Tangled Paths

by Kimi Flores

  “What about a man who knows how to dance?” Popping his hips a few times, he gave her a suggestive look.

  She just chuckled. “Time for me to go.” He doesn’t need to know that it won’t take much more to convince me to stay a little longer. Her hand ran along the banister as she walked down the stairs.

  Josh trailed behind, leaping over the back of the couch. He stretched out and rested his head on the palms of his hands. “I’ll be waiting for you.” Then the eye wiggle made a return appearance.

  Sighing, she fought the urge to stay a little longer and blew a kiss instead as she made her way out of the front door.

  The way my hormones are raging, if he keeps looking at me like that, I won’t leave the house at all during this pregnancy.

  Zachary held the ladder that was leaning against the mature oak tree. “So what’s up with all the lights? You’re not supposed to decorate until the day after Thanksgiving, not the day before. I bet you’re going to turn into one of those people that puts up your Christmas lights the day after Halloween. That should be illegal, by the way.”

  Trying not to get tangled in the wires, Josh looked down from the top rung. “Nah, I just thought I’d surprise Bri. This’ll be our first Christmas together, and I wanted to make it special. They never decorated when she was a kid.”

  Zach stared in disbelief. “Are you serious? With the way you described her family's house, I’d think her mom would’ve blinged the crap out of it. Just to show up the neighbors.” He squinted, looking up.

  “Apparently not.” Doesn’t matter how fancy the house is. Not every house is a home.

  “So, um, how ya doing with the whole baby thing? When you first told me about it, you seemed happy. But now that it’s sunk in, how are you really feeling? Ready to be a dad?” The concern on his cousin’s face was unmistakable.

  Josh knew somewhere in the background, Zachary had to be thinking about how his mother had abandoned him when he was young. He’d always told Josh that not every person is cut out to be a parent.

  He stepped down the ladder onto the dirt covered ground, unable to hide his feelings as he beamed. “Honestly, Zach, I’ve never been happier. I didn’t plan for this—Bri, the baby. Hopefully at some point, a marriage.” Josh shrugged. “It all came out of left field, but damn am I glad it did.”

  Zachary seemed proud as he clapped Josh’s back. “Glad to hear that because between us all, that is going to be one spoiled kid.”

  “Trust me,” Josh chuckled, “I know. Between my mom, Leah, Dani, Abby and all the guys, will I even get to see my own kid?”

  Josh glanced toward the house to make sure the workers he’d hired to install the additional lights were okay. He yelled out, “Estas bien?” He didn’t know much Spanish but could at least ask them if they were doing alright. With a bunch of thumbs up, he looked to the foreman, Jesse, the only one that spoke English. “Think we’re going to finish on time?”

  “Yes,” Jesse snorted loudly. “Have I ever left you hanging?”

  Josh and Zachary always hit Jesse up when they had jobs that needed to get done quickly. He was a hard worker and didn’t accept less from his crew. Josh only wished he knew Spanish. The crew was always laughing and telling jokes. Whenever Jesse translated, something was just lost and it wasn’t the same.

  Grabbing onto the ladder, Josh moved to the next tree. “Can you believe Brad still makes fun of us because we work alongside the hired help?”

  Zach rolled his eyes, tsking. “That’s because my dad taught us right. No reason we can’t get our hands dirty. Brad’s been in Brentwood too long. Your dad should’ve dumped him at the vineyard for a couple of summers too.”

  Something hit Josh. His uncle had guided him, teaching him things he wouldn’t have ever known otherwise. Maybe he could do the same for others, use his experience to mentor child actors about to make the same dumb ass mistakes he had. It’s easy to hide things from people close to you, who trust you, just like he’d done to his father. But there was no way they could fool someone who’s already been down that shitty road.

  While thoughts of his past and family ran rampant through his head, it dawned on him that his uncle might be by himself at the vineyard. “Hey, who’s with Uncle Joel today anyway? You haven’t left him alone in a long time.”

  “Dani’s there with him.” A grin appeared on Zachary’s mouth as he shook his head slightly.

  Josh backhanded Zach’s chest. “Dude, what was that look for? You totally lit up when you said her name.”

  “It’s nothing like that.” Zach looked down at the ground in an attempt to cover his emotions, but he wasn’t fooling anyone but himself. There was no doubt in Josh’s mind that Zach had feelings for Dani. “She’s just really good with dad. He’s fallen in love with her, you know. I think he fakes being sick just so she’ll come out and check up on him.” Zachary laughed. “Dad’s definitely got more game than me. He’s still charming women more than half his age.”

  Josh eyed his cousin. “I have a feeling he’s not the only one that doesn’t mind her coming over.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Zachary admitted, “It’s not terrible having her around. But like I said, she’s there for Dad and that’s the way it’s gotta be.”

  “Whatever you say, man.” Josh heard a honk at the gate before a large white work truck pulled up.

  Zachary jerked his head toward the truck. “Who’s that?”

  “Another surprise for, Bri. Come on, lemme show you.” The two men walked toward the husky guy with a beer belly that just exited the truck.

  She may not be ready to say ‘I do’, but I want everyone to know this ranch is our little slice of heaven.

  Bri strolled through the Danish restaurant on her way back to the table from the bathroom. The place was packed, as though everyone in Santa Barbara was eating here today. Apparently, since it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, nobody was interested in cooking.

  After shopping most of the day, Leah, Abby, and Bri took advantage of the California fall weather, choosing to sit on the patio.

  “Why didn’t I notice a week ago that I was going to the bathroom so much?” Bri pulled her chair out and sat down. The bright blue umbrella shaded most of the setting sun, but a cool breeze was starting to blow.

  Abby took a final bite of her fruit, while nine and a half month old Max lay sleeping in her other arm. “Because it hits you overnight. One day you're fine. The next you're like Niagara Falls.”

  “I still can’t believe those bras we saw today,” Leah complained. “What’s with that flappy thing? I don’t need a quick escape hatch. My husband will wear out the clasp before the baby’s even here.” They all giggled.

  “When the time comes, you’ll appreciate those, as well as the panties that come above your big preggo belly.” Abby took a sip of her drink, looking around at the other patrons. She was the shyest girl in their group, and it was funny to hear her talking about this kind of stuff in public.

  “Oh hell no. I am not getting those.” Leah shook her head. “I know you don’t mind big ass chonies, but there is no way. I hate them and Stefen would have a heart attack. I’ll stick with the bigger, cute bras I bought and my normal panties, thank you very much.”

  Abby gave Leah a knowing smile. “Yeah. We’ll see.”

  Bri’s face scrunched up. “Sometimes I wish you guys weren’t married to my brother and cousin. It makes listening to this stuff really difficult.”

  Leah and Abby started to giggle, and Leah added, “Hey, I can really make you feel uncomfortable if you want.”

  Bri grimaced. “Uh, no thank you. Moving on.” A server approached the table, asked if they wanted refills of their water as he picked up a few of the empty plates that were left on the table. Bri sighed and answered, “Sure, why not. When you’re pregnant, you don’t buy a drink, you rent it for like five minutes.”

  The young waiter did not seem amused, but Leah and Abby snickered along with Bri.

  Once he left,
Bri asked Leah, “So when are you due anyway?”

  “We go to the doctor on Tuesday, but if my calculations are right I think I’m just over four weeks.” Leah beamed. “What about you? Did you say you got pregnant in Catalina?”

  Puckering her lips, Bri nodded. “Yup. I’m a little over six weeks now.”

  “Well, thanks to you guys my husband’s been begging me to have another one.” Abby laid Max in his stroller. “This little guy is still attached to my boob twenty-four seven, and Caleb wants to knock me up again.”

  Leah wiggled her index finger at Abby. “It is not thanks to us. You told me months ago he was trying to get you pregnant again.”

  Lifting her eyebrows, Abby sneered at Leah. “Yeah, well it’s worse now. He found out how hard it is to get pregnant when you’re nursing, and he’s counting down the days for me to stop. He’s talked about having a large family ever since the honeymoon. I think it has something to do with the fact that he was an only child.”

  Even though Stefen, Caleb and I grew up together and I may possibly be his half-sister he probably was lonely at times.

  Leah’s sassy words pulled Bri out of those thoughts. “I don’t think that’s the only reason, Abby. I’m sure he wants those big chichis back, all for himself,” Leah laughed out.

  Bri was going to have to get over the fact that these women were doing the same things with her brother and cousin that she was doing with Josh. “Are all men obsessed with boobs?”

  Both Leah and Abby nodded.

  Leah said, “Yeah, pretty much.”

  Thinking about it, Bri grasped how much had changed in such a short amount of time. It was only about five months ago that she’d sat at Leah’s dining room table, believing she’d never connect to Leah and Abby this way, since she wasn’t married and didn’t have kids. Now she was in the middle of their conversation, able to participate.

  This is so unreal.

  She realized she hadn’t told the girls something. “So,” Bri breathed out, interlacing her fingers on the table. “Josh asked me to marry him.”

  Leah choked on her water, then used her napkin to dab her mouth. “What? Why didn’t you say that sooner?”

  Looking at Bri’s hand, Abby asked, “I don’t see a ring. What did you tell him?”

  Bri tilted her head, scrunching her nose. “I told him I needed time. There was too much coming at me at once.”

  “Do you love him?” Leah asked point blank.

  “Yes and I want to marry him at some point and I even know how I want to tell him. I’m just afraid of jumping into it. I know he loves me too, but I can’t help but think about the fact that an hour before we found out we were pregnant, there were no thoughts of marriage. We’d just moved in together. I don’t want him to marry me right now, just because of the baby.”

  Abby sat back in her chair, running her finger across her lips as if she was contemplating something. “Let me ask you a question. Now that you’re pregnant, don’t you feel an even deeper connection with him?”

  Overwhelming emotions flooded Bri, and for the first time she was seeing things with a clarity that wasn’t overshadowed by fear, insecurities, and regrets. Yes, she loved him. Yes, she felt a deeper connection to him, as surely as if she were curled up in his arms right now. She was finally allowing herself to be happy and move on with her life. “Yeah. I do,” she answered, her throat a little thick.

  Abby bit her lip, hesitant. “How do you think he feels? He made that baby with you.” Bri’s eyes glossed over, and Abby added, “I love you, Bri, but Josh deserves a real answer. If you’re planning on marrying him at some point, he needs to know that.”

  Bri nodded, swiping her napkin under her eyes. “You’re right.”

  Leah sat, her mouth gaping open. “Damn, Abby. Don’t hold back on her or anything.”

  “I wasn’t trying to be mean,” Abby justified, eyes back on Bri. “I just hate seeing you put your life on hold out of fear. God knows I’ve done that too many times to count, but what you end up with is just wasted time.” Abby looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

  “You’re right,” Bri mumbled again. “I’m not considering Josh’s feelings.” She sniffed, playing with the napkin in her hands. “I’ll talk to him tonight.”

  Max started to cry. Before Abby had a chance to get him, Bri reached into the stroller and picked him up. “Man, he’s heavy, Abby. How much does he weigh?” Bri sat back, cradling Max in her arms.

  Abby sighed. “A few weeks ago he was twenty pounds. He eats nonstop so I’m surprised he isn’t bigger.”

  Leah’s phone chirped with an incoming message. She looked down and smiled.

  “Please don’t tell us my brother is sexting you while we’re sitting at the table.” Bri moved Max to her other arm. Damn, he really is heavy. I’m gonna have to build up my mama arms.

  “Not this message…” Leah looked up, flustered. “I mean, um, no this is from my mom. She’s driving down from Sacramento with my step-father early tomorrow morning so they’ll be at the Vineyard in time to eat with us. Then they’re driving down to Alhambra to see Elena.” Leah sneered at the mention of her oldest sister’s name. From what Abby had told Bri, she wasn’t very nice.

  “I thought Elena was moving to Arizona with that guy,” Abby said, looking up at the umbrella flapping as a strong breeze hit.

  Leah rolled her eyes. “Honestly, if it wasn’t for my niece and nephew, I wouldn’t pay any attention to what she was doing. But I guess that guy left her, and my mom and Sal have been supporting her ever since.” Clearly bugged by the situation, she added, “Anyway, I’m just glad I get to see Mom and Sal tomorrow. Now that they live up north, I haven’t seen them since my wedding.”

  Picking up on Leah’s diversion, Bri asked, “What about Dani? Will she be there? I’ve been trying to get ahold of her, but she never answers. She working a lot?”

  Leah sat back, quiet.

  Tilting her head, Abby asked, “Do you know something, Leah? Should we be worried?”

  Leah played with her bottom lip. “Not sure about the worry part yet. I’m keeping an eye on her, but I haven’t seen her this withdrawn since my dad passed away when we were teens. I know she feels left out when it comes to the three of us, but I’m not sure how to help with that. She’s been taking care of Joel lately. I think she almost looks at him like a father figure. Zach says she’s there almost every day.”

  A sense of guilt hit Bri. “Well, now I feel like shit. She’s been down the road from me this whole time and I didn’t know.” I’ve been so focused on my life, I did what I said I wouldn’t— ignored Dani.

  “Don’t feel bad,” Leah insisted. “I know her. She doesn't want any of us to feel sorry for her.” Leah’s words said one thing, but her face was still worried.

  “I’ll keep an eye on her too,” Bri offered. “Maybe casually drop by the vineyard if I know she’s there.” She picked up her cell to look at the time. “I’m gonna head out, guys. We have a big day tomorrow, and I still have a forty-minute drive ahead of me.”

  Bri stood up and yawned, setting off a domino effect of yawns between the three women. Max even got in on the action before she handed him back to Abby. “Leah, you guys are still okay picking up my dad at the airport, right?”

  Leah stretched. “Yep. He comes in right before we head out, so we can get him for sure.”

  Bri looked at Abby and pleaded, “Please tell me we won’t be this tired after the babies are born.”

  Abby patted Bri’s shoulder. “I cannot tell a lie, so I won’t answer that question.”

  So much for that hope.

  Bri said her goodbyes, and hugged them, waving as she walked away. Strolling to her car, she couldn't believe how amazing her life was. She’d been miserable for so many years, and now she had everything she never imagined she would have.

  She got into her car, fastening her seat belt, then looked up at the sky through her windshield. The sun was still setting, and it was a perfect night to lower the
top on her convertible, but that would have to wait until after her call.

  She dialed Josh’s number as she looked out toward the ocean in front of the parking lot.

  “Hey, baby. You on your way home yet?”

  God, he has a sexy voice. “Yeah, I’m about to leave Santa Barbara. I’m sitting in a parking lot, looking at the most romantic sunset and needed to hear your voice first.”

  He groaned softly. “Do you have any idea what that does to me? You need to get home soon so we can enjoy that sunset together.”

  “It’ll be gone by then.” She giggled, tracing the car manufacturer’s logo on the steering wheel with her finger. “What sort of trouble have you gotten into today?”