“Merry Christmas,” Reed said when she opened the door. “I know you’re leaving tomorrow, so this seemed like a good time to bring over our presents.”
“Presents!” The excited squeal came from the hallway as Esther bounded into the room. “We have presents for you, too,” she said.
Esther took the gifts from Justin and Phillip and sat on the couch. “Mommy, can you find their presents under the tree?”
Reed and Camryn watched as Esther opened her gift from Justin, a squawking, waddling, beautifully feathered mechanical chicken that looked almost real. She immediately exclaimed she loved it.
Her present from Phillip required opening three packages. According to Reed, Phillip had picked out his gift from a catalogue of rare and unusual items. Esther was mesmerized by the three painted bone china eggs that each came with a round pedestal.
“They’re from England,” Phillip said. And then, in Phillip fashion, he added, “Bet your chickens can’t lay eggs that pretty.”
Esther set them on the coffee table. “No. These are way prettier.”
Justin opened his easel and art set. And Phillip seemed pleased with the video game a mail-order internet site claimed was this season’s hot item.
When the kids went into Esther’s room to play a game, Reed carried a box to Camryn and set it on the floor. “Don’t try to pick it up,” he said.
She tapped her toe against the box. It didn’t move. “Oh, swell, a crate of bricks. I can really use them to start the border I was going to build around my front garden.” She laughed as she tore off the wrapping. Inside was a set of cast-iron skillets and three cast-iron pots with a coating of blue enamel that made each look like a work of art. Perhaps some women wouldn’t appreciate such a practical gift, but Camryn couldn’t stop smiling. “I can’t believe this,” Camryn said. “Where did you ever find them?”
“There’s a store in Atlanta called Hay Bale. They sell hard-to-find country items. I thought you might like them.”
“I love them.” She stood and walked over to him, putting her arms around him and giving him a strong hug. “Thank you so much.”
Realizing how intimate her gesture must seem, she backed up a step. But not before a sigh came from her lips. She placed her hand over her heart, thinking to muffle the sound pounding in her ears. Definitely not enough time had passed.
Reed raised his hand and let one finger drift slowly down her cheek. “You are welcome, Cam. But I’m pretty sure there’s one more thing in that package.”
She removed packing material and found a small box at the bottom. She opened it to find a chain and gold pendant with an artist’s rendition of the bunny on her property gate in the middle. Camryn choked back a sob. “It looks just like our cottontail.”
“I took a few pictures of your gate to give the engraver an idea. I think he came pretty close.” After a short pause, which gave Camryn time to steady her emotions, Reed added, “I know you probably haven’t decided yet what you’re going to do, but I figured either way, you might want a keepsake of the time you spent here.”
“Oh, Reed...” Just two words, but she couldn’t say more. Besides, those words expressed the depth of her gratitude and her regret at the same time. Reed had been the man who’d filled her dreams, whose kisses had made her knees delightfully weak and who had become her very dear friend. Tonight, when she had time, she would think about how each of these things had led to the sadness she felt now.
She cleared her throat. “I’m almost embarrassed to give you my gift,” she said, pulling a box from under the tree. “I’m afraid it’s pathetically practical.”
“More practical than skillets and pots?” he teased. “I’m sure I’ll love it. Everything under my mom’s tree with my name on it is shaped like socks, so this looks fascinating.”
He seemed to like the new work gloves and heavy wire brushes she’d bought to make cleaning the cages easier. She’d also picked up a few large hanging toys made for birds and a wooden placard that read, “Veterinarians are special. They can’t ask their patients what’s wrong. They have to know.”
“This is going right over my clinic door,” he said of the sign. “It’s great, Camryn.”
She made a pot of coffee and they talked for a while about what their kids had been doing in school, how Reed’s parents were, how many new patients he’d seen. All normal things that friends talked about.
“I’ll miss you while you’re gone,” Reed said after he’d called for his boys to come from Esther’s room.
“It’s only two days,” she said, knowing in her heart that two days away would seem like a month.
“Be careful driving up to Charleston,” he said. “We’re supposed to get a really strong cold front sometime in the next couple of weeks. Even quite a bit of snow. I don’t want you to get caught in it.”
“I’ll be back long before that,” she said. “We’ll be fine.”
“I know. That’s what you always say, and I’m finally starting to believe it.” He smiled at her belly. “You are fine, Camryn. A fine, strong, beautiful woman.”
His words tore at her heart. She wanted to say something equally intimate to him, but knew if she did, she might dissolve into tears.
He ushered his boys out to his car and they drove away.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?”
Esther’s voice brought Camryn back from the empty place her emotions had taken her. She wiped a tear from under her eye. “Nothing, sweetie. I’m fine.” Didn’t Reed just say so?
And wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were true?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHRISTMAS AT THE Montgomerys’ was a relaxing, family time. Linda and Craig Montgomery talked about the new baby at every opportunity, Linda managing to keep Camryn’s anxieties at a minimum. And both grandparents doted on Esther, who loved the attention.
Of course, being with the family did not allow Camryn time to talk to Brooke about her quest for Edward. Only on Christmas Eve night, when they were sharing the bedroom they’d grown up in, did Camryn again bring up the potential problems for Brooke if she continued the search.
“You’re only going to get hurt, Brooke,” she said. “If you never find him, you’ll always be unfulfilled. And if you do find him and he’s nothing like what you’d hoped for...remember Marlene and what she was like...you’ll be devastated.”
Brooke started to argue, but Camryn interrupted her. “Yes, I suppose he could be a hero, but what are the odds? With the start he had in life, he’ll more likely have bounced from one institution to another.”
“I’m not going to give up, Cammie, Edward is a part of us. He’s part of our family tree. He could turn out to be a fragile twig or a sturdy branch who could hold us both up. Or we could help him. I’ve got to know.”
“Have you found any information on him?” Camryn asked.
“My lawyer friend wasn’t able to find any leads other than a brief stay Edward had in a home in North Carolina. After that, his trail ran cold. But I’ve hired a private detective who believes he can help.”
“And what is this costing?” Camryn asked. “I’m not just talking about money, but also the cost in time away from your focus on your job. Has your station owner said anything to you?”
“Of course not. They love me at WJQC. My position there is as solid as Mount Rushmore. As a matter of fact, I think I’m being considered for a raise and promotion.” Brooke paused and took a deep breath. “Don’t worry about me, Cam. It’s time you thought about your own life and the decision facing you right now.”
“I wish you hadn’t brought that up,” Camryn said. “I’m still no closer to making up my mind. It didn’t help that I saw Reed yesterday. We exchanged gifts by the Christmas tree. It could have been romantic, but unfortunately...”
“I’m so sorry, Cam. I wish the relationship had worked out the way you wanted it to.
I hope my advice to tell Reed the truth didn’t jeopardize your chances with him.”
“Of course it did,” Camryn insisted. “But Reed would have known I was pregnant soon enough.”
Brooke’s voice, low and husky, was choked with emotion. “Come home to Charleston, Cam. I can’t wait to be an aunt to this new little guy or girl. And Mom and Dad are about to explode with the excitement of having another grandchild.”
“Don’t bring Mom and Dad into this,” Cam said.
“But it’s true. We can all help you with the kids. And the love...why those two children would be surrounded by love 24/7. I know that means a lot to you.”
“Of course it does, but so does living my own lifestyle, a lifestyle that seems to suit Esther just fine.” A lifestyle that would have been perfect if Reed had been in it full-time. “We’re still close enough to Charleston to come for visits.”
“I realize that’s true, but I want you close by. I want to know you’re a few minutes away, if you need me, or I need you.”
Camryn gave her sister a warm smile. “A few miles won’t destroy what we have between us.”
Brooke shook her head. “My sister, the practical one.”
“Someone has to be.”
“Something tells me we’re not going to solve the Montgomery girls’ problems tonight, Cammie. Get some sleep. My little niece or nephew needs it.”
“Love you, Brooke.”
“Love you, Cammie.”
And as it had for so many years, the room settled into a comfortable and enduring peace.
* * *
CHRISTMAS IN A motor home, even a large, extravagant one, has its challenges. But Reed’s mother wouldn’t hear of not hosting her favorite event of the year. Somehow she’d managed to get a six-foot tree, yards of garland and a mountain of presents in the main lounge. The home and nearby trees were vibrant with lights. Even Reed’s sister, Penelope, having flown in from New Jersey, was happy to be with family though she had to sleep on a twin bunk bed in the back of the unit.
“Thank goodness you got your home built when you did, Reed,” Bertie Bolden exclaimed as she made scrambled eggs on Christmas morning. “I can’t imagine all of us squeezing into the camper, but we would have done it. I’m not about to leave anyone out at Christmas.”
When a contemplative look crossed her face, Reed said, “What’s wrong, Mom? You suddenly seem out of sorts.”
“I just wish Camryn and that adorable little girl of hers were here to join us.”
Reed still wasn’t comfortable with his mother bringing up Camryn, but that didn’t stop her from doing so every chance she got. Reed took a sip of coffee. “I’m sure Camryn and Esther are having a wonderful Christmas in Charleston.”
Penelope looked up from the floor where she was playing a board game with the boys. Though she didn’t say anything, Reed was certain she was eavesdropping on the conversation.
“Can we talk about this later?” he said, giving a secretive nod at Penelope.
“Sure we can, honey,” Bertie said. “But I don’t understand why you couldn’t make it work with that wonderful woman.”
Reed sighed. Apparently “later” meant right now. “Mom, I told you, it just wasn’t the right timing for either of us. Our kids had problems getting along. Camryn was super busy with all of her businesses. She had—”
“You’re busy too, Reed. I see you outside all the time with those rescue animals. And your clinic is starting to draw patients. But being busy is no reason to neglect the most primary needs in your life.”
“Mom! Can we please not discuss my needs in front of my sons.”
Penelope glanced up at him and giggled. “You’re in for it now, brother dear. And when Mama’s done with you, I want to hear all about this Camryn.”
If Penelope weren’t so darned cute with her dark pixie haircut, dimples and long eyelashes, Reed might have told her to mind her own business. As it was, he just scowled.
“Don’t tease, Pen,” Bertie said. “I just want to see Reed with a family and hope for a future of happiness.”
“I have a family, Mom,” Reed said. “And they are all here within arm’s reach right now. Frankly, it’s more family than I can deal with sometimes.”
Bertie transferred the eggs to the microwave to keep them warm and began mixing pancake batter. “What happened between the two of you, Reed? You and Camryn were seeing so much of each other. I could tell she really liked you. Did you do something...?”
“No, Mom. Camryn and I still see a lot of each other. We’re neighbors after all.” Reed had never told his mother about Camryn’s problems with anxiety or about her pregnancy. He had promised Cam that the news was hers to reveal whenever she decided the time was right. So far Camryn had avoided seeing Bertie when she wasn’t wearing bulky clothes. But now that his mother’s face was the equivalent of a giant question mark, maybe now he should. Once Bertie saw Camryn after she returned, the secret would be obvious anyway.
He took a deep breath. “Look, Mom, there’s something you don’t know about Camryn.”
Bertie wiped her hands on her apron. “She’s sick, isn’t she? Oh, I thought that might be the problem when you told me she wasn’t feeling well. What is it, Reed? Nothing serious, I hope.”
Reed spoke to his sons. “Go outside and play a few minutes, okay, boys?”
“But it’s cold out there,” Phillip protested. “And I’m hungry.”
“You won’t starve or freeze in the next ten minutes. I’ll call you back in before you do.”
Reluctantly the boys slipped into their jackets and stocking caps and headed out the door.
Penelope took a seat at the table. “I can stay, can’t I?”
“I suppose. You won’t cause much interference from a condo in New Jersey.”
Bertie set her cooking utensils aside and joined her children at the table. “Stanley,” she called to her husband. “Come join us. I have a feeling what Reed is about to tell us is important.”
Reed’s dad changed from one news channel to another on the TV. “If it is, you’ll tell me later, Bertie.”
Bertie clasped her hands and stared across the table at her son. “Well?”
“Camryn isn’t sick, Mom. She’s pregnant.”
“Pregnant? Oh, my stars, Reed. Didn’t I raise you better than that? Did you take advantage of that sweet girl...”
His frustration mounting, Reed realized the mistake he’d made in blurting out the truth. It wasn’t enough that he’d come to the most difficult decision of his life when he chose to break it off with Camryn rather than have a relationship and help raise her child. Now his mother was piling on guilt after she’d jumped to the entirely wrong conclusion.
“I’m not the father!” he exclaimed.
“Well, then who is?” Bertie asked. “I’ve never seen a man over there...”
“Her ex-husband is the father, the same man who is Esther’s father.”
Bertie’s voice lowered to a near whisper. “Oh, my, that does make for a sticky situation.”
“Tell me about it,” Reed said. “It happened shortly before Camryn got divorced, and kids meaning what they do to Cam, she set her sights on having this baby even if she no longer stayed with her husband.”
“That’s admirable, I guess,” Bertie said. “A child coming into the world is a blessing no matter the circumstances. Is the ex-husband a decent man?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never met him. But you can see that any hopes I might have had for Camryn and me were complicated enormously when she told me about this.”
Bertie nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I can. But it’s not impossible.”
“I have no idea how involved this man will be in Camryn’s life once the kid is born. I’ve already had problems with Esther getting along with our two hooligans out there. Add in Camryn’s ex and my ex and tr
y to imagine four kids and four parents all making decisions about what’s best for two entirely different sets of children. And Camryn and I have very different ideas about how to raise children. It could get really messy, Mom.”
“Or it could work just fine with a little compromise,” Bertie said.
Reed closed his eyes a moment and considered his next words carefully. “Mom, I appreciate your optimism. I really do. But think about this logically. I’ve just started up a home and a practice here. Every dime I made when I sold the old practice I’ve put into developing this piece of property, which, thank goodness, you and Dad gave me.”
“I’m not sure how things will go here. I mean, so far, so good, but I could still fall flat. I’ve got to devote myself to making it work, not just for me, but for Phillip and Justin. I’ve already got two kids I’m responsible for, and we both know they are a handful...”
“Oh, nonsense, Reed,” Bertie said. “I love having the boys around.”
“Not all the time!” Reed’s father called from his TV chair. “Tell the truth, Bertie.”
“At any rate,” Reed said, hoping to get the conversation back on track, “I’m just learning to be a full-time father to my own two. I can’t take on the responsibility of Camryn’s children, either emotionally or financially.”
“But does all that really matter?” his mother said. “The important thing is that you like Camryn, right?”
“Of course I like Camryn.” He paused. “I like her a lot, but despite what you say, that is not the important thing. My financial situation, her situation with her ex-husband, the success of my practice here in South Carolina, improving the behavior of those two boys...” He sighed heavily. “For heaven’s sake, Mom, it’s all important!”
A low, muttering sound from across the table made Reed look toward his sister. “I suppose you have something to add to this discussion, as well.”
Penelope smiled. “I do know a little about relationships and commitments. That is my game after all.”
Baby Makes Four Page 17
