Counting Stars

by Michele Paige Holmes

  “Shame on you,” her mother scolded. “We’re not a mob.” She closed the door and followed Jane.

  Jane handed Madison to her. “You know what I mean. Everyone will think it’s a romantic thing—that he’s my boyfriend or something—when that’s not it at all. I’m on a bit of precarious ground here. Peter’s already admitted he’s thought about trying to win sole custody of the twins. If he felt pushed—”

  “Nonsense, Jane. He’s not going to take these babies away from you. But never mind.” Marsha walked toward the family room. “I knew you wouldn’t invite him, so I did.”

  “What?”

  Her mother stepped aside just as they entered the family room. Pete sat on the couch between Caroline and Jessica.

  Jane tried to hide her shock and horror at seeing him there.

  “Hi.” Pete rose from the couch and took Madison from Jane’s mom.

  “Hi.” Jane’s voice sounded hoarse. Behind Pete, Caroline flashed her a thumbs-up. Jane felt her face grow hot.

  Jessica mouthed, “Lucky.”

  Jane turned away from the couch. “Uh . . . could we go in the living room to talk for a minute?” she asked Pete.

  “Sure.”

  “One sec.” Jane took Mark over to the couch and handed him to Caroline. “I’ll kill you if you’ve said anything,” she whispered fiercely.

  “Me?” Caroline asked, feigning hurt. “How could you think—?”

  “Later,” Jane said, cutting her off. She walked away, leading Pete into the relative privacy of the living room. Once there, she turned around to face him. “Please don’t think I’m rude for not inviting you,” she began. “But my family—”

  Pete held his hand up. “I know. You’re the youngest of seven—the only one unmarried—and they all give you a terrible time about it.”

  “Yes,” Jane exclaimed. “But how—?”

  “Your sister—Caroline?”

  Jane nodded.

  “She warned me. Said not to take anything too personal and to know you had nothing to do with anything that was said. She told me that any male who accompanies you is fresh meat for digesting.”

  Jane smiled. “Unfortunately, that’s a pretty apt description. Once I arrived at the same time as the carpet cleaner, and everyone got all excited.”

  Pete chuckled. “Well, don’t worry about it today. A little teasing is no big deal, huh, Maddie?” He tickled her chin. “Besides, your mom invited me before I’d even met you. I was pretty taken with her—she reminds me a lot of my mom—and I promised her I would come. When you didn’t mention dinner, I couldn’t think of a way to tactfully bring it up. So I figured we’d just deal with it here, which we have.”

  “Thanks,” Jane said, still feeling terrible about the whole thing.

  “No problem,” Pete said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I was invited by your brother-in-law to watch a tape of Thursday night’s game.”

  “That’d be Scott,” Jane said dismally.

  “I’m going to teach Maddie the finer points of basketball,” Pete said.

  Jane frowned. When had he started calling her Maddie? “Have fun,” she said without much enthusiasm.

  “Nice picture,” he said, as he walked by a faded watercolor print of Jesus surrounded by children.

  Is he joking? Like the rest of the mauve and blue living room, it seemed to Jane that the picture was very old and out of date. Both she and her sisters had suggested to their mother several times that the room could do with redecorating, but their mother always insisted she liked the colors—and that picture. Shrugging it off, Jane decided to go to the kitchen to see if her mother needed any help—and to talk to her about what she’d done.

  She found Caroline at the island mashing potatoes.

  “Mother, you really should get a mixer,” Caroline complained. “These hand mashers are a pain to use and leave too many lumps.”

  “The potatoes are better with a few lumps in them,” her mother insisted. “Hello again, dear,” she said, noticing Jane. “Would you like to make the gravy for me?”

  “Sure.” Jane grabbed an apron from the hook by the refrigerator.

  Caroline started right in. “So, tell us about the man.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Jane said. “He came home. We’re working on being nice to each other and sharing the care of the twins.” She took a pot from the cupboard. “Mother, I really wish you hadn’t invited him today. Do you know how awkward this makes things?”

  “I invited him as a friend of the family,” her mother said. “And besides, you never know what may happen.”

  “But he’s Jane’s friend, Mom,” Caroline said, surprising Jane by defending her. “And you know she’s sworn off men. They either end up getting their tongues stitched or getting her fired.”

  Or they die. Like Paul. A swift, familiar pain tugged at Jane’s heart. She set the pot on the stove.

  “Stitches? I don’t think I’ve heard about that one.” Her mother arched an eyebrow. “But never mind. Mr. Bryant only got arrested,” she said brightly.

  “Arrested?” Caroline’s head snapped up. “Ooh, I’ve missed something good.”

  “Not a word, Mom,” Jane warned.

  “My lips are sealed,” Marsha said, then pressed them together. She opened the oven to check the rolls. “Perfect,” she murmured, reaching for a hot pad. “Hurry with the gravy and potatoes, girls. I want everything on the table to be hot.”

  “Oh it will be,” Caroline teased. “Jane’s friend will keep us all melting, I’m sure.”

  * * *

  “Do you have the stroller with you?” Pete asked as they cleared the table after dinner. “I was thinking we could take the twins on a walk.”

  “I’ve got the stroller,” Jane answered. “But it’s my turn to wash the dishes. This probably sounds silly, but we still follow the old rotation from when we were all kids. I’m up this month, then I’ll be free for another six.”

  “I’ll help,” Pete said. “It shouldn’t take long.” He took the last plate from the table and headed toward the kitchen, pleased with the look of surprise on Jane’s face.

  She’d probably expected him to say he’d take the twins on a walk by himself. Part of him wanted to do just that—he’d yet to have any time alone with them. But he knew if he went without Jane, it would make her really nervous. He’d heard her speaking to her mom earlier, and he knew she was worried he might try to take the twins from her. The fact that she’d learned he was an attorney—and Richard Morgan’s colleague—probably hadn’t alleviated any of her fears.

  Pete set the dishes on the counter and opened the dishwasher. “I’ll load,” he offered. “Time me. I’ve never done this many dishes before, but Paul and I used to have races when we were growing up. It’s been awhile, but I bet I’m still pretty fast.”

  “Well . . . since I wouldn’t want to deprive you of practice time . . . Okay,” Jane said. She looked at her watch. “On your mark . . .”

  Pete held his hand over the faucet.

  “Get set,” Jane said. “Go!”

  Pete turned the water on and began rinsing plates and loading them into the dishwasher. Jane returned to the dining room to wipe off the table.

  Caroline was on the ground, peeling food from the floor beneath Andrew’s high chair. Seeing Jane, she looked up. “Pete’s trying to impress you.”

  “He’s trying to impress Mom,” Jane countered. “He’s smitten with her. She reminds him of his own mother.” Jane leaned over the table, gathering crumbs into the dishcloth.

  “That may be so,” Caroline said, standing up. “But you should be impressed by any man who does dishes.”

  “I am,” Jane said nonchalantly. “I feel sort of like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail—you know, when her character realizes that Joe Fox is actually not her worst enemy.” Jane scooped the crumbs into her hand and straightened, meeting Caroline’s gaze. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Truth is, I’ve been impressed by Pete all week. He’s gr
eat with the twins. He’s helpful and kind and funny . . .”

  “That’s good,” Caroline whispered back, keeping an eye on the kitchen doorway.

  Jane smiled sadly. “Yes, but—”

  “But what?” Caroline demanded.

  “I’m no Meg Ryan, and like you said earlier, I’ve sworn off men, because it always ends in disaster.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  “I’ll push if you’d like,” Pete offered, lifting the stroller from the Jeep.

  “Um, sure,” Jane said reluctantly.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, balancing the stroller against his leg while he closed the hatch.

  Jane shifted the twins on her hips. “Nothing,” she assured him. “It’s silly.”

  “Try me,” Pete said as he attempted to open the stroller. “It can’t be as ridiculous as my not knowing how to put a diaper on—or open this thing.” He looked at Jane for help.

  “There’s a lever on the right side. You’ve got to unlatch it first.”

  Pete located and released the lever, and the stroller unfolded. He stood behind it, holding the handle while Jane situated Mark and Madison in their seats. When she was finished, he stepped aside, motioning for her to take over.

  “I thought you wanted to push.”

  “I do, but so do you. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks,” Jane said as she took the handle and checked the brake. “Where to?”

  “You tell me,” Pete said. “This is your old turf.” Jane thought for a moment, then turned the stroller around. “There’s a little park a few blocks away—not that Madison and Mark are going to get out and run around.”

  “Soon enough,” Pete said. “Did you see Maddie pull herself up on your parents’ couch?”

  “I did,” Jane said. “Watching the basketball game must have inspired her. She’s ready to take on the court.”

  Pete grinned. “Nah. I bet she’ll be a dancer like her mother was.”

  “I didn’t know Tamara was a dancer.” Jane gave him a sideways glance. “What else do you know about her?”

  “Quite a bit,” Pete said, wishing he hadn’t mentioned it.

  “You should write it down,” Jane said. “And everything you can remember about Paul too. It’s important for the twins to know as much as they can about their—parents.”

  Pete heard her hesitation and felt a rush of guilt. “Hey, about what I said the other night,” he began, “about you not being Mark and Madison’s mother—that was way out of line. I apologize. I was just angry about the fence and . . .” What else had he been so uptight about? Pete struggled to remember why it was—just a little over a week ago—he’d been so against Jane Warner’s having anything to do with Mark and Madison. Now all he could think of was that she was a godsend, a miracle who allowed him to be involved in the twins’ lives. “Anyway, I’m sorry. You’re a great mother to them, and if it weren’t for you, I would be looking at visitation rights with some adoptive couple.”

  “Thank you,” Jane said sincerely. “You’re great with them too. I certainly can’t get Mark to eat like you do.”

  They walked in silence for a moment, and Pete’s thoughts drifted back to Tamara. He knew she was Mark and Madison’s biological parent, but seeing them with Jane, it was easy to see her as their mother. Still, Jane was right. He should write down Paul and Tamara’s story.

  “I suppose I could do something like that,” Pete said. “Write about Paul and Tamara, I mean. Maybe in a few months . . . I doubt I’ll forget too much between now and then.”

  “Whenever you’re ready.” Jane gave him a mischievous look. “You could write about the dishwashing races the two of you used to have. By the way, your loading time was seven and a half minutes, but your hand-washing time was seventeen.”

  “That’s because I had a slow dryer,” Pete complained, rolling his eyes at her. “Remind me to get better help next time.”

  Jane laughed. “Then I’ll wash and we’ll see how fast you can figure out where everything goes. It’s not my fault Mom rearranges all her cabinets once a month.” She stopped walking. “Here,” she said, stepping aside. “You can push now.”

  “You sure?” Pete asked. “You’re not afraid I might run off with the twins?”

  “No. Did you think that was why I . . . ? You did!” she exclaimed, looking dismayed. “Okay, the thought may have crossed my mind the first day—or two—but since then I haven’t been worried. I—trust you.”

  Pete took the handle and began walking. “You’re not very convincing.”

  “I mean it,” Jane insisted. “I wanted to push because I like to. My sisters all married young and had children right away, but I’ve had to wait until I’m thirty to have the privilege of taking babies on a walk.”

  She hung back, and Pete glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked embarrassed, and he wasn’t sure if it was because she’d told him her age or the fact that she had wanted a baby for a long time. Neither surprised him. He’d already known that much and more from reading the file Richard had prepared. The file that had piqued his curiosity more than he cared to admit.

  “I’m enjoying Mark and Madison too,” Pete said. “But I also have to have a job, so I know I couldn’t do it alone. I’m glad they have you.”

  “Thank you,” Jane said again.

  “You’re welcome.”

  She laughed. “Aren’t we the polite patrol today. We aptly fit the description I gave my sister just an hour ago—‘trying to be nice to each other and learn how to share the twins.’”

  Pete nodded in agreement. “That’s us.”

  They walked in silence until they reached the park. Mark began fussing, so Jane took him out of the stroller. Pete picked up Madison, and they moved over to a bench.

  Pete pulled Maddie’s hat down over her ears. “Her nose is a little pink. Do you think it’s too cold for them? I could run back and get the car.”

  “They’ve got all those layers. They’re probably fine,” Jane assured him. “But use this if you’re worried.” She handed him a pink, fuzzy blanket and leaned against the bench, enjoying the scenery.

  Pete wrapped Maddie in the blanket, then watched Jane out of the corner of his eye. “Can I ask you something?”

  She nodded warily.

  “How come you didn’t tell me you’re Mormon?”

  “I—I don’t know,” Jane stammered, looking embarrassed again. “I guess I was afraid it might be one more thing to make you want to take the twins. That and I wasn’t a very good example of a member of the Church the night we first met.”

  “Oh.” Pete looked down at Madison.

  “Does my religion bother you?” Jane asked.

  “Not at all.” Pete spoke honestly. “The unit I serve with is based in Utah—I joined the Reserve to help with expenses when I was attending law school there. Anyway, I know quite a few members of your church. Good people. Great families—like yours.”

  “Thank you,” Jane said, unmistakable relief in her voice.

  “It’s true.” Peter leaned back against the bench, thinking of his buddies going off to what they called a sacrament meeting each week. He’d guessed that was where Jane was headed this morning when he’d watched from his upstairs window as she, all dressed up, loaded the twins in the Jeep. By then, he’d known she was a lifelong member of the LDS Church. Richard’s research revealed that and much more.

  Pete’s thoughts shifted to the book Shane had given him when their unit came home this last time. Pete hadn’t opened it until this morning, and then only because he was feeling restless since Jane and the twins weren’t around. On the inside cover he’d found a brief note:

  In these marked passages lies the peace you’re seeking. Good luck with your new life.

  Shane

  As much bored as he was curious, Peter had found himself flipping through the book, reading a marked section here and there. Then he’d come to a part about Jesus Christ’s visit. Probably because he was so focused on Mark and Ma
dison, the verses about Christ blessing the children had caught his attention. That afternoon, the picture in the living room at Jane’s parents’ had reminded him of those verses. It all seemed very appropriate and good, Pete decided, that Jane belonged to a church so focused on children. Maybe that was what made her so great with Mark and Madison. Had Paul sensed that in her?

  An image of his brother smiling at them came suddenly to Pete’s mind. Goose bumps sprang up on his arms, and for a moment he had the extraordinary feeling that someone was watching over them.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  “Ready to go?” Peter asked, walking through Jane’s front door.

  “Almost.” Jane handed him Mark. “Maddie had to be changed last minute.” Reaching down, Jane picked up the diaper bag, giving that to Peter too. “Go ahead and get in the car. I’ll be right there.” Racing to the bedroom, she grabbed her shoes and collected Madison from her crib. They needed to hurry to get a good spot for the St. Patrick’s festivities on Fourth Avenue. Jane couldn’t remember ever being this excited to go to a parade before, but today she was eager to watch Mark and Madison experience one for the first time.

  She hurried to the Jeep, buckled Madison, and got in.

  Pete grinned. “My, you’re looking . . . green today.” He took in her appearance, from her green socks and hoodie to her dangling green earrings and the green scrunchie in her ponytail.

  “No pinching. I grew up with brothers and learned early to be prepared.”

  “Ah—you take all the fun out of things,” Pete complained as he put the car in drive and headed downtown.

  After several minutes searching for a parking space, Jane finally spotted one. Pete maneuvered the Jeep along the curb, and Jane climbed out of the car and opened the door to get the twins.

  “Did you see your surprise?” Pete asked, looking across the seat at her as he unbuckled Madison. He nodded his head toward the back of the Jeep.

  Jane glanced behind the seat and saw that instead of the large double stroller, there were two smaller, compact strollers. She looked at Pete questioningly.