The Husband Maker Boxed Set

by White, Karey

  “Oh.” And teeter totter down. “How is Braxton?”

  “He’s doing well. I took a picture of him in his brace to show you. It’s amazing how kids adapt. It looks like it should be difficult to walk in it, but he’s cruising around the doctor’s office like he was born with it.”

  He had taken a picture to show me. At least that was something.

  “They’re very grateful for what you did for him. So am I.” Braxton had made forty-two of the rolled paper Christmas trees before he had been released from the hospital. That was enough for every hospital room on his floor that had patients, as well as both sets of grandparents and a few of the nurses and doctors. He had spent the last five days happy and entertained and feeling like he had a purpose. Before he left the hospital, his mom had pushed him around in a wheelchair to deliver the trees to the rooms close to his own.

  “I loved helping him. He just needed somewhere to put his energy.”

  “Hey, Charles. I just got home. I’m going to go see Mom and Dad. You want to come down?”

  “That’s okay. I already saw them for a while. Just give me a call when we’re leaving.”

  My bags were by the front door and the sheets were changed. I wore a belted navy sweater dress and boots. The boots weren’t even warm, but at least they looked right for winter.

  “This looks nice,” Janice said when we arrived at Escape.

  Andy saw us and made his way to the hostess stand.

  “Charlotte. Couldn’t stay away, could you?” He winked and pulled me into a hug as if we had been best friends. “Put them at one of my tables,” he said to the hostess. “I’ll take good care of you.” He winked again.

  I tried not to smirk. He was laying it on pretty thick.

  “Does he have something in his eye?” Angus joked.

  “Don’t be jealous, dear,” Janice said and I flushed.

  “I’m not.” Angus sounded a little defensive and I wanted to laugh. There was nothing for him to be jealous of, and I’m sure he knew that, even though Andy was cute.

  We were almost through with our entrees when Boyd stepped up to the table. “I would imagine Andy’s taking good care of you?”

  “He’s earning a nice tip,” Dave said.

  “How have you been, Charlotte?” he asked.

  “Good. I’m working at Hallmark’s Imaginarium.”

  “If you get tired of that, be sure to check back with us. We’d take you back.”

  “Thanks, Boyd. You’re just saying that because your parmesan curls were a little weak tonight.”

  “I know, right?” He shook his head dramatically. “It’s always hard to train the new help. She’s trying hard, and I guess that’s all we can ask. Please have dessert. On me.” He put his hand over his heart. “And Merry Christmas.”

  “You made quite an impression on them,” Angus said.

  “That’s why I always had enough to share.”

  Andy made his way to the table. “What can I get you for dessert? Boyd’s treat.” He held up his hand like he was sharing a secret. “I could have sworn you weren’t his type, Charlotte, but maybe I was wrong.” He laughed at his little joke and took our orders.

  When he returned with our desserts, I motioned him over. “Why are you being so stingy with the potato peeler trick?”

  “Cause I’m not trying to impress her.”

  “Promise you’ll show her before you leave tonight.”

  “Oh, all right.”

  “Can I trust you or should I go back and show her myself?”

  Andy grinned. “I’ll show her.”

  “Potato peeler?” Dave asked after Andy left the table.

  “He taught me a trick for making the parmesan curls. He needs to teach the new girl.”

  “How long did you work here?” Angus asked.

  “I was here twelve days.”

  “Looks like they’d have liked to keep you,” Dave said.

  “That’s our Charlotte.” Janice patted my hand. “This is delicious, by the way.”

  Everyone walked me home so Dave and Janice would know where my apartment was. I hugged them goodbye and then, because he was standing there with them and it would have been more awkward for us not to hug each other goodbye, Angus and I exchanged an uncomfortable and perfunctory embrace. I saw Dave and Janice exchange a look, but I couldn’t worry about it. I had an early flight and I was going home to see my family. Tomorrow I would play with Emily and snuggle with Simon. Tomorrow night we would sing Christmas carols and read from the Bible and eat strawberry pancakes with chocolate macadamia sauce.

  I had three weeks at home and I intended to enjoy every minute of it.

  Charlotte

  There was something thrilling about being an out-of-town visitor at my family’s home. Even though I hadn’t lived with my parents for many years, I hadn’t ever been treated like the honored guest until now. It made me glad I had moved to Kansas City even if nothing more ever happened with Angus.

  I quickly shut off my brain, a skill I was getting quite proficient at. Even though Angus had given me no indication he would ever change his mind, and had in fact, placed me squarely in the friend zone, I refused to believe that a future with him was impossible. It was easier to shut down my mind when it started second-guessing my heart.

  For more than a week, the family made every effort they could to come and spend time with me. Emily was charming, and after a few hours of hesitancy, decided her favorite game was loudly kissing my cheeks. McKayla was only allowed to hold Simon when he needed to be fed, since I had to soak up all the baby time I could before I returned to Kansas City.

  Two days after Christmas, I borrowed Mom’s car and drove into the city for Mia’s wedding.

  “I hope you don’t feel bad that I decided not to have any bridesmaids. If I would have, you’d have been one for sure.”

  “I don’t feel bad at all. I feel nothing but happy for you. You both look wonderful.”

  And they did. Happiness was bouncing off them and onto everyone in the room. Mia’s dress was simple and elegant. Her hair was in a twist with no veil and I was reminded of a conversation we’d had when we both wondered if we’d ever find love.

  “I’ve even forgiven you for abandoning me,” I said.

  Mia raised an eyebrow. “Let’s not forget who took off for the Midwest. You abandoned me.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” I explained. “Remember when you suggested we become stylish spinsters with a cat in the windowsill?”

  Mia laughed. “That was still my plan for the future until you took off to Kansas City. How can we become spinster roommates when we don’t even live in the same state?”

  “I think Graham changed those plans, not me. At least you didn’t give up on the stylish part. You look beautiful.”

  “Oh, Charlotte. I’d tell you your turn will come, but I remember how sick I got of hearing that, so I won’t say it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But I will say that if Angus is smart, he won’t let you get away.”

  “And there’s the one who made it happen.” Graham put one arm around Mia and gave me a quick hug with his other arm.

  I looked at him, surprised, and he laughed.

  “Don’t worry,” Mia said. “He told me all about your conversation at the airport. Thank you, by the way.”

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “You certainly did. You filled me with fear. I had visions of Mia marrying someone else. That was all it took.”

  I bowed. “I’m glad I could be of service.”

  “We might even name our firstborn Charlotte,” Graham said.

  “Or Charles,” Mia added. “If it’s a boy.”

  Mia’s brother took the microphone and announced the bride and groom’s first dance.

  “I love you,” Mia whispered in my ear as she hugged me again. Then Graham led her to the dance floor. A couple of minutes later, I left.

  “Charlotte!” Ashley said when I stepped off the ele
vator at Jayne Fife.

  I put my finger up to my lips to shush her. “I wanted to surprise Jayne. She’s here, I hope.”

  Ashley put her finger to her lips in acknowledgement and nodded. “How are you?” she whispered.

  “I’m good.” I matched her tone. “How’s your cute little boy?”

  “Jax is great. He got his first bike for Christmas, so he’s spent the last week trying to kill himself. Thank goodness for helmets.” She motioned toward Jayne’s office. “You’d better go see her before she catches us out here whispering.”

  I knocked on the frame of Jayne’s door and she looked up, her expression changing from curiosity to excitement as soon as she saw me. She jumped up and met me just inside the door.

  “I wondered if you were coming home for Christmas.” She hugged me like an old friend instead of an employee. “It’s a good thing you came by. You’d have been in big trouble if you hadn’t stopped in to see me.”

  Jayne ushered me into her office and sat down. “Every time I see the weather in the Midwest, I think about you. You’ve had a lot of snow, haven’t you?”

  “We didn’t have any until the week before Christmas and then it got a little crazy. I got snow boots and a parka for Christmas, but driving in it is pretty scary.”

  “Where are you working? I got a call from a guy at a temp agency asking about you.”

  I laughed. “Mark. Yeah. I did a couple of temporary jobs there. A restaurant and a big tractor company.”

  Jayne shook her head. “That’s ridiculous. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have assigned you another project from here.”

  “I thought about it. I don’t know if it makes sense, but I wanted to find something there. The more I was tied to San Francisco, the easier it would be to give up and come home. I wanted to make it as hard on myself as possible.” I shook my head. “I sound crazy, don’t I?”

  Jayne smiled. “A little. But I’m sure it’s shown that boy of yours that you mean business.” Jayne studied my rueful smile. “He does know you mean business, right?”

  “I don’t know what else I can do to get the point across, but so far he hasn’t come around.”

  “You two aren’t together?”

  “We live in the same complex, and we see each other sometimes, but we’re hardly together.” I quickly continued when I saw Jayne’s skeptical expression. “But he will. He’ll come around. At least we’re back to being friends.”

  Jayne looked worried. “Oh, Charlotte. I’m not sure what to say. I thought this was going to be it for you, and I was so happy for you to be moving on after... you know... everything. You’re sure you want to stick it out? Because I’m telling you right now, you’ve got a job here if you want to come back.”

  I didn’t say anything right away. This was exactly the conversation I didn’t want to have with people.

  Will was the only one who knew for certain that Angus hadn’t warmed back up to me, and thankfully, he hadn’t set the record straight when the family talked about Angus and Kansas City. I had carefully skirted the whole Angus thing, focusing on my job and my apartment and the time Angus and I had spent together. It wasn’t difficult to make it sound like everything was going well, especially since that was what everyone expected. Dad had even asked when I thought Angus might call to have a talk with him and I had coyly shrugged it off. I had surprised myself at how duplicitous I was capable of being. Will had even teased me about a career change.

  “Too bad Angus didn’t go to Hollywood,” he had whispered, sitting next to me at dinner. “You could have pursued a career in acting.”

  I elbowed him. “Oh, shut up.”

  “This might be good enough for an Oscar.”

  “It’s not acting. It’s positive thinking.”

  “Oh, that’s what we’re calling it.” Will smiled, and I knew my secret was safe with him. For a while, anyway.

  Now I had told Jayne the truth, and I was already second-guessing myself. I didn’t want any suggestions that I should give up and come home.

  Like the suggestion Jayne was making now. “We can always use you around here, you know.” Jayne grinned mischievously. “I’d be especially happy to have you here over the next year or so.”

  “Why the next year?”

  Jayne stood and turned sideways, pulling her stylish, sweater tight over the little bump in her abdomen. She patted her stomach. “I’ll be taking a little time off and I’d love to have you around to help keep things in order here.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I’m so happy for you,” I said as I made my way around the desk to give her a hug.

  Jayne smiled. “We’re pretty happy, too.”

  We talked about the baby’s sex (boy), name options (Bard, after Shakespeare or Darby, after some 1980s singer. Yikes! I kept my opinions on those to myself), Jayne’s due date (July) and the chances of me coming back (it depended on Angus, but hopefully small).

  A strange thing happened to me after I left Jayne Fife Graphics. For the first time since I had decided to follow Angus to Kansas City, I let myself think about what it would be like to come back.

  It wasn’t all bad.

  “I’m sorry I won’t be here tonight,” Gina said as she zipped her boots over her jeans. I marveled at how she could wear such high heels. It was a talent I’d never needed to acquire. “But it’ll be nice for you and Will to catch up. And Emily will be in heaven, won’t you, sweet pea.” She nuzzled Emily’s neck until she started giggling.

  “Have fun with your sister,” Will said. “I’ll try not to let Charles kidnap your firstborn.”

  “What shall we get for dinner,” Will asked after Gina left.

  “I was hoping you’d feel like eating at The Mouse Trap. I haven’t had a good cheese sandwich in months.”

  We talked about Will’s cases over gooey cheese sandwiches. Mine had apples and cheddar and a brown sugar glaze. It was messy and wonderful. Emily finished an entire sandwich by herself and even had a bite of mine.

  It was quiet when we returned to Will’s. I sat cross-legged in the corner of the couch, holding Emily on my lap as she looked at a book. Will sat in the other corner, his legs stretched out on the coffee table.

  “Now you’re all fed and happy, tell me how you’re really doing.” I could tell from Will’s serious expression he didn’t want the sugar-coated, convince-everyone-things-are-great version.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Yes, you do. Dig deep, Chuck, and tell me how you’re feeling about everything.”

  I smiled. “Angus is trying not to call me Chuck anymore. One of Angus’s patients told him I was too nice to be called Chuck. He still slips sometimes, but he’s doing better.”

  “Traitor.”

  “You should stop using that ugly nickname, too, you know.”

  “That’ll never happen.”

  “I figured.”

  “Is he nice to you?” Will asked.

  I shrugged. I thought carefully as I talked, wanting to be as truthful with Will as possible. If there was one person in the world who could help me sort out this mess, it was probably Will. He loved us both and he could be brutally honest. It was a combination I needed.

  “I guess so. He keeps telling me to move back here, which is annoying, but it’s not really mean. He’s super busy so he doesn’t have a lot of time. But if he wanted to, he could make time. Sometimes I wonder if he keeps his distance to try to get me to come home.” I stroked Emily’s soft curls. “Other times I think maybe I was just wrong.”

  “Wrong about what?”

  “Wrong about how he feels. About me. Like maybe when he kissed me and told me he loved me, he was confused and he didn’t really mean it. Or maybe he thought he did and now he realizes he was wrong and he wishes I’d leave him alone.”

  I was glad it wasn’t too light—just a couple of lamps—because a tear slid down my cheek and landed in Emily’s hair. I rested my cheek on her head and she didn’t pull away.

  Will clasped his hands be
hind his head and stared across the room. He didn’t say anything right away and I let him think, hoping he would have some insight when he finally spoke. “Charles, I don’t have any idea what he’s thinking anymore. Maybe he really is over you and wants to move on. But I can tell you this for sure. He did love you. He loved you for a long time.”

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

  “We should have. Gina told me I should tell you, especially after Kyle, but I thought you two would figure things out.” He slapped my knee. “I didn’t know you were both so incompetent.”

  “How was I so stupid? I think back over the years and I can’t believe how clueless I was. Did I really think he was going to therapy and hanging out with me all those years because we were friends?”

  “Don’t write off the friend thing too much, Charles. You two were friends. He wanted more, but you’ve always been friends. That didn’t change.”

  I felt sad. “I might have ruined it.”

  “If it’s ruined, you didn’t do it by yourself.” Will sat up and put his feet on the floor. “Look, Angus is a good man. And he’s a smart guy. I can’t imagine him wanting to lose your friendship. I think that’s why it took him so long to fess up and tell you. I can’t help but think he’s going to come around and stop holding a grudge.”

  Emily was almost asleep. I closed the book and put it on the table and talked a little quieter. “How long do I wait?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Jayne offered me my job back today. I miss it there.”

  “I thought you liked your job at Hallmark.”

  “I do. The kids are great. Mostly.” We both smiled. “But it’s not designing. It’s like babysitting with crafts. Except when I taught Braxton. That felt like it mattered. Like I was doing something important.”

  “Maybe they’ll have a design job open soon.” Will leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Or maybe you should come back to your job here.”

  “Do you really think that?”

  “I don’t know, Charles. I have a feeling if you’re patient, Angus will come around. But what if I’m wrong? What if I feel that way because I want that to happen? I’d feel sick if you put in all this time and he didn’t come around and you lost out on your job because I’d encouraged you to stay.”