by Gina Wilkins
“Other than the marriage, that’s exactly what I have found, Grandma. I love my job, I love being a mother to Daryn, I have a nice home and very good friends. I’m happy.”
“That’s all I ever wanted for any of my children or grandchildren. I don’t know what’s gone wrong with the rest. Your grandfather always said I was too critical and had too high expectations, which made the kids rebel and do the opposite of what I said, even when it was to their own detriment. But I did the best I knew how.”
“I’m sure you did, Grandma. And they aren’t so bad, really. Mom lives in her own fantasy world, but she seems happy now with Bob. The boys and I are all doing well enough, despite the instability of our childhoods. Treva loves being a grandmother to Harper and Abby and her daughters are successful in their careers. Uncle Nelson always seems content, and his boys are fine, even if Mike seems to be going through a rough patch. As Tate has pointed out to me a few times this weekend, all families have their baggage and issues. Ours just tend to air their problems more openly than some.”
Grandma glanced at Tate, who was somewhat of a captive audience to their conversation. “I guess that’s true.”
“I did need a break from the family,” Kim admitted. “I had to concentrate on my own life for a while. Daryn was an unexpected development, and I needed to deal with the resulting changes on my own. But I am glad I came this weekend, even though I allowed myself to be persuaded to do so under false pretenses. It’s been nice seeing you again, Grandma. I’m sorry I deceived you.”
“I forgive you, Kim. Just don’t let Betsy manipulate you like that again.”
“No, I won’t. Anyway, now you see why I can’t accept your ring.”
“The ring is still yours,” her grandmother shocked her by stating flatly. “I want you to take it.”
“But I can’t! I—”
“It’s yours,” Grandma repeated, her tone even more determined now. “It was foolish of me to use the ring as an incentive for any of my grandkids to enter into a lasting marriage. Maybe I’ve been right about the unsuitability of their matches so far, but who am I to judge, really? You’re my oldest granddaughter, daughter of my oldest daughter, so it seems only natural for it to be passed down to you.
“Besides which,” she added with a shake of her head, “you’re the only one in the bunch who’d risk telling the truth rather than just take the ring. You’re the one with the courage to walk away from the drama rather than get bogged down in it. And you’re the only one who ever sent me thank-you notes when I gave you gifts for Christmas and graduations. Of all my grandchildren, I think you’re the most like me—and while you may not think of that as a compliment, it’s meant as one.”
The rare glimpse of self-deprecating humor made Kim smile, even though her eyes burned with emotion. “What about Patty and Cara Lynn? They could be offended that you’ve given me the ring.”
“You let me handle that.” Grandma had returned to her brusque, regal tone now. “It’s my ring, I can give it to whoever I want. And let’s be honest, it’s not exactly the Hope Diamond. It’s a pretty little bauble, but you wouldn’t be set for life by selling it.”
“I wouldn’t sell it, anyway. I’ll treasure it and save it to give to Daryn someday.”
Her grandmother nodded. “Do what you want with it, it’s yours now.”
Kim swallowed hard, knowing her grandmother would not appreciate an excessive show of emotion. “What are we going to do now? Should we just go out there and tell everyone the truth, and let Mom handle the fallout?”
“Let me think about that awhile. Don’t say anything to her, you just carry on the way you have been for now. I’ll decide what to do about Betsy. The truth will come out. And I’ll make sure she’s the one who confesses to the others. But perhaps we won’t do it today. Frankly, I don’t want this gathering to end on such an unpleasant note.”
“Um, Grandma?”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to disown her or ban her from my house. Frankly, I need her—well, I need Bob. That fine man has been very helpful to me during the past few years. I only hope she keeps him around until I’m gone. Maybe she will. It won’t be that much longer.”
Kim felt a lump develop in her throat. “Don’t say that, Grandma.”
Her grandmother merely shrugged matter-of-factly. “We’re not going to get maudlin, but you and I are the kind to face the truth, Kim. I’m glad you decided to come today.”
She pushed herself up to clutch the walker, nodding to Tate as he rose ultracarefully with Daryn. “Despite the circumstances, I’m glad you came, too, young man. Kim is fortunate to have such a good friend.”
“I have to admit I’ve had a great time,” Tate confessed with a grin. “It’s been—interesting.”
Grandma gave a rusty chuckle and winked at Kim. “This one’s got a mischievous streak.”
“Yes, he does,” Kim agreed with a smile that was still a bit shaky.
“Reminds me of your grandfather.”
Grandma moved toward the door with a hint of spryness belied by her halting steps. Transferring Daryn to Kim, Tate moved quickly to open the door for the older woman. She nodded her thanks to him, then glanced over her shoulder at her granddaughter as she left the room.
“You’d be foolish not to consider turning this make-believe romance into a real one,” she said with characteristic bluntness. “You’re no fool, Kim.”
Her cheeks warming, Kim stuffed the ring box into her pocket with her free hand and followed her grandmother out of the room without looking at Tate.
* * *
Most of the others were preparing for departure when Kim, Tate and Grandma rejoined them. Patty supervised as her girls and Lucas packed away their toys. Stacks of leftovers in covered plastic dishes sat ready to be dispersed. Bags and purses were stacked on a table by the door. No one had yet slipped out, since doing so without saying goodbye to Grandma Dyess was sternly frowned upon, but several were notably impatient to be on their way.
Despite all the earlier squabbling, obligatory hugs and kisses were shared all around.
“It was very nice to finally meet you, Tate,” Treva said as Kim and Tate took their leave. “Let us know if your little book ever finds a publisher. I’m sure the garden club would love to have you come for a signing.”
“I’ll let you know,” he replied, a smile in his eyes.
Treva kissed Daryn’s cheek, though the sleepy child barely stirred in response to the contact. “Be sure and call if you have any questions about toddlers, Kim. My Patty is quite the expert with that stage now. Of course, both my granddaughters were crawling by nine months, and Harper walked by eleven months.”
Kim had always refused to put herself in competition with her cousins, and she certainly wasn’t going to do so with her child. “It was nice to see you again, Aunt Treva,” she said, ignoring the comments about the girls.
“Maybe you’ll come see us again before Daryn starts school.”
Even that was a little dig, but Kim answered politely, “I’ll certainly try.”
Treva nodded. “And Tate, I hope you’ll still be around to come with her.”
He merely chuckled with a wry shake of his head at Kim.
“Your aunt is so going to love it when your mother’s deception is exposed,” Tate observed when he was back behind the wheel of Kim’s car a few minutes later. “I could almost feel sorry for Betsy.”
Seeing that Daryn had settled into her car seat with Mr. Jingles, awake again now despite having missed the long nap she usually took in the afternoons, Kim turned back to Tate. “She brought it on herself. However Grandma decides to handle it, Mom deserves any consequences she gets.”
“That’s true, but it will still be embarrassing for her.”
“Maybe. Or she’ll find
a way to make it all my fault, somehow. She’s pretty good at that.”
“She doesn’t quite understand you, you know. Maybe she rewrites your life so she can identify with you a bit more easily.”
“Maybe. That doesn’t make it right,” Kim said.
“She definitely lives in her own little universe, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, she does. And she allows the rest of us to join her there only if we play by her rules.”
Tate shrugged. “My mother has her own little world, too. It’s a bit more grounded in reality than Betsy’s, but Mom likes to maintain her comfortable illusions, especially when it comes to Lynette and me. Maybe it’s a mother thing. Maybe someday you’ll do the same with Daryn.”
“Not the way my mother does.” She was appalled by the very suggestion.
Tate laughed. “No. Not like your mother.”
He parked at the curb of her mother’s house.
“We won’t be staying,” she told him. “Mom invited us for dinner, but I told her I just want to get the rest of Daryn’s things and head home. We can stop to eat somewhere along the way, if that’s okay with you.”
Already it was going to be around 9:00 p.m. by the time they got to her house, and that was if they didn’t dwell long over dinner. Daryn would sleep in her car seat, but still she needed to be in her bed. Besides which, Kim had taken just about all of her family she could deal with for one weekend.
“Whatever you want to do. I’m not hungry yet, anyway.”
With Bob helping Tate load up, it took only a few minutes for everything to be ready to go. Betsy was a bit more subdued than usual as she watched them prepare to leave. Whether because she was truly sorry to see them go, or because Grandma had given her a hint of what was to come, Kim couldn’t have said.
Carrying Daryn and trailed by Tate, Kim searched out her brothers. Stuart was already on the couch with his computer again, his expression more distantly sullen than usual. He looked up when Kim stood in front of him.
“I’m leaving now,” she said. “I wanted to say goodbye to you first.”
He nodded. “Okay. See you.”
She frowned, finding his brusque words unsatisfying. Granted, she hardly knew Stuart, since he’d been just a kid when she’d left home, but it would have been nice if they could have treated each other as a little more than strangers.
“Good luck with starting college next week. I’m sure you’ll do very well.”
“Yeah, thanks, Kim. I, uh, used the money you sent me for graduation for supplies. Thanks again.”
He had sent her an awkwardly worded thank-you note at the time. She’d received it with a pang of sadness that they had never had a chance to grow closer. “You’re welcome again. See you later, Stuart.”
He nodded, giving a little wave to Daryn. “See you, kid.”
“Say bye-bye to Uncle Stuart, Daryn.”
Stuart blinked, and Kim thought he looked startled to hear himself referred to by that title. Had he not thought of himself in that manner before with Daryn?
Kim stood back to allow Tate to step forward and offer a hand to the teen. “It was nice to meet you, Stuart.”
“Yeah. So…I’ll see you around. Maybe.”
Without giving Tate a real chance to respond, Stuart turned his attention back to his computer, letting his shaggy hair fall over his face to hide his expression.
Torn between regret and annoyance, Kim turned to Julian. “So long, Julian.”
He surprised her by brushing a kiss against her cheek. “Tate seems like a decent guy,” he said quietly. “I hope things work out for you two.”
“Um, Julian, you need to talk to Mom when we leave, okay? And before you do, let me just say ahead of time that I’m sorry.”
Her brother looked confused. “Sorry about what?”
“Just talk to Mom.” She swallowed hard, wondering if either of her brothers would ever forgive her. Even though they had to know how hard it was to keep from getting pulled into their mother’s schemes, she wouldn’t blame them for directing some of their inevitable resentment in her direction.
Still looking confused, Julian shook hands with Tate. “Maybe we can talk cars again sometime soon.”
“I’d like that,” Tate replied with obvious sincerity. “I’ve enjoyed meeting you, Julian.”
“Yeah, you, too.” Remembering his niece, Julian somewhat awkwardly tickled Daryn’s tummy in farewell.
Betsy and Bob stood beside the car to say their goodbyes. Betsy hugged Daryn and snuggled kisses against her cheek and neck until Kim finally retrieved the baby so she could strap her into her car seat.
Making sure Daryn was secure, and that Mr. Jingles was within her reach, Kim turned then to her mother. “Bye, Mom.”
“Goodbye, dear. Call soon?”
“Oh, I figure I’ll be talking to you soon.” She expected her mother would express her displeasure that Kim had leveled with Grandma Dyess about her relationship with Tate.
Oblivious, Betsy nodded. “Good.”
She gave Kim a smacking kiss on the cheek, then turned to throw her arms around Tate. “I’m so glad you could come, dear. I hope you’ll be back soon.”
“Um—” At a loss for how to respond to that, Tate settled for a wry smile toward Kim and a noncommittal, “Goodbye, Betsy.”
Shaking her head in exasperation, Kim turned to take her leave of Bob. Who knew if she would ever see him again? She wouldn’t blame him at all if he took to his heels after this.
She held out her hand. “It was very nice to see you again, Bob.”
Ignoring the extended hand, he swept her into an affectionate hug. “Thanks so much for coming. It meant a lot to your mother. Next time, we’ll make it a little easier for you. I’ll see to it.”
It was nice of him to say so, but she wasn’t making any more bets this weekend. Especially on such a shaky basis.
Tate and Bob shook hands warmly, and then Tate and Kim belted themselves into the car. Kim did not look back over her shoulder as Tate drove away from the house. The weekend was over, and the make-believe along with it. It was time for a return to reality.
* * *
Kim was very quiet during the initial half of the trip home. Tate wasn’t sure if she was tired or overwhelmed or both, but it bothered him that he sensed undertones of sadness in her mood. When they’d started out this weekend, he’d hoped she would see the adventure as a lark. Fun. He’d realized rather quickly that he’d been unrealistic with that expectation; there was too much going on in Kim’s family for her to find a great deal of humor in the situation. But he hadn’t wanted her to leave sad.
They chose an inviting-looking family restaurant just over halfway through the drive. Daryn sat in a high chair, so Kim’s hands were free to feed her and herself. Because he felt as though he should, Tate offered to help, but Kim politely declined any assistance. She was very much back into independence mode, he noted.
He figured she would make an effort to get things quickly back to usual between them. She started during the meal, chatting about her work and his, about their friends and routines back at home, anything but the family gathering they had just attended. He went along, teasing with her and laughing at Daryn’s attempts to help herself to food off their plates.
“I don’t blame you, kid,” he said to the baby. “I’d rather have steak and grilled veggies than pureed food myself.”
He speared a grill-marked cauliflower floret and popped it into his mouth, aware that Daryn watched his every move. “And now you’re making me feel guilty,” he told her after swallowing.
Kim chuckled. “She’d better stick to the pureed stuff until she has more than two little teeth nubbins.”
She spooned another bite of baby food into her daughter
’s mouth, and Daryn seemed happy enough to accept it, though she still eyed Tate’s plate in a way that made him scoot it a bit farther out of her reach.
“Maybe she could have some ice cream for dessert?” he suggested, nodding toward the open dessert bar with the soft-freeze dispenser at the end.
“No, she doesn’t need all that sugar.”
“Oh. Right.” Another one of those things he hadn’t considered. It was a very good thing he wasn’t responsible for a kid’s nutrition, he reminded himself.
Maybe Kim was afraid she’d hurt his feelings by shooting down his suggestion. “I have a little jar of unsweetened applesauce in the bag. She loves that for dessert.”
“Sounds like a much healthier option,” he assured her with a smile.
“Feel free to have ice cream if you want.”
“As tempting as it sounds, I’d better skip it tonight. I’ve had more than enough sweets today.”
“I see applesauce on the dessert bar,” she teased.
He chuckled. “Maybe I’ll have some of that. What do you think, Daryn? If it’s good enough for you, it should be good enough for me, right?”
Daryn babbled at him in response. He thought he probably should have been grossed out by the mouthful of pureed peas revealed by her grin, but she just looked too darned cute.
Kim swiped efficiently with a napkin, encouraging her daughter to swallow. Figuring he’d better let the kid finish her dinner, Tate concentrated on his own.
Kim seemed to have relaxed a little by the time they were on the road again, which pleased him, but he thought he still sensed a little melancholy in the car.
He gave her a few more minutes, then spoke quietly over the softly playing radio. “Want to talk about it?”
“About what?” she asked without looking away from the side window.
“The weekend. Your mother. Whatever you might need to talk about.”