| |
FAITH LOOKED PALE AND tired, and it was difficult for Nico to hold back any expression of concern, because it would make his feelings clear.
And it would most definitely make her uncomfortable.
He was a little surprised that the idea of losing his apprenticeship didn’t come first to his mind, that he would be risking the chance before he had truly taken it, if he showed any interest in Mr. Travers’ niece.
But he would have to speak of it sometime, if he had any hope of getting to know her better.
“There’s a courier coming, from Sam and Sarah’s company, to bring us some documents on the new project. Once those arrive, I think I’ll be better prepared to speak of it to you all.”
Nico wondered what sort of plans this new acquisition would require, and from the manner in which Mr. Travers spoke of it, he could figure that it was something on a large scale, perhaps larger than the man usually took on.
It would be exciting to be a part of it, and he prayed that his family would agree with him.
“I must admit, I have never had lavender cookies before, but I have had many varieties of almond cookies.”
After a morning avoiding the temptation to steal glances at Faith, who participated in the discussion no less than usual, Nico felt as if he could finally relax, sitting with the other three people with the tray of cookies and lemonade he had found himself missing while he was in the city.
It was a very different world, but he wanted to be a part of them both.
He wanted to be a part of Faith’s life, if she would allow him to be.
Even as a friend.
When he almost snorted at the ridiculousness of the thought, knowing full well that his feelings were more than friendly, he covered his mouth as he nearly choked on his cookie.
“You don’t have to eat so fast, those cookies won’t walk away on their own.”
Mr. Travers held out Nico’s lemonade glass, his smile kind and a little amused. Nico was horrified, but he only saw Faith’s sweet smile when he looked away from his new employer, avoiding Thomas’ expression completely.
“What sort of almond cookies?”
Faith’s question seemed innocuous, but there was a light in her eyes that Nico hoped he wasn’t imagining. Almond cookies were a subject many a hungry person might find interesting, but he thought that Faith would have her mind set on more important subjects.
So perhaps that light was an interest in him, one he had felt growing before they were apart for the last few days.
“Hmm, let’s see. We have ricciarelli, which are very chewy and very strong, and amaretti, which my sister Rosetta makes soft so they melt in your mouth.”
Faith’s eyes grew wide, and from the way she ate whatever cookies her aunt set before her, he imagined she had a sweet tooth.
What would she think of his family store, and the restaurant to come? She was a small girl, but there was nothing that indicated that she didn’t appreciate good food.
He smiled, and her own smile grew wider. For a moment, he forgot that anyone else was with them, until Thomas dropped his empty lemonade glass on the table.
“Oops. So sorry, please excuse me.”
The glass didn’t fall or break, but the sound shook Nico from his reverie, and Faith frowned, her forehead crinkling as she stared at her cousin.
Did she truly not understand that Thomas was worried for her, or that he believed Nico had dishonest designs on her?
It was admirable, but even so, Nico knew he had done nothing to deserve Thomas’ disdain, and wished there was something he could do to alleviate the other man’s worry.
“My parents and I are planning to go to First Steps later, and I understand Aunt Catherine and Evie are going as well.”
Thomas changed the subject to one Nico didn’t quite understand. The family shelter was one they all assisted in various ways, he had gleaned from the conversations here and the gossip at the hotel.
But Faith’s parents were the ones in charge, were they not?
“Oh, really?”
Faith’s lips remained open, as if she wanted to say more but wasn’t sure what she should or wanted to say. When Thomas’ expression softened while he watched her struggle, Nico recognized that familiar concern he had for his own siblings.
Thomas and Faith were more brother and sister than cousins, and the best of friends. If he could not win Thomas over, would he have any chance of winning Faith’s heart?
The logistics of a romantic relationship slipped to the back of his mind as he kept silent, watching the cousins as their uncle sat back, allowing them to go on without his interference.
“Your parents are in no condition to work right now, and honestly, I’m not sure if you are, either. How about Johnny? Where is your brother today?”
Faith’s beautiful face crumpled, and Nico was certain she was going to cry.
He looked over at her uncle, who had closed his eyes, and Nico felt like an outsider in the room, not for the first time.
“I don’t know. He was gone before I left.”
Her words were only a whisper, but there was heart-rending guilt in those few breaths.
What was going on, and why did Faith feel so badly about leaving her younger brother alone for the day?
“Let’s all go. I think it would be a good way to keep all of us occupied, and if we meet Sam and Sarah there, this will be a good opportunity to introduce Nico. When the Van Aldens welcomed me into their practice and their home, they included me in their social events, and I would like to do the same with Nico.”
Nico was trying to keep track of the shifts in conversation, but he liked the sound of Mr. Travers’ words.
He was offering him more than an apprenticeship. This would not be a job where he spent his free time in his hotel alone, and as he had grown up in a large, noisy family in a loud and busy neighborhood, it was not his way to hide in a lonely room by himself.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Mr. Travers.”
When he stood, his action mirrored by Mr. Travers, the two nodded to each other before the older man left the room, leaving Nico under Thomas’ scrutiny.
Should he speak up now, with Faith present, about Thomas’ concern?
No, that wouldn’t do. He knew that if he was in Thomas’ shoes, he would want a private conversation, not one that shamed him in front of the girl he was trying to protect.
“Faith, you don’t have to go. I can walk you home if you like, and . . .”
Faith raised her eyes, not to her cousin, but to Nico, and Thomas stopped speaking.
“Would you like to come and help at First Steps with us?”
It wasn’t what Nico was expecting to hear, if he had expected her to say anything at all.
The shelter where they met, with all of the people and food?
His family business was feeding people, so how could he say no?
“Of course. I’m sure I can be put to good use, don’t you agree, Thomas?”
Thomas only pressed his lips together before staring out into the hall, as if willing his uncle to return.
But Faith’s pale pink lips curved into a small smile, and Nico thought he saw a measure of relief in her eyes.
“I think I should take up a book collection. There are so many girls I know who don’t even read the books they own!”
Evie’s voice reached them first, before her mother’s, but neither of them sounded up to par today. There was a level of sadness to them all that they were working to overcome, and Nico silently prayed that the Lord would share his peace with them.
“We’ll speak to your Uncle Arthur about it when he’s back to work.”
Mrs. Travers held her youngest daughter by the hand, and the two wore matching pastel yellow dresses that presented a pretty picture, their hair in identical rolls at the napes of their necks.
“Faith Genevieve. You look like you need some fortifying, so I’m going to pack more cookies for you as well as for the shelter. Wait, I’ll have Caitlin do it quickly.”
She whispered to her daughter, who broke away from her and shuffled back down the hall as Nico watched.
Faith kept quiet, her smile a clear attempt to reassure her aunt, who did not seem to believe it for a moment.
Nico wondered if he should take a chance on breaking the silence with a comment of his own.
“Genevieve? I see you and your cousin share the name?”
Mrs. Travers slipped her hands behind her back as her husband stepped up and took them in his own, and Faith turned her attention to Nico.
“Oh, our Grandmother Davenport, her name is Genevieve. She was Genevieve de Vries before she married.”
De Vries? Now, there was a name every New Yorker knew well. One of the oldest and richest families in the city, and in the country, for that matter.
How could he ever imagine a granddaughter of a de Vries in his family’s humble store?
“She bites, too.”
Nico frowned, his immediate thoughts interrupted by Faith’s words.
But then, she laughed, and everyone in the room seemed to relax, even her cousin, who had moved to stand beside her as she spoke with Nico.
“I won’t have you say such things. Grandmother Davenport has been a perfect angel towards me, and you know it.”
Mr. Travers made a sound that might have been a snort as soon as Thomas finished speaking, but Nico was sure this refined man would never condescend to such an exclamation.
“Well, now, I think we can all agree that their grandmother has high expectations. I also think she’d be very pleased to see us all coming together at the shelter so Faith’s parents don’t have to worry about any of those in need going without.”
Mrs. Travers turned and slapped gently at her husband’s arm, and the two shared a secret smile with each other for the briefest moment.
This family wasn’t so different from his own, Nico realized with his own smile.
Just then, Faith stood up and walked towards him, her thick, sandy braid catching the sunlight so it shone like gilded thread.
He wanted to reach out and touch it, but he would never dare. It would be so disrespectful, and aside from that, he knew that if he felt those strands along his fingers just once, it would be difficult not to do it again.
“Thank you.”
Her words were barely audible, but Nico caught them, as did her cousin, who only looked away.
But not before Nico caught the glint of tears in his pale gray eyes.