Dreams Don't Wait (Contemporary romance)

by EC Sheedy

  She was on her way to the cabin with the last of her things when she passed Maud in the kitchen. Tonight she and Cal would sleep in their own place, and she couldn't wait. While Linc had kept his word, and his distance, it was increasingly uncomfortable being here. He'd been home all week, only leaving today for a quick business trip to Vancouver. He was due back tomorrow on the afternoon ferry. By then she'd be safely ensconced in her new home.

  "Almost finished the move?" Maud nodded at the clothes in Evan's hands.

  "Yup. A few cosmetics and I'm done. How about you? Are you beginning to see daylight?"

  Maud smiled, put down her pen, and took off her reading glasses. "Almost, but right now I'm in desperate need of coffee. You?"

  Evan draped the clothes she was carrying across the back of a chair. "Sounds good. I'll get it." She poured two mugs and joined Maud at the round kitchen table.

  "What time do the caterers come tomorrow?" Evan asked.

  "Let's see." Maud put her glasses back on and consulted a list. "Housecleaning service at eight-thirty, windows at ten..." She scanned farther down the list "Here it is. One-thirty. Same time as the gardener."

  "Sounds like you have a very busy day tomorrow."

  "A piece of cake," she said. "As long as I don't lose these." She waved a sheaf of lists. "Oh, and I fixed a plate for Cal when he comes home after work tonight. I know he plans to go straight to the cabin, but he should eat. Do you want to take it with you, or shall I keep it here for him?"

  Evan put down her coffee. "That makes it official—you're the world's biggest softie." She grinned. "Keep it here. He can eat it when he comes to get his things, but if you keep feeding that teenage hollow leg of his like you do, I warn you, you'll never get rid of him."

  "That's fine by me—and Jenny. We're both a little in love with him, you know."

  "Only a little? "

  Maud laughed and sipped her coffee. The radio played softly in the background as silence settled between them.

  "I'm glad things worked out between you and Linc, Evan. And I'm glad you're staying on."

  Evan looked up from her coffee. She'd never said a word to Maud about... the thing... between her and Linc.

  "You needn't look so surprised. I'd have to live in the broom closet not to see the tension between the two of you."

  Uncomfortable now, Evan rubbed a finger along the rim of her coffee mug. She considered denying it, but it wasn't possible. Lies and evasions didn't belong in a conversation with Maud. When she said nothing, Maud reached over and touched her hand.

  "It's all right, dear. I know," she said.

  "Maud, I—"

  "If I were thirty years younger, I'd be falling in love with him myself." That bomb dropped, Maud calmly sipped her coffee.

  Evan glanced quickly around the room as if to ensure there was no one listening. "Maud! Why on earth would you say a thing like that?"

  "Because it's true?" Maud tilted her head.

  "But it's not true. Not true at all."

  "No?"

  "You've completely misread the situation."

  "Then what exactly is the situation?" Maud gave her a benign look.

  "You see, Linc and I don't—that is, I want to—and Linc wants— There was this, uh, misunderstanding... and well, I thought—" She stopped abruptly.

  "Yes?" Maud prodded in silken innocence.

  Evan took a deep breath and calmed herself. "The thing is I am not in love with Linc."

  "I didn't say you were."

  "But that's exactly what you said."

  "I said you were falling, dear. And you are. You just haven't admitted it yet. Although I have no idea why. Linc's perfect for you, and you're perfect for him. And Jenny adores you." Maud picked up her coffee cup and took it to the sink.

  "I'd like to know what's in that coffee you're drinking? Jenny barely tolerates me, and you know it."

  "Really?" Maud came back to the table and sat down. "So whose lap was she sitting on before dinner tonight, telling us that outrageous story about her mythical dog? And who just had to put her to bed tonight, and who is she making cookies with tomorrow morning?"

  Okay, so her relationship with Jenny had improved, but it was a long way from adoration. Jenny still balked at doing what she was told. And if Jenny did have affection for her, it had evolved reluctantly, as had her own growing attachment to Linc's blond and precocious daughter. Damn! She didn't need this, any of it. Jenny was four years old. She'd need years of care, a mother's devotion. Evan couldn't give her those years. Wouldn't give her those years.

  "It's true, and you know it. You've been tough on her, but she loves you anyway. Even Linc's noticed."

  This was news. "He has?"

  "He said just the other day that you and Cal have been a good influence on her."

  Influence, he'd called it. Evan cringed, knowing full well that if Linc had witnessed the strained confrontations she'd had with his daughter, he'd be outraged. And she'd be out. She was positive, when it came to his precious Jenny, Linc's opinions about a firm hand hadn't changed.

  "There's no need to frown. It's all quite wonderful. Of course, it will take Lincoln time to admit his feelings. I'm afraid he finds it difficult since—"

  Evan stood abruptly. "I'm going to the cabin now. If you need any help, give me a call. But be warned I haven't had much experience preparing buffets for Victoria's finest, unless, of course, they'd be impressed with cheese and crackers."

  Maud watched her stalk to the door. "Evan," she called, her voiced holding an edge of authority.

  Evan hesitated, one hand on the doorknob. "Uh-huh?" she said, determinedly noncommittal.

  "Linc is falling, too, dear. I know him. All it would take would be a few soft words."

  "Maud—" Evan snapped her mouth shut. "I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

  Chapter 6

  At one-fifteen the next afternoon, Evan's phone rang in the cabin. Cal answered it while Jenny and Evan put the last of the cookies in the oven.

  "Hi, Maud," he said. "Sure, she's right here."

  Cal handed her the phone.

  "Oh, Evan, I'm so terribly sorry to ask you this, but... Oh, I am sorry, dear..."

  "Maud, what is it?" Maud's state of alarm quickly transferred itself to Evan.

  "It's Mother. Marion has rushed her to the hospital. It doesn't sound good and... well, I have to go, Evan. Could you—would you?..."

  "I'll be right there."

  * * *

  A few minutes later, Evan's head was buzzing with instructions. About the time she was going under for the third time, Maud tried to reassure her, saying, "Just look at my lists. Everything is there. Failing that, use your own best judgment."

  Evan did look at the lists, and her stomach heaved. There were at least four pages of notes, covering everything from floral arrangements to the music selected for the orchestra. An orchestra! Linc might as well be hosting the President of the United States. She tried to hide her panic as she helped Maud into her coat and out to the waiting cab.

  Settling into the cab, Maud rolled down the window and reached out to touch her hand. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. Lincoln will be home this afternoon. Probably around three or so. He'll lend a hand if you need it."

  The cab started to pull away and then came to an abrupt halt. Maud stuck her head out the window. "I almost forgot. The guest list is in the top drawer of the phone desk in the kitchen. There were a couple of last-minute additions Linc might want to know about. I made a note of them."

  Evan nodded.

  Maud waved. "Don't worry. It will all work out. Just work from the lists."

  * * *

  By three o'clock Evan was in a state of escalating panic as she searched in vain for Maud's notes. There were still a thousand things to do before the first guest arrived at eight o'clock. If she didn't find Maud's lists, she didn't know how she'd manage. Between the phone and the endless questions, she was running on adrenaline and nerves. She felt as though she were on an
alien spaceship—out of orbit and out of control.

  Rifling through the kitchen desk, she found the guest list for Linc. The added guests were clearly marked in Maud's neat hand. She scanned the names, and her mouth went dry. There were over 120 on it. Senior politicians, Victoria's top business people, and every local celebrity she'd ever heard of. This wasn't a party Linc was throwing, it was a tour de force. What in hell was she doing here trying to manage this... this carnival?

  Evan didn't even notice Cal and Jenny come in. Blithely ignoring the legions in the kitchen, they were now digging into the fridge, intent on lunch. The caterer was looking at them as though they were freezer burn trying to get in. They saw the woman's glare and looked in unison to Evan.

  "They'll only be a few minutes," she said. "I'm afraid they haven't had lunch yet." Damned if she didn't sound apologetic.

  The caterer, a tall angular woman with a severely short hair cut and the attitude of a rogue-country despot, gave her a hard stare. "Ms. North, as you know, we have a large group to prepare for, and that makes every second here critical. That said, I'd prefer all nonessential people be kept out of the kitchen."

  Evan went hot, then cold. Her back straightened. "From where I sit, in about another two minutes the only nonessential person in this kitchen is going to be you." My God, had she really said that? She soldiered on. "I suggest you get on with your job and leave my children to me."

  The woman's mouth opened and closed twice before she pursed it tight and turned away with as haughty a look as she dared risk.

  "All right, Mom! Way to go." Cal whispered from behind. "That was some bad ass attitude."

  Jenny's hand slipped into hers, and the three of them observed the invading army.

  Evan tightened her grip on Jen's hand. Five hours to go. She'd pull this thing off if it killed her. She smiled up at her tall son. "Glad you approve. Because you're officially drafted. I have to see to the floral arrangements, so after you've eaten, would you—"

  "And me," Jenny said

  She ruffled her hair. "And Jenny, please find out where Maud keeps the linen. There's a special table cloth she wants to use in the dining room. And after you've done that, I'd like you to..."

  * * *

  Linc didn't arrive home until after six. Confident Maud would have everything under control, he went straight to his room. Stepping out on his deck, he looked down to the patio. Tables dotted it, and spilled out onto the lawn. A three-piece orchestra was tuning up under a gaily striped canopy, and two men were working behind the bar. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly; it was going to be a busy night. He was showered, shaved, dressed, and downstairs fifteen minutes before the first guest was due to arrive. He made a quick stop in the library to pour himself a finger of scotch and drifted toward the kitchen.

  The house was vibrant, alive with color and scents. Flowers were everywhere. He bent to smell an arrangement of carnations in the hall, momentarily closing his eyes. Maud, as usual, had done a fantastic job. Still, it was a good thing he only staged one of these blasted PR events a year. Although he admitted the timing was right on this one. It would serve as a distraction, keep his mind off a certain green-eyed woman. No doubt she was curled up in the cabin with a book big enough to be a cornerstone in one of his buildings. He wondered what his bookworm would think about this kind of party. He wondered, too, exactly when she'd become his bookworm. He strode into the kitchen.

  Two steps into that madhouse, he stopped. "What the hell are you doing here? Where's Maud?"

  The buzz of activity stopped, and four pairs of eyes shot to him.

  At his sharp tone, Evan looked up from the counter she was wiping, and a wayward strand of her long hair fell over her eyes. She brushed at it with the back of a hand, knowing in doing so she probably left a smudge on her forehead. She was tired, hot, and rumpled. Linc, on the other hand, looked immaculate in navy slacks and a casually tailored linen jacket. His shirt was blue-white. He didn't wear a tie. A wafer-thin gold watch glinted at his wrist. He was spectacular. Just looking at him made the back of her knees sweat. She put the damp cloth she was using in the sink.

  Ignoring his lord-of-the-manor glower, and too tired to fight, she answered him quietly. "Her mother took a bad turn. Maud had to go to the hospital and meet her sister. She phoned a half hour ago. She's going to stay with Marion tonight. She says she hopes you won't mind."

  "Of course I don't. When did she leave?" He shot a get-back-to-work look at the caterers before turning his attention back to Evan.

  "One, maybe one-thirty." She hiked her shoulders. This was the first time she'd stopped working all day. She hadn't been aware of how exhausted she was.

  "I'm sorry," he said.

  "Yes, it's too bad. But she did say her mother's feeling better."

  "I meant I'm sorry this"—he lifted his glass and waved it around the tumultuous kitchen—"fell to you. It isn't part of our deal. If I'd known I would have..."

  Evan cocked her head. "You'd what? Have come home and handled the arrangements yourself?" She grinned. "I have a hard time seeing you in an apron."

  He stepped closer to her. "You should be angry."

  "Yeah, well, right now I'm too tired to be mad." She moved away from him. "But if you think you can take over, I've got a bath and a book waiting for me at home."

  When a slow smile crossed his lips, lightening the intense expression in his light blue eyes, Evan glanced at him quizzically.

  "That's exactly how I pictured you before I came in here. Sitting on the love seat in the cabin with a twenty-pound book on your lap." He ran a finger across her jaw before he whispered, "Nice picture."

  Evan's breath knotted in her throat. "Linc, don't, please."

  "I know. I know." He took a drink of his scotch, and the ice clinked against the glass. "I'm supposed to be a good boy, and you're—"

  "Daddy, Daddy." Jenny came bouncing into the room and lunged at him. He put his drink down and swept her up in his arms.

  "How's my girl? Do I get a kiss?"

  Jenny nearly smothered him before leaning back in his arms to give him a sober look. "I saved you some of my cookies, Daddy. They're at Evan's house."

  "Thanks, sweetheart. But can they wait till tomorrow? Daddy's going to be busy tonight."

  "I'll save you this many," Jenny announced, holding up four grubby fingers.

  Evan laughed. "Looks like I'm not the only one who needs a bath."

  "I'm going to a sleepover with Evan tonight, in her new house," Jenny stated, with four-year-old imperiousness.

  Evan stroked her soft hair. "Only if your dad says it's okay."

  "Can I, Daddy?"

  "I'd say you're a lucky little girl—getting to sleep over at Evan's." He shot Evan a wicked grin.

  Evan hid her blush by coughing against her hand, and adding a little too brightly, "Where's Cal, Jenny?"

  Just then her son came through the kitchen door. "Right here. But I'm soon to be tailpipes. Mike's got a couple of videos, and if it's okay, I'm going to spend the night." He glanced around the still busy kitchen and groaned. "Tell me I'm finished here. Puh-leese."

  Evan laughed. "You're finished—"

  Cal brightened.

  "—after you take out the empty boxes and stack the plastic crates that the dishes came in."

  "Yes, suh!" Cal saluted smartly and headed for the boxes. Evan was pleased Cal was going out tonight, and she liked his friend Mike. He'd worked at the supermarket with Cal the last few months. Both boys shared a passion for computers and Harley Davidsons, and although Mike was two years older than Cal, he, too, was starting his first year at U Vic in the fall. She smiled. Mike also had a sister Cal's age, who was, according to Cal, okay.

  "Go help Cal, honey. Daddy wants to talk to Evan." Linc put Jenny down, and she went after her hero.

  Linc picked up his drink and turned toward Evan. "Why don't you stay for a while? Have something to eat before you leave."

  Evan plucked at her rumpled T-shirt. "I
don't think so, but thanks. As soon as everything is done here, Jenny and I will head for the cabin. I'll fix something there."

  Linc started to speak but was interrupted by the door chimes. He looked at Evan.

  "Go. Your guests are alive and well and beating on the front door."

  He continued to look at her, his expression unreadable. When the chimes sounded again, he turned and left.

  It was a half hour later before Evan worked her way out of the kitchen. She took one last look around, ran a hand over her cheek, and shook her head. She'd tidied up as best she could; the rest was up to the caterers and cleaning people. It was time to go.

  * * *

  Jenny and Evan were standing on the second-floor landing looking down at the crowded entryway below. They'd made a quick stop at Jenny's room to get her PJs and clothes for the morning, and Evan couldn't wait to get home. Home. She savored the word, thinking happily about her private, comfortable cabin. Right now it seemed like heaven compared to what was going on below. People were arriving in groups of two and four, the hall now an expressway to the patio and living room.

  Many of the guests were already outside, drinks and smiles firmly in place. Evan shuddered. She'd never attended a gathering like this one and hoped she never would. It surprised her that Linc would arrange something like this. He'd struck her as a more private person. Telling herself it was no concern of hers, she looked down at Jenny.

  "Come on, hon. We'd better go. We'll take the back stairs through the kitchen."

  Jenny's face was pressed between two spindles, and she was watching with fascination. "Can I look more? Please," she begged. "I want to see Aunt Caressa. Please," she said again, giving Evan a beseeching look that made her smile in spite of her weariness.

  A double please from Jenny. How could she resist? "Okay, but only for a few more minutes; then we have to go."

  Jenny nodded agreeably and turned back to her lookout.