by Judi Lynn
Harmony pulled away. Her parents had no expectations for either her or her brother. In some ways, for her, that was a blessing. No pressure. For her brother, it left him feeling adrift. Their parents didn’t even notice his bad choices as long as he pretended to meet curfew. “Cecily had better have a boy. Times have changed, but I’m guessing Mr. Cecily wants a son.”
Brody smiled at her wording. His shoulders relaxed. “I’m okay now. You put it in perspective. Cecily might have a baby, but she still won’t be a mother. We still wouldn’t have worked.”
She tilted her head, studying him. “You hate failure, don’t you?”
“I’m getting better at it. I still strive for high standards, but sometimes, your best isn’t good enough.”
Jeez, is that how he interpreted failure? It made her feel like a slacker. Sometimes life happens. She just strove to stay afloat and as pain-free as possible.
As soon as they finished their meal, Brody pushed to his feet. “Come on, Ian. Let’s get the hallway finished. Then we can start on the inside walls.”
Ian reached to collect their dirty dishes, but Paula waved him away. “I’ll get these. You guys look driven today. Pound away.”
Appropriate. The hammer gun sounded before Harmony reached the top step. She closed the door on the construction noise and plopped in front of her laptop. She was starting the vast middle of the book. Even with plot points, she struggled with middles. By then, all of the set-up was done. She’d set the plot in motion. Lines were drawn, and she knew who’d step over them. The middle was crunch time, when friendships and enmities deepened, everything got complicated, and she had to wring tension from each and every scene.
She was struggling with a chapter where Luxar went to meet Serifina’s coven, and they were all going to join together to fight Torrid and his demons. Luxar didn’t trust witches, and witches didn’t trust vampires, so everyone was on edge. The dialogue needed to be edgy, sharp. Her writing crawled to a few paragraphs here, a few there, with lots of pacing back and forth between the coffee pot and her laptop. She always drank too much coffee when she wrote tricky scenes. Getting up and down gave her mind time to ponder, turn things over, and try for something fresh. By the time she finished the damned pages, she felt like she was going to float away, she was full of so much liquid. She hurried into the bathroom.
Of course, that’s when the kids burst into the room. Damn. She’d probably have to cross her legs to finish reading a chapter. When she walked out of the bathroom, she was surprised to see Brody with them.
Chapter 9
Brody gave her a wary glance. “The kids came for me, and Ian wanted to go home to check on Tessa, so I tagged along. Can I stay, too?”
He sounded like a kid. That made it easier for her to say yes.
Bailey had a firm grip on his hand. She didn’t intend to let go. Harmony smiled. Brody had been whipped by a five-year-old, and who could blame him?
Harmony shrugged and headed to the easy chair in the corner. “Just bring your library manners.”
She shook her head. Where had that come from? A blast from the past. When she was little, she walked eight blocks to the library every Saturday morning to hear one of the librarians read to kids. Then she’d check out the three-book limit she was allowed to take home and read during the week. She’d done that for months until her brother made fun of her for being a book nerd. That wouldn’t have stopped her, but when he grabbed the top book on her pile and ripped the pages out of it, she knew she was beat. Her parents paid for the book, but told her no more.
“Your brother’s embarrassed with all of your reading. Give it a rest.”
It had pissed her off, but she was ten. If she’d had magical powers like Serifina, she’d have turned them all into toads. But she didn’t. So she started watching Saturday morning cartoons instead.
She looked up to see Brody studying her. “A penny for your thoughts.”
She shrugged. “Made me think of the librarian who read to us every Saturday when I was a kid.”
His look said he knew there was more, but he didn’t push it. Instead, he settled in the chair beside hers and lifted Bailey onto his lap. Aiden, as usual, flopped on the unmade bed. Harmony grimaced. ‘I’d have made it if I’d known you were coming.”
Brody gave it a glance. “Why?”
“You like things neat.”
“Then I should make the bed.” He leaned back and got comfortable.
Harmony decided it was safer to start reading the book.
Aiden couldn’t stand it when she reached the part where Harry had to promise to stay in his room and not make a noise for the third time. “Why are they so mean to him?” he demanded.
“Did they want Harry?” Harmony asked.
“No.”
“Do they like magic?”
“No, but that’s silly!” Aiden cried.
“Why do you think they hate magic so much?”
They debated that for a few minutes, and Harmony loved how quick Aiden jumped from one idea to the next. He thought about cause and effect, motivation, and emotions. Then she glanced at the clock. “We’d better read some more.”
When she reached the place where Harry looked at the hedge and green eyes stared back at him, Aiden could hardly stand it. “Who’s hiding in there?”
Harmony shrugged. “I haven’t read any further than you have.” True enough, but she and Brody had watched the movie. Shame on them.
At the end of the chapter, Aiden begged her to read a few more pages. “You can’t stop there!” he cried. “We have to know who’s sitting on Harry’s bed.”
She looked at the clock. “We have fifteen more minutes . . .”
“Go for it,” Brody said.
She looked at him, surprised.
“Inquiring minds.” He smiled.
She started the next chapter.
Aiden squirmed with excitement when they met Dobby. He wiggled in fear when Dobby kept making noise in Harry’s room. “He’s going to get Harry in trouble.”
“Yup, looks that way,” Harmony said. At five thirty, she quit reading. “That’s it for the day, kiddos. Scram.”
Aiden hesitated. “Did you ever want to write stories for kids?”
“Hell, no.” She pinched her lips together. Where were her manners? “I don’t have any kids, wouldn’t know where to start.”
Aiden frowned. “But you were a kid once. You have to remember.”
“Not so much. Besides, I was a rotten kid. Got in trouble a lot.”
“Really?” He studied her. She must not look like a troublemaker to him. “For what?”
Harmony shrugged. “Couldn’t concentrate in school. My mind was always wandering off. My teachers got sick of me. I spent a lot of time writing words from the dictionary in the principal’s office.”
Bailey laughed. “I get all As at school.”
“That’s because you’re a smart, little girl. Your mom’s probably really proud of you.”
Aiden was still curious. “Did you have any brothers and sisters?”
“One brother, older than me. He didn’t like me all that much. It was mutual.”
Aiden stared. “But you were his little sister.” He put an arm around Bailey.
Harmony shrugged. “We didn’t have anything common.” She pointed at the clock. “Five forty. Again.”
Aiden grabbed Bailey’s hand, who grabbed Brody’s hand, and they set off.
“See you in a minute,” Brody called back to her.
She nodded and hustled into the bathroom. Her blush had melted. She looked washed out. She always did in January. By February, her complexion would look like a sallow zombie’s and she’d wince every time she saw her own reflection. She smeared on some foundation and dabbed on more blush.
Brody was sitting in the SUV, waiting for her, when she reached the foyer. She scurried out and got in. Once again, they crept down the treacherous road to Tessa’s house. Surely someday, the county would salt and sand this stree
t? In her city, mayors won and lost elections on how well streets were cleared in winters.
Brody’s frown turned fierce as he drove. Maybe tomorrow, he’d call and complain to some county official. But then he surprised her by saying, “I can’t believe no one’s ever told Aiden to shut up when he’s around adults. I didn’t think the kid would ever stop asking questions while you read.”
Harmony whipped her head to see him better. Her hands curled into fists. “I encouraged him to talk about the story. I like how much he questions things. Only really smart kids . . .”
Her words died on her lips. A huge, gotcha grin had spread across Brody’s face. “You like kids more than you let on.”
Chin up, voice chilly, she said, “It’s not nice to play devil’s advocate. Didn’t your mother teach you that?”
“She might have mentioned it.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “No wonder your sisters gave you a hard time.”
“They’d have given me a hard time no matter what I did. Wait till you meet them.”
Harmony pressed a hand to her chest. She did everything humanly possible to avoid family get-togethers. They brought back too many bad memories. The annual, summer reunion her parents dragged them to always started with laughing and drinking and ended with shouting and recriminations. “Are they coming to visit Ian, too?”
“No, no, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just meant, if you ever meet them. You’re one of Tessa’s best friends. I suppose it’s possible in the future.”
“Not if I can help it.” She saw his expression—a little offended. “That didn’t come out right, but I try to avoid big groups. Any big groups. I enjoy having a few friends over instead.”
“You survive conferences.”
“That’s different.” How could she explain? “I’m on panels. We talk business, writing. It’s things I’m comfortable with.”
“And you don’t think you’d be comfortable with my sisters?”
She frowned at him. They were inching down the highway. They’d be late for sure. “I doubt your sisters talk writing. They probably talk about mutual friends and their kids and family—stuff I’m not good at.”
“I see.” What the hell did that mean? And what difference did it make? He pulled into Ian’s drive and sighed with relief. “The sidewalk looks safe.”
Harmony shook her head, confused. She reached for the door handle, but he asked another question.
“Your childhood wasn’t all that great, was it?”
“No, but it wasn’t all that bad either.” She knew people who’d had it far, far worse.
He nodded, and they got out of the car and headed to the house.
Tessa greeted them. “Ian’s grilling steaks on the back patio. Supper will be ready in a few minutes.”
Harmony studied her as she led them into the kitchen. Her frizzy, copper hair was flat. A no shower day, for sure. Her creamy complexion looked pale. “Are you okay?”
Right then, Ian came in the back door, teeth chattering. His nose and cheeks glowed like Rudolph’s. He held a platter with four steaks, tented in foil.
Tessa looked embarrassed. “I baked with Grandma all morning. I felt great. I wanted to make bouillabaisse, but the smells bothered me. I kept getting nauseous.”
“Oh, shit.” Brody shook his head.
Ian frowned at him.
“You need to go see a doctor,” Brody said.
“What do you think is wrong with her?” Ian sounded concerned.
“I don’t think I’m sick,” Tessa said. “Or contagious.”
“Neither do I.” Brody went to the refrigerator to fetch two beers. “I think you’d better start taking prenatal vitamins.”
Ian stared. So did Tessa and Harmony.
Tessa asked, “What do you mean?”
Brody raised an eyebrow. “I think you’d better pee on a stick.”
Ian’s expression flashed with revelation. “Oh, no, not like Maeve.”
“Puked her brains out every morning for weeks,” Brody said.
“Morning sickness?” Harmony gazed at her friend.
Brody popped the cap off his beer bottle and took a swig. “Go buy a pregnancy test at the drugstore. They’re accurate.”
Ian’s brown eyes went wide, and Tessa reached out a hand to grip the countertop. Clearly she needed to brace herself.
Ian grabbed Brody’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“Do you know how bad the roads are?”
“So drive slow. I have to know.”
Brody shook his head. “Not until I get my steak.”
“It’ll wait. Tess’ll put it in a warm oven.” Ian grabbed a handful of Brody’s sweater and started for the door.
Tessa began pacing. She kept mumbling to herself. Harmony tried to calm her, but never found the right thing to say.
A half hour later, the men were back. Tessa disappeared into the bathroom, then opened the door so Ian could watch the strip with her. When it turned blue, Ian whooped with joy. Tessa grabbed ahold of the doorframe.
“Do you need a bucket?” Harmony asked. Tessa looked like she might be sick again.
Ian pulled her to him. “It’s going to be okay, babe. We’re going to make great parents.”
“But we were going to wait a year . . .”
Ian cut off her worries. “So what? The universe sent us a surprise. An awesome one.”
When they sat down to eat, Tessa’s hands shook. Harmony thought she might have to offer to cut her steak into bite-sized pieces for her. Ian looked like he’d explode if he couldn’t shout his news to the world sometime soon.
Tessa was so shaken, Harmony reached for her hand. “Did you use protection?”
“All but one time. We were in . . . sort of a rush.”
Ian smirked. “Things got a little out of control.”
“But you want kids?” Harmony persisted.
“Oh, yes. We were going to wait a year, to give ourselves some time as a couple. But I’m twenty-eight.” Tessa stared at her, eyes wide. “You need to think about that. You’re older than I am. If you don’t get to it pretty soon, time’s running out.”
Harmony grimaced. “Thanks for making me feel ancient.” Brody laughed, and she glared at him. “Men don’t have to worry as much, but it’s different for women.”
“So you do want kids?” Brody said.
“Hell no, it’s just that I know I’m making a choice. My option’s running out.”
Brody glanced at Ian, confused. Ian just shrugged and said, “Women.”
“What have you got against kids?” Brody asked. “You like Aiden and Bailey.”
“They’re not mine. I read to them, then send them downstairs to their mom. Kids suck the life out of you. My friends were fun to hang out with until they had kids. Now they collapse around ten at night. They barely keep up with their rug rats.”
“What are you saying? That I’m not going to be fun anymore?” Tessa pushed the food on her plate from one spot to another. No one was eating.
Harmony sighed. “I’m just saying that kids change everything. I’ll still love hanging out with you, Tessie, but I’m not ready for that kind of a commitment.”
Brody shook his head. “The parents I’ve talked to wouldn’t change anything. The kids are worth it.”
Harmony pointed a finger at Mr. Know-It-All. “Then you’d better get busy. You’re forty. If you don’t find a girl and start popping out babies soon, you’ll be an old man in diapers before your last kid graduates from college.”
Brody jerked back in his chair and stared at her, surprised. No, maybe shocked. He swallowed, hard. “You have a unique way of putting things, but you’re right. I don’t want to roll up in a wheelchair to watch my grandkids play Little League.”
She hadn’t meant to rattle him, but she had an awful feeling she had. She tried to put it more mildly. “You’d better start looking.”
“You’re right, damn it. It’s time I get back in the game.” He raised a dark e
yebrow. “You’d make someone a great wife. You don’t think so, but you’re generous with your time and emotions. You shouldn’t rule out being June Cleaver.”
Tessa laughed and tried to cover it by pretending to cough.
Harmony snorted. “Yeah, that’s me—all warm and fuzzy in an apron and pearls while I vacuum.” She looked down at her steak. She watched Brody saw through his. Somewhere between trying to thaw them in a rush and keep them warm in the oven, they’d turned to leather. Ian was fidgeting too much to eat, and Tessa looked done in. She sighed. “What if we call it an early night? You guys would probably like to talk.”
Brody put down his fork and stood before Ian could answer. “You need some couple time. We’ll help you clean up, then take off.”
Ian and Tessa didn’t argue, so they all pitched in, and in a short while, Brody and Harmony zipped to his SUV. The road had been sanded and salted sometime during their visit. It still wasn’t easy going. It took them a while to reach the lodge, but it wasn’t the white-knuckle drive it usually was. Harmony waited in the foyer for Brody, and when he came in, he asked, “Are you as hungry as I am?”
She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I’m starving.”
They headed to the kitchen and scrounged for food. Lots of eggs and some ham slices and lots of cheese, but they weren’t sure what Paula needed for breakfast and lunch tomorrow, so they ended up making a stack of peanut butter sandwiches and popcorn.
Brody looked at her. “The next Harry Potter?”
She poured herself a glass of wine, and he grabbed a beer. They carried all of their goodies to the library. They were snacking and watching the movie when Aiden stuck his head around the door.
Brody frowned. “Why aren’t you in bed? You have school tomorrow.”
“I keep having nightmares, can’t sleep. Can I stay with you a while?”
Harmony scooted closer to Brody on the sofa, and Aiden came to press himself against her side. “Does your mother know?”
Paula answered from the doorway. She looked dead on her feet. “He’s been having a few rough nights. Come on, kiddo, you can sleep in my bed.”
Aiden shook his head, snuggling closer to Harmony. “You’re watching Harry Potter.” Oops, busted. But he was too tired to be upset. “Can I watch a while?”
