“Well, I wouldn’t want to give you a headache,” I said, handing the violin back to Claudia.
*
After the storm passed, Claudia and I went for a walk through town and down to the beach. She asked about her birth father, and I did my best to point out Chad’s better qualities, although it wasn’t easy.
“Do you know where he lives or how I could find him?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, I don’t. I might be able to put you in touch with one of his friends.”
She bent over to pick up a seashell. “Maybe later. It doesn’t sound like he’s the kind of guy who would be interested in meeting me.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could tell you we’d been madly in love and getting pregnant was one of those things that happened in a moment of passion, but—”
“It’s okay. I came here to meet you, so we don’t have to talk about him if you don’t want to.”
I nodded, appreciating her sensitivity. Still, talk of Chad cast a dark shadow over the afternoon. Maybe I should track him down and tell him about the incredible child he’d fathered. The child he’d wanted me to get rid of.
I shuddered at the memory of how cruel he’d been when I told him about the pregnancy. Was he still selfish and self-centered like that?
*
In the evening, Claudia and I drove up the mountain to the ranch. I noticed she was wearing the necklace, and I wanted to tell her she didn’t have to wear it if she didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to make things more awkward.
The storm had lifted, giving us the perfect view of the water and city below.
“It’s incredible,” she said, taking several pictures with her phone. “You never think about Texas as being pretty, but Rose Island is beautiful.”
I didn’t argue or take offense. Her statement was one I’d heard before from other visitors.
Still, I found it surprising the number of people who thought Texas only had desert terrain. While much of west Texas fit that description, the gulf coast was completely different.
At the ranch house, my heart lifted at the sight of Daniel’s truck, pleased he and Joy had already arrived. I’d missed him today and was looking forward to introducing him to Claudia.
“That must be your mom,” Claudia said.
I glanced at the wild woman waving madly from the porch. “Actually, I’ve never seen her before in my life.”
Claudia raised her brow.
“Just joking. Yes, that’s my mom. Prepare yourself to meet Luella Morgan. She can be a little high-strung. She’s going to hug you and ask a million questions about your life. Hopefully, you’ll survive and it won’t be too bad.”
“That’s okay. My mom is the same way.”
“Is she really?”
Claudia nodded. “She is. I about died of embarrassment the first time Leland came to the house. She asked him so many questions. My dad said she’d missed her calling as a CIA interrogator.”
I smiled, imagining that Claudia would do just fine with my family.
Joy came onto the porch holding Linda Faith. “That’s Jillian’s baby,” I explained.
“Zoey Rose?” Claudia asked.
I shook my head. “No, Zoey belongs to Nick and Anna who are still in Germany. Linda Faith is Jillian and Keith’s baby.”
She nodded. “That’s right. Jillian’s your oldest sister.”
“Yes. I know it’s a lot to keep track of.” I pointed out everyone else—Jillian, Keith, Matt, Drew, and Vicki. “The pretty girl standing next to Matt is Hannah, Matt’s girlfriend. She’s in my Bible study.”
Claudia nodded. “What about Daniel? Is he coming tonight?”
“His truck is here. He must be inside the house or out back with my dad.” Turning off the engine, I took a deep breath. “Well, are you ready to meet my crazy family?”
“I am.” Claudia pushed open the car door, and my mother charged down the porch steps toward us, her arms open wide.
Without waiting for an introduction or permission, my mom pressed Claudia to her bosom and squeezed tight. “Oh, honey. We’re so happy you’re here. So incredibly happy.”
I worried it might be too much for this reserved daughter of mine. Nevertheless, tears blurred my vision as I realized how much my mother’s words echoed my own feelings.
I, too, was so happy Claudia was here. So incredibly happy.
*
After introducing Claudia to everyone, my mother ushered us through the house to the garden where the long picnic table had been set with a new tablecloth and the best china. Although it wasn’t dark yet, the garden lights were lit, casting a soft, magical light across the scene.
“Oh, Mom, it’s beautiful. Thank you.” I looped my arm through hers, touched she’d gone to such a great effort to make this dinner special.
My mother patted my hand. “In honor of Jillian’s birthday and Claudia’s visit, your father thought it’d be fun to eat out here like they do on all those cooking shows.”
“This was Dad’s idea?” I glanced ahead where my father was walking with Claudia, the two of them chatting away like old friends. My fear that things might be tense between my father and Claudia disappeared as soon as he saw the necklace around Claudia’s neck.
“I thought setting the table out here wouldn’t be worth the effort,” my mother said, “but I’m happy how it turned out. Plus, Joy came early to help with everything.”
I glanced behind me at Joy who was walking with Matt and Hannah. “That was nice of you to help.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t doing anything. My dad said I could take the truck and—”
“Oh, that’s right. Your test.”
Her whole face lit up as she nodded. “I passed.”
“Joy, that’s fantastic.” I gave her a huge hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
She laughed. “Thanks.”
“So you drove yourself here?”
“I did. My dad stayed home to help a neighbor with his roof that was damaged in the storm. If he can get a ride, he might come later, otherwise he said he’d stop by your place in the morning to meet Claudia.”
I nodded, thinking it was just like Daniel to help this neighbor. “Well, I’m so excited you passed your test. You should’ve called me earlier.”
She shrugged and shot a quick glance at Claudia who’d taken a seat at the table next to Drew. “I thought about it, but I didn’t want to disturb you.”
I stopped walking and looked right at Joy. “You could never disturb me, honey. Please tell me you understand that.”
She smiled. “I do.”
“Good, because no matter what, you’re very important and special to me.”
“I know.”
I gave her a quick hug, then we resumed walking and took our seats at the table with Claudia and the rest of my family. As soon as everyone was seated, my dad stood and cleared his throat. “I’d like to say a few words before we bless the food.”
“What food?” Drew asked. “All we have out here are empty plates.”
“The food’s inside,” Matt said, rolling his eyes at his younger brother.
Hannah nudged Matt with her elbow. “Be nice.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Hannah nudged Matt again for good measure, and he laughed.
“Anyway,” my father continued. “I’d like to welcome Claudia to our family. We’re very happy you’re here. If there’s anything you need, just ask Luella. She has all the answers.”
“Yes,” my mother said, smiling, “we want you to feel at home, so please don’t hesitate to ask for anything.”
“I won’t,” Claudia said. “Thank you.”
My dad nodded and turned his attention to Jillian. “Now, in regard to the birthday girl.”
Jillian smiled, looking genuinely happy. The dark circles under her eyes seemed a little less noticeable today, and she was wearing a new outfit.
Reaching out, Keith took my sister’s hand in his. Hopefully, he could see Jillian was going to be o
kay. And hopefully the surprise party would be as successful as he wanted it to be. I still had my doubts, but Keith was determined.
My dad smiled at Jillian. “It seems like a lifetime ago since your mother and I became parents. You were such a beautiful baby, and you’ve been a huge blessing to us. Watching you and Keith raise your family and rededicate yourselves to one another has been—”
My father shocked us by choking up. Tears filled his eyes, and overcome, he shook his head and fell silent.
“Walter.” The emotion in my mother’s voice was palpable. With tears in her own eyes, she stood and walked to the other side of the table to console my father. Jillian stood as well, and my parents embraced their firstborn. Then, they all laughed and wiped their eyes.
“Okay,” my father said, regaining control. “Enough of this sentimental business. Claudia, I promise, we’re not normally like this.”
My daughter smiled. “That’s okay.”
Raising his glass, my father said, “To Jillian on her birthday.”
Everyone else chimed in, then we blessed the food and headed inside to fill our plates.
Chapter 35
Bianca
While we were having Jillian’s birthday cake in the living room after dinner, Daniel arrived. I was thrilled to see him and introduce him to Claudia.
“What do you think about the island so far?” he asked.
“I like it.” Claudia told him about the dolphins we’d seen while walking on the beach this afternoon and some of the shops we’d visited. They talked about the used bookstore down by the harbor and Viktoria Mullova, a famous violinist I’d never heard of.
At one point, my mother offered to make a dinner plate for Daniel if he hadn’t eaten yet.
“That’d be great,” he said. “I’m actually starving.”
“Come on.” I watched as she led him into the kitchen, remembering that corny line, “I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.”
“You okay?” Keith quietly asked, coming over to stand next to me.
Embarrassed I’d been caught staring at Daniel, I laughed. “I’m great. What about you?”
He glanced across the room where Jillian sat on the couch, nursing the baby and talking to Joy. Lowering his voice, he said, “Everything is all set for tomorrow. She thinks we’re going to dinner in Galveston.”
I nodded. “Good.”
Turning to Claudia, Keith asked if she would be here tomorrow night. “We’re having a surprise party for my wife up at the Rose Museum, and we’d love to have you join us.”
Claudia nodded. “Bianca told me about the party. It sounds like fun, but it will depend on how my boyfriend is feeling.”
“Well, he can come too,” Keith said. “The more the merrier.”
“Thank you. I’ll see what he says.”
“Claudia,” Drew said, coming over, “Matt, Joy, Hannah, and I are going upstairs to play ping-pong. Do you want to come?”
“Sure.” She glanced at me as if asking permission.
“Have fun,” I said. “And watch out for Matt’s backhand. He’ll slam the ball down your throat if you give him the opportunity.”
“Aunt Bianca,” Matt whined, pretending to be upset, “don’t tell everyone my secrets.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” I winked at him.
He laughed and led the others upstairs. It made me happy to see Claudia fitting in as well as Joy did with our family.
Spending time with her this afternoon had been wonderful, but it’d also been a little awkward. I chalked it up to the fact that we were both just nervous. Hopefully, the more time we spent together, the easier things would be.
My mother winked at me as she came out of the kitchen by herself. Striding across the living room, she said something to my father who was talking to Vicki.
“You should probably go check on Daniel in the kitchen,” Keith said. “Your mom left him all alone. He might need help finding the salt or using the microwave.”
I smiled. “Good idea. And you should go check on your wife.” Jillian had taken the baby into the other room, probably to change her diaper.
Leaving the living room, I wandered into the kitchen where I found Daniel rinsing his dish in the sink. “Hey, you,” he said, smiling at me. “I was hoping you’d come find me.”
“Yeah?”
Nodding, he set his dish on the counter and turned to face me. Then, he opened his arms, and I walked into them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He’d recently showered, and I could smell the scent of his shampoo. When he kissed me, I couldn’t imagine feeling any happier than I felt right now.
Tightening his arms around my waist, he shocked me by lifting me into the air. Then, he started spinning me around like I was a dainty heroine on the cover of a romance novel.
“Daniel,” I said, mortified, “put me down. I’m going to crush you.”
Assuming I was joking, he shook his head and laughed. “You’re not going to crush me.”
“I am,” I insisted, my voice tight. “I weigh like a thousand pounds.”
“You don’t, but even if you did, I could still lift you.”
“Daniel, please.”
Responding to the seriousness in my voice, he set me on the ground and released me. “Sorry.”
I took a step back, my stomach heavy. “It’s fine. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
He kept his eyes locked on mine. “I’m a strong guy, Bianca. Lifting you in the air isn’t going to hurt me. But if you don’t want me to do that, I won’t.”
I swallowed, suddenly on the verge of tears. “You have no idea how much I weigh.”
“I don’t, but I know I can lift you.”
When I didn’t respond, he took a deep breath. “I wish you could see yourself like I see you.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You’re kind and generous with everyone but yourself. When I hear you make these horrible comments about your weight or how you look . . .” He shook his head. “You don’t need to do that. I don’t care how much you weigh. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
I lifted my chin, uncomfortable with the vulnerability surging through me. “You know that’s a line from a popular romantic comedy.”
“Well, it’s true. To me, you’re perfect just the way you are.”
I clenched my jaw, wanting to believe he really felt that way about me. “I love you, Daniel.”
“I know. And I love you, too. That’s why it’s hard to hear you say negative things about yourself.”
I stepped toward him and we embraced, but thankfully, he didn’t try to lift me again. Maybe he was strong, and maybe he didn’t really care how much I weighed, but being lifted in the air like that wasn’t something I could handle right now.
The sound of the piano playing drifted from the other room. “Who is that?” he asked.
“It must be Claudia. She’s the only one I can imagine playing the piano like that.”
We went back to the living room to find Claudia sitting at our neglected piano, playing a duet with Drew. Well, Drew was basically pressing the same chord over and over while Claudia’s fingers flew up and down the keyboard.
I pressed a hand to my heart, overcome with love and tenderness for my talented daughter. Daniel slipped his arm across my shoulders, and I rested my head against his chest.
My thoughts drifted back to that horrible night when I’d told my parents I was pregnant. They’d been devastated and extremely disappointed. For me, it felt like I’d ruined my life and theirs.
Nevertheless, nobody dared suggest I terminate the pregnancy. Our faith taught us that every baby was a gift from God. Regardless of circumstances, every child deserved a chance.
Now, my life had come full circle. I’m not saying it was God’s will for me to get pregnant in high school, but once again, the Lord had transformed an imperfect situation into something incredible.
Glancing around the room, I took in
the sight of my family, captivated by the music. My parents sat on the couch, holding hands. Vicki stood off to the side by herself, watching Claudia.
I didn’t know where Keith and Jillian were, but Matt and Hannah sat on the love seat, looking at their phones. Hannah leaned over to show Matt something on her screen, and he nodded.
In my father’s recliner sat Joy holding the baby who was sound asleep. Joy was so good with Linda Faith. It was way too early to entertain thoughts like this, but I imagined Joy would be a very good big sister if the need ever arose.
As though reading my mind, Daniel pulled me closer, causing my heart to nearly burst. I’d only known this man a few weeks, but already I couldn’t imagine my future without him.
*
The next morning, Keith called me in a state of panic. He and the boys were having a hard time figuring out how to set up everything in the banquet hall for Jillian’s birthday party tonight. Vicki was supposed to help, but she’d gotten caught up with some issue at the bakery.
“We’ll be right there,” I said as a baby in the background began crying. “Do you have Linda Faith with you?”
“I do. She’s been fussy all morning. I thought it’d be nice for Jillian to have some time to go shopping on her own before our big date tonight, but I can’t get anything done holding the baby all day. Plus, I thought—”
I couldn’t hear anything else my brother-in-law said because his daughter let out an earth-shattering scream. “Keith, if you can hear me, I’m on my way, okay?”
I hung up the phone and explained the situation to Claudia.
“I heard,” she said. “Well, I heard the baby screaming.”
“Yes, my niece isn’t shy about expressing her dissatisfaction, that’s for sure.”
Claudia smiled. “My mother said I cried a lot when I was a baby. The only thing that soothed me was one of those battery-operated swings and the shower.”
I frowned. “She put the swing in the shower?”
“No, she set it outside the shower. I guess I liked listening to the sound of running water. Eventually, they bought me one of those sound machines with a rain setting so they wouldn’t have to run the shower all day. Now, I have a rain app on my phone, and it really works when I can’t sleep.”
Bianca's Joy: Rose Island Book 3 Page 19