On the Verge (Sisters Series Book 3)

by Karen Lenfestey

  “Everything. The purple shag carpet, the paneling in the basement.”

  “But you’re an interior decorator. You could fix all of that.”

  “You don’t understand. That house isn’t worth fixing.” She didn’t mention the negative energy that nearly suffocated her when she walked through the front door. He wouldn’t understand.

  He pursed his lips before speaking. “Okay. But the mortgage payment on that place is so low, we could start saving for Chip’s college. Doesn’t that sound good?”

  Her skin tingled. She loved the way he took on her son as if he were blood. She studied Nathan’s adorable face, wondering how she’d gotten so lucky. His eyebrows tilted up toward each other like two slopes of a mountain. Beneath them, his eyes alternated between kiwi and olive depending on the light. He had a cleft in his chin and strong, capable hands.

  Nathan continued speaking. “Did you see that oak in the backyard? I figured Chip and I could build a tree house in it. Maybe we could even get a dog.”

  On the way to another sip, she jerked the bottle away from her lips. The brown liquid sloshed against the plastic sides. “I didn’t know you wanted a dog.”

  “Since my dad was in the army, we moved around all the time and my parents never let me have one. But if I were to imagine the perfect childhood, it would include a dog.”

  So sweet. She kissed him on the cheek. “Maybe when Chip gets a little older and can help take care of it, we could talk about a dog. For now, let’s live in my duplex a while longer. That way you can buy into Rod’s Garage and we can save money for our dream house.”

  The car lurched as traffic stopped in front of them. Her head bobbed. Her palm braced against the dashboard.

  Red and blue lights flashed from several blocks away. The car in front of them crept forward. Val rolled down her window and tried to see what had happened. No luck. She checked the dashboard clock and her heart beat faster. She looked for an escape route. “You can turn right past that bush.”

  Nathan craned his neck toward her. “Is that a road or another driveway?”

  “I think it’s an alley between the houses.”

  He paused, no doubt considering his options. “But if it’s just a long driveway, we’ll be stuck for sure.”

  “Take a chance.”

  He turned down the narrow gravel road and she crossed her fingers that this would lead them to the next street and not to an old garage behind one of these houses. In this part of town, many of the large homes had been converted into apartments with parking in the back. As their car bumped along the single lane, Val caught sight of houses she’d never seen. She sighed with relief. They’d made it to the next street over.

  After checking traffic, Nathan eased his Honda back onto a paved road. Val watched with awe as they passed Tudor-style mansions and other once-majestic homes. “Oh my gosh. Did you just see that house?”

  “No.” He kept driving.

  She turned around trying to catch a glimpse of it. “Back there. It’s a house for sale. A beautiful house. Let’s stop and take a look.”

  “Val, we’re going to be late for the rehearsal. We can check it out another time.”

  She shook her head. “No, they’re having an open house right now. Kind of strange to have one on a Friday, but can’t we please take a look?”

  He studied his watch. He slowed down a bit. Finally, he parked his car against the curb.

  Val couldn’t wait any longer. She sprang from the car and headed toward the amazing house. The sirens from the next block grew louder. The wind chilled the back of her neck while tossing her long, black bangs into her eyes.

  Past the OPEN HOUSE sign, she paused near the orange and blue tiled fountain to wait for Nathan. When he caught up to her, she dipped her fingers into the water and splashed him. He laughed and wetted his fingers. Promising revenge, he chased her onto the front step where he flicked water droplets at her cotton dress.

  A two-story hacienda accented with wrought iron balconies and an arched entry towered over them. She stood there a moment admiring the craftsmanship of the carved front door until someone pulled it open from inside.

  A forty-something woman in a silk blouse and a navy pencil skirt greeted them. Foundation had settled into her wrinkles and her peach lipstick had faded, but she offered them an enthusiastic handshake. “Good to see you. Come in, come in.” She handed Val a flier with a photograph of the hacienda on the front.

  Val didn’t take the time to read the details, except to notice the price was over their maximum budget. Not by as much as she would’ve expected, though. Maybe they could negotiate if the place needed some work. Lots and lots of work!

  Drawn to the terra cotta foyer and the white pillars to her left, she couldn’t wait to see the place for herself. She turned toward the grand living room where a few other couples milled around. Inhaling, she realized the air smelled like fresh-baked apple pie. She figured the realtor had lit a scented candle somewhere, though she didn’t see it. Even so, the trick worked because she felt welcome.

  Sailing toward the fireplace, she touched the marble mantel. Dust caked onto her index finger. She sensed that the home had been built with love, but its current owners didn’t appreciate it.

  The real estate agent shadowed them. “It has six bedrooms, two and a half baths. Constructed in 1925. It’s registered, you know.”

  Goose bumps popped on Val’s arms. A registered landmark. She could live in a home with historical significance.

  The agent’s tired eyes seemed to come to life. “You appreciate the beauty of old world design, don’t you?”

  Val nodded, anxious to move through the house yet wanting to linger over the details. The living room must’ve been twenty-five feet long, lined with floor-to-ceiling arched windows whose frames flaked with old paint. A black piano with a carved music stand and cabriole legs fit in the corner. The matted carpet beneath her feet needed to be replaced.

  Arched French doors opened out back onto a covered patio. In spite of the cobwebs netting the rusted lawn chairs’ legs, she pictured men in button-down shirts and women in sundresses laughing and sipping wine. If she ever opened her own design studio, she could entertain clients here.

  Why hadn’t she tried harder to save money, like Nathan had? Sure, she had Chip to take care of and student loans to pay off, but she’d been guilty of buying herself paintings or sculptures whenever she found an artist she admired. That was the problem with decorating for rich people. She was always falling in love with something that she couldn’t afford.

  The real estate agent recited her well-rehearsed speech. “The architect is A.M. Strauss. Down the hall you’ll see a large kitchen, breakfast nook and dining room.”

  Nathan cleared his throat. “Val, we really must go. People are waiting.”

  Val sighed with frustration. Why did everything happen at once? She looked at the paper clutched in her hands. Even though they couldn’t afford the place, she’d love to see the upstairs. They simply didn’t make houses like this anymore. “I’m afraid we don’t have time to see the whole place now. Could we come back?”

  The woman checked her watch. “The open house ends in half an hour.”

  Val thought of the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner afterward. Her parents, who had flown in just for the wedding, would give her hell if she rushed off. “We won’t be able to make it back today.”

  “I might be able to get you in tomorrow afternoon.”

  Val shook her head. This wasn’t meant to be. “We’re getting married tomorrow and leaving on our honeymoon right away.”

  The agent lightly touched Val’s arm. “Oh, congratulations! This house would be perfect for newlyweds. It’s so romantic with fireplaces in almost every room.”

  Nathan shifted his weight. “It’s quite impressive, but it also needs some work. How much are they asking?”

  Val told him and they exchanged disappointed looks. “I know. It’s just not within our reach.” Licking her lips,
she looked toward the scrolled iron railing that led to the second floor.

  The agent shook each of their hands. “My name and number are on the flyer if you change your mind. But I must warn you, I’ve had several interested couples here today. This diamond in the rough won’t be on the market for long.”

  Val winced. It was a diamond in the rough. But they had other priorities right now. Swallowing, she thought of her friends and family waiting at the church. “We’ve got to take off. Thank you.” She felt a little guilty, hoping the place didn’t sell.

  Once outside, they could still hear the sirens blaring.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Val rushed into the chapel where the sun streamed through mosaic stained glass windows. All of the bridal party appeared present except for Chip. Had he decided to boycott his role as ring bearer? He certainly wasn’t thrilled with the idea of a stepfather who would back up Val on discipline issues. He preferred the odds now.

  Her friend and co-worker, Joely, walked toward her. “Your parents took Chip and Anna in the choir room for a snack. Our kids were getting a little restless.” She leaned down toward Val’s ear and lowered her voice. “Everything okay?”

  Val hated that Joely interpreted her tardiness as something worse than it was. “We took a little detour is all.” She addressed the room. “Sorry we’re late. It’s my fault.” People waved their hands dismissively and mumbled kind platitudes.

  The minister clapped his hands like a football coach rallying the team. “Let’s get started. Everyone gather around so we can run through this.”

  She noticed the minister matching up the groomsmen with the bridesmaids by height, just as she had planned. Free-spirited artists with piercings in their noses and up and down their ears would be escorted by an odd combination of men: Nathan’s boss in a polo shirt, his brother, who always dressed to impress with a thick, gold chain around his neck and one of his co-workers in a gray T-shirt advertising Rod’s Garage.

  Joely, who looked a little like Cindy Crawford with the mole above her lip, pulled Val near. “This will be a big adjustment for all of you. If you ever need anything, I’ll be here.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

  Her friend reached toward Val’s hair and brushed the ebony strands out of her eyes. “How are you going to wear your hair tomorrow? Cool, artsy Val or conservative, trying to impress the old folks Val?”

  Val felt Joely’s fingers creating a part on the opposite side of her head. She knew this revealed a streak of pink usually kept hidden during the day when she interacted with her clients. “I think I’ll do my mother a favor and not embarrass her at this wedding.”

  A frown formed across Joely’s face. “I’m worried you’re stifling the real you.”

  In her teens and early twenties, Val had been wild and spontaneous. She’d jumped off a jagged cliff into a quarry filled with rainwater. She’d hitchhiked across the country to hear a new alternative band, The Electric Butterfly, and gotten a tattoo as a memento. In fact, she’d never even worn a watch or considered getting an associate degree--until she had Chip. Motherhood had forced her to keep track of things, to think about tomorrow, to worry. “Now that I have Nathan, maybe I can relax a little.”

  Joely hugged Val with one arm. “I just want you to be happy.”

  She caught sight of Chip entering the chapel and joy surged through her. “I am happy. I’m marrying a man who loves me and my son. Wait ‘til I tell you about the house we saw.”

  # # #

  On the table in front of Val, the unity candle flickered. Above that, an earth-toned tapestry of Jesus with his arms open wide offered solace. Two contradictory signs. Val decided she would not worry about such things today. Today was about celebrating.

  The minister closed his Bible with a soft thump. “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  Nathan lifted Val’s veil. He kissed her left cheek, then her right before brushing his warm lips against hers. It was their signature kiss. Today’s kiss ended quickly--probably because public displays of affection embarrassed him. He never gave her more than a hug when her son was in the room. Now everyone they knew watched.

  Together the couple turned and faced the packed church. Her cheeks hurt from grinning, but she couldn’t stop herself. This was going to be everything her first marriage wasn’t. Arm in arm, they walked back down the aisle. Some of her friends spilled from the pews on her side of the church over to his. How fun it was to see everyone she cared about in one room!

  They took their places in the hallway to greet guests as they exited. Nathan squeezed her hand. “I have a surprise for you.”

  The house. Had he bought her the Spanish hacienda? Her chest lightened as if filled with helium. She knew he had some money in savings, but she didn’t know how much. Was it enough to buy into the business and get a house? Anticipation zipped across her nerve endings.

  Before she could respond, a non-stop stream of people hugged her as they went past. Nathan made introductions to the people she didn’t know and she returned the favor. Once the line finished, she looked at her husband. Somehow she managed to grin even bigger than she already was. Husband. She hadn’t expected the giddiness that bubbled inside of her.

  He swung her hand nervously. “Ready?”

  She nodded. Off they went, dashing down the church steps, her bouquet of pink and white orchids blocking the tiny bits of birdseed tossed at them. Faces blurred as they made their way to the car. In a split second, Nathan stumbled and started falling head first toward the sidewalk. Her stomach leapt into her throat. She clutched his arm, digging her fingernails into his sleeve.

  Her heart thumped like mad. Somehow she’d steadied him. “Are you all right?”

  He nodded. “Me and my two left feet. Just wait ‘til we’re on the dance floor at the reception.” They smiled at each other and kept going.

  Now at the bottom of the stairs, she searched for Nathan’s Honda. But it wasn’t there. Instead some kind of dark green, antique automobile waited for them. It had an open top, big round headlights and she guessed it’d been made in the nineteen-twenties or thirties.

  Nathan walked her around to the passenger’s side and opened the door, which hinged in back instead of the front. She gave him her best quizzical expression and climbed in. The well-worn leather seats gave way beneath her.

  He took his place in the driver’s seat and put the stick shift in neutral. He reached for the wooden dashboard to turn the key and pull some kind of lever. The car started and the engine grew loud. He adjusted the lever again, calming the motor, then drove away.

  She looked around. “No seatbelts? That doesn’t seem like you.”

  “We’re not driving far.”

  That was true. Flanagan’s Restaurant, with the large banquet room in the basement, stood just a few blocks away. She propped her arm against the open window and enjoyed the contrast between the sun and wind against her face. “Cute car. Whose is it?”

  “I borrowed it from my brother. It’s a 1934 MG. I thought it’d make a nice surprise.”

  She smiled. This was even cooler than a limo.

  Nathan raised his voice to be heard over the wind. “His credit cards are maxed out and he asked our widowed mother to help make his last mortgage payment, but he has an antique car collection.” He shook his head.

  She knew Nathan disapproved of his brother’s don’t-fret-about-tomorrow attitude, but she also detected a hint of jealousy in Nathan’s voice. “Would you like to own a car like this?”

  “Sure. Especially this one. It belonged to our grandfather.” His expression loosened as if his mind were far away. “My grandfather taught me how to change the oil on this car. Then we’d get cleaned up and he’d take me to town for ice cream.”

  She could tell that he felt the same fondness for his grandfather as she did for her grandmother. Except instead of ice cream they’d indulged in Dr Pepper. Too bad her grandmother wasn’t alive to see her marry the right man. “Wait. Is this the
surprise?”

  He turned and smiled. “Yep.”

  Her spirits dropped. A borrowed car was the surprise?

  An image of the Spanish hacienda with the fountain splashing out front formed in her mind. She’d tried to forget about it, but when he’d mentioned a surprise, that historic home immediately popped into her head.

  She longed to live in that house. Desperately craved it. And when she saw something she really wanted, she ran toward it.

  For better or for worse.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “Please don’t go, Mom,” Chip pleaded. Her son’s mood had alternated between grumpiness and happiness throughout the reception. When he knew his mom was watching, out came the lower lip and slumped shoulders. When other boys in the room suggested they steal the lace bags of mints at each place setting, he grinned and snuck around like a little spy. Too busy chatting with friends, Val had pretended not to notice.

  Still in her ivory gown, she approached her son who had long ago removed his bow tie and jacket. “May I have this dance?” She held out her hand.

  He shook his head and sat down. Too short to reach the floor, his legs swung forward and back. The black patent shoes shone under the fluorescent lights.

  “Come on. I’ll teach you.” She looked toward the small clearing where couples danced to “Butterfly Kisses” on the parquet floor. Behind them, sheets of pink tulle cascaded down the walls. She took a step, but her son wouldn’t budge.

  “I promise I’ll be good. I’ll eat my vegetables. I’ll clean my room. Pleeeease? It’s not any fun at Joely’s house.”

  “But you’ll have someone to play with.” She’d always felt bad that Chip was an only child. At least Joely had a daughter Chip’s age.

  He crossed his arms. “Anna’s a girl. All she wants to do is girlie things.”

  Val understood. Almost from the start, boys and girls deviated in what they did for fun. Her brother had not once helped decorate Malibu Barbie’s beach house with her. If she’d wanted a companion, she’d been forced to play war or cops and robbers or whatever her older brother had wanted. But it was better than being alone. “Well, maybe you can take turns doing what the other one likes.”