by Misty Simon
“Are you really going to name the baby Sarian?” She tripped over her next words in case she’d offended the potentially emotional Paige. “Not that it’s not a perfectly good name. I just haven’t heard it before.”
Paige laughed. “No, it’s a combo of Sara and Ian. I’m not going to find out the se-, gender of the baby until they show him or her to me after labor, but those are the two names I’ve picked out for him or her. I combined them when I went on bed rest to make sure I have something to call the baby when I spend countless hours telling him or her to behave and how much I love him or her. See? Him or her over and over again gets old. So the name gives me a way to connect without knowing what’s coming.”
“Makes perfect sense.”
“I knew you’d understand.”
“Of course.”
“I understand too, Auntie Paige! Can I see Sarian?”
“Oh, honey, Sarian is still in the belly for a little while longer, but you can rub the baby’s head if you want. It’s right here, sitting on my bladder.”
Paige took Mazzy’s hand and guided her in a series of small circles. Chelsea smiled, remembering rubbing Mazzy in the same way and wishing she would get out from under her ribs.
“So what’s new?” Chelsea sat on the other side of the bed and rubbed what was most likely Sarian’s rear end.
“Nothing at all. I have a woman who’s coming in twice a week to clean, and my mom keeps threatening to come home from her trip to take care of me. But so far I’ve held her off. I love her, but I don’t think I could handle her living in my house, no matter what.”
“I wish I could take the time off to stay with you.”
“Now we both know that’s not possible. You have your big promotion coming up, and a life over in Bettleton. I have plenty of people stopping in with meals and groceries and smiles to keep me company. Plus, Jack comes by at least every other day.”
The mention of Jack sent that same frisson of want up Chelsea’s spine, but she tamped it down ruthlessly. “That’s nice of him.”
“It is. Then again, he’s always been the nice one in the family.” Her cheeky smile made Chelsea smile, too. “How are you doing at the inn? All set up?”
“We’re doing fine, and, no, not yet. We just got here about an hour ago.” Her own marriage had taken place at the justice of the peace and had fallen apart shortly thereafter, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t pull this off. Paige had armed her with a ton of lists that would guide her.
“So Jack hasn’t shown you all the things I ordered him to have ready for you? I think the man had to come over with the house van twice.”
“Oh, lord, now you’re making me nervous. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do your job like you.”
“It’ll be fine. You have everything you need plus some extra, and Jack’s done this before, so you won’t be alone. I’m only a phone call away, too. I can’t believe I won’t be there, though. I’ve been looking forward to this for a year!”
“I wish you were going, too, but you have to look out for Sarian.”
“I know, I know. But for being such an active person, this is killing me.” She harrumphed and scooched down in the bed. She looked like Mazzy had, with her bottom lip almost trembling, right before Jack invited them to high tea. Chelsea did not need to be thinking about Jack when she was sitting on the edge of his sister’s bed. Paige would kill them both if they started anything at all. He was the big brother, not hot guy material. She absolutely had to remember that.
“Is there anything I can do while I’m here? Clean your kitchen? Bathroom? Something? Actually, let me make you lunch, and then you can tell me what else to do to feel useful.”
Mazzy continued talking with Paige, and Chelsea smiled every time she heard the two of them laugh. She came back bearing a tray with a fruit salad, juice, and some sort of chicken casserole. “We’re going to have a picnic.”
She spread out a tablecloth on top of Paige’s bedspread, mindful of Mazzy’s tendency to spill. But everything was eaten without a hitch, and she washed the dishes, then came back to ask what else needed to be done.
“You can sit with me and tell me all about what’s been going on with you. I want to catch up. Email and the phone just aren’t the same as having you face to face.”
Chelsea should have come to visit more before this. Five years was too long to be away from her friend.
“Before you start feeling all terrible about some imagined thing, don’t. We’ve both had our own lives, and I’ve come over to visit you many times. I just miss you. I’m not blaming you.”
Biting her lip, Chelsea nodded her head. “I still feel bad.”
“And I’ll get up and kick your a-, rear end if you don’t stop right now. It’s the way of life. No need to apologize. We’re busy. You’ve got Mazzy. I have a business that runs every weekend when you are available. It happens. Plus, I’m sure I’ll be burning up your phone line when this baby comes, since I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“Yeah, I just wish I had chosen a better father,” Paige said, then clamped her lips tight and darted a glance at Mazzy.
“Hey, bubby, let’s set up in the next room with your coloring book so you can make Auntie Paige some pictures for her walls.”
“Yay!”
Chelsea took a few moments to get her daughter situated, kissed her on the head, then went back to Paige’s room.
“I’m sorry about that,” her friend said as soon as Chelsea stepped over the threshold.
“No, don’t be sorry. Though I have to say that at least you know he’s a bastard before the big event. Maybe it will be easier for you.”
“Aw, honey, who would have ever thought we’d be in these predicaments, huh? I didn’t exactly foresee this with the Chinese fortunetellers we used when we were younger.”
That made Chelsea laugh. They’d consulted those things for finding out everything from who they’d marry to what kind of job they’d have and what car they’d drive. “No, of course not. I just wish it would have worked out better for you.”
“Yeah, well, at least I don’t have to have the experience of the perfect pregnancy husband and then find out the father/husband doesn’t live up to the fantasy. It’s going to be fine. I have a lot of support in the area.”
Something Chelsea did not have back in Bettleton. But this visit wasn’t about her.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do while I’m here? I even brought cleaning gloves with me, if you need something done.”
“No, just hang out with me for a while.”
“Okay, but first let me show you the goodies I brought.” She dug back into the tote and came up with a whole series of romance novels and a stack of trashy tabloid magazines that Paige had been saying she wanted to read if she ever had time.
“Oh, these are perfect! Now I can see who’s with whom and dream about finding that perfect ending. You’re the best, Chelsea!”
“I brought you one of those triangle peg games, too, to test your smarts. Maybe you can master it now.”
“That’s going to be tortuous, but if I can finally have only one peg left on the triangle like you’ve had, then it might just be worth it.”
“I could show you how it’s done.”
“No, no! Don’t ruin the fun!”
They laughed, and Chelsea enjoyed the way the sound was no different from when they were teenagers. She reached across and hugged Paige, whispering, “I have missed you, and if you need anything at all, you know you just have to call. It’s not an easy road you’re taking. I know.”
They separated, and Chelsea was surprised to see tears in her happy-go-lucky friend’s eyes.
“It’s not one I chose, it’s the one I’ve been plopped on. But I have you to look up to. You’ve made it, and so can I.”
That took Chelsea aback. She didn’t think she had made anything. She’d felt more like she’d been stumbling in a circle
. “I…”
“Don’t even say it. I’m on the outside looking in, and from here you have a wonderfully happy child, one who thinks you’re the greatest. Can you really ask for more?”
“No, I guess not. But being here in town is making me realize how little help I have, and how few friends.”
“Ha! How could you ever find someone as awesome as me?”
They laughed.
Then Chelsea abruptly stopped. “Mazzy is going to start asking questions soon, when she goes to preschool and realizes other kids have fathers in their lives on a more permanent basis. I’m not looking forward to that. Right now she assumes everyone lives with their mom and has a father somewhere who they don’t see often. I know I should talk to her, but I just can’t yet. She doesn’t ask about him. Do you think she should?”
“Probably not yet. And I know you keep hoping he’ll get a clue before you have to tell her that he’s not interested in anything more than the creation.”
“Yeah, I’m not going to say it’s the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but I just can’t seem to leave when I have hope that he’ll be there for her once school starts and there are concerts to go to, and award ceremonies, and dance recitals. I bet he’ll come to that kind of thing.”
“Oh, honey, I’m not sure what to tell you. You’ll deal with it when it comes, though, and then I can learn that from you, too.”
They laughed again, and Chelsea shoved that worry down to much farther along on her worries list. If Mazzy wasn’t asking, then Chelsea wasn’t going to worry about it yet. The answer would come to her when the time was right. Either that, or her waiting around would have paid off.
They talked about inconsequential things until Paige seemed to tire. “I think I’m going to nap.”
Chelsea took a peek at her watch and realized it had been well over an hour. “I’m here this whole week, and you’ve got me so organized, I’ll be able to spare time if you want me here.”
“No, you do the wedding thing, because that’s what I want you to do. Call me. We’ll chat and laugh. I’ll feel better knowing you’re no more than twenty minutes away instead of hours.”
Mazzy came in with a handful of drawings she spread out all over Paige’s bed. Paige oohed and ahhed over every single one, and then they took their leave.
“We’ll be back.”
“And I’ll be fine. Watch out for that brother of mine this week, though. Don’t let him big-brother you like he used to!”
“No worries. I probably won’t have much interaction with him since I’ll be so busy and he will too.”
They said their goodbyes and Chelsea got Mazzy back in her car seat. She’d had a great time with Paige and wished she had taken the time to make these kinds of friendships back in Bettleton instead of always concentrating so much time on Paul. She couldn’t go back, though, so she made up her mind to make more of an effort once this week was over.
The drive back to the inn was filled with Mazzy chattering on about Sarian and maybe Chelsea could have another baby some day because Mazzy would like to pet them and love them.
Chelsea didn’t explain anything, just let her babble on. As far as she was concerned, Mazzy was it, and that was okay with her. She wouldn’t suffer for being an only child. Even if she could get Paul to finally pay attention to their daughter, she had no intention of ever getting back together with him, nor did she want to date anyone. Unbidden, an image of Jack popped into her head, and she shut it right down. Not going there.
Back at the inn after the twenty-minute drive, she was surprised to find Mazzy still wide awake. She had been so quiet, with her head ducked down since they’d crossed the bridge ten minutes ago, that Chelsea had thought she’d fallen asleep. Instead, the little girl was hard at work, concentrating on coloring. She’d thought for sure she would have fallen asleep. Well, at least she’d sleep well tonight.
They made a beeline for their rooms. After shrugging out of her clothes, Chelsea pulled the burgundy dress from the garment bag and slipped it over her head. The inside was lined with what felt like silk as the cool fabric slid over her body. With the ribbons undone, they trailed along the floor, but once she’d crisscrossed them over her waist, they made a kind of corset. She quick-stepped over to the full-length mirror, where she drew in a sharp breath at the beauty of the dress. It was magnificent. And way too decadent for two o’clock in the afternoon, when she should be getting everything set up and running for the wedding.
“Wow, so pretty!” Mazzy said from behind her. “I want to be so pretty, too.”
“Your dress is on the bed, sweet pea. Why don’t you bring it to me and we’ll try it on?”
The fit was just as Chelsea had expected, a little on the large side, but Mazzy didn’t seem to notice. She loved to dress up in big-girl clothes, so the way the dress hung didn’t bother her.
“I should wear my crown.”
“Absolutely.”
“We should wear makeup, too.” Mazzy looked at Chelsea out of the corner of her eye with a sly smile.
Chelsea laughed. She was going to have her hands full when this one was a teenager. “Okay, we’ll wear makeup, too.”
“Yippie!”
“We’re only going to have tea, though, and then we have to come back up to change and get down to work. Auntie Belinda is counting on us.”
“I know,” Mazzy sing-songed from the other room.
. Mazzy was her happy light. Chelsea didn’t want to spoil these moments for her. What could it hurt to spend an hour at high tea? There was no reason she shouldn’t have fun while they were here. Chelsea had plenty of time to get everything organized. Paige, bless her heart, had already done most of it for her.
Besides, this was supposed to be her vacation, too.
Chapter Two
“Ladies, thank you for agreeing to meet me and for showing up so promptly.” Two hours after his spontaneous invitation, Jack, in a tux with tails, ushered the Moore ladies into the formal parlor with a wide sweep of his arm. “You both look stunning.”
Chelsea dropped a curtsy in a flowing gown that had once belonged to his mother. He’d found it tucked up in the attic. Thank God for plastic wrapping and airtight trunks. And for women who weren’t afraid to be womanly. Little Mazzy was wearing a dress he vaguely remembered from back in the day, and he thanked Paige’s hoarding tactics. A tiara perched on the child’s head—she not only looked like a true princess, she carried herself regally, too.
And the little princess thrust a picture at him. “That’s a thank you for high tea, Big Man.”
Wild with color, it was a picture of a prince standing below a tower waiting for his long-haired beauty to come down from her small window. He’d treasure it.
“Thank you.”
“Thank yous can come with kisses, Big Man,” the little girl said slyly.
She was a hoot, but he gave her a peck on the forehead and said thank you again.
The table was set with tea steeping in a porcelain teapot from his mother’s collection. He poured out half a cup for Mazzy and a full one for Chelsea before serving himself.
“Sandwich?” He handed the porcelain platter with the paper doily on it to Chelsea even though Mazzy’s hand had snapped right out for the crustless peanut-butter-and-jelly triangle Frank, the cook, had grudgingly made.
“Yes, thank you.” Chelsea’s amber eyes sparkled and crinkled at the corners. She handed Mazzy a sandwich and a few small cookies before handing the platter back to him. “Thank you for having us to tea, also, Master Jack.” She dipped her head and he felt like he was in one of those period films from England his sister used to make him watch.
“Yeah, thanks, Mister Big Man,” Mazzy said through the cookie she had stuffed into her mouth.
He and Chelsea laughed together as she bent forward to wipe at her child’s mouth with a linen napkin edged in royal blue. He caught a whiff of the fragrance in her hair and was thrown back in time. Lemons. She still used the shampoo that made her smell li
ke lemons on a hot summer day.
He cleared his throat. “So, we have a lot of activities planned for the few days before the wedding and some I’ve put together for just the two of you.”
Chelsea’s eyes met his. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m sure you’re going to be busy yourself, and now that I have this wedding planner hat to wear, too, I might not have time.”
“You’re not wearing a hat, Mommy.”
She tweaked Mazzy’s nose. “You’re right; it’s just a figure of speech.”
“What’s that?”
“It means it’s one more job I have to do. So you’re going to be spending more time with Grammy than we originally planned.”
“Yay! Grammy! She loves to see me.” Another cookie got crammed into Mazzy’s mouth and she spewed crumbs as she continued to talk. “She will make me cookies and pies and give me hugs and kisses.”
Chelsea took a napkin from the table to give to her child. “I’m so sorry, Jack. If you’ll tell me where the vacuum is, I can take care of that.” She turned to her daughter. “Remember, we don’t talk with our mouths full.”
“Okay,” the child said, her mouth still full.
Chelsea rolled her eyes, while she tried to stifle a laugh. “Good job.”
Jack watched the interplay, marveling at the way she seemed to be able to float from one situation to another. Raising Mazzy solo couldn’t be easy, especially without help nearby. His sister frequently depended on his mother to help out and would even more once her son or daughter came along. He’d heard Chelsea and her husband had divorced, that the man wasn’t involved with them. Who did Chelsea have to depend on, living in that city hours away from her family?
He shook the question off, because it was none of his business, and went back to making idle conversation with his guests. They talked about the weather and the upcoming wedding, of course. When the subject of Mazzy’s dance class somehow came up, she had to get up and show him a move or two, which almost lost him a vase on a side table, such was her enthusiasm. Chelsea was horrified, but nothing bad had happened, so he told her not to worry.