“If we walk far enough, maybe we can see the fireworks in Belford,” Megan said.
“I don’t think so, Megs, it’s pretty far and there are a lot of trees.”
“Did you see the way Mr. Williams was looking at Mom?” Megan giggled. “Sort of the same way Brandon looks at Allie. Who knew old people could get crushes?”
Caroline focused her eyes on the pavement beneath her so Megan wouldn’t see her laugh. Once she’d recovered control, she asked, “Do you like him? Patrick I mean.”
“He’s nice, I guess.”
“I feel bad for Brandon. He looked so disappointed when Allie called and said she wouldn’t be home.” Caroline glanced at her watch. “I hope by now she’s met up with Mark and ended all this angst.”
Off in the distance, somewhere in nearby Rosslyn Village, someone was shooting off firecrackers. Caroline’s phone rang. She pulled it out of the pocket of her white shorts, checked the caller ID and frowned. “Allie, what’s up? Allie? I can barely hear you.”
Allie was sobbing, but she had to practically scream over the Belford fireworks accompanied by the high school marching band. “Caroline, Mark never showed. Can you come get me?”
This was Caroline’s worst fear, that Mark and Allie were over and Allie wasn’t accepting it. “Of course, I’ll be right there. Allie, I’m really sorry. Allie?”
“Just hurry, okay?” Allie disconnected the line.
Chapter Thirteen
Melting ice cream. Wet and sticky, running down her fingers…Caroline woke with a start and blinked at the bedside clock. Six a.m. She groaned and started to turn over, when she realized the wet sticky feeling was actually Megan’s new dog, Honey, the one her mom and sister had adopted from the shelter on July fifth. Honey licked Caroline’s fingers again, so Caroline reached down and patted the dog on the head. “Do you need to go out?” she whispered. She glanced over at Allie’s bed, but Allie wasn’t in it. In fact, it didn’t look like the bed had been slept in at all. Caroline climbed out of bed, picked up the dog, and carried her into Megan’s bedroom.
“Psst, Megs,” Caroline whispered next to her ear. “You have to take the dog out.”
Megan pulled the pillow over her ears, moaned, and rolled over to the wall. Caroline tapped Megan’s shoulder, but she didn’t move, and now the dog was getting wiggly. She sighed and tiptoed down the hall, her sister’s new dog—the one Megan swore she’d take responsibility for—in her arms. She checked to see if Allie was in the bathroom, but the door was open and the light was off. Caroline wondered where Allie was as she crept past her mother’s room and headed through the house. But in the family room, there was Allie asleep on the sofa, the TV still on but muted, her cell phone clutched in her hand. Caroline set the dog down, tried to shush the exuberant animal, found the remote under the coffee table, and turned off the television.
“Huh?” Allie mumbled.
“What are you doing out here?” Caroline asked.
“Sleeping,” Allie growled.
Caroline knew without asking that Allie was waiting for a phone call from Mark, but she decided not to mention it. “Go back to sleep.”
“I thought that was Megan’s dog.” Allie punched the throw pillow and closed her eyes again.
Caroline scrutinized Allie while keeping a close eye on Honey. “Supposed to be, but she was in our room, and I couldn’t get Megan up to let her out.”
Just then the dog sniffed a likely spot near the leg of the coffee table, but before Caroline could get to her, Megan swooped into the room, snatched the dog up right before she squatted on the carpet, and hurried to the backyard with her. “I told you I’d take care of her, Caroline!” Megan called as she let the screen door slam.
Caroline lifted an eyebrow and started to go back to her room, but now she was fully awake. She had to go to work in a few hours anyway, so she went to the kitchen to make coffee. Allie wasn’t asleep, either, despite pretending to be.
Megan and Honey padded back through the family room. “Sorry I snapped at you, Car,” Megan said. Honey trotted happily alongside as Megan went back to her bedroom.
“Allie,” Caroline said, “why don’t you go get into bed? You aren’t going to get any sleep out here.”
Allie nodded, stood up with a stretch, checked her phone for messages, and exclaimed, “Yes! Finally!”
Caroline pushed Brew on the coffee pot and poked her head into the living room. “Mark? What’s he say?”
“‘Sorry missed 4th—in Chicago for job interview.’ What the…?” Allie mumbled.
Caroline didn’t buy it. Who goes for any kind of interview on a national holiday? “Wasn’t a Chicago job interview something he would have mentioned?”
Allie rubbed her eyes and looked again. “I need to sleep on this.” She stumbled down the hallway.
Caroline wondered why the guy didn’t just end their relationship. Or had he?
****
Caroline was scrolling through the email messages that had piled up at work over the holiday when she saw one from the advertising firm where she had interviewed last week. The idea of a new position was exciting, but she dreaded the thought of having to leave Meadows Advertising. While she was hesitating, she heard her cell phone ping with a text.
—Thar she blows!—
Caroline smiled at Lucy’s humor, but when she looked up and saw Misty barreling down the hall, she wasn’t amused anymore.
Misty stopped just inches from Caroline’s desk, her arms folded, puffing from exertion. “Caroline, I have to speak to Richard!”
When have you ever asked my permission? is what Caroline would have liked to say, but what she did say was, “I think he’s on the phone.”
“I don’t care.” Misty threw open Richard’s door and marched in. She stood just inside the doorway tapping her foot impatiently.
Richard looked up, finished his phone conversation with what Caroline thought was a deliberately slow pace, scribbled a few notes on a legal pad next to the desk phone, and finally turned to his fiancée. “Good morning, Misty.”
Misty stomped her foot like a petulant child. “I have nothing to wear!”
Richard’s mouth dropped open. “You came all the way over here to tell me that?” He turned back to his computer and resumed working. “So I guess you’re going shopping.”
“You don’t understand, Richard. I’m so frustrated! I’ve been to three malls and all over downtown Indianapolis, but this city doesn’t have enough upscale stores. I can’t find anything, and I desperately need new clothes for all the pre-wedding parties and our honeymoon!”
Caroline felt sick when Misty mentioned the upcoming nuptials, not to mention the honeymoon, but if she felt bad, she saw Richard visibly cringe.
“So do you want me to come with you?” he offered.
“Of course not. You’d just be in the way. I came to tell you I’m going to Chicago for a few days. At least I know I can find decent fashion choices there! I’m leaving this afternoon.”
Richard opened his mouth, closed it, shook his head and said, “Have a nice…”
But Misty didn’t even let him finish before she flew out, leaving Caroline dumbfounded. “What was that all about?” she asked after Misty was gone.
Richard shrugged. “Just Misty being Misty.” He picked up the desk phone and dialed out.
Caroline admired his patience with her, but she knew something was up. Misty could go to Chicago and be back in day if that’s what she wanted to do. The thing Caroline couldn’t figure out was why Misty wanted to marry Richard at all, since she never wanted to spend time with him. She was certain Misty had some kind of hidden agenda and obviously Richard couldn’t see that, but Caroline had promised herself to stay out of it.
She sat back down at her computer, and with trepidation, opened the email.
Dear Ms. Benedict,
After our meeting the other day, I reviewed your impressive résumé and I’m pleased to offer you a position at Charing Cross Marketing as a
copy editor. The salary would be the top dollar we discussed, which includes full medical benefits and an opportunity at a later date to buy into our 401K program. We’d like to have a response from you by early next week.
Sincerely,
Margaret Smithson
Human Resources Manager
Caroline sighed. She couldn’t afford to turn down such a great offer. She gathered her courage and tapped on Richard’s still-open door. He looked up from his computer and smiled at her.
“Richard, I’ve had a job offer.”
The smile melted from his face. “Did you accept it yet?” She shook her head no. “If you can hold off a few days, I need some time to…”
Caroline waited for him to finish that sentence, but he leaned back in his chair and tapped his forefingers together, lost in thought. She sighed. “They said they want to hear from me by the first of next week.”
What if Richard made her a counter-offer? He couldn’t match the offer she’d just gotten, and her rational side questioned the wisdom of continuing to work at Meadows Advertising when she had such deep feelings for him. And such a dislike for his soon-to-be wife. Caroline didn’t have an answer for that dilemma. It was already past one p.m. so she decided to take a late lunch away from the office, think it through, and hopefully get some perspective.
When she returned she saw an email from her sister. Caroline rolled her eyes as she opened it. More Mark drama, she assumed.
Hey Car!
Remember I wanted to go to Chicago to spend time with Brittany? Can you drive me up there this weekend?
Caroline didn’t think for a minute this sudden desire to go to Chicago had anything to do with Brittany.
What about Brandon and your promise to practice every day?
Caroline hit send.
Allie replied within minutes.
Poor Brandon, he’s been so patient. I’ll send him a thank-you note, but I really need to go to Illinois. I already told Brittany we were coming, and she’s alerted Emily and Sara. Please? I’m desperate!
Caroline suspected Allie was planning to fix her relationship with Mark while she was in Chicago, which was probably not going to work. But Caroline had her own reason for wanting to get out of town for a couple of days, so she replied:
It’s weird, because there are a lot of desperate people off to Chicago for the weekend. I’ll explain later. Yes, I can drive you up on Friday, but you owe me.
Chapter Fourteen
Caroline dug through her overnight bag to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. This last-minute trip came up so fast, she’d barely had time to pack.
“You’re going to get stuck in Chicago rush-hour traffic. You should have started earlier in the day,” Susan said as she tossed Allie’s bag into the trunk of Caroline’s car.
“It’s my fault, Mom,” Caroline said, tossing in her own bag and slamming the trunk shut. “I just couldn’t get away from the office any earlier.” Caroline knew she should start distancing herself from Meadows Advertising and think seriously about the offer from Charing Cross, but any time Richard asked her for a favor…She shook her head and gave her mom a quick hug. “Any message for Emily and Sara?”
“Tell Emily I’ll call her early next week, and give them both hugs for me. And thank them again for taking you both in like this on such short notice.” She turned to her other daughter, who was already in the passenger seat, impatiently tapping her foot. “Allie, did you remember to tell Brandon you’d be out of town for a few days?”
Allie concentrated on fastening her seat belt. “I’ll call him from the road, Mom. As you’ve already pointed out, we need to go.”
Susan leaned into the open window. “Did you ever hear from Mark?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Well? What did he say?”
“He said he’s in Chicago for a job interview.”
Susan’s eyes widened. “So that’s why you’re going to Chicago?”
Susan looked at Caroline, who shrugged. “Allie, what’s going on with you and Mark?”
Allie stared straight ahead. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Susan sighed and whispered to Caroline, “See if you can get to the bottom of this.”
Caroline nodded, backed out of the driveway, and headed north on Meridian Street.
Once they were northbound on I-65, Caroline slipped a CD into the player. She checked the gas gauge and hoped she had enough fuel to make it to Chicago, since her cash flow was limited, and then glanced over at her sister who was staring out the window.
“Allie, what’s the plan once you get to Chicago?”
“Spending time with Brittany, of course,” Allie snapped. “I haven’t seen her in a year.”
Caroline adjusted the volume down. “You don’t have to be so defensive, Allie. I mean what about Mark? You and I both know this trip isn’t about Brittany.”
“Don’t start, Caroline.” Allie reached over and turned the music up.
Caroline glanced over at her sister, who was slumped in the seat, looking glum. “I’m worried about you, that’s all. Ever since the Fourth, you’ve been in a funk. Is Mark meeting you in Chicago?”
“I sent him a text.”
So that answered the question. Allie didn’t even know if Mark would see her while they were there. “I really wish you’d tell me what happened between you two.” Caroline put on her turn signal to pass a slow-moving pickup truck.
“It was just a stupid argument, and I’m sure Mark and I can work it out. So back off.” Allie pulled a Jane Austen novel out of her bag, flipped open a page, and pretended to be engrossed.
Caroline sighed, noticed the construction signs, and focused on her driving. It looked like a long, bumpy road ahead.
Mom was right about the traffic, Caroline admitted to herself. It took two and a half hours to drive to the outskirts of Chicago from Indianapolis, and then another two hours to drive to Emily’s downtown condo. Friday evening rush-hour was gridlocked. Caroline was exhausted and hungry when they finally arrived. Allie jumped out of the car the minute Caroline had it in park.
A barefoot Brittany, her auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing running shorts and tank top, ran outside to greet them. “You’re here!”
Caroline turned off the engine and stretched her shoulders as she got out. “Chicago traffic was awful, and then when I finally got to this neighborhood, I had to circle the block three times to find a parking space.”
Brittany nodded and gave Caroline a quick hug, but had to stand on tiptoes to hug Allie. “Well, we’re so happy you’re here. Emily and Sara have something cooking that smells divine. Where are your bags?” Caroline popped the trunk, and Brittany yanked both bags out and then just as quickly dropped them on the sidewalk. “Geez, did you pack everything you own?”
Allie pulled her phone out and started walking to the front steps, texting the whole way.
“Here, let me help you, Brittany.” Caroline eyed her sister who was being impossibly rude, reached for her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and followed tiny little Brittany, who was lugging Allie’s bag.
Brittany set Allie’s bag on the front step. “Sara said to put you both in the guest room, and there are fresh towels in the adjoining bathroom.”
“Great.” Allie didn’t even look up from her phone, all but ignoring Brittany.
Caroline sighed, took both bags, and headed up the steps of the Chicago brownstone.
“So what’s this about Mark? Allie?” Brittany waved her hand in front of Allie’s face. “Hello?”
Allie stuffed her phone in a jeans pocket. “I’ll tell you about it later. He’s just being weird, but I plan to see him later so we can talk.”
Brittany looked dejected. “And here I thought you came to spend time with me.”
Allie gave Brittany a quick hug. “Of course I came to see you. How could I not come visit my best friend?”
Brittany looked at her askance. “Really, or was I just an excuse?”
> Caroline felt bad for Brittany. Both of them had easily seen through Allie’s ruse, yet her sister continued to pretend this trip was just a visit with a friend. Caroline sighed. “‘Fess up, Allie. How many times have you called Mark this afternoon?”
“I only left one voice mail, just before we left home, and I just texted him telling him we’re here.”
“Do you even know where he’s staying?” Caroline asked.
“No. With friends, I guess.”
“Oh, Allie, this doesn’t sound good,” Brittany said, shaking her head. “Maybe you should give him some space.”
Emily stepped out the door and smothered both Caroline and Allie in hugs. “It’s so good to have you both here. How’s your mom?”
“She’s great. She said to tell you she’ll call,” Caroline said. “I’m starved, and something in the kitchen smells delicious!”
****
On Saturday morning it was a luxury getting to sleep in. No barking dog, no ringing phones, no loud TV, just peace and quiet. Caroline could smell the fresh-brewed coffee as she came downstairs. Emily had put out blueberry muffins and was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper.
“Good morning,” she said as Caroline walked in.
“Good morning.” Caroline yawned and poured a cup of coffee. She noticed with surprise that Emily was dressed in business attire. “Are you working today?”
“I’ve got a client from Houston wanting to do some serious house-hunting. Sara’s still asleep. Her law firm’s handling a big case, and she’s been in court all week. What do you ladies have planned, or should I even ask?” She winked at Caroline.
“Shopping, of course.” Caroline laughed, before thinking logically. “Really just window-shopping, though, because Allie and I are on a tight budget. One pair of designer shoes could set us back a month. But there’s no place better than Chicago to look at the latest fashions, and we can enjoy advising Brittany.”
“Brittany’s out for her morning run,” Emily said. “I guess Allie’s still asleep?”
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