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Prints Charming

Page 17

by Rebeca Seitz


  “I’m sure everything will be just fine.” Lydia patted Mari’s arm in comfort.

  Mari nodded. “Anyway, all this talk isn’t getting the furniture moved. Let’s go rearrange Emmy’s stuff.” She turned, and they followed her out of the attic, down the hallway, and into Emmy’s room.

  Bunk beds were set up in one corner with a bright pink toy chest beside. A butterfly rug decorated the floor at the base of the bunk’s ladder. Pink and red butterflies adorned the walls.

  “This is beautiful.” Jane turned in a circle to take it all in. Mari beamed.

  “It took John and me two months to get everything perfect, but it’s been like this since Emmy was a baby. I asked her if she wanted to change it, but she’s always loved butterflies.”

  Lydia lifted her camera and took a picture.

  “Well, we have our ‘before’ shot. Let’s move some furniture!”

  For the next twenty minutes, the women tugged and pulled things around the room, making way for a crib and diaper changer. Lydia snapped pictures just about every time they moved anything, going through an entire roll of film before they even started moving the baby furniture in. “I think I’m going to need that electronic camera soon,” she said.

  She snapped another roll as they put the baby furniture in place. When it was done, all the women sat on the floor in the middle of the room and craned their heads to take it all in.

  “This looks good.” Jane nodded. “It looks like two little girls live here.”

  “Yeah,” Mari said. “It does, doesn’t it?”

  Mac came up the stairs and into the room, a sleeping Kesa on her shoulder. “Wow, Sisters, this is beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” Mari said.

  “You ready to be a mommy times two?”

  Mari looked around the room. “Absolutamente.”

  Dale came into the room carrying both twins. “Lyd, I think we need to head home.” He handed Olivia over to Lydia. “I’m guessing she’s going to be hungry in about two minutes.”

  As if on cue, Olivia’s little face scrunched up, and she let loose a cry.

  “There’s no way she’s going to make it all the way to the house,” Lydia said. “Mari, do you have a room where I could feed her?”

  “Sure. Just go in my room. Or feed her right here. I don’t think anybody in here is going to be offended.” She glanced at Jane and Mac, who both shook their heads. Lydia sat back down on the floor and arranged Olivia in her lap. She offered the baby milk, and Olivia latched on.

  “You want me to take him back downstairs?” Dale asked and lifted Oliver.

  “I’ll take him, if that’s okay.” Mari lifted up her arms, and Dale handed a wide-eyed Oliver over. “I’m guessing he’ll need feeding right after Olivia?”

  “Yeah,” Dale said. “Just holler when you’re finished, honey. I’ll go get their stuff together.” He left the room, and Mac sat down on the bunk bed, still holding Kesa.

  “He seems awful helpful for a man with no interest in you,” she said.

  “Oh, he’s great whenever there’s not a TV around. Plus I think he feels bad about the orange feather incident.” She filled Mac and Jane in on the outcome of the lingerie. “The man won’t open any blinds in the house anymore. I tried to open them after I got off the phone with you”—she looked at Mari—“and he told me to leave them alone. I think he thinks I’ll try it again.”

  “Won’t you?” Jane asked.

  “I’m not sure yet,” Lydia admitted. “I dug it out of the trash can, so it’s a possibility. I’m waiting to see how long he keeps the blinds closed.” She grinned. “If he makes it two more days, I just might put the silly thing on again.”

  “Let me know if you decide to,” Mac said. “I’m always happy to watch the twins.”

  “Yeah, but if you try it again, let’s go get something new for you to wear,” Jane said. “Mari, didn’t you say there was a store down on West End?”

  “Sure is.”

  Lydia jumped in to interrupt them. “If the first outfit works, we’ll go get more. I’m not spending any more money on that stuff when I could be buying scrapping supplies.”

  “You know, since you’re feeding them right now, you’ve got a four-hour window in front of you,” Mari said. “And Dale’s not watching television.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so,” Lydia said. “Rejection is still fresh in my mind.”

  “Come on, Lyd,” Jane said. “Aren’t you supposed to get right back on the horse if it throws you?” Her eyes twinkled as she grinned.

  “I just can’t. I’m not sure I ever want to put that thing back on, much less this afternoon.”

  “Then skip the lingerie,” Mari said. “Just take him home and jump him.”

  “How romantic.”

  “Which are you wanting, romance or sex?”

  Lydia thought about it. “Both. We don’t have either right now. But I want the romance first.”

  “Okay, then leave the twins with me, and take him to the park for a walk,” Jane said. “Or go see a movie. Do something just for the two of you.”

  “Are you sure you have time to watch them?”

  “It’s either that or sit around my apartment trying to figure out my life. I choose twins any day.”

  “I suppose we could leave you our car so you’d have car seats in case you want to go anywhere.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Just bring them over, leave me what I need, and go reconnect with your husband.”

  “I don’t think there are enough diapers in their bag, and I know we didn’t bring any frozen milk. I’ll run home and get those things, then swing by your place. Is that okay?”

  “Sounds fine.” Jane stood up. “I’m going to head toward home, then. Do you need anything else here, Mari?”

  Mari looked up from a cooing Oliver in her lap. “Nope, I’m good. Thanks for your help with the furniture and everything.”

  “Anytime. Lyd, I’ll see you at my place?”

  “Yep,” Lydia nodded. “We’ll leave here right after I feed Oliver.” She handed a now-satisfied Olivia over to Mari and took Oliver. “I’ll call you when I leave the house.”

  “Sounds good. Bye, girls.” Jane waved as she left the room.

  Thirty minutes later, Lydia found herself once again standing in front of the television in her living room, hands on hips, arguing with her husband.

  “But we have four whole hours. We could go see a movie or go for a walk or anything.” She threw her hands in the air. “And all you want to do is watch television!”

  “You should have asked me first, Lydia.” Dale’s patient tone made her even madder. “It’s March Madness. These are important games. I need to watch them.”

  “More important than your marriage?”

  Dale stopped trying to see the screen behind her and looked Lydia squarely in the eye. “That’s a stupid thing to say. Of course it’s not more important than my marriage. But you didn’t ask me.” His voice rose, and she felt better. Let him lose his temper, too.

  “Well, I didn’t know I had to ask my husband to spend time with me.”

  “You do when it’s in the middle of March Madness.” He gestured to the TV. “Now, could you scoot over so that I can see the game? I don’t know why you’re so mad anyway. I missed the whole first half so we could go over to Mari’s, and did you hear me complain? No.”

  Lydia turned and headed out of the room, refusing to stay and beg for her husband’s attention any longer. “Fine. You’ve got the twins. I’m going to Jane’s for a while.”

  “Why can’t you take them with you?” Dale swiveled around and looked at her over the back of the couch.

  “Because they’re asleep, Dale.” She turned on the baby monitor that was sitting on the end table. “They won’t be hungry for four hours. I’ll be back long before then.” She walked out of the room, ignoring his protests.

  “Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry,” Jane said when Lydia explained what had happened. “What is his probl
em?”

  Lydia blew out her breath. “I don’t know.” She shook her head and flopped back into Jane’s couch cushions. “I really don’t know.”

  “At least he’s not rejecting you this time. He just needed to be asked before you arranged to do something together.”

  Lydia rolled her eyes. “I thought the point of being married is that I didn’t have to worry about being rejected for a date anymore. Silly me.”

  Jane went into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the fridge. She came back into the living room and offered Lydia one.

  Lydia took it and unscrewed the cap. “Enough about me. How are things with the hunky neighbor?” She drank from the bottle.

  Jane sank down onto the other side of the couch, folding her legs up under her. “I haven’t told him about Bill.”

  “Why not?

  “I used to think I knew a lot about men. If Bill taught me anything, it’s that I don’t know nearly as much as I’d thought. I’m not sure how Jake will react to the news, and I don’t know if I’m ready to risk telling him.”

  “I’m beginning to think I’ll never figure out men.” Lydia jumped when Wilson barked.

  “You need to go outside, buddy?” Jane asked, and Wilson went nuts at the word outside. “Okay, let’s get your leash.” Wilson ran to the hall closet door and began dancing around it, jumping on it and turning in circles.

  “He knows where the leash is now?”

  “Yeah, he’s learning more and more things these days. He even knows Jake’s cat’s name.”

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “Nope. Watch this.” Jane leaned down to eye level with Wilson. “Major Carter.” Wilson barked a short, sharp bark.

  “That is hilarious!”

  “And proof that being with Jake won’t be as easy as we might think.” Jane sat down in one of the kitchen chairs and pulled on her shoes. “Wilson would never quit barking.”

  Lydia rose from the couch and joined Jane at the door. “I’m sure that could be remedied if you set your mind to it.”

  Jane stood up and grabbed the end of Wilson’s leash. “I’m sure you’re right. They made headway last night.” She opened the door and allowed Wilson to pull her toward the grass. Lydia followed along behind. “Lydia, will you tell me again what you saw the night before my wedding?”

  “Why torture yourself with that old news?” They came to a stop under the giant oak, and Wilson began sniffing around.

  “Because I’m trying to figure out if it was just a harmless flirtation at a bachelor party or something else.” She looked at Lydia. “Bill asked for forgiveness, and I gave it to him. But he wants to try again, and I don’t have an easy answer for that.”

  Lydia scrunched up her nose. She looked a lot like Olivia when she did that.

  “Okay. I was driving home after your bachelorette party and stopped at the red light by Cadillac’s. I heard a lot of people laughing and looked over to the parking lot. Are you sure you want to hear this?”

  Jane blinked in surprise. “Yes, why?”

  “Because knowing this isn’t going to undo the affair he had while you were married. Do you honestly think you should go back to him?”

  Jane sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.

  Jake makes me happier than I’ve ever been, but you know me. Being right matters a whole lot more than being happy because, most of the time, doing right leads to being happy.”

  Lydia nodded. “I’ll agree with you there. I just can’t figure out why you think going back to Bill might be the right thing to do.”

  The wind kicked up and blew Jane’s hair in her face. She reached up and tucked it behind her ear. “I guess it’s more that I don’t want to do something wrong than that I think taking him back might be right. Does that make sense?”

  “Only if you’re making Jake the wrong thing. What are you scared of, Jane?”

  “Well, look who I have the pleasure of running into.” Jane ignored the thrill Jake’s voice sent through her and turned to see him coming across the grass in a black T-shirt and jeans, Major Carter in hand.

  “Jake. What good timing. I’d like you to meet my friend, Lydia Pritchett. Lydia, Jake.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jake.” Lydia held out her hand, and Jake shook it as he joined them on the grass. “I’ve heard a bit about you.”

  “Oh, really?” Jake smiled, letting Lydia’s hand go and looking at Jane. “Here’s hoping she didn’t tell you I was too awful. I realize I’m at a disadvantage because of the sci-fi shows.”

  “She hasn’t been too rough on you, no. And this must be Major Carter?” She reached out and scratched the cat between its fluffy ears.

  “In the fur.” He looked at Jane. “Think Wilson would eat her alive or run her up a tree if I let her down?”

  Jane thought about it and shrugged. “Only one way to find out.” She circled Wilson’s leash on her hand a couple of times to give him less slack and tightened her grip. “I’ve got him if you want to try.”

  Jake leaned down and deposited Major Carter on the ground, and she promptly took off to the other side of the lake.

  Wilson watched the cat and then plopped down into the grass with a sigh. Jane laughed.

  “We’ve graduated to indifference,” she said.

  “Progress.” Jake nodded. “Pretty soon we’ll have them eating out of the same bowl.”

  Lydia cleared her throat. “Well, Jake, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’ve got to be getting back home. I have two twins who will be waking up soon and wanting their mommy, I’m sure.”

  Jane shot her a murderous glance, and Lydia smiled.

  “Nice meeting you, too, Lydia. Take care.”

  Lydia hugged Jane. “Bill who?” she whispered in Jane’s ear before pulling away. “See you at Mac’s on Saturday.”

  Jane tugged on Wilson’s leash. “Come on, boy, time to go.”

  Wilson hauled himself up off the ground and obediently came over to her.

  “Don’t leave on my account,” Jake said.

  “Oh, I’m not.” She felt the blush creep up her neck to her cheeks. “I’ve just got some things that need to be done and, um, I need to go do them.” Could she sound any more lame?

  Jake grinned at her. “How was church?”

  “Fun. I went with Mac today.”

  “Who’s Mac?”

  “She’s one of the Sisters I scrap with.”

  “So she’s Lydia’s sister?”

  “No, I mean, we’re all part of a company we started called Sisters, Ink.” She explained the concept to him.

  “I thought you already had a business that organized fund-raisers.”

  “I do. Sisters, Ink is a new business.”

  “So you don’t like to sleep?” A smile played at the corners of his mouth.

  “Sleep’s for the weak.” She chuckled. “I learned how important girlfriends were during my divorce. I wanted to help other women reconnect with that.”

  “Good for you.” His praise warmed her heart.

  “Thanks.” They watched the animals in silence for a moment. “I’d better take Wilson back inside.”

  “What’s your rush?”

  “The mountain of projects on my desk and a never-ending to do list.”

  He reached out and snagged the hand that held Wilson’s leash. “Working on a Sunday? Never a good idea. Come walk around the lake with me.”

  Might as well go. Tell him about Bill and get it over with.

  “Okay.” She fell into step beside him as they circled the water, loving the heat of their hands together. The sun’s reflection danced on the ripples of the lake and the wind kicked up again. It’s too beautiful a day to ruin. I’ll tell him about Bill later.

  chapter 21

  “Hush, Wilson!” Jane called to the barking dog as she made her way to the front door on Monday. “Hush! I’ve got it!” Wilson switched to his high-pitched whine. This was one of the moments she wished she’d let Bill hav
e the dog.

  She opened the door to Bill’s smiling face.

  “Hi.” He held out a bouquet of tulips. Tulips? With a sigh, she took the flowers and stepped back to allow him entrance into her apartment, sneaking a peek at Jake’s door. Was he watching?

  “Bill, what are you doing here?”

  “I saw those in the florist’s window, and they reminded me of you, so I thought, what the heck, bring ’em on over and show her you were thinking of her.” He looked at her with eyes full of hope. It was a little insulting that he’d seen droopy tulips and thought of her, but maybe he meant the bright colors were a reflection of her. She’d give him the benefit of the doubt. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.

  “Thank you. They’re beautiful,” she lied and went to find a vase for them. He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she laid the flowers down in the drain board and rummaged around under the sink for an appropriate container. Something tall to help with the droopiness. Jake was tall. Focus on Bill, not Jake.

  “So, I was wondering if you had any thoughts to share about us,” Bill said, and she came up so fast that she banged her head on the cabinet.

  “Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.”

  He took a quick couple of steps toward her and rubbed her head. “Are you okay?”

  The mix of pine and coffee scents coming from his shirt reminded her of the years they’d shared. Hadn’t she read somewhere that smells were the strongest memory trigger in the world? She leaned forward out of habit and breathed in the scent of her old home. His hands felt good as they worked their way into her hair. What? Why are his hands on me? She stepped back.

  “Bill. I’m okay.”

  “Are you sure?” He tilted her face up to his, and she would have laughed at the seriousness in his eyes if she could have put together a thought that wasn’t jumbled up with past and present. “Your pupils aren’t dilated. That’s good.”

  “Of course they’re not. I just bumped my head.”

  “All the same, you know the old remedy.” Before she knew it, his lips were on hers, and she was responding by rote memory. He felt like friendship, like lazy afternoons and routine and safety. And I’m kissing him back.

 

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