by Girard, Dara
“There’s no someday about it. You have a bride, a groom, get yourself a preacher and get married.”
“Why did you have me?”
Diane stared taken aback. “I’m sorry?”
“Why did you have me?”
“Because I wanted to have children.”
“Did you know there was a possibility I would be this way?”
“We didn’t think about it.”
Brenna glanced around trying to make her question seem nonchalant. “When you saw me were you happy?”
“Yes, of course. You were beautiful. I loved you.”
She met her mother’s eyes. “Then why can’t you do that now? Why can’t you remember that moment when you held me and loved me just because I was there? Not because I did something to please you, or because I accomplished something to make you proud, but just because I was your daughter. I want you to remember when my leg didn’t matter, when a man didn’t matter. All that mattered was me.”
Unshed tears made Diane’s voice tremble. “I love you very much. I just... Your father had reasons for not doing a lot of things too—none of them good. It was as though, because he was lame, he thought he wasn’t allowed to be happy.”
Brenna took another sip of champagne. “I’m not my father and I am happy.”
“If I could believe that, I wouldn’t try so hard. I’ve tried to believe you. I want to believe you. I am proud of your accomplishments. I am proud of you. I am proud of the daughter I raised, but I worry about her because she locks so many things out. She shows so little feeling.”
“I am not an emotional person.”
“You never were. It was a shield I know that, but after Byron something inside you became paralyzed. A hope of some sort.”
Her mother knew her too well. Brenna felt suppressed feelings rising to the surface ready to spill over into sorrow. She angrily brushed away a tear. “I’m fine.”
“No use crying at a wedding,” Aunt Vanessa said, coming towards them. Her large pinwheel hat sat at a jaunty angle. “There is no need for tears, especially at weddings. Unless you’re a pretty crier, it does nothing for your complexion.” She looped an arm through Diane’s. “Come. Let’s leave her alone. Perhaps she’ll catch someone’s eye and make Hunter incredibly jealous.”
“Hunter doesn’t get jealous,” Brenna said.
Her aunt’s eyes sparkled, but she didn’t reply.
Brenna watched them walk away then went over to one of the tables and sat. She never considered that her mother could see through her. See inside her heart. For one who liked to hide her feelings the thought was embarrassing and painful. She closed her eyes.
“Do you have a headache?”
She opened her eyes and saw Lauren looking worried. “No, sweetie.”
Her cousins Judy and Susanna came up behind her and sat. “We’re sorry your fiancé couldn’t come,” Susanna said. “That must be hard for you.” She touched Brenna’s sleeve at the perfect angle to show off her ring.
“It’s not that hard,” she muttered.
“We were just wondering something.”
Brenna nodded, wishing they would go away. “That’s good.”
“What?” Lauren asked interested.
Susanna lowered her voice. “Couldn’t you have paid him to come with you?”
Lauren frowned. “Paid who?”
Judy looked at her with disdain. “You are so naive.”
Brenna glared at them. “It’s refreshing compared to your filthy minds.”
Judy feigned surprise. “So you didn’t pay Hunter to be your escort that night?”
Susanna said, “We thought since he came out of nowhere that it was all a hoax.”
“You’re right,” Brenna admitted. “It was a hoax. He came out of nowhere. One day he walked into my office and asked me to pretend to be his fiancée. I agreed, if he would meet my family. So he did and I went to his banquet where I met his grandfather and he got a promotion. Then he asked me to marry him. I said yes until I met his ex-wife who is currently married to his cousin. He wanted me to have his baby, I said no, we broke up. End of story.”
Susanna and Judy stared at her with wide eyes.
Brenna grinned pleased that she had shocked them. “It’s amazing, I know. Unbelievable.”
Susanna swallowed. “No, it’s not unbelievable. Excuse us.” Lauren jumped to her feet and left. Brenna shrugged and grabbed her drink.
“I don’t think that’s the end of the story,” a deep, familiar voice said.
Brenna nearly choked. She turned to the man sitting beside her. “What are you doing here?”
Hunter slanted her a glance. “Hello to you too.”
Her eyes drank him up. It had only been a few weeks, but it felt like years. His presence filled the empty space in her heart.
“I never pictured you as a wedding crasher,” she said, trying to maintain her composure though inside she trembled.
He rested his arm on the back of her chair. “Hmm.”
She stiffened, determined not to weaken. “Where is your fiancée?”
He sent her an odd look. “Don’t you mean ex-fiancée?”
“Ex-fiancée?” she repeated to make sure she understood him.
He nodded. “I did as instructed.”
A grin spread on her face. “You mean Michael won her back?”
“Yes. I told you she wanted a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. Michael did just that in a very grand manner—just as instructed.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Did he punch you?”
The corner of his mouth kicked up in a quick grin. “You sound hopeful.”
“No, I’m just curious. I want to imagine how it happened.”
Hunter thought for a moment then said, “Janice and I were having dinner at her place. She likes to show off her chef’s cooking. Michael came in saying something to the affect of ‘Janice I won’t let you go’ and a lot of other idealistic drivel I chose to ignore in order to keep my meal down.”
Brenna shook her head. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Yes, well she tearfully fell into his arms begging his forgiveness, he then begged for her forgiveness. I quietly, or rather quickly, made my escape.”
She couldn’t ignore the rushed feelings of joy. Michael would marry Janice. All was well. “Amazing. I knew they were perfect. My record can be kept intact.”
“Would you rather thank me on your knees or just curtsey?”
She scowled. “I don’t know how your head holds your ego.”
His hand brushed against her shoulder, his fingers lightly trailing back and forth. She pretended not to notice. “Strange. That doesn’t sound like a thank you. Perhaps you should try again.”
“Why didn’t you take her back?”
His hand stopped. “Because she loved someone else.”
“So love is important?”
Hunter hesitated. “In this particular situation it was clear—”
“Yes or no?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I will not let you trap me into a definitive statement I cannot qualify.”
“Ever the businessman.” Brenna leaned towards him. “Yes or no?”
“Loyalty is important. Janice’s love for Michael made it clear that she could never be loyal to me.”
“And you think I’ll be loyal to you?”
His voice lowered. “Yes, I do.” She turned away. He cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “Am I right?”
“You’ll find out.”
“I want a promise.”
“I promise.” She turned as the crowd cheered and gathered into a group. “Oh, she’s going to toss the bouquet.”
“Too bad. They don’t need to.”
She looked at him confused. “Why not?”
He quirked a brow. “We already know who the next bride will be.”
***
“Pauline, don’t do this to me,” Brenna begged, clasping her pearl choker. “Not on my wedding day.”
<
br /> Pauline glanced up from adjusting her shoe strap. “Do what?”
“Sulk.”
“I’m not sulking.”
“Then stop frowning.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry, but—”
“I know you disapprove.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Positive.”
“You should marry for love.”
Brenna sniffed. “Love? I’ve loved before thank you. I don’t wish to repeat the experience.”
Pauline ignored her. “And he should love you too.”
She shrugged. “We’re two adults going into this with our eyes open. That’s enough.”
Pauline looked at Brenna dressed in her ivory lace strapless gown, with her cane almost unseen covered in a garland of white roses. She hugged her friend silently wishing her happiness. It was a perfect July afternoon for a wedding at the Virginia ranch. Diane did cry with joy and even Aunt Vanessa felt tears touch her eyes, although she would never admit to them. Tima sketched the couple, Stephen looked at Fiona, and Fiona looked at the house. Susanna and Judy were still stunned, Doran even more so. Angelina watched remembering her own wedding to Hunter wondering if he would find happiness, Ruby felt certain he had while Lauren sighed as though she’d stepped into a dream. Crampton sat in the back feeling too self conscious to walk his daughter down the aisle, her Uncle Jerome proudly did the honors. Orson watched without expression and as the afternoon settled into evening, Brenna and Hunter were joined as husband and wife.
***
After the reception, Stephen watched the car drive away.
“You look worried,” Tima said.
Stephen gritted his teeth. She still had the ability to irritate him. Fortunately, she looked semi-normal in a blue skirt and cream blouse although her boots appeared as though she’d stolen them from a Victorian era prostitute. “I’m not.”
“You still haven’t come by to see the car.”
He shrugged. “Yea, I know.”
“You don’t have to schedule an appointment. Drop by any time.” She smiled then headed for the reception canopy.
Fiona came up to him. “I see that woman got you cornered again. I don’t know why she won’t leave you alone.” She wrapped a hand around his arm. “Brenna probably asked her to look after you.”
“I don’t need looking after.”
“She is kinda weird, but she doesn’t care. One woman was talking about her loudly and she just took another piece of cake and made a face at her. I mean she didn’t even care. Isn’t that amazing?”
Stephen stared at Tima laughing with a waiter, slowly beginning to see her in a new light. How nice it would be not to care what other people thought. “Yes, amazing.”
***
Stephen took a deep breath as he walked to Tima’s apartment. He probably should have called first, but he didn’t have the nerve. He wanted to sound casual. He’d say something like he’d come by to check on Brenna’s apartment or something. So if she was busy it was no big deal.
He stared at her apartment door for a long moment. The watercolor picture had changed from spring to summer. After another deep breath, he knocked. When the door opened he said, “I just came to look under the hood.”
Unfortunately, Tima wasn’t the one in the doorway. It was a man in his early forties with a red towel around his waist. “What?”
Stephen took a hasty step back ready to leave. “Uh, I was just coming about the car.”
“The car?” He raised his voice. “Hey Tima. There’s something wrong with your car.”
“No, there isn’t,” she said. “Stop making up stories and get naked.”
Stephen took another step back and crashed into the wall. He cleared his throat. “I see you’re busy.”
The man frowned. “Do you want to come in and talk to her?”
He moved to the side. “No, that’s okay.”
“Do you want to leave a message?”
He fingered his goatee. “I was just in the area. Thought I’d see the car, but um forget it.” He flashed an awkward grin then left.
Tima came out of the art room with her paints. “Well, who was it?”
The man closed the door and shrugged. “Some kid. One of your students, I think. He talked about your car. I guess he wanted to paint it or draw it or something.”
She opened the door and looked down the hall. It was empty. “My car?”
“He was a little nervous. Nearly ran away when I opened the door.”
“He didn’t leave a name?”
“No.”
She shrugged. “If it’s important he’ll come again. Now get rid of that towel and try to hold still this time.”
***
Stephen sat in his truck, feeling like an idiot. He shouldn’t have come by in the first place. He didn’t even like her very much. So why had he come? Because he was missing his sister? He nodded. That was it. Brenna had made her choice and he knew he had to make his. He stopped by the store and picked up some flowers. The only ones he could recognize were the baby’s breath. Fiona liked their name. Since she stayed at his place more than at hers, he decided he might as well make it official.
As he jumped out of his truck ready to tell Fiona how he felt, he saw the stray cat crawl out from under a bush. “Nothing today. Sorry buddy. Wait, what’s wrong?” He knelt down and saw the cat was limping.
“I’d stay away from that cat,” a man wearing a sweat suit warned. “It may have rabies.”
“It’s hurt.”
“Probably got in a fight.” The man jogged past.
The cat rested his head against Stephen’s knee. “He’s not rabid just in pain.” He gently picked it up and saw it was younger than he’d thought. He wrapped it in a windbreaker he kept in the truck and took it to the animal shelter.
“She’s very sweet,” the technician said.
“I’d uh...like to keep her if no one claims her.”
“Okay. We’ll give you a call when everything checks out. Now she may have some—”
“I’ll pay for whatever she needs. I’d like to give her a chance.”
“Okay.”
Stephen left the shelter in high spirits, but groaned when he sat back in his truck. The sun had begun cooking the flowers. He hoped to get them to Fiona before they looked fried. At home, he found her in the living room reading a magazine. “Hi.”
She didn’t look up. “Hi.”
“I got you these.” He held out the flowers.
She smiled. “That’s so nice.” She took them and put them in water. She hugged him then pulled away. “You’re covered in cat fur.”
“I took that stray cat to the shelter.”
“Did he bite you? That thing is filthy. Why didn’t you just call animal control to get it?”
He glanced at the floor and sighed. “Please, let’s not fight.”
Fiona brushed some hairs from his shirt. “Okay.”
He took a deep breath then met her eyes. Falling into the gentle soft brown ones facing him, realizing how much he loved her. How much he always would. “I want to give us another chance. I want to come home to you and wake up to you and start a family someday. I want to stay married.”
She threw her arms around him. He smiled and he held her close for all the wrong reasons.
PART TWO
There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
January loomed like a monster. Giant snowflakes touched the large windows of the conference room and crystallized. The intricate design reminded Hunter of the crocheted sweater Ruby had given James. He wondered when she’d have to knit a pair of booties for them.
He toyed with his wedding band, which had been his constant companion for over the last six months as he stared out at the naked trees heavy with ice. A crow landed on a branch, shaking snow that shimmered as it fell.
He he
ard the door open. “What are you still doing in here?” Curtis asked.
“Just thinking.”
Curtis sat. “The meeting wasn’t to signal you out as the reason sales are stagnant.”
“I’m aware of that; however that wasn’t what I was thinking about.”
“Perhaps it should be. Your revolutionary ideas are making people nervous.”
Hunter shrugged. “New computer software will result in a more efficient inventory system, lower overhead and—”
“What about the cost?”
“I’ve already explained my plan.”
“Perhaps you don’t understand. You were hired to do this job the way it’s always been done. The software we have works fine.”
“Things are changing.”
Curtis shook his head. “Not in this company. We want to see a change in the bottom line by spring. Doran can help you if that is necessary.”
Hunter kept his voice level. “I can handle it.”
“You’ve been dealing with a lot and—”
“I said—”
Curtis’ voice hardened. “Did it sound like I’d finished speaking?”
Hunter felt heat rush to his ears. “Sorry, sir.”
“You’ve been dealing with a lot of change. A new marriage, a new job. No matter how essential these events are they can also be a stress.”
He glanced out the window. Two more crows landed on the tree. “I like stress.”
Curtis grinned with knowing. “When you’re a family man you’ll have plenty of stress then. So you’ll have to recognize which ones matter more.”
“I know my priorities.”
“I want to see you do more overtime.”
Hunter clenched and unclenched his jaw. The company already threatened to consume his life. He didn’t see a reason for that and wondered why they did. “I see.”
“Randolph men have their wives, but Randolph is our mistress. You’ve been ignoring her and you can’t afford to do that.”
“Did he send you to talk to me?”
“This isn’t about your grandfather. It’s a little friendly advice.”
Hunter’s gaze slid to his notebook. “It’s definitely advice.”
“It is better to bow out than be pushed out.”