Written in the Stars

by LuAnn McLane

  “You don’t have to worry about that.” Becca pulled into the parking lot and then took quick strides up to double doors that parted for her to enter. Digging inside her giant purse, she located her cell phone and called Garret.

  “Mum, hey, love, where are you? They’re prepping Mattie for...for...the C-­section.” His voice cracked a little bit, and Becca understood. The thought of Mattie undergoing surgery and worry about the baby were tearing Garret apart.

  “Darling, I’m in the lobby.”

  “Good...good.” She heard his sigh of relief and said a silent thank-­you to the kind cop who’d gotten her there in record time. “I’ll send Grace down to get you. Sophia is on her way too. She’s closing up the bistro.”

  “Okay, I’ll wait right here,” she said in a voice much more calmer than how she felt. Becca had learned a long time ago how to control her emotions. She’d always been a calming factor in the lives of her children, and when she did lose control, she did it in private. Her life had been full of ups and downs, but the one thing that would always be consistent was her unconditional, total love for her three children. Absolutely nothing else in the world meant more to her. And she was going to be a grandmother!

  As soon as Grace stepped off the elevator, Becca rushed over and enveloped her daughter in a tight hug. “Oh, Gracie, please tell me that everything is going to be okay.”

  “Better now that you’re here. Oh, but, Mum, I’m worried.”

  Becca pulled back and put her palms on Gracie’s cheeks. “Darling, how is Garret really holding up?”

  Gracie’s eyes misted over. “Fine when he’s with Mattie. He holds her hand and strokes her head. But, Mum, he’s dead on his feet. He’s been worried sick. Garret loves Mattie so much, and of course he’s fretting over the baby too...our Lily.” Gracie’s smile trembled at the corners.

  Becca put a hand to her chest and felt the rapid worried beat of her heart. “Oh, I simply adore that name.” She took Grace’s hand and they walked toward the elevator. “Let’s get up there and bring this baby into the world,” Becca said, and then turned when they heard Sophia’s voice calling out to them.

  “Mom! Grace! Wait for me!” Sophia jogged as fast as her short legs would carry her, and a moment later the three of them did a quick group hug. “Any more word about Mattie, Grace?”

  “No.” Grace shook her head. “Only that after Lily was showing some signs of distress, that’s when the doctor decided that they needed the C-­section. Apparently they held off as long as they could.”

  Sophia inhaled a deep breath and nodded. “Oh boy. I didn’t know it was possible to be so worried or to love a child so much who I haven’t had the chance to hold yet.”

  Becca reached over and squeezed Sophia’s hand. “Well, they seem to be on top of everything here, right?” Ever since she’d had her tonsils taken out as a child, hospitals made Becca feel anxious. The antiseptic smell still made her stomach lurch.

  “Oh, the staff has been wonderful.” Grace nodded firmly. “And there’s a whole crew of friends and family up there waiting and praying.”

  “Is Rick here?” Becca asked.

  “He was a while ago.” Grace nodded and exchanged a brief glance with Sophia. “With Maggie.”

  “Good,” Becca said as they walked over to the elevator. She pushed the button. There had been a time when she didn’t want to be in the same room with Rick Ruleman, but those days were thankfully over. When Rick’s music had turned from soulful ballads to hard-­core rock and roll, Rick became a man she no longer knew, and she’d pulled away from the marriage, not wanting to live that kind of lifestyle or expose Garret to it. Looking back, though, she realized she’d come between Rick and his son, hampering their relationship, and although Becca had few regrets in her life, that was certainly one of them. While she thought she’d been protecting Garret at the time, she should have found a way to keep the father-­son bond that they both needed.

  Becca glanced at her daughters, so different from each other, but they loved each other fiercely. Although it had been ill-­fated, she didn’t regret her marriage to Marcus Gordon, because the union had resulted in Grace and Sophia. Her life had been full of success and sacrifice, but she’d not quite mastered how to find the right balance between the two. But Becca hid her disappointments and heartache well, only shedding tears on her pillow. She began each day with a smile of determination, never allowing the world to see a moment of weakness.

  The elevator doors opened and they stepped aside for a man to exit. He gave Becca a glance, and the slight hesitation and then the widening of his eyes said that he recognized her. Ah, the damned swimsuit poster had been both her salvation and her worst enemy. Pinup models weren’t taken seriously, and it had taken her a long time to prove that she knew her way around the business side of the fashion industry. The popularity of the poster had landed her several commercials and a guest television spot here and there, even though her acting skills were suspect. Now, nearly thirty years later, Becca was always surprised when she was still recognized.

  “That guy totally knew who you were.” Grace gave her a nudge with her elbow, and then pushed the button for the third floor.

  Becca rolled her eyes as the doors closed with a soft whoosh. “From the poster that will live on forever and ever.”

  “Mom, I don’t know why you hate it so much,” Sophia said. “The one-­piece swimsuit is modest by today’s standards. I think it represents a more refined era, showing more class and less skin. You were beautiful and classy then and even more so today.”

  “I agree with Sophia. I am and will always be so very proud of you. We all know how hard you’ve worked.”

  “Thank you, my sweet girls.” She curved her arms around them both and squeezed.

  Becca found it darkly amusing that she was an object of envy. The public assumed that because she’d been married to Rick Ruleman and then Marcus Gordon that she was swimming in unearned money. The truth was that Rick’s fame had skyrocketed after their marriage ended. Marcus Gordon had insisted on a prenup, leaving her with very little after they divorced twenty years later. But Becca didn’t care. Her success in the fashion industry was hard-­earned and her own doing, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Money, she’d taught her children, was a commodity, and not what life was all about. While Grace and Sophia embraced her belief, it had taken Garret longer to learn what was most precious in life.

  When the doors opened, all three of them rushed into the waiting room. Garret hurried over to greet them with hugs.

  “God, Mum, I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me too, love. The flight seemed to take forever. So fill me in.”

  Garret took a step back and raked his fingers through his shaggy blond hair. “Mattie is being prepped for the C-­section right now. I just popped out to see you. I have to wash up and get in the scrubs.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Lily will be here soon,” he said with a smile, but Becca could see the lines of worry bracketing his mouth. “You just missed Mattie’s parents and brothers. They stepped out for a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria but should be back up here soon.”

  “It’s wonderful to have so much love and support,” Becca said and then put a hand on his arm. “Everything will be fine, Garret. Now, go on in there and let Mattie know we are all out here pulling for her. I’m ready to start spoiling my granddaughter.”

  “It won’t be long now.” Garret nodded and then gave Grace and Sophia a quick hug before hurrying through two double doors leading to the operating room.

  Once he was out of sight, Becca took the hands of her daughters and squeezed, drawing strength from holding on to them. “It’s been way too long since we’ve been together,” Becca said. “That’s got to change.”

  “I agree.” Grace nodded and then sat down in a beige chair.

  “Think you can slow down long enough to
stay here for a while?” Sophia asked Grace as she sat down beside her.

  “Ha, isn’t that kind of like the pot calling the kettle black?” Grace asked her sister.

  Sophia splayed her hand across her chest and leaned forward. “Personally, I love the slower, small-­town pace.”

  “Yeah, but for how long?” Grace asked. “And what about your career?”

  Becca took a seat across from her daughters. “Sophia, are you thinking of moving to Cricket Creek?”

  Sophia pressed her lips together and then lifted one shoulder. “I wouldn’t go that far. I mean, I do enjoy working at the bistro, and I’ve come close to mastering Mattie’s biscuits and gravy.” She smiled. “And the regular breakfast crowd is a hoot.” Her smile softened.

  “What else?” Grace asked.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Sophia said, but the sudden color in her cheeks indicated otherwise.

  “It’s about a boy!” Becca said and rubbed her hands together. “What is it about this town that people find love and move here?”

  “Must be something in the water,” Grace said, and then eyed the water fountain.

  “It’s not!” Sophia protested. She shook her head so hard that her ponytail swung back and forth.

  “In the water?” Grace said.

  “It’s not about a guy,” Sophia said, but started twirling the end of her hair, a tell sign since she was a kid.

  “Right,” Grace said. “What’s his name? And if you don’t tell me, I’m going to pinch you.”

  “Mom! Are you seriously going to let Grace bully me?”

  Becca laughed, enjoying this trip down memory lane. “Yes, I want to know too.”

  “There’s...” She paused and blew out a sigh.

  “Oh, come on,” Grace said.

  “Okay, there’s this cute guy, Avery Dean, who comes in the bistro on a regular basis, and he flirts a little bit, but he hasn’t asked me out or anything like that.”

  “You should ask him, then.” Grace gave Sophia’s knee a nudge.

  Sophia shifted in the fake leather chair and nudged Grace back. “I’m not as bold as you. And I haven’t heard about any guys in your life lately.”

  “I’ve been too busy with Girl Code.” Grace shrugged, but when Mason Mayfield walked into the room, Becca noticed her daughter’s eyes widen just fraction. Grace tried to act calm, but a quick intake of breath had Sophia nudging her sister.

  “And then again, maybe you’ve been holding out on us,” Sophia whispered. “No wonder you chose to stay at the marina instead of with me.”

  “Oh, stop,” Grace whispered back. “I’ve only been here three days.”

  “By how he’s looking at you, you’ve made them count.”

  “Right, he gave me a glance, and now he’s chatting up that nurse over there. Mason just kept me safe during the storm and helped me get settled in.”

  “If you say so.”

  Becca followed the conversation like she was watching a tennis match. But she had to agree with Sophia. Something had passed between Grace and Mason with just one short look, and they might not be aware of it, but the lingering glance spoke volumes to anyone watching.

  “I like my little cabin surrounded by water. Look, I love you, sis, but we would have driven each other up the wall.”

  “I’m guessing you’re still a night owl, listening to music loud enough to wake the dead instead of keeping the normal hours of regular people.”

  “Getting up at the ass crack of dawn isn’t normal, Sophia. It’s simply inhuman. Am I right, Mum?”

  “A matter of opinion.”

  “I can’t help it if creative inspiration comes to me late at night with music thumping through my veins.”

  “So is Mason a night owl like you, Grace?”

  “I wouldn’t know!”

  “Oh, look, he’s coming this way,” Sophia said.

  “Shh, he’s going to hear you.” Grace reached for a People magazine and started flipping through it.

  Becca watched Mason as he approached. He walked in that laid-­back country-­boy style and was good-­looking in a rough-­and-­tumble sort of way. He wore faded jeans like he’d been born in them, and his cowboy boots clicked on the floor.

  Magazine forgotten, Grace couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  “Hello, Ms. Gordon. Glad you made it here okay,” Mason said in that smooth Southern drawl.

  “Thanks, Mason. I am so glad to be here too! But do call me Becca.”

  “I’ll try to remember to do that,” he said and then turned to greet Sophia and Grace. “Good to see you, Sophia. Mattie told me yesterday that your biscuits and gravy rival hers.”

  “Not hardly. I’m just a stand-­in. But she’s a sweetie for saying so.”

  “Hello, Gracie,” Mason said. “Everything in the cabin still workin’ okay?”

  “Splendid so far.”

  “No sign of the Loch Ness monster yet?” Mason asked with a crooked grin that Becca thought was quite charming.

  “No, but one can only hope,” Grace replied lightly. “Bigfoot tweeted that it’s National Chocolate Chip Cookie day.”

  “Really? Who knew?”

  Grace tilted her head. “Hey, if Bigfoot says so, it must be true.”

  Mason chuckled but frowned when his phone pinged. “Excuse me, ladies.”

  When he was out of earshot, Becca said, “That was interesting. He calls you Gracie?”

  “Mum...”

  “Inside jokes already?” Sophia asked. She bit her bottom lip and looked at Grace expectantly.

  “I’m not going to pay one bit of attention to either one of you.” Grace started flipping through the magazine again.

  Becca picked up a magazine and held it up to her face to hide her smile. Her visit to Cricket Creek, Kentucky, was going to be quite interesting.

  5

  On a Wing and a Prayer

  THE MOMENT THAT MASON HELD TINY LILY IN HIS ARMS, he was a goner. He cradled her as if she were made of spun glass and said silly baby things to her in a soft, high voice that should have felt ridiculous but didn’t. Her pink Cupid’s bow mouth, perfect nose, and blue eyes fringed with long lashes captivated him. He couldn’t stop staring at her angelic face. “I’m so glad you’re home.” Emotion, a tenderness like he’d never felt before, washed over him in waves, and damn if he didn’t have to blink back moisture forming in his eyes. Swallowing hard, he ran a gentle fingertip down her cheek, thinking that in all his years, he’d never felt anything so very soft.

  “You gonna give me a turn?” Danny asked from where he sat on Mattie and Garret’s sofa. After an extra week of staying in the preemie ward, this was Lily’s first day home. Still small, she swam in the newborn nightgown, making Mason’s heart melt. “Seriously.”

  “No, I’m never giving her up,” Mason said, but when Lily started to whimper and root around, he looked over at Mattie, who grinned. “What does she want?”

  “I’m afraid you can’t give her what she’s looking for, Mason.”

  “Oh...okay,” Mason relented, but when Mattie started to push to her feet, he shook his head. “Don’t you dare. I’ll bring Lily over to you.” He eased carefully to his feet and gingerly made his way across the living room to the sofa. Slowly leaning over, he placed Lily in her mother’s outstretched arms. When she started unbuttoning her blouse, Mason backed up and Danny stood up. “We’ll give you some privacy,” Mason said.

  “I’ll put a blanket over—”

  “I’ve got to get going anyway,” Mason said gently. “My beer needs my attention.”

  “I’ll be over this weekend to work on the bar,” Danny said.

  “Sounds good.”

  “Is the Belgian blonde ready for consumption?”

  “Yes, and I’m anxious to try one.”

  �
�Save a few for me,” Danny said.

  “I can have only a few sips while I’m nursing,” Mattie said, and then stuck out her bottom lip.

  “I’m going to pop in the kitchen to say bye to Mom. Then I gotta bounce too. I promised to help out Sophia at the bistro.”

  “Cooking?” Mattie asked with a grin.

  “Hell no,” Danny said, and then his eyes widened when he looked at Lily. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” Mattie laughed. “She can’t understand English yet.”

  “Still...,” Danny said. “I need to watch my mouth around her. To answer your question, nope, I’m just gonna help take out the trash and mop the floor and stuff.”

  “Thank you, Danny. I don’t know how to repay all of the help Garret and I have gotten over the past few months.”

  Danny pointed at Lily. “She is all the thanks we’ll ever need.”

  “Oh...Danny.” Mattie sniffed hard. “She’s precious, isn’t she? Garret falls to pieces every time he looks at her.”

  “She’s gonna have us all wrapped around her little finger,” Danny said. “How are you ever gonna put her in time-­out?”

  “Mom managed to send me to my room often enough.”

  “Yeah, but you were a troublemaker.”

  “I was not! You just blamed me for everything.”

  “Sorry. If I had known back then that you would give us Lily, I wouldn’t have been such a shit.”

  Mattie chuckled. “I should have given you a heads-­up.”

  Mason smiled at the exchange between his brother and sister. While he still had pangs here and there about not being on the pro-­fishing circuit, it suddenly hit him in the gut that he was glad to be home instead of on the road for weeks at a time. He supposed he should be thankful for unanswered prayers.

  “See you later, Mattie,” Mason said, but then followed Danny into the kitchen to say good-­bye to his mother, who was cooking up a storm.

  “Mom, you do realize that only two people live here, right?” Danny said with a chuckle.

  “You know I never learned to cook small,” she said as she skinned a potato.