6

 

The next afternoon, Lily juggled two bags of groceries on the front porch while trying to pry her keys from her pocket. To her surprise and relief, the door flew open.

Maxi poked her head out. “Need a hand?”

Lily blew wisps of hair off her forehead. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

Together they lugged the groceries up the flight of stairs to Lily’s apartment. Maxi set her load on the kitchen counter and strolled into the living room.

“Hey, I love what you’ve done with the place. Where’d you get the fantastic artwork?”

Lily peered around the corner where Maxi eyed the paintings Lily had hung on the walls. “They’re mine.”

“Yours, as in you painted them?” Maxi’s mouth gaped as she pulled a stool up to the pass-through counter.

Lily gave a casual shrug. “It’s a hobby.” She turned and opened the fridge. “Want a soda?”

“Sure.”

Lily handed her a cola and pulled out a can of her own. This was the first chance she’d had to talk to Maxi since meeting Chloe. Lily itched to pump her for information but wasn’t sure how to bring up the topic without arousing Maxi’s curiosity. “You working tonight?”

“Nope. Tonight’s my youth group meeting.”

Lily popped the lid and took a sip from her can. “What’s that?”

“A group Nick started to keep kids out of trouble. We meet in the church hall every other week.”

Nick volunteered with teens? This guy really must be a saint.

Maxi’s eyes widened. “Hey, you should come with us. It’s a great way to meet people.”

Lily bit her lip and set down her can. “I don’t think I’d feel comfortable. I’m a little old for that.”

Maxi laughed. “There’s no age restriction, Methuselah. The older volunteers mentor the younger kids.”

Lily’s shoulders stiffened. “I don’t think so. I’m not into religion.” More like allergic to it.

“Oh, it’s not religious.” Maxi waved a casual hand in the air, bangle bracelets clanging. “We just use the church basement as a meeting place.” She pursed her lips. “Well, Nick does say a prayer, but that’s about it. We have discussions, go on outings, raise money for charities, that sort of thing.”

Lily turned back to her task. Maxi didn’t strike her as the type to be interested in such mundane activities. There must be another incentive. “Does Jason go to these meetings?”

“Sometimes. But I usually go with Chloe. You met her at the shop the other day.”

Lily’s heart rate kicked into overdrive, knocking as loud as the old motor in her refrigerator. She focused on keeping her hands steady as she put away her eggs. “The brunette?”

“That’s her.”

Lily closed the door with a careful click. “How are you friends? Isn’t she still in high school?”

Maxi sipped her drink. “She’s very mature for her age. Probably because she’s been through so much—losing her dad, and her mom getting sick.”

“The poor kid.” Lily had hoped Chloe was having a glorious, carefree life, unlike her own horrible childhood.

“Yeah. She has a lot on her shoulders helping out at home.”

“Does she have any…siblings?” Lily tried not to choke on the word.

“Nope. An only child.” Maxi looked at her funky silver watch. “I’d better go eat and get ready. Let me know if you want to tag along.” She threw Lily a wicked grin. “I’m sure Nick wouldn’t mind.”

Lily turned away to hide the warmth that rushed into her cheeks.

Maxi hopped down from the stool. “That reminds me. How’d your date with Marco go?”

Lily hesitated, remembering Marco was Maxi’s friend. “Not so great. He got a bit too…friendly…for my liking.”

Maxi only laughed as she opened the front door. “That’s Marco for you. Don’t take it personally.” She paused to wink over her shoulder. “Let me know if you change your mind about tonight.”

After Maxi left, Lily finished putting away the last of the groceries, her mind returning to the fact that Chloe would be at that meeting. If Lily joined the group, she’d have a perfect opportunity to get to know her sister better. As a friend and peer.

Only one huge obstacle held Lily back. She swore she’d never go near a church again. But how could she pass up this chance?

She wiped her damp palms on her jeans and stiffened her spine. The least she could do was give it a try. If the situation became intolerable, she could always leave.

Grateful for the remaining prepaid minutes on her cell phone, she took Maxi’s number off the fridge and dialed.

 

****

 

Nick looked over the group of rambunctious teens assembled in the church hall and a satisfied smile stretched across his face. He’d started the group over a year ago with only a handful of kids, but attendance had steadily increased, and they now boasted a crowd of between twenty to thirty kids.

Nick loved providing a safe environment for adolescents to air their opinions and grievances. The fact that he got to mix some faith in with their fun was an added bonus.

Ignoring the din of excited voices, he pulled the material for tonight’s meeting from his briefcase and set it on the rickety table beside his laptop.

“Good evening, Nick.”

Nick looked up as Sarah Jane walked by, a tray of baked goods in her arms. His mood plummeted as he remembered their upcoming date. The idea held about as much appeal as stripping wallpaper.

She turned from placing the treats on a side table, caught him watching her, and smiled. Remorse roared to life as he smiled back, thankful she couldn’t read his mind.

The sound of footsteps descending the basement stairs gave Nick an excuse to look away. Maxi dashed into the hall, a bundle of vibrant energy. Nick chuckled at her outrageous hair, bejeweled top, and platform shoes. Nothing subtle about Maxi North. His gaze moved past her, expecting to see Chloe.

Instead, the tentative figure of Lily Draper entered the hall. She hesitated in the doorway, hands stuffed into her jeans pockets, and looked around like a doe scouting the forest for enemies. Her dark hair fell in a soft cloud around her shoulders. Dressed in slim, hip-hugging jeans that flared over pointed, high-heeled shoes, she drew the attention of every male in the room.

A spurt of excitement shot through Nick’s system, infusing him with new enthusiasm. The evening had just become a lot more interesting. Lily’s gaze traveled around the room until she locked eyes with him. She flashed him a smile that made his pulse jump four notches.

Oh man, he was in trouble if a mere smile could do that to him.

 

****

 

Nick’s familiar face became Lily’s beacon in the storm of nerves cascading over her. She tried not to stare as she dodged the circle of metal chairs to cross the room. Tonight, instead of his usual handyman attire, he wore dress pants and a brown sports jacket, giving him the air of a professional businessman—not her type at all.

So why did her heart hiccup when his blue eyes met hers?

“Hi, Lily. Glad you could come tonight.” Nick grinned so wide that tiny lines crinkled around his eyes.

“Maxi invited me.” She clasped her damp hands together to hide their trembling.

Get a grip, Lily. It’s only a church hall.

“Well, I look forward to hearing your opinion of the group.”

“You might not like it.”

He winked at her. “Trust me. You won’t be able to resist my charms.”

Before she could untangle her tongue long enough to think of a comeback, someone flew up beside them, creating a stir in the musty basement air.

“Hey, Nick.” The girl threw her arms around his neck.

“Hi, brat.” Nick’s eyes warmed with apparent affection as he returned her embrace.

Lily’s eyebrows shot up. The girl draped over Nick was none other than Chloe Martin.

He untangled himself but kept an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Lily, this is my cousin, Chloe.”

Lily’s mind swam. Nick’s cousin? How could that be?

Chloe smiled. “We already met the other day at the salon.”

Lily swallowed. “Th-that’s right. Nice to see you again, Chloe.”

“Same here. I guess Maxi dragged you out.” Amusement shone in her whiskey-colored eyes as she tugged off her bomber jacket.

“Yeah. She thought I needed to meet more people.” Lily attempted to focus her whirling thoughts and concentrate on what Chloe was saying.

“Good idea. You’ll have to be part of our discussion group then.”

“I divide everyone up for discussion purposes,” Nick explained. “Speaking of which, we’d better get started.”

He excused himself to walk to the front of the room. “Good evening, everyone. Could you please take your seats, and we’ll begin with a short prayer.”

Dread saturated Lily as she sank onto a chair between Maxi and Chloe. Since moving out of her father’s home, she’d avoided all contact with religion.

Until now.

She clenched her hands together on her lap and fused her gaze to the floor.

“Lord, bless all of these wonderful young people gathered here this evening for fellowship in Your name. Enlighten our hearts and minds to serve You and each other to the best of our ability. Amen.”

Lily raised her head. Surely there had to be more. Tobias would have gone on for half an hour. Instead, Nick gave a brief recap of the last meeting and outlined the topics of discussion for the night.

With determination, Lily set aside her nerves and the myriad of questions rioting through her brain, and focused on the evening’s activities. To her relief, the meeting proved most enjoyable. The teenagers expressed their views in an enthusiastic manner. Lily paid particular attention to everything Chloe said and found her articulate and funny.

Her mind still struggled with the fact that Chloe was Nick’s cousin. Just how were the two connected? Through Chloe’s adopted family? It had to be. If not, she and Nick could be related. She shifted in her seat and put that unwelcome thought out of her mind. One thing for sure, she’d have to watch herself around Nick. She wasn’t ready to let anyone in on her secret just yet. Not until she’d had time to get to know Chloe and to figure out more about their family’s murders.

After a quick closing prayer, Nick helped Sarah Jane serve the refreshments. Laughter filled the large room as everyone mingled. Lily stood on the sidelines, content to watch the various interactions, until Nick came up beside her, coffee in hand. His arm brushed hers, sending a flutter of warmth through her body.

He gave her shoulder a playful nudge. “So, what’s the verdict?”

She glanced over at him. “I have to admit I’m impressed. I like the way the kids are free to express their opinion with no judgment calls.” Totally unlike her own upbringing.

“That’s the whole idea. To give adolescents a forum to express their ideas and to learn from each other in an accepting atmosphere.”

“I think you’ve accomplished your goal.”

He smiled, seeming pleased by her answer. “Does that mean you’ll come again?”

The hopeful expression on his face made the blood rush to her cheeks. She looked at him from under her lashes. “I think I could be persuaded.”

A grin spread over his rugged face. The vivid blueness of his gaze drew her in like a hypnotist’s watch. She couldn’t seem to look away until a movement on the outskirts of her vision became more insistent. She shifted her gaze, only to find a very unhappy-looking Sarah Jane standing beside Nick, clutching his sleeve in a possessive manner.

“Hello, Miss Draper.” The words sounded as tight as Sarah Jane’s lips. Her sour expression did nothing to improve her features.

“You two know each other?” Nick’s eyes widened. His puzzled, almost guilty expression made Lily want to laugh.

She nodded. “We met at the library.”

“Oh.” He pulled at the neck of his shirt and glanced at Sarah Jane. “Maxi invited Lily so she could meet more people.”

A prickle of irritation erased Lily’s amusement. He was trying to let Sarah Jane know he wasn’t the one who’d invited her. For someone who swore Sarah Jane was not his girlfriend, he sure acted like a guilty man.

The tension clogging the air between them became more than Lily cared to endure. She stepped away from Nick’s magnetic pull. “I should see if Maxi’s ready to leave. Maybe I’ll see you next time.”

She swung her hair over her shoulder, confident Nick Logan would be watching her walk away. That thought gave her a small measure of satisfaction.

Like a ship adrift on unfriendly seas, Lily sought shelter with Maxi and Chloe, who stood munching cookies by the refreshment table.

“You and Nick looked cozy over there.” Maxi wiggled her eyebrows in a suggestive manner and grinned. “Seems you ruffled Sarah Jane’s feathers the wrong way though.”

Lily fastened the buttons on her jacket. “She’s got nothing to worry about.”

Chloe smothered a laugh. “I don’t know. Judging by the way my cousin was looking at you, I’d say she has a lot to worry about.”

Maxi’s laughter joined Chloe’s giggles, drawing a bit too much attention to them. Lily tossed her paper cup in the trash and frowned. “I wasn’t trying to create problems.”

“Someone with your looks never has to try,” Maxi said. “It just happens. Come on. I’m driving Chloe home.”

Lily followed the girls out the door, grateful to escape Sarah Jane’s dark glares. As an added bonus, she’d get to spend some extra time with Chloe and see where she lived. Several minutes later, they pulled up in front of a small bungalow. From what Lily could tell in the dark, it looked like a cozy, well-maintained home.

Chloe let out a groan when Maxi shifted into park. “Now I have to study for a math mid-term next week. If I don’t pull my mark up, I may not get into college.”

Maxi gave her a sympathetic pat on the arm. “Sorry, kiddo. Can’t help you there. Math was not my best subject.”

“I got good grades in math.” The words were out before Lily thought it over. Her brain raced ahead, envisioning another way to get closer to Chloe. “If you want, I can help you.”

Chloe turned in her seat to look back at Lily. Suspicion lurked in the depths of her brown eyes. “We can’t afford a tutor.”

“I don’t want any money,” Lily assured her. “Why don’t you bring your books by the salon? I’ll take a look and see if I know the material.”

Chloe hesitated, glanced at Maxi, and then shrugged. “OK. I’ll come by tomorrow. Thanks for the ride, Maxi.”

“See you, kiddo.”

Lily released a pent up breath and moved up to take the vacated front seat, fiddling with the seat belt to avoid Maxi’s curious eyes.

“That was unexpected,” Maxi remarked as she pulled away from the curb. “Why would you want to tutor Chloe?”

Lily scrambled for a plausible answer, settling for a version of the truth. “She reminds me a lot of myself at that age. If she’s anything like I was, she could use some help, not to mention a friend.”

Maxi pursed her lips. “You’re pretty perceptive. Chloe hasn’t always hung out with the best crowd. That’s part of the reason Nick asked me to bring her to the youth group. To meet a different set of kids.” She signaled a right-hand turn. “At first I thought the whole youth thing was a corny idea, but I did it for Nick. I owed him, you know, for renting me the apartment. Now Chloe and I are good friends.”

“Is it helping her?”

“I think so. At least she’s not getting into trouble at school anymore.”

Lily smiled. “Chloe’s lucky to have you in her corner.”

Maxi shot her a sidelong glance. “Looks like now she’ll have you, too.”