Lakeside Hero (Men Of Millbrook Lake Book 1) (15 page)

Chapter Twenty

A
lec went through the motions of getting ready for the fund-raising event, but his heart wasn’t really cooperating with all the business decisions his head kept telling him he needed to take care of.

“Where do you want these tables?”

Alec turned to find a delivery man from the events company standing there with a clipboard.

“Tables.” Alec looked out over the vast empty space that would soon be active with people. “Line them up over near the big windows.”

The man nodded and scribbled on his pad. “And the serving tables? For the food?”

Thoughts of Marla invaded Alec’s mind, filling him with such a bittersweet pain that he had to clear his throat. “Why don’t you place them underneath the area by the reception desk.” He pointed to the bright red counter the workmen had finished a few days ago. “Leave room for the servers to stand behind the tables, please.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man went off to take care of his business while Alec stood here dreading the rest of the day.

“You won’t get much done standing there staring out the window.”

He turned to find Rory Sanderson coming across the room. “Hi.”

“Wow, what an enthusiastic hello.”

Alec shot his friend a weak smile. “Sorry. Got a lot on my mind.”

Rory nodded, his hands on his hips. “Yep, I reckon you do. Missed you at church last Sunday.”

“Sorry. I was...tired.”

“And you didn’t make it to the Wednesday lunch, either.”

Alec rubbed a hand down his face. “What day is it, anyway?”

“Okay, that’s it. You and me are out of here.”

“I don’t have time—”

“Nonsense. Take off that tie and come with me. Preacher’s orders.”

“We’re not on base anymore, Rory.”

“No. We’re on God’s time and God wants you to take a break.”

Alec decided he’d waste more time arguing with Preacher than just giving in and getting this pep talk over with. “All right, already. Let me call my assistant.”

“I’ll be outside,” Rory said.

Alec let everyone know he was leaving for lunch, then loosened his tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves. When he got outside, he saw Blain’s Jeep. With Blain, Preacher and even Hunter waiting. Roxie was sitting with Rory and him on the backseat.

“What’s going on?” he asked, frowning.

“An intervention,” Blain said from the driver’s seat.

Alec reluctantly hopped in next to Blain. “I can’t spend all day letting all of you
intervene
on me. I don’t need this and I have a lot to do before the gala this weekend.”

“It’ll get done, man,” Blain said. “Look at that sky. As blue as my ex-girlfriend’s eyes.”

“And way more calm,” Rory offered.

Lawson grunted and scratched Roxie’s fluffy little white-haired head.

“Where are we going?” Alec asked, remembering Marla had asked him that same thing last weekend. He hadn’t talked to her since their ill-fated picnic. His new assistant was taking care of all the details of the gala.

“Burgers,” Rory said. “We need us some big, juicy burgers.”

“It’s always about food.” Alec hit his hand against the dashboard. “We meet and eat, and that’s supposed to make everything great. Well, it doesn’t.” Not even a cupcake could fix his bad mood.

“Bayside Burgers,” Blain said with a grin.

Bayside Burgers. An old shack of a restaurant out past the lake on the big water. The place had survived storms and floods and too many spring break partiers. Alec didn’t miss the implied message. Survival. They’d all survived war and death and chaos.

Surely he could survive this?

Alec finally smiled and gave in. “Well, now, that’s a different matter.” He’d listen to his friends but he wasn’t sure what more he could do to win over Marla.

Blain shifted gears as they headed out of town.

* * *

Marla glared at the burned loaf of strawberry bread that sat smoking on the big stainless-steel counter. “How could I let this happen?” she mumbled to herself. “Mrs. Philpott needed this for her circle meeting tonight.”

“You’re distracted,” Brandy said.

“I’m busy,” Marla replied, wondering how Brandy always heard everything, even things she hadn’t really voiced.

“You should have said yes to the dress.”

“Excuse me?”

“You should have said yes to Dreamy McMarine.” Brandy lifted the bread and put it out of sight. “You know, new dress, new shoes, new man in your life. Every woman’s dream, all in one night.”

“We’ve had this discussion,” Marla replied, her body and soul so zapped she wanted to sit in a corner and cry. But she didn’t have that luxury. She had to finish the cookies and cakes and everything else she’d promised to deliver to the Caldwell Canines facility on Saturday afternoon. Two days away and she was still scrambling to get things done.

“We’ve had this discussion, yes,” Brandy said. “And you know we’ll get everything done. We have all of the cupcakes baked and we’ll ice them Saturday morning. The little Bundt cakes are done and ready to serve. The adorable doggy cookies are baking right now and we’ll ice them later today when our part-timers get here. So all you need to worry about is your dress, your shoes and letting me do your hair and makeup.”

“I’m not going,” Marla retorted, agitation making her snap. “I have to make more strawberry bread.”

Brandy let out a long-suffering sigh. “I don’t get it.”

“It’s not yours to get,” Marla said. “I have my reasons.”

“I still don’t get it.”

Brandy pranced off before Marla could tell her to leave her alone. Her young assistant meant well—as did her mother and her father and just about anyone else who’d asked her if she would be attending the big event.

No, she wouldn’t. She couldn’t. She’d decided she’d have to give up on having a future with Alec Caldwell. Some things weren’t meant to be. Her own doubts and fears were holding her back. But her heart screamed at her to go for it. To take a chance. She’d fallen in love with Alec, but that didn’t necessarily mean she could have a life with him. And her prayers seemed superficial compared to what Alec had been through and what the people he wanted to help had suffered.

I just need to get over myself and get on with my work
.

When the bell chime on the shop’s front door jingled, Marla glanced up. Hattie Marshall walked in, a double strand of pearls glistening around her neck.

“Hello, Marla,” Aunt Hattie said from across the counter. “How are you today?”

“I’m okay. It’s good to see you.”
And how is Alec and does he know that I love him?
“How can I help you, Miss Hattie?”

Aunt Hattie gave her a patient smile. “Well, you can start out by telling me why you’re stalling out on my Alec.”

Marla glanced at Brandy. The girl made a beeline for the back of the building. No help there. So she turned back to Aunt Hattie. “It’s a long story.”

“Give me the short version, dear.”

Marla came around the counter, glad that no one else was waiting out front. “Let’s sit a minute.”

Hattie Marshall swept into a chair, her silk tunic rustling against her white capris. “He’s in love with you.”

Marla’s stomach churned. Aunt Hattie sure was direct, in spite of being so polite. “I wasn’t aware—”

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” Aunt Hattie continued. “You have to be aware, Marla. I mean, the boy mopes around like one of his puppy dogs. I’ve never seen Alec like this. He’s got it bad and he’s hurting.”

“I know,” Marla said, her throat tightening. She would not break down in front of Alec’s aunt. “I know and I care about him but I have Gabby to consider and I’m so afraid I’ll fail at everything.”

Aunt Hattie waved her hand in the air, her gold and silver bangles moving in a line up her arm. “Honey, if you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll miss all the fun in life. My sister did that, and she died alone and miserable. You have too much life left in you to give up at such a young age.”

“Good point.” Marla bit her lip. “I hurt him. The truth is, I wanted to go with him to his fancy event but...I chickened out.”

Aunt Hattie stood. “I took you to be full of courage. Fearless, I think. I’m not here to change your mind, but I hope you’ll reconsider. It’s just a couple of hours and he wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t want you there with him.” Aunt Hattie’s gaze moved around the shop and then settled back on Marla. “If you don’t do this, you’ll wonder for a long time about what might have been. And that’s a whole lot of wondering, darlin’.”

Marla lifted off the wrought-iron chair. “I understand. Thank you for caring enough to come by.”

Aunt Hattie patted Marla’s hand. “I want
you
to care enough to consider my words very carefully, Marla. If you change your mind, come by and see me. Believe it or not, I used to be just about your size. I have several formal gowns going to waste in my closet. We’ll find one for you.” Then she smiled and waltzed over to the counter. “And I’ll take an éclair for the road, please.”

* * *

Friday came and went.

Marla and her staff, along with her mother, got the cupcakes iced and the cookies decorated.

Saturday morning found them all back at the shop doing last-minute things. Her dad even came to help load up the various containers and give her moral support.

Gabby read books and colored pictures in the office, where Marla could see her. Her daughter seemed happier these days, more carefree and trusting.

Marla wanted to feel the same way. Was she sabotaging her own happiness because she was just too afraid to take another chance?

She pushed away her hurt and instead went over the checklist of goodies.

“Bone of Confection.”

Brandy pointed to three dozen cream-dressed cupcakes with tiny little doggy bone candies on top.

“In the Doghouse Dutch Chocolate.”

“Right here, all three dozen.”

“Shelter Me Chiffon Cream.”

“Another three dozen.”

“Puppy Chow Dark Chocolate.”

“Five dozen.”

And so it went. They had enough confections to feed the whole town.

Around three in the afternoon, they were finally done counting and sorting and Marla was ready to load everything into the van and make the delivery—something she dreaded doing.

Busy with directing the assembly line to her van, she felt a tug on her leg. “Mommy?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“I drew you a picture.”

Marla leaned down to take the heavy white piece of paper. “Thanks. How about I look at it later.”

Gabby’s bottom lip jutted out. “No, right now, Mommy.”

“Okay.” Marla still held the paper, but she took the time to look at the picture. With a gasp, she fell to her knees in front of Gabby. “Honey, this is so sweet.”

The picture showed a little girl and a woman, holding hands. Next to them, there was a dark-haired man holding a puppy.

Gabby bobbed her head. “That’s you and me. And that’s Mr. Alec and the puppy he’s bringing us.”

Tears filled Marla’s eyes. “I love it,” she said. “Maybe one day, you can meet Alec.”

Gabby grinned and twirled. “Memaw says he’s having a big party tonight. Are you going?”

“No,” Marla said, her heart crumbling like a cookie. “I want to stay home with you.”

“We could both go,” Gabby suggested. “Like Cinderella and Belle, together.”

Marla’s breath caught in her throat. “Honey, this is going to be a big party with lots of people there. Men and women.”

“And little girls in pretty dresses?”

That princess gene always trickled down, Marla thought.

“I don’t know if this is a good party for little girls, honey.”

Mom came up, her smile full of understanding. “You know what, I think your mom should go to the party and then maybe, just maybe, if you want to go and see her there, Papaw and I can bring you by for just a little while.”

“If I get scared, you’d take me home?”

“Yes. If you don’t like being there, we’ll bring you home. I promise.”

Gabby looked up at Marla. “Can I see my puppy if I go?”

Marla’s heart did a frantic leap. She stared up at her mother. “Mom...?”

“Honey, she’s asking this, not me. I think it’s time.”

“But all those people?”

“What if we let her meet Alec and the puppy in a private spot?”

Marla stood, tears forming in her eyes. “Mom, I’m so afraid. I don’t want her to be hurt ever again.”

Mom reached for Marla and whispered in her ear, “And I don’t want my little girl to be hurt ever again. But I can’t hold you back. Don’t hold Gabby back, okay?”

Marla nodded and then she started laughing. “I can’t just show up, can I?”

“You are an invited guest,” Mom said. “But you do need to start getting ready. You don’t have long.”

Marla held a hand up. “What about all of this?”

Gabby had been hanging on every word. “I’ll help, Mommy.”

Dad and Brandy and the whole staff all gathered around. “We’ll get everything delivered,” he said. “We’re all old pros at this stuff.”

Brandy nodded, her eyes misty. “You need to call Miss Hattie. Find a dress and I’ll meet you back here to get your hair and makeup done.”

Mom laughed and tugged at Marla’s apron. “And Gabby and I will help get you ready, right?”

Gabby bobbed her head. “In a princess dress.”

Dad cleared his throat. “What am I supposed to do?”

Mom took charge. “Order a pizza—and you can drive Cinderella to the ball.”

“And I get to come later, right?” Gabby asked, her dark eyes bright with hope.

“Yes,” Marla said, her heart sure now. “Yes. I want you to meet Alec tonight and I know you’ll like him as much as I do.”

“And my puppy, too,” Gabby reminded her.

Marla almost backed out. “Mom, have we enticed her too much with the promise of a puppy?”

“We’re taking the next step,” Mom said. “If she can tolerate Dipsey’s Irish banter, this girl can tolerate anything.”

Marla prayed that she’d made the right decision. Her future—and Gabby’s—depended on it.

Chapter Twenty-One

A
lec mingled with his guests, the knot in his tuxedo bow tie straining at his neck. Rory was here, smiling and talking to everyone. Blain was working the crowd both as security and as a guest. No sign of Hunter— but then, Hunter didn’t do well in crowds. People kept coming through the door and Alec kept glancing at each of them, hoping beyond hope that one special person would appear.

But he supposed that kind of hope only happened in fairy tales. So he focused on what was taking place tonight.

His dream had finally come true. Soft music played as he greeted the crowds. The team of volunteers Aunt Hattie had corralled to help decorate had outdone themselves. Posters of service dogs with their humans were displayed along the walls and across the big windows, while out in the training yard near the kennels, several owners answered questions and gave demonstrations with their trained dogs. Glittering ribbons in red, white and blue curled and twisted over the posters and a big banner announcing the Alexander and Vivian Caldwell Service Dog Association Training Facility hung across the balcony leading to the offices upstairs. The tables were decorated with glittery colored papers over the white tableclothes, and bouquets of red and white carnations in blue vases festooned with red bows, sat in the center of each table.

And the food.

Shrimp and crab dip, corn fritters, catfish fingers and a variety of other appetizers filled several of the serving stations. But the one that stood out and had everyone talking was the dessert table.

Marla and her staff had certainly worked hard to capture the fun behind this night. And the purpose.

Alec wanted her here, wanted her to be a part of the celebration. Wanted her with him for the rest of his life. He’d hoped to see her when she delivered everything this afternoon, but when her father and a few helpers had shown up, Alec’s heart had sunk. It was over. Her dad’s somber expression had proved that. Now the night wore on and with each ticking second that went by, his heart sank.

Marla didn’t want him in her life.

He felt a gentle tug on his arm. Aunt Hattie stood with a sweet smile on her ruby-red lips. Wearing a flowing caftan in an off-white color, she looked every bit the society dame.

“Hello, beautiful,” Alec said, giving her a hug.

“Hello, yourself,” she replied, her eyes sparkling. “I just visited the kennels out back. So many wonderful animals.” Her smile held a hint of mischief. “I had hoped to see a puppy or two out there.”

“Do you want to adopt a puppy?” he asked, his hand on her arm.

“Oh, no. Angus is quite enough for me. He’s my best buddy.”

“Mine, too,” Alec said. “You’re fashionably late. It’s about time to do the obligatory announcements and acknowledgements.” He pointed to where a podium had been placed near the jazz ensemble. “Care to join me in the spotlight?”

“Oh, no. You go ahead,” she said. “I’m waiting for Delton.” She craned her neck and waved to people.

Thinking he was too exhausted for his own good, Alec wondered why his aunt was acting so strange tonight. Maybe she was tired, too. She’d been out taking some clothes to “a person in need” earlier.

Alec gave her a quick kiss and then headed to the podium. His assistant alerted the band to wind down the music and Alec stepped up to the waiting mic, his leg wound throbbing a silent protest. After the music ended and the crowd’s chatter died down to a soft whisper, he tapped the mic.

“I’m Alec Caldwell,” he began. “I’d like to thank you all for coming here tonight to help us raise continued funding for our new service dog training facility.” He pointed to the banner hanging on the landing. “I won’t repeat that rather long name, but I do want to recognize my parents, Alexander and Vivian Caldwell. I’m blessed to have inherited the fruits of my family’s labors and my mother left me precise instructions to do
good
with the Caldwell Foundation. This project is my first attempt to do that. With the opening of this facility, we can not only train service dogs, but we can also place them with deserving humans—and, well, train the humans, too.”

Everyone laughed and applauded. He went on to thank everyone again, to name names of board members and sponsors and to invite everyone out to the kennels to meet some of the animals they’d already been working with.

He finished and cued the band to start back up. Then he turned to find something cool to drink. Relief that he’d made it through that speech made him relax but his heart was still heavy.

Because one person was missing.

He was headed toward the kennels when Annabelle rushed up and hugged him. “Alec, this is the best party ever.”

Alec held her at arm’s length and took in her heavy mascara and white-blond hair. Annabelle wore a provocative red dress and her ever-present cloying perfume.

“Thanks,” he said, carefully extracting himself from her grip. “I’m glad you came.”

When the music started back up, he watched as the crowd began to part, thinking everyone wanted to dance. But a woman coming through the crowd caught his eye.

Not just any woman. Marla.

“Alec, dance with me,” Annabelle said, her hand reaching for him.

“No, thanks,” he said. “Excuse me.”

Without looking back, he started toward Marla, his heart so full he thought he might not ever be able to breathe again. She wore a deep blue dress that flared at the waist in layers of some sort of soft flowing material. Her hair shined in a red-gold halo that was caught up against her neck in a twisted chignon. She wore simple pearls on her ears and around her neck.

Alec walked toward her and accepted that he was in love with her. And she was here. She’d come to him.

* * *

Marla almost bolted when she saw Alec with that same blonde again. But she told herself to keep walking toward him, not away from him. She had to do this, here, tonight, before she lost her courage. She had to have faith that he wanted her and not the blonde, that Gabby was smarter and stronger than Marla had given her credit for, and that God had a plan in all of their lives.

The dress her mom and Miss Hattie had altered to fit her seemed to lift and float in a cloud of taffeta and chiffon as she moved through the crowded room. The black pumps her mother had loaned her sparkled across the vamps with two matching sapphire clips Brandy secured from a boutique next door to the shop. And she wore her own pearls—a precious gift from her late husband.

I feel like Cinderella
, she thought, as her gaze caught Alec’s and stayed there. She didn’t want this to end at midnight, however. She wanted to be simple, plain Marla who loved handsome, heroic Alec. And she wanted to be a good mother to her little girl and own the best bakery in town.

That was what her fairy tale looked like.

Just full of love, pure and simple. Love with Alec and love filled with God’s touch.

Alec met her in the middle of the dance floor as whispers and smiles drifted around them. The music changed tempo and went into a slow, age-old tune. Alec didn’t bother asking Marla to dance. He swept her into his arms and started waltzing her around the dance floor.

“Hello,” he said against her ear.

“Hi.” She smiled up at him. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Better late than never,” he whispered.

They didn’t need any more words, but Marla had so much to say. “Alec—”

“Let’s just dance,” he said. Then he pulled her close and held his cheek to hers in an old-fashioned way that made her love him even more. Alec Caldwell was a true gentleman.

When the dance ended, they were applauded. Alec grinned and took her by the hand. “I need some air.”

“Me, too.”

When they were outside, he tugged her toward the noise of barking dogs. “Let me show you the kennel barn.”

“Before you do that,” she said, “I have a special request.”

He stopped, his hand still in hers. “Yes, I’d love to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

Marla felt a flutter inside her stomach. “Well, there is that.” She smiled up at him. “I’d like to show you how much I love you, too. Forever. But right now I have one very special request.”

“Name it.”

She didn’t want to cry but the tears threatened to spill out of her eyes. “I need a puppy.”

* * *

Alec stopped, a breath caught in his throat. “You mean—?”

“Gabby wants a puppy,” Marla said huskily. “From you.”

“Marla, are you sure?”

“No, but Gabby seems sure. She drew a picture of us. Her and me and you with a puppy. She wants to come to the party to meet you, but we might need to keep her away from the crowd.”

He glanced around, panic sweeping through him. Alec had never been so scared to meet a little girl. “We can meet in the kennel office. It’s big and roomy, with lots of light.”

Marla nodded. “Okay. But we need a puppy.”

“I don’t have any here yet,” he said on a note of regret. “I can arrange to get one.”

Seeing the disappointment in Marla’s eyes, he wished he could have been more prepared. “I don’t think any of the bigger dogs would work. They’re more aggressive.”

“I have a dog.”

They both turned to see Hunter Lawson standing there in the shadows, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt.

“Hunter, hello,” Alec said, surprised to see his friend.

“Hi.” Hunter stalked up and shoved Roxie at Alec. “Just take her, man. I...I think she can help the little girl, like she helped me.”

“Are you sure?” Marla asked, tears streaming down her face.

Hunter nodded. “Yep. Preacher keeps telling me I need to let go of some things. But hey—you know how hard that can be.” He shrugged. “Anyway, I gotta go away for a while. I can’t take Roxie with me and, well, a little bird told me you might know someone who could take her.”

Alec held the little poodle and reached out a hand to Hunter. “You don’t know what this means.”

“Yeah, I kind of do,” Hunter said, shaking Alec’s hand. He glanced at Marla. “Just take good care of her.”

“We will,” Marla said. “You...you can visit her anytime.”

Hunter didn’t speak. He just nodded and backed away, and then he stomped to his motorcycle, cranked it and rode away into the night.

Roxie barked at him and started licking Alec’s face.

While Marla stood there and cried.

* * *

Marla waited outside the long kennel barn, nerves causing her to close her eyes and take a deep breath. Her parents were on their way here with Gabby.

Dear God, let this be right. Let this sweet little dog help my daughter to heal and to accept Alec. Help us to become a family, Lord
.

When she heard a car pull around to the side of the main building, she recognized her daddy’s truck. The doors opened and Gabby hopped out, followed by Mom and Dad.

“Look at me, Mommy,” Gabby called.

She had on a light blue princess dress, her favorite.

“You look so pretty,” Marla said, gathering Gabby close. “Are you ready for this, baby?”

“Uh-huh.” Gabby glanced around. “Where’s Mr. Alec?”

“He’s inside the kennel barn. It’s where they keep the dogs.”

“I hear them barking.”

Gabby reached out a hand to Marla. Marla glanced at her parents.

“Go ahead, honey,” Mom said. “We’ll be right here if you need us.”

Marla took Gabby to the office door, her fears shouting at her to hold back. But that courage Miss Hattie thought she possessed pulled her forward. “You’re not scared, are you, Gabby-bug?”

Gabby looked up at her with trusting eyes. “No. Are you scared, Mommy?”

“Not anymore,” Marla said.

They walked down the short, lighted hallway and into the office. Alec stood there with little Roxie in his arms. He looked as nervous as Marla felt.

Gabby glanced at Marla and then she stared across at Alec.

“Gabby, this is my friend Alec. And this little dog is Roxie. She’s very special and she needs a good friend.”

Gabby smiled shyly. “I can be a good friend.”

Then Marla watched, tears in her eyes, as her daughter let go of her hand and walked toward the man in the tuxedo who was holding a toy poodle.

Alec shot Marla an amazed glance. “Hi, Gabby,” he said, his voice quiet. “This is Roxie. Want to meet her?”

Gabby stopped a couple of feet from him and bobbed her head, her hands clasped against her dress.

Alec bent down and set Roxie on the floor. The little dog ran straight to Gabby. Gabby dropped down with a giggle and let Roxie lick her face. “Look, Mommy. She likes me.”

Marla put a hand to her mouth and cried. When she looked up, she saw tears streaming down Alec’s face, too. They stood there with the little girl and the little poodle between them.

And watched the unconditional love unfolding right in front of their eyes.

November

Marla went into the den at Caldwell House. “Okay, Thanksgiving meal is on the table. Come and get it.”

Her parents and Aunt Hattie, along with her friend Delton, all got up from watching a parade on television and trailed into the formal dining room across the hallway. Gabby and Roxie both came running behind them, with Angus close on their heels. Gabby now had two dogs to make her feel safe.

Alec kissed Marla and laughed. “I like cooking with you. I can’t wait until we make this official.”

Marla glanced at the diamond on her left ring finger. “Well, the flower girl is definitely ready. And so is the bride.”

“So is the favorite aunt,” Aunt Hattie said with a chuckle. “A ceremony at the church and the reception right here in the garden. Perfect.”

“A Christmas wedding,” Alec said while they all settled into their chairs. “Could I be any more blessed?”

“I want more grandchildren,” Mom replied with her own grin. “But until then, yes, we’re all blessed.”

Marla took Alec’s hand and held tight while her dad said grace. They
were
all blessed.

Gabby loved little Roxie and she loved Alec now, too. He’d been careful to let Gabby get used to him, but Roxie had been the bond between them. The little dog protected Gabby with a fierceness that rivaled any bigger dog and she’d taken to her official training as if she knew exactly what was expected of her. Marla could only guess that Roxie had lost someone she loved, too.