by Nan Dixon
Mom had run invoices before she and Pop headed to Texas, but that had been two weeks ago. Expenses on Carleton House were climbing. They needed cash in the coffers.
“What’s up?” Nathan leaned against the door frame.
“I can’t read your handwriting. I’m not spending all night trying to decipher this mess. I have better things to do.”
Nathan smirked. “Like nail Bess?”
Daniel shoved out of the chair grabbing Nathan by the collar. “Don’t ever say that again.”
“Jeez.” Nathan pushed his hands away. “I’m just giving you grief.”
“Inappropriate.” Daniel shoved him away.
Nathan rolled his shoulders. “Sorry.”
“Bess deserves respect.” Daniel pointed a finger in his face. “She’s incredible. Hardworking, caring and...fantastic.” The best thing that had ever happened to his life.
“I got it.” Nathan held up his hands. “I didn’t know you were in love with her.”
“In...” He started to shake his head, to deny that’s where his feelings were, and stopped.
No way. The chair squeaked as he rocked back. He was falling in love with Bess.
She was his first thought in the morning and his last thought at night. Her touch calmed him like no woman ever had before. Was that love?
His thumb tapped against the papers on the desk. He and Bess had never said anything about love.
“I’ll show you how to enter these invoices,” Daniel said. “From now on, enter your own projects.”
Nathan shrugged. “No big.”
He didn’t think so? Might as well unload another errand. “I’ll make up the bank deposits and post the payments, but you’re responsible for getting them to the bank—on time.”
Nathan shoved back his hair. “Yes, Mom.”
Nathan could make fun of him all he wanted. Daniel needed more time with Bess to figure out if he was in love.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Flowers never emit so sweet and strong a fragrance as before a storm. When a storm approaches thee, be as fragrant as a sweet-smelling flower.
Jean Paul
“THEY STARTED ON my greenhouse.” Bess slipped the box she’d been hauling on the steps and rushed up the hill to where workers erected framing. “Look at it.”
Dolley came and stood beside her. “All I see is metal framing and concrete.”
“Isn’t it great?” Bess hugged her sister. “I can’t wait.”
“Pays to sleep with the boss,” Dolley whispered.
Bess elbowed her. “Stop that.”
“Just saying.” Dolley wiggled her eyebrows. “How’s that going?”
“Good. I think.” What did she know about successful relationships? Her last serious boyfriend had dumped her for their intern. She chewed on her thumbnail. Daniel had dumped her, too. Why was she so dumpable? “With Samuel and Deb in Texas, Daniel puts in a ton of hours.”
Dolley pulled Bess’s thumb away from her mouth. “So are Daniel and Nathan working things out?”
“They’re...better. I keep telling Daniel to stop cleaning up Nathan’s mistakes and double-checking his supply orders, but he can’t seem to let go. At least I haven’t caught any new arguments.”
“Maybe having Samuel gone will help them.”
Bess put her arm around Dolley and laid her head on her sister’s shoulder. “They don’t have what we have.”
Dolley wrapped an arm around her waist. “That’s sad.”
“Aren’t you helping me move?” Abby called from the side of the carriage house.
“My greenhouse is going in.” Bess held out her hands. Now she needed business, lots of business. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Gorgeous. Come on.” Abby tugged on her arm.
“You may have time to gawk, but I’ve got to head to work.” Dolley gave her a poke. “Let’s get Abs moved.”
“Sure.” Bess headed back to the Fitzgerald carriage house and grabbed carts. Abby might only be moving from one carriage house to the other, but they could do this faster.
Bess hauled boxes and smaller furniture down the steps. Abby and Dolley pushed the carts over and unloaded while she kept moving boxes.
In the apartment, Bess peeked at the stripped bed. “Do you want me to take your bed apart?”
“I’m leaving it.” A Cheshire-cat grin crossed Abby’s face. “Gray and I ordered a new bed. It’s being delivered this afternoon.”
“And you don’t want this for your spare room?”
“Already handled.”
“Only the sofa, armchairs, dressers and the kitchen table are left,” Bess said.
“Wow. That went fast.” Abby sank onto the steps. “Daniel’s crew is carrying the heavy stuff over.”
Daniel came around the corner and took the stairs two at a time. He was rocking a T-shirt that showed off his arms but hid his wonderful abs. Bess watched the beauty of his movements and sighed. “Hey, gorgeous.”
Daniel rolled his eyes. “Can I talk to you?”
“Is that code for sucking face with our sister?” Dolley asked.
“No, that’s code for ‘can I talk to your sister.’” Daniel bopped Dolley on the nose. “I always want to kiss her.”
Her sisters laughed.
“Sure.” A blush heated Bess’s face. She stood and moved into Abby’s apartment. Daniel followed.
“They’re working on my greenhouse,” she said, grabbing Daniel’s hand.
He smoothed her hair away from her face, leaving his hand on her cheek. “I’m pretty sure I knew that before you told me.”
“I’m excited.”
He pulled her in for a quick kiss. He tasted of coffee and Daniel and desire. “I wish it wasn’t a workday,” he moaned.
“Me, too.”
He shifted away, holding on to her shoulders. “I just heard from the buyers of your apartment. I’m sorry. They finally have the money squared away.”
The joy from seeing the greenhouse get started evaporated. “Shoot. When is closing?”
“A week and a half.”
“Right after Thanksgiving?”
He nodded.
She exhaled. “At least I’m almost packed.”
“Will you be moving here?” Daniel looked around the almost empty room.
She swallowed. “I guess.”
He kissed her again. “I’ve got to run. See you tonight?”
“Maybe later. I need to pack.”
“Okay. Call me.” He touched her cheek again. “I’m sorry.”
She heard him joking with her sisters as he headed down the steps. It had been too much to hope that the buyers would keep having financial issues. Apparently, her luck had run out.
Bess sat on the step above Abby.
“So did he come over to kiss you?” Dolley asked in a singsong voice.
“No. Well, yes.” She grimaced. “The buyer of my apartment finally got the money together.”
Abby turned. Dolley leaned against the railing. They both stared.
She exhaled. “I have to move right after Thanksgiving.”
“I’m sorry.” Abby touched her knee.
Dolley wrinkled her nose. “That sucks.”
Abby slapped her hands together. “I’ll get the cleaning crew over this week and you’ll move in here.”
“Thanks,” Bess said.
“Don’t worry.” Abby hugged her shoulders.
Don’t worry? At twenty-seven, she was moving back home.
* * *
DANIEL PACED THE length of the baggage claim. Nathan slumped in a chair.
On one of his passes Daniel said, “Their plane landed almost an hour ago. Where are they?”
Nathan raise
d his phone. “They either haven’t turned on their phones or they aren’t answering.”
“I hope they didn’t miss their flight.” What if something had happened to Pop?
“I’ll keep calling,” Nathan said.
Daniel didn’t respond. His parents were coming down the escalator. “There they are,” he whispered.
“Shit. How much weight has Pop lost?” Nathan whispered back.
Daniel’s stomach rolled. Pop must have lost twenty pounds since he’d been gone. His skin was gray. He moved as if every joint ached. Mom spotted them and a smile wreathed her face. She touched Pop’s arm and he smiled.
Mom gave Daniel a hug and he hung on. He didn’t want his father to see his fear.
“Both of you came to the airport? Who’s watching the crews?” Pop’s voice cracked as Daniel hugged him.
Nathan turned from Mom and wrapped his arms around his father’s shoulders. “As soon as I drop you off at the house, I’m heading back to Ardsley Park.” Nathan took a step back and patted his dad’s belly. “You took off your love handles.”
“Yeah.” He sat in the seat Nathan had vacated. His shoulders bowed. “I wouldn’t suggest anyone try this diet.”
Mom and Nathan waited for the bags.
“How are you feeling?” Daniel asked.
Ugly bruises decorated the tops of Pop’s hands. “Like I’ve been run over by a truck and stampeded by longhorn steers.”
“You’ve spent too much time in Texas.”
“Well, get along, little doggies.” Pop shot him a weak smile.
“A strong wind could blow you over, and you crack jokes.” Daniel’s heart ached. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“Those chemo nurses tell the raunchiest stories.” He glanced at his wife. “Mom would have my head if I told them in the airport.” With a wink he added, “Tonight.”
They gathered the bags. Nathan brought the car around. Daniel took Pop’s elbow.
Pop shook off his hand. “I’m moving slower, but I’m not feeble.”
“Every good-looking nurse in Texas held your hand.” His mother frowned. “Let the boy help you.”
“Have the pretty Fitzgerald girls come over.” Pop wiggled his eyebrows. “They can hold my hand.”
No one held Bess’s hand but Daniel. Okay, maybe Pop.
As they pulled up to the house, Daniel said, “Bess brought over dinner from Abby.”
“Now I’ll put some weight back on.” His dad patted his stomach. “Is she sending pie? I’ve missed her pies.”
His mother snorted. “You haven’t said you’ve been missing my pies.”
Any retort was missed as they walked into the house.
“Oh, my.” Tears filled his mom’s eyes as she stood in the entry.
When they’d left for the airport, the house had been normal. Now a cornucopia and bright yellow flowers decorated the console table. Candles burned on the end tables, perfuming the room with the smell of spiced apples. A fire burned in the grate. Small pumpkins and fall leaves nestled on the mantel. Bess’s doing. Appreciation for what she’d done for his parents spread through him like warm asphalt filling in all the hollow spaces of his soul. Was this love? He’d been wrestling with the concept since Nathan had made that comment.
Bess walked out of the kitchen. “Welcome home. I hope you don’t mind I decorated.”
“It’s beautiful.” Mom moved to Bess and gave her a big hug. “Thank you.”
When the two women in his life let go of each other, Bess’s eyes shimmered with tears.
“Samuel. So glad you’re home.” She caught sight of Pop and her eyes flared open. She gave him a hug, then guided him to a wing-back chair by the fire. He couldn’t hear what they whispered to each other, but she gave him another hug.
Mom took Bess’s hands in hers. “It’s just what we needed.”
“I loved doing it. Relax. I’ve got apple cider warming.”
Daniel went out to help her with the mugs. “Thanks for everything.”
“He’s lost so much weight.” She covered her mouth.
“I’m hoping that’s temporary. God, if he has to lose this kind of weight each month he’s treated, I don’t know how long his body can take it.” Was the cure worse than the disease?
“Let’s get cookies and cider in him.” Bess straightened her shoulders.
They took the tray out together.
Mom tucked a throw around Pop’s legs and his eyes closed.
Bess set the tray on the coffee table and sat next to him on the sofa while Mom took the other wing-back chair.
Nathan waved and headed out the door.
“I can’t thank you and Abby enough,” Mom whispered.
“There’s shepherd’s pie in the oven. I’ve left it on low. Eat whenever you’re ready.” Bess stood. “I’ll leave you to relax.”
Daniel caught her hand and held on. “Stay, honey.”
His mom stared at their clasped hands her eyes wide. “The rumors are true?”
He brushed a kiss on Bess’s knuckles. “What rumors?”
“A birdie called me last week. I’m not sure if you were eating together, shopping or caught kissing in Johnson Square.”
Bess blushed, as pretty as a ripening Georgia peach.
Daniel enjoyed the moment. “Probably all three.”
“I’m happy for you.” His mom stood and brushed a kiss on the top of Bess’s head, then took a cookie and sat.
“Let’s get together while we’re home. I’ll tell you how to deal with stubborn Forester men.” She had an I want grandchildren look in her eye.
“Mom,” Daniel warned.
“I forgot.” Bess leaned forward. “Abby wanted me to invite your family for Thanksgiving.” She grinned. “Come to Fitzgerald House. Mamma’s coming home, too. Will that give us enough time?”
“Oh, tell Abby yes. Never mind, I’ll call her and find out what I can bring.” Mom looked tickled. “And on the other issue, imparting how to handle a Forester may take years, but Thanksgiving will give us a perfect start.”
Daniel groaned and Bess elbowed him in the ribs.
They talked. Drank cider. And watched Pop sleep.
Bess checked her phone. “I’ve got to go. I promised Abby I’d run errands.”
“Walk the girl out, Daniel,” his mom insisted.
Bess brushed a light kiss on Pop’s head. “Tell him I said goodbye.” On the porch she took his hand. “It looks like you and Nathan are getting along a little better.”
He shrugged. “He hasn’t made a mistake for a couple of days.”
“Daniel.” She was frowning. “You don’t give him any credit. It looks like he’s trying. He even headed back to the job site this afternoon.”
“I don’t want to talk about my brother.” He pulled her into a kiss to keep her from hounding him.
She squirmed for a few seconds and then wrapped her arms around his neck. He stroked her tongue with his. His hands slipped down and cupped her ass, tugging her close so she could feel how much she affected him.
Pulling apart, they panted in unison.
He gasped, “Will I see you tonight?”
She took a deep breath. Arousal fogged her green eyes. “I’m moving boxes over to Fitzgerald House tonight.”
“I’ll help.” He rubbed her back. “I’m sorry the buyers got their act together.”
Bess stroked his cheek. “It’s not your fault.”
That was a first. More warmth filled his chest. “If we use my truck, we can move your boxes in one trip. I’ll grab a couple of the crew and get the furniture out tomorrow.”
“You’re pretty wonderful.” She brushed a kiss on his lips. “Thanks.”
He watched her drive away. What if he asked
Bess to move in with him? Maybe then he’d figure out if what he was feeling was love. He let the notion bounce around. It settled like mortar in a cement block foundation, creating something strong to build on.
But to date, the road to their relationship had been filled with land mines. He needed to take time and think through the ramifications. And then he needed to come up with a plan.
* * *
DANIEL HIP CHECKED Nathan and slid into the chair next to Bess. His brother would not sit next to his woman on Thanksgiving.
“Ass,” Nathan said under his breath.
Empty chairs sat next to Cheryl, Josh and Dolley. Nathan shook his head and hurried to Dolley’s side of the table. Apparently, his brother was allergic to kids. Too bad. Josh was a great kid.
Once everyone’s plates were overloaded, the noise level dropped.
“I’d like to toast the chef,” Martin said.
They raised their glasses, but Abby protested. “It was a group effort. Here’s to all of us.”
Josh and Cheryl’s eyes were wide. Maybe they’d never been part of such a large group.
Samuel raised his glass. “I’d like to thank the Fitzgerald women for having the Foresters here for Thanksgiving. You all know I’ve got a battle ahead of me. That makes this Thanksgiving even more special. I’m with my family. My whole family.” He looked at Daniel and Nathan. “My sons, whom I love dearly, and the daughters whom I’ve grown to love.”
Tears hung on Bess’s eyelashes. Daniel wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to his chest.
Mom kissed Pop’s cheek. “I love you.”
“I was never more honored than when Abigail asked me to walk her down the aisle.” Samuel nodded at Martin. “I’m glad you’re a newcomer to the family, because I might not have had the chance to give this girl away. I’ll bust my buttons walking down the aisle with all you girls if you’ll let me.”
Staring at Daniel and Bess, Debbie added, “A family wedding would be nice.”
Daniel’s arm slipped off Bess’s shoulders. He wasn’t ready for this discussion.
“You and Mom set such a high standard, Pop,” Nathan said. “I can’t find a woman to live up to it.”
“Stop looking in bars,” Debbie said primly.
Laughter rang out.
Everyone gave their thanks. Daniel mumbled something about working with Pop and how busy the company was. Bess was thankful for no frost and her family.