“This is for your mother.” Rick produced a bottle of wine, which he handed to Joey.
“Thanks. But I heard Dad say she can’t have any alcohol because she’s going to have a baby, too!”
“That’s all right, Joey,” Laurel interjected. “She’ll appreciate it, anyway. Why don’t you take it to her.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back!”
“Out of the mouths of babes. I warned you,” an embarrassed Laurel said as she eyed Nate.
His understanding smile sent a current of warmth through her body. “So you did.” From behind his back he produced a beautifully wrapped baby gift. There was a yellow rattle tied up in the ribbon. “This is for you.”
“You shouldn’t have, but I’ll admit I’m excited you did. Come into the living room and make yourselves comfortable while I open it.”
The two men followed her into the other room. They waited until she’d found a chair before they sat on the sofa facing her.
Laurel read the little card first, then looked over at Nate. “You obviously went to a lot of trouble to find such a perfect sentiment,” she said. With hands that trembled, she undid the wrapping.
“Oh, how darling!” she said, lifting the sleeper outfit from the tissue. Beneath it was a chenille baby blanket in a soft yellow. She spread it over her knees. “I love it!”
She raised her head. “Thank you, Nate. What beautiful gifts! You’ve really got me excited now.”
His eyes smiled back. “I’m glad.”
At this point, the rest of the family had joined them. Everyone rose while Laurel made formal introductions. But the second Brent started shaking hands with Rick, he had a strange look on his face.
“Wait a minute… With a suit on I didn’t recognize you! Honey,” he called to Julie, who’d wandered over to admire the baby gifts. “This is Lucky Hawkins! You are Lucky, aren’t you?”
Rick’s lips curved into a broad smile. “Guilty as charged.”
“I’m sorry,” Julie murmured, eyeing her husband helplessly. Laurel was equally confused.
“Mom, he’s that Formula 1 race car driver on TV. He’s won a ton of races. Dad and I always watch them.”
“You’re right, Mike!” his father chimed in, looking as full of wonder as his son. “He’s Colorado’s own famous driver. I saw you interviewed in England a few weeks ago, after that win. You drove a spectacular race.”
“Thank you. It was a tough one.”
“You’re so cool!” Mike cried. “That’s what I want to be when I grow up! How did you learn to drive cars like that?”
Apparently golf was out. A new hero had entered the scene.
“Why don’t we have dinner first, then maybe he’ll answer some of your questions,” Julie admonished in a gentle tone.
“Can I sit beside Nate?”
Good for Joey, who wasn’t swayed by a glamorous sports star. At that instant, Nate met Laurel’s smile with a private one of his own, as if he could read her mind.
“I’ll tell you what,” their mother said. “We’ll seat you between Nate and Laurel. Mike can sit next to Rick.”
With Brent at one end and Julie and Laurel at the other, the men could converse to their heart’s content.
An hour later all five males were still deep in conversation and had finished up a second helping of gelato. Laurel and her sister disappeared into the kitchen to load the dishwasher.
“You’d think the topic of race cars and F-16s might’ve been exhausted by now,” Julie muttered.
“Are you kidding?” Laurel shook her head. “You haven’t been around this kind of thing before. I have. Mike and Joey are having the time of their lives.”
“So’s my husband.”
“Try living with it twenty-four hours a day,” she said while she washed the china by hand.
For once her sister didn’t smile. “That would be too hard for me on a regular basis.”
“It was too hard at times,” Laurel confessed. “Whatever you do, point your boys toward careers that don’t have to do with speed. One day their wives will thank you. And Julie? Thanks for putting on this dinner for me.”
“It was a team effort.”
“I know, but it’s your home. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Besides, it was a lot of fun.” She dried the last of the crystal. “They’re both extraordinary guys.”
“Not your run-of-the-mill variety, that’s for sure,” Laurel agreed.
“No. It’s refreshing to meet men who aren’t full of themselves. Some of Brent’s golf buddies from work are insufferable.”
Laurel frowned. “You know, the more I’m around Nate, the more I sense that Scott wasn’t as confident as the Hawkins brothers. That’s probably why he always had to beat everyone else. I’m not criticizing my husband. It’s more an observation than anything. You do wonder what instills confidence, why one person has it and another doesn’t.”
Her sister let out a deep sigh. “If we had the answer to that question… We’ve tried to raise Mike and Joey the same way, yet Joey’s the one who doesn’t worry what anyone else thinks. Mike’s already having a harder time.”
Laurel cleaned the sink. “The business about the hand that rocks the cradle is downright scary.”
“No, it isn’t,” Julie insisted. “You’re just feeling broody.”
“Is that what I am?”
She didn’t hear her sister’s reply because Nate had entered the kitchen. He was alone.
“I knew I’d find the two of you in here with the dishes done. Forgive us.”
Julie shook her head. “With two celebrities in the house, I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”
“Your sons are delightful. So was dinner. Whether you believe me or not, that was the best meal Rick and I’ve had in years.”
“We’re glad you enjoyed it. Now, if you and Laurel will excuse me, I’m going to rescue your brother. My boys have school tomorrow and they need to get ready for bed.”
Laurel tried to be unobtrusive about putting her shoes back on, but it was a lost cause.
“Please don’t bother on my account,” he said behind her.
“Caught in the act.” She chuckled as she turned around. “Despite current opinion, pregnancy is not an unalloyed joy.”
She saw the concern in his eyes. “You’ve overdone things today. You should lie down.”
“I will.”
“But not until we leave, so I’m going to say goodbye now.”
“Please don’t go,” she blurted before she realized how desperate that sounded. “What I mean is, with the children around we didn’t get a private moment to talk.”
His gaze played over her upturned features. “I’m going to be in Denver tomorrow on business. I could stop by.”
“That would be wonderful. Other than my weekly doctor’s appointment at eleven, I’m free.”
“How are you getting there?”
“My sister. She doesn’t work on Tuesdays or Thursdays.”
“Why don’t I drive you instead?”
“I—I couldn’t let you do that,” she stammered.
“I’d like to.” He seemed to mean it. “Afterward, we could bring some Mexican food back to the house. That way you could rest.”
He was one of the most considerate men she’d ever met. “What about your business?”
“It can be accomplished before I come for you. How far is your doctor from here?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Then I’ll come by about quarter to eleven.”
“All right. Thank you. I’ll be ready.”
With a slight groan she bent over to pick up her shoes. If he heard her, he was gentleman enough not to comment. Instead he held the door for her.
Brent and Rick had moved to the living room with Julie. When Laurel saw them from the foyer, they were locked in more conversation. Rick must have seen his brother because he got to his feet, and soon everyone had congregated at the front door.
Brent shook Rick�
�s hand. “Thanks for the most exciting evening we’ve had around here in years. We also appreciated the wine. After our baby arrives, my wife and I will enjoy it.”
“That’s the idea.” Rick grinned. “I’m already looking forward to our golf date. According to the weatherman, there’s no more snow forecast in the foreseeable future.”
“Let’s hope he’s right for once. It’s been a long winter.”
“Tell us about it,” Nate muttered. He reached out to shake Brent’s hand. “I want to thank you for not knocking me through the lodge’s plate-glass window the other night.”
Her brother-in-law’s embarrassed laughter made Laurel smile.
“Was I that obvious?”
“You had every right. I’m afraid my behavior was reprehensible,” Nate admitted.
“It’s forgotten.”
“It is,” Laurel assured Nate, looking up at him. “You made Joey’s night. Thanks again for the beautiful baby gifts. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He nodded before opening the front door. Rick filed out after him, and Laurel watched them walk quickly to the Blazer. When she realized too much cold air had come in, she hurriedly shut the door.
Her sister followed her into the living room, where she’d gone to gather up Nate’s gifts and the wrapping paper.
“What was that about tomorrow?”
“When Nate said he was going to leave, I tried to detain him so I could find out why he didn’t come to Scott’s funeral. I have a feeling he resigned his commission in the Air Force for the same reason.
“He said he already had business in Denver in the morning and could stop by. When I told him I had an appointment at the doctor’s, he volunteered to drive me.”
“That’s going beyond the call of duty.”
“I know. He’s trying to make up for what happened in Breckenridge.”
“I think it’s more a case of wanting to talk to you alone. With the boys around tonight, no one could get a word in edgewise.”
“True. It was a fun evening, wasn’t it?”
“Fun doesn’t cover it. Brent’s eyes almost fell out of his head when he met the Lucky Hawkins in the flesh! Imagine two such gorgeous men belonging to one family.”
“Now that I think about it, Scott once mentioned that Nate had a brother who was involved in racing, but I never gave it any thought.”
“Why would you when your worlds were so far removed?” She flipped off the lights. “Let’s get to bed.”
“Nate said the same thing when he saw me trying to put my shoes back on.”
“Perceptive man.”
They climbed the stairs. “Can you believe what lovely presents he got me?”
“They’ll be perfect to take the baby home from the hospital.”
“That’s what I was thinking.” They reached Laurel’s bedroom door. “You did so much for me tonight, Julie. After my baby arrives, I plan to be here for you whenever you need it.”
“That’s a deal. Good night. Sleep well.”
“You, too.”
Laurel entered the bedroom, dropped her shoes on the floor and walked straight to the crib. She shook the little rattle a couple of times, then placed it in the corner next to Winnie-the-Pooh.
Without conscious thought, she put the sleeper outfit on the mattress. Taking the blanket, she spread it over the bottom portion, trying to imagine a real live baby lying there.
Tomorrow she’d find out just how close she was to having her baby. She hoped it happened before Nate figured out his plans and left Colorado. It would be nice if he could see the baby dressed in the things he’d given her. If not, she’d take a picture and have copies made to send out with the birth announcements.
Though it was past time to get into bed, she read Nate’s card one more time. God keep you both in His care. Moved by the words, she felt her eyes moisten before she took some tape from the drawer and fastened the card inside her new baby book. Her first gift.
NATE WALKED in the back door ahead of Rick. The red light on the kitchen phone was blinking. Maybe it was Laurel calling to tell him there’d been a change in plans and her sister would be driving her to the doctor after all.
His brows drew together at the thought. He picked up the phone to listen to the message.
“Boys? It’s your dad. I would’ve called on your cell phones, but I misplaced your numbers. I hope all is well with you. Pam and I will be home on Saturday afternoon, a day earlier than planned. Don’t worry about picking us up from the airport. We’ll take the shuttle bus to the Copper Mountain Inn. I’ll call you when we’ve checked in. If you two don’t have plans, we’d like to have dinner with you that evening. See you soon.”
After that, there were no other messages.
“Anything important?” Rick murmured.
Nate handed him the phone. “I’ll let you be the judge.”
When his brother hung up, his grave expression echoed Nate’s state of mind. “So now he feels he can’t come home?”
“How can he when Mom’s things are still in their bedroom…”
“Oh, hell…” Rick rubbed the side of his neck, an unconscious gesture on his brother’s part. He was as distraught as Nate.
“One thing’s certain. He doesn’t sound like the father we used to know. I couldn’t tell if he was holding back because he realizes he’s made a horrendous mistake, in which case Pam will be the one to suffer. Or—”
“Or he doesn’t want the honeymoon to end and doesn’t dare let us know,” Rick finished the sentence for him. “Pick your poison.”
“No, thanks,” Nate muttered. “If the answer is the latter, then this business of tiptoeing around us is going to have to stop.”
Rick nodded. “One thing we can do before he gets home is pack up Mother’s personal things and store them. That way he can go through them when he’s ready.”
“Good idea,” Nate agreed. “After I return from Denver tomorrow, we’ll get busy.”
“I’ll round up some boxes from the back of the store. It shouldn’t take too long. At least they’ll be able to use the room.”
“There’s no way we’re going to let our father check into some hotel whenever he and his wife are in Copper Mountain because he’s trying to spare our feelings.”
Rick eyed him solemnly. “On the other hand, maybe Dad’s decided he’d rather live here, with or without Pam, and isn’t quite sure how to tell us he’s changed his mind about selling the business.”
“It’s a good thing we haven’t said anything to Jim about future plans. I think I’ll hold off on that meeting at the bank tomorrow.”
“Maybe you’d better. It could be a wasted trip.”
“What are you going to do while I’m with Laurel?”
“I thought I’d take a run over to the raceway in Mom’s car. Say hello to some of the guys.”
“Sounds good. I’ll probably be back from Denver by three.”
“Don’t hurry on my account,” Rick murmured. “Want to finish our chess game before we hit the sack?”
“Why not? Let me change first.”
“Those two little guys were something else,” Rick said as they bounded up the stairs. “Reminded me of the time the folks invited those Olympic down-hillers from Austria to the house for the weekend.”
“I remember.” Nate chuckled as they entered his bedroom. “We were about the same age as Brent’s boys.”
“They gave us private ski lessons so we could learn their technique. I thought I was the greatest thing going and bragged about it at school until nobody would talk to me.”
“That’s because you were the greatest thing going—on skis, bikes, go-carts, you name it. The other kids were envious. If you want to know the truth, so was I,” Nate told him.
Rick scoffed.
“Why else do you think I picked a career that took me off the ground?”
“You’re putting me on.”
“Not completely.” He hung up his uniform and slipped into his sweats. “You were a
natural at whatever you tried, just like Mom and Dad.”
He shook his head. “That’s what I always thought about you. Nobody was better than my big brother at everything, including grades. I spent my life playing catch-up.”
Nate’s hands went to his hips. “Look at us now.”
“You mean out of work and washed-up?”
“That’s about it.” He followed him to his room. “Rick, I need an answer to a question. It’s important. Whatever you do, don’t spare me.”
His brother swung around, giving Nate his full attention.
“If Dad moves to Texas with Pam, is there a part of you that would like to build Mom and Dad’s ski business into something really big, provided I was your partner?”
“No,” Rick said without hesitation before removing his jacket and tie.
“I didn’t think so, but I had to be sure.”
“You don’t want that, either.”
“No.” Nate shook his head. “It was their dream, not mine.”
They stared at each other for a moment. Then Rick donned a similar pair of sweats. One of the gifts from their mom the Christmas before last, when they’d had a reunion here at the house. She’d tended to treat them like twins. The memory was bittersweet.
“Now Dad’s dream is smashed.”
“Yup.”
“So is Laurel’s….”
Rick threw him a brief glance. “When she opened your gift, she acted as thrilled as any expectant mother I’ve seen. During dinner I don’t recall her talking about the past. If I didn’t know the history, I couldn’t have guessed she’d lost her husband.”
“She’s a great actress. However, you weren’t in the kitchen when I told her goodbye. She didn’t want me to leave. I knew why…” He drew in a deep breath. “Laurel’s desperate to talk about Spade.”
“How do you know that?”
“She associates everything about me with him. She’s hungry for what she’s lost and needs me for one last trip down memory lane.”
“That’s the reason you’re driving her to the doctor’s appointment?” Rick said.
Nate nodded. “Since I couldn’t be at Spade’s funeral, I figured this would be a way of paying my final respects.”
Another Man's Wife Page 9
