by Judith Keim
Later, as Sukie was getting Chloe settled down for a nap, she thought of calling Betsy. At times of celebration, like the birth of Carolina, Sukie missed her more than ever. It had been Betsy, after all, who’d brought her into the Fat Fridays group.
Betsy answered the call cheerfully. “Hey! I was thinking of y’all. Carol Ann texted me a picture of Carolina. She looks like a sweet little thing.”
“She is,” said Sukie. “She’s got unique coloring and very fine features—a really beautiful baby. And you should see Ed and Carol Ann together. It’s so sweet. They’re going to be wonderful parents. But tell me, how are you? We miss you!”
“Well, don’t mention it to Carol Ann, but I’m coming up to Williston in time for the Fat Fridays luncheon and Carol Ann’s baby shower on Saturday. I’ve missed you all so much. You know that old saying: “Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don’t say.”
“Is everything all right?” Sukie said.
“Yes, and no. Karen and I are happy together, but I miss my friends and my family. Now that Carol Ann is moving out, we’re thinking of taking over Karen’s apartment. We’ll use it on a part-time basis as a place to stay when we come north to visit.”
“How exciting! We’d get to see you more often,” gushed Sukie. “Lynetta might move to California, which would mean the group would be down to four. But if you spend a lot more time here, it would almost seem as if we were back to the original five.”
“We’ll have to see,” said Betsy. “I’m hoping it works out that way. My grandchildren are growing so fast I don’t want to miss out. I’m going to look at the apartment situation when I’m in town next weekend.”
They talked for a while longer, then Sukie clicked off the call. She couldn’t help smiling. Betsy Wilson back in the group? Wonderful.
“Good news?” said Cam walking into the kitchen.
She beamed at him. “Great news.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
CAROL ANN
Carol Ann dragged herself out of bed. Lina was crying.
Again.
She glanced over at Ed and shook her head. Why didn’t he ever hear her?
Through the dark, she made her way to the nursery and lifted the little girl who owned her heart. “Hi, sweetie! Are you hungry again? Didn’t you just eat?”
Lina cried louder.
Carol Ann checked her diaper. Wet.
Again.
Lina screamed while Carol Ann changed her diaper as quickly as she could. “I’m doing the best I can, baby,” Carol Ann said, picking up Lina and rubbing her back in soothing circles.
Carol Ann carried Lina over to the rocking chair, opened her nightshirt and offered her breast. She winced when the baby grabbed hold and reminded herself to use her special lotion following this nursing session. After three days of trying to satisfy Lina, Carol Ann’s milk was finally coming in. Her spunky little baby seemed to be making up for lost time.
Carol Ann fingered the dark hair on Lina’s head and thought of the baby’s father. At one point in her life, she’d vowed to remember forever the face of the man she knew only as Ramón. But over time, his image had become foggy. Gazing at her baby, she wasn’t sure where her beautiful little features had come from, but the dark hair, dark eyes and tan skin were his. She’d thought she might not like such a reminder of that night, but holding her baby, she didn’t mind at all. Carol Ann lifted her baby daughter and planted a kiss on her soft cheek. Lina would be her own self and a Pritchard by name.
###
It felt strange to Carol Ann to wave Ed off to work while she stayed at home—a new home she now shared with him and a new baby. Once he’d driven off, she sank into a kitchen chair, feeling lost. The rhythm of her days had completely changed with the care of her daughter. Gone was the feeling of contributing to a business that had in so many ways been her home for years.
Carol Ann puttered around the kitchen, rearranging a few things to her liking. Ed liked to create special dishes, but she’d do most of the cooking. At the sound of Lina’s cry through the baby monitor, Carol Ann sighed and climbed the stairs to the nursery. This is what her life had become.
Sitting with Lina, nursing her, Carol Ann thought of Ed’s generosity in caring for a baby that wasn’t his. But that was part of his nature. Besides, he’d told her he’d never liked being an only child and how he’d always wanted a large family. Now, with his recent diagnosis, Lina was more important to them both. The medicine to help him control the disease had in some cases made it difficult for others to have children.
Carol Ann hugged Lina to her and wondered what was happening at the office. She’d left for the Fat Fridays luncheon in a hurry and had several items to clear up. Most of all, she wondered what Lee would say when it was announced that not only had she delivered the baby, but she and Ed were engaged.
After putting Lina down for a nap, Carol Ann hurried into the shower. As the soothing warm water washed over her in streams from two different shower heads, Carol Ann sighed with contentment. Living in the condo with a man she truly loved was a dream come true for her.
Later, as she was making a list of things she wanted from the apartment, the phone rang. Carol Ann eagerly picked it up.
“Carol Ann,” said Lynetta in a soft voice. “You won’t believe what’s happening here. Ed is in Lee’s office, and they’re having a huge argument. Lee is crying. She’s furious that neither you nor Ed told her the truth about your relationship. She’s threatening to fire him.”
Carol Ann’s stomach twisted inside her. “Oh no! It’s all my fault. I didn’t want to do anything to mess up my health insurance coverage. And you know how strict Lee was about people in the office dating.”
“That’s just it,” said Lynetta. “Apparently she thought Ed was dating her.”
“Whaaat? They had dinner one night when she was moving in, but that was all. Ed promised me nothing was going on between them. And, Lynetta, I believe him.”
“I do too,” Lynetta responded. “Oops! Gotta go.”
The call disconnected, and Carol Ann sat a moment, trying to understand the ramifications of what Lynetta had told her. It couldn’t be good.
Carol Ann had just finished feeding Lina when she heard the garage door open. She laid the baby down and hurried downstairs.
Ed came into the kitchen wearing an unhappy expression. “Bad news. I’ve quit my job. I told the top guys in California I can’t work for Lee anymore.”
“Oh my God! What are we going to do?” cried Carol Ann. “Finding another high-paying job in Williston won’t be easy. And I can’t work for a while.”
“I don’t know what we’re going to do, but I can’t stay at MacTel working for that woman.”
“Oh, honey.” Carol Ann went into Ed’s arms. Resting her head on Ed’s shoulder, she took a couple of calming breaths. She gazed up at the anguish crisscrossing his face. “I’m sorry this happened to you. Lynetta called and told me you had a fight with Lee.”
“She has a really twisted view of things. She says I led her on because I invited her to have dinner with me, and that my telling her about my diagnosis made us more than casual friends. She claims I’ve made a fool of her.”
“Maybe she’s embarrassed because she told everyone, including me, that she was going to Baltimore to see you, when, in fact, you were on your way home.”
“Yeah,” said Ed. “And I didn’t return her phone calls because I was with you and the baby. Guess that really pissed her off.”
Carol Ann couldn’t hide her bitterness. “She has no one to blame but herself. She’s the one who insisted on following that no-dating rule of hers at the office. That’s why we had to hide our engagement.”
“That’s what I tried to tell her, but she says she can’t work with people who lie to her.”
Carol Ann tightened her arms around him. “This whole scene is stupid crazy. I can’t believe the California office won’t have something to say about this. Glenn Mitchum already w
ent to them when Lee fired Grace without his permission.”
Ed gave her a kiss. “Know what, Carol Ann? I say we just enjoy the rest of the day together. You, me, and our little girl. As my mother, the senior Carolina would say: “Give time a chance to work things out.”
“I love you, Ed.” Carol Ann reached up on her toes to kiss him.
He chuckled happily. “Did I ever tell you that you’re the cutest mother I’ve ever seen?”
She laughed. She hadn’t had time to style her hair, and her body looked like she’d just had a baby.
###
With Ed staying at home with the baby, Carol Ann drove to the apartment to pick up a few personal things that had been left behind.
She opened the door to the apartment and stepped inside. After living in the condo for a few nights, the apartment seemed so small, so plain. Yet, it had been her first home away from her parents. For that reason alone, she’d always love this place.
She heard a noise behind her and turned.
“Hey, Carol Ann! How are you?” Tiffany said, coming inside. “I was working next door and thought I heard someone at your door.”
“I’m fine. I can’t be away from Lina for long, but I wanted to pick up a few things that were left behind.”
“I just heard from Betsy. She and Karen want me to keep an eye on the apartment. They’re considering taking it over after you’re gone.”
Carol Ann could feel her eyes widen with excitement. “Are they coming back here?”
Tiffany shook her head. “No, but Betsy will spend more time here to see Richie and her grandchildren and to spend time with us. Betsy said to tell you she’ll pay you for anything in the apartment you don’t want.”
“Bless her heart. I’ll give all of this to her,” Carol Ann said with a sense of pride. Now that she was living with Ed, she’d gladly share the furnishings she’d so proudly put together. “I’ll clean out my personal things and then hire a cleaning company to come in.”
“Wonderful,” said Tiffany. She checked her watch. “I’ve got to go.” She gave Carol Ann a hug. “Good luck with everything, and if I can help, let me know.”
Left alone, Carol Ann went through each room, checking for personal items. There wasn’t much she needed. In the kitchen, she picked out a few utensils she’d bought, her cookbooks and a couple of special casserole dishes she’d bought at garage sales. Betsy could have the rest.
She stacked a pile of her things on the kitchen table. She’d ask Ed to come and get them. Right now, her body was telling her it was time to go home and feed Lina.
Closing the door behind her, Carol Ann leaned against it. One chapter of her life was over and another beginning.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
TIFFANY
Tiffany left Carol Ann and went back to her office. She thought of Betsy Wilson. She’d missed her and her crazy sayings. The youngest of the group, Tiffany had learned to listen to Betsy and the others in a way she’d never been able to listen to adults in the past. Without these women, she didn’t know what might have happened to her. When the Fat Fridays lunches had started, she’d been in a tough situation with Beau, afraid to tell anyone else what was going on between them.
She entered the office and went to find Kevin. When he saw her, he looked up at her and smiled. “Get everything settled next door?”
Tiffany nodded. “It’s amazing how things work out sometimes. That little apartment of Karen’s has been a godsend to so many of us in the group.”
“Nice when things like that happen.” He leaned back in his chair. “You ready for our date tonight?”
“Yes. Hildie is all set to stay on for the evening.” She smiled at him. “I even bought a new dress for the occasion.”
He rose from behind the desk and took her in his arms. “Good, because I have a special evening planned.” His grin was sexy.
“Oh?” She loved it when he teased her like this.
His eyes sparkled with humor. “Yep, we’ll even try to stay up beyond ten o’clock.”
She pushed him playfully. “Those are your big plans?”
He laughed. “What? You don’t think you can do it?”
“I’ll try,” she replied, playing along. She didn’t tell him she’d also bought a new negligee—a strappy, skimpy number in red.
###
Tiffany hugged her daughter, trying not to wrinkle her new sundress too much. “See you in the morning, Vanna Banana. Have fun with Hildie.”
Vanna patted Tiffany’s cheek. “Mama.” She pointed to Hildie. “Dee.”
“Yes! Good girl,” Tiffany said. “Tomorrow, Mommy will play with you all day while Hildie has the day off.” Tiffany loved the rare weekdays when she could do this. Sometimes weekends alone with her baby were not enough.
“Ready?” said Kevin, walking into the kitchen.
“Wow! You dress up nicely,” said Tiffany.
He grinned. The black golf shirt he was wearing and his tan slacks showed off his trim body, his broad shoulders. Working with him every day, Tiffany sometimes forgot how handsome he was with his strong features and easy smile.
“Have a good time,” said Hildie. She took Vanna from Tiffany and lifted one of Vanna’s hands. “Wave ’bye -’bye.”
Tiffany and Kevin gave Vanna kisses and made a show of waving goodbye, then left before Vanna could get upset.
Kevin helped Tiffany into his BMW and then slid behind the wheel. Turning to her, he said, “I thought we’d go to Escapes. I know it’s one of your favorite places.”
She smiled. “Wonderful.” It would always be a special place to her. It hadn’t been that long ago that she’d sung at Sukie’s wedding reception there. She loved the whole idea behind the restaurant. It was everyone’s go-to place for special occasions.
The large, old, brick house in a nearby town had been restored inside with beautiful moldings and classic finishing touches. Each of the four interior dining rooms represented a different country with a unique décor and gourmet menu. She’d sampled the French menu and couldn’t wait to try others.
Eager for the evening ahead, Tiffany leaned back against the passenger’s seat. The drive through the countryside to the restaurant was peaceful. She felt no need to talk—a nice change from riding in a car with Beau.
It felt like no time before they pulled up to the restaurant.
As she stepped out of the car onto the brick walkway leading up to the front entrance, Tiffany inhaled the tantalizing aroma of garlic and other scents she couldn’t identify. Her mouth watered in anticipation of the meal ahead of her. She gazed at the bright-colored zinnias peering at her from behind the wrought-iron fencing that enclosed the garden on the side of the house.
Kevin took her elbow and ushered her up the stairs, past the sweeping front porch, and inside.
The hostess greeted them with a smile. When he gave his name to her, the hostess nodded. “We’re ready for you, sir.”
She led them down a hallway, past the French room with prints of Monet on the yellow wall to a small private alcove in the Italian room. After she was seated, Tiffany took a moment to look around. The soft green walls made a nice background for the ornately framed prints of portraits done by Italy’s old Masters and the few paintings of sweeping landscapes of vineyards.
Gold-edged, off-white china sat atop the starched, white-linen tablecloth. Gold-rimmed wine glasses and water goblets awaited drink choices. Heavy silverware sat beside the settings.
Tiffany sighed with pleasure. This restaurant was an elegant but not over-done setting for her first real date with Kevin.
The wine steward appeared at their table, carrying a metal bucket containing an iced bottle of champagne. “Now, sir?”
Kevin gave her a sly smile and nodded.
Tiffany looked from the champagne to Kevin with surprise. “For us?”
He grinned. “I told you. This is a special night.”
The wine steward gently popped open the bottle of champagne and poured a small amou
nt in Kevin’s champagne glass for his approval. He sipped and nodded. “Very good.”
The steward poured some champagne for Tiffany, refilled Kevin’s glass, and withdrew.
“Here’s to us,” said Kevin, giving her a warm smile that made her want to wiggle her toes.
Tiffany clicked her wine glass against his and then took a sip of the bubbly white wine. The liquid tickled her tongue. She let out a little laugh of pleasure. “Nice.”
They sipped their wine quietly, then Kevin rose.
“Where are you going?” Tiffany asked.
Kevin knelt beside her chair.
Tiffany felt her eyes widen. “What are you doing?”
“I want to make our being together official.” He pulled a small, square, black-velvet box from his pocket. “Will you marry me, Tiffany?”
Confused, Tiffany hesitated. “I thought we were going to take our time. Because of Beau.”
“It’s because of him and his respect for me that I want everyone to know that our being together isn’t just two people shacking up. We love each other, and we both love Vanna. I don’t want to give Beau’s parents or anyone else a reason to believe that what we have between us is cheap or unreal.” He rose and drew her up in his arms. “Besides, I don’t think I could live without you.”
She became lost in his brown-eyed gaze. It was so full of love she caught her breath.
His lips came down on hers, telling her in his own special way how sincere his words were.
Her body reacted with a hum of pleasure. She cupped her hands behind his head and gave in to her feelings. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man.
When they broke apart, he lifted her chin. “So, Tiffany, will you marry me?”
“Yes! Oh, yes, Kevin.” Her lips quivered as she fought emotion. “I love you so much.”
“Then open the box,” he said in his teasing way.
“Oh!” Tiffany realized she’d been holding it all along. She lifted the cover and gasped with pleasure. Set in platinum, two sizeable baguettes offset a large, solitary diamond.
