“Dad,” he hesitated to ask, but did. “Do you think this feeling has just happened after we visited Mom’s grave?”
“Maybe. A little, but …”
“But what? You scared?”
“Yes, and no.” He leaned forward, his elbows on the round table. “Those girls are both adorable, classy and beautiful. But, I feel like they are my children.” He looked Bill in the eyes. “Not love interests, not appropriate. Either one would be a wonderful daughter in law to take care of me in my old age.”
Bill grabbed his dad’s hand and squeezed it. “Then do it, Dad. Call her. At least try.”
~
Vivian Ashford couldn’t believe she was meeting Bill Lord for coffee. Surely, he wanted to talk about Candy and ask her permission to court her. Or, was that an ancient term?
She straightened the jacket of her coral pantsuit and slipped on open-toed sandals. Thank goodness she had gotten a pedicure the other day. Her big toes sparkled with the rhinestones along the tips of their burgundy polish. Kay, whom she had dubbed the best manicurist in all creation, had accented her thumbs and ring fingers with the same sparkles. Why Vivian had succumbed to such extravagance she wasn’t sure. Maybe a gift to herself since it was just a few weeks away from Mothers’ Day?
She picked up the ringing phone. Candy always called on the landline knowing her mom wasn’t used to the cell phone. “Hi, honey. What’s up?”
“Gonna be late, Mom. I still have two little guys whose parents haven’t picked them up yet.”
“That’s okay. I have to run an errand. Leftover lasagna in the micro.” She couldn’t, just couldn’t, tell Candy where she was going and with whom. Too embarrassing, maybe even subversive. Definitely not right.
~
Bill ordered the new fancy caramel latte for her and placed it carefully in front of her. “I didn’t ask. Sorry.”
“Yum. Smells good. Thanks.” She studied his handsome face. Why was she here? Would he be her next son in law? He certainly had more class than the Dev guy, but he was about the same age. She couldn’t contain herself any longer. “Why am I here, Bill? You need my permission to date Candy?”
He slapped the table and both of their cups bounced. His sudden laughter surprised her. She shrunk back in her chair, and it bumped into the one behind her. She turned to the man in that chair to apologize when Bill grabbed her hand.
“No, Viv. May I call you that?” He didn’t wait for a response, but just kept talking. What he said made her knees feel weak and shaky, and her tummy got a tight knot.
~
“I did it, Son. I asked her out.” Bill Junior almost felt his dad’s nervousness coming through the phone. He inhaled and exhaled a deep “Whew.”
“Good for you, Dad. I’m proud of you. So, what did she say? How did she react?” He was dying to know.
“She seemed shocked at first, then flattered. ‘I didn’t expect this.’ She said.” He paused for a breath. “But, finally, she agreed to see me another time. Once. As long as it is our secret for now.”
~
Vivian drove home with shaky hands on the steering wheel. Bill had insisted on following her at least half way. She was grateful for that, but didn’t want Candy to hear the roar of a cycle close to her house. She waved when they were getting close, and he waved back and turned around. Was that a kiss he blew? Heavens, this is all so sudden.
“Hi, Mom. Where did you go? Oh, you look lovely. Special occasion all dressed up?”
“Not really, but thanks. Just a coffee with a friend.” Vivian prayed she could pull off the deception. Candy was pretty intuitive. Still, how would she even guess?
She changed into sweats, cleansed the makeup off her face and settled into the sofa with a fresh cup of coffee from the carafe. How could she ever tell Candy that the man her daughter thought was in love with her was really in love with her mother?
~
Cindy called back. “So sorry, but I had one of those pre-baby runs.”
“Still not barfing, I hope?” Candy hoped her question wasn’t offensive.
“Nope. Just need to run to the bathroom a lot now that baby is bigger, and” she sighed, “pressing on my bladder.” She stopped to giggle. “Now, what’s up?”
Candy filled her in about the two Bills and the motorcycles, as well as her own new job and reiterated the Connie situation. “Confusing, isn’t it?”
“Yes. But, maybe a little less so from my vantage point. Sometimes, when one isn’t involved personally, it’s easier to figure out.”
“Okay, girl, start figuring.”
“Do you remember my gut feelings about things?” Cindy asked.
“Yes, and you had a good track record with them. What is your gut telling you now? Or, is baby in the way?”
“Baby’s only in the way when I eat too much.” Candy heard Cindy’s delightful laugh, then her friend went on. “From what you’ve told me, just a guess though, both Bills are players. I don’t sense a serious romantic streak in either. Dad Bill is lonely and kind of egotistically proud to be seen with beautiful young women half his age. Son Bill isn’t ready to get serious about anyone, wants to play the field. Does that sound right so far?”
“Sort of, unfortunately.” Candy found it hard to contain her disappointment. “Maybe Nat and I should play scarce.”
“Yeh, the absence makes the heart grow fonder thing. Or,” she continued, “if it doesn’t, then give it up. At least you have a chance to know one way or the other.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“We have to stop meeting like this. It’s too deceptive.” Vivian touched Bill’s hand with a sparkly fingertip. They had decided to meet during the day when Candy was working at the preschool. They were sitting in a random coffee shop in Laguna where they figured no other patrons would know them. Still, it made Vivian uncomfortable, like a teenager sneaking out of the house so her parents wouldn’t know.
“Sonny knows,” he said matter of factly.
“You don’t think he’d tell one of the girls, do you?” she asked.
Bill rubbed his still clean-shaven chin. What had he been thinking when he got the idea for a beard? Facial hair had always made him itchy. “I hope not,” he said, “but he is pretty excited about us.” He said “us” very tenderly. “You think it’s time to tell Candy?”
“Maybe. Guess I’ll have to work up the nerve to do it.” She pulled her hand back and started to fold and refold the brown paper napkin on her lap.
“Would it help if I was there, too?” He leaned forward and smiled, then shoved his chair back and scooted in next to her on the bench. He laid one hand over both of hers and wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and squeezed it. She nodded.
“It’s settled. What time does she usually get home?”
~
Candy was shaking so hard she could hardly steer. Mom had handed her car keys over, gave her a hug and said, “Go to your friends.”
She was not about to go to Connie. She was still miffed at her for going out with Bill Junior. Nat was the obvious one. She prayed she would be home.
Natalie was just parking her car in her designated covered space next to her condo. Candy beeped her horn and slid into a guest space, jumped out of the car and ran to her friend with tears streaming down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened. Is Cindy all right? Baby okay?”
Candy nodded and collapsed in Nat’s arms. “It’s us, Nat. He doesn’t care about either of us. Neither of them do.” She gulped and mopped her face with the tissue Natalie had dug out of her purse.
“Oh.” She dragged out the exclamation. “Then who?”
Candy started sobbing again. “It’s Mom. My mom.”
~
Natalie often started to giggle when she was nervous. It was a terrible habit she regularly had to control in devastating situations, like funerals. It had almost happened when Doreen had her accident. Now, she felt as if someone had died. At least a dream had.
She hel
d her nose to hold in the giggles. But when she started to hiccup loudly, both she and Candy burst into giggles. Candy ran to the bathroom. When she returned she announced, “Almost wet my pants! Yikes, Nat. What are we going to do?”
“We,” she stated firmly, “are going to do nothing. You are going to go home and hug your mom.” She looked Candy straight in the eyes. “We can’t coerce other people’s feelings. I’m sure Bill and your mom didn’t plan to fall for each other. Besides, it may be a temporary infatuation. Wait and see.”
They had stumbled up the outside stairs to Natalie’s little condo and were huddled on the sofa. At least Candy was with crumpled tissues strewn around her. Natalie was sitting erect with hands lightly clasped on her lap.
“How can you be so calm?” Candy asked. “He was the one you originally had eyes for.” She heard the anger in her voice.
“I’ve been praying for direction. I felt something was a little off … with both Bills. Young Bill wants to play the field. I don’t think he’s ready for a serious relationship. Old Bill is lonely and wants stability, comfort, familiarity. That’s what your mom can give him. Besides,” she added, “she’s a very attractive lady. Notice I said lady, not woman.” She smiled at her friend who had seemed to calm down somewhat. “Now, go. Go home, hug your mom and tell her you are happy for her. And, if Bill is still there, hug him, too.”
“That’s what Cindy said, too. About lonely and playing the field. You know what I mean.” She hugged Natalie, cleaned up her tissue mess and walked out praying for courage.
~
Bill and Mom were waiting for her, arms linked. Was she going to be in Melanie’s situation with a stepfather? Surely, Bill would be one she could admire, not like the horrible Bruce Walker, Melanie’s stepdad. She pasted on a grin and ran to them hugging both together.
A lot of sighing went on. Then, both Mom and Bill started to speak at the same time. Mom won, as moms always do. Candy chuckled.
“Thank you, Candace.” Mom used her formal name. That meant something, didn’t it?
Candy smiled through veiled tears. She really was happy for Mom to find someone to love, and love her back. She realized she had apparently misread Bill’s comments to her the day he was over. Or, maybe he had changed his mind. She had often been told she was the spitting image of her mother. But, she would never make her mother’s famous chocolate chip cookies. No, God had put His hand on this couple. She, Candy, had misunderstood His intentions.
“So, what now?” She blinked hard and waited for their response. This time Bill spoke.
“We are taking it slow, Candy. Your mother is an exceptional woman, but I don’t want either of us to rush into anything. At our age we don’t have a lot of time, but we have time to reflect and get to know each other better. That okay with you?”
“Perfectly. Now you two cuddle on the couch and watch a flick. I am going to my room to fill out some paperwork for work. By next week I may be a teacher with my own classroom.”
She heard the cheers as she raced up the stairs to her room. She reminded herself of Cindy’s often repeated phrase, “God is good … all the time.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Five Months Later
Candy stood up tall. She could do this. She twisted the waist of her gown and made sure a tissue was stuffed in the sleeve. All she could think about at this moment was Daddy. She knew in her heart he would be pleased his beloved Vivian would have a happy life ahead of her.
“Daddy, please, send me a sign.”
Just then her cell rang. She had forgotten to turn it to silent. She didn’t recognize the number, but in her nervousness she picked it up. “Hello?” No answer, just silence. Starting to tuck it back in her waistband, she felt it buzz again. This time she had remembered to put it on silent. This was getting annoying. She decided to give it one more try and pushed the green accept call button. She was sure she heard a kiss.
Just then she heard a commotion. Billy?
“Get out of here, now!” Her brother’s voice rang loud in her ears. Who was he yelling at?
The lovely wedding of Mom and Bill was over. She had glided down the aisle in the soft lavender gown, even accepted and held Mom’s beautiful bouquet designed by Love In Bloom Floral, by Braydon himself. The man was a genius at wedding bouquets. The yelling escalated. She heard Billy’s voice loudly. Then Bill Junior’s. Two men screaming. What was going on?
Natalie was holding court, waving her hands. Or, at least trying to divert the situation. Connie gripped Young Bill’s arm. She looked terrified.
Candy rushed over to the men who were arguing. Fists were raised. Voices were almost vulgar. This was supposed to be a time of celebration with dancing and cake cutting and congratulatory speeches. What was happening? She stared in unbelief.
Brother Billy was in the face of another man. Young Bill, the groom’s son, had fists raised to use them. The third man stood stone still. Devin? Her ex? Dev the Drunk?
How could this be?
Candy couldn’t move. Her body was in lock down. What on earth was Devin doing here, at her mother’s wedding reception? Before she had the nerve to speak, he did.
“I came back, Candy. I am whole. I want you back.” He walked toward her with hands held out and palms up. Almost like when she praised in church on Sunday mornings.
Her first instinct was to run.
She practically sprinted past a group of guests seated at one of the long tables in the Rogers Gardens Farmhouse Restaurant. She pushed and shoved through a cluster of women admiring the wedding cake. Mom and Bill Senior were chatting with the Days and the Lovejoys, the women smiling and the men laughing. Must have been some joke. She prayed Mom wouldn’t see Devin. That would surely spoil this otherwise perfect day for her.
The restaurant had just opened several weeks ago, so she couldn’t quite get her bearings. Where was the parking lot? She dashed almost headlong into a huge pot overflowing with purple flowers and stubbed her toe. So much for the expensive satin shoe. Where, oh, where was the parking lot? She gasped for breath and felt wetness on her cheeks. She had to get out of there – now. She heard voices behind her. Then her name called. Masculine? Bill Junior? No, older than his. She ran into the first open door. Maybe there was someplace she could hide. She was in The Garden Room, the partially covered area filled with indoor plants. She spotted the gorgeous orchids her mother liked so much. Braydon had put trailing orchids in Mom’s bouquet. The arrangement was stunning. Why was she thinking about that? Her mind was all muddled and confused. She needed to escape. How could she possibly believe Devin? It had only been two years since their divorce. He couldn’t be sober, could he? After this fiasco was over, she would call Rob in Costa Rica and ask. He had been sober now for almost seven years. He would know, he would advise her.
She searched for something to hide behind. There was a large arrangement of pottery. Squatting down, the hem of her delicate lavender dress skimmed the dusty packed dirt floor. She visualized carrying the dirty garment into Newport Hills Cleaners.
Her name – called again. This time she was sure it was Devin. She couldn’t breathe.
“Candy? My beautiful Candy Cane, where are you? Please come out and talk.”
He had always dubbed her with that moniker. It brought back so many memories … dancing in the moonlight, snuggling beside him in bed … drinking – his. No, she refused to go there again. “Too late, Dev,” she whispered to herself. “Too late.” But why was her heart beating so wildly?
Finally, the voices drifted off in the distance. She rose and tip-toed. She was close to the entrance next to the parking lot. She almost made it outside, then the voices got closer. Spying the gift shop still open, maybe in hopes wedding guests would wander in and purchase something extravagant. She swooshed into it. She had always loved this place. She and Mom came every Fall to purchase wonderful Radko Christmas ornaments. One year the designer was present, so they stood in line and got signed ones for an extra price. But, so worth it.
Holding up her skirt, she quietly skimmed past a lovely display of glass and a large statue of a Buddha. Ugh! She knew there were other statues somewhere of St. Francis the patron saint of birds and animals. But, the Buddha unnerved her. She spied a chair nestled into a section of home decorating items. It was so far back in the gift shop she felt safe to sit in it. For a moment. To catch her breath. Then she heard voices again. Several male ones she couldn’t distinguish, but Natalie’s lilting one was obvious.
“Candy, it’s me. It’s really okay. Please come out and be part of this wonderful party.”
Candy guessed Nat didn’t actually know where she was, or she would have ventured into the gift shop to look for her. She kept very still, and very quiet. Finally, the voices drifted away. This was her cue. The gift shop was just inside the entrance, and the parking lot was just outside of that. If only she could find what she wanted.
~
Mom’s car was there, but she didn’t have the keys. The two Bill’s cycles were parked on either side of it. They always left them locked. Next to Old Bill’s, her new stepfather, was the gorgeous red mini-Harley he had given Mom as a wedding gift. Had she actually ridden it here on her wedding day? Candy didn’t stop to contemplate when she noticed the keys dangling from the ignition. How could this be that Bill and Mom were so negligent? Maybe Mom did ride it here to please Bill. After all, she had a special room to change into at Rogers Gardens before they posed for their wedding pictures. Maybe Mom, who often forgot things, left the keys in.
Candy approached the cute red cycle with caution. She hoped the security at Rogers Gardens wasn’t videoing her. What if it was? She was a bonafide part of the wedding. She jumped on the seat, revved the motor and prayed Mom would forgive her. She had to get out of here and away from Devin.
Candy sped up San Juaquin Hills Drive to Newport Coast. She could feel the skirts of her gown flapping in the wind. It was so exhilarating, so freeing. She had left Dev behind.
But she had nowhere to go.
Candy's Wild Ride (The Candy Cane Girls Book 3) Page 8