It's Only Make Believe

by Roseanne Dowell

  “You’re right I don’t like this house. I especially hate the white carpeting. That had to be my mother. If you recall that’s what’s in her house.”

  “To be honest I never noticed.” Brad laughed. “I only had eyes for you.”

  Heat crept up her neck to her cheeks. Was he flirting with her? What was it about this man that with a simple comment like that flustered her? She never reacted like that with any other man, and there’d been many who made comments that should have made her blush. She tried to brush the embarrassment aside. “So when do you plan on this house hunting expedition?”

  “After I close this deal with Edgehurst and get him off my back. Maybe another two weeks. Your ankle should be okay by then.” He got up from the table and carried their dishes to the sink.

  He came back and helped Michele up. “Where do you want to work, living room? Den?”

  “Living room will be fine. And if you’ll bring me the phone I can call Linda.”

  Brad carried her to the couch, brought her the phone, leaned down and kissed her. “You call if you need me. I’ll be home around noon maybe one o’clock. If Linda can’t come here, make an appointment for this afternoon and I’ll take you.” He turned to leave. “Anna, I’ll be home for a late lunch. You take good care of Missy,” he said before he closed the door.

  Michele was stunned. House hunting. Her husband was full of surprises. For the first time in her life, Michele was speechless.

  ***

  Brad hurried out to the car, whistling. He hadn’t been this happy in a long time. Ruby was going to be furious. Not that he cared. The woman drove him crazy. He thought he was a work-a-holic. He couldn’t hold a candle to Ruby. She was relentless. Two more weeks he’d be rid of her, too. God he hoped it was only two more weeks. Much more of this Edgehurst, and he’d chuck the whole deal and either give up the account or let Ruby handle the rest of it herself.

  He almost mentioned the vacation to finish that honeymoon but decided against it. Good thing he decided to take the promotion they offered. He was tired of traveling. At least Michele agreed to go house hunting. It would give her time to digest the idea of a house before he talked about making their marriage permanent.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Michele leaned back. What did all of that mean? Was Brad suggesting a house because of the baby? She hoped not. Still, he’d remembered their conversation about wanting a ranch. She smiled and shook off the confused feeling - she had work to do. She picked up the phone and made an appointment with Doctor Haskell the Orthopedic Doctor for the next day. Then she called Linda Kirby.

  “Linda, hi this is Michele. Listen, I’ve a bit of a problem. I fell down the stairs yesterday and broke my ankle.”

  “Oh no, are you all right? The baby?” Linda’s voice almost sounded frantic.

  “I’m fine, the baby is fine.” Michele had almost forgotten Linda knew about her pregnancy. “I have all the final fabric swatches and color charts for your nursery, would it be too much trouble for you and Joe to come here? We can finalize everything, and I can arrange for the workers to get started out there as soon as possible.”

  “No that’s not a problem. What time?”

  Michele looked at her watch. “How about ten o’clock?”

  “Sounds great, we’ll be there. Oh, uh, Michele... Did you tell Brad? I know it’s none of my business, but... well you know me, Miss Nosy.”

  Michele laughed. “Yeah I had to tell him last night before he took me to the hospital. He’s very excited.”

  “Good. Okay, we’ll see you about ten. Do you need anything?”

  “No, thanks I’m fine. See you in a bit.” Michele hung up and stretched. Life never felt so good.

  Anna brought her some juice and another cup of coffee. “The Mister took the news good.”

  Michele laughed at the sheepish grin on Anna’s face. Little stinker that she was, she knew exactly how the Mister took the news. “Yes, Anna he took the news well.”

  “Good! Maybe now you act like normal married couples and sleep together again. Like last night.” Anna crossed her arms over her ample bosom and the look on her face almost dared Michele to deny they were normal.

  This woman knew too much about their lives. Good thing Michele trusted her and knew she wouldn’t go running back to her mother and mother-in-law with anything that went on in their home. She chuckled at the idea Anna had been hired to spy on them. It was nice to know where her loyalties lied.

  “Have you heard from Louise this morning? Any news about Mikayla?”

  “No nothing, Missy. Louise is upside herself. She don’t know which way is down.”

  Michele loved the way Anna talked, the way she got phrases mixed up. “I wish there was something we could do. Anything. This waiting has to be hell for her.”

  Anna nodded her head sadly and went off toward her kitchen.

  Linda and Joe arrived right on the dot of ten. Just what she liked, promptness. Linda ooo’d and ahh’d over her designs, and Joe laughed at her.

  “I do have to admit,” Joe said. “It’s more than I expected. You’ve done a wonderful job. I can’t wait to see it finished.”

  “I’ll try to get the painters out there next week.” They were expecting her call. Now that the final decisions were made there wasn’t much more to do. Once they finished painting, the carpet layers could come in and they could shop for furniture. She couldn’t wait to see the room herself. She couldn’t wait to start on her own. The Kirby’s’ left, and she dozed off.

  Brad called about noon. “Hi, how are you doing?”

  “Good, I met with Linda and Joe. They finalized the room. I called the painters, they start Monday. You should have seen them, Brad, they were so excited.”

  “Good, good. Listen... I hate to do this but, well it’s going to take longer than I thought. Can you manage this afternoon without me? And tell Anna I’m sorry about lunch. But I’ll be home for dinner I promise.”

  It shouldn’t come as a surprise. It happened often enough, but she couldn’t suppress her disappointment. “Oh...um...okay, sure I’ll tell her and don’t worry I’ll be fine. Maybe I’ll take a nap. Pregnancy has made me sleepy.” She hung up before Brad had a chance to reply. If he thought she was angry or upset, let him. She didn’t care anymore. It was time to show her disappointment. In a normal marriage she wouldn’t think anything of it. But this wasn’t a normal marriage. Every time she thought they could work it out something like this came up. Ruby always won. She tried to shake it off but Ruby’s face appeared before her again. That nasty sneer. “Remember every time he has to work late or goes out of town, he’s with me.” She didn’t care. Why should she?

  After a delicious lunch, Michele took her vitamins and leaned back on the couch. Too bad Brad missed it. Her eyes soon became heavy and sleep won out. A restless fitful sleep. Ruby’s face came into view, distorted, sneering. “Just remember, sweetie, you might wear his ring, but it’s only make believe. I’ll always have his heart. Remember that when he tells you he has to works late or takes a sudden business trip.” Even in her dream Ruby pointed her finger under Michele’s nose. The anger flickered in her icy blue eyes. “And then picture him in bed with me.”

  “No, you can’t have him.” Michele pointed back at Ruby. “Stay away from him, he’s mine. I’m having his baby.”

  “Baby, ha! Do you think that’ll change Brad’s mind about me. Not a chance sister. You’ll never win his heart. I’ll always be there. And you’ll spend your life waiting, wondering. But let me assure you there’s nothing to wonder about. Brad loves me, always has, always will. You lose.”

  “No, he doesn’t love you! He doesn’t!” Michele shouted at the back of Ruby’s head as she joined Brad and put her arm around him. Brad turned and looked back at her, a look of pity in his eyes. “Brad, come back,” Michele yelled. Brad put his arm around Ruby, and they walked away.

  Michele woke trembling, tears streamed down her cheeks. The dream had been so real. Shake it
off. It’s just a dream, not real. Brad doesn’t care about Ruby that way. Think about the baby. Design the room.

  Michele put her hand to her stomach. The baby, yes the baby. She had no ideas about a room. Besides she didn’t know if it was a boy or girl.

  She could design a room for either. Anything to get her mind off Ruby. Besides it was something she and Brad had in common now. It sounded like he wanted a part in picking out stuff for the room.

  They still had to tell their parents, find a new house. She’d think about designing a room later. She picked up her laptop and keyed in real estate. She’d concentrate on finding a house instead. Then when they could start looking she’d have an idea. When Brad came home she could show him. She found three promising houses, two on forty acres and one on sixty. Then she checked new homes and properties. Maybe they’d build a house to suit them. She laughed out loud. Who did she think she was kidding? What made her think Brad would stay with her baby or no baby?

  Sitting here not able to get up and do anything drove her crazy. Nothing worse than being helpless, depending on Anna to help her even to go the bathroom. She looked at her watch. Five o’clock already. Something told her Brad wouldn’t be there for dinner either. She wondered if he’d even be home to take her to the doctor tomorrow. No way could she drive herself. Darn it all, why had she reacted that way seeing Ruby and Brad together?

  She’d seen them together a number of times - but never in her own home before. As much as she hated this house and even though she and Brad had a deal she thought of it as hers. Hers and Brad’s.

  Could she win Brad over? They certainly clicked physically, and he always acted attentive when they were together. But something told her he acted attentive to everyone he spent time with one on one. It was part of the job. Make the client feel special. She knew that from her father. Was that all it was? An act? No, at least not in the bedroom. Would he make love to her if he was in love with Ruby? Surely not. Still, Myra and her mother said he declined a promotion. One that would keep him home. Never had a man confused her more. Of course, Myra and her mother blamed her.

  Lord, how were they going to tell their parents? They’d be thrilled of course. No doubt about that. She could almost hear them now, her mother and mother-in-law. Both of them trying to take over, both wanting to buy the crib and stuff for the baby’s room. They’d compromise, team up. Michele wondered if they could wait to tell them after they finalized the décor themselves. She wanted this to be something special for her and Brad to work on together, for their baby. Michele rubbed her stomach and smiled. Their baby, it sounded right.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  Brad came in and found Michele sitting on the couch. Her eyes closed, her hand stroking her stomach. If it wasn’t for the dreamy look on her face, he’d have thought something wrong. Day-dreaming about the baby, more than likely. He hated to interrupt she looked so content, so happy. “Hey.” He walked further into the room and leaned down to kiss her. “How are you feeling? How’s your ankle?” He knelt down and looked at her ankle. “Swelling went down some.”

  Michele jumped. “Oh hi, I’m fine. Ankle still hurts but not as bad.”

  “What were you working on?” Brad pointed to the lap top still opened on her lap.

  “Oh... uh...” Again, his wife seemed embarrassed.

  “You said something about house hunting. I thought I’d check - see what’s out there.”

  “So, did you find anything?”

  “A couple in Medina. I wasn’t sure where you wanted to go.”

  “Medina’s fine. Let’s see what you found.” He moved to the couch and scooted her over until he fit in next to her. She leaned against him and he liked the feel of her pressed against his chest. She brought up the listings and they looked at the houses and pictures.

  “Hmm not bad, but I was thinking. How would you feel if we found some land and built our own? You know designed it ourselves. That way we could do what we want.” He hoped she didn’t say no. Building a house took time, even if they started now it probably wouldn’t be finished before their year’s agreement was up.

  Michele raised her eyes from the computer, questioning. “Build our own? Um...That would take a while wouldn’t it? I mean, the baby’s due in March. Even if they started it now it probably wouldn’t be done in time, and we still have to find some property.”

  “So we live here until then. We could fix up one of the rooms as a nursery. Better yet, let our mother’s do it. You know they’re going to jump in and insist anyway. Make them feel like they’re doing something.” He grinned at her. Surely she had already thought how their mother’s were going to react. No way they’d keep this from them much longer. Already too many people knew about it. Anna, the Kirby’s. He talked to Joe earlier, and it surprised him when Joe congratulated him. He had no idea Michele told them. Then Joe told him how Linda knew.

  Michele laughed. “Yeah I thought about them earlier. I know they’re going to take over. So what? We let them take control and don’t tell them about our plans on building? When do we tell them about the new house, when we move? Better yet, let’s not tell them.”

  “You know, that’s not a half bad idea.”

  “Can you imagine what the nursery is going to look like? I mean look at this house.” Michele shuddered. “How long do you think before we have to tell them about the baby?”

  He knew it bothered Michele that their mothers tried to take over their lives. Heck it bothered him too, but this one thing they’d have to let them do. He had an idea for their baby’s room in the new house. He wanted a whimsical nursery, like a fantasyland. He hesitated broaching it to Michele. She could pull it off if she liked the idea. “Huh? Oh I guess we should invite them to dinner or something and tell them. It’s bound to come out soon. Too many people know.”

  “Yeah you’re right. How about Sunday?”

  “Sunday’s good.”

  “Dinner is ready.” Anna stood in the doorway.

  Brad picked Michele up and carried her to the table. Today the normal, everyday dishes set on the table. But Anna had lit the candles. Sly little thing, Brad thought. Was she conspiring with Michele, or doing their parent’s bidding? Whatever it was at least their parents had made good choices in Anna and Louise. He followed her into the kitchen to help.

  ***

  Michele liked that Brad looked concerned when he first came in, liked the way he kissed her hello. Almost like a normal married couple. She could get real used to this.

  Was he serious about building a house? What did that mean? It would probably be past the year before it was finished. Did that mean he wanted to forget the deal? Make the marriage work? Or was it because of the baby? She should have come outright and asked him, instead of putting the ball back in his court.

  She hadn’t meant to sound so horrible about their parents, but she could just imagine how their mothers’ would try to take over the baby. Especially it being their first grandchild. They’d compete with each other for the baby’s attention. Sometimes, she wished she could move away. But for all that her mother annoyed her, Michele loved her and knew Brad felt the same about his mother. So they’d have to learn to put up with them. What else could they do? Maybe they could reach a compromise.

  A picture of her own room came to mind - Walls with the barest hint of pink, white eyelet bedspread that would have been beautiful with the proper accessories. White furniture and white on white flowered wall paper border, and of course the white carpeting. Feminine but cold, colorless. She had a feeling they’d do the baby’s room all in white too. Sterile white walls, white crib and dresser, already they had the white carpeting. And she had no doubt they’d buy white crib blankets or quilts. Well they’d take care of that when they moved.

  “What’s going on with Louise?” Brad interrupted her thoughts when he sat down next to her.

  “Still no ransom note, no instructions. They know now that Patrick didn’t take her, had nothing to do with the kidnapping. Anna told me
earlier that Patrick went to see Louise and apologized. He gave them his blessings to marry as soon as they find Mikayla. The police are doing everything they can. They even put out a reward for information leading to Mikayla’s whereabouts. But so far no leads.” Michele wiped a tear from her eyes. Every time she thought about Louise and the baby she couldn’t help but cry.

  “I can only imagine how I’d feel if someone kidnapped our baby.”

  Our baby, he said our baby, not mine or yours, but ours. Michele smiled. That definitely sounded promising. Unfortunately the phone rang. Brad got up to answer it. “Why do I have a feeling I know who that is? I swear I’m about ready to chuck this whole deal with Edgehurst.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  “This probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but I have to leave again. Do me a favor while I’m gone. Check out some property at least 30 acres and...uh, I have this idea for a nursery. Tell me what you think.” He rubbed her cheek as he spoke. How would she take this? He hadn’t suggested anything like this before but the idea had hit him suddenly. How about something whimsical, like a fantasyland?”

  “A fantasyland. I like that idea.” Michele shook her head. “I’ll work on it.”

  “I’ll try not to be late. I can’t wait until this campaign is finished.” Brad helped her get settled on the couch then leaned down and kissed her goodbye.

  Somehow it eased that he had to leave. Just the fact that he came up with an idea for the nursery made her smile. Already a picture formed in her mind.

  After he left, Michele began designing the nursery. She saw it clearly in her mind. Everything evolved around the crib to represent royalty. She colored the ceiling blue with white puffy clouds and covered it with a gauzy material. Twinkle lights interspersed throughout the fabric represented starlight. A round mahogany crib stood in the center of flowing fabric draped around it from the ceiling. Light green walls with hand-painted fairies, unicorns, wizards, and sprites, some of them in 3-D. The magical room featured a built-in dresser made to look like a drawbridge. A child’s table and chair set sat in a castle that extended out from the wall in one corner of the room. She put down her colored pencils. It surprised her how quickly the room came together. This was by far the most complex design she’d created. Now if only Brad liked it. But did it look too feminine? The gauzy material and the castle? She could hardly wait to get started on it, but she knew it’d be a while before they found a lot. She picked up her laptop, surprised to see it was almost eleven o’clock. What time was late? Probably one or two, knowing Brad.