The Memory Keeper of Kyiv (39)

Cassie glanced at her mom. “What do you think?”

Anna said in a low voice, “Let’s give it a couple of days, but I’ll still call the doctor and update him. Keep an eye on her, and if it happens again, let me know right away.”

Anna stood and smiled at Bobby and Birdie. “I have to go get ready for work. You girls have a great day, and don’t forget, tomorrow is pancake Saturday! I’ll be by early to make breakfast, and I’ll need your help, Birdie.”

Cassie waved her mother off and watched as Bobby mixed up the batter and reminded Birdie how to fold the blintz. She seemed completely fine. What had happened last night? Who was Alina?





Cassie jolted upright in bed. Her dream came flashing back to her in a rush—the salty sea air, the waves crashing onto her bare feet.

Henry.

Cassie lay back down and closed her eyes, trying to cling to every beautiful detail.

Walking hand in hand with her on the beach where they’d honeymooned. Henry. Letting go of her hand. Pushing her ahead.

Be happy. Live your life.

The words echoed in her ears, and she clenched her fists, trying desperately to retain the feel of his hands in hers.

A leaf blower roared outside her window.

The spell broke. Her eyes flew open. She sat up again, and with an angry yank, ripped open her curtains, ready to yell at whatever poor lawn service sop her mother had hired. Instead, she saw Nick, dressed in his work uniform, blowing old leaves out of the flowerbeds. He whistled, not that she could hear him, and moved to the beat of whatever song was playing on his headphones.

His eyes, attracted to the movement of the curtains, looked up and connected with hers. A wide grin spread across his face, and he waved. Horrified, she snapped the curtains closed and sank back into her pillow. She rubbed her face and tried not to read too much into the fact that right after she’d finally dreamed of Henry, she’d woken up to Nick.

She groaned and rolled out of bed. After she’d brushed her hair and teeth and got dressed, she went into the kitchen. Once again, her eyes locked onto Nick, who sat at the table with Bobby and Birdie and a plate of pancakes in front of him.

“Well, you’re everywhere this morning, aren’t you?” She didn’t try to hide the annoyance in her tone, though it was more with herself than him, and kissed Birdie on top of her head.

“Good morning.” Her mother handed her a large mug of coffee, then went back to the stove and resumed flipping pancakes. “Nick brought Bobby’s paper up on his way home from work and offered to blow the leaves out of the landscaping.”

“I stopped as soon as I saw I’d woken you.” His eyes glinted with merriment.

“It’s fine,” Cassie said, holding up a hand. “I was up.”

Bobby, sitting across from Nick, snorted. “You were not.”

Her face reddened, and Nick smiled. “Your bed head gave you away.”

She touched her hair, now contained in a messy bun. “Well, it was a bit early for yard work, if you ask me. Why were you doing that, anyway?”

Nick shrugged. “I saw some perennials sprouting, so thought it would be nice to get things ready here so you guys can plant annuals whenever you want.”

“Nick is such a helpful boy,” Bobby said.

“Yes, wasn’t that nice?” Anna beamed at them as she slid another pancake onto Birdie’s plate. “Here, sweetie, have some more. Oh, I forgot. I left some groceries in the car.” She undid the apron she had tied around her waist. “I’ll be right back.”

Nick stood. “Let me get them for you.”

Anna waved him away. “You eat while your pancakes are still warm. It’s not much.”

“It’s all right. I’ll help her,” Cassie said.

Nick sat down reluctantly, then laughed when Birdie made a silly face at him.

Cassie narrowed her eyes at the scene, then slipped on her shoes and followed her mother outside. “You’re sure about him?”

Anna shot her an apologetic look. “I know you weren’t convinced by my bulb planting encounter with him, so I asked around, and I’ve heard nothing but nice things. I think Bobby is right. He’s just a nice guy who doesn’t have any family nearby.”

Cassie leaned into the trunk and grabbed the paper bags. “If you say so. It’s like Bobby adopted him as her surrogate grandson or something.”

“Bobby’s always felt motherly toward young people without family. When I was a kid, we had people who had nowhere else to go coming over for dinner or staying for the holidays all the time.” She paused and met Cassie’s eye. “He hasn’t done anything untoward to you or Birdie, has he?”

“No.” Cassie ground the toe of her shoe into the pavement. Even she could tell that her animosity toward Nick was excessive, but the alternative was way too scary to contemplate. “I mean, he read to Birdie the other day. For over a half hour. Actually, she really loved it. I haven’t seen her act that happy in a long time.”

“I thought she seemed a lot more comfortable around him today than she normally is around new people,” Anna said. “I think we jumped to the wrong conclusions. So far, all the poor guy has done is help an old lady without being asked or paid, planted bulbs for his dead grandma, and read to a little girl. Really, he seems pretty amazing. And that’s not even mentioning his killer smile.”