A Family to Cherish

by Ruth Logan Herne

  The waitress nodded. “Yes.”

  “Wonderful. And thank you for working on Easter.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled. “We split shifts so everyone gets family time, and I did the sunrise service with my folks hours ago. And we close at three today, so it’s just the brunch crowd.”

  “Smart.” Meredith nodded at the crowded room. “And there’s strudel on that buffet, right?”

  The girl laughed. “Every kind known to man, including the new pineapple cheese variety. I don’t think we could open the doors in the morning without Susan Langley’s strudel.”

  She moved to gather their drinks, while Cam intercepted Meredith’s look of appraisal. “You’re thinking something.”

  “I do that now and again.” She handed a pack of crayons over to Rachel and nodded at the table. “You can decorate the tablecloth for Easter if you like.”

  “But it’s cloth,” Sophie protested.

  “Vinyl, actually. And the crayons wash out. That’s why they have them here.”

  “Coloring on other people’s things?” Evelyn’s tone edged up. “Don’t seem right to me.”

  The waitress returned with their drinks, saw the crayons and gave the girls a quick nod of permission. “Have at it, girls. It’s fun to decorate while you wait for your food. Alyssa found these cloths online and we’ve been using them ever since. The kids love them.” She directed the last line toward Cam and his mother.

  Evelyn eyed her, then fingered the smooth vinyl blend. “It really washes out? They don’t get ruined?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Amazing.”

  “It is, isn’t it?”

  The girls dove into the box, but sat back, mouths open, when Evelyn joined in. As she sketched a small garden between her and Rachel, a spark of recognition brightened Cam’s gaze. “I forgot you liked to draw.”

  Evelyn shrugged.

  “Mom, you’re good.”

  “Very good.” Meredith leaned closer. “That’s an amazing talent, Mrs. Calhoun.”

  “Bah.” She sat back, withdrew a light green and shaded in tiny arcs of leaves, then began filling the foreground with pastel blooms.

  “Do you draw at home?” Meredith asked.

  Evelyn shook her head. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “What for?” When Meredith looked perplexed, Evelyn frowned. “If it don’t serve a purpose, why do it?”

  “For your enjoyment? Relaxation? Personal therapy?”

  Evelyn waved that off. “When folks worry too much about themselves, they get stuck.”

  Meredith didn’t mention that Evelyn had spent a lot of time worrying about others’ business and not minding her own. A different kind of stuck. “Balance, then.”

  Evelyn’s fingers hesitated. Listening? Yes. And that was good.

  Their table was called. Meredith and the girls hung back, allowing Cam to escort Evelyn to the buffet first. Meredith took a moment to study Evelyn’s artistic effect. Her miniature garden showed intrinsic technique with a flourish of whimsy.

  The whimsy came as a total surprise.

  Which meant Evelyn might be more than she’d seemed years ago. But Meredith and her family had suffered from Evelyn’s sharp tongue, her carved-in-stone opinions. Latitude hadn’t existed in Evelyn’s world, but maybe it had seemed worse because of Meredith’s age. And the fact that Evelyn didn’t think her good enough for Cam.

  A fact Meredith had proven.

  Don’t go there. Her mother’s advice buffered her. Forgive yourself and move on.

  With their hands clasped firmly in hers, Meredith guided the two girls to the beginning of the buffet line, determined to do just that.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Cam missed the days when Easter was followed by a week off. He hit the ground running on Monday morning and worked nonstop all week long without a glimpse of Meredith. If she meant to tweak his interest by playing hard to get, he graded the ploy an A-plus.

  His mother had scheduled an appointment with the laryngeal cancer surgeon in Rochester for Friday. Cam arranged for a day off, and debated asking Meredith to take the girls after school. The weekend would begin spring break, a welcome reprieve, but with the busyness of a holiday/holy day weekend behind them, the girls were tired, fractious and downright ornery by seven o’clock at night.

  Not exactly courting grounds, he supposed.

  By Thursday he realized his stupidity and the foolishness of leaving life to chance. He called Meredith’s cell phone and tried to fight a grin when she answered.

  Impossible.

  He was driving back to the high school from the newly repaired house site, so he had to talk quickly. “I need your help, Mere.”

  “With?”

  “My mom has an appointment with a cancer specialist tomorrow. It’s in Rochester, so I need to take the day off to get her up there. Would you take the girls after school? I don’t know how long we’ll be, Kristy’s parents don’t come into town until Sunday, and the Grishams are leaving town for spring break.”

  Meredith didn’t hesitate, which said nice things about her after the way he went off on her the last time she had the girls. “Glad to. Shall I pick them up at school?”

  “That would be great.”

  “What time?”

  The anxiety of a crazy four days quieted with her voice, her words, her melodic tone spiking old memories and new thoughts. “Three-fifteen.”

  “Can do. And, um…” She waffled, then continued, “No restrictions, right? We get to do whatever girl things we choose.”

  “Within the boundaries of the law, yes.”

  She laughed. “Better, Cam. Much better.”

  He felt better, talking with her. Laughing with her. He wasn’t stupid. He’d seen how she and his mother choreographed a careful dance with one another. But his mother’s attitude showed hints of improvement. Was that because his behavior had changed, or because her diagnosis had made her rethink things?

  Either way, he was grateful for the upswing. “Then can we do dinner together on Sunday? Kristy’s parents are taking the girls to Florida for the week. It’s a yearly tradition, and I love that they want to be part of the girls’ lives, but I miss them like crazy that first night.”

  “I bet you do.” Meredith paused. “Yes. I’ll have dinner with you, Cam. I’d like that.”

  “Me, too.”

  * * *

  By Sunday evening, it felt like she’d been waiting forever.

  Knowing that emotional storm waters were gathering ahead of their date, Meredith couldn’t let herself relax in the moment. Not too much, anyway. But oh, how she wanted to.

  “You look—” Cam took a long, languorous moment to study her before lifting both shoulders in a shrug “—stunning. It’s the best I’ve got.”

  The best he had was more than good enough. “Couldn’t ask for more. Are we going to The Edge?”

  He shook his head, took her hand and led her to his car. “Not tonight.”

  “Then?”

  He put one workman’s finger to her lips. “You’ll see. You don’t mind a little drive, do you?”

  Daylight savings time meant light tarried longer. The sun hung above them and slightly west, blazing its way to the horizon, peach-streaked clouds striating the soft blue background. “Not at all.”

  “Good.”

  He didn’t kiss her, but he looked like he wanted to, and that only led to her wanting it right back. He sent her a look confirming the feeling. “I’m thinking what you’re thinking, but the nice thing about kissing you? Wanting to kiss you?”

  She angled her head in question. “Is?”

  “Knowing it doesn’t seem to want to go away. Ever.”

  Her heart softene
d even as red flags sprouted.

  But what had Simon preached that very morning? The third chapter of Ecclesiastes, a favorite of so many. “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven…”

  What if this was their season? Hers and Cam’s? It felt that way, a door thrown open, a curtain drawn aside. Did she dare step through? Or should she just tell him everything straight out and let fate have its day?

  Yes.

  Tonight?

  She squirmed in her seat.

  Cam thrust a quizzical brow up as he made the turn onto I-86. “Stop worrying. This isn’t a night to share war stories, Mere. Unless you want it to be.”

  The ticking bomb of Sylvia’s gubernatorial run almost made her say yes. Get things out in the open. Confess. Baring her soul was better than crouching in shadows.

  Another part wanted to relax in the moment, spend a few hours with the wonderful man at her side, and be Cam’s girl, one more time. “No. Not tonight. But soon, Cam. Because I need to be up-front with you. Honest. I’ve been gone a long time, and things happen.”

  Cam knew that. He’d relived the guilt of finding his lifeless, beautiful wife time and again. So Meredith had a story to tell?

  So did he.

  But he was pretty sure she’d never killed anyone, so if it came to a contest, his truth would outweigh hers most likely. And that knowledge shamed him to the core.

  “Well, the girls are gone until next weekend. We can schedule a heart-to-heart at your convenience.”

  “Things like that are rarely convenient.” Her wry expression deepened the meaning. “But necessary.”

  “On a different note.” He turned toward Route 305 and sent her sidelong glance. “Mom’s surgery is set for the end of the week.”

  “Whoa. Fast.”

  “Yes, but I might need help again. The recovery with this is supposed to be really quick, but just in case Mom needs assistance, I want to be on hand. And I have to take her up there and bring her back. The girls come back late Saturday. If I need you to grab them, is that all right?”

  “Cam, I’m happy to do it. Your girls are amazing. And they like me. Go figure.”

  “They’re falling in love with you.” He laid the words out carefully, appraising her reaction.

  Pure Meredith, plain and simple. “Like their father?” She turned in her seat as she said it, up-front and honest. Direct. There were moments he didn’t embrace that quality in her. Right now it was fine. Just fine.

  “Yes.”

  She grinned and tapped his shoulder like an old buddy would. “Sweet. We’ll just see how that all works out, my friend.”

  “Except I wasn’t kidding around.” He parked the car at Moonwinks, a long-established restaurant tucked in Cuba, New York, climbed out his side while she exited hers, and faced her over the roof. “One of us was being serious.”

  She braced her arms on the car top. “Me, too. But we just scheduled a war-stories date and I don’t think either of us should jump into the romance waters too soon. Not until we clear them up some.”

  Cam had muddied plenty of water in his time, but he couldn’t imagine Meredith doing anything to wear this much on her heart. Her soul. But fourteen years?

  He rounded the car, slipped his hands around her waist, and settled a kiss to her mouth, all gentleness and warmth. “Then we’ll talk. But I can’t imagine anything you have to say will change the way I feel, Mere. Just having you here? Having you back?” He pulled back and smiled. “Brightens my days. And I’m not opposed to commitments that would change my nights, as well.”

  She blushed and dropped her head to his chest. “Me, either. But while I’d love for that to happen, Cam…” She squared her shoulders and faced him, her expression doubtful. “I don’t know that it can, in all honesty.”

  “Then we’ll see, won’t we?” He wouldn’t push further tonight. But soon, because whatever dragon dogged her path, he needed to slay it.

  * * *

  She was about to kidnap Evelyn Calhoun.

  Meredith stopped the car Thursday morning, scanned the old Calhoun house, and gripped the steering wheel with two hands.

  Evelyn thought Meredith was picking her up for a quick cut, the same bob the old woman had worn for the twenty years that Meredith had known her.

  Meredith had other ideas. And while Heather didn’t have the equipment or space for a full spa day, CeeCee had volunteered her services for a therapeutic massage, and Meredith had commandeered a nail tech for a pedicure, and Meredith would do the hair.

  If Evelyn didn’t run screaming.

  Meredith sent up a little prayer for guidance, then approached the house.

  Evelyn met her at the porch. Her usual scowl had taken a holiday, but she didn’t look all that pleasant, either. “Cameron could’ve got me.”

  “He could have,” Meredith agreed. She put out an arm for Evelyn, and refused to take offense when her gesture was rebuffed. “But he’s got this week to work on the spa renovations and I’m free today because Heather’s shop isn’t as busy on Thursdays, so it made sense for me to come over. Unless it makes things too difficult for you.” Meredith paused and put a hand on Evelyn’s arm. “Because I don’t want to do that, Mrs. Calhoun.”

  Evelyn grimaced, but shrugged it off. “It’s fine. I taught Cam to work hard for what he wanted. Seems foolish now to criticize him because he listened, don’t it?”

  Meredith smiled. “A little.”

  “Ach.” Evelyn pulled open the passenger door and climbed in. “Let’s get this done.”

  Not exactly the most gracious acquiescence in Meredith’s life, but considering the who and the what and the where? Not too bad, either.

  When they pulled into the small salon lot, Evelyn spotted the door and shrank back. “What’s this?”

  Meredith grinned once she came around to the passenger side. “It’s Evelyn Calhoun day. Just like the sign on the door says.”

  “It’s no such thing.” Evelyn clung to the car, eyeing the banner, then Meredith. “I don’t like to be embarrassed, young lady.”

  “Not embarrassed. Pampered.” Meredith drew her forward. “Today you are going to get the full benefit of spa relaxation techniques as developed by the best of the best in America and Europe.”

  “Including hair color, cut, style, mani, pedi and massage.” Heather bustled through the door, saw Evelyn’s look and laughed out loud. “Mrs. Calhoun, you’ve known me forever. Trust me on this—you’re about to have the time of your life.”

  “I—”

  “Don’t hold for such nonsense.” Meredith interrupted the spiel and continued into the salon. “But when you’re stressed, or sick, or tired out, being cared for can be good for the heart and soul. I promise. Think of it the way you would if Cam was sick. Or Julia and Mark.”

  While Meredith had a tough time envisioning a younger Evelyn as a gentle mom, her words touched something inside the older woman. “I took good care of them.”

  Meredith nodded. “Which is exactly what we’re going to do for you. With your permission, of course.”

  The moment of truth had arrived. Would Evelyn accept this olive branch? Or would she snip and snipe and cut them down to size? Seconds passed with the tick of the wall clock marking time before Evelyn thumped her two-decades-old purse onto a side table. “That coffee smells mighty good.”

  Heather gave her a shoulder hug. “Coming right up. And Jeannine is our nail tech today, so she’s going to start you off with a spa pedicure.”

  “These old feet are none too pretty,” Evelyn demurred, looking at her worn shoes.

  “They will be.” Jeannine stowed Evelyn’s belongings in the front room, then led Evelyn to the pedicure chair as though royalty ascending a throne. And when Evelyn bent to remove her shoes and rolled-down kn
ee-highs, Jeannine intervened with a gentle hand. “Allow me. You just sit back. Relax into the chair. Today it’s my day to do the work.”

  “Okay.”

  Meredith and Heather exchanged looks of triumph. Yes, Cam’s mother sounded dubious. But she’d given permission, enough to get the ball rolling, and who wouldn’t feel better about just about everything after a spa pedicure?

  No one they knew.

  The ring of the salon phone interrupted the moment of victory. Meredith answered it, smiling. “Heather’s Salon, Meredith speaking. How can I help you?” She frowned when no response came, then placed the hand piece back on the receiver. “Wrong number, most likely.”

  Her cell jangled a few minutes later, but this time an excited Sophie answered from the other end. “Meredith! Rachel and I just went on a pirate boat with Grandma and Grandpa!”

  “Were you kidnapped, dear?”

  Sophie laughed out loud, her joy contagious. “No, they have a real pirate ship down here and you can take rides on it, but they did kidnap some people. Just not us. I think it’s because Rachel looked scared.”

  If anyone looked nervous, Meredith would bet on Sophie, and Rachel’s background indignation attested that.

  “Did not!”

  “Did, too,” Sophie told her in a loud aside. “And hush, it’s my turn to talk, not yours. Meredith?”

  “I’m here, honey. And be nice to your sister. She’s littler.”

  “I know. Sorry. And they said they do throw a few people to the sharks from time to time, but not anyone on our trip. So that was good!”

  “That’s excellent, honey. Your dad will be so pleased to hear you were not consumed by huge carnivorous fish with giant teeth. Phew!”

  “You’re funny.”

  Meredith grinned. “You, too. Did your sister like the pirates?” Meredith envisioned Rachel on the pirate ship, appraising the setup, vying for control. Those pirates had no idea who they were dealing with.

  “I’ll let her tell you.”

  “Mere?”

  Rachel’s one word spiked high. “Yes, honey?”

  “I’m having the best day of my life.”