“She let me leave her house alive.”
“That’s a start.” She went back to her conversation.
He blew out a resigned breath and went downstairs to his bedroom to work on the sketches for the wedding cakes, but the tears he’d seen in Dina’s eyes stayed in his mind.
* * *
Dina took a shower. After drying off and pulling on a pair of flannel pajamas, she walked down the hall to her bedroom. She always marveled at how small the house seemed now that she was older. On one of her previous visits home, she’d mentioned that to her father. In a humor-filled voice, he’d reminded her that she’d been much closer to the ground when she was a kid. The four-bedroom, two-bath home was sound and strong but it was aging as were her parents. For the past ten years she’d been offering to buy them a new place and for ten years she’d been politely turned down. They had let her buy them a condo in Florida so that they could escape Michigan’s frigid winters. They also let her bring them into NYC for Thanksgiving and Christmas so they could see the shows, marvel at the tree in Rockefeller Center and enjoy a fancy catered holiday meal in Dina’s huge apartment overlooking Central Park, but they refused to move out of the home they’d raised her in.
Dina sat on her bed and used the remote to turn on the TV. She muted the sound. Her parents had made so many sacrifices to get her ready for the great life she had now that she felt like she owed them the moon. Lessons in everything from dance, to piano, to voice had not been cheap. Her mother had been a math teacher and her daddy a bus driver for the city. Both were retired now, but she was amazed they’d had anything to retire on because of all the money they’d spent on her while growing up. When she was twelve her mother, Lynne, and Morgan’s mom, Grace, went into business together and opened up their catering service, Gracie Lynne’s. Her father worked two jobs to help fund his wife’s dreams and to make sure Dina’s dreams continued to grow, as well.
Due to the demands of her career, she didn’t get back to Detroit as often as she wanted. Manhattan was her official place of residence now and had been for over ten years, but the D was her home.
Morgan’s, too.
The memories of their happy times tried to rise again but were overcome by the dark clouds of his betrayal. He’d played her, plain and simple. He’d taken advantage of her love and trust, and left her publicly humiliated and heartbroken. It wasn’t something she ever wanted to suffer through again, so the fact that he’d come over to apologize meant something, but not enough. Because of him, she’d only dated sparingly, preferring to concentrate on her career. Working had been her salvation. Having to immerse herself in dramatic roles helped dull the anguish of the drama being played out in her real life. She’d channeled the anger and emotion into her roles and given the theater audiences some of her best performances. However, once she left the stage, the pain returned. Since giving him back his ring, she always called her mom to make sure Morgan wasn’t in town before she came home to visit. She hadn’t wanted to see him or be around him, but for the next few days there would be no way around that.
Dina snuggled beneath the covers. She looked at her watch. Her parents would be at least another hour so she settled in to watch television, but a few minutes later she was asleep.
She awakened the next morning to the smell of bacon and biscuits. Happy as a little kid, she rushed to take care of her morning needs, then hit the steps that led down to the main floor.
In the kitchen sat her mother reading the paper and her daddy at the stove working his magic. She shared a welcoming hug with each of them and took a seat to wait for breakfast to be done. “Sorry, I fell asleep,” she said to them.
Lynne set her paper aside. “You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t have the heart to wake you and let you know we were home.”
Her father Tony cracked, “What your mother means is that we could hear you snoring soon as we pulled up into the driveway. No way was I going to risk my hearing by going into your room.”
Dina dropped her head. She was known for her snoring, and her daddy for his sense of humor.
Her mother Lynne scolded him affectionately, “Be nice.”
He grinned and poured the eggs into the hot skillet to make his signature, Smack Yourself Omelet. Although her mother and Aunt Grace were known for their cakes and pies, Anthony Caldwell knew his way around a kitchen, too. In fact, he’d been a short-order cook when he and her mother first met, so even when Lynne had been away working at the shop, Dina had never lacked for a good home-cooked meal.
Once the food was ready and her father said grace, they dug in. The omelet was as good as always and the bacon and biscuits just right. They spent some time catching up on the everyday stuff at first, like who won at cards last night, how the catering shop was going, and, of course, the wedding.
Her mother said, “Rick’s a nice young man. He’s as good for Jas as she is for him.”
Tony added, “Kinda quiet, though, which worries me.”
“Why?”
“Scared Ms. Jasy’s going to run all over him.”
Lynne gave him a look over her coffee cup. “Not your concern, Tony.”
“I know, but she’s as much a daughter to me as she is to you, and he can be pretty boring.”
Dina interjected, “Here’s something that won’t be boring. I’m thinking about adopting a child.”
Smiles filled their faces.
Tony asked, “Can the child be a boy so we can even out some of this estrogen around here?”
Her mother gave him another look that was filled with both amusement and love. “Hush.” She turned back to Dina. “That’s wonderful. Fill us in.”
So she told them about the agency she was working with and how long they thought it might take to get everything in place. “But I’m willing to wait as long as it takes and to jump through all the necessary hoops if it means I have a child at the end.”
Due to a surgery three years ago for severe fibroids, Dina couldn’t have children of her own, but she’d always wanted to adopt, mainly because of her mom. Dina’s grandparents hadn’t loved Lynne any less than they would have had she been biologically theirs, and Dina planned to love her own child just as much.
Her father said, “You know you have our support.”
“I do and I love you both for it. Also. I’m leaving the show in June, that way if the adoption comes through I can be a full-time parent. I have enough money saved to be away from work for as long as I need to.”
Her mother looked concerned. “I’m proud of you for wanting to do this, but are you sure? I know how much you love the stage.”
“I do, but I’m not going to adopt, and then hire a nanny to be me, so that I can continue to do two shows a day. That doesn’t make sense.”
Her father nodded. “I agree. You’re going to be a single parent, then?”
“Yes.” She doubted that would make them withdraw their support.
“No prospects on the horizon?” her mother asked. “Other than that lunatic Arthur.”
“Mom.”
“That man is nuts, Dee Dee, and we all know it. The house smelled like bleach for weeks.”
“No other prospects, and to be truthful, Arthur isn’t a prospect, either.”
“Good. He’s a nice guy but I can’t see him raising anybody’s child. He’ll want to put on a full body hazmat suit just to change a diaper.”
Dina tried not to smile but lost the battle. “I know how important dads are, so if I don’t get married, the baby can share my daddy with me.”
Her mother rolled her eyes. “Lord, help us.”
“I didn’t hear any complaints about my abilities last night, Miss Lynne.”
Dina choked on her coffee. “Daddy!” she said laughing.
Lynn hung her head and chuckled.
“Did I?”
His wife opted to surrender. “No, Anthony. No complaints.”
His eyes twinkled mischievously and he raised his cup in toast. “The defense rests.”
> Dina couldn’t believe they were still carrying on like teenagers, but they’d been doing it for as long as she’d been alive so she didn’t know why she was surprised. If the truth be told, she was a bit jealous. She’d spent her life hoping to have the same kind of passionate relationship with her future husband, but thanks to Morgan and the tabloids, everyone all over the world knew how that dream had turned out. “Morgan came by last night.”
Neither of them said anything at first, but her mother finally asked quietly, “And how’d that go?”
“He came over to apologize.”
Her mother sipped her coffee and shook her head.
“I told him it wasn’t necessary.” Dina’s parents were Morgan’s godparents, and his mom, Grace, was godmother to Dina. Grace and Lynne had been college roommates and close as sisters since the age of eighteen. Morgan’s misdeeds had broken both their hearts.
Tony said, “He’s grown up a lot in the past year. I’m proud of what he’s doing with the school and all. No disrespect to you, baby girl.”
“I know, daddy. He’s like a son to you.”
“But you are my daughter, which means you will always be first in this old man’s heart. Always.”
“Thanks.”
Lynne asked, “Are you going to be okay having him around all week?”
Dina shrugged. “I don’t have much choice. This is his sister’s wedding. It’s not like I can banish him to Siberia. Besides, I’m over him.”
She saw her parents share a knowing look. She wanted to ask what that was about but decided ignorance was probably bliss.
Her mother asked, “What do you have planned for today?”
“By the bride’s orders, I’m taking you shopping. She’s scared you’re going to be in the front row of the church wearing your jeans.”
Her mother paused in the midst of spreading grape jam on a biscuit. “Moi?” she asked with an innocence no one fell for.
“Vous, Mama. So, do you want to go shopping with me today?”
“Sure. I told Grace I’d be taking the day off to hang out with you anyway, so the mall is perfect. I may even find a dress.”
“Daddy, what are you doing today?”
“Getting together with Morgan to plan the rehearsal dinner. He’s going to be doing most of the cooking for that, so I’ll be running with him to pick up the ingredients he’ll be needing.”
Lynne added, “Grace wants us all to have Thanksgiving together the way we used to when you kids were little, so we’ll be eating there.”
“Okay.” It had been a long time since she’d shared Thanksgiving dinner with Morgan and his family. When she and Jas and Morgan were young the two families had always carved the turkey under the same roof, but these days her parents did the holiday with her in Manhattan and Morgan always flew Grace and Jas down to his house in South Beach. With the mansion now on the block she wondered how they’d handle Thanksgiving next year. “Jas said Rick was coming in today. Is he going to fly back home for Thanksgiving?”
“No, he’s going to spend the day here with all of us. I suppose Jas filled you in on his foolish parents.”
“Yeah. I feel bad for Rick.”
“I’m hoping he and his family will work it out so they do come for the wedding.”
“Can we swing by the shop before we head to the mall so I can give Aunt Gracie a hug?”
In spite of Morgan, Dina still loved her godmother as much as she always had. None of what occurred had been Grace’s fault so Dina went out of her way to make sure Aunt Grace knew that.
They heard the back door open and a second later, in walked Morgan. “Morning everybody.”
He received verbal replies from Tony and Lynne. Dina simply nodded.
“Morning, Dee Dee.”
“Good morning, Morgan.” Dina wanted to give him another nod but to do so would’ve been rude, not to mention how petty it would have made her look.
Morgan turned his attention away from Dina and asked her father, “You ready to roll?”
“It’s my day to clean up after breakfast, so give me another twenty minutes or so.”
“Sure.”
Lynne said, “Morgan, you can grab a cup of coffee and wait here for him to finish if you want. Dina and I are off to the mall.”
Dina got to her feet. “I’ll grab my purse and coat and meet you in the car.” She gave her daddy a kiss on the cheek and left the kitchen without another word.
* * *
Once the women were gone and the men were alone, Morgan nursed a cup of coffee while Tony finished loading the dishwasher. As they made small talk, Morgan had no words for how much Anthony Caldwell meant to him. Morgan’s father had died from cancer when Morgan was twelve but Tony stepped in to become the male role model in his life. He took Morgan fishing, to the barbershop and to ball games. Tony helped him with everything from homework to life. Morgan would never have survived adolescence and beyond without his love and guidance.
“Dee Dee said you stopped by last night.”
“Yeah.”
“How’d that go?”
He shrugged. “She didn’t shoot me.”
“That’s a positive.”
“I want her back.”
Tony looked his way. “You tell her that and she’ll shoot you for real.”
“I know, but I mean it. Any advice or suggestions to help a brother out?”
“Just this. Break her heart again and I’ll be the one doing the shooting. Got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
CHAPTER 5
The next day, Dina threw herself into the joys of being home and into the whirlwind of the wedding preparations. She was the maid of honor and the to-do list she’d been given by Bride Jasmine made her exhausted just reading it. It wasn’t going to be a large wedding but it was large enough for a lot of driving, like the two runs out to the airport to pick up the two bridesmaids, Valencia and Terry. From the airport Dina drove them all straight to the bridal shop. Valencia and Dina needed a final fitting and Terry had been shipped the wrong dress. Once that was taken care of, she drove back to the Todds’ house so Terry and Valencia could hook up with Jas. She then backed down the driveway and drove over to the florist to check on the order for the ceremony, which included corsages for Grace and Lynne, Jas and the bridesmaids’ bridal bouquets, the arrangements for the church altar and the boutonnieres for the groomsmen, and for Tony, who would be giving Jas away.
She also had wedding gifts to retrieve from various shipping companies because Rick had colleagues all over the world, and she made visits to check on the reception hall and the limo service that would be transporting the bridal party to the church and the reception.
By the time Dina pulled into her driveway for what she hoped would be the last time that day, it was dark, she had a headache and was badly in need of a large cup of coffee and a long rest.
Loading up her arms with the wedding gifts she’d picked up from the shipping agencies, she walked the short distance next door intending to leave them with Jas before going home. Dina’s parents had spent every Tuesday night for as long as she could remember at the movies, so she’d have the house all to herself for the evening. If she could ever get there.
Up on the Todd porch she fumbled to hold the packages and work her key into the lock when the door was pulled open, and there stood Morgan. The boxes tumbled to the floor and she felt like a fool. There was a small smile teasing that glorious mouth of his, which she promptly looked away from.
“Here, let me help,” he said in that equally glorious voice.
She grabbed up the ones closest to her and let him get the rest. “I told Jas I’d pick these up. They’re wedding gifts,” she said inanely. So much for the Tony-winning actress she’d planned to be around him.
“I figured that. You look whipped.”
“I am. Going home, get some coffee and put my feet up.” Dina felt his presence like she felt the silence echoing in the house. “Is she here?”
“Nope
. Here by myself. Rick’s plane was delayed. She and her buds are still at the airport. She said she was going to text you.”
Being so near to him was playing sweet havoc with her control, so to distract herself she took out her phone. Sure enough Jas had sent a text but she’d missed it, probably because of all the nonstop running.
He said then, “I’m finishing up the sketches for the cakes and I just made a pot of coffee. You’re welcome to check out both.”
There was nothing but innocence in his voice and gaze, however, if you knew where to look, you could see the heat of him underneath. “What are you up to?”
“You already know,” he replied meaningfully. “But come have the coffee and look at the sketches, anyway.”
The timbre of his voice and the intention laced through his words made her lose her bearing for a moment. “I’m over you.”
“So I hear.”
“You don’t believe it?”
He shrugged. “What I believe doesn’t really matter, does it.”
“No it doesn’t, so I’ll have the coffee.”
The ghost of a smile he showed made her wonder if she’d really won the round; she certainly didn’t feel like she had.
“Let me take your coat.”
On any other occasion she would have tossed her coat over a chair as she’d always done, but since he seemed intent on playing this game, she handed it over. While he hung it up she walked into the kitchen. The savory scents of rosemary chicken roasting in the oven were like stepping into heaven.
“Hungry?” he asked, joining her. “Everything’s done.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for your sister?”
“She and Rick have other plans. This isn’t for her.”
She cocked her head his way. “Who’s it for?”
“Me and you.”
“I’ll just have the coffee, please.” She had no plans to be a party to whatever he had in mind.
“You had a long day, Dee. I’m just trying to feed you, that’s all.”
Once again the innocent face, but even though she didn’t believe his last two words, that’s all, at all, she sat, anyway. With the warmth of the kitchen and the tantalizing smells conspiring against her, she had no choice, or so she reasoned. “So how long have you been planning to catch me like this?”
You Sang to Me ; Holiday Heat ; I'll be Home for Christmas ; Hawaii Magic ; Overtime Love Page 20
