Love Inspired November 2014 #2 (26 page)

Shaken by the thought, she went into her office and closed the door. Her instincts were telling her Ethan was a good man, but there was another voice whispering in her head, reminding her of her poor judgment with men. Which voice did she listen to?

Maybe the answer was neither. She would focus on saving Latimer's and not her growing awareness of Ethan. She had a feeling that would be easier said than done.

Chapter Six

N
icki heard the sound of the back door squeaking open later that afternoon, but kept her focus on the papers in front of her. It was probably Ethan going outside again. She'd noticed he'd step outside now and then. He wouldn't be gone long and she was curious what he did out there. She knew he didn't smoke; maybe he needed fresh air. The stockroom could get stuffy with the dust from the boxes and packing material.

“Nichelle?”

Nicki froze. Her mom. Great. Ethan had already removed several of the shelving units and the store was a mess. “In here.”

Her mother walked into the office, scanning the room. “Where's Sadie?”

Nicki nodded toward the other room, where the baby was entertaining herself in her bouncy chair surrounded by colorful movable toys. Her mother went to the child and bent over, speaking quietly to her granddaughter.

“She shouldn't be here. It's not good for her. She should be at the house.”

“Mom, she's perfectly all right. You have enough on your hands with Dad recuperating.”

“Your father is doing fine. He'll be back to work in no time.” Her mother glanced over her shoulder. “What are you working on there?”

Nicki clicked off the computer monitor and stood. She had no intention of telling her mother how bad things were. “The usual paperwork. What are you doing here?”

“I had a prescription to pick up for your father, and I thought I'd stop in to check on things.”

Dread pulled Nicki's mood down a few notches. “Check on things” was her mom's code for “make sure things were done her way.”

“Things are fine, Mom. I've got it under control.”

“I'm sure you do, but I haven't been in the store in ages. I'd like to tell your father how things are going.” She walked out of the office, forcing Nicki to follow.

Bracing herself for an argument, Nicki watched as her mother made a sweep of the store. She knew the moment her mother's fuse lit. She stopped at the tables in the front filled with school merchandise and other outdated items Nicki was determined to unload.

Her mother pointed to the bins. “What is this? Why are you discounting all these supplies? You should be holding them for the back-to-school rush at the end of summer.”

“Mom, we need to get rid of this stuff and bring in notebooks and supplies that will appeal more to the kids.” She wanted to tell her mom that the sale was actually doing quite well, but her self-confidence abruptly sagged. She'd never had trouble standing up to her mother before, but since coming home, she'd suffered unexpected moments of insecurity.

Her mother set her lips in a firm line and gestured to the open floor space where Ethan had removed a section of shelving. “And what's going on here? Where are the fixtures? Where have you moved the paper clips and staplers? Customers expect to find them right here.”

“Mom, I'm rearranging the floor. It's time to freshen things up. It's been laid out like this for decades.”

“That's because it works, and customers like it that way.” She gestured to the sale table. “You'll never sell these items this way. It looks like a cheap discount store, putting things in plastic bins. Honestly, Nichelle, what were you thinking?”

Maybe her mom was right. Maybe her plan wasn't a good one. She'd worked in marketing only a few years before Brad had convinced her to quit. She wasn't an expert. What made her think that she could magically turn the business around?

“Excuse me.”

Ethan's deep voice was a welcome intrusion. She turned and saw him carrying a large carton of spiral notebooks toward the front. He gave Nicki a knowing and sympathetic grin.

“I noticed the bins were getting low.”

Her mother pierced him with a fierce glare. “You're the man my daughter hired?”

Ethan set the box on the table and began transferring the notebooks to the bin. “Yes, ma'am.” He faced her, but didn't extend his hand.

Nicki sighed in relief. Good move. Her mother would have ignored it anyway.

“I want you to know I was opposed to the idea. We don't know anything about you.”

“Mother, please.”

“I'll tell you straight up, young man. If you so much as take a pencil, an eraser or a piece of paper that doesn't belong to you, I will notify the authorities.”

“I understand. You have nothing to worry about.”

Her mother continued to glare. Ethan continued to fill up the bins. Her mother watched a moment, then stepped forward.

“When did you start this sale?”

Nicki sighed. “A few days ago.”

“You've sold a bin's worth already?”

“More than that,” Ethan replied promptly. “I've filled these bins up at least twice a day.” Ethan finished his task, then faced her mother. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Latimer.” With a nod, he walked away, leaving Nicki with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and an irrational impulse to hug him.

Her mother studied the bins a moment, then faced her. “You know you'll have to replace all that merchandise before the school rush starts.”

“I know. Don't worry.”

Her mother huffed in irritation before starting back to the office. “How can you hear Sadie when she cries if you're way out here?”

“I have a monitor out here under the counter. I hear every noise she makes.”

“I certainly hope so. I don't want her ignored for a customer.”

“She won't be.”

Her mother nodded then placed a quick kiss on Nicki's cheek. “I'll see you this evening.”

After her mother left, Nicki sagged behind the sales counter. No matter what she did, it would never be right. She could only pray that her father would keep her mother occupied and that her plan for invigorating business would work.

She straightened to see Ethan coming toward her, an expression of disbelief on his face.

“Your mother is a woman of strong opinions.”

“That's putting it mildly. She and I are like oil and water. My brother was her favorite. He could do no wrong. I could do nothing right. Thank you for stepping in.”

“Don't worry about it. I was only telling the truth. The sale has gone well. It was a good idea.” He leaned down, tapping the back of her hand lightly with his fingers. “Don't let anyone make you doubt your decisions. You know what you're doing.”

His confidence in her filled her with a warm glow. It
had
been a good decision. “Thank you, but that's easier said than done.”

He nodded, his expression turning serious. “Once your belief in yourself is shattered, it's hard to rebuild it.”

“Is that even possible?” There were days when her lack of confidence weighed on her so heavily it was hard to take the next step.

“With prayer and a lot of determination.” He smiled then retreated to the stockroom.

Nicki watched him go, wondering what had shattered his belief in himself. He'd spoken with conviction and she'd seen that distant look that she'd seen before someplace, but couldn't remember. Something awful had happened to him. Maybe that was what she'd sensed in him the day they'd met. Both had suffered events that had changed them.

Ethan was right about one thing. She would need prayer and determination to face the challenges ahead and she had an abundance of both.

* * *

Saturday morning Nicki sat at her desk marveling at how quickly her life had gotten complicated. Ethan had just informed her that he was having his new furniture delivered to his apartment this afternoon, which meant he'd be living over the store from now on, and she hadn't told her folks yet. Having a tenant wasn't going to go down well with her mom, but she didn't have the strength to battle with her today. If only she had someone to help her break the news. Ethan. Of course. It was the perfect solution.

She had been looking for a way to thank him for backing her up with her mom yesterday. She knew he ate out all the time, so he was probably ready for a home-cooked meal. If Ethan was with her when she dropped her bomb, her mother couldn't explode. She might have been rude to him as an employee, but she would never be rude in front of a guest. By the time Ethan left, her mom would be calm enough to see reason.

She winced inwardly as she realized her idea would put Ethan in an awkward position again. But he was a big boy. And a gentleman. He could deal.

Pushing away from her desk, she hurried to the stockroom, but it was empty. She checked the sales floor. No Ethan and, sadly, no customers. She headed for the back door and found him standing in the parking area staring upward, hands shoved into his back pockets. Something about the set of his shoulders suggested he was praying. She paused, waiting for some sign he was finished. He must have sensed her presence, for he lowered his head and slowly glanced over his shoulder. His eyes were shadowed for a moment. Then they cleared and his mouth moved upward on one side. “You looking for me?”

“Yes. I have an invitation for you.” He turned and came toward her.

“What kind of invitation?”

“Dinner. At my parents'. Tonight.” The puzzled look in his brown eyes made her question her plan. Ethan wasn't a talkative man. He seemed most content when he was alone. Tossing him into the middle of her family was a horrible idea.

“Why?”

His one-word response confirmed her doubts, but she couldn't handle her mother alone. “Well, Mom's fixing her special pork roast tonight, and I've noticed you always eat out and I thought you might be ready for a home-cooked meal.” She kept her smile in place, mentally crossing her fingers.

“All right. When and where?”

“Oh, uh, you can just ride with me. We'll go right after work, and then I'll bring you back here.” He'd been camping out in the apartment the past couple of nights while he fixed things up.

He eyed her curiously for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Well, I'll leave you to your break.” She backed up, then hurried toward the stoop outside the back entrance, but as she reached for the door handle, Ethan's strong arm grasped it first and pulled it open. He had his sleeves rolled up past his elbows and she saw a long red scar across his left forearm. She wanted to ask him about it, but lacked the courage.

“Break's over.”

She looked up at him. Trapped between him and the door, she couldn't ignore him or his woodsy scent. Her attraction to Ethan was becoming troublesome. Suddenly the invitation to her parents' home felt like a very bad idea.

* * *

Ethan maneuvered the passenger seat in Nicki's small compact as far back as the baby seat behind him would permit to give himself more leg room. He'd suspected her invitation to have dinner with her folks was more for her benefit than his own. After meeting her mother the other day, he figured the family meal might not be that warm and cozy. If she needed a diversion, he didn't mind playing the part. And she was right about one thing. He was tired of eating out. Once he settled in the upstairs apartment, he'd brush up his mediocre cooking skills.

He turned his attention to Nicki, who clutched the steering wheel in a death grip while she chatted nervously about random topics as they drove.

“So anyway, when the town started to rebuild, they wanted to do a better job, so they called the town Do Over, but over time the name morphed into Dover. I know for a while they spelled it D'Over, with the apostrophe, but now it's just Dover. A few people here are trying to get it changed back to preserve the town's history, but I don't know if that'll fly or not.”

Ethan tried to hide his grin. Life with Nicki would never be dull. Even when she was trying to hide her nervousness by babbling, she was fascinating. A living prism refracting her emotions in every direction without fear. He envied her that ability. Paul had told him emotions wouldn't kill him; it only felt as if they would. Maybe she could teach him.

Nicki slowed the car, pulling into the drive of a charming Tudor-style home with a neatly trimmed yard and colorful flower beds. Parking the car in front of the garage, she sighed and glanced at him with a tight smile.

“Here we are. Hope you're hungry. Mom loves to cook.”

“Good to hear.”

Ethan helped her get Sadie out of the car seat and carried the diaper bag. As they approached the front door, he tensed, uncertain of the reception he'd receive. Her mother hadn't been too pleased with his being hired.

“Mom, we're here.” Nicki led him into a large cheery kitchen. The decor was warm and welcoming. He hoped her mother would be the same. Mrs. Latimer was at the stove. She smiled at him, but he sensed she wasn't too happy about having him as a guest.

“Good to see you again, Mrs. Latimer.”

“Mr. Stone.” She turned back to the stove. “We're almost ready. Go clean up.”

“Where's Daddy?”

Ethan smiled at Nicki's use of the childhood term. She must be close to her father.

“Right here, pumpkin.”

The distinguished gentleman came slowly into the kitchen. He looked good for someone who'd had a kidney transplant only a short time ago.

“This must be our new employee. I'm Allen Latimer.”

Ethan shook his hand. It was strong and firm, and he sensed an energy about the man that echoed his daughter's. “Yes, sir.”

Mr. Latimer lifted the baby into his arms, cuddling her close. “Nichelle, why don't you bring Sadie's swing into the dining room so she can sit with us while we eat.”

Ethan glanced at Nicki. “I'll get it. Just tell me where it is.”

“I'll show you.”

Ethan followed Nicki through the house into a room crammed with a double bed, boxes and a crib and changing table. It had to be difficult to relax in a place like this. She obviously needed more room. And some privacy. Picking up the baby swing, he started back through the house, contemplating an idea.

The family settled into the dining room, as Nicki showed Ethan where to place the swing. Her father slipped Sadie into the seat, fastened the strap and set the swing in motion. Nicki took the chair beside Sadie, and Ethan chose the one next to Nicki. He decided to let Nicki do most of the talking. He didn't want to stir up any more trouble for Nicki with her mother.