Special Blessings

by Anne Marie Rodgers

  Elena's family was already there, except for Sarah, and Candace wondered if Isabel's mother would come this year. True, she and Rafael had been working at co-parenting, but there had been one or two distinctly tense moments last year between Sarah and Rafael's girlfriend.

  James and his family arrived right after Candace did. He had told them that Gideon would be bringing a girlfriend, so no one was surprised to see James's elder son leading a pretty, petite blonde by the hand. But it still was a shock to Candace. Gideon and Nelson were only a few years older than Brooke. It seemed they had grown into young men overnight.

  She was delighted to see Fern walk in using a cane. James hadn't been kidding when he said Fern was doing well recently. As he helped her get settled in a chair in the shade, Janet took a seat next to her and began to chat. Candace found it interesting that Nelson seemed much more buoyant and relaxed this year. Rather than shadowing his mother's every move, he already was running to put on swim trunks and get wet.

  Ainslee came out of the house and greeted everyone. She was wearing a cute skirted swimsuit and carrying Lindsay Belle, who wore a teeny tiny matching one. She directed Lindsay Belle to wave and blow kisses, and while everyone was still chuckling, carried her off to join the kids in the sprinkler.

  “That looks like fun,” Fern remarked. “I can't believe how hot it is this year.”

  Anabelle nodded. “Last year, it was warm but nothing like this, remember?” Then her face fell for a moment.

  Gently, Candace said, “I guess you’re missing Kirstie.”

  Anabelle nodded, and Candace slipped an arm around her for a quick squeeze despite the heat. “Mark went to Chicago for the weekend and stayed through today,” she reported, speaking of Kirstie's steady beau, Mark Holcher.

  “That's nice,” Candace said. “I’m sure she's glad to see someone from home.”

  “I sent another one of her favorite pies along,” Anabelle said. Her chin quivered, but she was smiling. “That girl would eat sour-cherry pie until she turned cherry-red if I let her.”

  Elena laughed. “Now there's a nice image.” It was the first time she’d smiled since they had arrived, and Candace wondered what could be wrong. Usually Elena was the life of the party.

  Heath wandered over then and took her hand. “May I steal you for a few minutes?”

  Smiling, she nodded. “As long as you’re not planning to run through that sprinkler.”

  He laughed. “Oh, if only I’d thought of it. No, I wanted to show you an absolutely gorgeous hydrangea that Cam has next to his garage. It's called Forever Pink. If you like it,” he said diffidently, “maybe we could put one in that bare spot at the edge of the front porch.”

  Candace stopped in her tracks, pulling him to a halt. “You’re thinking about our landscaping?” When he nodded sheepishly, she began to smile. “I think that's incredibly sweet.”

  “It's all part of my plan to get you where I want you,” he told her. He pulled her around the side of the garage, where they were hidden from view, showed her the hydrangea and then proceeded to kiss her. At least, she thought they were hidden from view until she heard Cam yell, “Heath, quit smooching that woman and get back over here. We need another opinion on who's going to take the pennant this year.”

  As they stepped into view again, Candace felt her face flaming—but she was grinning. Beside her, Heath wore an even sillier grin.

  “See you later.” Heath jogged off to join Cam, Evan Scott, Ainslee's husband Doug, Rafael, Cesar, and James, who were clustered around the grill.

  “Hi, everyone, sorry I’m late.”

  Candace turned to see Izzy's mother Sarah fly around the corner. Following her at a slower pace was an attractive young man carrying a large cake container.

  “Joe has the cake,” Sarah said to Anabelle. “Where would you like it?”

  Anabelle directed him to the appropriate spot; and once he had set down the cake, the fellow returned to Sarah's side.

  “This is Joe Carlin,” Sarah said. Joe was watching her, and Candace could see how smitten the young man was. Candace happened to glance over at the men and caught Rafael glaring at the pair, his intense dark gaze also focused on Joe.

  The party was as pleasant as it had been the year before. Candace fielded questions about her wedding plans, the women talked babies, child rearing, and recipes. Some of the men tossed horseshoes in a pit Cam had built near the barn. Excellent food, easy conversation, and good friends. Candace and Elena got a kick out of watching Brooke and Izzy mothering Lindsay Belle.

  “Ainslee, you actually got to sit down,” Candace said, smiling.

  “And it's heavenly,” Ainslee said dramatically. She grinned at her mother. “And when the girls get tired of her, I know Mother wants to watch her, so I anticipate being able to sit for quite a long while here.” She wiggled her toes in her sandals with a satisfied sigh.

  “Chase, not watch,” Anabelle corrected her daughter. “Ever since she started to walk, all I do is chase that child around.” Mother and daughter grinned fondly at each other. Candace was delighted to see that the tension that had marked the early months after Lindsay Belle's birth appeared to have eased.

  “And when she gets tired,” Sarah added, “then I’ll take a turn.” She grinned, winking at her date, Joe. “Get tired quickly, Anabelle.”

  Anabelle laughed. “Not a chance, sweetie. You’ll have to wait your turn.”

  Candace glanced at Elena, drawn to share the moment with her. But her friend was distracted, watching the group of men gathered around the grill with what appeared to be a concerned gaze.

  She drew Elena to one side. “Are you all right?”

  Elena dragged her gaze away from the men. “Yes,” she said, “just a little concerned about Cesar.”

  “Why? Does he suspect that you’re planning the party?”

  Elena smiled faintly. “If only that was it.”

  “What do you mean?” Candace's concern was giving way to major worry.

  Elena sighed. “He just doesn't seem himself.”

  “In what way?”

  As if the floodgates had opened, Elena began to pour out her fears. Cesar's slowing down…his family history…his fears that he wasn't picking things up as quickly…his attempts to lose weight.…

  Candace drew her farther from the group, linking arms and strolling along one of Cam's colorful flower beds. “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

  Elena lifted her shoulders in an uncharacteristically helpless motion. “I don't think so. I don't even know if there's anything I can do. He hasn't confided in me, and I don't want to say anything just in case I’m wrong. If he's not already worrying about his health, I don't want him to start.” She smiled a little. “Plus, he's never been good about acknowledging weakness or being sick, and he’ll probably just deny it.”

  Candace nodded. “If you need anything—anything at all—will you promise to call me?”

  The older woman turned and gave her an impulsive hug. “Of course. I feel better just sharing it with you.”

  Ainslee had just relieved her mother of supervising Lindsay Belle, when Anabelle's cell phone rang.

  To her delight, Kirstie's cell phone was the number on the display. But very quickly, her pleasure turned to concern. Kirstie rarely called; Anabelle hoped nothing was wrong.

  Hastily, she answered the call.

  “Hi, Mother. Happy Fourth.”

  “Hello, honey. Same to you. How are you?”

  “I’m fine.” Kirstie laughed ruefully. “Just wishing I was home with all of you to cook out and watch fireworks with our friends.”

  Anabelle got a lump in her throat. “We wish you were too.” You’re the mother, she told herself firmly. You’ve got to be positive. “I guess you had a busy day at the aquarium.”

  “Wow, did we ever. I talked until I was as blue in the face as my iguanas. It's a relief to be off.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Sitting in my apartment with Ma
rk,” Kirstie told her. “As soon as it gets dark, I’ll be able to watch the fireworks from my balcony. It’ll be a big display, but I still wish I was home.” She laughed, but Anabelle could tell her heart wasn't in it. “I guess I’m just missing you and Pop a little bit.”

  “That's nice to hear, but I’m sorry you’re lonely.”

  “I’m not, really,” Kirstie assured her. “I’ve made a lot of friends among the aquarium staff, and my next-door neighbor invited me for dinner the other night. She has three kids, and we had a great time playing games.”

  “Oh good.” They chatted for a few more minutes, and then Kirstie asked, “Mother, are you coming up to visit one of these days? I’d really love for you to see what I’m doing with the iguanas.”

  Anabelle was almost too pleased to speak. She hadn't been sure Kirstie would miss them at all. “We’d love to, honey. How about the first weekend in August?” For Kirstie, she would even show some lizard love.

  “That would be great. Let me know when you want to come, and I’ll see about trading shifts with someone.”

  James wiped sweat from his brow and took another drink of the cool glass of water Anabelle had offered him.

  He surveyed the gathering of his family and friends. Fern looked happy and content, chattering away with the women on the porch, while Nelson had abandoned all attempts to be “cool” and was whooping and splashing in the water with Candace's young son, making her daughter and Elena's granddaughter shriek as they—gasp!—got the girls’ hair wet.

  Gideon and Jenni were seated together on a porch swing, idly moving the seat back and forth as they sat, slightly facing each other, engaged in some intense conversation. As James watched, Gideon picked up her hand and absently played with her fingers. It was such a tender gesture that James couldn't help raising his eyebrows.

  “Uh-oh. I recognize that expression.” Cesar followed his gaze, as they waited for Cam and Doug to toss their horseshoes. “Your son in over his head?”

  James shrugged. “I hope not. But he went from being oblivious to girls during the winter to being joined at the hip with this one by late spring. At this age, that concerns me a little.”

  Cesar nodded. “We had some interesting times with Rafael.”

  “It seems to have changed Gideon's personality so much.” James shook his head. “He was never secretive or sullen before, but now…I think, aside from that, the thing that concerns me most is that he could miss out on so many experiences if he gets serious with one girl so young.” He turned and sent Cesar a wry smile. “Any advice?”

  Cesar hesitated. “Just keep the lines of communication open if at all possible. Even if it means swallowing your tongue to keep from saying something that can't be taken back.” He grimaced. “Elena wasn't always so good at that. I think I actually put my hand over her mouth a couple of times.”

  “Why don't I have any trouble imagining that?” James laughed out loud. “We like what we know of this girl, although we’re hoping to get to know her better. She seems personable, ambitious, academically talented, and focused on her future. But still we’re concerned.”

  Cesar sighed. “Life can never be simple, can it? You get one thing figured out, and something else crops up.”

  “You’re right about that. You knew I lost my job, right?”

  Cesar nodded. “Heard that.”

  “I was reinstated just a few weeks later; but, still, it was a rough time for us.”

  “I had a similar experience about a year ago. It does a number on your sense of self. Especially guys. We’re so tied into being the breadwinner in the family.” He glanced at James's strained expression. “And more so for you, with Fern's physical challenges, and you being the one everything falls on.”

  James nodded. “Getting my old position back was a huge relief.”

  “Your toss,” Doug called. “Better make it good, or we’re going to beat you bad.”

  “Well, well.” Cesar narrowed his eyes. “Let the trash talk begin.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  THE NOTTINGTONS AND PENNY RISSER WERE meeting Candace and Heath for dinner at Baldomeroon Tuesday evening. The birthing course had concluded, but Candace felt too invested in the Nottingtons’ childbirth journey to let weeks go by before she saw them in the delivery room again. Besides, she had promised to introduce them to Penny, and she was anxious to see how they related.

  “Relax,” Heath said. “It's going to go fine.”

  “I know.” Candace smiled at him. “I’m anxious to hear how their consult with the neonatologist went.” As she finished her sentence, the Nottingtons stepped through the door. Right behind them was Penny. Candace saw Penny's eyes sharpen. She leaned forward and tapped Therese on the shoulder, clearly recognizing that the pregnant woman in front of her probably was the person to whom she would be introduced soon.

  When they arrived at the table, Therese hauled Candace in for a hug. “Candace. Heath. Nice to see you. I told Lew that if we hadn't had dinner scheduled, I would have driven over to your house tonight. I’m not ready to be done with class.”

  Candace smiled warmly. “I always miss those classes. I so enjoy getting to know all of you.” She took a moment to introduce everyone formally, even though Heath knew Penny as well as the Nottingtons, and they had already begun to talk. “Therese, you’re thirty-four weeks now, right?”

  Therese nodded.

  Candace looked at Penny. “And you know that the baby she and Lewis are having has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.” There was a slight sobering quality to the moment, but then Penny smiled.

  “Congratulations,” Penny said sincerely. “My sister Patti has taught me patience, perseverance, and how to take joy in every small accomplishment. Having a Down's child in your family can give you moments of terror, of exasperation, and of delight, like any child. Your baby will be an individual, with his or her own special needs, and like me, I think your family will become stronger for it.”

  Candace appreciated Penny's supportive words, as she marveled at how much more approachable the woman seemed outside of the hospital setting.

  Therese and Lewis both beamed. “Thank you,” Therese said. “You can't know how welcome your enthusiasm and encouragement are. Candace may have told you our family hasn't been particularly supportive.” Her fading smile shone with renewed wattage. “But we know that once this baby is born, everyone's attitudes are going to change. Not one of them has ever been able to resist an infant.”

  Lewis took her hand. “We have some extremely good news to share,” he said. “Last week, we had some tests done—and we’ve learned that the baby doesn't have any noticeable heart defects or other significant physical problems.”

  Candace, Heath, and Penny all cheered. Other patrons turned and stared, and Therese blushed. “We’ll still have specialists on hand when the baby comes just in case, but at this point, we aren't anticipating trouble.”

  The waitress approached, and everyone paused to give her their order. As the evening progressed, Candace was thrilled to see how easily Penny put the Nottingtons at ease.

  When they left the restaurant an hour and a half later, Heath put an arm around her and hugged her. “Way to go, counselor,” he said. “Putting Penny and that couple together was sheer genius. I think it might be good for both of them.”

  “I think so too.” As she leaned her head against his shoulder, she added, “I believe I’m going to call their daughter Noelle and ask her to meet with me. It may not do any good, but it certainly can't hurt to try.”

  Cesar was already home from work by the time Elena got home on Friday. The moment she entered the house, he met her at the door, waving an envelope beneath her nose.

  “Can you believe this?” he roared.

  “What?” Elena grasped his wrist and yanked the envelope from between his fingers. The return address was in Washington, DC—from the AARP organization. “Oh.” She tried unsuccessfully to stifle her grin.

  “It's not funny,” he told her,
and she was amazed to see that he looked genuinely upset.

  “Honey, I—”

  “Just wait until you’re staring fifty in the eye, and you’ll see how it feels.” And before she could find her voice, he turned and stomped away.

  Speechless, she could only watch. What on earth is wrong with him that a little thing like an AARP mailing would set him off this way? she thought. Then she remembered something that froze the blood in her veins.

  “Cesar!” She ran after him. He had gone into the bedroom and was changing out of his work clothes. “You had your physical today, didn't you?”

  He didn't look at her. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry I laughed at you,” she said sincerely. “I had no idea it would upset you. Did something happen at your physical?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “So everything was fine?” She watched him closely.

  “Everything was fine,” he said wearily. “He wants me to schedule a colonoscopy. Yippee.”

  “It's a painless procedure,” she told him, “and it's important to have the screening done for baseline purposes. One in nineteen people in the United States is diagnosed with colon cancer. It's not something to take lightly.”

  “I’m not taking it lightly,” he said irritably. “But the fact is I wouldn't have to have it done if I weren't turning fifty.”

  She couldn't argue with that.

  “I feel like I have one foot in the grave.” He sat on the side of the bed, his head hanging. “Why does fifty have to be such a big deal, such a…a benchmark age?”

  “I don't think it really is anymore,” Elena said, trying to be positive, although his first sentence had chilled her blood. If his physical really had gone well, wouldn't he be more positive? A new thought struck her: What if Cesar was keeping something from her so that she wouldn't worry? He often remarked that being a nurse made her far too aware of all the things that could go wrong with medicine today.