A Valentine for Kayla (15 page)

Kayla's eyes widened. Derek grasped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “How is it the buildings are still standing?”

“You mean why didn't the explosion knock out the whole block?” the chief asked.

He nodded.

“It wasn't a huge explosion. The damage is mostly from the fire that quickly spread along the rooftops.”

“Which probably destroyed our inventory and our appliances,” Jill said.

Derek had never heard Kayla's business partner sound so down. She was always such an upbeat, positive force. It spoke volumes to what Kayla was probably feeling.

“Thank you, Chief,” Kayla said.

He nodded and strode across the street.

Jill wrung her hands. “What are we going to do? That store is my life.”

Kayla released his hand and pulled her friend into a hug. “We'll figure this out together. At least we have insurance.” She stepped back and looked from Jill to him. “For now I suggest we go home and get a good night's sleep because we'll have a full day tomorrow.”

Jill nodded. “I suppose I should call Charlie and tell him not to come to work in the morning.”

“Why? We'll need his muscle,” Kayla said. “Don't worry—everything will be okay.”

Jill scowled but didn't argue as she ambled in the opposite direction of where he had parked.

“I'm impressed with how well you are handling this, Kayla. You're stronger than I realized. If you'd like, I could organize a group from the church to help with cleanup.”

Kayla's eyes widened and she turned her head to the side. “Thanks for the offer. I'll take all the help we can get. Where are you parked?”

He pointed.

“I'm headed that way, too.”

He couldn't stop the grin that spread over his face when she looped her hand through his arm. “This is a nightmare, but I know if the town pulls together, we can have this area cleaned up before the festival in three-and-a-half weeks.”

“Oh, man, I forgot about that.”

“I didn't. We'll have to work hard and fast, but I'm sure we can pull it off.” She stopped beside her car and released his arm. “Thanks for coming down here.”

“Sure. When my mom got the call about what happened, all I could think about was your shop. I'm really glad it's not worse.”

“Me, too.” Although she had seemed confident they'd be able to fix everything and that the town would be ready for the festival, her eyes told another story.

“Hey.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever you need, just ask.”

She bit her bottom lip. “I could use a big hug.”

His heart melted as he pulled her close. She clung to him. How long they stood like that, he didn't know, but eventually she released her hold and stepped back.

“Thanks. I'll call you tomorrow.” She slid into her car, backed out and drove off.

He watched until her taillights disappeared. Now more than ever he knew he belonged in this town pursuing his original dream of leading worship and ministering to the townspeople. A year ago if someone had told him he'd be living in his mother's guest cottage, in a town he'd never laid eyes on, employed as a music pastor and falling head over heels in love with the girl next door, he'd have laughed. Things sure had changed.

He drove back to his mom's place, but rather than head inside, he headed toward the barn and his music studio. Before he got halfway, an all-too-familiar voice stopped him.

“How's your friends' business?” Estelle stepped off the front porch and walked over to him.

“We don't know yet, but it sounds like it may only be water damage on the inside.”

“Good. Do you think we could talk now?”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I suppose, but let's go inside. It's cold tonight.”

“Maybe we could chat in the barn. I'd rather talk in private.”

He glanced toward the house, then to Estelle. “Is everything okay with my mom?”

“She's fine. She's a tough woman. I don't think her recent fall had any effect on her, other than to annoy her. She still gets a scowl on her face when she brings up that last hospital visit.”

“I know. She may never let me live that down. But I had to make sure she wasn't hurt. Maybe I'm being overprotective because of her stroke.” He shrugged.

“Talk about things being reversed. The parents are supposed to be the overprotective ones.”

“Yeah.” He liked this side of Estelle. It reminded him of the good times they'd once shared. He slid the barn door open, then unlocked the door to his studio and flipped on the light. “This is the most comfortable space in the barn.”

She looked around and sat on his stool in the center of the room. “It's pretty basic, but it looks like all the necessities are here.”

“Thanks. What is it you would like to talk about?” He pulled the chair out from behind the soundboard and sat.

“Your mom has been sharing her faith with me, and I wanted to let you know that I finally understand what's going on with you.”

“Oh?”

She chuckled. “Not the answer I expected, but that's okay.” She took a deep breath and let it out in a rush of air. “The thing is, I can't go back to LA without you.”

“Of course you can. Just get in your car and drive.” He softened his words with a half smile.

She shook her head. “You don't understand. Jerry paid me a good deal of money to come here and bring you back. It was my job to talk you into returning to your singing career.” She laughed drily. “You must make him a boatload of money.”

If this hadn't been Estelle, and if he hadn't been aware of what she was capable of, he'd have laughed at her claim, but it held a note of truth. “Give the money back and be done with him.” He made Jerry more money than any of his other clients, so he understood why he'd try to get him to return to singing, but to pay Estelle to get him? It felt off. What was really going on?

“You forget he's
my
manager, too. He's well-known in the industry, and I need him.” She looked down and lowered her voice. “The scripts aren't flowing in like they used to.”

He blinked. Estelle couldn't land a movie role? She was beautiful and talented. It didn't make sense for an A-list actress like Estelle. Then again, maybe she wasn't on the A-list anymore. It was hard to stay on top with so many willing to do whatever it took to get ahead. Music was his thing, not following who was hot in Hollywood, but now that he thought about it, she'd spent a lot of time volunteering at the children's theater.

He shook his head. “Work may have slowed for you, but trust me, Jerry needs you. His client list has dropped dramatically over the past couple of years. He needs us to fund his lifestyle. Whatever he paid you was a morsel of what he expects to earn in return.”

She shook her head. “You don't understand. If I don't do this, he's going to spread lies about me that will keep me unemployed for years, if not forever, in Hollywood.”

“That's blackmail. Why would he do that? It wouldn't help him at all if what you say is true.” Anger toward his manager boiled. He'd been irritated with Jerry before for telling Estelle where to find him, but now he was downright furious.

She raised a brow. “I already told you, I'm not working. Didn't you think it's strange that I haven't filmed a movie in two years? That flop was the last movie I worked on.” She blushed. “I used you to stay in the spotlight, hoping that your success would rub off on my career.”

“But then I saw you with Vince.” A producer she must have hoped would find her a spot in an upcoming movie. He shouldn't have been so surprised by her betrayal, but it had hurt.

“Right. And I'm very sorry for using you. I'm sorry for everything, but if Jerry follows through with his threat, I'm finished in Hollywood.” She looked at him with glassy eyes. “Maybe I should leave like you did. I'm actually quite the gourmet. I could open my own restaurant.”

“I didn't realize you were a cook.”

She nodded. “Actually, that's another thing I wanted to talk with you about. I feel horrible about the way I've behaved when your girlfriend is around, and I'd like to make it up to both of you.”

“What's the catch?”

“No catch. Your mom's been talking to me a lot about eternity. She actually asked me if God were to say to me today, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?' what would I say?” She shrugged. “I had to tell her He shouldn't. It felt awful to admit that, but your mom led me to Jesus and now I know where I will spend eternity. She told me to pray and to trust God about Jerry, and everything would work out, but I'm scared. This trusting-God business is very hard.”

He stilled, only mildly shocked since his mom had said she was sharing the Lord with Estelle. A smile touched his lips and his anger at Jerry simmered down. Estelle was a new Christian! “Trusting Him is an act of faith that can be difficult. But you made a great decision and my mom is right. God will help us with this blackmail situation.”

“Us?” She raised a delicate brow.

“That's right. Together we're going to bring him to justice. I know someone in the FBI who may be able to help. Let me give him a call and see what he says. And if you're serious about making things up to me, I have a request.” He shared his plan, and she eagerly agreed.

Her shoulders visibly relaxed, and for the first time in a very long time a genuine smile lit her face. “This is going to be fun. Thanks, Derek.” She slipped from the room with a bounce in her step.

He rested his head in his hands. What was he going to do? Kayla needed him here, but Jerry couldn't be allowed to get away with this. He pulled his cell from his pocket, looked up his FBI friend's number and called.

* * *

Silent tears flowed down Jill's cheeks, and Charlie patted her back with a look of helplessness on his face. Kayla turned from the scene and decided the best way to tackle this mess was one section at a time. Their insurance agent, who had left a few minutes ago, had said it was fine to clean the store.

Their landlord was working on finding a contractor to gut the place, then redo the inside, replace the roof and install a new plate-glass storefront window. Hopefully, all the work would get done quickly so they could reopen as soon as possible. At least the building was determined to be structurally sound, so that would help speed things along.

“Good morning!” Derek walked in carrying a cup tray with four large cups. “I brought coffee.” He handed one to each of them, then took the last one for himself.

Kayla sipped hers and her eyes widened. “This is a mocha.”

“I thought you would enjoy a treat.”

She nodded. “Thanks.” She filled him in on everything, then asked about the help he'd promised.

“We were lucky this is a Saturday. The cleaning brigade will be here soon.”

“Seriously?” Her voice hitched. “That's wonderful news.”

He grinned, then brushed his lips against her forehead. “I promised you help. I always keep my promises.”

Kayla's insides tingled, not only from his tender kiss but from his encouraging words. This man was full of surprises.

Derek pushed up his sleeves and got to work tossing soaked, scorched and melted merchandise into large trash bags. Kayla worked alongside Derek, amazed that he would dig into the muck and mire that filled their store.

She stood and stretched like a cat, her attention riveted on the man beside her. His T-shirt strained against the muscles in his back as he hoisted a large black trash bag over his shoulder. He winked as he passed. Her stomach fluttered as if a hundred butterflies occupied it. There was no denying it—the man held a special place in her heart.

Six hours later, sweaty and more tired than she'd ever been, Kayla stood in the middle of Flowers and More and smiled. The space was now ready for construction.

“Thanks to all of you, we did it! Jill and I never could have done this on our own. We're grateful to each of you.”

Her friends, some old and some new, cheered and clapped, then slowly filed out the front door.

Derek sidled up beside her. “Pretty soon the place will look brand-new, and you'll have a fresh start.”

Kayla turned to face him. “A fresh start. Hmm. I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too. How about you and I clean up, then head out for a nice dinner?”

Kayla's pulse picked up. “Yes, I'd like to have dinner with you. Give me an hour?”

“You got it. I'll pick you up at six.”

She watched as he stepped out the front door.

“He's perfect,” Jill sighed. “You better not mess things up with him. I think he's the one.”

Kayla looked over her shoulder at her delirious friend and laughed. “No one is perfect, but he is pretty cool. As far as being the one? We'll see.”

Charlie pushed through the swinging door from the back room. “The roofers are taking off. I have to hand it to your landlord, not only did he secure a crew in short order, but there are so many of them the job will be finished in no time.”

Kayla shouldered her purse. “Yeah, he's pretty impressive. Being back in business before the festival is looking more like a possibility. Will the two of you lock up? I have a hot date.”

Jill waved her away. “We've got this. Have fun.”

Kayla rushed from the shop. She didn't have much time to shower and get ready for her date, and she wanted to look her best.

Forty-five minutes later her doorbell pealed. She charged down the stairs, not wanting to keep Derek waiting. She'd chosen a long white skirt with a red blouse and red ballet flats. The ensemble made her feel pretty, which was exactly what she'd been going for.

She pulled open the door and grinned. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” Derek's eyes held appreciation. “You ready?”