Finding Home

Chapter Three

         “They’re very nice, Mom.”
         “Then why not stay for a while?  They’re you’re family as much as we are,” Molly Stone replied.
         Deborah could imagine her mother sitting curled up on the couch reading one of her romance novels.  Molly Stone was a firm believer in multi-tasking on all levels.
         “I know, I just don’t know how to relate to them.  Gabe and Laney were fine, but now this whole humongous family is going to be there.”
         “You’ll muddle through.”
         Deborah sighed, wishing her mother would beg her to come home.  She knew it wouldn’t go that way, but she still wished her mother would surprise her.  “Is Daddy still working on the Dalton case?”
         “Yes, and he doesn’t want to hear one word about you coming home until you’re ready.”
         “Okay.”
         “Enjoy them, Deb.  You’re so lucky to have found them.  They sound wonderful.  A big family may not be what you’re used to, but it might open you up some.”
         “You’re not going to start the shrink stuff are you?”
         “I’m trying very hard not to.  Just go to dinner tonight, love.  Relax… whatever happens, happens.  You’ll live through it.”
         “All right.  Mom, I love you.”
         “I know sweetie.  I love you too.  Go have fun.”
         “Yes, ma’am.  Bye.”
         “Bye.”
         She had thought calling home would make her feel homesick.  She had thought it would leave her desperate to head back to Detroit and the life she had built there.  It didn’t produce either reaction; it simply made her feel restless.
         She still had two hours before she was expected at the Kapshaws for their intimidating family dinner.  Standing, she decided she needed to move around a bit—more than just pacing the tiny hotel room.  Gathering her coat and gloves, she headed down into the cold January afternoon.
         She had seen a lot of Lilac Grove in her car, but very little on foot.  It was a pretty little town in places, neat and cozy and inviting.  Other places were falling apart and in much need of love and attention.  This made her think of the man she’d met at the Kapshaws two days ago.  Kyle Connelly of Connelly renovations.  She turned onto Main Street wondering if Kyle had closed his deal or not.
         The buildings were definitely dreary and run down.  They were empty of businesses or any signs of life.  Deborah walked down the street, her eyes on the buildings.  On one storefront window, a large poster hung announcing that renovations would be starting soon courtesy of Connelly Renovations.  Deb couldn’t help but smile at the pretty picture of what the place was mocked up to look like once the project was complete.  It was pretty, homey and fun.
         “Like it?”
         Startled, Deborah turned around to face Kyle himself, smiling that charming smile.
         “Hi,” he greeted, his hands shoved deep into his pockets against the cold.
         “Hi.”  She looked away from his cheerful brown eyes that seemed to always want more than she was really interested in giving.
         “Like it?” he repeated casually.
         “Seems like it will be nice.”
         “Your praise is embarrassing,” he replied dryly.
         “You didn’t make that picture, I’m guessing.”
         Kyle laughed.  “Fair enough.”          
         “So… these are businesses with living spaces upstairs?”
         “Yeah, just as they were built.  They can be used for apartments or living quarters for the owner, or they can be expanded to be part of the business.  The ones that don’t get bought upfront we’ll probably make living spaces out of.”
         “Got any upfront buyers?”
         “Not exactly yet.  We’ve got some interested parties.  Basically, right now we’re taking investors or buyers who want to have some say in the aesthetics of the inside.  We’d like to attract a variety of businesses.”
         “I see.”  Deborah looked at the building in front of her.  She could see it finished in her mind’s eye. 
         “Want to take a look through?”
         “Huh?”
         “I can take you on a tour.”
         Deborah surveyed the dilapidated buildings.  They certainly didn’t look safe or even tour-worthy.
         “It’s safe,” Kyle added with a chuckle.  “Number One we’re making sort of a model and will be our offices once finished.  We’re not anywhere near finished, but it’s safe and you can see the setup.”
         Fascinated by the building, feeling an inward tug, Deborah found herself assenting before she’d even thought about it.  She followed Kyle back down to Number One.
         She could tell that work had been started, but Kyle was right to say they weren’t close to being finished.
         “We’re hoping to have more than just shops, but restaurants and then even business offices for like accountants or… lawyers.”
         Deborah tried to act unaffected, but she could see how she would set up this front area as a lobby, and the back room as an office.  She could see the colors she’d used and the type of furniture.  It would be beautiful.
         They moved upstairs, Kyle pointing out features that would be added.  He managed to paint the perfect picture of a homey above-store living space.
         “We’re going to put balconies out back and that area will be grown up into a garden.”
         It would be beautiful; Deborah couldn’t help but be enthralled by it all.
         “You seem to like it.”
         “It’s a good idea.”
         “Interested in buying?  Or investing?”
         Deborah was surprised to find herself considering the possibility.  Detroit was her home, she couldn’t possibly buy a living space or office space in Lilac Grove.  She was working her way up in her father’s firm.  She didn’t have nearly the experience to open her own practice… even a small practice.  Still, the picture and the idea wouldn’t shake itself loose.          
         “I don’t know.”
         “We can set up a meeting.  I can give you the whole spiel.”
         “I don’t know.  I’m not…” Deborah felt shaken.  Just another upheaval, she didn’t think she was ready to make a decision like this, no matter how right it felt.
         “A meeting couldn’t hurt, just to give you some specifics.”
         “I don’t…” She felt the tears stinging her eyes before she had a chance to stop them.  Very afraid she would lose it right in front of this near stranger, she had to escape.  “I have to go.”
         She turned and tried to leave, but Kyle gently grabbed her shoulder.  “Hey, what’s wrong?”
         “Nothing is wrong, I’m just late.”  But the tears were threatening and she didn’t think she could stop them.
         “Here, sit down.  I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Kyle offered, his apology too heartfelt for comfort.
         She didn’t want his apologies or his kindness.  Still, his strong, guiding hand lead her toward the stairs and guided her to sit.  She couldn’t argue with him or the touch.
         “God, this is all just too much.”  Deborah buried her head in her hands, knowing it would be worse if he actually saw her cry.  She wished the world would just swallow her whole.
         Why did he have to show up on the street at just that moment?  She didn’t want anything to do with him.  She certainly didn’t want to be crying in front of him, but the tears fell and all she could do was try to bring herself back to the characteristic calm she was used to.
         Kyle awkwardly patted her shoulder.  “What’s too much?”
         Deb shook her head, wiping the tears from her cheeks.  “I was supposed to find my father, not this huge family.  It was supposed to be a few weeks tops, gradual, not some major life change.  It was supposed to be… I don’t even know, but it wasn’t supposed to be so much.”
         “If it’s too much then you step back and take it one step at a time.”
         “Yeah, way easier said than done.”  But, nevertheless, she felt some of her control return.  “Look, I’m sorry for losing it.  It’s not like me, at all.  But…”
         “You’ve got a lot going on.  It’s understandable.”
         She didn’t like the way he looked at her, as if it was understandable and he in particular understood.  “Well, anyway, I should get going.”
         “Sure, but, if you don’t mind me asking… what did you mean find your father?”
         “Uh, I kind of do mind.  No offense, you’ve been very kind, but it’s none of your business.”
         “I know, but in a small town like this, rumors fly.”
         Shocked that she would even be an inkling of interest, she gaped at Kyle.  “I’ve only been here a few days.”
         “Sure, but we don’t get a whole lot of strangers who stay in town.  And, if you’re involved with the Kapshaws… well, they’re like… they are the rock in this town.  And they have been forever.  A new addition to that family is news.  It’s just a shame that gossip has a way of distorting things.”
         “What are people saying?” Deborah demanded, knowing she should walk away and forget about it.  But, she couldn’t.  She didn’t want to be a source of gossip anymore than she wanted the Kapshaws to be.
         “Look, I try not to listen to gossip, but no one knows where you came from or who you belong to.  So, they’re speculating.”
         “It’s none of their damn business,” Deborah retorted, curling her fingers into fists.
         “Maybe not, but in this town, they think it is.”
         “Let them think it, I really don’t care.”
         “Okay.”
         At the calmness in his expression, she found herself even more irritated and frustrated, so she turned and walked down the stairs.  Her temper was boiling and she tried to reign it in, but couldn’t quite manage it.
         “Look, I never knew my biological father and what little I witnessed of my biological mother wasn’t all that impressive.  I was adopted by two amazing people and was living a perfectly normal life when I finally find out the name of my father—Roger Kapshaw.”  Spinning around to face Kyle, she couldn’t help but unleash her anger on him.  “So, I came here.  And my father’s dead and from all accounts not that much better than my mother when he was alive.  But there’s this huge amazing family just waiting there with open arms taking me in and treating me like I’ve always been a part of them.  So go spread that damn rumor.”
         Livid and, once again, on the verge of tears, she stormed out of the building and back out onto the street.
         “Deborah!  Deborah!  Wait!”
         She had no interest in waiting or calming her frayed nerves and temper.  She was going back to Detroit to forget the confusion of the past few weeks and go back to the life that she had been building for herself.
         “Deborah, come on!  Hold on one second.”  Kyle caught up with her much sooner than she had hoped.  He quickly stepped in front of her path and physically blocked her from going around him.
         “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?  You’re right; it’s none of my damn business.  It’s all just talk and I shouldn’t have said anything.  I have a knack for butting in where I don’t belong.  But, I know what you’re going through, trust me.”
         “How could you possibly?”
         “I’m… uh…”  Suddenly, the man of such cocky grins and immeasurable calm seemed uncomfortable.  “Well, besides the point, I’m sorry.  Truly.  I’m not usually such a colossal ass.”
         “I’ll take your word for it.”
         “Yah, I’m sure.”
         “Seriously, Kyle, I am late.”
         “Okay, just promise you won’t totally make up your mind about me as an interfering moron.”
         “Kyle-”
         “Have a drink with me sometime?”
         Shocked enough to practically laugh, Deb shook her head.  “No.”
         “Lunch?”
         “No!”
         “Breakfast?”
         “No, Kyle.”
         “Well, I’m running out of ideas then.”
         “I’m leaving.”  Frustrated beyond her breaking point, Deborah tried to brush past him, but he continued to follow her.
         “Deborah-”          
         Turning to face him, she threw her arms in the air.  “Kyle, I don’t know you.  I’m sure you’re very nice and maybe not even a colossal ass, but if my emotional breakdown back there didn’t give you a hint, I’ve got enough on my plate to keep me busy and knocking on nervous breakdown’s door.  I’m not interested in complicating things at the moment by going anywhere with you.”
         “I don’t understand how the two are related,” he responded, the cocky, unflappable grin back to its normal spot.
         He could be, moments after being a hideous jerk, completely charming.  That certainly didn’t matter.  “My answer is no, Kyle.  Now and always.”
         Kyle shrugged.  “You know, if a guy gave up on a beautiful woman that easily he’d never get anywhere.”
         “Goodbye, Kyle.”
         “See you around.  I’ll make sure of it!”
         She hadn’t a clue as to why she felt like laughing.  As she walked back to the hotel room, she could practically feel the stress melt away.