Heart's Haven

Elizabeth’s gentle smile sympathized.

“Poor Ty. How did you manage in the army hospital?”

Cassidy had wondered the same thing.

“I’m a psychologist. I didn’t have anything to do with the medical side. Never even had to use my first-aid knowledge.”

“Well, that will probably change as renovations begin, so you’d better toughen up.” Elizabeth patted his shoulder in a motherly way, then turned to Cassidy. “And you, my dear. I hear you’ve been busy replacing kitchen equipment since your plane landed last Thursday. Bravo. Is your accommodation suitable?”

“The house is lovely, Elizabeth, thank you.”

“I know it’s tiny—”

“It’s perfect for one person,” Cassidy assured her, secretly delighted to have a house all to herself. “The big south windows are perfect to grow my herbs. I don’t need anything more. After all, it’s only for six months.”

“Yes.” Elizabeth’s smooth alabaster forehead pleated for a moment then smoothed. “We must make hay while the sun shines. That’s what my father used to say, though he never made any hay. He far preferred oil.” She stopped, surveyed the interior hall and frowned. “This is too grim.”

Cassidy remained silent, watching as Ty shot down every one of Elizabeth’s suggestions for renovation. He claimed he wanted the Haven to be a great success, a tribute to his sister, and yet, as they moved through the building, Ty stalled and stumbled when called upon to clarify his ideas. By the time they reached the kitchen, he seemed relieved that the focus was off him and on her.

“My dear, you did very well to find these,” Elizabeth congratulated. “What else have you planned?”

Cassidy set out her ideas clearly and concisely but even here Ty didn’t seem able to concentrate. He got stuck on details, rattled on about how the Haven’s outreach shouldn’t begin until they were sure of their focus and their target group. Cassidy grew so frustrated she got up and left, just to get a breather. She returned with a teakettle, some cookies and a box of teabags.

Ty didn’t appear to notice she’d been absent until she set the teapot before Elizabeth. Then he simply looked puzzled; he left his sentence hanging unfinished.

Something was clearly wrong, but what? He’d said he was nervous about making a mistake. Maybe that explained all the barricades he was erecting.

“I thought we could all use a break,” Cassidy said.

“What a lovely idea.” Elizabeth poured the thick amber liquid into the three mugs Cassidy had scrubbed spotless.

“I didn’t know we had a kettle here.” Ty added sugar to his tea, frowned then shook his head. “You bought one?”

Cassidy shrugged. “My gift to the kitchen.”

Ty opened his mouth as if to protest, but obviously had second thoughts. He shrugged and smiled, lifted his cup.

“To the Haven.”

They clinked mugs together. Elizabeth glanced around the messy room, her face expressing her distaste, though she didn’t give it voice.

“Next steps for you, Cassidy?” Elizabeth pulled out a small notebook.

“Arrange suppliers, find some helpers and generally plan how this will work. I’ll do two test runs. One on Thursday at noon to feed whoever is working here.” She looked at Ty. “If you can let me know approximately how many workers will be here, it will help me prepare.”

“Sure.”

She read his expression clearly.

Exactly how am I supposed to know that?

“Maybe you could count heads around nine. Or I could.” Cassidy struggled for a less bossy tone but it wasn’t easy. She’d been the one in charge for so long, and he seemed disinclined to action. Well, she had to do something.

“Yes, that might be better. You go ahead.” He looked relieved.

“I’d like to serve a second meal on Saturday evening.”

“Why?”

At this rate she’d be here a year and still accomplish nothing. Cassidy bristled.

“Is there something wrong with Saturday?”

“I’m not sure it’s the best day.”

Was he going to argue about every decision she made? Ty’s face closed up. His voice dropped.

“It’s just that I received a phone call from Davis. His contractor had a client drop out and so he could start on the entrance immediately.”

“Uh-huh.” She still didn’t understand his problem.

Ty dragged a hand through his hair as if searching for patience.

“People have to come down here to eat and the only way is through the main entrance. I don’t want anyone hurt.”

Even Elizabeth looked frustrated.

“Surely by Friday the worst of it will be over?”

“Maybe. If it isn’t, she’ll have to reschedule the lunch,” Ty warned.

Cassidy quashed a surge of frustration.

“I want to hold a dinner, not a lunch, and I want to get the word out beforehand,” Cassidy muttered. “And once we’ve started serving meals, I don’t think we can just stop.”

“We might have to if it puts someone in danger.” Ty’s piercing scrutiny sliced all the way to her toes.

Cassidy knew that he would suggest she wait. He seemed to prefer a snail’s pace for most things. But she couldn’t just sit around doing nothing. Even if it took him a month to get everything else operational, she could still serve meals.

Elizabeth glanced from Ty to her. “We’re going to have to be flexible.”

Which meant get along.

The onus was on her. Cassidy faced Ty and chose her words with care.

“It’ll take me a couple of days to get the kitchen going.”

“Fine.”