Chapter Seven

Jonah didn’t hear a peep from Abby about the committee’s planning meeting. He went anyway.

When he’d met Leo for lunch last week, the mayor had given him the date, time, and location. Though Jonah wasn’t particularly interested in party planning, he was interested in getting to know Abby and his daughter.

The line outside the Engine House Café, an old fire station turned diner, stretched out the door. He spotted Rachel Grabinski, another committee member. They’d been introduced at the party, and he’d since discovered that she and Abby were friends.

Jonah remembered Rachel’s date as pleasant but slick. Instinct told him Marc Koenig was not a man to be trusted.

“Rachel.”

She whirled at the sound of her name, smiled. “Chief Rollins. How nice to see you again.”

“Please, call me Jonah.”

Rachel was an attractive woman if you went for the hot-librarian look. Her dark eyes, behind a pair of tortoise-shell frames, were a startling contrast to her hair, which reminded Jonah of café au lait. Today that cream-colored hair was pulled back from her face with a low clip.

“I hope Abby has reservations.” Rachel glanced down at her phone and checked the time. “My boss is giving me an extra half hour for lunch, but that will go fast if we have to wait.”

“You work at the food bank.”

She smiled, appearing pleased. “You have a good memory.”

“I do.” Sometimes too good, Jonah thought. He remembered every word of his last exchange with Abby back in Springfield when she’d told him to stay the hell away from her. He cocked his head. “Are the restaurants in town always this busy on Wednesday?”

Rachel expelled a breath. “Today is Dine In. The restaurants in this area each come up with a multicourse menu for ten dollars.”

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” Abby hurried up, her gaze focused on Rachel, ignoring him completely.

Nell sauntered up as if hurrying never crossed her mind.

Jonah had been introduced to “Hazel Green” at the party. She was an intriguing woman. Something told him there was more beneath this woman’s surface than she wanted anyone to see.

“Chief.” Nell offered an easy smile.

“Ms. Ambrose.” Jonah inclined his head. “Or should I call you Hazel?”

“Today it’s Nell.”

“Jonah.”

“Now that you two have gotten each other’s names down, we need to discuss our next step.”

Nell merely lifted a brow at Abby’s abrupt tone. “I understood lunch and committee updates were on the agenda.”

“I forgot today was Dine In.” Clearly agitated, Abby blew out a breath. “I didn’t make a reservation. I’m sorry.”

Jonah remembered Abby as the picture of calm, but she wasn’t today. Was it the screwup with the reservation? Or his presence?

Surely, she’d expected him to show up. If for no other reason than he’d been appointed to head the security committee by the mayor.

Used to being in charge and making decisions, Jonah resisted the urge to step in and move things along. Instead, he rocked back on his heels and waited to see how Abby dealt with the situation.

“I’m sure any restaurant downtown will be packed.” Rachel shot Abby an apologetic look. “Things at the food bank are hectic. I promised Tom I’d be back in ninety.”

“Rachel’s right. We aren’t going to find anything in this area.” Nell’s gaze settled on Abby. “Driving somewhere will take time, and Rachel’s ninety-minute lunch hour is already down to eighty.”

Abby nodded with obvious reluctance. “I guess we’ll have to resched—”

“I’ve an idea.” Rachel’s hand shot straight up like a schoolgirl in a classroom. “We can meet at your place, Abby. We’ll put in a take-out order at Matilda’s. She can let us know when it’s ready, and one of us can pop down the hall and pick up the order.”

“Works for me.” Nell’s silvery-blonde hair was a startling contrast to Hazel’s dark hair. “Whatever Matilda has on her menu is bound to be fabulous.”

When Abby continued to hesitate, Jonah sensed her friends’ puzzlement. Rachel’s solution made sense. Nell agreed. He had no comment.

Why was she hesitating?

She doesn’t want me inside her apartment.

“Sure, we can do that.” Abby turned toward the hotel, and Nell fell into step beside her.

That left Jonah to walk with Rachel.

“What do you do at the food bank?” He’d always had a high respect for entities that gave back to communities.

“I’m the volunteer coordinator.” Pride filled Rachel’s husky voice. “For years I was one of the volunteers. Then I got my degree, and this position opened up. Tom hired me.”

“I bet you do a great job.” He slanted a sideways glance. “You have the positive personality you need with volunteers, but you’re no pushover.”

“Why thank you.” Two bright spots of color appeared on Rachel’s cheeks.

“My parents encouraged all of us kids to give back,” Jonah confided. “I did my share of volunteering for various agencies, so I know the skills needed in a coordinator.”

“In my job description, they listed”—Rachel lifted a hand and ticked off the attributes one by one—“good communication skills. Patience. And a good attitude. Those were the essentials they felt someone in my position needed to possess.”

Jonah nodded. “I’d add two more. Strong leadership skills and organization.”

With a few questions, Jonah found that Rachel had held her position for nearly two years. Before that, she’d completed college while raising five brothers and sisters.

“I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for you to not only lose your parents but find yourself in charge of your younger siblings at eighteen.”

“You do what you need to do.” Rachel shrugged. “Life isn’t always fair. Or easy.”

“No, it isn’t.” Jonah’s thoughts wanted to drift to the past, but he resisted, reminding himself that his presence in Hazel Green was about moving forward. “I imagine you’re enjoying having time to do what you want now.”

Rachel took a second to answer. A pensive look crossed her face before she agreed.

If Jonah wasn’t a trained observer, he might have missed her hesitation.

They followed Nell and Abby into the hotel lobby, which was filled with people waiting for an open table in the restaurant.

“Look.” Nell pointed to a chalkboard displaying the menu. “Half a sandwich with soup. Salted-butter tart for dessert. Much better than what the Engine House was serving.”

Nell shifted back to them. Abby did the same with obvious—at least to him—reluctance.

“I’ll give Matilda our order while the rest of you get settled in Abby’s apartment.” Nell glanced at Abby. “Does that work for you, Abs?”

Abby nodded.

It was interesting, Jonah thought, watching Nell take charge. He wondered whether that was how it would be during the meeting. Nell was on the roster as vice-chair, which he’d learned meant that next year she’d be in Abby’s spot.

Pulling a pad and pen out of her bag, Nell stood poised and took their order like a waitress. Abby chose the market veggie sandwich, and Jonah and the other two picked the roast beef with havarti. They all went with the butternut squash soup.

“I like chicken noodle,” Jonah said to Rachel. “But I haven’t had butternut squash soup in years.”

“You’re in for a treat.” Rachel patted his shoulder. “Nobody does soups as well as Matilda. Am I right, Abby?”

Abby, who’d just finished unlocking the door, turned and nodded.

An almost-imperceptible frown furrowing her brow told Jonah she’d noticed the easy camaraderie between him and Rachel and didn’t like it. Not one bit.

“It’s excellent soup.” Pushing the door open, Abby gestured them inside.

As he stepped past her, Jonah recognized the familiar scent of cinnamon laced with the faintest hint of vanilla.

A wave of sadness at this distance between them washed over him. This woman had once been his best friend. Someone in whom he’d confided his hopes and dreams. He would have done anything for her, and she for him.

Once he’d married, they hadn’t been as close, but that was to be expected. As his parents had often said, when you marry, your spouse becomes your best friend. Somehow that had never happened with him and Veronica. No matter how close they had become, his ex-wife had never moved into best-friend territory.

Perhaps because they were simply too different. He’d loved Veronica, though sometimes he wondered whether he’d loved the woman he thought she was or the person he wanted her to be.

Jonah pulled back his thoughts. What had gotten into him? It had to be the fragrance. He’d heard that scents could take you back years.

Instead of analyzing why, Jonah focused on the apartment at the back of the hotel where Abby and Eva Grace lived. While the living room and kitchen were small and combined, the space was too big to be called an efficiency. If he wasn’t mistaken, when taking the width of the hotel into account, there were probably two bedrooms down the short hallway, not one.

“Did you get those new curtains hung in Eva Grace’s room?” Rachel asked, confirming his two-bedroom supposition.

“I did.” Abby’s smile lit her whole face. “She loves them.”

Rachel turned to him. “Do you have sisters?”

Conscious of Abby’s eyes on him, Jonah nodded. “I have two.”

“Then you’ll appreciate this room.” Rachel glanced at Abby. “Do you mind if I show it to—”

“I do mind.” The words held a harsh edge, which Abby attempted to cover with a laugh and an airy wave of her hand. “It’s a mess right now.”

Rachel flushed. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.” Relief flooded Abby’s face when the doorknob turned and Nell stepped inside.

“Matilda will text me when the food is ready. Since they’re swamped, I told her one of us would pick up.” Nell glanced at Abby for confirmation and received a nod. “At the table or in the living room?”

“Let’s do the table.” Abby lifted a pot of daisies from the center and placed it on the counter. “It’s a good thing Kyle had to miss. I wouldn’t have enough seats for everyone.”

“Kyle?” Jonah cocked his head.

“Kyle Davidson. He’s overseeing the marketing, advertising, and PR functions,” Rachel explained.

“He sent in his report.” Abby gestured for them to take their seats. “I’ll give you his update when it’s his turn. Before we get started, what can I get everyone to drink?”

After a pitcher of ice water was placed on the table, Abby fixed cool brown eyes on Jonah. “I believe you mentioned something about needing to leave early, Jonah. You can give your report first.”

Jonah lifted the glass of water. “Actually, I’ve blocked out two hours from my schedule.”

He knew what she was trying to do. Abby was making it clear she wanted him out of her apartment as soon as possible. If he were her, he’d likely feel the same. But he wouldn’t be leaving early. He had a duty to this committee and to Eva Grace.

And to his old friend. Even if, in Abby’s mind, their friendship had ended five years ago.

“I’m the one who needs to leave,” Rachel flicked her wrist, glanced at her watch, “in exactly sixty minutes.”

“You’ll be done then.” Abby’s voice was as warm as her eyes. “I promise.”

“Do you still want me to go first?” Jonah asked.

“I do want you to go.” Abby hesitated for several beats before adding, “First.”

Jonah stood.

Hope flared in Abby’s eyes. “What are you doing?”

Nell glanced up. Her curious gaze shifted from him to Abby, then back again.

“I’m used to giving reports standing. I trust it won’t be a distraction.”

Abby waved a hand, gesturing for him to begin.

“I reviewed the plan that was set up, and I’m impressed.” Jonah began to pace the room as he spoke. “A risk assessment was done early on to identify possible security issues. The committee looked at the number of guests anticipated, including any special high-profile events, as well as where the birthday bash will be held.”

As Jonah reached the other end of the living quarters, he gave the contents of the table his full attention. Pictures of Eva Grace from infancy on up filled the small side table. Just seeing the child in braces brought his heart to his throat.

“Is that all?” Abby demanded.

“We’ve compiled detailed job descriptions for all staff during the bash. I sent those to Abby’s email this morning.” Jonah slid his gaze around the table, focusing on Rachel and Nell now. “If either of you would like copies, I’ll be happy to send them to you as well.”

“I’m impressed.” Nell gazed thoughtfully at him. “You’ve gotten up to speed quickly.”

“It’s been relatively easy since much of the work was done before my arrival.” Jonah walked to the window and glanced out while stealing another glance at the pictures. “Appears the rain predicted for today is holding off. Oh, one more thing. The security committee also prepared an evacuation plan in case of emergency, mapped out all emergency exits, looked at access for paramedics, and has a contingency plan in place in case of power outages.”

Nell’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. “Food is ready.”

She started to rise, but Jonah waved her down. “Since I’ve already given my report, let me get it.”

“Thank you, Jonah.” Nell’s smile was warm. “And thank you and your committee for all their hard work.”

“Yes,” Abby echoed. “Thanks.”

When he returned, Jonah discovered Abby had already read what Kyle had submitted and was ready to move to Rachel’s report.

Jonah passed out food, which looked delicious and smelled heavenly. As he’d only been on the job a few weeks, he probably should have taken Abby’s cue and left. God knew there was plenty of work waiting for him back at his office.

The problem was that being around Abby wasn’t as easy as he imagined. Today was the first time their paths had crossed since the party. This was an opportunity, and he wouldn’t cut it short.

“Rachel.” Abby smiled at her friend. “Would you like to eat first and give your report after you’ve finished? Or give it now? Either works for us.”

Rachel, who’d just finished cutting the half of her roast beef and havarti sandwich in two, looked up. “I prefer to get the report out of the way.”

“When you’re ready.” Abby slipped her spoon into the soup. “No rush.”

She was nice to her friends, he realized. Which didn’t surprise him. That giving, nurturing nature was one of the reasons she’d agreed to be a surrogate for him and Veronica in the first place. That, and the fact that the $50,000 she was supposed to be paid would have gone a long way toward helping her get a business loan for the coffee shop she’d been determined to open.

Abby had been hesitant at first, even when the money had been offered. The fact that she hadn’t ever had a child, normally a requirement for being a surrogate, hadn’t concerned them. She was young and healthy.

They hadn’t even been worried about her wanting to keep the baby. Back then, Abby hadn’t been certain she ever wanted children.

Veronica claimed it had been her reminding Abby of what she could do with that amount of cash that had caused her to give the offer a second thought. Jonah knew it had been the thought that she would be helping them have the baby they’d dreamed of for so long.

“We have the number and type of volunteers we need for the bash.” Rachel took a sip of water. She glanced down at the paper she’d pulled from her purse. “These include pre-event volunteers and day-of-event volunteers. The report I sent you shows the wide variety of volunteers required for an event of this magnitude.”

Jonah pulled the report up on his phone. He widened his eyes at the number. “That’s a lot of manpower.”

“It is.” Rachel smiled. “They include everyone from those assisting the police directing traffic to our roving social media promoters who will be charged with pumping the event’s online visibility.”

“Thank you, Rachel.” Abby took control of the discussion and reported on several other committees.

She’d grown up. Oh, she’d always been mature for her years, but today Jonah was seeing a different side to the woman he’d known since childhood.

Did having a kid change you? he wondered. Or was it the fact that she’d been running her own business for the past two years? Whatever it was, power looked good on her.

“Sustainability? What all does that include?” Jonah interjected when she paused for breath. He’d asked the question not only because he wanted her to know he was paying attention, despite devouring some amazing squash soup, but because he was interested.

“Think of it as anything related to reducing the event’s carbon footprint.” Abby’s tone remained pleasant but cool. “The committee’s goal is to reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever we can. We really want to use paper wisely and save energy wherever we can.”

“I’d say we’re in good shape. You’re doing a fabulous job keeping all of us on track, Abby.” Rachel pushed back her chair and stood. “I wish I could stay longer, but the food bank calls.”

“I’ll walk out with you.”

Jonah saw the startled look that flashed across Abby’s face when Nell pushed to her feet.

“Ah, Nell.” Abby hurriedly rose, placing a hand on the sleeve of the woman’s dark suit. “Do you have to rush off so soon? There were several more things I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Can we talk tonight? I really can’t linger.” A look of regret crossed the blonde’s face. “I have court in twenty.”

The three women must be close, Jonah surmised, as the other two each gave Abby a hug before they left. Or they might just be the hugging type. Some women were, he knew. Veronica had considered the behavior unprofessional.

Abby remained by the open door even after the two women’s voices faded.

Jonah stood and began to gather the plates and dishes from the table.

“I can take care of that.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I do.” She started to say something more, then lifted a hand and took a moment to steady herself. “I’d like you to leave.”

Jonah heard her sharp intake of breath when he strode across the room and picked up one of the photos. It was of Eva Grace as a toddler. The cake in the picture held three candles.

Unlike the child he’d seen in the classroom, this child wasn’t smiling. She wore a frilly dress, but there were no shiny shoes on her feet, only metal braces. “The braces had to be uncomfortable.”

Crossing the room, Abby took the picture from his hands and placed it back on the table. “They had to be on twenty-three out of twenty-four hours. She’d just get used to them and then the doctor would order them tightened.”

Abby closed her eyes and appeared to fight for control.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that alone.” Jonah remembered what a soft heart she’d had and knew those times had hurt her as much as they’d hurt her child. Her child.

Though Eva Grace wasn’t Abby’s biological daughter, she was her mother in every other sense of the word. He needed to be respectful of that fact.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to stop pushing for contact with Eva Grace. Jonah firmly believed a child benefited from both a mother and a father.

He might be late to the table, but he was there. And he wasn’t going anywhere. Not now. Not ever again.