Her grandfather was brilliant, Nora thought, as she rubbed down the bar with a terry cloth towel. She’d been working at OTR for over a week and while it wasn’t the career of her dreams, she liked bartending and enjoyed helping Steph in the office. She’d already automated the payroll and had ideas for additional improvements.

She was also thrilled that she’d made good on her promise to find her and Ben a place of their own. Last weekend they’d moved into the half-duplex next door. While she was still unpacking and decorating, the place already felt warm and homey. More importantly, Ben seemed more secure and happier than he’d been in a long while. He could walk to school and to Lucas’ from their new place. He had also befriended Steph. Part of the draw was her orange tabby, Taz, but he had quickly become fond of Steph too and the feeling seemed to be mutual.

Nora filled another drink order, smiling at Jenna who delivered a salad to a high-top table at the bar, while Hud stepped out of the kitchen to deliver a burger.

“Thanks, boss,” Nora said, using his nickname. They all called him ‘boss’ or ‘boss-man’ because Steph left him in charge whenever she was away.

“Anything for you,” Hud said with a wink.

A few minutes later Hud waved her into the back. “Need your help,” he called out, then gestured for her to follow. He led her toward the loading dock door.

“What’s up?” she asked, stepping outside behind him.

“There’s a cat out here.” He tipped his head toward the dumpsters. Peeking out was a small, adorable cat. Nora could only see its head, solid black except for a white chin.

“He or she’s hungry,” Hud said, his voice full of concern. “I think it’s a she.”

The cat let out a loud, sharp mew as if in concurrence with Hud’s statement.

“Did you give her food?” she asked Hud.

“Tried.” Hud scrubbed a hand over his face. “Every time I go near it, the cat runs off. I left a bowl of milk but she won’t come out from behind the dumpster. I tried, my kitchen staff tried. Jenna tried.” He gave her a helpless look. “Poor thing’s all skin and bones.”

Nora’s heart tugged. “Give me a few minutes.” She closed her eyes and did something she hadn’t done in a long while. She drew on her gift.

She’d been able to communicate with animals for as long as she could remember. As a child, it had caused her nothing but pain. Mean kids had called her the ‘animal witch.’ Nice kids had called her the ‘animal whisperer,’ but they had still looked at her as if she were from another planet. Over the years, she had suppressed her abilities except with her own pets and during her time in California working at the elephant sanctuary.

But she was a big girl now and this kitty needed her. Eyes still closed, she focused on connecting with the timid animal. She visualized a stream of aqua spilling down from the clouds and slowly swathing her from head to toe. After she was blanketed in tranquility, she mentally offered the image to the kitten.

Opening her eyes, she slowly approached the cat with an extended palm. Her hand tingled, as it did when she drew on her animal energies. Universal energy, or at least that’s what the farm animals she used to commune with had called it.

Nora transmitted positive vibrations to the cat through her hands. She lowered to the ground by the dumpster, unconcerned about the dirt and debris. “Hi sweet kitty,” she said softly.

Tapping into the kitty’s energy, she felt the cat’s fear lessen. She extended her hand a little further so it was directly in front of the kitten. She kept her hand extended and her energy linked with the cat for several minutes. Eventually, the kitten’s fear waned altogether and was replaced with curiosity.

The cat angled her head. Her eyes were still a little cautious, but she didn’t run. Nora focused on connecting again. Hud and I are here to help, she communicated telepathically.

The cat sniffed her hand, stepped out from behind the dumpster, and stared at her warily. They held each other’s gaze for a few long moments. Nora intensified the aqua light around her. We’re here to help if you’ll let us, sweet kitty. She sent more positive vibrations and mentally drew the kitty into her image of aqua which was now encircling her in a soft, warm glow.

Mew.

This time the cat’s voice was calmer. She let out another mew and then climbed onto Nora’s lap.

Nora held in her laugh at Hud’s gasp of surprise. She didn’t want to scare the sweet kitty.

Pleased that she still had the gift despite not using it for years, Nora gently rubbed the cat’s head. “That’s a good girl,” she cooed. “Now are you coming home with me or with Hud?”

“With me,” Hud said.

“What do you think little one?” she asked, still petting the cat. The cat rumbled out a purr. “I’m gonna take that as agreement,” she said to the cat, and then looked over her shoulder at Hud. “Come over, but slowly.”

She communicated telepathically with the cat again, explaining that they would keep her in Steph’s office for the day, then she’d go home with Hud and that he would take good care of her.

When Hud sat next to her, the cat climbed off Nora’s lap and onto his. Hud’s lips lifted into a smile.

“Hi, kitty. What do you think of the name Blackie?” he asked, stroking her head.

The cat let out a half meow, half purr, then increased the octave to a soft roar.

Hud grinned. “I think she likes me.” He slowly moved his fingers under her chin and gently rubbed. “I’ve been wanting a cat ever since my Lizzy passed. Just haven’t gotten around to it.”

Nora decided he hadn’t gotten around to it for a reason—so he’d be available for this cat. Her involvement had likely happened for a reason too. She’d been blessed with a gift, and she needed to start using it again instead of worrying about what others might think. She wasn’t an impressionable, over-sensitive kid anymore. She was a strong, independent woman and it didn’t matter if others picked on her. Besides, Hud hadn’t called her an animal witch, nor had he thought she was a wacko. Instead, he’d appreciated her skills.

 As Nora made a silent vow to use her talents again, Hud hand fed the cat small chunks of cheese. After Blackie had eaten every morsel and consumed the milk Hud had brought out earlier, they got her settled in Steph’s office.

Nora had been back at the bar for less than fifteen minutes when the bell rang in the back. Busy day, she thought, grabbing the inventory sheet. “Boss-man, can you watch the bar?” she called over her shoulder as she made her way through the stockroom and out the back door.

Outside, was a Moonshine Brews & Beverages delivery truck. The man she’d met at Ron’s last week was leaning against it. “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise,” he said stepping toward her.

As he approached, his body became fuzzy and Nora’s heart pricked with eager anticipation. Was her grandfather returning?

The pocket watch appeared first, followed by white hair, then the rest of her Pap’s head and body filled in.

“Pap!” She rushed over and threw her arms around his neck.

“How are you doing, Cupcake?” He pulled her in close.

“Good. I was just thinking about you.” She drew back and studied him. He looked vibrant, healthy, and happy. “How are you?”

“If I was any better, I’d be twins,” he said, his honey-brown eyes twinkling.

“Oh, Pap.” He’d said the same thing when she had been little and the familiarity tugged at her chest. “I love it here.” She tipped her head toward the building. “Thanks for the job lead.”

“Yes indeed.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re here for a reason.”

“They’re all like family,” she said. “And Steph….” She sighed happily, thinking about all the time she and Ben had spent with Steph throughout the week. They’d kicked the soccer ball around in the big back yard, made—and ate—Moose Munch popcorn, played with Steph’s orange tabby, and watched the Minions movie with Ben and Lucas. “She’s amazing.”

“I’m glad all is well.” Her grandfather stacked another beverage box onto the dolly.

“It is, except….” She nibbled on her lower lip, wondering if she should ask Pap about Davey.

“He’s Ben’s father,” her grandfather confirmed, after accurately reading her unspoken question.

Her heart brimmed with appreciation. She’d set out to find Ben’s dad so Ben would have more family and so he’d be taken care of should something happened to her. And she’d found him, thanks to her Pap.

But it had happened so quickly that she hadn’t had time to think through the various outcomes. What if Davey didn’t want anything to do with Ben? He was a hot-shot NASCAR driver who probably didn’t want the responsibility of a child. Then again, what if he did? What if he tried to take Ben away from her, she thought, as her anxiety coiled in her stomach.

“It’s going to be okay,” Pap said, and her worries instantly lessened.

“But you’re going to have to be patient with him.” He placed another box on the stack on his dolly, following the exact order of the list Nora had in her hand.

Nora shoved a strand of hair away from her face. “But patience isn’t my best quality.”

Her grandfather glanced at her with a half-smile. “That’s why I’m planting the seed.”

He started to fade. “Wait—don’t go!” Panic rose in her belly. “How am I supposed to develop patience?” It’s not like she could snap her fingers and make it happen.

She didn’t receive a spoken answer. But as her grandfather blurred away, his voice sounded at the edges of her awareness. You’ll figure it out, Cupcake.

The gold watch disappeared last. When the younger delivery man materialized, Nora staggered back a few steps.

The tall, dark-haired man glanced at the fully stacked dolly. “Damn.” He shook his head. “Don’t remember putting them there. Guess I’m hot today.” He glanced her way. “We’ve got to stop meeting up like this,” he said in a teasing voice.

“I work here.” She extended a hand. “Nora.”

“Are you still encumbered?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. “Or are you ready to take me up on that drink offer?”

“She’s spoken for, Scott,” came a deep voice from behind her.

Hud. Thank God.

“So just leave the liquor,” Hud said in his perfect southern drawl, “and keep your pick-up lines.”

Scott shrugged good-naturedly and finished the order. After he left, Hud helped her carry the boxes inside.

“Thanks for the save,” she said. “How did you know?”

“I have a sixth sense.” He gave her an impish grin. “And eyes in the back of my head.”

“Thanks again.” She reached up on her tippy-toes and kissed his cheek. “I owe you.” She glanced at her watch. “But I’ve got to get back to the bar. Davey should be here soon.”

“Davey Johnson?” Hud asked, his voice incredulous.

“Yes.” She tilted her head to study Hud.

His eyes were wide, his expression shocked. “Steph’s son is coming here?”

She didn’t know why Hud was so surprised that Davey was visiting. Maybe he wasn’t a NASCAR fan and didn’t know the season had ended. “The season ended last week.” Her lips ticked up. “I’m not a fan, either.”

Hud rubbed his fingers through his goatee. “But Davey and Steph are estranged.”

Nora gaped at Hud. He must have been mistaken. Steph had called Davey; she’d told him about Ben.

“They haven’t spoken in eleven years,” Hud said. “Unless you count the few minutes Davey blessed her with at Tuck’s funeral.”

Guilt swamped Nora. If Steph and Davey weren’t on speaking terms, she had put Steph in a precarious position. She gave Hud a quick hug, then sprinted toward Steph’s office.

Steph glanced up from her computer when Nora charged in and closed the door behind her.

“Why didn’t you tell me you and Davey aren’t close?” Nora blurted out. “I wouldn’t have asked you to call him. I would have done it myself.”

“Nora—” Steph rose and rounded her desk.

“I’m so sorry.” Nora bit her lower lip as her guilt intensified. Steph had given her a job despite her unfriendly behavior. She had given Nora and Ben a wonderful place to live at a rate that was practically a steal. Steph had also given Nora more care and support over the last week than she had experienced in the last several years combined. “You’ve done so much for me.”

Steph gently put her hands on Nora’s shoulders. “Honey, you did me a favor. No matter what happens next, Davey and I are communicating.” Steph slid her hands down Nora’s arms and linked their fingers. “I’m not expecting him to greet me with open arms, but coming here is a positive start.” She squeezed Nora’s hands. “You’ve given me the gift of a second chance with my son.”

Davey plodded toward On The Rocks Bar & Grill with the ever present ball of anxiety clutching at his throat. It had first formed when he’d received his mother’s email and had grown after Cruz’s conversation with her. It had continued to spread when he’d talked to her himself earlier in the week and every time he’d thought about their meet-up today. Now, it reached out in all directions, spreading like a fast-growing vine, trailing down his back and chest, closing in on his body so tight he could barely breathe.

At least he had Cruz with him. Reaching for the door, he glanced at his friend.

Cruz patted him on the back. “It’s going to be okay, son,” he said in that low voice that never failed to calm Davey.

“Thanks for being here.” Davey’s chest filled with appreciation for the one person who had always been there for him.

Pulling in a long breath, he opened the door and stepped inside. The interior wasn’t falling apart like the exterior, nor was it anything like what he had expected. Considering its location on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, he’d envisioned a small, rundown bar. Instead, the place was clean, filled with natural light, and hopping with customers.

He and Cruz headed toward the bar. When he spotted the long wall of race pictures, he stopped and stared. His gaze swept over rows of photos that lined the wall from the top to half-way down. Stepping over to take a closer look, shock fired through him like a bullet. Every single picture was of him and they followed his racing history.

An unexpected warmth glided through him as he studied the pictures. The top photos were from his early racing days. His mother had been around for his first years in racing, maybe she’d even taken a handful of the pictures. But she hadn’t been around for the rest, yet the wall was a shrine to his entire racing career.

She’d followed his career.

Stunned, speechless, and a little misty-eyed, he glanced at Cruz.

A corner of Cruz’s mouth lifted. “She cares more than you think.”

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Davey turned back to the wall. There must have been hundreds of pictures. There were photos of go-kart races from when he was kid. A picture of his championship win in Super Modified that had propelled him into the Busch league. His first NASCAR win and a recent win at Pocono. A rush of pride coursed through him. After taking a few minutes to relive happy memories, he turned to Cruz. “Ready?”

Cruz squeezed his shoulder and they walked toward the bar together. Along the way, a few patrons recognized him and asked for his autograph. Used to the attention, Davey graciously signed napkins, papers, and even one woman’s T-shirt, then stepped up to the bar.

“Need a refill, Nora,” an elderly woman called out from the far end of the bar.

Davey’s head snapped toward the bartender—Nora his nemesis.

She wasn’t a beauty like the women he ran with, but he grudgingly admitted she was attractive. Her golden-brown hair was on top of her head in a messy bun that flopped around as she hustled behind the bar. With little to no makeup, she had a natural glow, a girl next door look. But he knew it was all a façade.

“Sure you want one, Maggie?” Nora asked as she filled another drink order. As Davey listened to her chatter, the irritation in his gut stirred. “Hud’s got a dark brew that smells amazing,” she said. “And he made fresh chocolate chip muffins.”

“Well….”

Davey didn’t wait for the old lady to respond. “You!” He pointed his index finger at Nora, unable to hold in his ire any longer.

She spun around and raised a brow.

“I never dated you,” he spat out.

“I never dated you either, asshole,” she responded.

His jaw dropped open. Girl next door, his ass. Her rude attitude caught him off guard; women didn’t talk to him like that. He supposed he’d been a little direct, but what had she expected? She had accused him of being the father of her child. “Do you know who I am?”

She slid over and met his gaze. “Based on your big ego, I’m gonna guess you’re Davey Johnson.”

Damn. She was a hot wire. He shook his head as Cruz let out a low chuckle.

He took in her stiff posture, the how-dare-you glint in her eye. “I take it you don’t follow NASCAR.”

“Why would I?” He must have looked surprised because she laughed. Laughed. “There are a few folks in east Tennessee who have better things to do than watch big boys play with their cars.”

Cruz’s chuckle turned into a full-fledged laugh. The old lady who was still waiting for her drink hooted with laughter too.

Davey had to admit—at least to himself—that Nora’s response was funny. He’d never met a woman who had said anything like that, at least not to his face. Sure, he’d dated women who hadn’t known didley about racing, but they’d feigned interest to gain his attention.

He tapped his foot on the floor. “I can’t be your kid’s—”

She interrupted by putting a palm in his face. A palm right in front of his face. Pissed off and also a little intrigued, he zipped it.

“Do you really want to have this conversation here?” she asked, her voice frosty.

Glancing at the nearby patrons who were gaping in their direction, he conceded Nora had a point. He opened his mouth to say so, but she hadn’t waited for his reply. She had already turned toward Cruz. Clearly, she hadn’t been asking as much as she’d been telling.

Her expression softened. “You must be Cruz,” she said, extending a hand. “Nora.” The two of them shook hands.

“It’s a pleasure.” Cruz lifted her hand and kissed it, while Davey blew off steam.

“Steph told me you were coming,” she said, her voice singsong, her eyes honey-sweet. “She speaks highly of you.”

Relegated to second fiddle, Davey shifted uncomfortably. Not that he begrudged attention for Cruz, the man was salt of the earth. But he’d never had a woman completely and intentionally antagonize him, and then ignore him to boot.

“She speaks highly of you as well,” Cruz said, smiling at Nora. “Speaking of….”

Davey’s mother appeared at the far end of the bar, and a surge of emotions rushed through him—hurt, anger, and even though he didn’t welcome it, a hint of affection too. She looked good, really good, as if the years had been kind to her. Her hair was as bright, her facial features as soft as he had remembered. She’d maintained a decent shape for a woman in her forties. Resentment slithered into his jaw, and he clamped it together so tight that it hurt. Why wouldn’t she look good? After she’d run out on him and his dad, she’d probably remarried and lived the high life. He, on the other hand, had been working his ass off trying to make something of himself while trying to stay away from his dad’s alcoholic ways. He ran a hand down one side of his jaw and then the other, in an attempt to ease the pressure.

Cruz strode over to his mother.

She rounded the bar and walked into Cruz’s open arms. After a long hug, she reached up and kissed him on the cheek, her fair complexion a stark contrast to Cruz’s mocha-colored skin. They quietly spoke to each other. His mother laughed at something Cruz had said while he rested his hand on her arm. There was an unmistakable fondness between the two of them, and Davey’s stomach squeezed with envy.

Cruz linked arms with Davey’s mother and they headed his way.

Even though Davey had been thinking about this meeting all week, he still wasn’t altogether prepared. He’d anticipated the hurt and bitterness, but he hadn’t expected to remember the care, the warmth, the love he and his mother had once shared.

He reminded himself that that had been eleven damn years ago before she’d dumped him along with his dad.

“Davey,” she said, as she approached, her voice shaky.

Because he wasn’t a complete jerk or maybe because a boatload of mixed emotions were still racing through his system, he gave her a quick hug. He didn’t say anything, in part because he didn’t know what to call her. After eleven years, she sure as hell didn’t deserve to be called mom, but he wasn’t so cold as to call her Steph, at least not to her face. Which left him in a predicament, so he said nothing at all.

She either didn’t notice or elected to let it go. Instead, she gave him a warm smile. “It’s good to see you. Why don’t we all go to my office?” she suggested, and then called out over her shoulder. “You too, Nora.”

Nora turned to one of the waitresses. “Jenna, can you cover the bar?”

“Sure,” the pretty blonde responded to Nora, then flashed him a smile.

That was more like it. He winked at the blonde.

Nora rolled her eyes, then strode toward the back. He couldn’t help but notice how fine her ass looked in the skinny blue jeans, tightly hugging her globes as she moved out of sight.

His mother led him and Cruz behind the bar, down the hall and into her office where she gestured at the chair and loveseat facing her desk. “Make yourselves at home.” She lowered onto one of the cushioned chairs and Cruz sat next to her. With no other choice, Davey eased onto the loveseat next to Nora.

His gaze caught and held Nora’s and a jolt of desire punched him in the gut.

Oh, hell no. Not with her.

It was nothing. It was probably just a reaction to those big, expressive eyes that sparkled like emeralds.

“Listen,” Nora said, her voice soft, throaty—and damn it—undeniably sexy. Leaning in, she gently clasped her hands around his lower arm. “I’m sorry I called you an asshole out there.”

Cruz chuckled, and Davey’s mom laughed too, although she quickly turned it into a cough when he glanced in her direction.

Every nerve in his body stirred at Nora’s touch, and the tension between them snapped, crackled, and popped like his breakfast cereal. She must have felt it too because she jerked her hands away before continuing.

“Sometimes things pop out of my mouth that I shouldn’t say out loud.” He couldn’t help but grin at her half-assed apology. She didn’t say he wasn’t an asshole, only that she shouldn’t have called him one. She lowered her head a little. “I’m sorry.”

Surprised by her blatant honesty, he laughed. “I’ve been called worse.”

Nora shifted and glanced at his mother. After she gave Nora an encouraging smile, Nora turned back to him. “I’m not Ben’s mother.”

Irritation pricked up his spine. Had Nora and his mother made this whole thing up? Before he could demand an explanation, Nora spoke again.

“Ben’s my nephew,” she said. “His mother, my sister, Lynn, recently passed away.”

Davey’s irritation froze mid-way up his spine, then dissipated altogether as he slumped against the loveseat, his mind morphing back in time. Lynn Williams, his teenage love. Lynn had adored everything about racing, including him. She’d spent countless hours hanging out at the track, feeding his ego and swooning over his driving. A self-proclaimed wild child, Lynn had been fun and adventurous. They had skinny-dipped in Serenity Lake, made love in broad daylight in a field of daisies, and on a bet, had streaked down Main Street together. She’d had a tough exterior, but inside she had been sweet as honey. They had dated for over six months, which had made it all the harder for him to end the relationship when he, Cruz, and his dad had moved from Tennessee to Alabama.

He ran a hand over his newly-trimmed hair. What if he was Ben’s dad? He’d never wanted to bring children into this world, but there was a real possibility he was already a father. As a new wave of anxiety gripped his throat, Davey was rendered speechless.

Thankfully Cruz stepped in. “Did your sister tell you Davey was Ben’s father?” he asked Nora.

“She said Ben’s father’s name was Davey.” She clasped her fingers together and squeezed them so tightly that her knuckles turned white. “We didn’t have the best home life so Lynn never brought her boyfriends home.”

Davey remembered that about Lynn because he had found it peculiar. He’d taken her to his place many times. They’d hung out on the front porch, frolicked in the nearby creek, and snuck up to his room whenever his dad went out. He wondered what had been so bad about Nora and Lynn’s home life, but one glance at Nora indicated he wasn’t getting any further explanation. Her face had paled and her pretty eyes had lost some of their sparkle.

Looks like he wasn’t the only one who had experienced childhood pain.

“I tried to get your last name,” Nora told him. “I thought you deserved to know about Ben, but Lynn wouldn’t give it to me. She said you’d moved away and that you didn’t want to be a father.”

Davey’s stomach hardened as his mind drifted back to a few weeks before he had moved to Alabama. He and Lynn had been making out on the bleachers at the local dirt track. When they’d come up for air, Lynn had wanted to talk. She’d never been a big talker, but that night she had asked him a bunch of questions, including whether he ever wanted to have kids. He’d given her an emphatic, hell no. Afterward, she had pulled back a little. At the time, he’d assumed it was because he had to move. Now, he wondered if it had been because she’d been pregnant.

“There’s a picture,” his mother said, extending a framed photo toward him.

Davey rose and retrieved the picture. Studying Lynn, his heart tugged. Smiling brightly, her blue eyes sparkled with pride. He had loved how she’d enthusiastically cheered him on and how she’d taken as much pride in his wins as he had.

His mother told him about the shirt Lynn had on and then pointed to the date printed at the bottom of the picture. “Ben’s birthday is in December,” she said. The race had been in May so Lynn would have been pregnant at the time. Unless she had cheated on him—which he found unlikely considering they’d seen each other practically every day—he was a daddy.

The full-fledged panic he anticipated didn’t come. Instead, a tenderness he hadn’t expected swirled in his chest, loosening his anxiety ever so slightly. His heart beat wildly as he turned toward Nora. “Do you have a birth certificate?”

She nodded. “I do, but it doesn’t help. It lists Ben’s father as unknown.”

“Do you have a picture of Ben?” Cruz asked.

Nora pulled out her phone, tapped a few buttons, and handed it to Cruz.

“He’s a good-looking boy,” Cruz said, then handed the phone to Davey with a knowing glint in his eye.

Shit.

Davey took the phone and gaped at the spitting image of his youthful self. His blood pummeled with fear. What the hell did he know about being a father?

Regardless, he recognized and accepted that Ben was his son. Even so, they needed confirmation. He lifted his gaze to Nora’s. “I’ll take the test.”