Addy knew Rachel from the few times Rosie had brought her mom over to see Nightmare. She’d always struck Addy as a quiet, gentle woman and that stood true when she arrived with a big smile on her face. She was draped in a light, floral dress with short sleeves and a belt fastened around her waist. Her light, brown hair was drawn back and pinned in a twist at the back of her head. She looked from Hanna to Sean.
“Hey guys! Want to come with me? The others are upstairs.”
“Is Kari there?” Hanna demanded.
Rachel nodded. “Kari and Owen, and even Colten.”
Sean shifted mutely.
Hanna peered up at Addy. “Can I go?”
Addy turned to Sean. “Watch your sister, okay?”
Sean nodded. He took Hanna’s hand and followed Rachel from the room. Addy watched until they were out of sight before focusing on Calla.
“Ready?” the blonde asked.
Without waiting for a response, Calla stalked with wide strides in the direction of the kitchen area. Someone had propped the doors open wide and yellow light gleamed in the semi darkness of the corner. Two men were hauling out wooden fold up tables. Calla waited until they were out before vanishing inside.
“Addy, this is Farrah. She’s coordinating the banquet. Farrah, this is Addy. She’s going to takeover—”
“No, please,” Addy cut in quickly. “Do what you’re doing and I’ll follow along.”
Calla looked ready to respond, but gave a nod. “Okay, well, I’ll leave you here. I’ll be in the other room if you need anything.”
Then she was gone and Addy faced the beautiful, dark haired woman.
Farrah, with her smooth, tan skin and enormous brown eyes, reminded Addy a little of Pocahontas. She wore beige slacks and a black t-shirt. Her hair was fastened with a clip at the nape of her neck. She smiled kindly.
“Let me show you where we’re putting everything.”
It took no time at all to get into the swing of things. Eight long tables had been erected along the wall with two bent in an L to block off the kitchen. Only three of those tables were for desserts. The rest were kept for the pot luck people were supposed to bring. A few platters were already there, wrapped in tinfoil and plastic wrap.
“Just organize the desserts the way you want to present them,” Farrah said after her quick walk through. “I have four servers lined up for you to do rounds. You’ll be in charge of them.”
Thanking her, Addy set to work. She stalked into the kitchen and the whole wall of steel counters containing everything she’d baked over the week. She didn’t have time to watch the rest of the place getting put together. She stayed focused on her section, making sure every plate that came out was perfect. The color scheme of the evening was three layers in different shades. White over powder blue over baby blue to set off the Sonia blue orchids floating in the cylinder vases of water. White gems lined the bottom of each vase and a single candle floated at the top. Each table held three in a neat cluster at the very center. The warm glow glinted along the curve of each metal tray. It shimmered off the prongs of each fork. She wasn’t sure where Calla got the idea, but it was beautiful.
Two men ushered her away to pin ropes of sheer, white silk along the back. The miles of fabric looped all the way around the room. The fine threads glimmered like sunlight off the delicate web of a spider. Hanging over the tables in gentle waves, they complimented the set up to perfection.
“Wow!” Addy breathed.
“Pretty, no?” Farrah said, joining her. “You did a good job.”
With a pat to Addy’s shoulder, the other women ducked back into the kitchen. Addy stayed a moment longer to admire the magic before following.
The kitchen was an organized mess of people and things. Every person had been given an order and a section and they stayed within that area. So far, no one had bumped or dropped anything. Addy owed all that to Farrah. The woman was incredible.
“Do you do this sort of thing often?” Addy asked her when there was a second of lull.
Farrah laughed and shook her head. “I’m a kindergarten teacher.”
“Well, you are amazing,” Addy confessed. “This whole thing has been such a great experience.”
Farrah touched her arm and leaned in close to whisper, “It’s all about knowing what you want and making sure others follow.”
Addy chuckled. “Gotcha.”
They were in the process of setting out champagne glasses when Willa appeared in the doorway. Her blue eyes scanned the room before spotting Addy. She beamed and hurried over.
“Sorry, but I need to steal your helper for a moment to get ready,” she told Farrah, her hand already curled around Addy’s arm. “I promise to bring her right back.”
Farrah waved them away. “Take her. We’re nearly done here anyway.”
Smiling, Willa began tugging Addy to the door.
“Get ready?”
“Oh, you need to get much fancier than that,” Willa stated simply.
Dread slithered down the length of Addy’s spine. “Oh, didn’t bring—”
Willa shot her a grin from over her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We thought of that.”
“We?”
Rather than answer the question, Willa hauled Addy upstairs. The sound of children screaming and laughing filled the entire corridor. It grew louder when they passed the first set of doors. Addy guessed that was where the children were, but Willa didn’t stop for her to check. She was marched straight to the very end and forced into the last room on the left.
Calla was already there, so was Lily and Rachel, and another woman Addy hadn’t met before, but had a feeling was another McClain. All eyes turned when Willa shut the door behind them.
“Brought her!” the blonde announced.
“Addy.” Calla hurried forward. Her hand curled around Addy’s arm and she was pulled closer. “You know everyone, don’t you?”
Addy nodded. “Kind of.” She turned to the dark haired woman with intense blue eyes and offered her a hand. “Hi, I’m Addy.”
“Beth,” the woman said evenly, giving Addy’s hand a brisk shake. “I’m Toby’s mom.”
Something tightened in the pit of her stomach. Nerves. She could feel them dampening her palms and making her heart race. She stared tensely at the dark haired beauty watching her back with a searching scrutiny that only intensified Addy’s desire to bolt.
“Hello,” she blurted.
“So, you’re Addy,” Beth said, eyes narrowing. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately.”
The urge to throw up came and was quickly shoved down. What on earth was she so nervous about? She hadn’t done anything. She was a grown woman with two kids for God sakes. Yet she was sweating like she’d robbed a bank.
“Oh,” was all she could manage, and even that came out uneven.
“I’m told you make incredible pastries.”
“Oh!” she said again, with more than a bit of surprise. “I don’t know about incredible—”
“Oh, they are amazing!” Willa praised for her. “Wait until you try them.”
Beth never looked away from Addy, even when her head bobbed slowly. “I’m looking forward to it and I am really looking forward to getting to know you better.”
The feeling of nausea returned with a vengeance.
“But first, we really need to get dressed,” Lily interrupted. “The guests will be arriving shortly and there is still so much left to do.”
Addy turned to the nearest woman to her and grabbed Calla’s arm. “I wasn’t sure how formal this was. I haven’t brought anything—”
“No worries.” Calla smiled. “I brought a few items from the boutique. I wasn’t sure your size so I guessed.”
“Oh! Oh God … really, you didn’t have to—”
“Of course I did. This is your big coming out as much as it is ours. You need to look stunning.” Her smile softened. “You’re family now.”
That stopped her. Her hand dropped away from the other w
oman’s elbow and she could only stare as those words revolved around her head.
Family. Addy knew she didn’t mean in the same sense as the rest of them, but more of a business sort of family, but the word still lashed at her, making it impossible to argue. A pathetic part of her actually melted a little at the thought of being part of a family like the McClain’s, while the other part told her to snap out of it and pull herself together.
The first part won.
She let herself get dragged forward to the racks lined in three neat rows next to a dressing screen. Lily and Willa were already drawing beautiful dresses out and chattering on like this was a normal thing. Rachel stood with them, more pensive as she admired each gown she pulled out. Beth hadn’t moved. Addy could no longer see her, but she could feel the woman’s eyes boring into her back.
“I think something gold,” Calla mused as she released Addy to rifle. “To bring out your eyes.”
“This one.” Beth seemingly appeared out of nowhere, holding a gorgeous, black number. “Try it.”
Too self-conscious to say no, Addy took the dress offered and ducked behind the screen. She stripped quickly and redressed, careful not to let her sweaty palms touch the soft silk. The dark fabric shimmered all the way down the length of her, molding and hugging all the places she’d kept carefully hidden from view most of her life. It outlined the hills and valleys with a natural grace that was borderline indecent, especially when it was clear that nothing could be worn underneath. The bodice was sheer with a spray of glittering flowers embroidered tactfully in all the right places with just enough opening in between the petals to show a hint of breast, but not enough to warrant raised eyebrows. A sheer stretch of fabric slung over one shoulder in a dark, shimmering anchor keeping the dress in place. A slit was cut from floor to hip on one side, exposing her entire left leg. The flowers at her chest rained down the front and split off to follow the line of her gash all the way to the hem. More flowers circled around her back.
It was incredibly sexy and completely out of her comfort zone.
“I’m not sure about this one,” she called out.
“Well, come out and let us see,” Calla called back.
Addy hesitated. Part of her wondered if they would give up if she just stayed hidden behind the screen, but the last thing she wanted was for Toby’s mom to think she was a baby, or worse, ungrateful.
Sucking in a breath, she stepped out.
“Oh my God!” Willa gasped. “It’s perfect!”
“That’s the one,” Calla agreed with a definite nod. “It’s you.”
While her stomach fluttered in excitement, she ran unsteady hands down the front, careful not to crease the flowers.
“You don’t think it’s a bit … intense?”
“Intense is good!” Lily said. “You want intense. Trust me. Everyone will be dressed up.”
“And that dress is the only one of its kind,” Calla announced. “I fell in love with it the moment I saw it, but it doesn’t fit me.” She gave a wistful sigh. “At least someone will get to wear it.”
Addy glanced over to where Beth stood studying her. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Beth nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“Me next!” Willa tugged on her aunt’s arm. “Find me something.”
Beth’s face immediately softened as she peered at her niece. “I’m not a magic hat.” She laughed. “But I think I saw a pink number over here with your name on it.”
While Beth and Willa moved to one of the end rakes, Addy allowed herself to exhale.
“She’s not normally so creepy.” Lily appeared at Addy’s side, a smile on her lips. “I think she’s just curious about you.”
Addy blinked. “Curious? About me? Why?”
One slender shoulder lifted. “Well, you’re the woman who caught her son’s eye.”
Heat swarmed up Addy’s neck to fill her face. “Oh, well, Toby and I we’re … I’m not even sure what it is we have, if anything.”
Lily chuckled. “Doesn’t mean we’re not excited to have you here with us.”
“Here. Try these.” Calla appeared next to Addy with a pair of bright red pumps in hand.
Lily stepped away and Calla took her place. She stayed with Addy through every step of her preparations. Maybe she could tell Addy hadn’t dressed up once in her entire life, because she even helped with her makeup and hair. In the end, even Addy didn’t recognize her own reflection.
Her eyes had been deepened. Her lips matched her shoes and the glossy coat of polish Willa swept over each of Addy’s nails. She was given no jewelry, but the outfit didn’t need it. The whole thing shone on its own.
“Would this be a bad time to confess I’ve never worn heels?” Addy murmured.
Five pairs of eyes fixed on her, making her flush.
“Never?” Calla pressed dubiously.
Addy shook her head. “Never.”
“How have you never worn heels? I live and breathe heels.”
“It’s true.” Willa laughed. “Heels are like her reason for living.”
Addy hesitated, wishing she hadn’t spoken.
“I, uh, I got pregnant when I was fifteen. Didn’t get many chances after that to dress up and wear heels anywhere.”
There was more to the story than that, but it was the easiest one to give.
No one spoke for a long time and the longer it took, the tighter the coil in her stomach became until it was nearly impossible to breathe.
“I can’t even imagine that,” Calla said at last. “No heels … I think I would cry.”
The others laughed at the look of horror on the blonde’s face, everyone, but Beth, who had turned away at Addy’s confession. For some reason, her reaction hurt worse than if she’d actually said something. It made Addy feel small and ashamed, like she’d done something wrong. While she wouldn’t encourage anyone to have a baby at that age, it hadn’t been something she could avoid. It hadn’t been her choice. But she had Sean and she didn’t regret it no matter how it happened.
“I’m going to check on the kids,” she whispered. “Thank you for the … everything.” She forced a smile for Calla and prayed it didn’t look as tight as it felt. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
She moved quickly to the door before she could be stopped. Her insides jittered. Her eyes burned and it made no sense how one person, a person she didn’t even know could make her so completely emotional. She couldn’t fathom why it hurt. Yet it did.
“Addy!” Willa sprinted out of the room and hurried over. “I’ll come with you. I’m done anyway.”
Willa looked stunning in a soft, pink gown with thin straps over the shoulder and no back. Her hair was braided over one shoulder. A camera dangled from around her slender neck.
Addy didn’t stop her. Together, they walked in silence to the children’s area. Willa pushed open the door and they stepped inside.
There were thirteen kids crammed inside an enormous room scattered with toys and boys. A group of teenage girls stood off to one side, watching the chaos, but there were no adults.
“We get kids from the high school to help with the babysitting,” Willa explained. “We have one for every five children.”
Addy countered eight teenagers. “Why are there so many?”
“Because there will be more children once the event begins.”
“Is there enough?”
“We’ll see,” Willa said. “We’ll add more as the numbers grow.”
“Mommy!” Hanna broke away from the two other girls she was sitting with and bolted forward. She launched herself at Addy’s waist, nearly taking her down. “You look so pretty!”
Laughing, she hugged her baby girl close. “Thank you.”
Hanna tilted her head back. “Are you going to a party?”
Addy nodded. “Just for a little bit. Is that okay?”
“Yup, Kari and I are going to build a castle.”
“That sounds like fun, but be good, okay? Don’t give the babysi
tters a hard time.” She lifted her head and scanned the room for Sean and found him sitting by the window with Owen. She waved and got a nod of acknowledgement in return. She bent her head and kissed the top of Hanna’s head. “I’ll see you in a little while, okay?”
“Bye, Mommy!”
She hurried back to her friends. Kari waved at her mother, but didn’t come over.
“We do this every year,” Willa explained as they left the room. “They’re used to it.”
“It’s really something,” she said as they carefully descended the stairs. “Mrs. Donnelly said that Toby runs it.”
Willa nodded. “He kind of started it when he was sixteen.”
Addy blinked. “Sixteen?”
The blonde laughed. “You’ll hear the speech later this evening.”
Not sure what to say to that, Addy just followed as they made their way back to the hall.
Stunning didn’t even describe the scene they stepped into. It was something straight out of a fairytale, right down to the glittering, silver plants and the sheer drapes canopying the ceiling and running down the walls in gossamer waves. Fairy lights were hung from the rafters and shone through the fabric like a million stars. Circular tables sat in neat clusters along the edges, leaving the center open, possibly for dancing. A stage was erected against the very front with red curtains and a lone runway leading onto the dance floor. A table with eight wooden boxes sat at the very end. The houselights had been turned down low so the candles in each of the vases on the tables glowed.
“How did…?”
Willa chuckled. “Calla just has that magical touch. She’s amazing at stuff like this.”
“This is beyond amazing! It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Willa touched her arm lightly. “Come on. Let’s find the others.”
Addy was still staring with open mouthed wonder at everything as she let herself be led through the room.
“Damon!” Willa waved to her husband before tugging Addy in that direction.
Damon wasn’t alone. He stood off to the side with Jared, Cole, Sloan, and … Toby. Toby with his beautifully fitted tux and slicked back hair and cleanly shaven face. Toby with his dark, hungry eyes. He turned those unfathomable blue orbs in her direction just as they reached the group and whatever wisp of oxygen she’d possessed vanished. The room vanished. Willa’s arm, her presence, the men, the people around them, everything was gone, except the man tracing the length of her from beneath hooded eyes. The butterfly emporium in her stomach launched in a tap dance that raised little goose bumps all along her arms. Her skin prickled with heat that radiated from deep within her core.
His Lullaby Baby Page 23