Desdemona had invited him and his brothers for the day, but they’d declined. Their mom, dad, and sister were driving in from Tennessee to spend time before the holiday with them, then the boys and Molly would drive to Lake Delores for Thanksgiving. Since their mother was still recovering from a bad stroke, they felt she might be more comfortable with only the family this year. As much as Elisa would miss Tucker, she understood. The Wylder men were doing the right thing. Family came at the very top of the priority list—if you were lucky enough to have one.
Her grandmother had loved the holidays, but she was gone. Elisa hadn’t heard from her mother, so she assumed she’d spend Thanksgiving in Mexico. Her father could be anywhere on the planet, and since they’d never shared a turkey wishbone, it didn’t much matter. She and Daisy would make their own traditions, and this year it would include dinner with Desdemona.
Then would come that mad runaway slide into the Christmas season.
She rubbed her hands together from both the anticipation and the chill. The cold front the weatherman predicted had arrived early and had her digging through her closet for something warm to wear.
Unearthing the remote control from beneath a pile of books, she turned on the electric fireplace. The shop would be nice and toasty in no time.
The door flew open and Tucker blew in. Elisa’s heart gave a happy little lurch.
Quickly, he shut the door behind him. “Brrrr. It’s nippy out there.” Tuck perused Elisa. “You look good.”
She screwed up her face. “I look like the stereotypical uptight librarian with my hair in a bun and wearing tortoiseshell glasses.”
He leaned in and whispered, “So is this where I toss your glasses onto the nightstand? Tear the pins from your hair and run my fingers through it?”
Her gaze moved to the large front window. “Afraid not.”
“You’re no fun.”
She threw him a suggestive smile. “I can be.”
“That I have first-hand knowledge of.” He ran a finger down her cheek and kissed her forehead. “Actually, I came because I heard you need some help. Beck said you were closed today. Apparently, you’ve changed your mind about some of the colors and have a bit of painting to do.” He opened a bag. “I came prepared with a brush, a roller, and a strong back.”
Despite that big window, she hooked a finger in the front of his sweatshirt and pulled him in for a kiss that warmed them both up.
For the next couple of hours, they laughed, talked, and painted.
When they’d finished and cleaned up, she said, “Today calls for soup, homemade bread dripping in butter, and hot chocolate with marshmallows.”
“In a perfect world.”
“It so happens I brought all that with me today. Want to share lunch?”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. I made both the soup and the bread last night. The chill in the air seemed to call for it.”
“Elisa, you’re almost too good to be true.”
Pain shot through her, and she closed her eyes.
“You okay?”
She shook her head.
“How about we head into the back room?” He moved toward her.
“Wait.” Heart pounding, she laid a hand on his chest. “There’s something I have to tell you. Something you need to know.” Tears filled her eyes.
“Whatever it is, it’s okay, baby.”
“No,” she whispered. “It’s not.”
“We’re both adults, sweetheart. We’ve done things and said things we’re not proud of. I don’t need a confession.”
Her tongue darted out to wet Sahara-dry lips. “But—”
Desdemona chose that moment to walk in, a chattering Daisy beside her. “That soft French blue is fantastic.” She glanced toward Elisa and stopped dead. “Uh-oh. Bad timing?” Then she took another longer look. “You’re not planning to faint again, are you? Did you eat?”
Before Elisa could come up with an answer, Daisy moved to Tuck. “Look, Tut. I got a new baby-doll. Desdi bought her for me.”
“Does she have a name?”
“Uh-huh. Annie.”
“Annie, huh? I like that.” He knelt down. “She’s one of the prettiest dolls I’ve ever seen.” He stood and took Daisy’s hand in his. “It’s time to eat. Why don’t you join us, Desdemona? You, Daisy, and Annie.”
“Do you have enough?”
“Oh, yeah,” Elisa said.
What she didn’t have was courage. Maybe her Halloween costume should have been the Cowardly Lion.
Chapter 22
On the drive into town the next day, Tucker waffled. Maybe he should have let Elisa get whatever was bothering her off her chest. She’d picked at her lunch, and even Daisy’d had trouble keeping her attention.
He didn’t need to know any more about her past, though. She’d had a hard time before coming to Misty Bottoms, and now things were looking up. Wasn’t it best to let bygones be bygones?
And wasn’t he a good one to talk about that!
A song came on the radio about lost love, and Tucker switched stations.
Elisa and Daisy mattered to him. He was slowly beginning to realize that if his life was ever going to get back on track and have any meaning, any worth, he needed them in it, and that scared the bejesus right out of him.
Parking in front of Molly’s bridal boutique, he hurried inside, out of the wind.
He peeked around the shop’s door. “Anybody here?”
“Just Lettie and me.”
“Good. I need your help.”
“Hmm. Let me think.” Closing her eyes, she placed a finger to her temple. Then she laughed and met his gaze. “Since your family’s coming for a visit and you’re in charge of dinner, my guess is you’d like help with the food.”
“Hey, you got the easy part,” he said. “They’re sleeping at your place. How hard can that be?”
“You’re right. Lettie, will you keep an eye on the front?”
“Sure. You ought to call in an order from Fat Baby’s Barbecue and be done with it,” Lettie suggested. “That’s simple enough.”
Tucker glanced toward Molly. “Should I?”
“Not if you want to win any points.”
He hung his head. “I don’t actually need help fixing the food, just figuring out something I can make that won’t kill us all.”
“That makes me feel much better!”
He spread his hands.
In no time, Molly laid out a menu for him, all stuff he could handle. She glanced up from the grocery list. “I suppose you’ve heard about Doc and Desdemona.”
“Doc Hawkins?”
“Yeah. Know another in town?”
“Not right off hand. You gonna tell me, or do I have to guess?” When she hesitated, a mischievous grin on her face, he said, “I’ll bet you a burger at Dee-Ann’s Diner it has something to do with those feelings they’ve been dancing around.”
Her mouth opened, but no sound escaped.
Tuck laughed. “You didn’t pick up on that? Those two give off heat when they’re within fifty feet of each other.”
“Why, Tucker Wylder. Since when did you come to be so astute?”
“Always have been. I simply keep all that astuteness to myself.”
Tucker drove from Molly’s shop straight to the bookstore. When he walked in, he wanted to kick himself clear across the country and back. Elisa looked like she hadn’t slept last night. What deep, dark secret could she be harboring that bothered her so much?
None. Not Elisa.
But then, she tended to fret about every little thing. She needed to get over that.
A couple of customers browsed the shelves. Annabelle, who ran the B&B, stood with her back to him, but he’d recognize that fifties-style orange-and-blue housedress and those sloppy-big purple Converse tennis shoes anywh
ere. With her here, anything he said would be public knowledge within seconds of her leaving the store.
He couldn’t let that stop him. “I’ve come to apologize.”
Annabelle turned, sliding the glasses she wore on a chain into place. The better to see him, he supposed.
Elisa’s forehead creased in puzzlement. “For what?”
“For putting you off yesterday.”
“We should take this conversation into the backroom.”
“Do you want to share now?”
“No!” She shook her head. “No. Not now. Not here.”
“You sure?”
“Maybe you should give her a kiss,” Annabelle said. “That might help.”
He cocked a brow at Elisa. “Would it?”
“It wouldn’t hurt.”
When he moved toward her, she held out a hand. “But again, not now. I’m working.”
“Ah. I thought maybe since we, ah…” He looked toward their audience. “Ah, you know, things might have changed. That a little PDA wouldn’t be out of line.”
She blushed. “Wrong!”
He kissed her anyway.
“’Bout time,” Annabelle said. “Come on, Beatrice. Let’s have a piece of Dee-Ann’s pie at the diner. We can come back afterwards for our books.”
The bell over the door tinkled as they left.
“You know that little scene will be all over town.”
“I don’t care,” he said. “Lissie, I—I—You’re important to me. I know everything about you I need to know.” He didn’t see the expected relief in her eyes, so he decided to back off. “How’s Daisy?”
“She misses breakfast—and Pop-Tarts—with her Tut.”
He grinned. “On that note, I have a favor to ask. A pretty big one and one that includes Daisy. My parents are coming day after tomorrow for a preholiday visit.”
She nodded.
“They’re staying with Brant and Molly, but everyone’s coming to my place for dinner. I’d like to have you and Daisy there.” He wiped the palms of his hands on his jeans. “I want Mom and Dad to meet you.”
“Tucker—”
“I know. A big ask.” His eyes met her clear blue ones. “Say yes. Please.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn casserole. Tucker, feeling pretty darned good about the meal he’d prepared, slid the rolls into the oven. There, he’d cheated—with Molly’s blessing. They’d come from the freezer section of the grocery store.
The doorbell rang, and Daisy and her mama stood on the stoop.
“Come on in.” He swung the door wide, then leaned down to catch Daisy up in a hug.
“Tut! We’re gonna eat with you!”
“Yes, you are. You been good for your mama?”
“Uh-huh. Haven’t I, Mommy?”
“You have.”
“Lissie, you look great.”
“You think?” She ran a hand over the skirt of her soft-orange print dress. “I wasn’t sure what to wear. I mean, your parents are coming, so—Are they here?” Her gaze skittered past him, into the living room.
“Not yet.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Relax. They’ll love you.”
She grimaced. “I don’t know.” She nodded toward Daisy. “Do they know this one will be here?”
“They can’t wait to meet her. My sister, Lainey, will have her little guy, too. Jax is, gosh, I don’t know, about a year-and-a-half now.”
“Have you put your valuables up high?”
“Nope. My most valued just walked through my door.” He frowned at her expression. “What’s wrong, sugar?”
She flashed him a too-bright smile. “Not a thing… And we come bearing gifts. Or a gift.” She held out a pecan pie. “Freshly made this morning. Daisy helped.”
He gave Daisy a quick cheek-kiss, then took a little longer thanking her mama.
* * *
It wasn’t long before his fairly large house nearly burst at the seams. Eight adults, two kids, and Lug Nut.
“Why’d you bring the dog, Brant?”
“He wanted to come.”
“Oh, give me a break,” Tucker said.
Molly, Elisa, and Lainey finally shooed the men out of the kitchen, including Tucker.
“Take Jax with you,” Lainey said.
Brant slung the toddler under his arm. “Hey, Jax, looks like it’s you and me again, pal.”
Jax gave him a slobbery grin.
“Take the dog, too,” his mother said.
While Penny, Tucker’s mother, sat on a stool supervising, the girls did the final prep and got the food on the table.
“How about we walk into the dining room together?” Elisa helped Tucker’s mother from the stool.
Penny patted her hand. “When Brant brought Molly home, I cried tears of joy. My middle son chose well.” She smiled. “It seems the oldest of my boys has good taste, too. I’m so glad you’re here today, Elisa. You and darling Daisy.”
Elisa opened her mouth to clarify the situation, but Tucker, standing in the doorway, caught her gaze and shook his head. He was right. Now wasn’t the time.
The food was excellent and the conversation flowed smoothly. Jax entertained everyone with his jabbering, and Daisy fell in love with him, hovering over him like a mother hen.
Tucker leaned into Elisa. “She’s found herself a real live doll.”
“I think you’re right. I hope she doesn’t cry to take him home.”
Brant broke into the conversations by tapping a spoon gently against his glass.
Everyone grew quiet.
“What’s up?” Gaven asked.
“Molly and I have an announcement to make.” He took his wife’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Come next summer, Jax will have a new cousin. Molly and I are pregnant.”
“Yeah, we’re pregnant. I get to handle all the morning sickness, and he gets all the bragging rights,” Molly added.
Tucker’s mouth had dropped open.
Molly laughed. “So Tuck, where’s all that astuteness you claimed to have?”
“Apparently I used it all up on Doc. I swear I didn’t have a clue.” He hugged her. “You’re gonna be a mama. Way to go, Brant!” He high-fived his brother.
Penny shook her head. “You’re right, Molly. The men take all the credit, don’t they?”
More high fives and congratulations followed. Elisa listened to the family’s happiness and was glad she’d come.
Beside her, Daisy let out a squeal. “No, Lug Nut!”
“What’s he doing?”
“He taked my roll.”
“Lug Nut.” Brant pointed toward the living room. “In there. Now.”
The dog—who’d spent the entire dinner begging for food, then slinking away after each scolding only to appear under the table again—slunk off once more, tail between his legs.
“He’ll come back. Bad pennies always do.”
* * *
Dessert finished, Tucker set a stack of dirty dishes on the counter, mentally patting himself on the back. He’d done it, managed a meal for the entire family. He’d had some help, but still…
His dad came up behind him. “How about you and I step outside for a minute? I want to take a look at that stream of yours.”
“Sure.” Since his dad had already been here a few times and had definitely seen his stream, Tucker wondered what was up.
The screen door slapped shut behind them.
“Is Mama okay?”
“She is. How about you, Son? You okay?”
“I am, Dad. In fact, I’m in a better place than I’ve been for quite a while.”
His father nodded. “It’s none of my business, but—Hell with that. It is my business. You’re my son, and I love you.” He p
ulled him in for a man-hug. “Your mama and I worry about you. It’s pretty obvious to the whole family that something went very wrong during your last tour.”
“It did, and I lost four good friends.” A muscle in his jaw worked, but he kept talking. It was time. Elisa had been right about that. “The mission was doomed from the get-go. My commander made a bad decision and sent them to their deaths as surely as if he’d stood them in front of a firing squad.”
“You discussed it with him?”
“I did, and that’s the only reason I’m here. My LC got pissed and restricted me to base. I should have been with my team.”
“Got some survivor’s guilt, I’d guess.”
Tucker swiped a foot through the grass. “Yeah, I do.”
“Look at me, Son.” His father stared straight into Tucker’s eyes. “Selfish or not, I’ll be forever thankful you weren’t with them.” He lifted a hand. “You can’t fault me for that.”
“I don’t.” His voice broke. “But it’s a hell of a thing to live with, Dad.”
“I reckon it is.”
Tuck nodded. “Let’s move on to something happier. I see you brought the truck like I asked.”
“Sure did.”
“Let’s go inside and get Mama. I want to show her something.”
His mother was doing so darned well after her stroke, but because the ground was a little bumpy, Tucker wrapped an arm around her and walked her out to his shed. His dad followed them.
He opened the door and extended a hand toward the swing, which he’d finished up two nights ago. “I noticed yours was looking a little worse for wear last time I was home.”
Penny’s jaw dropped. “You made this?”
“I did.”
“Oh, honey.” She rubbed a hand over the smooth finish. “It’s beautiful.”
Behind her, his dad cleared his throat. “Son, this is damned fine work.”
“I learned from the best.” Tuck slung an arm around his father’s shoulders. “The boys and I will load it into your truck. When you get home, call Shorty and he and a couple of his guys will come unload it and hang it for you.”
Tears rolled down his mother’s face.
“Hey.” Tucker wiped them away with his thumb. “This was supposed to be a good thing. It was supposed to make you happy.”
I've Got You, Babe (Must Love Babies) Page 24
