by Barbara Lohr
“Daddy...” Bella appeared at the door. Bounding in behind her, Pipsqueak skidded sideways on one of the Oriental runners and slammed into the credenza. When Bella fisted her hands on her hips, she looked for all the world like Connie...or Harper. He was outnumbered. “Are you two at it again?”
When did his little girl become his keeper? Springing from his lap, Harper began arranging her samples into three piles.
Looking up at Harper, Bella tugged on his borrowed shirt. “Harper?”
“What, sweetheart?” Squatting, she swept the dark hair from Bella’s face.
“Can we play badminton today out back?” Sunlight beckoned from the window. “Daddy says he can’t play because of his foot.”
Now that stung. Talking about him as if he were an invalid. He hated not being able to join in their fun.
“Sure. You bet,” Harper said, pushing her work aside. They’d agreed that they would spend more time with Bella, or the problems would just come back. During the excitement of the last few months, her eating had become irregular, and the doctors had stressed the importance of a schedule.
“I’ll keep an eye on you from the porch.” Cameron waved a crutch. “Last one out there is a rotten egg.”
Bella whirled from the room and Pipsqueak followed.
“Kids,” Harper said, giving him a kiss. “What would we do without them, right?”
Grabbing his crutches, he pushed up with a sigh. “Oh, I can think of lots of things.”
While Harper gathered the badminton set from the garage, he settled onto a rattan chair on the first floor verandah. The weather continued to be mild but with a refreshing cool edge. He’d been slow to take the badminton set down this fall, and water still splashed from the mermaid fountain. Now he was glad. What fun to watch Bella and Harper whack the birdie around until they both were tired and winded. The winded part concerned him, and sometimes he had to call a halt.
Some of the leaves were down but the live oaks were still green, as were the pines and palms. Contentment settled over him as he cheered for his ladies. His ladies. How he loved the sound and feel of those words. Just as he enjoyed watching Harper run around the yard, shirttail flapping, allowing a teasing view. Good thing the garden was enclosed or there might be a traffic accident.
“Did I do good, Daddy?” Bella asked, cuddling up against Cameron after Harper had let her win numerous times.
“You did great, but I think you’re growing up too fast. When did your legs get so long?” His baby girl glanced down at her jeans with the pretty patch pockets as if she didn’t know what he was talking about. Where had the years gone? He’d been so busy working after he became a single father. Sometimes he wondered if he’d spent enough time with Bella.
But he tried not to let thoughts like that ruin his day. Watching the two of them play had been a pure joy, even when they argued with each other about who had won.
After putting the racquets in the garage, Harper climbed up the steps. Looking winded, she sat down in the chair next to his, and he handed her the inhaler, which she’d refused earlier. “Penny for your thoughts.”
“Nothing. Everything. Just thinking about how the two of you mean everything to me. Does that sound sappy?”
Harper grinned. “I’ve always like sappy. Especially from you.”
~.~
They spent a lot of time together that weekend. Harper had grown up in a rowdy household with five older brothers and one sister and thrived on activity. While she continued to work on her presentation, Cameron taught Bella to play checkers in the family room. And when he got tired, Harper encouraged him to stretch out on the couch and let Bella choose a movie. Since he’d already seen Jungle Book a gazillion times, he nodded off. By the time Harper joined them, he was fast asleep with Pipsqueak draped over his good leg, as if she were protecting it.
When Sunday evening came, Harper could hardly wait to talk to McKenna. Her older sister was her sounding board, and they talked just about every Sunday. McKenna was the voice of reason whenever Harper was about to take a leap of faith...right into a fiery pit. That’s just the way her life rolled.
“How did the food tasting go?” she asked.
“Um, fine.” McKenna sounded less than enthusiastic.
“No, really, how was it?” The last thing she wanted was a hiccup with the catering, although she herself probably wouldn’t eat a thing. What bride did?
“It was food, okay, Harper? The chicken tarragon was tender. The beans weren’t over cooked. The red potatoes were roasted. Really, it was good.”
Sighing, she sat back in the wicker chair up in her bedroom. “Sounds about as exciting as a grilled burger, although the burger might taste better. McKenna?”
The silence on the other end of the phone had Harper worried.
“So what’s the problem, McKenna? Was Mom happy with it?”
“I think so. She’s doing what she always wanted to do...plan a wedding.”
Harper chuckled. “Is this sour grapes, dear sister?”
“Nope. Logan and I did it the way we wanted it. I’m a mature woman who doesn’t care at all that her mother is making herself crazy over this wedding.”
So that's how it was. “Do you think this might be too much for Mom?” Since McKenna was a midwife, everyone in the family referred their medical questions to her or her husband Logan Castle, an OB/GYN. The fact that the questions might not relate to the more private area of a woman’s anatomy didn’t seem to matter.
“I’m not sure. Mom’s getting on. They both are, although they don’t want us to know it. She’ll offer to babysit for Connor and Amanda but Dad has to be with her. Three babies are a handful for anyone. The wedding has just added to what’s on her plate.”
“Hmm. “ Guilt descended on Harper like a cloud of Savannah gnats. Had she been wrong, letting her mother take charge? “Here I thought she’d love doing this. You know, the excitement of it.”
“She’s thrilled about you getting married, Harper. Don’t get me wrong. She’s crazy about Cameron and Bella. In the beginning, she probably thought she could dig right into this. I just see her tiring under the stress. But I didn’t call you to complain, just wanted to give you the food update.”
“Yes, but I don’t want to dump all this on you either.” Harper studied her ring. How could getting engaged feel so exciting when planning a wedding was totally exhausting? “How are you feeling, McKenna?” Her sister’s baby was due in about three months.
“I’m fine. Sure it’s a little tricky leaning over my laboring mothers in the birthing pool, but the baby is getting firsthand experience, know what I mean?”
“I suppose so.” They chuckled together. Some days Harper really missed McKenna.
“Has Cameron’s family changed their mind about the wedding?”
Pulling at the worn slipcover on the chair, Harper frowned. So much in the house needed to be redone. Cameron didn’t seem to see that. “Nope. They can’t handle a Chicago winter. I guess I understand but it sucks. Just doesn’t feel right. Know what I mean?”
“That’s such a shame. Logan only has his Grandmother Cecile. She’s in her eighties, but she came to New Mexico. This may sound ridiculously old-fashioned, but having family there helps seal the marriage.”
How those last words bothered her. “But that was last spring, and the weather was nice. Chicago can be brutal in the winter. Down here, December might be forty degrees if that, and we don’t have snow. I guess the Blodgetts have never even experienced snow. That’s what worries them most of all, and frankly, it would worry Cameron too. Especially since he might still be in a cast.”
“What? When did that happen?”
Good Lord. Harper had been so busy that she hadn’t brought everyone up-to-date. “He slipped on a scaffolding at one of his jobs and broke his ankle. In two places.” How furious she’d been when he finally admitted he had a compound fracture.
“Oh my God. No wonder you sound so wiped out.” How Harper craved her siste
r’s sympathy.
“Yep, and then there’s my interior design business. I have some very picky clients who would like to complain.” That was putting it mildly.
“And here I thought your work sounded like fun. At least my clients are always delighted to have a baby.” McKenna was a midwife specializing in water birth.
Harper laughed. “Right. Well, you’re lucky. The holiday season doesn't necessarily bring out the best in people.”
“Look, don’t dwell on that, okay? Everything will turn out the way it should.”
“That’s helpful.” Yep, Harper definitely missed the sisterly concern.
“Okay, I’ll keep an eye on Mom’s stress level. You tell Cameron to ease off that foot.”
Harper snorted. “Right. Like that’s going to do it.”
“You’ll have to remind him. That’s a wife’s job. Help take care of your man...because heaven knows, they don’t do such a hot job of it themselves.”
Hanging up, Harper sure missed her family. She dragged herself back to her drawing board. Bella was in bed and Cameron was downstairs watching TV. She’d rather be there but she had to finish this up.
The next thing she knew, Cameron was kissing her neck, his lips soft and persuasive. Somehow they were stretched out on her bed and oh, she needed him so bad. “How did you get here?” she asked, puzzled. All those stairs. But his warm kisses were the only answer. And those hands? They knew all her secrets. He was exploring them one by one.
The love inside her ran so strong and deep for this man. Now it consumed her, licking her body like flames while they turned, twisted and pleased each other. “You are everything,” she whispered. “Everything to me.”
“You are more, sweet thing,” he said, so faint she had to lean closer to catch his words, recapture the feelings.
She woke up with a jerk, her neck sending shooting pains into her head. How had she ended up head first on the floor at a really uncomfortable angle? Feeling groggy, she dragged her feet down. Above her on the drawing board, the presentations sat in neat packets, ready for tomorrow. What a dream. She pulled herself up on shaky legs and rotated her neck to get the kinks out. But her bed looked so spartan and unappealing.
The house was dark and silent as she crept downstairs, pausing at Bella’s door to peak in. But her charge was curled under the comforter, a slight smile on her lips. “Sweet dreams, Bella,” Harper whispered.
The only light in the family room came from the muted TV screen. Stretched out on his left side with one arm flung up behind his head, Cameron clearly was favoring his right ankle. Poor guy must be in such pain, although he’d tried hard not to show it all weekend.
She enjoyed studying him while he was totally unaware. How did he ever get those broad shoulders with that impossibly tiny waist? He looked so cozy in his gray track pants, and right now, she needed cozy. Being oh, so careful, she climbed onto the creaky mattress and slipped down behind him. His heat pulled her to him like a powerful magnet. With a contented sigh, she eased one arm around his waist and buried her face in the soft T-shirt. She’d know that scent anywhere.
“About time,” he mumbled, tugging her right hand over his tummy. She sank into sleep. Only one more month.
Chapter 9
Facing Georgina across the dining room table, Harper struggled to read her client’s expression. Her stomach stopped clenching when Georgina smiled. “Why, Harper, you have outdone yourself. The colors are so rich, so classic. Monte will love it!” She held one of the blue-green spruce garlands. “Fantastic next to my cream door moldings. You’ve done a wonderful job. And these bugles!”
Remembering Cameron’s suggestion, Harper said, “Oh, the suggestions were all yours, Georgina.” The words tasted like marsh mud on her tongue. “Why, if it hadn’t been for you... I appreciated you pointing me in the right direction.” She hoped to heck that Georgina and Brittany would be too busy exchanging holiday pleasantries to recognize each other’s color schemes and decorations. Brittany might pick up on the bugle touch, though. Of course, by that time it would be too late. Harper would make sure the execution of both plans would be so outstanding that neither woman would mind.
And as Cameron had known, Georgina was preening, secure in the knowledge that she’d inspired all this. “Well, I guess I know what this historical home needs. These classic touches make it come alive. You know, I studied history in school.” While Harper gagged, Georgina flitted from room to room, explaining what her thoughts had been when she’d made these suggestions. Harper thought she might try to blow the hunting horn on her way to scatter few huge fragrant pinecones on the side tables.
The smile stayed pinned to Harper’s face as if one of Santa’s elves had nailed it there. She left the Darlington house as soon as she could, after making an installation appointment for that Friday.
While Harper was driving over to the Bedford home, Adam called. “How is Bella’s hair holding up?”
“Oh, Adam. You were wonderful! She couldn’t wait to show Cameron. This morning, I tried that braiding thing in the front of her hair.” No need to mention it had taken three attempts.
“Have I caught you in the middle of your appointments?”
“Yep, on my way to see Brittany right now.” Then she brought him up to speed on the switch she’d pulled.
“You are one resourceful girl,” Adam told her. “So proud of you.”
“Appreciate your support more than you’ll ever know.”
“Early lunch later?”
“Hate to say no but I have an appointment with Julep when I finish with Brittany.”
“Okay, another time. I’m headed out of town for Thanksgiving.”
“Have a good one, Adam.” She pulled into the circular drive in front of the Bedford mansion and said good-bye. Buoyed by her earlier success, she sprang from the car, grabbed her portfolio, and then followed Hazel to the sitting room. Yes, this mansion actually had a room called the sitting room.
Smile pasted on her face, Harper took Brittany through the spools of ribbons and bright green and gold beading–– that was just for starters. To her relief Brittany seemed as pleased with the changes as Georgina had been. All that work over the weekend had paid off.
“Oh, Harper, this is more like it. Look how these sassy plaids lighten the room.” Brittany spun around in the sitting room.
“Such a great idea on your part.” Once again, Harper was prepared to eat humble pie. She just wanted to get through this. It didn’t matter to her who took the credit, but Brittany surprised her. With a tiny frown on her finely arched brows, she turned, gold beading swinging from her hands. “Oh, but you were the inspiration for the ribbons. I just mentioned plaids. At least, that’s what I recall.”
Amazement took Harper’s breath away. She played with the green and red plaid headband worn for Brittany’s benefit. “Really? In all the rush, I guess I forgot.”
Laughing, Brittany gave her a tight squeeze. “You better take credit when credit is due. Trust me. Doesn't matter if it's Savannah or London, people are similar in lots of ways. After all, what is a designer selling but her time and her talent? Others can be quick to claim a good idea, so jump on it.”
“Why, thank you.” Caught off-guard, that was all Harper could get out.
Smiling, Brittany ran one hand over her sedate pearls. “I appreciate your handling this for me, Harper. Really I do.”
“Glad you like it. I’m glad you called me for this job.” And there was some truth in that. Harper had never appreciated the beautiful variety of plaids before now.
“Trust me, I’m the lucky one. Now, will you able to put this up Saturday or Sunday? I will clear my schedule.”
Harper was practically skipping when she left the Bedford home. Brittany had brought her a different perspective. It made her feel better about Savannah…and heck, the whole lowcountry region. Clicking on the radio, she sang along to “Frosty the Snowman,” fast becoming Bella’s favorite.
Now for some fun. Relief h
ad left her ravenous. Julep had promised lunch, and Harper took off down Highway 80 toward Tybee, making it through the noon traffic at the Truman exchange without losing much time. The marshes stretched wide on either side when she took the overpass near Thunderbolt. This area was so beautiful, even though the green marshes of summer had turned to mauve and brown.
Private piers stretched out into the water, ending at a dock, usually with a huge boat. The docks were designed to rise and fall with the tides. Maybe life was like that. Some days, Harper felt she still had so much to learn––about this area and life in general. And she had Cameron to help her with that, although he’d never take credit. She flushed, remembering the intimate details of her latest dream about him. If only she didn’t have such a vivid imagination. But it was time to concentrate on the road.
When Julep met her at the door, she was swathed in a flowing white caftan patterned with aqua and peach coral. Her blonde air was caught up in a fashionable off-center topknot, while coral earrings dangled from her ears. The woman was so darn pretty and utterly feminine.
“Now I want you to come right in and tell me all about it.” Laughing, she laid one cool hand across Harper’s brow. “Have those city women got you all hot and bothered?”
“You wouldn’t believe it.” Following Julep to the sun porch overlooking a pool, she filled her in on the earlier appointments. As they passed through the kitchen area, Harper hoisted a waiting tray of lemonade and cucumber sandwiches so her pregnant friend didn’t try to carry it. Taking seats in the sunlight, Harper didn’t mention that she had let Georgina claim credit. That wouldn’t sit well with feisty Julep. Setting the tray on the hassock between them, Harper plopped down in the rattan chair across from her friend.
“Well now, didn’t you just show them a thing or two!”
“Julep, I am so relieved. I cannot tell you.”
Nibbling at the crustless cucumber sandwich, Julep gave her a speculative glance. “And how’s the invalid husband?” In a private weekend conversation, Harper had shared her bad news.
“Chomping at the bit,” Harper said between bites. “What man likes to be incapacitated? Such bad timing.” But still, Cameron managed to do a lot even with his cast. Amazing. Her grin wasn’t lost on Julep.