That set her mind at ease, at least to a certain extent. At least it wouldn’t just be him and Reese. “How’s your new assistant working out?”
“Reese? She’s great. You should come by and meet her sometime. She reminds me a lot of you when you were that age.”
Reagan froze. “When I was that age? What, like I’m some old lady now?”
Chad chuckled. “Of course not.” He reached over and squeezed her knee. “But when you were in your midtwenties you were all about your career. She’s like that.”
His explanation didn’t make her feel any better. “So is Reese going on this trip?”
“Huh?” He pulled his gaze away from the TV to glance at her. “Oh. Yeah. She’s going.”
No remorse. “Don’t you think it’s a little inappropriate for you to be heading to Miami with your single assistant?”
Chad clicked off the TV and glared at her. “What are you getting at? That I’m lying about having to be there and am instead planning some rendezvous?” He shook his head. “When did you get so paranoid?”
She should’ve kept her mouth shut. “I don’t know. When you started working around the clock. When I found myself stuck in the house all the time taking care of your children while your life just goes on like normal. When you don’t even notice anything about me anymore.” She ticked them off on her hand. “Take your pick.”
Chad stood up. “You’re being ridiculous. I love you. I adore the kids. I’m the same guy I’ve always been. And the fact that you’d even insinuate that there might be something inappropriate going on between me and Reese is a huge insult.” He tossed the remote on the coffee table. “I thought you knew me better than that.” He jerked his chin toward their bedroom. “I’m going to bed.”
Without another word, he walked out of the room.
Was it true? Was he the same guy he’d always been? And if so, did that mean she was the one who’d changed?
Reagan curled up on the couch and closed her eyes. Lord, I need help. In a major way.
Thursday afternoon the door to the bake shop burst open, and Violet looked up from the supply list she was working on. “Hi, Shadow. Thanks for coming by today.”
The teenager nodded. “No prob.” She put her backpack on the floor next to the counter and glanced at the walls. “It looks really pretty now. I love the yellow. It makes everything much brighter.”
“Thanks. I’m really happy with the way it turned out.” Violet admired the wall. “I especially like the way the yellow looks against that white crown molding.”
Shadow nodded. “So what do you need me to do today?”
Violet took a good look at Shadow. “Those are cute glasses.” She hadn’t been wearing them last week when they primed the walls.
“Thanks. They’re just reading ones.”
After running into Shadow and a boy named Thomas the other night at the Legends Balloon Rally, Violet had a pretty good idea of what was going on. “And that sweater vest is adorable. Different from your normal style.” But very similar to the way Thomas had been dressed on Saturday.
Shadow shrugged. “I like plaid.”
“Argyle. It’s Argyle.”
“Whatever.”
Violet fought back a grin. She didn’t want to push the girl away. “I was thinking you could help me take inventory this afternoon. I had a delivery earlier today of some of the things we’ll need during the next few weeks.” She handed Shadow a list. “The delivery guy put the boxes in the storeroom. Just check to make sure everything on this list is there and in the quantity this paper says.”
“Sure.” Shadow looked at the list. “Have you decided when to open?”
Violet smiled. “My friend Reagan is coming to town this weekend, and she’ll be starting on the logo and some marketing materials. Once she’s got some of that figured out, we’ll have a better idea. I’m hoping for Halloween though.”
Shadow gave her a tiny grin. “Really?”
“Wouldn’t that be kind of fun? We could wear costumes and everything. Plus we might be able to come up with some neat Halloween-themed cupcakes.”
Shadow bit her lip. “Um. I’m pretty good at drawing stuff. Maybe I could help with some of the decorations.”
Violet nodded. “Of course.” As far as she was concerned, Shadow even showing interest in the bakery was progress. The first few times she’d been around the girl, she’d barely acknowledged anyone or anything. But Mrs. Kemp had mentioned that she thought Shadow was really excited about the bakery opening and about working there.
“I’ll be out here if you need me,” Violet called as Shadow went into the storeroom.
Her phone buzzed against the counter, and she glanced at the caller ID. “There’s my favorite graphic designer. Are you ready for a weekend of chaos?”
Reagan laughed. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? My life is chaos. Not just my weekends.”
“True. Any idea when you’ll be arriving?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. I’ll pick Izzy up from school, and then we’ll be on our way.”
Violet couldn’t wait. “We’ll have so much fun. And by the way, Grandma, Mrs. Kemp, and Shadow are on board for a little Saturday afternoon babysitting. I think Grandpa might even pitch in as long as he can watch the Razorback game.” Grandpa had called her yesterday to make sure she had ESPN. She hadn’t pressed, but she figured he was trying to arrange his Saturday around his favorite team.
“You’re kidding. They don’t have to do that.”
“Oh, but they do.” Violet grinned. “Because not only will we be working on the design of the store logo, but I’ve booked us two hours at one of the spas.”
“Time at a spa? You’re going to make me cry.”
Violet laughed. “You deserve it. A massage and a facial are probably just what you need. And I even booked us for the bath package.”
“You did?” Reagan laughed. “What is it they used to call it? Taking to the waters?”
“That’s right. The waters have healed and rejuvenated people since Hot Springs was discovered,” Violet said. “So why shouldn’t we partake in some of that therapy?”
“I’m game, especially if it will take my mind off the fact that my husband will probably be poolside in Miami this weekend with his twenty-six-year-old assistant.” Her bitterness came through the phone.
“I thought you talked to him about it.”
“I did. But what’s he going to say? Of course he denied it.”
Violet exhaled. “Please try not to worry. Just come to Hot Springs and relax. Maybe just having a bit of a break will give you fresh perspective.”
“Maybe.” Reagan obviously wasn’t convinced. “Or maybe I should just face the facts. Something is off in my relationship with Chad. Something big. And I can’t figure out what that is.”
Violet had no advice for her friend. She’d always felt that if your instincts told you something was wrong—it usually was. So where did that leave Reagan and Chad? “I’ll be praying.”
“That’s all you can do.”
Violet hung up and went back to her list, but Reagan’s words kept playing in her head. That’s all you can do. How many times did Violet have to learn that lesson? She’d often been guilty of trying to fix things herself. She’d make lists and anticipate problems and worry about her decisions. Prayer was her last resort. Her fallback plan. What she did when she couldn’t do anything else.
She couldn’t help but wonder how things might be different if prayer came first. Before she stepped in to offer advice or to try to solve things. Maybe she’d gotten it backward all her life.
Lord, from now on, I’ll go to You first. And not just when there’s a crisis or a problem.
Dear Mama,
You’re not going to believe it. Nana is letting me go to the school dance this weekend. She wasn’t super happy about it, but I think Granddaddy talked her into it.
I’m so excited that I finally get to go and do something. I made a friend at school n
amed Rachel, and we’re going to get ready together. I think her mom is going to take us for manicures. I wish you were here to take us instead.
I’m a little bummed that Thomas didn’t ask me to go with him, but he told me he thinks school functions are stupid. He says he isn’t even going to walk at graduation. I think that’s kind of weird, but I didn’t tell him that.
I love you,
Shadow
Chapter 18
Violet Matthews: THE TASTE TESTING IS TONIGHT AT THE SHOP. SHOULD I SAVE YOU A CUPCAKE? AND TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WOULD SURPRISE ME.…(Text message sent September 29, 10:02 a.m.)
Jackson Stratford: I’LL BE THERE WITH BELLS ON. 7ISH? AND HOW ABOUT THIS: I TRAVEL TO PANAMA EACH SUMMER WITH A GROUP FROM CHURCH AND VOLUNTEER AT AN ORPHANAGE. YOU? (Text message sent September 29, 10:22 a.m.)
Violet Matthews: 7 IS FINE AND THAT IS A SURPRISE. I NEVER WOULD’VE PEGGED YOU FOR A MISSIONARY. HERE’S MINE: ONCE WHEN I LIVED IN DC, I HAD DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE. (Text message sent September 29, 10:29 a.m.)
Jackson tossed his phone on his coffee table. This arrangement with Violet was starting to get dicey. More and more, he found himself looking forward to her texts or to checking off another date from their list. And it had nothing to do with being ready for their date balance to be zero.
And Kathleen had been after him to bring his new girlfriend to Memphis for the weekend, something he wasn’t totally sure he could do. He and his sister had always shared everything. Even through some of the darkest days of his life, she’d known what was going on with him.
The idea of parading a fake relationship in front of Kathleen and her family didn’t sit well with him. The deal had started out with the best of intentions, but Jackson was starting to wonder if it was worth it.
The doorbell rang and put a welcome end to his worrying. He wasn’t expecting company though, especially on a Saturday morning. He peeked out the window.
His mother stood on the porch, a big smile on her face.
He swung open the door. “Hey, Mom. I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“Sorry for stopping by without notice.” She stepped over the threshold and into the living room. “But I was nearby and wanted to speak to you.”
“Come on in,” he said, motioning toward the couch.
Donna Stratford sat down on the leather couch and crossed her ankles. “I’m just going to cut right to the chase.”
“Of course.” Mom always had been direct, a quality Jackson had inherited. When Kathleen and Jackson had gotten in trouble as kids, they’d always joked that Dad was the good cop and Mom was the bad cop. They’d been a great team.
“Your sister tells me you aren’t happy that I’m seeing Roger.” She leveled her blue eyes on him. “If you have a problem with things, now is the time to speak.”
Jackson exhaled loudly. He sure didn’t want to get into this with his mother. For one thing, he completely realized how childish it seemed for him to be upset that Mom was moving on. “I’m just worried, that’s all.” He shrugged. “What do we really know about this guy anyway? Nothing.”
Mom smiled. “Actually I know quite a bit about him. Your dad and I were friends with Roger and his wife, Melinda.”
It was even worse than he thought. “Don’t tell me he left his wife.”
“For me?” Mom laughed and shook her head. “Don’t be silly, dear.” She frowned. “Actually, Melinda passed away a couple of years ago. Cancer.”
Jackson sighed. “I’m sorry for his loss…but still.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I don’t know. Isn’t there a nice book club you can join? Or a ladies bowling team?”
Mom shut her eyes and shook her head. “Jackson, you know I love you. And I’m sorry that my dinners with Roger upset you so much. But he understands how it feels to lose a spouse. He’s been a great support for me, and frankly, it’s nice to have someone to go out and do things with sometimes.” She shrugged. “Plus he makes me laugh. And there was a time I didn’t know if I’d ever laugh again.”
Now he felt terrible. “I’m not trying to cause problems. I just feel like it’s a little soon—that’s all.”
Mom frowned. “Your dad’s been gone for more than a year. And I spent so much of that time too upset to even get out of bed. But Roger has given me a reason to get up and to leave the house. I think that’s what your dad would’ve wanted.”
Jackson bristled. There it was again. That phrase he loathed. “Or telling yourself that’s what Dad would’ve wanted is a way to ease your conscience.”
“That was uncalled for. You might be a grown man, but I’m your mother and I deserve your respect.” Mom stood. “Your sister is happy for me. I suggest you find a way to be on board with this.”
Jackson stood up and rubbed his jaw. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to seem unsupportive. I’m just worried.” He shrugged. “I don’t like change.”
Mom smiled. “I know, dear. It isn’t easy for any of us. But really try to keep an open mind where Roger is concerned.” She walked to the door and turned to face him. “If things go well, he’ll probably be at our family Thanksgiving. And I’ll expect you to make him feel welcome.”
His earlier doubts about the contract he and Violet had flew out the window. Her being there might be the only thing that would get him through. “I’m probably bringing someone, too.” He grinned at Mom’s expression. He’d never brought a girl home to meet his family. “So I’ll expect you to make her feel welcome, too.”
Mom gave him a hug. “Deal.” She kissed him on the cheek and hurried toward her car.
Reagan leaned her head against the passenger seat and tilted her face toward the sun. “Thanks for driving,” she said as Violet got behind the wheel. “I just felt better leaving the van and car seats behind in case there is an emergency.”
“No problem. We’ll go to the spa, and then I’ll show you the space.” Reagan headed toward town. “Was the guest room okay?”
Reagan laughed. “It was more than okay. You’re the one I should worry about. Sorry that Izzy insisted on sleeping with you. Did she kick you a lot?”
“Only a few times.” Violet grinned. “No more than Arnie usually does.”
“Oh, that dog.” Reagan shook her head. “He is just the sweetest. Have you noticed how he wants to be wherever the babies are? He slept in the doorway of our room last night.”
“I wondered where he went. Sometimes he stays in the living room now because it’s too much trouble to get up and move to the bedroom.”
“He actually makes me think a dog wouldn’t be a bad addition to our family,” Reagan said. “But not for a couple of years so Izzy and Ava Grace are old enough to help take care of it.”
Violet slowed down as she reached Central Avenue. “I’m considering getting a puppy. I know Arnie won’t be around forever. The last time we were at the vet, I found out his kidneys aren’t doing too well.” She sighed. “I’m thinking maybe a puppy will help lessen the blow when his time comes.”
Reagan reached over and patted her arm. Arnie had been part of Violet’s life since they were right out of college. “I’m sorry. And I think a puppy would be a great idea, if you’re sure you have time for the training that goes along with that. Opening a business is going to keep you pretty busy though.”
Violet pulled into an empty space near Bathhouse Row. “I know. I just worry about how empty my house will be without a dog in it.”
There were days Reagan fantasized about her house being totally empty and quiet. A whole day of quiet sounded heavenly. But it would get old and lonely soon. “Maybe Arnie will pull through the kidney thing and have a lot more great years.”
“That would be nice, but he’s fifteen. I’m not living under the delusion that he’s going to be here forever.” She reached into the backseat and grabbed her bag. “You ready for this? No stress. No worries.”
Reagan slung her bag over her shoulder and followed Violet to the crosswa
lk. “Where are we headed?”
“Quapaw Baths and Spa. I haven’t been inside since they renovated, but Grandma said it’s nice.” The bathhouse was built in the 1920s and derived its name from the tribe of Indians that lived in the area. “Did you know there’s a cave in the basement near the spring that gives the spa its water? Legend has it that the cave and spring were discovered by the Quapaw Indians when they inhabited this area.”
“Cool.” Reagan grinned. Violet’s love of the past never ceased to amaze her. For as long as they’d been friends, Violet had been providing her with interesting historical tidbits or encouraging her to hold on to the past.
Twenty minutes later they were in full spa mode, complete with robes and slippers. “This is exactly what I needed,” Reagan said. “These last months have been so stressful. Just getting away from the house is kind of nice.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t come over to keep the kids and let you have some time off.”
Reagan shook her head. “Don’t be silly. It isn’t your place.”
“Have you told Chad how you feel? That you need some help?”
She couldn’t imagine having that conversation with Chad. “He has to know I’m overwhelmed. Everyone with eyes knows I’m overwhelmed.” She flipped through a People magazine. “Besides. It makes me feel like a terrible mother. I mean, I should be able to manage four kids with no problem, right?”
Violet raised her hands in surrender. “You’re asking the wrong person. I don’t think I could do it, especially once the twins came along. I’d definitely need some help.” She closed the magazine she’d been reading and tossed it on the chair next to her. “And I really think you need to figure out a solution.”
“This woman at my gym thinks I should plan a romantic date night with Chad. She says we need some time alone together in a major way.”
“I might not be married, but that sounds right to me. You guys used to have date nights, didn’t you?”
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