“We came to get everything on your list,” Tyler called out. He flashed the sheet of paper as the group walked back toward Nick.
Her long brown tresses hung straight to the middle of her back. She quickly tucked a stray strand behind her ear. “I thought you’d stop by after your ice cream. That’s why I came.”
“You did?” Nick couldn’t imagine why she’d want to see him, especially after he’d surprised her earlier at the school. It was obvious she wasn’t thrilled to have him back or that she’d be teaching his children. Who could blame her? As far as she knew, he’d never tried to make contact after his father moved their family. But he had. She just didn’t know because, unbeknownst to him at the time, his letters had never been mailed. More than anything, he’d wanted to call Joy and explain, but his father didn’t want anyone in Whispering Slopes to know their dark secret. Although almost a man, Nick had been torn between his loyalty to his family and his hometown sweetheart. But earlier today, Joy had been a professional and kept her emotions in check in front of Mr. Jacobson. Now, when she looked in his direction, her brow arched, making her look tenser than earlier...if that were possible.
She reached into her camel tote bag and pulled out two red mittens.
“My mittens.” Jordan gave a questioning look. “Why do you have them?” He reached inside of his coat pockets.
“I found them on the floor of the coat closet in my classroom.”
Nick noticed the tears in his son’s eyes. “Are you okay, buddy?”
Jordan’s hand shook as he reached for the mittens. “My mommy made these for me,” he sniffled. “I’d be sad if I evuh lost them.”
“How did you know they belonged to Jordan?” Nick asked, but then he remembered.
“His name is sewn on the inside of each one.” Joy looked down at Jordan and smiled. “Obviously your mommy was smart. She knew how easy it is to lose track of these.”
Was. The boys had told Joy about their mother.
Jordan slipped his tiny hands inside each mitten. “I’ll nevuh forget them again. I pwomise.”
Nick rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know you won’t, Jordan.” Although the boy had almost outgrown the garments, Nick knew how special they were to him.
“Let’s go check out the candy aisle, Jor!” Tyler motioned for his brother.
Jordan turned to Joy. “Thank you, Miss Kellihuh. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost these.” He gave his teacher a quick hug around the waist and took off toward the treats.
Nick’s heart squeezed as he turned to Joy. “Thank you for making a trip over here.”
Her smile was warm. “It’s on my way home. Besides, we can’t have his little fingers freezing. It can get really cold here, especially in the morning when they’re headed off for school.”
She seemed nervous. He remembered how she used to blink her eyes repeatedly when she was in an uncomfortable situation. “That’s thoughtful of you. Speaking of... The boys told me how you helped them get over their first-day-of-school jitters. I appreciate that,” he said with hopes of making their encounter a little more comfortable.
“It goes with the territory of being a teacher.”
“You’re obviously great with children.” He glanced at her ring finger, wondering if she’d gotten married, but it was bare. Still, he couldn’t help but ask, “No doubt you have several of your own by now?”
He watched as her shoulders stiffened and both brows crinkled.
“I’m sorry... That was rude,” he stuttered.
Joy’s gaze turned to the boys before looking back in his direction. “So, how are your parents?”
Heat prickled up the back of his neck. Now it was his turn to be uncomfortable. There was so much he wanted to tell her—needed to tell her. The reason for his sudden departure...and then the silence on his end. She deserved an explanation, but this wasn’t the place. Of course, he wondered if there would ever be the right time or place to tell her. How could he explain how quickly he’d moved on with a new life? “They’ve both passed on.” Nick swallowed hard, in need of a glass of water.
“I’m sorry to hear that—really, I am.” She placed her hand on his forearm.
Nick recalled his mother’s agonizing death. She’d fought a long battle with her addiction to painkillers—pills that her doctors handed out like candy following her back injury.
The cuckoo clock hanging behind the counter sounded.
“It was a rough period in my life—those years after my family left.” After his mother passed, it got even worse. Watching his father turn to alcohol to mask the pain of losing his partner had been overwhelming for Nick, but it made him realize he had to grow up fast.
“I suppose you have some peace knowing your parents are together with the Lord,” she said softly.
That was exactly what had carried him through the most difficult time of his life. Watching his father turn into someone he no longer knew was hard, but then the cancer was discovered in his father’s pancreas. It took him fast. He didn’t suffer, so that was a blessing. “You’re right. My parents are together again.”
Following a moment of silence, the twins ran toward the adults.
“Can we go back to the hotel, Daddy? I want to go swimming,” Tyler pleaded.
“Hotel?” Joy looked at Nick with an arched brow.
“Yeah, we get to live in a hotel with room service and everything. They even have an indoor pool,” Tyler said.
Nick turned at the sound of footsteps pecking across the hardwood floor.
“You can’t raise these boys in a hotel,” an elderly woman stated.
Sporting the same tight perm, although now snow-white, she looked exactly how he remembered. His heart warmed at the sight of the woman who’d watched him grow up. “Mrs. Buser, it’s so nice to see you.” He strolled toward her and hugged her tight.
She took a step back, gripping his arms. “Nick Capello, I knew you’d come back one day.” Glancing at the twins, she smiled then returned her attention to him. “Why are you and these cute youngins living in a hotel?”
Joy watched with her arms folded.
“It’s only temporary—until our furniture arrives.” The moving company had called the day he and the boys were leaving Chicago. They’d promised to have the delivery here in twenty-four hours... That was two days ago. Apparently a bad snowstorm had caused the delay. He made a mental note to call once they were back at the hotel. “I’m sorry—how rude of me. These are my sons, Tyler and Jordan.”
The freckled twins smiled at Mrs. Buser. “We like living in the hotel... We don’t have to make up the bed.” Jordan giggled as his cheeks flushed.
The adults broke out in laughter.
“Come to think of it, I could use a week or two in a hotel.” The elderly woman tightened the strings on her apron. “Ever since my dear husband passed, I haven’t had a moment’s rest. But really, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“You should hire some help, Mrs. Buser. At least you could take a day off now and then.” Joy voiced her concern.
“I rest on the day of the Lord—that’s enough. Besides, running this place has been one of my greatest joys.” She glanced at Nick and then Joy. “Seeing the two of you growing up and then falling in love—”
Nick looked toward the boys, relieved to see they had wandered over to the snack aisle.
The elderly woman’s