Page 10 of Waves of Reckoning (Echoes of Camano Island #1)

Chapter Nine

N ikki settled into her role as part-time manager and proprietor at the Nestled Inn.

The staff had already warmed to her, and during the two and a half weeks she’d been there, she’d been invited to dinner and several brunches.

Kaylyn had become a close friend of hers in the absence of Ava, and she relied on her guidance and support, considering she was more familiar with the business end.

Nikki stood at the front desk with Kaylyn one morning when Kaylyn nudged her. She turned to look at the woman, wondering why she was poking her when she saw the look on her face and where she was looking.

Nikki looked up at the door and saw Reed Story walk into the inn. He was casually dressed in a pair of jeans, a button-down, and loafers. He wore a marine cut, and his face was clean-shaven.

“What’s wrong?” Nikki asked Kaylyn. She’d seen Reed before, the first time being when she was hosting the last fundraiser, so she wasn’t sure what Kaylyn wanted to tell her.

She didn’t get a chance to talk before he approached the front desk. “Hello,” he said with a broad smile. “Can we talk?”

Nikki looked over at Kaylyn, and then back at Reed. She wondered if the woman knew something she didn’t. “Sure,” she said and stepped around the desk. “Maybe we can go out to the patio.”

“Great,” he said and ushered her in front of him.

Nikki didn’t know what the meeting was about, and all sorts of ideas started floating around in her head. She was nervous as she sat across from Reed and folded her hands in her lap.

“While I’m here, maybe we should get something to eat,” he suggested.

Nikki wasn’t hungry, but she knew it would be rude to refuse, so she accepted. They ordered from the lunch menu, which consisted of sandwiches and finger foods, and she nibbled on them while they engaged in small talk.

She knew he was still waiting to broach the real subject and tried to be patient.

“I have to admit, I’m very curious about what we’re doing out here,” she finally said. “Is it something about the Humane Society? Because I’m more than willing to take my sister’s place in whatever she used to do before.”

Reed laughed. “I don’t know how much you’ve realized since you’ve been here, but Trish was sort of…special to me.” He eyed Nikki.

It was then she understood Kaylyn’s nudging, and she was instantly relieved. “Are you two involved?” she asked pointedly.

“Not so much, but I have taken an interest in her. Our time was cut short after the accident, but I’m holding on to the hope that she will recover.”

Nikki was floored by the romanticism he was expressing. He was willing to wait for her comatose sister to regain consciousness so he could continue to pursue her.

“Oh, that’s so sweet,” Nikki gushed and locked her fingers beneath her chin.

Reed blushed a little and cleared his throat. “Needless to say, she has been very instrumental in many of the Humane Society's activities.”

“I can see that,” Nikki said as she remembered her episode with the dunk tank.

“She has helped me raise money for the animal shelter, the children’s hospital, the food bank, and so many other events throughout the community.”

Nikki listened to him talking about Trish, and she could hear the admiration seeping out of the man. “She seems to have been loved by all.”

“She is,” he said quickly. “A couple of us were talking, especially after the last fundraiser she planned, and we would like to return the favor.”

Nikki’s brows dipped. “I’m not following.”

“She has helped so many of us that now we want to help her,” he added.

“How?” Nikki couldn’t imagine they could do anything for Trish other than pray for her and visit with her.

“We were thinking that we can host an event right here where everyone comes together, and we pray for her recovery. That is if it’s alright with you. You’re the boss now.” He smiled.

Tears welled up in Nikki’s eyes. “Are you kidding me? Of course, you can do that. Why would I object?”

He rubbed his palms together with glee. “I know you wouldn’t say no, but I had to ask.”

Nikki had thought he had feelings for Trish, but it was apparent that it ran a lot deeper than a superficial liking. He might even be in love with her, and she wondered how long he’d been keeping it to himself.

“When do you want to do this?” Nikki asked anxiously. “I’m already excited. And what did you have in mind?”

“Well,” he began, “we were thinking about a get-together where the entire community comes together, sort of like a game evening, and we can share things about Trish that we like. Perhaps we can fundraise to help with the medical bills and then end with praying. What do you think?”

“That sounds great, Reed,” Nikki said. “I’m all in. Let’s do this.” She wiped the tears of joy that flowed from her.

“Now, don’t think you have to do much,” he told her matter-of-factly.

“My team and I will do everything—the music, the chairs and tables, the schedule, the drinks, and the like. What I would want from you is finger foods because this is Lot 28, after all.” He chuckled. “Nobody does it better than you.”

“You’ve got it. Just name it and when.”

“How about this weekend?” he asked. “I know that doesn’t give us a lot of time, but we have almost everything we need. We do this so often it’s like having dinner at home.” He leaned forward and said with great familiarity.

“Maybe next weekend will be better. I have to go out of town this weekend. Plus, it would give you some more time to advertise it.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grinned.

She could see how much he was beaming that he was able to do something for Trish other than sitting around and waiting for her to wake up. She knew the feeling well, and she was all for it.

Reed left shortly after that, and Nikki returned inside feeling like she was floating on air. Kaylyn called her over.

“What was that about?” she asked eagerly.

“He wants to host an event here in honor of Trish,” she said excitedly. “Like a games evening, fundraiser, and prayer event all rolled into one.”

Kaylyn slapped her hand to her mouth. “Are you kidding me? That’s great. When?”

“Next weekend,” Nikki replied.

“Oh,” Kaylyn said as a worried look came over her face. “Will we have everything ready in time for that? I need to go check…”

“Oh no.” Nikki stopped her. “He said we don’t have to do anything other than provide finger food. He’s got it all under control.”

“I knew he had a good heart,” Kaylyn beamed. “And I always suspected he had a sweet spot for Trish. He was always coming around. When he came in, I thought he was growing sweet on you too.”

Nikki laughed. “That’s what that poking was about.”

Kaylyn giggled and blushed. “I’m glad to see that I was wrong.”

“Yes, you were, and that makes two of us, by the way,” she replied. “I’m still not sure if I’ll be here long-term.”

Kaylyn waved her off. “If you get to a month, you’re officially a resident.” She laughed.

Nikki smiled at her suggestion as well, but if she were there for a month, it could be assumed that Trish would be in a coma for as long, and she couldn’t imagine her sister sleeping for a prolonged period while the world continued around her.

“I still think we need to prep the staff so they know what to expect, just in case they need something,” Kaylyn said.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll call a meeting to alert them and decide what finger foods to provide.”

The women separated, and Nikki was heading to the house when she spotted an elderly woman sitting in the back, eyeing her. She lifted her feeble arms and motioned to Nikki.

She had never seen her before, so she wondered if she needed help. “Hi,” she said when she made it to the table. “Do you need help? Did you place an order?”

“No.” The woman chuckled and motioned to her to sit. “You’re the older sister, right?”

Nikki sat across from the woman. She seemed vaguely familiar, but she’d spent so much time in Camano as a child that she’d probably met her years ago before she’d hightailed it out of town.

“I am,” she said as she searched her memory. “I’m sorry, have we met? I’ve met so many people since I came here.”

“Not this time.” She smiled. “I just wanted to come and see you. I’ve seen Trish a couple of times, and she visits with me when she can, but I was friends with your parents.”

“Oh,” Nikki said in shock. “How did you know them?”

“I was very good friends with them.” She smiled.

Nikki couldn’t say she could agree with or refute the claims. Her parents didn’t always entertain their friends at the house, plus she wouldn’t have been of the mind to take note of her parents’ friends.

“Well, it’s good to meet you,” Nikki said and took the wrinkled hand the woman proffered. “I wish we were meeting on better terms.”

“Ah,” she said and waved her off. “Any terms are good terms is what I always say.” She smiled.

“You may have a point there,” Nikki said. “Do you live here on Camano Island?”

“Yes,” the woman replied. “That’s how I met your parents when you all used to come here as children during the summer.

You came to my house once or twice, but that was about it.

I didn’t expect either of you to remember me.

Plus, I looked a whole lot better.” She laughed.

“I’m Nelly, by the way. I forgot to say. ”

Nikki laughed. She could tell she was going to like the woman. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Nelly. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“That’s awfully kind of you, dear.” She smiled. “You’re every bit as sweet as your sister. Just know I’m praying for her.”

“Thank you,” Nikki said as her resident lump returned to her throat. “Oh, speaking of which, the Humane Society will be hosting an event for her next weekend. I hope you can make it.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that,” she said as she tried to remember.

“No, it isn’t public knowledge yet,” Nikki said before the lines on her forehead smoothed over. “Reed and I just agreed on it. It’s short notice, so I hope we can get the word out fast enough.”

“Well, I’ll be there,” Nelly promised.

“I’m happy to hear it. Would you like something to eat? Or drink?”

“Oh,” she said as she struggled to stand.

“There’s very little I can eat these days without needing a pill for this or an injection for that,” she said.

“Make sure you treat your body right,” she warned Nikki, who helped her get to her feet.

“When you’re older, everything breaks easily, but it all starts breaking when you’re young. ”

“That’s pretty good advice,” Nikki replied.

“I’ll see you around.” She smiled at Nikki, and her gray eyes twinkled.

Nikki’s heart warmed as she watched the woman leaving. She’d never known grandparents, but something told her that Nelly just might be that kind of woman.

It would seem her life had been revamped since her arrival in Camano, and as she walked back to the house, she wondered if her stay might not be permanent after all.