ith one eye trained on the door, Chris wiped down tables and straightened books in the shelves and windowsills. Would Ainsley come in today? He’d called her numerous times, stopped by her house, left messages, with no response. The television light flickering through her blinds told him she’d been home.
Shoes clicked behind him and he turned to see Candy approach with a pouty smile, hips swaying like a pendulum. She twirled a lock of hair around her finger and lowered her lashes. “You’re not still angry with me, are you?”
He stepped back to lengthen the distance between them. Now what? If he fired her, she’d probable file a sexual harassment suit. “Is the counter stocked?”
“Yep.” She moved closer and traced a finger along the table in front of her. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable the other day.”
“There’s no sense discussing it again. I’m confident you understand the parameters of our relationship now.” He crossed his arms. “You might want to see if Wanda needs help in the kitchen.”
She lifted a Bible from the nearby shelf and leafed through it. “If you’re not too angry, I have a couple questions.”
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. So how does one reach out to sinners without getting dragged through the gutter?
“OK.” He moved toward her.
The door to the café chimed open and he turned to see Ainsley enter, her eyes going from wide to narrow as a deep scowl spread across her features. Dropping his towel on the table, he raced to her side.
“Ainsley, can we talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” She tucked her purse beneath the cash register. “It’s not like we had a formal commitment or anything.” Her eyes darkened as her gaze shifted to Candy who glided over with lowered lashes and a slight smile.
“Good morning, Ainsley.” Back arched and mouth pouty, she fiddled with a container of pens.
Customers milled in, lining behind the counter. Moving aside, Chris turned to Ainsley. “Please, can we talk? Give me five minutes.”
After an extended silence, she nodded.
He followed her to his office, his heart wrenching at the sight of her clenched hands. Oh, sweet Ainsley.
She stopped in the center of the room and picked at her thumbnail. “I’m sure I’m overreacting here, but the truth is, I’m not interested in the dating scene. And . . . She swallowed and looked at her hands. “I think it would be more comfortable for both of us if we limited our time together.”
“You’re quitting?”
“As soon as I find another job. It’d be better if we didn’t serve together at the shelter anymore either. I think one of us should switch days.”
“Ainsley, please. I didn’t do anything. Candy came on to me, but I pushed her away. And that picture—”
“You don’t need to explain. As I said, we weren’t committed. I hold no claims to you. I’m just . . . Honestly, I’m . . . I wish you well.”
“But I want to be with you. Can’t you see that?”
She blinked and her chin dimpled. For a moment, the angry lines in her face softened, but then Chris’s phone rang, and she spun around and left.
He glanced at the number displayed on the screen and sighed.
Lord, can we start this day over?
“Matilda, good morning.”
“I stopped by the nursing home this morning to have breakfast with Mom.”
“Is everything OK?”
“I found her lying in dried feces, and there were fresh bruises on her arms.”
His stomach dropped.
“You’re right. Mom deserves better. I’ve scheduled a meeting and tour with the director of Lily of the Valley, if you’d like to join me.”
“What time?”
“Ten thirty.”
He checked the clock. “I’ll be there.”
Tucking the phone in his back pocket, he hurried down the hall, and out onto the café floor. Ainsley and Candy manned the counter, side-by-side. Based on the Candy’s crooked grin and Ainsley’s scowl, he’d be lucky to find Ainsley here when he returned. Although he longed to hover, countering the crazy ideas swimming through her head, he couldn’t leave his sister waiting. Not when so much hinged on this meeting.
He approached Ainsley and tried to make eye contact, but she concentrated on scrubbing an old coffee stain from the counter.
“Do you think you guys can handle the place for a while?”
Ainsley nodded and Candy’s smile widened. “We’ll keep the coffee hot and the cash register clanking.”
An hour later, he stood on the curb outside Lily of the Valley.
“What do you think?” He held his breath as Matilda’s inspected the single-story brick building lined with windows and the occasional wind chime.
“It appears lovely. And I like that it is faith-based.”
Chris nodded.
“Although I’m still concerned about how Mom will handle the change.” She fiddled with the strap of her purse.
“I know.”
“I’ve given this much thought. This must be her last move, which means, if your business fails . . .
“I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes to see the bill gets paid. When would you like to move her?”
“You don’t mind losing out on two months worth of rent?”
He shook his head.
She glanced at her watch. “They’re probably getting Mom ready for lunch now.”
“Let’s go.”