s embrace then lifted Emily up to her eye level. “Me too. Want to grab a snack before we start? Your grandma made some yummy cookies.”
She glanced at Nick over Emily’s head. When he sent Emily a cute proud-uncle smile it warmed her heart.
But then Nick spotted the orchid and his face turned to stone. Picking it up, he asked his mom, “Where did this come from? I haven’t seen one of these in the house since I was a kid.”
Nick’s mom glanced at Edward, who in turn looked at Shelby. Geez, what was with these people? She wasn’t even part of the family. Why were they looking at her? But then a thought struck her.
Passing Emily off to Mrs. Caldwell, she turned to Nick and plastered on a smile. “It came for your mom today. From a secret admirer.”