by Mimi Barbour
She clutched the phone to her ear, leaning against the wall. In the background, Shelly and Alex were laughing again. God, she loved the sound of her children's laughter, especially together. Cara wished she was a part of it and that they could all laugh over something together.
“I've got a strange idea. Tell me what you think of this. Why don't we have joint pet custody?”
“Pet custody?” Cara straightened. Did she hear him correctly?
“I don't know. I feel bad, I've already said this. But Tamara loves Frenzy. It's a way I think we can make both kids happy.”
“So what, weekends and part of summers we get Frenzy?” She giggled. God, she sounded rude. Her head throbbed.
“That does sound a little odd when you put it that way, but I'm serious, Cara. I want to do something. I hear your voice and I know you're upset because you can't make your kids happy all the time. That gets to me partly, because I know where you're coming from and the other part is because I care. I can bring him over right now and talk to Alex and Shelly. Or is that too much? You tell me. I just... I want to do something.”
Unsure what else to think, Cara agreed.
When he hung up the phone with the promise to be there within thirty minutes, she wondered what in the world she'd gotten herself into.
Chapter Ten
Lance got 'the look' from his mom when he'd blurted out his strange suggestion. Good thing Tamara wasn't listening at the time. The idea hit him like lightning and before really putting a ton of thought into it, the words slipped from his lips.
“You like this woman, don't you?” Her knowing smile kinda got to him. His mother seemed to know long before he did, or long before he wanted to admit things. Every time. It never failed.
“I guess so. I mean, I don't know her that well, but I sympathize with her situation. I don't know what else to do.” Lance shrugged, playing it off. Sure, he loved the idea of getting to see Cara again. Behind her insecurities as a mom, she was a good person to talk to. And without those quirks of hers, he wouldn't have so much to connect with. That one he wasn't telling his mother, even if she probably already did pick up on those details already.
“I raised a good boy.” Ma beamed. “Plus, it's getting you out a little. Go on then. You know we've got it covered here. Tamara and I will have quality time together.”
“Love you, Ma. I don't know where I'd be without you.” He definitely appreciated her support.
“Probably not on your way to a woman's house to arrange a pet custody.” She winked. “Gonna be an interesting Christmas. I can't wait to meet this Cara who's got you all twisted up inside tomorrow night.”
“I swear, if you make any matchmaking comments, or come up with any embarrassing stories...” he warned, wagging a finger. Lance figured he'd have to warn Cara ahead of time.
“Don't you threaten me, young man. Now get on out of here.” Ma brushed him off, still smiling.
He arrived home ten minutes later. Lance found Frenzy scurrying around Tamara's room. He picked up the brown colored creature and held him away from his body. Somehow he'd have to remember to put him in his cage when no one was home. “Apparently, you're the popular one.” He quirked a brow. “Not sure why. You aren't that cute.” Frenzy's tongue darted out in response. “Yeah, you're just like a kid. Talking back and thinking you're all that. You and I, we might get along one day.” Grabbing Frenzy's carrier, he opened the door and ushered him in. “Come on, we're about to make a boy's night, hopefully.”
Light rain fell on the way to Cara's house. When he pulled up and killed the engine, she had already opened her front door and stood on the porch. Lance quickly climbed out of the car, grabbed Frenzy's carrier, and headed toward her.
“Pet custody,” she repeated with a laugh. “I can't get over the phrase.”
He shrugged, putting on a smile. “If it works...”
“I know, but there's so many things to consider. How long are we going to keep this up? How is Alex going to react each time Frenzy has to go home? How is Tamara going to handle sharing her pet?”
“I never said I had all the answers.” Lance sighed. He hadn't even put a lot of thought into at least half of her questions. How would this work?
“Sorry. Guess my mind is racing. Come on in,” she gestured.
Lance stepped in tentatively, his hand clutched around the carrier handle. What had he been thinking? How would they make this crazy little plan work to keep Tamara and Alex happy? He thought the stuffed ferret would do the trick. Bah. What did he know about kids sometimes?
“Shelly and Alex are watching a movie. Maybe for the moment we should hide Frenzy. Perhaps in my room, then you and I can sort through the details?” Cara fidgeted, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. He wanted to twirl it around his so bad.
“Not a bad idea.” Lance followed her to the room, telling his body to stop reacting this way. At the door, she held out her hand for the carrier and he promptly handed it over. She ran in, set it down, and hurried out, closing the door behind her.
“I do want to thank you for all your generosity on the matter.” Cara stood in front of him, nervous again.
“Cara, don't be so formal with me. Please.” He reached out and tucked the loose lock she'd been toying with behind her ear. These emotional barriers between them sucked.
She reeled back, staring at him with wide eyes.
“Sorry. Personal space invasion.” He quickly moved back. Frenzy made a squeaking sound from inside her room. “You know he won't be a secret for long at that rate.”
“No, probably not.” Cara shrugged. “Let's go figure this idea out.” She gestured, moving around him in the small space. He didn't fail to notice she'd tried hard not to make contact with him as she skirted around. So, Lance wasn't the only one struggling with the back and forth game. Or maybe he was the only one, and Cara didn't want him to touch her.
Lance caught up to her at the end of the hallway, wanting to smack himself for these ridiculous thoughts.
They didn't get much of a chance to have this conversation because Shelly opened the door to Alex's room and glared at them. Quickly closing the door, she stepped away from it. “What's going on? Alex fell asleep, by the way. I know it might be too early, but he's totally conked out.”
“Let him be if he's content.” Cara avoided her daughter's other question.
Shelly's eyes landed on him again. “Why is he here?” Lance couldn't read her expression. Was she not happy about his presence? Something else?
“I'm hoping to come up with some kind of plan so your brother can still see Frenzy, since he's so attached,” Lance offered up. He studied Shelly. She seemed like a good kid, sometimes torn between her frustration and her loyalty to her brother. Twelve was a rough age for a girl- on the cusp of being a teenager, and it would be hard having to stick up for her brother all the time.
“Does this mean I'm in trouble for not telling you sooner?” She reeled back.
“No,” Lance replied. “I know why you didn't, and I get it. I still have to figure this out with my daughter, but I thought about days where you and Alex can visit with Frenzy, or have him come here.”
Shelly narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Then she looked at her mom before setting her inquisitive stare back on Lance. “How do you think that's gonna work?”
“That's what we're trying to figure out.” Cara broke her silence. “Lance was hoping to talk to you and Alex tonight, but with him sleeping it gives us a chance to work something out.”
“Are you going to date my mother? I know you have plans tomorrow night. What happens if you two don't work out? How will that affect Alex getting to see Frenzy?” Shelly challenged.
“Whoa there.” Lance held up his hands, totally not prepared for that question. “I don't know what the future is going to be like in any regard.” His stomach clenched at the uncertainty and how he was going to smooth things over for everyone. He found himself in way over his head and unsure how to manage. Disappointment s
agged his shoulders. Lance really wanted to work things out with Alex tonight. It really bothered him that he couldn't, because it meant more contemplating back and forth, which would drive him insane until then.
“My dad already hurt us all. We don't need to go through it again,” Shelly warned. “You better not hurt my mom or my brother.” With that, she darted off to her room and closed the door.
“I'm so so-” Cara started to apologize.
Lance faced her, completely flabbergasted. “You shouldn't apologize for her. You've got a strong willed daughter looking out for her family. I guess since Alex is sleeping, maybe I should take Frenzy and get out of here.” He stepped closer to her, wondering if he should reach out and touch her or not. He wanted to. He found himself always wanting to when being around Cara. “I'm looking forward to tomorrow night, Cara.” Very much so. “I don't know what your husband did to hurt you and the kids, but I've been there.” Thinking about his late wife and her affair betrayal, he wondered how he'd ever put his heart on the line 100% again. Somehow, it already started to happen with this family. “I don't want to hurt anyone, especially you.”
Cara stared at him with wide eyes, not moving a muscle. She let out a long breath. “Thank you for trying tonight. It means more than you know.” She broke eye contact and rushed away, returning moments later with Frenzy. His face appeared close to the door of the carrier. He sniffed, flicked out his tongue, then moved to the back.
Lance didn't like it, but he ended the night and headed home, all the while wondering what he was going to do about this bond with the McLean family.
Chapter Eleven
Cara had changed at least ten times before finally settling on an outfit. A Christmas party! She hadn't been to a party- let alone one for the holidays- in a long time. And this was a date, or not? Did she want it to be? No doubt Lance was a good man. He always looked out for Alex and Shelly. Last night proved that, even though they never did get around to discussing his 'pet custody' idea.
What kind of guy does that? A good one, obviously! Oh and this whole thing with meeting his mother tonight had her all sorts of nervous. If she would be meeting his mother, then this had to be a date. Cara shook her head. She could go in circles about this all night if she wasn't careful. It didn't matter if tonight was considered a date or not. What mattered was if she had a good time with Lance.
Was it too late to cancel?
“Hi, Mom.”
With a gasp, Cara whirled around. Shelly stood in the doorway with hesitance. “I thought you were with Tess and Alex! You scared me.”
“Sorry. I just wanted to say have a good time tonight. I was a little rude- well more than a little- to Lance last night. I don't want anyone to get hurt. Sorry I mentioned Dad the way I did.” Shelly entered the room and held out her hand. “I thought maybe you'd want to wear my good luck charm.”
Cara stared down at her daughter's hand. Her good luck charm consisted of a lucky horse shoe charm on a chain, something given to her by her best friend when they were eight. Shelly usually wore it around her neck and barely took it off, other than to shower. “Shelly-”
“Here. Let me put it on. Lance is a nice guy, and I'm glad you get to go out on a date.” Shelly gestured. “Hold up your hair and turn around. By the way, your outfit is great. He's not going to be able to take his eyes off of you.”
A shiver ran through her as Shelly closed the necklace at the back of her neck. “You think so?” The thought thrilled her, but how did her twelve year old daughter notice this and Cara hadn't?
“He already watches you with interest. His plan is a little crazy and odd, but I can't hide the fact that it makes me smile. Dad never...” Shelly stopped abruptly. She clasped the necklace on and set it straight on her neck.
“Dad never had those kind of plans.” Cara finished for her.
“No. I'm sorry he's gone, but sometimes I'm relieved, too. Dad wasn't the easiest person to get along with, and it hurt that he didn't understand Alex. I thought maybe he just didn't want to admit something was wrong with his son, but he had problems more than that, didn't he?”
“Yeah, I guess he did.” Her late husband had never been good about 'different'. He swore up and down that Alex didn't have any delays, that he was perfect. Maybe that stemmed from his parents who had the same kind of attitude. They never saw their son's faults, always making excuses. Alex's delays weren't faults, but they had the same kind of reaction to him. Cara never told her kids this, but she overheard their grandparents lay the blame on Cara, claiming she wasn't the best mother. She'd brought it up to Ethan once about a week after the conversation took place. He flipped a lid and without admitting it directly, he'd agreed with them.
If they'd have divorced before his death, Cara knew he and his family would have tried to claim her unfit and take the kids away. Ethan wouldn't have been the fit parent.
“Maybe this Christmas will be better.” Shelly hugged her. “I'm going back now. Tess has her Christmas decorations up. We're making gingerbread houses. Alex loves it. I just wanted to say have fun and that I'm sorry.”
The doorbell rang before Shelly or Cara could move. Giving herself one last glance, Cara smoothed the red silk blouse and made sure it wasn't too low cut. No, she didn't have even the slightest amount of skin showing that would be too much.
“I bet that's him!” Shelly ran to the door. Seconds later Cara heard her talking. Then a man's voice filtered through the room.
Lance had arrived. Nerves danced like the Nutcracker ballet in her belly.
She headed for the living room. Lance stood at the doorway with her daughter, and Cara caught the last end of their conversation before he turned to her.
“Thanks for that, Shelly. Your mom is in good hands,” he promised, sending a smile Cara's way.
She stifled a groan. What did her daughter say? The conversation she'd heard had been an apology, so whatever Lance responded to must have been before that.
“Good. Have fun!” Shelly ran off before Cara could say anything.
“You look great,” Lance complimented. He had dimples. Oh, the killer dimples. How had she not noticed this before? She'd always been a sucker for dimples.
“You do too,” she replied. She soaked in the sight of him in black slacks and a dark green sweater. They'd somehow managed to wear the colors of Christmas. Her red to his green. As usual, he wore the sweater tucked in. Realizing she'd been staring way too long, Cara went to grab her purse, then led Lance out of the house.
“Well, no one can say we aren't all dressed up for Christmas.” Lance chuckled. He stood behind her as she locked up.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.” Cara noted he sounded nervous. Lance hadn't been that way before, unless they were discussing feelings they normally wouldn't tell anyone else. So what changed tonight? The fact that they were doing something together other than meeting because of a pet or their kids? That had to be it.
As they strolled to Lance's car, Cara was well aware of his hand on her middle back for a split second, before he moved it to her elbow, gently guiding her down the walkway. Sparks zapped up her spine from the gesture. He opened the passenger door for her and waited until she had settled comfortably before closing it. She took one last look at Tess' house, wondering how her kids were doing. Thinking about Shelly and what she'd said, Cara fingered the charm dangling from her neck. Her smile grew. Life had its rough moments, but her kids were growing up to be wonderful.
Lance climbed in beside her, started the engine, and they were on their way.
“So, is there a reason your mom wants to meet me?” Cara asked.
“Yeah. She's curious about you, since I've been talking about you and the kids.”
Silence. He'd been talking about her?
“You know. With this whole thing about Alex and Frenzy,” he added quickly.
“Right,” she nodded. So maybe it wasn't more than that. If this was the case, why did he invite her tonight? Maybe Lance felt just as unsure as sh
e did.
“And you'll meet my daughter, of course. She's stronger every day. She's happy Frenzy is home. Speaking of, I haven't brought up the idea of letting Alex see him every once in a while. Not until I figure things out with you. I thought I'd say something, so you didn't mention it.” He raked a hand through his dark hair, sending her a quick look.
“I won't say a thing,” she promised. This small talk was killing her. If they were this way already, how would tonight go? Luckily the hospital came into her line of view, which meant at least for a while they wouldn't have to try so hard. She wasn't sure what to expect with meeting Lance's mother, though.
“To warn you, my mom is a bit of a matchmaker. She hasn't said as much, but I think she's got ideas,” Lance informed her on the way up to his daughter's room. “She's harmless, really. But if she tells you any embarrassing stories, I'm going to have to beg you to ignore them or share some of your own.” His eyes crinkled when he was cheerful. Tension faded fast.
“Haven't you seen enough of my crazy moments? This would be the payback,” she shot back playfully.
Lance frowned. “So far, I haven't seen anything that I would consider embarrassing.”
“Crying over silly things is to me,” she said softly.
“I remember a few tears, and I don't think they were for silly reasons.” He reached for her hand, closing his warm fingers over hers. The simple touches from him sent her body and soul in all sorts of weird directions. It had been a long time since she'd had this kind of warm attention from a man.
Lance didn't let go as they headed toward Tamara's room. Was it only a week or so ago that she'd run into him- literally- to get her son out of his room? And now they were holding hands, getting past a slightly awkward phase, and going to a Christmas party together.
Shelly had it right. This Christmas was going to be interesting.