by JoAnn Durgin
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” Isabella patted the bench beside her. “Time to tell me about Miss Nelson. Start with her first name.”
“Oh, right. It’s Cathy.” For the next few minutes, Joel told her about the pretty sales rep he’d met in the Thai foods aisle at the new international market over in Bethel. Blonde, tall, willowy. His description of her highlighted the fact that Isabella shared no physical characteristics whatsoever with the woman.
Well, no wonder Joel only wanted to be just friends with her. That needled her even more since Tristan seemed to prefer the same type. She could easily envision Sidney with a gorgeous blonde on his arm. Is that what every man wanted? The dream of physical perfection?
“I can tell you like her,” Isabella said as he finished. “You wouldn’t step foot in a Thai foods aisle for the culinary delights alone.”
Standing, he held out one hand. “I’ll walk you home.”
Joel was quiet for the four-block stroll. Normally he’d tell her something funny one of his co-workers or a customer in the bank had said or done.
“Are you thinking about your first date with Cathy on Tuesday night?” Isabella said to break the ongoing silence.
“No.” He sounded preoccupied.
Joel didn’t need to tell her. She knew. He’d been thinking about that dumb car again.
Men!
Chapter 7
Sidney’s mind was on a conversation he’d shared with Bryce late the night before as he bounded down the steps and rounded the corner into the kitchen on Thursday morning. Caroline was sitting at the table with Ellie, a blanket draped over one shoulder and covering the front of her. Ah yes, feeding time.
“Morning.” He headed for the refrigerator and grabbed the bottle of milk.
“Morning. I didn’t expect to see you up this early.” She sounded tired and sipped what looked like cranberry juice. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby. Best sleep I’ve had in months. Maybe years. Is that an honest-to-goodness featherbed?”
“Sure is. Seth discovered them during his travels and hasn’t slept on anything since.”
“I haven’t slept on one since our trip to Germany with the family years ago. Ellie get you up in the night?” Retrieving a glass from an upper cabinet, Sidney poured the milk and then returned the bottle to the refrigerator.
“No. She’s been sleeping through the night for a while now. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and worked on a new sketch.”
“Maybe you were thinking of the bum who unexpectedly showed up on your doorstep yesterday? Wondering what to do with him?” He took a drink of his milk and then chuckled. “Or how to get rid of him.”
Caroline smiled through her yawn. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not your event planner, Sidney. My only rule is that if you make a mess, you’re the one who cleans it up.”
“Sounds fair. I’ve heard some artistic types say they’re most creative in the middle of the night. Is that how it is with you?” After setting the glass of milk on the table, Sidney pulled out silverware from the second drawer he opened. Give him a few more days and he’d probably navigate the kitchen as well as he knew his kitchen back in Boston, although that wasn’t saying much. Ordering take-out in the office and sharing meetings over lunch and dinner in downtown restaurants had become his modus operandi. Meals at his place were quick breakfasts-on-the-fly and late-night snacks.
“Depends. I get spurts of energy and creativity at different times during the day. I made scrambled eggs and sausage. There’s a plate for you in the microwave.”
“I thought I smelled something good. Appreciate it. Seth already gone?”
She nodded. “He had errands to run over in Bethel, and then he’s going by the university to take care of some year-end administrative things.”
Lounging against the kitchen counter, Sidney crossed his arms and tried to ignore the sucking noises coming from beneath the blanket. “I never would have guessed you’d grow up to marry a mineral-loving adventurer who’s also a part-time professor. From what I gather, Seth enjoys teaching almost as much as the Indiana Jones stuff, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, he loves it, especially the interaction with the students,” Caroline said. “You know how it is when you’re together with others who share the same passion. He’ll probably transition into full-time teaching once he works the wanderlust out of his system.”
Sidney grinned. “Does Seth know you call it that?”
“Of course. He’s the one who coined the term. The cache of amethysts his team discovered in Stow and the tourmaline they found on Plumbago Mountain built this house, after all.”
“That’s great, but I wouldn’t exactly call your jewelry designs a little hobby to make pocket change.” He’d heard from Bryce that Caroline’s clientele was growing in New England and branching across the country. All it took was some well-placed advertising.
“I know you’ve helped spread the word and given me some referrals, Sid. Thank you.”
“Welcome. Your talent speaks for itself. But, if you don’t mind, I’ve decided I kind of hate the nickname Sid.” He lifted his shoulders. “Maybe I’m growing up, I don’t know.”
Caroline’s glance was curious. “Okay. I’m sure you’ll remind me if I slip.”
Sidney punched the buttons on the microwave to warm the food. “Don’t tell Seth, but a part of me is jealous. I think every little boy wants to be an explorer when he grows up. Climb mountains, back to nature, the adventure of it all. Just like most little girls want to be a ballerina or a princess.” He grinned. “Except you.”
When the microwave dinged, he pulled open the door and then removed the plastic wrap. He touched the eggs. Satisfied they were warmed through to his satisfaction, he removed the plate from the microwave. Carrying it to the table, he sat in the chair opposite Caroline.
“I’m sure Seth will always have a hand in planning expeditions in one way or another,” she said. “The best part is that most of them take place here in New England now, so it keeps him close to home.”
“Yep,” Sidney agreed. “Home is where the heart is.” He caught Caroline’s lifted brow. “Sorry for the cliché. Don’t know what’s come over me. Anyway, Bryce told me a while back that the Oxford Hills area has the highest concentration of natural gemstones of any region its size in the world. I’m sure that was another plus in Evergreen’s favor that figured into your decision to move here.”
Picking up his fork, he dug into the scrambled eggs. They smelled and looked great. He’d ask for hot sauce, but he’d been trying to lay off the stuff lately.
“Didn’t hurt.” Caroline peeked beneath the blanket and cooed an endearment.
“Why does watching you with Ellie make me want to sing ‘You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman’? If I could carry a tune, I might try it.”
Caroline studied him for a moment as he continued to eat. “I think running away from home is already doing wonders for your sense of humor. Among other things.”
“You think so? I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I meant it as one.” She sipped her juice and then nibbled on a bite of blueberry muffin.
Should he have said a prayer first? That seemed important in this house. Seth prayed for their meal last night. He didn’t mind and had bowed in respect for the tradition as much as deference to a higher being.
“Guess you think I’m a heathen since I didn’t pray.”
“Sidney, you’re not a heathen. You’re also not used to praying. I think that’s one of the reasons you’ve come to Evergreen.”
“What’s that mean?” he said around a bite of sausage. “To learn to pray? To find Jesus?” Grabbing the pepper shaker, he sprinkled it over what remained of his eggs.
“Perhaps. You’re obviously searching for something.”
“That statement also implies I’m lost.”
“Aren’t you? We’re all lost about something.” Her green eyes leveled on him.
“You’re also too philosophical this
early in the morning. I’ve always known you’d make one…” He swallowed a curse. “Sorry. Old habits die hard. What I’m trying to say is that you would have made a fantastic lawyer, Caroline. I admire you. For standing up to Mom and Dad, for following your passion to design jewelry, for moving up here to Maine. It’s the trifecta of rebellion to find ultimate happiness.” He shrugged and took another bite. “You’ve even become a great cook. This breakfast is terrific. Kudos.” He took a long drink of his milk.
She laughed quietly. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
“You grew up in the same home I did.” He’d never known his mother to cook anything.
“Nanny Regina taught me a few things.”
“That’s good. All she did was catch me in everything I did wrong. So, in the long run, I guess she did me a favor.” Sidney took another bite. “Why is it everything here tastes so much better?”
“We use organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Less additives and preservatives.”
“Okay, but other than learning to cook on the sly”—he grinned again—“you did everything expected of you when you were younger. You studied hard, made stellar grades, joined all the social organizations, excelled at Wellesley, went to Harvard Law that first year—”
“Your point?” Her voice held humor even though she’d cut him off.
He lifted his glass in a salute. “To Caroline. Who followed her dreams and found them.” Sidney lowered his gaze while she made an adjustment and then pulled the blanket away from Ellie.
Finished with his food, Sidney pushed his plate aside. His heart jumped when he spied the baby’s flushed cheeks and pouty lips. “You and Seth are blessed. She’s a beautiful child.”
Caroline smiled as she burped Ellie. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use the word blessed.”
“That’s because I don’t think I ever have.” Why had he said it? Maybe because the truth of that word had hit him hard in recent months. One of the female associates at the firm had lost a baby. A partner’s eight-year-old grandson was killed near a school crosswalk in a freak accident. Those things made him think even more about how fragile life could be, how he couldn’t control everything, and how easily life itself could slip from his grasp.
Ellie let out a surprisingly loud burp. Wow, that baby had some powerful lungs.
Caroline kissed Ellie’s cheek. “Did you hear what Uncle Sidney said about you? He said you’re beautiful. And you are. You’re Mommy and Daddy’s precious girl.” She nuzzled her daughter’s cheek.
“She’s also a star-worthy burper.”
“Yes, she is,” Caroline said. “She takes after you in that respect. I remember those contests between you and Bryce.” Her voice had taken on a faraway quality. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe we were ever kids, you know?”
He nodded. “We were expected to act like miniature adults from the time we could walk and talk.” Taking a last drink of milk, he drained the glass.
“Do you ever wonder what our lives would have been like if Mom had been…” Caroline hugged Ellie close again.
“She was a lot more approachable toward the end,” he said. “Started me thinking that Evergreen is some kind of magical place where people find whatever it is they’re seeking.”
The change in their mother had been remarkable. After her trip to Evergreen to see Caroline a few years ago, she’d come home to Boston a changed person. Happier. More giving of her time. She revealed things about her life prior to marrying Dad they’d never known. Aspects of her life that perhaps could have made a difference in all their lives if only…
Let it go, Sidney. He didn’t blame Mom. He didn’t then, and he didn’t now, but neither did he live by the if only aspects of life. He liked absolutes and certainties.
“Evergreen isn’t magical,” Caroline said. “The way I see it, coming here was part of God’s plan for me and then for Mom in her own way. It’s quieter here, and it’s a good place to search your soul. Would you like more eggs or anything else to eat?”
“I’m all set, thank you.”
Her brows lifted. “Seems you’ve also rediscovered your manners.”
He grunted. “I’ve always had them. They got pushed by the wayside, I’m afraid. I’m working on that, too.” After wiping his mouth with a napkin, Sidney sat back in the chair and crossed his arms. “When you defied the parents and moved up here to Maine, that’s when I first began to notice changes in Mom and Dad, some subtle, some more pronounced.”
“I’m listening,” she said. The baby stirred and made funny little sucking noises. In her sleep, no less. Caroline gently rocked her daughter in her arms, a lovely image of motherhood and domesticity. He didn’t remember Mom ever rocking him, holding him close, whispering sweet sentiments, kissing his cheek.
“You showed Mom and Dad they couldn’t control you, Caroline. That was a valuable lesson for them to learn. It meant more coming from you than it would have from anyone else.”
“Why coming from me?”
“You’re the youngest, the girl, the child who could do no wrong.”
“I highly doubt that.” She didn’t seem especially pleased by that sentiment. “You were the first, the smartest, the one held up as the epitome of the perfect son.”
“Right.” He snorted. “Perfect son. That’s an undeserved title. I only did what I’d been groomed to do my entire life.”
“You also wanted to be a lawyer,” she said. “I didn’t.”
“That’s true,” Sidney acknowledged. “In your case, the parental units, as Bryce is fond of saying, had to adjust to the idea that you weren’t defying them so much as you were following your heart. They finally came around, and I know they were both proud of you. We all are.”
His own statement hit him hard. “I hate to refer to Dad in past tense.”
“I understand. I do the same thing.” Shifting her position, Caroline kissed the baby’s cheek again. He loved how the nurturing instinct came so naturally for her. Easy to see why. Ellie had worked her way into his own jaded heart in record time. Having her with them before and immediately after Mom’s death had brought a welcome reaffirmation of life in its own way.
“I’m thankful you and Bryce are in place at the firm to keep the Prescott name as a strong presence,” she said.
His heart swelled. “A part of me wishes you were there beside us. Then I see you here in Maine…so happy and content. Fulfilled. The woman you’ve become is an amazing person.”
“Thank you.” Caroline’s eyes misted. “I’ve never heard so many compliments from you.”
They’d also come naturally. “I meant every one of them.”
“A small part of me would like to be there in the firm, too, Sidney. You realize I might not—probably would not—have become the woman I am now if I hadn’t struck out on my own.”
“I know,” Sidney said quietly. “Before she died, Mom asked me to promise to look over you and Bryce. Because of Dad’s dementia, she knew I’d be the head of the family now. Funny thing about that.” His eyes grew damp. He blinked hard and focused on a photo of a pretty blonde with two young children on the refrigerator door. “The list of my personal failings is longer than I’d like to admit. I don’t feel qualified or worthy of assuming Dad’s place as the head of the Prescott family.”
Reaching across the table, Caroline covered his hand with hers, her expression serious. “Does this mean you’re abdicating the throne?”
He laughed, thankful for the release. “Yes, I think I am. You and Bryce can fight it out. As far as I’m concerned, we’re all equals, and we make any decisions together that need to be made.”
“I agree.”
Letting go of her hand, Sidney fiddled with the napkin on the table, bunching it in his fingers and wadding it into a small ball. “Here’s the thing. With Mom’s passing, and Dad a shell of his former self”—he winced at his own words—“I’ve finally awakened to the fact that I’m 33 years old and have nothing to show for my life other th
an a good pedigree, a great education, and a solid track record in the courtroom. Other than that, there’s a void. Not a wasteland, mind you. But a definite void.”
Caroline studied him for a long moment. “You’re saying you haven’t found your dreams.”
“That makes me sound like a girl, but…yes. I’d say there’s an element of truth in that statement.” Sidney nodded slowly, the full impact of that admission weighing him down.
“You have plenty of time. In those 33 years, look at all you’ve accomplished, Sidney. You’ve built an amazing career. I’m sure a lot of people around you are getting married and starting their families. That’s bound to make you look at things—”
“Did you know that Isabella paints?” He hadn’t meant to cut her off and wasn’t sure why he’d blurted out that question.
Caroline gave him a curious smile. “I know Toby—my partner in the jewelry business—is giving Isabella watercolor lessons. He’s one of the area’s most well-known landscape artists. What made you think of that now?”
He’d bypass that question. For one thing, why admit to a fascination he couldn’t explain? Caroline’s address book had been sitting on the desk in the study, and he’d quickly thumbed through it last night until he’d located Isabella—last name Caccavale. Armed with that information, he’d conducted a little research on his laptop.
As Isabella had told him, she’d been born in California. What he also learned was that she’d graduated with her undergraduate and MBA degrees from UCLA before living and working in Connecticut. She’d co-founded a marketing firm in Hartford that seemed to be thriving. She had online accounts with Twitter, Linked In, Pinterest, and other social media websites plus Facebook, although the first two had been inactive since she’d moved to Evergreen.
He’d discovered precious little about her personal life, only her educational stats and professional accomplishments. Others would only know what she wanted them to know. Smart woman.
“I looked up the website for Mahoney’s General Store, and it’s terrific,” he told Caroline. “Isabella’s background in marketing showed in every inch of that site. She’s very talented.”
