Regan squeezed a decent amount of dish soap into the sink and ran the water to fill it “You know when I lived in my sister’s house, she would have killed me if I had left a mess like this.”
“Yeah, I’m not much help,” Madeline said as she sat at the cluttered table for the first time since her surgery.
She’d done away with the cold compresses, but she continued her pain medication religiously. She could lift a teacup to her mouth, or as the case was, lower her head to the cup, but she still couldn’t lift her arms far enough to wash her face. Arianna had helped her do that, and now Regan was there to do the same.
Regan turned from the filling sink and began to throw away the papers that her sister had strewn about.
Madeline watched her with amusement as Regan picked up after her sister. “Where is Zach’s meeting?”
“Louisiana. He’s building a corporate headquarter building for Pierpont Oil.”
“Arianna told me that Simone was in town overseeing the process.”
Regan laughed. “Yeah, if you could call it that.”
“Not very business oriented?”
“Have you never met the woman?” Madeline shook her head. “I love her. I absolutely adore her. She has filled my closet with the most wonderful shoes and designer looks. But a mind for business—” she stopped and raised her brows with a shake of her head. “I don’t know what her father is thinking.”
“Maybe he’s trying to give her some responsibility.”
“If Zach wasn’t making more on this build than any other in the history of Benson, Benson, and Hart, I don’t think he’d do it. She’s a face among the investors, that’s it. He’s doing all the work.”
“Her father knew that would be the case?”
“I think so.”
Regan turned off the water in the sink and began to load the dishwasher with the dishes that didn’t need a good soak. Madeline watched Tyler enjoy his swing. He wasn’t a fussy baby, not like Eduardo had been. She was glad she’d been young enough to have the energy to take care of him then. He’d certainly outgrown the fussiness and learned to fuss over everyone else. She knew someday he’d make a great husband and father.
“Did Simone go with Zach to Louisiana?”
Regan loaded glasses into the washer. “Yep.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Madeline was sure she’d heard enough about the woman to know she was a French beauty and a very playful one at that.
“No. She’s been chasing my husband since they were seven. He’s never shown interest in all these years, I don’t see him changing his mind. Besides, she finds a new sailor in every port, if you know what I mean. I’m sure she’ll show her face for the cause, and Zach will handle the business.”
“I’ve heard she’s Curtis’s date for the wedding.”
“Yeah. It’ll keep them both out of trouble.”
“Or get them into it,” Madeline said with a smile, and Regan returned it with laughter.
But Regan’s laughter died down as she filled the soap dispenser of the dishwasher. She shut the door, turned to Madeline, and leaned against the counter. “Are you going to be there?”
“No.” Her answer was definite. She didn’t want to see the man she loved marry someone else.
Regan’s brows knit. “Why?”
“It’s just not right for me to go. Kathy certainly doesn’t need me there. This is her special day.”
“And Carlos is okay with that?”
Madeline chewed the inside of her cheek. “No. Kathy personally brought me an invitation, and Carlos told me he wanted me there. Regan, I just don’t think I can do it.” She would have liked to pick up the sleeping baby from the swing and hold him close to comfort herself, but she couldn’t hold anything heavier than her cup of tea. She adjusted in her chair for comfort and to hide her emotions from Regan. “I know he spent the last five years watching me share my life with another man. I’m just having a really hard time watching him move on. But on the other hand, it’s about damn time.”
Regan walked to the table and sat down across from Madeline. “Aside from you, he couldn’t have done better.”
The thought should have brought her some comfort, but instead her heart ached. She wondered when things had gone so wrong for them so long ago. He shouldn’t have to be moving on at all. Madeline should have always been the better choice. Why had they decided they weren’t good for each other? It was certainly too late now, wasn’t it?
Chapter Nine
Carlos drove down the street where he’d lived with Madeline years ago. There was still a pain that pierced his chest, knowing he’d only be driving away to head to another home. For now, he’d take the time he had and visit with his ex-wife and his kids, and be grateful that he’d escaped his own house, which had been draped in pink by his sisters for Kathy’s bridal shower. But in the backseat, Tyler slept in his carrier. Carlos had been given the important task of babysitting so that Regan could keep some sanity about her, and dry boobs, he’d been reminded.
He pulled up in front of Madeline’s house and smiled when he saw his boys in the driveway playing basketball.
“Hey, Dad!” Christian waved. “Wanna shoot some hoops?”
“Maybe in just a bit,” he answered as he ducked back into the car and unbuckled Tyler’s car seat from the backseat.
“Oh, you’re the babysitter today?” Christian held the ball under his arm as he walked closer to the car to peek at the baby. “Hey, Cuz, what’s up?” Tyler smiled and Christian nudged his father’s arm. “Hey did you see that? He smiled at me.”
“I think it’s just gas.”
“Funny, Dad.” He went back to shooting the ball at the hoop as Eduardo helped Carlos with the diaper bag.
“I think he looks just like Aunt Regan.”
“I think so too. But don’t tell Audrey that. She thinks he looks just like Zach.”
“Everyone has an opinion,” he laughed as he opened the door for his dad. “How come you brought him here?”
“I needed to be absent from the party, and I thought your mom would enjoy seeing him.”
“I think that will make her day.”
The sight of Madeline sitting on the couch, her feet tucked under her, and not one compress in sight warmed him. Her white cotton T-shirt had a scooped neck, and he could see the proud swell of her breasts. Obviously, by the choice in her clothing, she was pleased with the results. Different levels of excitement ran though his body. Of course he was as happy about her having new breasts as she’d seemed to be by letting them peek through her shirt. But there was always that side to him that still got stirred up at just the sight of her, and not just her chest.
It had been four weeks since her surgery and he knew, from talking to the kids, that she was finally getting back the mobility in her arms.
She was wearing a bright orange scarf on her head, and he was pretty sure she had on makeup.
Carlos walked into the living room and set the baby carrier down. “I brought you a visitor, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh my goodness,” she said, moving quickly toward the baby. “Look how big he’s already gotten.”
“Mom, do you think he looks just like Zach?” Eduardo asked as his father unbuckled him from the seat and picked him up.
“Not one bit. He looks just like Regan.”
“That’s what I think.”
Carlos held him to his shoulder, adjusted him, and turned to Madeline. “Do you think you can hold him?”
“I’d love to try. Will you sit right next to us in case I need you?”
It all seemed so familiar. They’d shared a moment like this once, but it’d been their own baby they’d cradled and admired. He let his emotions settle before he spoke. “Of course.”
Madeline held out her arms and Carlos laid Tyler in them gently. He then slid up right next to her, placing his arm around her shoulders, keeping a hand on Tyler for support.
Carlos watched his children all filter into
the room. Clara didn’t move toward Tyler as she normally would. Eduardo and Christian stood back, and they all just watched.
He looked back down at Tyler, who was awake and smiling up at Madeline, holding tight to her finger. The look on Madeline’s face was priceless, and he knew they all saw the same thing. She looked like she was glowing.
The color in her skin was almost back to normal. The smile on her lips was radiant. The optimism in the room was infectious. He realized, aside from his precious nephew, it was just his family in the room. His children and their mother and him. Peace filled the room. Madeline had tilted her head and rested it against his, and his hand rested gently on her shoulder. Never had he felt with such comfort with anyone else, not like he did with Madeline. That thought hit him. But there was someone else. There was Kathy—and while he was sharing moments with his ex-wife Kathy was celebrating their future.
When Tyler became fussy, Carlos reached for him. “I’ll take him.”
“Oh, please don’t. He’s just hungry. Perhaps you could make him a bottle.”
Carlos rose from the couch and went to make Tyler’s bottle. He was glad he had a reason to release Madeline from his arms and get his thoughts in order.
He wasn’t surprised to find step-by-step instructions in the bag. Regan, even though she wasn’t officially an executive assistant anymore, kept everyone around her organized and on track.
Carlos made Tyler a bottle and then resumed his position next to Madeline so she could feed him. But this time he left some space between them.
She took the bottle and set it to Tyler’s lips. “Thank you for bringing him. This is wonderful. I needed this.”
“I thought it would be good for you.”
“Look at my face,” she said, turning to him. “Do you notice anything?”
She turned her face from side to side and smiled.
It took him a few moments of contemplation. “Your eyebrows grew back.”
“Yes!” She smiled wider. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
“You look great. You really do.”
“I feel great. At my last appointment they said my blood work looked good. My cell count is back up and normal, and there are no signs of cancer.”
“So you’re in remission?”
“They won’t say it until I finish my treatment next month, but yeah, it looks like maybe I am.”
“You did great.” He kissed her on the cheek instinctively.
He felt her suck in a breath, but she kept her eyes on the baby in her arms.
Kathy had opened sheet sets, china, and appliances. Everything she had registered for was set before her in a beautiful display of boxes, with bags of discarded wrapping paper and bows set next to the pile. She was glad Regan had wanted to have her shower at her own house, and then she wouldn’t have to transport everything home.
She’d been right about Judy’s gift of the condo. It would be a nice way to spend her honeymoon in Hawaii with her new husband.
It was surreal. In just three more weeks she would be married to Carlos. She looked around the house with its mountain of boxes and trays of leftover food. If the shower had been that much fun, she couldn’t wait until the wedding.
Carlos had hurried into his office the moment he’d returned home. Regan had kicked him out of the house so fast, he hadn’t had time to finish his grading. He wasn’t one who liked to get behind on that, so he wanted to get the grades in the computer before dinner. Tyler had fallen asleep again, and by the look on Regan’s face, a stranger would have thought she’d been weeks since she’d last seen her son. She’d hurried out the door with him to get home before he woke.
The house was quiet, and Kathy sat down on the couch and kicked her feet up. So many things still needed to be done in the three weeks before the wedding. There was one more meeting with the photographer, a finalization on the cake, and they still needed to pick out a song for their first dance. Audrey had taken care of the caterer after Kathy had given her a list of items she wanted them to have; that was at least the one thing she knew she wouldn’t have to think about again.
The dresses had arrived at the bridal store, and they would have a final fitting for them the next week. Regan was still trying to get the perfect body, even though Kathy and Arianna had told her repeatedly she looked wonderful.
The invitations had all gone out and RSVPs were pouring in. They’d had very few nos. The afternoon wedding looked to be as perfect as she’d always dreamed it would be.
She looked again at all the gifts that filled the room and let out a long breath. If everything seemed to be going just right, why did she feel so unsure about it all?
Each day when she woke, she felt a little more uneasy. She just couldn’t pinpoint why. She loved Carlos and adored his children. His family was nothing but wonderful, and even his ex-wife was easy to get along with and she considered her a friend. Why then couldn’t she shake the feeling that something just wasn’t right?
She hadn’t told Carlos, but her body had felt so strange, she’d even taken a pregnancy test. It was negative, but she was only looking for answers. She wanted a baby, but not until after they were married and had planned it. The doctor had told her she was stressed, but besides that, she was healthy. What more could she ask for?
Wedding jitters, she figured. Everyone had them.
Carlos watched Curtis, in his green scrubs, as he waved to a nurse across the diner then slid into the booth next to him. “Oh, my brother, you are going to love us!”
Carlos shook his head. “You know those words alone scare the hell out of me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got your back,” Zach ensured him.
“And I’ve got his,” John Forrester ensured him further.
“Thanks.” Carlos grunted.
Curtis leaned over the table. “Why doesn’t anyone trust me?”
Zach laughed a hearty laugh as he leaned back against the booth. “Oh, I don’t know. Because John had to carry me home after my party and Regan almost killed me, him, and you.”
“And me,” Carlos added. “And I don’t even think I was there.”
“Oh, you were there. You just ducked out at bedtime.”
“Well some of us have families to think about,” he reminded him.
“That’s right,” Zach added. “So don’t get me killed this time.”
“Well I don’t have that problem. So I’m not going to worry too much about it.” Curtis waved at the waitress to take their orders. “Tell me about my date, Zach.”
The waitress took their orders, and Curtis focused in on Zach.
Zach shrugged his shoulders. “Tell you what? You’ve met her.”
“Right. Sexy French girl who came to your wedding with a date who was what, twenty?”
Zach nodded. “Yep, that’s her. She’s a little more mature now.”
“Too bad,” Curtis sipped his water and wrinkled his nose at Zach. “Maybe her dad will let us use the yacht for our party, since he was lenient enough to let you use it for your honeymoon.”
“Let’s focus, shall we?” Zach returned his attention to Carlos. “Are you okay with all of this?”
Carlos rearranged his silverware on the table. “A bachelor party? Sure. I’m game.”
“How about we just all meet up at a sports bar and throw back a few,” Zach offered.
Curtis shook his head. “You’re all getting soft on me.”
“Yeah, sounds great.” Carlos scratched his head then looked out the window.
“Do you even want to do this?” Zach asked softly.
He turned his attention back to the table. “I’m all for it.”
“Won’t be like the first one. Man, you were smashed.” Curtis leaned his arms on the table.
“So were you, and you were underage. We could have gotten arrested.”
“You know, I work seventy hours a week. I save lives. I think I deserve a little release.”
The other three men at the table shook their heads at the most
educated man among them. “You’re right. When you get married, we’ll go all out,” Zach promised.
“Great.”
Soon the topic of bachelor parties past and future were forgotten, and meals of greasy hamburgers and french fries were consumed. Zach bragged about Tyler. Curtis gave too many details about a date with a cute resident. John talked about the inspection he was going to head off to, and Carlos sat quietly.
John finished first. He handed Zach a wad of folded-up dollar bills and shook the hands of the other men at the table. “I guess I’ll see you all in a few weeks, then.”
“It’ll be interesting to see which one of us ends up with the better date.” Curtis grinned.
“Well said, in this company. I promise to treat mine like a lady and have the most respect for her the next morning.” He winked at Zach.
Carlos and Curtis both narrowed their eyes at John in reaction to his comment about their sister, and Zach laughed. “I’m kidding. I’ve met her. She’s a very nice lady. We’ll have a nice day together.” He waved his hand. “See ya’ll later.”
“Funny guy,” Curtis told Zach.
“John—he’s harmless.”
A moment later Curtis was excusing himself and following a group of nurses out the door. Carlos shook his head as he watched his brother amuse the women with his charm.
“So, are you going to give it to me straight?” Zach scooted closer to the center of the booth. “You really don’t want a party, do you?”
“Oh, that’s fine. I could use a night out with the guys.”
Zach nodded. “So is everything set and ready for the wedding?”
“I think so. I’m not allowed too close to the bridal bible,” he scoffed. “But I think we have almost everything set.”
“Regan is so excited she can hardly see straight. She hasn’t entertained since Tyler was born.”
“Kids take a lot outta you.”
“They sure do. I wish I could help her out more with the house and Tyler, but I have so much work.”
“Work will always be there. Just stay under her radar. Pick your socks up off the floor. Load and unload the dishwasher. And never believe her when she just says the word fine.”
A Second Chance Page 14