Interesting…Rhett studied his son with masked curiosity. He’d been dating Jack’s little sister less than six months. Was he considering marriage already?
Rhett pressed his lips into a tight line. He’d rushed into marriage before he could handle the responsibility, and he’d wound up ruining more than one life, including his own. But how could he discern if Vick was ready for that level of commitment when his son would barely discuss the weather with him, let alone a potential engagement?
CHAPTER7
DONNA
By the time Donna reached The Calendar Café, she’d managed to shove all remaining thoughts of the enigmatic bartender out of her mind. In their place, her subconscious reeled with all the ways her daughter could react to her visit, from indifference to pleasant surprise to irritation. Why hadn’t she called first?
Knowing Cassie, she would’ve told her not to come, not wanting to be an inconvenience. But in her gut, somewhere deep down—latent maternal instincts, maybe?—Donna knew her daughter needed her. Even if she purely filled in at the café so Cassie could rest and prepare for the baby.
Gathering a deep breath, Donna pushed through the front door. A welcoming bell chimed overhead, and not for the first time, a sense of awe and pride swept over her.Herdaughter had created this warm, inviting atmosphere. She’d decorated the walls with local art, hand selecting each piece, from the watercolor wildflowers sweeping across the canvas to the close-range photograph of poppy petals unfurling in the sunlight. She’d arranged the comfy chairs and couches by the fireplace and helped create the coffee blends lining the display shelves, ready for customers to take home. Her daughter had envisioned this idyllic space, making it a reality for others to enjoy.
This particular afternoon, thanks to the post-lunch lull, Donna counted only a handful of customers and didn’t see anyone behind the counter. A tourist couple and their two children commandeered a far table, the young kids stuffing their mouths with enormous, caramel-drizzled brownies while their parents studied a slew of brochures and a map on their iPad. A pretty redhead sat at a small table by the register, filling out the kind of order form they’d used at the restaurant for whatever breads and baked items they didn’t make in-house. Donna had a vague feeling they’d met before but couldn’t remember her name.
As if she’d read her thoughts, the girl glanced up from the form, flashing a friendly smile when she met her gaze. “Hi, Miss Hayward! It’s so nice to see you again.”
Donna hesitated, the girl’s name on the tip of her tongue. Kit? Katie?
“Kat,” the girl offered, coming to her rescue. “Kat Bennet. I’m a friend of Cassie’s. We met at Christmas.”
“Of course. Hello again. And please, call me Donna.” Donna smiled and nodded toward the slip of paper on the table. “Ordering wholesale?”
“Yes. I run the Whispering Winds, an inn outside of town. Cassie and Eliza supply all our coffee, pastries, and basically any baked goods we use at our restaurant.”
“They’re definitely the best. They make a great team.” Since the moment she’d met Eliza, Donna liked the petite, spunky woman who’d become more than her daughter’s closest friend. She’d become the sister she’d always wanted. Eliza had sat by Cassie’s side, holding her hand in a show of support the afternoon Donna had arrived to make her amends, two days before Cassie’s wedding to Luke. Donna still remembered Eliza’s large brown eyes watching her, wary and protective. But they’d also held a softness, a glint of compassion Donna had rarely received in life. She supposed, in a way, they had an unspoken bond. Two teen moms who’d experienced firsthand how unkind and unforgiving the world can be when your biggest failing is on display for all to see and judge.
“Mom?” Cassie’s startled voice yanked her from her thoughts.
Cassie and Eliza emerged from the kitchen, each carrying a tray of round, fluffy profiteroles, fresh from the oven. The room flooded with their sweet, buttery scent.
Donna stood still, merely staring at her daughter as an unexpected wave of emotion washed over her. To a casual observer, Cassie looked exactly the same as the last time Donna saw her—the same dark waves spilling around her shoulders, the same graceful features and full lips that always appeared slightly arched, poised to smile. Today, her skin seemed to glow from the inside out, and the light reached all the way to her eyes, making the rich green hue bright and luminescent. Her daughter had always been beautiful, but now? Tears sprang to Donna’s eyes before she could stop them, and she inhaled sharply, determined not to cry.
“Is everything okay?” Cassie set the tray on the counter, her countenance cloaked in concern.
“I’m fine, I just—” She hesitated, her words tumbling together. Now that she was here, facing her daughter, she realized she had no idea what to say. “I—I thought I could help.”
“Help with what?” Cassie cocked her head, sounding genuinely curious, which added to Donna’s nervous reservations.
Once again, she opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. It had all seemed so straightforward back in San Francisco. Come to Poppy Creek, learn the ropes at the café, cover Cassie’s shifts, cook meals, help around the house, and simply be present for whatever her daughter needed. Between morning sickness, acid reflux, back aches, swollen feet and ankles, and fatigue, she remembered long stretches during her pregnancy when she barely wanted to get out of bed.
Donna’s gaze fell to Cassie’s stomach, hidden behind an apron. As far as she could tell, she still wasn’t showing. It had to be early on in the pregnancy. Too early, perhaps? She’d been so single-minded in her eagerness to see her daughter, she hadn’t considered the possibility that Cassie hadn’t told anyone yet. She glanced at Eliza, who studied Cassie, her brow furrowed, as if a million thoughts whirred through her mind. Surely Cassie had confided in her best friend?
“To help with—” Donna tried again, her gaze flitting back to Cassie’s stomach. With what? What if no one knew? She should ask to speak to Cassie privately. But the idea came too late.
Eliza followed her gaze, the pieces clicking into place. “Wait a minute… You’re not drinking coffee, you haven’t touched a sliver of dessert in days, you nearly vomited when I had liver for lunch…” Her eyes widened. “Cass, are you—?”
Cassie’s cheeks flushed a shade Donna recognized—the scarlet blush of shame. But why would Cassie feel guilty about being pregnant? “I’m so sorry, Eliza. I was going to tell you.”
For a moment, neither woman spoke or even blinked. Donna could almost see a ribbon of tension pulled taut between them. But why?
“I—I’m so happy for you,” Eliza stammered, her hands trembling as she tried to slide the baking sheet onto the counter. But it slipped off the edge, crashing to the floor, scattering the round, puffy pastries at her feet. “I—I’m so sorry.” Biting back a sob, she turned and fled to the kitchen, Cassie mere steps behind.
Donna stood frozen in horror, too mortified by the scene she’d caused to move. Once again, she’d wreaked havoc in her daughter’s life, extending the destruction to her friends, as well. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Cassie or Eliza, and yet she’d skillfully wounded both. A quiet, cruel voice whispered in her ear,You want to help your daughter? Then leave. She’s better off without you.
Donna turned on her heel, smacking into a tall teenage boy who towered at least six inches above her five-foot-seven frame.
“’Scuse me, ma’am.” He ducked around her, halting behind the counter when he saw the pile of profiteroles on the floor. “What happened?”
