by Norah Wilson
Scott grinned—Sid the Kid was truly her mother’s daughter. “Well, it looks like you ladies have everything under control,” he said, heading for the exit. “I’ll leave you to your work.”
“You can help me later,” April called after him.
He paused in the doorway and looked back questioningly. “With what?”
“Halloween stuff. Tonight, after supper. Maybe even later than that. Say…after Sid’s in bed.”
He gave April a pulse-stirring smile. “Deal.”
Chapter 12
APRIL WAS a few minutes late, but there was no way she was leaving that kitchen less than pristine. The supper dishes had been done and put away an hour ago, every last bit of leftovers stowed in the fridge, and the prep done for tomorrow’s breakfast. They’d be having quiche with their sausage and toast.
As for the toast, they’d be trying out her new chunky cranberry spread with lemon zest and freshly grated Ceylon cinnamon.
She hadn’t stopped thinking about making that breakfast spread since she left the tea shop earlier. So after supper, while Sidney had gone out to play on the tire swing, she’d taken a stab at it, keeping the quantities small to avoid excessive wastage. Rarely was she satisfied with her first attempt to formulate a recipe. This time was no different. Each effort got closer. When Sidney came in, she tried the fourth attempt, pronouncing it “pretty good.” As her daughter went through to join the others in the living room for the post-dinner Jeopardy! routine, she’d gone back to the drawing board. Two tries later, she got it right. Hallelujah! The Greek yogurt and cottage cheese base finally came together with the other ingredients for an experience that was at least as good as cream cheese.
She hoped everyone would like it.
Arden especially. He was an incredibly kind man, and she respected that. Then again, she wouldn’t have expected anything else from Scott’s father—er, uncle. She wondered if Scott had any idea how much he was like Arden. Steady, strong, caring. There was one huge difference, however. Arden had been perfectly content to spend his days on the farm.
She put the kitchen back to rights, turned off the lights and headed into the living room to join everyone.
The show was well underway when she sat down beside Scott on the small sofa. Ember winked at her as she did. In April’s defense, it was the only place left to sit in the family room unless she parked herself on the floor beside Sidney. Arden and Faye occupied the other sofa and Ember, the recliner.
Titus and Ocean had decided to snag some alone time over at the Silikers’, with Faye being out of the house for the evening.
Arden and Faye. The girls had agreed not to tell Titus and Scott, just to see how long it took them to figure it out for themselves. Ocean had also agreed not to let on to her mom that she knew anything. Naturally, Sidney was in on it too. Earlier tonight, when Arden had ushered Faye into the dining room, she’d given her daughter a wink and put her finger to her lips in that don’t-tell way. Sidney had looked full to bursting with the secret, but she also looked happy, thrilled to be part of this just between us girls knowledge.
Scott leaned close keeping his voice down so as not to distract anyone from the television. “That was an awesome supper.”
“See what I mean about the onions?” she murmured.
“I do indeed.”
Sidney was on the floor at their feet, currently cheering on the market analyst from Ann Arbor, Michigan who had a significant lead.
As Scott and Ember had informed her, Jeopardy! was a long-standing Standish family tradition. A take-no-prisoners, every man and woman for themselves, all-out competition that had been going on for years.
The bragging rights were obnoxious.
“Final Jeopardy! is coming up,” Uncle Arden announced loudly, sitting up straight on the sofa. “Everyone has ten thousand dollars, except for Sidney.”
From what Scott had told her, April knew Arden hadn’t much formal schooling, having dropped out to help with the farm, but he was well-read. And apparently no slouch at Jeopardy!
April laughed. “I just got here. How’d I get ten grand?”
“We don’t really keep score until the end,” Arden said. “Then everyone gets ten thousand for the final round.”
“Hey, what about me?” Sidney asked. “How come I don’t get ten thousand dollars?”
“Because you’re ten years old,” Scott answered. “And by Standish rules, you get fifteen thousand if you’re under fourteen.”
“Sweet!” Sidney sat up and gave a fist pump. She looked so excited, for a moment, April wondered if her daughter didn’t think it was real money they were playing with. “I’ll bet—”
“Don’t tell,” Scott said.
Sidney frowned. “But how do you know how much I bet?”
“Because you’re going to write it down.” Ember jumped up and handed out the blank recipe cards and stubby pencils she’d evidently been holding on her lap. So that’s what was in the pencil case. “Write down your wager, and when Alex reads the question…”
“Got it,” Sid said.
Sid had slid in a couple of correct answers earlier, in the category of desserts. At the commercial break, she’d run out to the kitchen to give April a breathless recap. April suspected Faye could easily have answered those questions, judging by her baking skill. That carrot cake she’d brought over tonight had been scrumptious—moist, with a good crumb and properly spiced. But Sid had been first on the draw.
“You ready for this?” Scott asked her.
April grinned at the glint of challenge in his eyes. “Absolutely.”
The category was American Vice-Presidents. The question, a hard one.
Crap!
She gave it a pure guess…John C. Calhoun.
And she was right! So was the happy market analyst who survived to play another night.
April wasn’t sure who was happier—she with her imaginary win, or the woman on TV who’d just made some real dough. Faye and Scott got the answer too. Arden, Ember, and Sidney missed with Burr, Clinton—George, not Bill—and Gore respectively.
But who had outbet whom?
It was a sweet, sweet victory for…Scott Standish. He’d outbet April by thirty-two dollars. Thirty-two measly dollars! He had bragging rights for the night.
“That was fun!” Sidney said. “Do you really do this every night?”
“Every weeknight,” Arden said.
“And I can play again?”
“Absolutely.”
“But for now, you’d better get to bed,” April said to her daughter.
Sidney’s jaw dropped. “Mom! You know I’m ten years old, right? It’s too early.”
“I do know that, Sidney Kathleen. But nine o’clock is perfectly reasonable. Besides, I thought you wanted to get up early to walk down to your friend’s place to see the new kittens and board the bus with Danika?”
“Oh, right. I wasn’t thinking.”
It took very little digging on Scott’s part to find out Danika’s father was his former school mate. They lived about a quarter of a mile down the Shadow Road. April was so glad her little girl had already found a friend.
“I’m looking forward to working with you two young ladies tomorrow,” Faye said. “Ms. Makepeace tells me both you and Danika are math and science whizzes.”
“We’re excited too, Faye—Mrs. Siliker.”
Faye beamed her approval and Sidney soaked it right up.
“You taught Danika’s dad years ago,” Sidney said. “She told me.”
“I also taught your principal.”
Sidney’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really. I can’t wait to get started. The math will take care of itself, but science-wise, is there anything you’re particularly interested in learning more about? I intend to ask Danika too, of course. Maybe we can come up with some subjects we’ll all enjoy exploring.”
Sidney perked up. “I’ve always been interested in space stuff.”
“Oh, like black
holes?” Faye rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Such a fascinating phenomenon.”
“And stars,” Sidney said. “They’re interesting too. Did you know that our sun is actually a G2 yellow dwarf star?”
“Indeed,” Faye said. “And destined in a few billion years to grow into a red giant, when all the hydrogen has burned off. Eventually, when the core condenses, it’ll become a white dwarf star.”
“That’s so cool!”
“Very cool,” April agreed. “But it’s off to bed for you now, Ladybug. Tomorrow’s an early start.”
“Okay.” Sidney jumped up and headed for the stairs. She had one foot on the bottom step when she turned around. “Whoa, I almost forgot!” She crossed the room again to give her mother a hug where she sat on the couch. April squeezed her back and released her.
Sidney straightened then paused.
Back in Montreal, it was nothing for her to hug Scott goodnight too. Not every time he was over, but on those evenings after special outings. And of course, on her birthday, when he’d given her that telescope and she’d made that secret wish. She’d thrown her arms around him without hesitation.
But this was different.
“’Night, Scott,” she said. “’Night everyone.”
“I’ll be right behind you, Ladybug,” April said. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”
“I won’t.” Night time or not, Sid wasn’t slowing down—she ran the stairs two at a time.
April stood. “Thanks for letting me join you tonight.”
“Wasn’t it fun?” Faye said. “You’re obviously a good competitor. Next time you’ll have to join us for the whole show.”
“Thank you.” Unless she had a recipe to work out or something complicated to prep for the next day, she should be clear of the kitchen in time to participate.
“Yeah, you rock at this,” Ember said. “Do you come from a family of Jeopardy! freaks too?”
Ember’s innocent question made April want to sink right through the floor. Her family enjoying a rousing game of Jeopardy? Not in this lifetime. Sarah and Dick Morgan had had rules. Stifling rules, and remorseless punishments. She’d been afraid to breathe too loudly. The only one allowed to make noise was Harley. And her parents, who drank and fought continuously. Her older sister Kathleen had left as soon as she was able to. She’d run away and never come back. Harley—the Morgans’ only male offspring—had been the only valued, if not adored, child. None of them had been adored.
She wasn’t sure how many seconds had ticked by in her reflective pause.
“I think it’s been a long day for April,” Scott said, shooting his sister a look. “Let’s—”
“No,” April said. “We didn’t watch Jeopardy! We weren’t much for TV.”
Ember looked momentarily confused, but she obviously got Scott’s don’t push it message. “No doubt that’s why you knew the Final Jeopardy! answer,” she said. “’Cause you were busy reading books instead of rotting your brain in front of the television.”
April grinned. “Well, I did read every book in our community’s tiny library by the time I was fifteen.” In fact, the library had been her retreat from the harsh reality of her home life.
“Good for you,” Arden said. “Margaret made sure our kids were readers, so we never overdid the TV around here, either. But you will find it on every night at the same time. Same channel, same show, since the mid-eighties.” Arden smiled, but there was a seriousness in his eyes. “I really hope you’ll join us.”
“Me too.” Scott reached for her hand and squeezed it.
“We’ll see.” April pulled her hand away and stood. “I’m thinking I’ll be pretty busy getting things ready for the festivities. Speaking of which…” She turned to Scott. “Still willing to give me a hand decorating the barn?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll go on out now and you can come along when Sid’s settled.”
“Want some more help?” Ember asked.
“No,” Scott said quickly. “I think April and I have it covered.”
Ember smiled but resisted the urge to tease her brother. “Sounds good. Jace will be waiting for me anyway.” She met April’s gaze. “Let me know if I can do anything?”
“I will,” April said.
“I don’t know who’s more excited for this, me or Jace.” Ember’s eyes softened. “It’s been a long time since he’s been to a Standish party.”
A long time? Try a whole decade. April’s throat tightened. Scott had told her about Ember and Jace’s teenage romance and how they’d been torn apart by Jace’s brother’s machinations. They’d only just worked through it and were crazy in love again.
The fact wasn’t lost on anyone in the room.
Arden cleared his throat. “That’ll be a fine sight to see, the two of you in the old barn.”
“Are you dressing up?” Faye asked.
“We are.”
Arden lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not going to even ask about costumes.”
Ember stood and crossed to her father’s side. She bent down and kissed his cheek. “Ask away, I won’t tell you.”
“Anthony and Cleopatra?” Faye ventured. “I’ve always loved couples costumes.”
“Nope,” Ember said.
“Prince William and Princess Kate?”
Before Ember could respond, Sidney shouted from upstairs. “Mom!”
Yelling in the house? April cringed. Her gaze shot to Arden. “I’m so sorry about that.”
He waved her off. “Good to have young voices in the house again.”
April dashed up the stairs.
She knocked on the door to Ember’s room, which, by the look of things, was already showing signs of Sidney’s influence. Her daughter had definitely made herself at home. Her book bag was on the window seat, as were her clothes for tomorrow—she always got them out before she went to bed. The pencil Danika had given her was resting on the side table.
Sidney sat in the twin bed, the one Titus had moved into the room, with Axl curled up at her feet.
Between Titus and Ember, they’d shifted Ember’s bed back against the wall and installed the twin bed by the window so Sidney could have the prime piece of real estate. They’d also dispensed with the bed frame at Sidney’s request, setting up the box spring and mattress directly on the floor so the arthritic old dog could climb up on it.
April’s gaze landed on the vanity between the two beds, noticing for the first time that her daughter’s hairbrush, scrunchies, cherry lip balm, folded bits of paper, and other miscellaneous things were strewn on it.
“Um, Sid…”
She must have seen her looking. “That was Ember’s idea, that we share the vanity.”
April looked closer. Okay. There was a clear dividing line on the vanity top. Left side: foundation, eyeliner, night cream in an opaque blue jar. Other grown up things. On the right, kid’s stuff.
“That was very kind of her,” April said. “I hope you thanked her.”
“I repeat—I’m ten years old now. Of course I thanked her.”
April gave Sidney her enough look—or, as Sidney liked to call it, her Hulk frown. “You’re pushing it, Kid.”
“I’m not just a kid you know.” Sidney lay back on the pillow and pulled the blankets around her.
“No?”
“I’m Sid the Kid again.”
April bit her lip. It wasn’t permanent. It was only till Christmas. She’d told the Standishs that was as long as she could stay, and that was certainly all she’d be needed for. Granted the two days she’d been here had proven that there was enough to do, at least for the time being. But there was no way—for the tidy sum they were paying her—that her presence could be justified over the long term.
Besides, how could it be right here without Scott?
But she didn’t have the heart to say any of that. The last thing her daughter wanted right now was a reminder of what she already knew in her heart.
Truth be told, Sidney hadn’t been the
only one who’d listened to Scott’s tales about his Harkness home. And while her daughter might have retained every detail of the place, April had memorized every detail of the man. April had imagined this place so often, imagined Scott at the center of it. The old farmhouse, the barn, the land. She’d fallen into that dangerous dream more nights than she cared to remember. And now she was living it.
But this happiness she’d felt these past days would be short-lived. This warmth. This life. This time with Scott.
So why not make the most of it?
The treacherous thought slid through her, making tendrils of excitement unfurl in her belly.
She’d been celibate since before Sidney was born. Ten long years. Not necessarily lonely years; she’d been too busy to dwell much on the lack of a partner or a sex life, and it had been years since she’d even given a man a second look.
Until Scott.
The two of them had been doing this dance for months, drawn together like magnets, powerless to resist the attraction, but one or the other of them always pulled away before things got too heavy. April had been left behind by a rambling man once, and it wasn’t going to happen again. And Scott was too good a man—too honorable—to take advantage of her vulnerability.
But what if she were to leave him? He was here until the new year; she could leave right after Christmas…
Semantics, her cynical side said. You’d be leaving because you know he won’t stay. Just beating him to the punch.
No, I’d be leaving to get on with life.
This was just a...temporary rest stop. A chance to work on things with Sidney in a more forgiving, family-friendly environment. To gather herself, make a plan. She would find a job to go to, a real one. A good one. While she was here, she could bank most of her salary, add to their little nest egg. She’d be leaving on her own terms.
And in the meantime, why not enjoy everything Harkness had to offer?
“What are you thinking ’bout?”
April looked down at her daughter. “Nothing, sweetheart. Just…stuff.”
“Fun night, huh?”
April smiled. “It was.”
“I’m going to study up. Really, I mean, I’m going to look up one really cool thing a day. Like, a fact on history, or football or spiders or something.”
