Back Where I Belong: A Wonderfully Witty and Completely Absorbing Love Story (Susan Wade Series Book 3)
Page 30
“That would be prudent,” he replied.
“Since I’m unable to introduce her in person, perhaps you might invite her to Swans Quarter for a visit. You could take that opportunity to express your concerns about Reeves’ replacement. I can promise she’s very…interesting.”
“Well, I do enjoy meeting interestin’ people.” I felt the edge in his chuckle. “I’ll have Donna call over to your office.”
“Her name is Kirsten Scythe. And it’s her office now,” I said glumly.
“Well, we’ll have to see about that. Patience is a virtue lost on current society, Miss Susan. I, on the other hand, have been blessed with a plentiful supply.”
I imagined a tiger crouched in the brush, waiting for its lunch to wander by.
41
To the Gallows
My birthday was overshadowed by my mounting anxiety. When not worried about the baby, work dominated my thoughts. I knew Reeves was a warning shot across my bow. Waves of anger and misery crashed against my hull, a churning ocean into which I was rapidly sinking.
My personal coast guard cutter sailed into the room and handed me a folded brochure. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
“What’s this?” I asked.
He smiled brightly. “A present you can cash in when you’re ready. You won’t be able to climb mountains anytime soon, but you once told me about a place called Stone Mountain that you’d enjoyed hiking as a kid. I thought we’d sneak down for a weekend once the baby’s born. Since it’s only an hour past your mamma’s, I imagine she could watch him while we had an overnight.”
“Her,” I corrected.
“The baby,” he conceded. “There’s this lodge nearby—right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.” He pointed to the picture.
In an act of simple love, he’d exchanged a birthday celebration that should have been filled with champagne and dancing for hope and the perfect promise of normalcy; of trekking up steep mountain paths rather than struggling just to walk twenty feet to the bathroom. “Thank you. I can’t wait.”
“Me either.” He ran a finger down my arm. “I was thinking, after a good long hike and soothin’ bath, I could lay you out on a bearskin rug in front of a fire…maybe with not so many clothes on.”
I spent the whole evening fantasizing about making love to Pete in all manner of positions. I would use the dreams he’d wrapped in pretty paper to get me through these last few weeks of pregnancy, a raft to which I’d cling.
♥
“It was the strangest thing,” Mona said as we sipped tea and nibbled cookies. It had become our Sunday afternoon ritual. Regardless of temperature, Pete and Jimbo went out on the boat, and the Mona and Susan Book Club—well, porn and gossip club, in all honesty—would meet. “When I invited Jayne to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family last week, she told me she was goin’ up North to visit with her children. But on our way over to Charlotte’s house, I saw her car parked in the office lot right beside Kirsten’s. I know she’s demandin’ and all, but to make Jayne work on Thanksgiving Day? It’s just not right to keep a woman from seein’ her own children. And her with a grandbaby on the way to boot.” She huffed and shook her head is dismay.
I thought about how I’d worked right through Thanksgiving when in Ohio. Like Kirsten, I’d had no reason to go elsewhere, but expecting my staff to be in the office on a national holiday? I frowned. There was surely a lawsuit in her near future.
“Then, when I dropped by her house the next day with a pie,” Mona continued, “she acted awfully strange. Odd that she didn’t even invite me in, don’t ya think?”
“Very,” I concurred.
“And I am surely imaginin’ things, but I could swear I saw Kirsten’s fancy car pullin’ up in front of her house right as I was turning the corner to go home.”
♥
Mona’s voice was filled with sorrow and despair the next day. “Oh Susan,” she said, breaking into muffled sobs. “Kirsten came in this morning, all smiles, and asked to see me right away. I didn’t know what to make of it.” Her voice dropped to a strained whisper. “She told me to shut the door, and then pointed to the stack of thick packets on her desk.” When she blew her nose, it sounded like an elephant. “She’s called an all-district meeting and, and…she’s firin’ nearly everyone today.”
“Everyone?”
“Well, best as I can figure. Those she can’t fire outright, she’s givin’ one week to find another job in the company. A week,” she squeaked. “I looked through the packets. The only people she’s keepin’ are Jayne, Gene, and the new boy she brought in to replace Reeves. That’s it. She told me I wasn’t fired, yet. That’s the word she used. Yet.”
“You’re too high up for her to directly fire. I’ll find a place for you.” It wouldn’t be in North Carolina, but I’d make sure she survived.
“That’s not the worst of it. She’s not firin’ one single person herself. She’s makin’ me do it. Me! I’ve never fired a soul in my whole life. I’m a mess just thinking about it. And here it is three weeks before Christmas. What am I supposed to say?
“I broke down right in front of her, too. I couldn’t help it. I’d been holdin’ back like you told me to. No matter how many times she sent me to Raleigh, no matter how many mean things she said about my work, my friends, our clients, and especially you, I’ve not cried—at least not in front of her. But she broke me today. It’s like she was trying to crack me open, and she finally did it.” Mona burst into a fresh round of sobs. “And you should have s-s-seen her ex-expression. It was s-scary.” Whatever she said next was thoroughly unintelligible.
I heard a soft knock in the background.
“Oh, Lord have mercy,” she said with a shuddering gasp. “It’s startin’. Pray for me. Please?” The line went dead.
For a few long minutes, I stared at the boiling cloud of rage obscuring the ceiling.
“Susan.” Bob didn’t sound remotely surprised to hear my voice. Though utterly futile, I’d called anyway. It was that or have a friggin’ heart attack. Already my vision was blurring at the edges, and a fierce headache was sweeping over me like a tsunami. Shutting my eyes, I rode through the pain. “It’s already done.”
“But—”
“Kirsten has every right to bring in her own people. Most managers do it. You certainly rearranged personnel when you took over the district, and I approved two promotions immediately. I thought it was damned decent of you not to clean house.”
“But I—”
“I know you’re upset.”
“Upset is putting it mildly.” Enraged, murderously homicidal…
“If it’s any consolation, once you’re assigned your next district, you can negotiate to bring those who haven’t lost their jobs over.” My next district… I wasn’t ready to have that conversation with Bob, Pete, or even myself.
“What about those she’s fired? My sales team?”
“Kirsten’s sales team. And she’s not the only one losing people. Don’t worry about this right now. Focus on your health.”
I had absolutely no recourse. I’d known that before I called him, but dammit! The longer I stared at my black and turbulent ceiling, the more ferocious my headache became. Mona was suffering. I imagined her pale, tear-stained face, her chest caving in upon itself as she absorbed the shock and fury of those she’d called friends. She wasn’t made like me. Her pelt was softer, more pliable—easier to rip. And that was surely what was happening in real time. Kirsten was lacerating her unblemished heart, scarring it permanently. I realized with a shock that she might not come out of this the same person.
I had to protect her. She was the closest thing I’d ever have to a sister. She was family. She was precious. I rolled off the bed, yanked open the closet door, and rooted for something semi-presentable. Susan Wade Walsh was breaking out of pregnancy jail and taking a little field trip.
♥
“You fucking bitch!” I screeched, bursting through Kirsten’s door. “You are destroying these peop
le’s lives for your own amusement. It’s almost Christmas, for God’s sake! What are they supposed to tell their families?”
She raised a savagely waxed brow, a ghastly smile forming. “Santa’s not real? Look, if you cared so much about their welfare, you shouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place. God, you’re fat.”
“Why are you making Mona do your dirty work? Why not at least enjoy the pleasure yourself?” By then, the whole of the office—what was left of it, anyway—was crammed into the doorway; innocent eyes blinked as our age-old battle raged.
“Oh, I am enjoying it. Trust me. But listening to their whining is so tiresome. I’ve heard it all a hundred times before. Right, Jayne?”
Jayne had the good sense not to respond. She had seen this evil creature in action before. She surely loathed her even more than the rest of them. What horrible stroke of fate had placed her under Kirsten’s twisted rule a second time? And for that, how could she not hate me? I was completely to blame for her misfortune. I offered her my most apologetic look.
Kirsten regarded Mona for a moment before returning her attention to me. “Ramona is your sister-in-law, correct?”
Cousin-in-law, whatever that meant, but I wasn’t quibbling over details at the moment. I glanced at Mona. Just as I’d imagined, her white pallor was punctuated with pink blotches and fiery red streaks. Her mascara had long worn off, and her eyes looked tired and vacant. She walked in the piercing light of goodness and mercy, but she’d just been cast into a dark place—one I’m sure she didn’t believe existed. I knew its blackness well. Hell, I used to live there.
“What the fuck does that have to do with anything?”
“Who better to let your ‘family’ down than one of them?”
“Family?”
“That’s what they are to you, right?” she sneered. “I mean, that’s how your husband treated them when he came to visit. Didn’t hug me, though…” She tapped her chin, her reptilian lips forming a mock pout. “I felt so left out.” Her eyes then narrowed. “If you had even the slightest clue about company politics, you’d understand the importance of housekeeping. You’ve raised these people to be loyal to you. I need my own. Ones loyal to me.”
“That species is long extinct, Kirsten. You are the most hated DM at INTech. People despise you. Don’t you know that?”
“I love that you care about my reputation.” Her laughter was chilling. “You always have, my little puppy. I taught you how to step on others—showed you how to get ahead.” I shook my head, taking a step backward. “Don’t feign innocence, Susan. You and I are the same.” She then pointed an imperious claw at Mona. “Finish your job.” Her growl was feral—or was that mine?
“This is between you and me. Leave her alone, Kirsten, or I’ll—”
“You’ll what? Look at you. You can barely stand up straight. What is it that you think you can do? You have no authority here, as I’m sure your pal, Bob, has already explained.”
“I swear, I’ll devote my life’s work to seeing you fired!” I screamed.
Kirsten’s face twisted in horror. I couldn’t believe my threat carried such weight. “Oh. My. God!” she shrieked, though her voice was oddly muffled. Then I heard Mona call my name from somewhere far away.
What a pretty shade of red, I thought, as I landed on the wet and matted carpet.
42
The “C” Word
The din of chatter, rubbery squeaks, and elevator pings hurt my ears. A kind voice told me I was doing just fine. I was confused. Was I not doing fine before? And why couldn’t I see?
Whatever I was lying on came to a gentle halt. Murmurs, mild beeps, and the smell of alcohol replaced the cacophony. I tried opening my eyes but lacked the strength. Oblivion lulled me into itself.
Sometime later, I was roused by a different voice—a voice I knew better than my own. He was praying ardently, his whispers filled with immense gratitude as he rhythmically stroked my forehead. I turned towards the sound, and he gasped. “Susan, can ya hear me?”
“Pete?” I croaked.
“Right here, darlin’. I’m right here beside ya.”
“Where are we?”
“The hospital.”
“Are you okay?”
He let out a strangled laugh. “Never better.”
“Am I okay?”
“Yes,” he said adamantly, but then choked out, “Oh sweetheart, you—I—” He buried his face in my hair and broke into quiet, gut-wrenching sobs. My heart doubled upon itself, and tears spilled down my temples. I tried to console him but my arms were so heavy.
“I love you,” I mumbled.
A whimper escaped his lips. “I love you, too. More than the world itself.” He cradled my head and painted my face with kisses. With a great deal of effort, I finally pried open my lids. Even in the dim light, he looked wretched.
“There you are,” he said, his red-rimmed eyes lighting like a Christmas tree.
“I need to tell you something.”
He leaned closer. “What darlin’? What do you want to tell me?”
“Gonna throw up,” I garbled.
“I didn’t quite catch that.”
“Gonna throw—” My body lurched, and I promptly puked all over him. “Up.”
After a moment of shocked silence, he laughed. “You do pick the most interesting times to do that.”
Pete pulled off his sodden shirt and waved a nurse over. She froze mid-step, gawked at his torso, blinked once, and then yanked off my blanket. “That’d be the anesthesia,” she said, wiping the vileness from my mouth and chin. “You’ll feel much better now.” She then cocooned me in a heated, fresh-smelling blanket, its warmth feeling better than anything I’d ever known. “I’ll go get you a bedpan in case there’s more in your stomach, and a…” She raked her eyes over Pete’s chest once more. “A shirt for your, um, husband.” She dropped her eyes and scurried away.
I tried to laugh, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. Suddenly—finally—I realized why I was here. I looked frantically at Pete. “Is the baby—?”
“Perfect, though I’m afraid she has your temper.” Too raw and lacking his usual self-control, that sliver of humor failed to mask his apprehension.
“It’s not alright, is it?”
He sighed and met my eyes. “They had to take her by emergency C-section. She’s gonna be here a few days—you both are.”
“It’s a girl?”
Nodding, he said, “She’s the most beautiful child I’ve ever seen.” Though his smile was threadbare, his eyes were fierce—willing everything to be alright, willing us both whole.
“Can I see her?”
“Sweetheart, she’s in an incubator. She came awfully early.” His upper lip disappeared, launching me into full panic. “If she’s got even one drop of you in her—and she absolutely does, she’ll fight for all she’s worth. And she’s gonna win. I promise you that.” Pete was losing it, and that terrified me. “The doctor said they’ll put her in your arms the second she’s ready.”
I choked on my anguished moan and, true to form, threw up again.
♥
Impatience was my trademark, but even so, I’d reached a whole new level. “I want to hold my damn baby,” I seethed, glaring at the latest nurse. They left as fast as they entered. And they kept getting younger and less experienced. In fact, at this point, I was fairly certain I was participating in some kind of baptism-by-fire, on-the-job training exercise.
Wide-eyed, she shook her head frantically. “I’m not—I mean, I’ll have to go ask. Be right back.” Poof! Another one gone.
“Darlin’, you’re scarin’ ’em to death.”
“I don’t care. She’s my flippin’ baby. I’m supposed to be nursing her or something. What is taking so long?”
Pete looked at the floor, his smile fading. “Sweetheart, she’s battlin’ mightily right now. Give her time. They’re monitoring her around the clock. You’ll be able to hold her soon, I know it.” His exhale was ragged, and I real
ized he was holding mind and body together by sheer force of will. He mustered a smile. “She’s you incarnate. I think she’s scarin’ off the nurses as fast as you are.”
I tried to laugh, but the pain in my abdomen was wicked.
He bent down and touched his lips to my forehead. “Do you need more pain meds?”
Tears filled my eyes. I hated looking weak, especially in front of Pete. “Yes.”
“I’ll let the nurses know.”
“They’ll probably bring me cyanide.”
He smiled genuinely. “Probably. While I’m at it, I’ll just wander over and check on the baby.” He was a ping-pong ball, bouncing back and forth between us. I’m not sure he’d even slept since she was born.
“Pete,” I said, as he reached the door. “Go eat something. And for the love of God, take my mother with you before I feed her my cyanide.”
He nodded. “Soon as I see the baby.”
“I love you,” I whispered.
He placed his hand over his heart, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply. “Don’t go anywhere.” Though a joke, his voice was earnest.
♥
I assumed she’d be a wrinkled raisin, something ugly and slightly repulsive. That image couldn’t have been farther from reality. Bundled in a pink blanket, the moment I held her the world simply fell away. I gazed at this tiny, mystical creature for a very long moment, and then up at Pete. His eyes brimmed with the same awe and wonder I felt. “She’s just…beautiful.”
He nodded. “Perfect in every way.” He touched her head, priest-like, and then brushed my cheek with his knuckles. “We made her, you and I,” he murmured. “We made this precious child.”