Page 43 of Here With Me

David stroked the kitten’s head and neck, making a soft shushing sound. “What can I do?”

She started to brush off the offer, but when she met his gaze, there was a depth of concern she hadn’t been prepared for. It wasn’t a throwaway statement. He really meant it. Had anyone ever offered to share the load with her? To help her out, not by doing it for her, but coming alongside her?

The tiny orange ball of fur held perfectly still in David’s arms, his large, yellow eyes taking in the store. “You really want to help?”

David shifted the kitten so that he held it tightly in one arm. He used his free hand to grip her arm. “Anything you need.”

Sadie gently scratched the kitten under his chin. Cuatro looked at her, his big, yellow orbs studying her. No wonder Lottie wanted a kitten so bad. “It’s the store. Dad took out a mortgage. I found this ledger full of store credits. Dad says he issued those credits when people really needed help. He doesn’t feel right asking them or reminding them.”

“You run a business, Sadie. A good one. If people owe the store, it’s okay to remind them. Send bills, talk to people.”

“That’s what I said. But my dad says he doesn’t feel right doing that.” They weren’t running a charity, but it was her business, and the line between honoring what her dad wanted and doing what the business needed seemed jagged. The kitten yawned, his mouth opening wide. He was a cute thing. “What’s his name again?”

David stepped closer, his breath fanning across her face. “Cuatro. Ready to hold him?”

David was so close. Close enough to touch, to smell, to kiss. His warm fingertips brushed against her arms as he passed Cuatro to her, the tiny fur ball purring and studying her with curiosity. Could a purring kitten really drain all the fight out of her? She’d heard that petting a cat was good for the soul, but to experience it firsthand…or was it the feel of David’s large hand settling on her shoulder?

“I’ll…I’ll take the kitten upstairs. Show him where the litter box is.” Maybe clear her head and figure out how to save the store.

“Do you mind if I look at the ledger you mentioned?” David’s gaze never faltered.

“Why?”

“I am serious about helping. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Let me help you.”

It would be great to have an extra set of eyes. But what if…There would always be a what-if. Right now, David was willing to be a second set of eyes. Someone to walk with her and help her out. “It’s on my desk next to my computer if you want to look at it while I take the kitten upstairs.”

The tiny body snuggled closer to her, trusting her, as she carried it up to her apartment. She showed the kitten the litter box and the food and watched him explore his new home, his curiosity winning out. What would it be like to be so trusting in a completely new situation? To have enough faith to explore, to try new things?

Could she have that kind of faith?

Could she go back downstairs and not only allow David to look at the ledger, but talk to him about her ideas and accept his offer of assistance?

The kitten jumped toward the sectional sofa and overshot the arm rest, sliding onto the cushion. Slightly startled with the landing, he sat down and started cleaning his face.

She could take a leap. Invite David in. Maybe with something smaller, less life altering than the business of the store. Like the kitten, if things didn’t quite work the way she thought, maybe all she’d need to do was wash her face and try again.

Resolved that she could take a chance on David’s offer of help, she returned to the store and found David helping Mrs. Allen pick out another paint color.

Sadie slid into her chair in the office and glanced down at the ledger David had left open. She closed it and pushed it aside. She’d start with something simple.

A few moments later, David settled into the chair across from her.

She pulled her lips in and squeezed them before letting out a breath. Just take the jump. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about webpages, would you?”

David held up his fingers about an inch apart. “I set up the school’s webpage.”

Of course he did. David could do everything. And he wanted to do things for her. Help her out. “I can’t figure out the store website. Could you look at that, too?”

David nodded, scooting forward in his seat. “I’d be happy to.”

Those simple words lifted the weight on her shoulders. She slid her computer around to face him. David pulled the computer closer and went to work. His face thoughtful, his thick hair flopping on his forehead. Occasionally, he’d rub his jaw and ask a few questions, but he eventually turned the screen around and showed Sadie a beautiful—could she call a hardware store website that?—layout.

Perfection.

It’s just what David did. He jumped in, helped out. Almost like her knight in shining armor. Not that she was a damsel in distress by any means, but when she couldn’t reach the top shelf, when the window needed washed, when drywall needed redone, when the website needed finished—David stepped in. He saw her. He saw the needs, and he filled them. Without prompting. Without her asking.

They did make a good team.

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