by Lacey Baker
Outside, the sun was shining brightly. The storefront window of the florist shop was no match for its intensity, as the showroom almost glowed with light and pink. The opposing color was everything in tissue paper and netting and paper balls, and beneath what seemed like a man-made mountain of the pink was Drew.
“Help!” she squeaked, giving Heaven what she figured was a baleful look. She’d been unpacking the boxes that had just been delivered. “My theme is Falling into You, not Cotton Candy Haven. I can’t believe they totally screwed up my order!” she exclaimed.
Heaven stepped forward gingerly, because Drew had been so upset when she’d first opened the box that she’d quickly begun pulling out paper and streamers and tossing them onto the floor in the hopes that at the bottom of one of the many boxes she would discover the burnt-orange and harvest-yellow items she’d ordered. But they were nowhere to be found, and by this point Drew was beyond irritated by that fact.
“So, good, we weren’t going for the seven-year-old-girl theme here,” Heaven said, then stopped abruptly.
Drew stopped looking in the last box and focused on Heaven. She was what could be referred to as model shaped, tall, long legs, aristocratic facial features, warm smile that touched her eyes every time, and hair that obeyed no matter what the time of year. If Drew’s assessment of Heaven Montgomery sounded a little tainted by some envy, it was spot-on! Heaven was gorgeous and educated and successful and in love with a terrific man who promised her the world by way of this small town. Yes, envy was definitely playing with her this morning.
That could possibly be attributed to the fact that she had not been able to button two pairs of jeans this morning. Of course, she had a perfectly valid reason for this and knew that the visible changes to her body were just beginning, but that didn’t stop Drew from rolling her eyes at Heaven. The woman was dressed neatly in a crisp white sleeveless shirt, khaki cuffed shorts that displayed perfectly tanned legs, and simple sandals, with her hair pulled up into a efficient and most likely cool ponytail.
And right now she was looking at Drew as though she’d said something wrong or that she hadn’t meant to say.
“You okay?” Drew asked.
Heaven blinked. “Ah, yeah, I’m fine. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be, and why are you looking at me like I have two heads? Is my eyeliner running?” Drew moved back from the counter. She kept a cosmetics bag on the shelf beneath the register. There were other things of importance on that shelf as well, but right now this was the priority.
“No. No. You look great,” Heaven rushed to say. “Really great.”
Now that was said in a wistful tone, and Drew looked up to see what was going on with her today. With a shake of her head, she reached into the cosmetics bag and found her compact mirror. She looked into it, turning so that she could get a good look at her entire face even though the mirror was too small to take in her whole image at once.
“Nothing’s smudged,” Drew was saying when Heaven touched her wrist.
She’d crossed the room without Drew really noticing and was now looking at her with teary eyes.
“Okay, Heaven,” Drew said, slamming down her mirror and taking both of Heaven’s hands in hers. “You tell me what’s going on with you right now.”
Heaven shook her head and swallowed, as if trying to compose herself before speaking.
“I should be demanding the same thing from you,” was Heaven’s reply.
She was smiling, so Drew was pretty sure the woman wasn’t angry with her for something.
“I’ll tell you whatever you want to know if it’ll stop you from looking at me like I’m some sort of creature.”
“No, not a creature. But I feel like we’re somehow connected now,” Heaven told her.
Now Drew nodded, calming slightly. “We’re friends, Heaven, of course we’re connected.”
Although Drew had lived in Sweetland for a little more than two years, Heaven had been the first female she’d ever really opened up to. And by open up, Drew didn’t mean telling Heaven about her past, because she didn’t ever want to have to tell anyone about that horrible time in her life. But she’d opened up enough that she and Heaven had shared some pretty intense conversations about their life’s goals and what the future might hold for them. That’s how Drew knew how ecstatic Heaven was about marrying Preston and finally being part of a big and caring family.
Heaven shook her head. “Not just that way. I mean like family.”
Now a few things started to click. Ms. Louisa had seen her standing on the pier with Parker. Then the old busybody had barged in on them in the ladies’ room, just after she’d told Parker about the baby. And now Heaven was standing here practically beaming at her. Drew instantly felt bad for what she was about to say.
“Oh, no, don’t let the town’s gossip get to you, honey. Despite what tales Louisa might be spinning, Parker and I are not together. She just walked in on a bad moment. No big deal.”
At that Heaven cocked her head, staring at Drew quizzically. “So carrying Parker’s child is no big deal?”
Drew swallowed. She opened her mouth, then swallowed again. Okay, she hadn’t thought that Louisa had heard that much of their conversation. In fact, she was almost sure she hadn’t, but then again, this was Louisa Kirk she was talking about.
“Ah, that’s what the rumor is? That I’m pregnant with Parker’s baby?” she managed to finally ask.
“Are you pregnant with Parker’s baby?” was Heaven’s reply.
Drew pulled her hands back, lacing her fingers together behind the counter, then releasing them as she took a deep, steady breath. “I didn’t think that was public knowledge. And people shouldn’t be spreading other people’s business around. It’s not polite,” she said quietly. “No. It’s just plain rude, that’s what it is. It’s nobody’s business what I do with my life or who I do it with!”
“Wait a minute, hold on a sec,” Heaven said. “Don’t get all upset. Parker told us about the baby. It’s not like it’s the word on the street. Well, I mean, Louisa had told everyone about catching him in the ladies’ room with you, but she didn’t say anything about the pregnancy.”
Drew was shocked. Again. The room swirled around her as she lifted a hand to her forehead.
Heaven was around the other side of the counter in seconds. “Come on, let’s sit you down here.”
Two wrought-iron-back stools sat at the highboy table that was off to the side of the display case. This was where Drew met with clients when they came in for a full consultation. Now, she was the one sliding onto the chair, trying to get her bearings. Parker had already told his family about the baby. What did that mean? What were his plans where this baby was concerned? As the questions filtered through her brain, she felt like kicking herself, because Parker had been trying to talk to her for two days now about this very subject.
“Parker told you about the baby?” she asked when she thought the words would come out coherently.
Heaven nodded. She’d pulled the other chair close to Drew’s and took a seat. Now she reached for Drew’s hand.
“He was kind of put on the spot when confronted by Louisa’s claims of catching him in the bathroom. Plus, I think he wanted to tell us before anybody else had a chance to. But he hasn’t said a word about it since and that’s why I’m here. Preston won’t talk about it, but I know he’s worried and I’m excited and so happy for you and Parker.”
Drew smiled softly. Heaven was such a nice person, a nice and slightly naïve person considering her sheltered upbringing in only the correct and polite societies. The real world was a much more daunting place, as Drew had learned the hard way.
“There is no me and Parker, honey. There’s Parker, the father of my baby, and then there’s me.” And that sounded so dismal, Drew actually wanted to cry. Never in her life had she anticipated being a single mother. Actually, if she let herself be completely honest—even if for a moment—she hadn’t considered becoming a mother at al
l after what happened with Jared.
“But you two make a great couple. He’s all big, bad cop and you’re the street-smart flower girl of the twenty-first century. And you’re my friend and he’s Preston’s twin brother. This is so perfect. We’d be like sisters. I know that sounds silly and really girly, but I’m an only child, so I’m allowed some leverage here.”
Drew had to laugh along with Heaven’s eternal optimism. For a woman who had come to town to pick up a puppy and start a new life, she’d certainly planted herself firmly in this place and amid the Cantrell family. And Drew was really happy for Heaven and the happy ending she’d found. Unfortunately, happy endings didn’t always knock on everyone’s door.
“Parker’s not that kind of guy,” Drew replied. “And I’m not the kind of woman to trap a man or to try and keep one that doesn’t want to be kept. We had one night and now we’re going to have a baby. It’s as simple as that.” She shrugged, even though at the moment it didn’t feel half as simple as she’d just put it.
“When exactly are you having the baby? Or expected to have the baby?”
“I saw a doctor in Easton, the one Quinn referred me to. He gave a tentative due date of February fourth. But Dr. Lorens has moved here permanently and is going to be sharing office space with Quinn now. She’s going to take over my prenatal care.”
“So we’re having a winter baby, that’s terrific. One of the weddings will be over by then. Michelle’s already thinking about ideas for a baby shower cake. She was mumbling something about knowing this great baker who specialized in custom designer cakes.”
Heaven was talking fast, her eyes bright with excitement as she went on and on about the baby shower, baby names, baby this and baby that. Drew had been trying valiantly to let her have her say. Actually, she’d been trying to feel as excited as Heaven was about the whole “baby in the Cantrell family” thing. But really, she was as nervous about the family knowing as she had been about Parker. Call her crazy, but her family was nowhere near as sane or as supportive as the Cantrells. Add that to the fact that the bowl of raisin bran and skim milk she’d had for breakfast was choosing this moment to disagree with her, and Drew was no longer making an attempt to act as if she were enjoying this conversation. Seconds later, she hopped from the stool and headed toward the bathroom.
* * *
“Not again!” Parker roared, slamming the back door behind him. “How did he get out this time? I personally locked that pen when I left this afternoon.”
“Maybe instead of going for yet another ride on that death-trap bike of yours, you should have been spending some quality time with your dog. He might be jealous, you know,” Savannah said from her perch in a chair at the kitchen table, a bowl of Michelle’s homemade macaroni and cheese in front of her.
“The dog is not jealous, Savannah,” he said in exasperation.
“Well, then maybe you should be spending time with someone else instead of riding on that bike like some teenager on summer break,” she quipped.
“Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer,” was his tart retort.
“Then you’re just being a bum, and that’s neither attractive nor conducive to a man about to be a father.” This time her words were followed by a distinctive twirling of the neck and eye roll that had him considering her the teenager in this conversation.
“She has a point there,” Michelle added, making her way into her favorite part of the house. “Have you talked to Drew today? How’s she doing? Is she eating right? Having much morning sickness?”
“How the hell should I know?” he yelled at his sisters without considering that they were his sisters and that yelling at them probably wasn’t going to go over too well.
Both females looked at him as if he’d lost his mind, or an ear, or both.
Frustration with Runaway Rufus, the nightmare that had kept him awake half the night, and the meaning behind the baby that now made an appearance in said nightmare had made Parker cranky beyond belief. He’d felt it as he’d pushed the Suzuki for more speed. Then again as he’d yelled at the attendant at the gas station for not initiating the correct pump after he’d already paid, when in actuality Parker had been the one to pull up in front of the wrong pump. He was having a pretty bad day, and the way his sisters were now looking at him wasn’t making it any better.
“Look, I can only deal with one crisis at a time,” he replied with a deep sigh that was more sincere than either one of them could have imagined.
“So expecting a baby is a crisis?” Michelle asked.
Her back was to him as she loaded dishes into the dishwasher. She was cleaning up after the early dinner rush, which for a lot of Sweetland citizens was between four thirty and six thirty in the evening. They’d eat early, then head back to their homes to sit on the porch while the sun set and the night breeze moved in—when there was a night breeze. For the past couple of weeks, humidity had been their best friend.
“It can be,” Savannah muttered.
“No. Having a runaway dog is a crisis, especially when I know I locked him up. And why is it that only Rufus is getting out? Ms. Cleo and the others are going on about their daily business in the yard while my dog acts as if he’s got someplace better to be.”
With that comment, Michelle slammed the door to the dishwasher. “I certainly remember how that type of confusion feels. Gramma asked those same questions about each one of you as you made plans to get out of Sweetland so fast after high school the sun hadn’t a chance to set the next evening.”
And on top of his horrible day, Michelle would proceed to lay on the guilt like a thick layer of fudge on a sundae. Parker squeezed the bridge of his nose and silently counted to ten. No, he didn’t make it to ten; somewhere around five he gave up and pushed through the swinging doors that led into the parlor so hard, he thought they might actually fly off the hinges.
Mr. Sylvester was on the porch again as Parker made his way out the front door. He was playing cards or doing something solitary, as he usually did this time of day, and when Parker passed him he heard him mumble something. Definitely not in the mood for Mr. Sylvester’s words of wisdom right now, Parker kept right on walking until he was once again straddling the Suzuki, loving the familiar feel of power as he kicked the stand up and started the engine. In a screech of wheels, he pulled off and headed down Sycamore toward the town center, where he had a good idea Runaway Rufus might be.
Chapter 9
Drew had just stepped out of the shower when she heard the noise the first time. It was like a scratching sound, and she chalked it up to the television she’d left playing in her bedroom once she’d come upstairs for the evening. She wasn’t working at The Crab Pot tonight; her mother had that shift, thank goodness. Today had been eventful and emotional, from the moment she’d received the boxes from her supplier packed with all the wrong stuff, to the three hours she’d spent with Heaven, talking, crying, listening to Heaven plan an elaborate baby shower, having ice cream down at Scoopalicious, and then coming back to wilted carnations that had finally succumbed to the treacherous heat of the day. At five o’clock, she’d locked up the shop and headed upstairs with the intention of taking a long, soothing bath and then enjoying one of the many frozen chicken pot pies she had stored in her freezer. Drew could cook; having watched her mother do so for many years, she was more than capable of preparing a much better meal for herself. But since it was just her, she usually thought all that ceremony was a waste of time. For that reason her freezer was full of meals that suited her diet just fine. But instead of the long bath, she’d fallen asleep on the couch about three minutes after entering her living room. Hence the shower at seven fifteen.
There was a sitcom on television, something in syndication that she was paying very little attention to, so the sound had been easily brushed off. Then, minutes later, as she stood at her dresser, which was close to the open window, she heard the sound again. Out of curiosity this time, Drew moved to the window, pushing the sheer curtain aside
to peer out into her backyard.
Car? Check.
Garden intact? Check.
Dog up on his hind legs, scratching against her back door? Check.
What?
Recognizing Rufus immediately and ready to scold the dog for once again showing up unannounced in her backyard, Drew threw on her nightgown—which was an old New York Yankees shirt that had seen better days and barely scraped her upper thighs—and headed out to confront her trespasser.
By the time Drew made it downstairs to pull open her back door, another unannounced visitor had arrived. Parker’s all-too-familiar black-and-silver bike pulled up right beside her Fiesta as if it belonged there. Despite what the older women of the town—her mother and Ms. Louisa came quickly to mind—thought, his bike was surprisingly quiet as it made its approach, the lone headlight casting an eerie glare amid the still bright sunlight.
While she was busy eyeing his owner, Rufus had jumped up on her legs for a cheerful greeting, then pushed right past her and bolted up the stairs. The dog’s quick motions combined with the momentary distraction of watching the man on the bike, and feeling the familiar prickles said man on said bike elicited, knocked her off balance. Drew fell back against the door, holding on to the doorknob to keep herself from falling.
Parker was at her side in record time, his strong arms going around her waist and jacking up her already too-short shirt a few more inches so that warmth from the humid air brushed over her lower butt cheeks. Or was that the distinct flush of arousal, since Parker’s muscular body was now plastering her smaller body to the door, his dark gaze bearing down on her?
“You okay?”
No! her inner self screamed. I’m not okay! Your big body is pushing me against the door and all your hard and enticing muscles are doing crazy things to my otherwise dormant hormones, my knees are shaking, and my stomach is dangerously close to growling because I haven’t eaten since two o’clock and the two scoops of double chocolate ice cream with chocolate shavings at Scoopalicious!