by Rikki Dyson
Stacey wanted to believe Rachael, but a little bird in her ear warned her to be cautious. She sensed a pent up animosity in Rachael. There was nothing she could do about it at present, except be alert.
Stacey and Shane, received congratulations from all the Texas relatives. Aunt Lora and Richard were beside themselves with happiness. They knew how much Stacey and Shane wanted to start a family. They had dinner together and Shane told them all about his trip to Dallas and the surgery. Aunt Lora, being a nurse understood more of this intricate operation than Stacey and Richard did. She was fascinated and asked question after question. Shane was in his element. He was also very excited about a seminar at the school of neurology where he would be the speaker describing the intricate surgery of the conjoined twins.
Stacey and Richard found their own conversation. Richard thanked her and Shane for inviting him to their wedding. “Other wise,” he said. “I might have never met your aunt.”
“You know,” Stacey said. “I believe some things are just meant to be, so they work themselves out one way or another. Look how improbable for Shane and me to have ever met had I not fallen and dreamed the impossible dream and for our unimaginable connection we discovered. I think fate was just waiting for the right time for you and Aunt Lora. We just never know what fate has in store.”
The second weekend after Shane’s return they were invited to Doctor Fein’s country home in Oxford. “My goodness,” Stacey said, as they drove up the driveway.
“This is quite a showplace. Have you been here before today?”
“Yes, a time or two,” Shane said. “I believe the estate actually belongs to Mrs. Fein from a previous marriage. I don’t know all the specifics, but I understand her husband as well as his business associate was killed in an airplane crash a few years ago. That was when her son, Miles took over the business.”
Stacey wondered to herself; would Miles and Miranda be here this weekend too. She was sure this Miranda, was Shane’s old girlfriend, but for some reason she had not asked after meeting her at the gala dinner. Shane offered no information on her, so she didn’t ask. There was something about her, that Stacey didn’t like and caused her to be wary.
Doctor and Mrs. Fein met them in the foyer and welcomed them into a large room with a huge roaring fireplace. Although the furniture was modern, the house had a feel of a few centuries old. After having a cup of tea, they adjourned to unpack their valises and dress for dinner. When they came, downstairs more guests had arrived. Stacey knew this get together was a, thank you, weekend to acknowledge and show appreciation to the donors on behalf of the medical center. As they entered the large spacious living room,
Miles came to meet them. He shook Shane’s hand and said hello to Stacey as he introduced them to other guest. Shane seemed to know most of them. There was no sign of Miranda, thank goodness.
The next morning, after breakfast, a few guests went riding. Stacey had brought her jeans and boots for this occasion, and so did Shane. Stacey noticed the other guests were dressed in jackets and jodhpurs as was Miles and the young woman with him. Very few of them were seasoned riders.
When Stacey smiled at Shane, he chortled aloud, reached over, took her hand, and asked, “Well, lass, how do you like high society?”
Stacey made a face at him, and asked, “Is that what this is?”
Miles had ridden up and overheard their conversation. He chortled heartily and said, “Well, Mrs. McLeod, I believe you have us pegged. I would wager your analysis of us will be acerbic.”
He and Shane both chortled, but she wasn’t sure if they were laughing at her or themselves.
As they returned from a two-hour ride, they had just left the stables and on their way back to the house when they saw Miranda coming to meet them with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Stacey could tell she was about three sheets in the wind. In Texas that was a nice way of saying, she was drunk. Miles sprinted ahead to grab hold of her hand and lead her away,
While Shane and Stacey headed to the house to shower and change for lunch. Stacey had many questions she wanted to ask Shane about Miranda, but he didn’t offer any information about her, so she was reluctant to bring up her name. Maybe tomorrow on the way home she would ask.
Shane was talking with some of the guest, so Stacey took this time to wander around the magnificent old house. She was standing admiring oil paintings, when Mrs. Fein walked up beside her. “That’s a portrait of my grandmother. Would you fancy to see the rest of the house? And please, call me Molly.”
“Yes, I would. That’s very kind of you, Molly.”
Molly had shown Stacey a couple of rooms when the butler interrupted the tour. “I beg pardon, ma’am, but there is a call for you.”
Molly spied her son and sent him to show Stacey the rest of the ground floor. He took her to the library. “This room has always been my favorite room. I love the smell of old books and the pipe tobacco my father used to smoke. Stacey smiled at him, but didn’t comment. As he showed her around, he found it difficult not to reach out and touch her.
God, he envied Shane. She was young and fresh and beautiful. He had not stopped thinking about her since that day in the taxi.
“I understand you were brought up on a ranch in Texas. Do you miss it much?”
“Yes, sometimes. I really enjoyed riding today,” she wanted to ask him about Miranda, but wasn’t sure how to go about it and not sound like a jealous shrew. Finally, she asked, “Is Miranda okay? She seemed a bit agitated this morning.”
Miles smiled and started to enlighten her about Miranda when his mother returned. “Sorry to have deserted you, but that was my daughter, Deborah, in Phoenix. I find myself flying to Arizona ever few months to see my grandchildren. I keep hoping Miles will settle down and give me more grandchildren so I can cuddle and spoil them.”
“Well, perhaps one day Miranda will.”
“Miranda!” They said simultaneously with an incredulous look on their faces. “Why would you think Miranda? Miranda is the last person who would want children. She is a career woman with no desires for a husband or children.”
“I’m sorry. I heard ya’ll were partners. I assumed they meant life partners.”
“Yes, we are partners, in business. We’ve known each other all our lives. We grew up together. And strange as it may seem, we are best friends. That’s difficult for people to understand sometime.”
“No, I do understand. I have a friend like that too.”
Stacey saw Shane by the door, so she excused herself and went to meet him. It was time to start dressing for the black tie dinner. All these clothes, changes seemed a bit redundant to her, but this was Shane’s world and she would do her best to fit in and not embarrass him. Then there was Miranda. She might have to have a heart to heart talk with that little lady. She sensed trouble was brewing there.
Most of the guests were in the big sitting room, having before dinner drinks, when Miranda walked in on Miles arm. She gave Shane a cold look then turned to Stacey, “I do want to apologize to you Stacey, may I call you Stacey? I’ve just returned, from a trip to Indonesian where they are trying desperately, to industrialize their country. I suppose, I get too emotional about these people and their circumstances. I’m so sorry; you had to witness that display of venerability.” She took Stacey’s arm and was guiding her to a small sofa a few feet away. Miles and Shane looked at one another. They both knew, Miranda was a force to be reckoned with, when she made up her mind. And she had made up her mind that she would get Shane back. She didn’t know Stacey yet, but was sure with her being a young country girl, well, she was sure she could manipulate her to, right where she wanted her.
Miles and Shane were standing and watching. Miles asked, “Does your wife know about Miranda and you?”
“I’m not sure. She did overhear a voice mail from Miranda when we were first married. She may have forgotten about it. She hasn’t asked about Miranda and I’ve been reluctant to bring up my past liaison. Last August,
we ran into Tiffany and Rodger Blair. That’s a situation I would rather not repeat.”
Miles smiled and shook his head. “You know Shane; I’ve known Miranda most of my life. We grew up together. Our fathers were best friends and associates the same as she and I are, however, she has this attitude, that she must be the one to end a relationship. I know it makes no sense, but that’s Miranda.” Miles, thought about telling Shane, that perhaps he should discuss Miranda with Stacey, however, there was a part of him that wanted to help pick up the pieces ( they being Stacey ) if his marriage fell apart.
After being seated on the sofa, Miranda asked, “Did you have a good ride this Morning? I’m sure you must miss the wide open spaces now that you are forced to live in the city.”
“Yes, of course, I miss the ranch, but my life with Shane is more important to me than where I live. It’s too bad you weren’t able to make the ride this morning. The Oxford countryside is just beautiful.”
“You mean horse back riding? Oh no, I detest those smelly beast. I never go near them.” Miranda sat with a cynical smile while talking to Stacey, “Or you enjoying yourself? Has everyone been kind to you?”
“Yes, everyone has been cordial and polite to me.”
“I know how shallow and snooty some of these people can act; however, you must not take it to heart. I’m sure Shane will amend and sort you out.”
Stacey put her hand on the back of the sofa and leaned close to Miranda and said, “Oh, you mean like, which fork to use, which glass to drink from with the appropriate beverage.” Stacey hand was itching to slap her into next week, but she didn’t want to embarrass Shane. “Well, Miranda, you’ll be pleased to hear that, we country folk started using utensils a few years ago. But you can bet your boots I won’t need Shane to teach me how to deal with a conniving, sarcastic little witch like you. My advice is, don’t push me to far, little lady, I haven’t forgotten our first meeting.”
Miranda was surprised, that Stacey had laid down the gantlet. She thought, because Stacey was young that she could be intimidated her. Well, she was in for a rude awakening.
After his conversation with Miles, Shane looked to the sofa, but Stacey was no longer there. As he was looking around for her, he saw her coming down the stairs, alone.
He kissed her cheek and asked, “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She nodded her head as he escorted her to the dining table. After they were served a glass of Champaign, Doctor Fein stood up to make an announcement. “I don’t have permission to do this, he said, “but I think of this young man as a son, so I want to share with all of you the good news, that Doctor and Mrs. McLeod are expecting a baby. I’m not sure of the date, but I believe sometime in June.”
Shane and Stacey both were surprised. A select few people were privy to this information. Shane took Stacey’s hand and kissed it, then stood up and thanked everyone for their good wishes. “My wife and I are very pleased with this turn of events and I would like to state here and now that I take full responsibility.” There was much laughter at the tables.
After dinner, Miles and Miranda disappeared. When Stacey had a chance, she asked Molly how they knew about her pregnancy. “I’m not sure, but I think Miranda told Donald. He was under the impression that Shane wanted it announced. Did we do wrong, Stacey?”
“No ma’am, you did beautifully. Thank you very much and thank you for inviting us to your lovely home. Everyone has been very kind.”
Molly stood for a minute or two with her hand on Stacey’s arm. “My dear, I wonder if I might ask you a very delicate question.”
“Yes ma’am, I will answer you as best as I can.”
“It’s about your aunt and Sir Richard. Could you tell me why they didn’t attend, or even send a RSVP? I was truly looking forward to getting to know your aunt better.”
“Yes ma’am, I can tell you why. They didn’t receive an invitation. They wondered why they were excluded. Richard contributed highly to the neurology wing.”
“I swear to you, I sent them an invitation. I put the invitations in the post myself. I don’t know what could have happened to it. Lord Farnsworth didn’t reply or attend either. Donald and I will be round in a day or two and set things straight with your aunt and Richard. Perhaps I should ring Lord Farnsworth too. Thank you dear, for being candid with me. If I can ever help you in any way, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Chapter-36
Memories and Mr. Chen
Shane was shaving when Stacey brought him a cup of coffee. She stood watching him, lost in thought. Shane noticed she was someplace else and said, “Penny for your thoughts lass.”
Stacey smiled and said, “I was just remembering when I was little and would watch my dad shave in the mornings. I remember looking up at him he always looked so tall. He would pick me up and sit me on the counter between the sinks. I remember I wanted to shave too. He would dab a bit of lather on my nose as he explained, that pretty little girls don’t shave. I would have a million questions and he would patiently answer them all, no matter how trivial. Many times, he would give me a piggyback ride downstairs to the kitchen. Our lives always seemed to revolve around the kitchen. Mr. Chen would take charge of me as Mom and Dad both drove away.”
“Do you feel, you missed out, with both your parents working?” Shane asked.
“Oh no,” Stacey said. “I had Mr. Chen, but I always knew I was loved. Mom and Dad gave me lots of attention when they were home. I was such a rambunctious child, they had to love me or dump me in the river.”
Shane put his arms around her, held her tight and said, “Thank god, they loved you and kept you for me to love. I’m quite anxious to meet the wee one you carry inside you lass. I’m looking forward to making memories of our own.”
On Friday, before Thanksgiving week, Mr. Chen arrived in London. He caught a taxi to the apartment and when he rang the doorbell, Mrs. Wyatt answered.
“How-do-you-do ma’am, I am Mr. Chen. My little daughter is Mrs. McLeod. I believe I am expected.”
Mrs. Wyatt looked him over and said, “To be sure, Mrs. McLeod ain’t said nothing about you being no Chinaman.”
“Well Madame, one would think the name alone would give you a clue. May I enter?”
“No, you may not,” Mrs. Wyatt said. “Not until I get an okay from Mrs. McLeod.
I’ll ring her right away.”
“Permit me Madame,” Mr. Chen said. “I have her cell number right here.” He punched in the number and waited.
Stacey was in class when her cell phone vibrated, when she saw it was Mr. Chen’s number she leaned over and answered quietly. Mr. Chen said, “I am at your apartment, however, your cleaning lady will not permit me entrance.”
He handed Mrs. Wyatt the phone. When she finished the conversation, she opened the door for him to enter and handed him back his phone, as she informed him, “I’m not a cleaning lady, to be sure, a housekeeper.”
Feeling he had been castigated, he told Stacey, “Finish your classes little daughter. Do not hurry; I will visit Aunt Lora and Sir Richard.”
When Stacey finished her conversation and sat up straight, Professor O’Neal was watching. “Was that call so important it could not wait, Mrs. McLeod?”
“Yes it was, as a mater of fact,” Stacey said. “My housekeeper wouldn’t let my... ah...my... my nanny enter.” The other students were chortling.
Professor O’Neal said, “You Americans must employ your nannies much longer than we Brits do.” The students were chortling at all this. Professor O’Neal said, “Shall we continue now, that is if you are ready to join us Mrs. McLeod.”
Stacey gave him a look of pure venom. He said, “I see your eyes speak volumes Mrs. McLeod, however, do you think you might wait until the end of class to chew me up and spit me out.”
Very calmly, Stacey said, “Yes, Professor O’Neal, I will try. Perhaps I will have lost my appetite by then.” The other students were chortling hard. Professor O’Neal ducked his head and put his hand over his mouth to
stifle a chuckle.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chen had deposited his piece of luggage and took a taxi to Sir Richard’s town house. When he rang the doorbell, Wilkes the butler answered the door.
Mr. Chen asked, to see Sir Richard or Lady Heath. Wilkes left him in the foyer while he went upstairs to inform Sir Richard that there was a person of Asian decent asking for him or Lady Heath. I believe he said his name is Mr. Chen. Wilkes, almost didn’t move fast enough to get out of the way as Lora and Richard headed downstairs, as fast as they could.
There was greetings of laughter and hand shaking. Wilkes told his wife later, “Sir Richard is becoming more like these boisterous Texans everyday.”
“Does Stacey, know you’re here?” Aunt Lora asked over tea. “I know they weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
Mr. Chen chortled and said, “Yes, I had to call her. That harridan of a housekeeper wouldn’t let me in until Mrs. McLeod gave her permission. I was hoping to surprise them.”
Lora smiled and said, “Yes, Mrs. Wyatt is a force to be reckoned with, but she is devoted to Stacey and Shane.”
Shane arrived home before Stacey did. Aunt Lora had left a message on his mobile, telling him that Mr. Chen was at their home. Shane dropped by and picked him up. He and Mr. Chen were having tea when Stacey arrived home. She was in Mr. Chen’s arms in an instant. She was so happy to see him and so sorry about Mrs. Wyatt’s attitude.
They had a wonderful week of visiting. Mr. Chen was happy to hear Stacey’s pregnancy was progressing with no problems. He could not derail her firm conviction that the child she was carrying was a boy.
Stacey came home early one afternoon in order to visit with Mr. Chen. When Stacey asked about Su Ling and the kids, Mr. Chen told her, “They are well and send their regards to you and Doctor McLeod.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but is everything okay, between you and Su Ling?”
“Yes, little daughter,” Mr. Chen said. “Now, things are very much, as you say, okay. Su Ling has become engaged to Edwin Harrington. He is a teacher at Darren’s school. I find him to be a most agreeable gentleman.”
