Unexpected Family

by Jill Kemerer

  He tightened his hold on the steering wheel. No. No memories. Not now. The driveway came into view, and he blew off the images in his head. But he couldn’t get rid of the feeling of that moment—the sense of possibility that slipped away with his carelessness.

  Would he still be married if he had just dropped the books, wrapped his hands around her waist and danced? Kissed her? Appreciated having a wife?

  He braked to a stop, cut the engine, loosened his tie and trekked up the porch into the house. Empty. Bryan must be working late or out with one of the guys. After flicking on a light, Tom changed into his workout clothes. Then he stretched, jumped on the treadmill and programmed his workout. The swish, swish of the belt moving signaled go time, and he settled into a rhythm.

  More scenes flooded back. Stephanie reading on the couch. A table set for one with his dinner on the plate, cold from sitting out. Tiptoeing into the bedroom after poring over invoices for hours. Stephanie’s hair fanned on the pillow.

  He increased the incline and pushed his legs harder. He didn’t remember regretting his actions at the time. He’d honestly thought he was on the right track. Doing the responsible thing. Working hard to build a life.

  But he’d missed the wife in front of him. And he didn’t know it until it was too late and she was gone. Taking her beauty, music, dinners and all he loved with her.

  He cranked the treadmill to eight; his legs fumbled to keep up. God, I kind of understand why she didn’t tell me about Macy. I barely paid attention to Stephanie and she was my wife.

  Last night would go down as one of the best in his life. Hearing Macy call him Daddy? Choked him up thinking about it. He no longer doubted he could be the father Macy needed. But the co-parent Stephanie deserved?

  He’d botched their marriage. He wouldn’t botch this.

  Chapter Eight

  A car rumbled up Aunt Sally’s driveway, but Tom dropped the edge of the curtain when he recognized Sam’s SUV. He peeked out the window again. Nothing. He was worse than a kid.

  When he told the family he’d invited Stephanie, her dad and Macy to Thanksgiving, they’d acted excited, but none had successfully hidden the concerns in their eyes. He and Claire texted most days, so he knew she’d be fine. But Libby and Sam hadn’t been around much, and Bryan clammed up every time Tom mentioned Stephanie. How would they all react to his ex-wife and child?

  “There you are.” Hands in his pockets, Dad ambled toward him, then stared out the window at the vast lawn complete with pine trees and the occasional birch. A cardinal flew from one tree to the next. “Nervous?”

  Tom shifted to face him. “Yes.”

  “Don’t be.” He patted Tom’s shoulder. “We’ll make them feel welcome. What’s past is past. We can be thankful for right now. I still wish you’d have let us get Macy some gifts, though. This is my granddaughter we’re talking about.” He grinned.

  “Plenty of time for gifts at Christmas, Dad.” Tom’s insides tightened. Stephanie had requested no presents, but it was one of the ways his family showed they cared. Would they hold that against her, too? “It’s going to be overwhelming enough having her meet everyone. Macy won’t be used to all these adults.” He hesitated. “She might not be real happy to meet everyone, either. For such a small person, she’s got a big stubborn streak.”

  “Stubborn? She’s a true Sheffield, then.” He chuckled.

  “Don’t be offended if she doesn’t warm up right away. When I mentioned her having another grandpa, she told me in no uncertain terms she had one grandpa and that was that.”

  Dad jostled the keys in his pocket. “I’ve got time. And patience.”

  “Do you mind if she calls you Papa?”

  An odd expression twisted his face. “Papa?”

  “Yeah. I thought she might be more receptive to you if she could call you something other than what she calls Ken.”

  “I don’t care if she calls me Grumpypants or Dale. I just want my grandchild in my life.”

  A flash of white next to Sam’s SUV caught Tom’s eye. His hands grew slick with moisture. Wiping them on his pants, he strode to the front door. Dad followed close behind.

  “You made it.” Tom stood in the frame and clicked a mental snapshot of the moment. Stephanie, impeccable in her wool coat belted at the waist. Her dad, Ken, glowering next to her. And Macy with a puffy skirt peeking under her coat, revealing white tights and shiny black shoes.

  “Daddy!” Her face lit, and she opened her arms wide. After giving her a hug, Tom picked her up and kissed her cheek.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Macy. I see you’re all dressed up and ready for turkey.” Still carrying Macy, he stepped aside to let Stephanie and Ken inside. “Mr. Baynes, nice to see you. Thanks for coming.”

  “Call me Ken, Tom.” He shrugged out of his coat and thrust it to him. “We aren’t strangers.”

  “I’ll take your coat, Ken.” Dad held out his hand. “Glad you could make it. It’s nice to see you again, Stephanie.”

  “Dale.” Ken nodded. Stephanie handed Dad her coat, too, and stood in the hallway with a pained look on her face.

  “Macy,” Tom said, still holding her. “This is your other grandfather.”

  “Papa?”

  “Yes. Or you can call him something else if you’d prefer.”

  She wiggled and Tom set her down, but she kept one arm around his leg.

  Grinning, Dad bent and held out a hand. “You’re even prettier than I imagined. Welcome to the family, Macy.”

  She gingerly placed her fingers in his palm.

  “I’d ask for a hug, but maybe it’s too soon. If you’re up for one later, we can try it. I won’t bite, I promise.” He winked.

  Tom leaned to see her face. A small grin flashed and disappeared. He helped take her coat off. A pink sweater topped the black skirt.

  “Let’s get out of the entry. Follow me.” Tom waved and led them to the enormous kitchen, where his sisters, their husbands, Uncle Joe and Aunt Sally were moving around in a frenzy. The kitchen opened to a large family room and dining area, and a huge stone fireplace climbed the tan walls. Everything about Aunt Sally’s house felt comfortable. The television blared a football game, and the enticing aroma of turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie filled the air. This was what Thanksgiving was all about.

  “Ooh, turkey’s almost done.” Aunt Sally didn’t look up from where she bent over the oven with a turkey baster in hand. “Libby, did you check those potatoes?”

  “Mashing them as we speak.”

  “A-hem.” Tom waited. They all stopped what they were doing, and one by one dropped their utensils and stepped forward.

  “Macy!” Aunt Sally swept her into her arms and kissed the top of her head. “Let me get a look at you.” She stepped back, tears swimming in her eyes. Her face looked about to burst open her smile was so big. “You look just like your daddy. Oh, my.” She turned and dabbed at her eyes.

  Macy tightened her hold on Tom’s hand. “Why’s she cryin’?”

  “She’s excited to meet you.”

  Claire and Libby introduced themselves and their husbands to Macy and then greeted Stephanie and Ken.

  “Stephanie,” Libby said in a neutral tone.

  “Hi, Libby. Tom told me about your good news. Congratulations. This must be your husband.”

  “Yes, this is Jake. Jake, Tommy’s ex-wife, Stephanie.”

  Tom cleared his throat and threw Libby a warning glare. She mouthed, “What?” And he narrowed his eyes at her. Of all his siblings, he worried about Libby and Bryan treating Stephanie badly. Claire would act like an adult, but those two?

  Claire bent to Macy’s level. “Do you like the zoo? You should come visit me sometime. I work there.”

  “You do?”

  “Yep. What’s your favorite animal?�
�

  “Bunnies.” Macy pointed to the necklace dangling over her sweater. “See.”

  “I love bunnies, too,” Claire said. “Do you like otters?”

  “What’s an otter?” Macy let go of Tom’s hand.

  Claire led her to the island, where she was cutting pies, and boosted Macy to sit on the counter. “Help me with these pies and I’ll tell you all about them.”

  Tom led Stephanie and Ken to the family room, where they all got settled. Bryan, Sam and a handful of cousins took a break from their football game to say hi. Dale asked Ken how his flight was, leaving Tom and Stephanie sitting next to each other on the couch in silence.

  Her light perfume teased his nostrils. Flowery, feminine. His gaze fell to her dark jeans and cream-colored sweater. Classy. But she kept rubbing her thumb over her finger, and her back couldn’t have been more rigid.

  “What’s wrong?” he murmured.

  She lifted her gaze to his. “Nothing.”

  He tapped his hand on his thigh. “How was Macy yesterday? Did she have more questions?”

  “No, nope, she didn’t. She’s delighted to have a dad.”

  He frowned. To have a dad? Or to have him as a dad? “Well, good.”

  “It’s strange. Being here again.” She scanned the room. “Brings back memories.”

  “Any good ones?” The question slipped out.

  She lowered her chin. “A few.”

  “You know, when we were together?” The words tripped over each other. “Well, most of my memories of us together were good.” He kept his voice low. The past pressed against his chest, his heart craving the release of honesty. All the times he’d blamed her for ruining his life had overshadowed one big fact: he’d loved her, loved being married to her, and those days, for him, had been good.

  “Most of them?” She picked at the edge of her sweater.

  “Until we fell apart.”

  “Are you sure your memory isn’t tricking you?” Her tone held no trace of sarcasm.

  “It’s not. I might not have been what you needed, but that time was special for me.” He grazed her hand.

  She glanced at him, questions in her eyes.

  “I know we can’t go back,” he said. “I just wanted you to know. I was happy being married to you.”

  * * *

  “Mommy, what’s this red stuff?” Macy whispered loudly into Stephanie’s ear.

  “Cranberry sauce.” Stephanie pointed to the pretty serving dish filled with fuchsia jelly and bits of orange. “Would you like to try some?”

  She shook her head.

  “How about some turkey and stuffing? You like those. And a roll.” Stephanie accepted the bowl of mashed potatoes, dished herself out some and dolloped a small amount on Macy’s plate before passing it to Ken on her left.

  “So, Stephanie,” Sally said. Stephanie’s muscles tightened. Here it came. Question time. “What brought you back to the area?”

  She finished chewing the delicious turkey and sipped her water before answering. “I enrolled in college again.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Sally’s dangling cornucopia earrings made a tinkling noise. “What are you going into? And how long will it be until you have your degree?”

  Her tension lowered at Sally’s welcoming vibe. “Accounting. I have one more semester left.”

  “I sure am proud of her.” Her dad buttered his roll. “I can’t wait to be here when she graduates.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” She squeezed his hand. Having him there by her side gave her strength. More than he knew.

  “And once she has her degree, I’ll be seeing a lot more of her. And of this kiddo, too.”

  Stephanie froze. No! Not here. Not now. Don’t say it, Dad!

  “Why’s that?” Sally scooped green bean casserole onto her plate.

  “She and Macy are moving in with me down in Florida so she can get her master’s degree.”

  The room stilled. Not a breath, not a clang of silverware on china, not a word of conversation. Dead silence.

  Then Libby grunted. “Florida. With Macy.”

  “Libby,” Tom warned. “Stay out of it.”

  “You knew about this?”

  “Yes.” He flashed a silent apology to Stephanie, then stared at Libby again, as if daring her not to say another word. She finally looked away, stabbing a yam with her fork and shooting a glare at Stephanie.

  “Want me to cut your turkey?” Stephanie asked Macy in a normal tone, but inside her heart crackled. Libby hated her, and why not? If their roles were reversed, who was to say she wouldn’t react the same way? All they saw was the girl who’d broken their brother’s heart, the selfish woman who’d hidden a child from him, the terrible shrew who was taking their new niece to Florida like some sort of kidnapper.

  Slowly the conversations resumed. Even Macy chatted with Tom.

  Stephanie picked at the food on her plate, her appetite gone. It was nice of Tom to invite her here, but she didn’t fit in with these people. Maybe she never had.

  Tom caught her eye over Macy’s head. His gaze asked if she was okay. She nodded, averted her eyes, blinking back a tear. Why did he have to be so nice? Why did he go out of his way to include her and her father? Why had he said those generous words to her on the couch?

  Did he really feel that way? Had most of his memories been good? The way he’d said it made her believe he spoke the truth. But how was it possible? When she’d been such a disaster?

  Her memories weren’t good. She remembered being lonely, feeling like a failure, searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places. How could their perception of the same time be so different?

  And why did Tom say he hadn’t been what she needed? She’d been drawn to him because he was steady. Had eyes only for her. With a big, welcoming family, he’d made her feel as though she belonged. And there was no denying he protected her. Always kept to her side in crowds. Double-checked the locks each night. During their marriage she’d assumed he preferred working to being with her. But now she was Macy’s provider, and Stephanie understood the pressure work brought.

  Maybe Tom had been exactly what Stephanie needed, but she hadn’t had the faith to see it.

  “I’m full.” Macy pushed her plate back.

  Stephanie dug her fingernails into her palms to get her emotions back under control. “You barely ate. Why don’t you eat some potatoes?”

  Macy’s face scrunched. “Do I have to?”

  “Did you try them?”

  “No.”

  Stephanie pointed to her plate. “Aunt Sally is a fabulous cook, Macy. Did you know she and Uncle Joe own a restaurant?”

  “They do?” Macy looked across the table at Sally and Joe.

  “We sure do, honey.” Sally nodded, a wide smile on her face. “We’ll fix you up a great big burger or some chicken tenders sometime when you’re visiting your daddy. How does that sound?”

  “I like chicken tenders.”

  “I thought you would.”

  Joe split open a roll. “We’ve got a deck behind the restaurant, too. You can dangle your toes in there for the fish to nibble on.”

  She flashed a terrified glance at Stephanie.

  “Don’t go scaring her, Joe.” Sally swatted at his arm. “Those fish don’t want your feet, Macy. He’s teasing.”

  “Have you been on a pontoon boat?” Dale angled his head to address Macy. “You and your mom can come for a ride in the summer.”

  Stephanie met Dale’s eyes, and he nodded to her, kindness oozing from him. Her throat tightened. “Thanks, Dale, that would be nice.”

  She turned her attention to her food. Too bad she wasn’t hungry. Sally really was a wonderful cook. And Dale had always welcomed her. Claire had, too.

  But that
was the problem. Their compassion made her want to forget she’d never be a part of their family again. She only had to peek at Libby to remind herself why. Next time, Macy would have to come by herself. Stephanie didn’t mesh with the Sheffields even if her daughter did.

  * * *

  “Can I talk to you a minute, Steph?” Tom waited until Claire, Libby and Sam wrapped Macy into a game of Candy Land after dinner before catching Stephanie alone in the kitchen.

  “Sure.”

  “Let’s go out here.” He waited for her to slip on her boots before guiding her outside to the backyard. He carefully shut the door behind them. Dusk was falling, throwing shadows on the ground and pastel colors low in the sky. This time of day brought deer to the edge of the woods. He searched for them but didn’t see any. “Sorry it’s cold out here, but this won’t take a minute.”

  Stephanie faced the woods beyond the yard. He wanted to go to her, to put his hands on her shoulders, touch that fuzzy sweater. Crazy. Too many memories kicked around with her in his territory. He put his hands in his pockets and stood beside her.

  “Thanks for coming. I know Libby can be a real pain, and I’m sorry.”

  “They’re protecting you.” She shrugged. “I don’t blame them.”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot, Steph.” He stared ahead. “Before I found out about Macy, I assumed I’d made peace with the divorce and everything. But I realized I might not be as moved on as I thought.”

  Her questioning glance prodded him to continue. “It was good of you to come today, to share the holiday with us. It means a lot to me and to my family. They’ve all been excited to meet Macy.”

  “It was the least I could do. I’m surprised, really.”

  “About what?”

  “They’re so pleasant. I didn’t exactly leave a good impression, and I’m sure the news about Macy lowered it to sewer levels.”

  Normally he would take her admission as a point he was right that his feelings were justified, but not this time. It kicked up the sour cranberry taste in his mouth, the way he’d used her guilt. “I think you need to let it go, Stephanie.”