Heart's Haven. Lois Richer
his message about being in charge hadn’t sunk in at all. But Ty didn’t mind when Cassidy took over, coaxing Davis to approach his church for donations toward a day care, mocking his upturned nose.
“What’s the matter, Davis?” Cassidy teased. “Not into diapers?”
“Funny.” He ignored her to face Ty. “Her humor hasn’t changed since we were in high school together. It’s still nonexistent.”
“High school?” Ty recalled the way she’d interacted with the other men. “All of you?”
“Afraid so.” Davis laughed at Cassidy’s groan. He leaned toward Ty and spoke sotto voce. “Cassidy was number one on everybody’s dating list.”
“Liar. I never made it onto anyone’s dating list.” She thumped Davis on the shoulder. “You never even knew I was alive until you discovered I could cook.” She glanced at Ty. “They had some kind of contest to see who would persuade me to go out with them first.”
“I won.” Davis thrust out his massive chest.
“You won because you conned me.” Her scathing tones dared him to deny it. “Anyway, that wasn’t a date. You got me to cook a meal under the pretext of helping your poor sick mother.”
“He said you offered because you were infatuated with him.”
“You actually believed that?” Cassidy rolled her eyes.
Crank made a threatening gesture at Davis. “Your past is coming back to haunt you big-time now that Cass is back. You know what she’s like about lying.”
“Hates it. Yeah, I know that.” Davis sobered immediately. “I’m sorry, Cass.”
Ty found her reaction curious. His first impression of the chef had been of a strong, aggressive and capable woman. Somehow he never imagined her as an uncertain high school girl trying to figure out the intricacies of dating. Seeing her interaction with these men added a sense of vulnerability, made her more approachable.
“You’re going to be very sorry you lied about me, Davis.” Cassidy’s words held a thin edge of pain. A moment later her grin flashed. “I’m going to think up some really big payback.”
“Look, forget the past. I’m more interested in the present.”
“I’m sure you are.” Cassidy winked at Ty then turned to face her friend. “I could tell a lot of stories on you, Davis, and you know it. But because you came through today, I won’t.”
Relief washed over the big man’s face.
“And because you got me interested in cooking and pushed me to get my own place, I guess I owe you one, too.” He risked a look over one shoulder. Crank and his friends were huddled together, muttering about a football game on the weekend. Davis ignored them, turned to face Ty. “So it’s okay with you, if I suggest your place as a project for our church?”
“I’ll be very thankful for anything your church is willing to help us with.” Ty glanced at the others. “That goes for all of you. The Haven is only going to work if we get community support. Then people will see we are only trying to help. Hopefully that will allay any suspicions that are out there.”
“That sounds like you have problems.” Cassidy frowned at him.
“Some local kids have made a few threats. Nothing we can’t handle.” Ty hoped that was true.
“You’re welcome to join us at our church if you like, Ty. First Street Community Church isn’t big, but it’s all heart. We would welcome you anytime.”
Since Ty had been thinking about finding a permanent church home for himself and Jack since they’d moved, he listened to Davis’s directions.
“If I can persuade my nephew, you might just see us there on Sunday. And you must feel free to come here anytime—all of you. As soon as I get a coffeepot working there will be a cup for you whenever you like.”
“Thanks.”
Each man shook Ty’s hand, teased Cassidy, then clambered up the steps. Except for Davis. He lingered behind while the others called for Cassidy and Mac to come and see something on the big black truck they’d arrived in. She gave the two of them a speculative look before following the others outside.
Ty walked up the stairs beside Davis wondering what the other man was struggling to say.
“So you and Cassidy are both chefs,” he prodded. “That’s interesting.”
“Technically I’m a chef, but I’m not in Cassidy’s league.” The big man shrugged. “She’s won about every award they give, made her mark with the best in the business. She could work anywhere and they’d be more than happy to have her.”
“Yet she chose to come back to Chicago.” Ty wanted to hear more about Cassidy Preston. Particularly why she was so adamant about not overstaying her six-month term.
“She always had big plans for her future.”
Something in Davis’s voice made Ty pause just outside the door, while they were still out of earshot of the others.
“You don’t think her future is why she came back?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Ty met his look, smiled faintly. “You didn’t have to.”
“Psychologist, huh?” Davis shook his head. “I’ll have to watch it.”
“You going to hang around here all afternoon, Davis?” Hart bellowed. “Or do you want help unloading that stuff?”
“I want help, of course. Think the Haven might get a few bucks for the metal if we take it over to that friend of yours?”
“Why not?”
Moments later the men and the old equipment had disappeared down the snowy street.
“Not a bad morning’s work,” Cassidy said as she turned to go back inside.
Ty grasped her arm. “Wait a minute.”
She glanced at his hand, eyes steely as she waited for him to release her. Then she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Yes?”
“It’s past noon,” he said, checking his watch. “I’m hungry.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, have a nice lunch.”
Ty stepped in front of the door so she couldn’t go inside. She lifted her perfectly arched eyebrows to glare at him. “Excuse me?”
He laughed.
“I can see I’m going to have to practice my communication skills. That was supposed to have been an invitation for lunch. I’m buying. As a thank-you,” he explained. “Getting that equipment, bringing those men here, listening to their offers to help—if they pan out, the place will have taken a giant leap forward. Thanks to you.”
“You’re welcome.” It was a duty response carrying little emotion.
Ty tried again.
“So what do you say we take a break over lunch and you can tell me what other things you see happening at the Haven?”
For the first time since Ty had met her, Cassidy Preston was speechless.
He waited, shuffling from one foot to the other until, exasperated by her lack of response, he burst out, “I’d appreciate a decision soon. I do have some work to do this afternoon.”
Her laughter bounced off the building and down the street.
“I think, counselor, that you need a refresher in patience.”
“What I need is an answer. Lunch?”
She studied him for a few moments, her expression unreadable. He was about to give up when she nodded, once.