Of course with that piece of information added in, the whole incident made perfect sense to Sam. In Patsy’s head, if a parent went away, it had to be on purpose and it had to be because the children were no good. She’d been taking her own pain out on Bobby.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said.
“Hey, he wasn’t a very nice man and we were a terrible couple,” she said bitterly. “I think we’d forgotten why we’d fallen in love by the time the ceremony was over, but we hung in there until Patsy turned five. Her brother’s four. My delightful husband figured by then Teddy would be old enough for preschool and Patsy would be going into first grade, so I could go back to work to support them.”
“I’m sorry,” Sam said again, realizing it was possible for children to suffer losses almost as emotionally devastating as losing two parents in an accident.
“I think we can see very clearly that there are two sides to every story,” the teacher said. “That doesn’t excuse the behavior, but at least it gives us some context. Mr. Winslow, do you agree?”
“Absolutely,” Sam said.
“I’ll talk to Patsy,” Mrs. Rogers promised. “I’ll make sure she apologizes to Bobby. I’ll bring her to school myself in the morning and stand there to see that she does it.”
“Ditto with Bobby for his part in the fight,” Sam said. “I’ll be here before school, as well.”
The teacher beamed at them. “I knew we could work this out. I’ll see each of you before class starts tomorrow morning.”
Sam walked Patsy’s mother back to the parking lot. “I really am sorry you’re going through such a tough time.”
She shrugged. “No more than I deserve for not listening to a single soul who tried to tell me my husband-to-be was a jerk.” She managed a smile, though it seemed a bit forced. “I’m getting better every day. I’ve almost concluded that I’m not the terrible person he said I was, either.” She regarded Sam with a chagrined expression. “God help her, is it any wonder Patsy can’t get past his parting shot? I certainly haven’t and I’m supposed to be the mature grown-up.”
“But you will,” Sam said with confidence. “I saw your fighting spirit returning back in that classroom.”
She seemed surprised by his assessment. “You know, it is. Thanks for noticing. I’ll see you in the morning. And I truly regret that Patsy said something that cruel to Bobby, to say nothing of the split lip. I’d be happy to cover the medical bill.” The last was obviously added on impulse, one she clearly regretted the moment she’d spoken.
Recognizing that financial difficulties were weighing on her, Sam let her off the hook. “Not necessary. My insurance has it covered.”
“If you ever have time for a cup of coffee,” she began hesitantly.
Sam cut her off before she could complete the invitation. “Thanks, but I’m seeing someone.”
She flushed. “You’re single and good-looking. Of course you are. I was just thinking that our situations might give us a lot in common. Sometimes I’m afraid I’ll go crazy if I don’t have another adult around who gets it.”
Before he could think of what to say to smooth over the uncomfortable moment, she hurried away, clearly embarrassed.
“Well, that was something new,” he murmured as he headed for his car. He realized he’d recently joined the apparently desirable group of available single dads. Sure, he’d been hit on by plenty of women, but this was the first time the attraction had been based on the shared complexities of single parenthood.
* * *
Carrie agreed to meet her twin, Noah and Jackson for a tour of her new day-care center on Sunday morning before they all headed to Grandpa Mick’s for dinner. As proud as she was of the facility and as eager as she was to show it off, she was anticipating a lively cross-examination from Caitlyn as the main agenda for the get-together.
Sure enough, as soon as Noah wheeled Jackson’s stroller into the main activity room, Cait pulled Carrie into the kitchen, where they had a little privacy.
“What do you think of the place?” Carrie asked cheerfully, hoping to forestall the interrogation.
“It’s lovely. You’ll be a huge success. Yada-yada. I’m sure you’ve heard all that from every member of our family. Now tell me what’s going on with you and Sam. I thought I warned you to stay away from him.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve ignored your advice,” Carrie reminded her.
“Yes, I believe the last time was when I told you not to get involved with your boss,” Caitlyn reminded her. “Given how things worked out with Marc Reynolds, I’d think my credibility would be pretty good right now.”
“This is nothing like that,” Carrie insisted.
“At least Sam seems to be more substance than flash—I’ll give you that,” her sister said. “Everyone I’ve spoken to really likes him.”
“So the O’Brien hotline is working well,” Carrie commented dryly. “Good to know. What’s the method of choice? Still texting?”
“Mostly,” Cait admitted. “At least from Grandpa Mick. Our aunts prefer to talk on the phone. And, of course, Noah and I are on Skype almost daily so I can see how Jackson is growing.”
“How’s the long-distance thing working for you?” Carrie asked, seizing on a particularly delicate debate between husband and wife and the rest of the family. Cait and Noah usually claimed it was working just fine. No one else could quite believe it.
Cait sighed heavily. “I hate being separated from them, okay? I admit it. But this is the way it has to be. I’m just in Baltimore until I finish my internship and residency. Then Noah and I will be together. I can be here in a couple of hours, tops, if anything comes up. Noah comes up whenever I’m off on a weekend or I come down here. It’s stressful at times, but we’re making it work.”
“Then why are you wasting even one second of that time in here lecturing me, when you could be alone with your husband?” Carrie demanded. “I’ll even keep Jackson for the next couple of hours and bring him with me to Grandpa Mick’s.”
“A tempting offer, to be sure,” Cait said, her regret plain. “But I’m on a mission to figure out whether or not you’re about to ruin your life. Noah said things were awfully tense between you and Sam when he brought Bobby in the other day. He got the feeling Sam didn’t really want you there.”
Carrie gave up trying to avoid the whole discussion. “He had his reasons. We’ve worked it out. Like you said, that’s what adults in a committed relationship do, right? They work through things. Not every day is a festival of love and laughter.”
Cait laughed. “I wish. Okay, so things are fine with Sam. How fine? Any talk of a future?”
“Not beyond whether he and Bobby will be at Grandpa Mick’s today. I’m thinking I should warn him to stay home.”
“Don’t you dare. I want to see him for myself and see you with him.”
“We’re not that interesting.”
Cait put an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, you’re my baby sister—”
“By two minutes,” Carrie reminded her.
“It still counts. I have to look out for your best interests.”
“Don’t you think I get enough of that from the O’Briens right here on the scene?” Carrie asked wearily. “Mom, Trace and Grandpa Mick have made me their pet project lately.”
“But I have special insight,” Cait claimed, then linked an arm through Carrie’s. “Now show me around in here. I still can’t believe you’re opening a day-care center.”
“Believe it. If there are no more last-minute glitches, the doors open after Thanksgiving. The inspectors found a half dozen nits to pick on their last visit.” She sighed. “Oh, well, it was to be expected they tell me. My only real regret is that I still haven’t found the perfect assistant manager. I’ve hired a couple of great people with experience with kids and good educational requirements, but I’d really like someone with a solid background at a day-care center.”
“Are you excited?”
“Excited, terrified, all
of that,” Carrie admitted. “What if the kids are miserable and the parents yank them out? Maybe I should have stuck to babysitting O’Brien babies on Willow Brook Road.”
“Stop that! The children will be safe and blissfully happy. You’re not going to fail,” Cait said with total confidence. “And not just because O’Briens don’t fail, but because you’re you and even I can see that this is the perfect fit for you. Mom was right. We all should have seen it much sooner.”
“And saved me the disaster that was my life in Paris?”
“Something like that,” Cait said.
In an example of perfect timing, or more precisely, perfectly terrible timing, Carrie’s cell phone chirped out its alert for an incoming text. She ignored it.
“You’re not going to check that?” Cait asked, her expression curious.
“I’m busy with you. Whatever it is can wait.”
“And you know that how?” Cait asked suspiciously. “Do you know who’s texting, Carrie?”
“I have some idea.”
Before she could react to prevent it, her twin grabbed the cell. Her eyes widened in dismay. “Marc? You’re in touch with Marc?”
“I am not in touch with Marc,” Carrie replied defensively. “He’s been texting.” She hesitated, then added, “And calling. I’ve been ignoring him. Usually I just shut off my phone, so I don’t have to be bothered looking at the texts. I’ve deleted the voice mails without listening to them.”
“Good for you,” Cait said. She studied Carrie a little too intently. “You’re not even a little curious about what he wants?”
“Not enough to open that door again,” Carrie said firmly. “My life is falling into place just the way I want it, too. Marc is not a part of it.”
“Okay, then. I won’t freak out over him trying to contact you. Now, show me just how fabulous this place is going to be.”
For the next half hour, Carrie showed her sister every nook and cranny of the center, watching her face closely. That, rather than her words, would tell the real story about what she thought of Carrie’s seemingly impulsive career choice.
“Noah, isn’t it fantastic?” Cait said at last, whirling around in a pool of sunlight in the middle of the main room. “It’s such a happy place.”
Noah chuckled. “I imagine you can hear the laughter already.”
“Well, I can,” Cait said. “Jackson’s going to love it here. And, Carrie, you’re going to be a huge success!”
“I agree,” Noah said. “I checked out all of your first-aid supplies and can’t think of a thing you missed.”
“Thanks for doing that,” Carrie said. “Though it’s a big comfort knowing your office is right up the street.”
“I wish I could stay an extra couple of days to throw a big open-house party for you to spread the word,” Cait said.
“I appreciate the thought, but I don’t need a party. I just want to get the doors open and get to work,” Carrie said.
“But the entire region needs to know about this place,” Cait argued. “You were in marketing and PR. You know that.”
“I already have a waiting list for places,” Carrie told her. “It’s killing me to turn people down. The last thing I need is even more people wanting to get on that list.”
“I suppose you have a point,” Cait conceded. “There’s no reason to create a demand you already know you can’t meet. What about a family party?”
Carrie laughed. “Are you kidding me? You said it yourself just a minute ago. I don’t think there’s a single person in our family who hasn’t wandered in and out of here on an almost-daily basis. Everybody wants to be the first to see how it’s coming along. Grandpa Mick is basking in the glory of being both construction foreman and tour guide. He may not entirely agree with my plans, but he takes great pride in his workmanship.”
“Of course he does,” Cait said. “Then just let me add my stamp of approval.”
Carrie gave her sister a fierce hug. “That means a lot. You know that, don’t you?”
“The same way it means the world to me that when my son isn’t with Noah or me, he’s in your hands,” Cait said. “Love you.”
“Right back at you.”
Something deep inside Carrie eased after the exchange. Though she would never have admitted it aloud, her sister’s approval—the whole family’s for that matter—meant everything to her.
* * *
Over the course of the afternoon at Mick’s, Sam found himself fascinated by watching Carrie with her twin sister. It seemed to him that the two women couldn’t have been more different. Oh, not in appearance. There was no mistaking that they were identical twins. But Caitlyn looked as if she’d dressed in a hurry and perhaps in the dark. At the same time Carrie, even in her new day-to-day wardrobe, looked as if she’d stepped out of a fashion magazine. Apparently once she’d learned the skill of dressing, she could achieve a stylish look with a simple twist of a scarf or a well-chosen piece of costume jewelry, though something told him that was 18-karat gold she was wearing and that the stones were real gems, not fakes.
He was pondering the differences in style and personality, when Noah came over and asked about Bobby.
“I got a quick look at his stitches as he raced past a minute ago,” Noah said. “No sign of infection. Bring him in this week and we’ll get them out. Any afternoon’s okay. Just drop in.”
“Thanks,” Sam said.
“How did things go at school? Problem resolved?”
“For now,” Sam said. “I suppose there are always going to be kids who say hateful things. I just want to be sure Bobby doesn’t become one of them.”
“A goal every parent should have,” Noah agreed. “Even though it’s tough to monitor them every second of the day.” He studied Sam more intently. “You doing okay? You were thrust into parenthood pretty unexpectedly.”
“I’d like to think I’m getting better every day at figuring out how not to mess things up,” Sam said. “Carrie’s been a huge help on that front.”
“If you don’t mind me saying so, you didn’t seem all that thrilled to have her help the other day.”
“You saw that?” Sam said, chagrined. “My insecurities were in full swing. I thought I should be the adult dealing with the crisis. Bobby wanted Carrie. I hate to admit it, but on some level I was jealous.”
To his surprise, Noah laughed. “I’ve been there a time or two myself. Carrie has a way with kids, including my son. You have no idea how my heart twists when he’s sobbing and throwing his food at me. Then she walks in and it’s as if the sun’s come out. He’s suddenly all smiles. Worse, he cooperates with whatever she wants from him. Maybe it’s because she reminds him of his mom or maybe she has a magic touch with kids. Either way I feel like a failure, and then I feel like a jerk. I should want my child to be happy, right? It’s not about who assures that.”
“So you’re telling me the whole wounded-pride thing is probably a bit of macho craziness?” Sam suggested.
Noah shrugged. “Pretty much. There are plenty of times when Jackson’s falling asleep on my chest or when I try to coax him to say Da-Da and he almost gets it right, that I realize he and I are making our own memories. When he’s bigger, I’m the one who’ll teach him to put a worm on a hook and clean a fish. Trust me, Cait may not be squeamish when it comes to people, but she isn’t touching worms or the innards of a fish. Carrie’s not fond of that, either.”
“So I can create the guy memories with Bobby,” Sam concluded.
“You’re also his connection to his parents,” Noah said quietly. “Nobody else can fill that role.”
“He does have grandparents on his dad’s side. I’m encouraging them to be a part of his life.”
“But you grew up with his mom. Who else is there to tell him stories about what she was like as a little girl?”
“She was a pest,” Sam said emphatically, but fondly.
“Tell him that. I bet he’ll love hearing all about it.”
Just then C
arrie joined them. “You two look awfully serious,” she said, then frowned at her brother-in-law. “You’re not interrogating him, are you?”
“Not at all,” Noah said at once. “I’ll leave that to my wife and Mick.”
Carrie rolled her eyes. “Exactly why I came over here,” she told Sam, “to lure you away before Cait or my grandfather find the time to question you about your intentions. I think a well-timed retreat is in order.”
Noah laughed. “Good luck with that,” he said, wandering off in search of his wife and son.
“You really want to go?” Sam asked Carrie.
“Don’t you? I’d think you’d be tired of being in the midst of this crowd after a few hours of speculative looks and probably way too many intrusive questions.”
“I’m up to it. I thought you’d probably want to spend more time with your sister. Isn’t she heading back to Baltimore this evening?”
“I’ve endured about as many of her pointed questions as I can handle for one day. I’ll be glad to see the last of her.”
Sam regarded her with shock. “You don’t mean that.”
Carrie chuckled. “Of course not. We’ll be on the phone at least twice tomorrow, but when we’re on the phone, I can always hang up if she gets too nosy. In person, I can’t get away.”
“Somebody ought to do a study of the dynamics of this family. It would probably make a great PhD dissertation.”
“I’ll mention that to Will,” she said, taking him seriously. “He’s still in touch with some of his psychology professors.” She took his hand. “Now let’s scoot while we can.”
Sam looked into her eyes. “Did you have something in mind for the rest of the day?”
“A quiet walk along Shore Road, then some ice cream,” she said, much to his disappointment.
“Sounds good,” he said, trying to muster up some enthusiasm when his mind had already wandered to much more enjoyable pursuits.
Carrie tucked an arm through his and gave him a knowing look. “I’m thinking all this activity here, plus the sugar from an ice-cream cone will have Bobby down for the count in an hour.”
Willow Brook Road Page 28
