It was almost Christmas. Soon, certainly by the weekend, she would put up a tree for her and Wesley. She wouldn’t use the small one that fit in the center of her dining table. She’d buy a slightly bigger one, since Wes wanted it. Maybe a four-footer where she could put a few wrapped presents.
Pasting a smile on her face, she went in the door—and immediately noticed that Wesley was on her cell phone. He looked over at her, his eyes wide, as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked.
“Liam.”
“Liam?” Her heart hitched as she pronounced his name. “Did he call for me?”
“No. I called him.”
She marched over to the kitchen where Wesley was standing. “I specifically told you not...” She stopped, knowing Liam could hear. “Give me the phone. Now. Go to your room, Wesley. I’ll talk to you later.”
She took the phone, breathed deeply and said, “Hello, Liam. I’ve very sorry that Wesley bothered you. I realize you are probably busy with—”
“Don’t apologize, Jude. I was going to call you. Besides, I wasn’t doing anything.” He paused before adding, “Well, that’s not exactly true. I had an early dinner with a lawyer friend of mine. We discussed the sale of the radio station, and he’s drawing up a contract we can present to Howard Crocker of Northern Ohio Media.”
“How long will it take to get the contract ready?”
“A day. That’s all. My friend will send it to me tomorrow, and I can bring it out to show you on Friday...if that’s all right.”
Friday. Two days. He was coming so soon. She swallowed. It would be okay. This was business. She’d told him their relationship concerning the foundation could continue. “That would be fine. What time do you want to come?”
“I’m meeting clients in the morning, but I’m free in the afternoon. How about two o’clock?”
“That will work. Wesley will be so glad to see you.”
There was a moment’s silence on the other end of the connection. “Listen, Jude,” Liam said, “don’t be angry with Wes. I love hearing from him.”
“You’ve been very generous with your time, Liam, but I completely understand your wanting to maintain distance between the two of you.”
“Jude, that’s not what I said...”
“Besides, he should have asked permission.”
“That’s up to you, of course. But as far as I’m concerned, he can call anytime. I miss both of you, you know.”
Suddenly she felt as tightly wound as an overtuned guitar. One wrong stroke of the strings of her heart, and she’d snap. “Liam, don’t...”
“I won’t put pressure on you, but you know how I feel about you. Maybe we can find some time to be alone on Friday to talk.”
“I doubt that’ll be possible. I like to spend time with Wesley, since it’s the beginning of the weekend.”
“Sure.”
Did he sound terribly disappointed? Was it wrong of her to hope that he was? “I’ll make time to go over the contract,” she said in her most professional voice, the one that hid all traces of emotion. “And, Liam?”
“Yes?”
“Well, considering the circumstances now, it would be totally appropriate for you to accept payment from my father for your efforts. I know at one time I might have insinuated that you shouldn’t...”
He chuckled. “Insinuated? Jude, you blasted me with your fiery temper and made me feel like a schmuck. And you were right.”
“That’s all in the past,” she said. “I’ve forgiven you for deceiving me with my father, and I hope you’ve forgiven me for my fiery temper.”
His voice lowered. “Jude, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to assume that I’d forgive you for almost anything.”
Apart from a further blasting for his so-called recreational activities? “That’s good, then.” She hated to end the conversation, but she couldn’t think of anything more to add. She wasn’t about to apologize for anything. She felt how she felt. She’d lived the loss, and had decided that she was protecting herself, and her son, from ever losing Liam in the first place. A bit of misery now was better than a lifetime of misery and worry to come.
“I’ll see you on Friday,” she said.
“Good night, Jude.”
She disconnected and went into Wesley’s room.
He looked up from a book. “Are you mad at me, Mommy?”
“I’m not happy with you,” she said. “But no, I’m not mad. Just please ask permission before you use my cell phone to make calls, okay?”
He nodded. “But if you’re not mad at me, who are you mad at?”
She frowned. “No one, honey.”
“But your face looks mad. Are you mad at Liam?”
She concentrated on finding the smile she’d brought into the house just a few minutes ago. “No, I’m not mad at Liam.” The words were true. And she wasn’t mad at Wesley. That only left one person as the target of her anger. What could she do about being angry with herself?
* * *
ON FRIDAY, WHEN THE chores were done, Jude showered and settled on a pair of brown denims and a gold sweater. Finding an old headband in a drawer that matched the gold of the sweater, she smoothed back her hair, letting a few wispy strands curl around her face. She went into the living room to wait for Liam and answered her ringing phone.
Alex. Jude had spoken to her newlywed sister a few times since the wedding, but only once since the honeymoon. She connected. “Allie Belle, how are you? Where are you?”
“Daniel and I just got back from a visit with Lizzie at OSU,” her sister said. “Now we’re at his apartment.”
“How is my favorite niece?” Jude asked, recalling all the trials and arguments Alex and Lizzie had gone through before Lizzie got her wish to enroll in the theater department at Ohio State. Thank goodness Alex had made her peace with that decision.
“She’s fine,” Alex said. “Flourishing really. And you know how it kills me to admit that.”
Alex had planned on her daughter pursuing a career in literature at an Ivy League school, and she’d been terribly hurt when Lizzie had other ideas. Alex was certain that if Lizzie followed her dreams of acting, she would end up waiting tables at some dive in Los Angeles, a far distance from the hallowed halls of a professorship at a major university.
Jude smiled. Kids. They could knock you right off your feet with some of their decisions, but it was all part of growing up. She and her sisters had certainly put their parents through a lot. And they were still testing their father’s patience.
“You’re a good mother, sis,” Jude said. “Don’t ever believe otherwise. And how’s the dream husband?”
“He’s busy being a senator and a candidate.” Alex sighed with what could only be pleasure. “But he still finds time for us. I’ve taken a part-time job with the Columbus Art Museum. Not as much responsibility as I had at the Chicago Museum, but I’m happy.”
Jude laughed. “Gee, I couldn’t tell. So the honeymoon bliss hasn’t worn off yet?”
Another long, languorous sigh. “If I only give you one piece of advice in your lifetime—”
“Allie Belle, you’ve already given me hundreds of pieces of advice.”
“Okay, true, but I really mean this. If you ever get a chance to go on a honeymoon, take it. Don’t let your practical nature deprive you of one of the most satisfying—in many ways—experiences of a lifetime. Don’t worry about how much it costs. Get someone to feed the animals and just go!”
“Okay, I’ll go.” The promise was an easy one to make. Jude knew her chances of having a honeymoon were slim.
“Any prospects on the horizon?” Alex asked.
“I had a brief flicker of contentment with a guy I met, but it’s not working out.�
�
“Do you mean Liam Manning? I heard you’d been seeing him.”
Carrie. Of course. “We’ve had a few dates.”
“What happened?”
“Well, we have different visions for the future.” Like I want to stay home, safe and sound, and he wants to traipse off to dangerous locales.
Alex laughed. “Look, I’m supposed to be the brains of this threesome, and I don’t even know what that means, but maybe you can alter your visions a bit.”
“Not about this, Allie Belle. It’s a deal breaker.”
“You want to talk about it?”
Since Jude wasn’t craving advice from anyone, she elected to end the discussion. Her sisters would probably tell her she was being too cautious. Easy for them to say. They hadn’t lost the loves of their lives. Even Alex, whose much older husband had died, hadn’t known the kind of love with Teddy that Jude enjoyed every day with Paul. Until...
“Thanks, but no. Not at this point anyway. Tell me about your new job, Daniel’s run for national office, Lizzie’s studies at Ohio State.”
Alex sighed. “Okay, I’ll take the floor, but don’t think I won’t bring this up again at some time.”
Jude smiled. That threat was a certainty.
* * *
LIAM ARRIVED IN the afternoon. Jude didn’t hear the car pull up because of Wesley’s video game, but she clearly heard the knock on the door.
“He’s here!” Wesley called from his bedroom. His footsteps echoed through the tiny house as he ran for the door.
Jude came out of her room to see Wesley wrap his arms around Liam’s hips. The gesture brought on a new twinge of sadness.
“Good to see you, buddy,” Liam said, lightly stroking Wesley’s hair.
“You, too. I’ve got so much to tell you.”
Jude cleared her throat. “I’m sure Liam will have some time for you later, Wes,” she said. “But remember what I told you. He’s here today on business.”
“I know,” Wesley said, looking up at Liam with an imploring gaze. “How long will business take?” he asked.
“About an hour, I think,” Liam answered. “And then I’m all yours...” He transferred a tender look at Jude. “If I don’t have any other claims on my time.”
She felt her face flush. So he hadn’t given up on her—on them—yet. Did that mean he was ready to accept her point of view on his dangerous activities? She thought not.
“Why don’t you go into your room and finish your game?” she said to Wesley. “I’ll let you know when we’re through.”
He trudged toward his room. “Mom got me an action figure yesterday,” he called over his shoulder. “You’ll think it’s really cool, Liam.”
“I’m sure I will,” Liam said, his eyes only on Jude. “You look very nice today.”
The compliment rippled through her like warm chocolate. She hadn’t really tried to look good, had she? He set a folder on the table and pulled out a chair for her. “I’ve brought the contract—delivered but not yet signed and sealed. I’ll explain all the particulars to you.”
She sat, hoping Liam would take a chair across the table. He didn’t. He slid a seat around the corner of the table and sat next to her, their shoulders almost touching. Sort of like the first time he’d been to her house and they’d studied the foundation’s finances. Then she’d been nervous, anticipating something she wasn’t ready for because she hadn’t experienced it in many years. Now she was more nervous. Now she knew his kisses, his embraces, his many kindnesses. Now he was trouble.
A half hour later Liam flipped the pages of the contract back to the blue cover sheet. “So that’s it, Jude. Northern Ohio Media will pay fifty thousand dollars to the foundation for ownership of WOIH. I know in this day of big deals and corporate conglomerates, it may not seem like a lot, but for a radio station this size, it’s a darn good deal. Harvey and Gary are guaranteed a fair audition, and the foundation will get an influx of cash to pay bills and maybe even fund a new project or two.”
She had to agree. When she first funded the station, she saw it as an opportunity to connect with the people of Bees Creek. Harvey and Gary had done that. Several local businesses had benefitted from remote broadcasts, weather and farming forecasts were kept up to date, and many pets had been found and returned to their owners. She no longer would be part of the programming, but that was okay. The boys could take over her simple jobs.
“It looks good,” she said. “I’ve spoken to my board members, Dad and Carrie, and they agree that this is a promising step. Harvey and Gary are in agreement that this is a good move. In fact, when Northern Ohio Media brings in a new disk jockey for the afternoon, they will have more free time. And the increased wattage will reach more customers, always a good thing.”
He handed her a pen. “Sign your name and I’ll present it to the Northern Ohio Media rep tomorrow. You can be there, but it’s not necessary.”
She signed, almost regretting that he hadn’t insisted she be present for the meeting. Not because she didn’t trust Liam on this matter, but because she would have another chance to see him.
What was wrong with her? See him? Don’t see him! Enjoy his company while you can! Don’t let his risky endeavors drive you over another edge! She’d made up her mind about Liam, but now that he was here, sitting so close, being so helpful, which was his way, she was questioning her resolve.
She stood. “I’ll let Wesley know we’re done. Thank you for giving him some time.”
“No problem,” he said. “Get him, but first I have something to bring up from my car.”
“What are you talking about? You didn’t bring Wesley another gift, did you?”
“Sort of.” He smiled. “I hope you won’t be angry, but when Wes called me the other day, he mentioned something he’d always wanted. I wanted to get it for him, for you, too. It’s a little gesture, that’s all.”
She questioned his description of “little” when, a few minutes later, he struggled through her door dragging a live, seven-foot Douglas fir Christmas tree!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JUDE STRUGGLED TO catch her breath. “For heaven’s sake, Liam, what have you done?”
Managing to get the evergreen upright in its pot, Liam grinned. “I got you guys a Christmas tree. It’s a Douglas fir.”
She shook her head. “I know it’s a Douglas fir. I’ve lived in northern Ohio my whole life.”
“Oh, this tree isn’t from Ohio. It was shipped from North Carolina two days ago. It’s so fresh it probably won’t lose any needles between now and the holiday.”
Already doubting that because of the trail of green Liam had left on her wood floors, Jude could only imagine sweeping up daily. Not to mention the size of the tree. Its top barely fit under her ceiling. Its width was half the size of its height. Already she couldn’t see her desk, an end table, and part of the sofa. Realizing her mouth was gaping open, she snapped it shut.
“You’re surprised, I can see that,” Liam said.
“I’m surprised, yes. And Wes will be thrilled. It’s just that...well, it’s a bit big.”
Liam squared his shoulders. “I know. It’s great, isn’t it?”
“Oh, it’s great, in the literal sense. But I don’t have decorations or lights...”
At that moment, Wesley came out of his room. “Are you guys done with business?” He skidded to a stop several feet from the tree. “Oh, wow, you got us a tree! You did it, Liam. A real, live tree!” Wesley gave his hero another hug. “It’s the most beautifulest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Jude released a long, slow sigh. By the time she was finished, she’d calmed enough to make peace with a huge evergreen in her home. And she delighted in the look of rapture on her son’s face.
Wesley took a couple of steps back to admire the tree. Then h
e looked at his mother. “Isn’t it the greatest tree you’ve ever seen, Mom? Now we won’t have to use that little one with no ornaments hardly.”
“Yeah, super.” Her mind raced to the job of procuring decorations for this “greatest, most beautiful” tree in the world. Lights, balls, tinsel, garland... The list went on.
As if reading her mind, Liam said, “About those ornaments. I picked up a few in town and brought them with me. And a couple of strings of lights, as well. I can help you set it up.” He stared at Jude and apparently correctly interpreted her frown. “Of course you’ll want to add your own touches,” he added.
“The nice thing about this tree,” he continued. “It’s alive, planted in dirt. So we can keep it around in your yard after the season.”
That would certainly make her tree-loving sister, Carrie, happy. But had Liam completely forgotten that she’d agreed to see him only on a professional level? Why was he suddenly acting like (a) they were one happy family doing family things, or (b) she was a charity case who couldn’t afford a little holiday cheer in her house. Either way, his gesture had made her son ecstatic and that was its own reward.
She spoke in a clipped, forced-calm way. “Liam, may I see you outside for a moment?”
“Sure. I can use a hand with the boxes in my car.”
“I’ll help, too,” Wesley said.
“No, you stay here, honey. Make sure Mutt doesn’t think he’s suddenly in the Black Forest and forgets why he goes outside.”
When they’d left the house, she said, “You really shouldn’t have done this, Liam.”
“Just part of my m.o.,” he said. “The other night you said there were many things I shouldn’t do.”
“Please, let’s not go over that again. All I meant was that it’s not your responsibility to get us a tree.”
“No, of course it isn’t.” He smiled. “And when I saw it in your house, I realized it is a bit big.”
The Bridesmaid Wore Sneakers Page 17
