by Barbara Lohr
“Can't we put the inexpensive ornaments on the lower branches?”
His housekeeper turned a stern gaze on him. “I'll put that on my list.”
With the wedding switched to Savannah, she had a lot on her plate. Connie liked a reliable schedule and that had been blown to bits. Having people stay in the house hadn't helped but Harper had insisted. “They’re family,” she’d said with that glint in her eye. Some days he thought this was a terrific idea, and other days he wondered what they'd gotten themselves into. Tonight he’d sit Harper down, and they’d go through everything that still had to be done.
Connie headed back to the kitchen, and he continued into the library taking the mail with him. Throwing it onto his desk, he set his briefcase on the chair, anxious to talk to Harper.
Able to handle the steps now, he carefully made his way upstairs, slowing when he heard Bella’s voice. She was learning how to read, and the tale she was spinning sounded kind of like Snow White. Must be her own version of the fairytale. “And they lived happily ever after,” he heard her say in that decisive manner she’d picked up from Harper. “Pipsqueak, you be good and I’ll read Cinderella now.” Yep, she was making all this up. A tiny yip and Bella began, the dog her captive audience.
Harper always kept the door to the third floor open. That had endeared her to him right off the bat. Seemed like so long ago, but the other nannies had closed that door every night. Not Harper, she wanted to hear any peep Bella might make. Taking the stairs, he detected her scent. One whiff and his whole body kicked in. The way she smelled, how her hair felt, the way her body moved––there was nothing he didn't love about the girl.
Maybe she was getting the three upstairs guest rooms ready for her family. They were going to stay up here, along with Harper in her room. How they would all use that one bathroom was beyond him, but she had assured him it was possible. “When I was growing up, we had one bathroom, Cameron, until my dad added on the family room.” And she was kind enough not to remind him that he hadn't grown up with a lot of bathrooms either.
Peeking into her room, he found it empty. “Harper?”
“I'll be right out.” Her muffled voice came from the bathroom.
Going to the window and pushing the filmy drape aside, he looked down at the garden that would be transformed in a week. Extraordinary Celebrations would set up their tents and work their magic. Thank goodness, the yard was large enough that the turkey fryer his mother had insisted on could be set off in a corner, roped off as a safety precaution. After all, there would be children there.
The soft footsteps on the pink carpet made him turn. “Hey,” he said and stopped. Her eyes were red and her lips trembled. “What is it? Did my mother call again?”
With a shake of her head, she grabbed a tissue. “No. It's not your mother.” And she looked at him in a strange way, like she had bad news and didn’t want to deliver it.
“Out with it. It couldn't be that bad, could it?” Coming closer, he took her in his arms but felt the tension in her body.
Tipping her head to one side, she gave a shuddering sigh. “That all depends.”
“On what?” This wasn't like her.
“Cameron, I think I'm pregnant.”
The words echoed in his brain as if they were in a sound chamber. “What? What did you just say?” Heart pumping, he held her away, wanting to see her face while she said the words.
She opened her hands palm up. “I know, I know. You said you wanted to table it. Hold off for a while. I don't know what happened. Julep told me I looked different. I got the test at the drugstore.”
Cameron felt as if he’d been zapped in an electrical storm. Emotions charged through him before settling in his stomach in a warm ball that rolled up to his smile. “Darlin’. Love of my life. Why are you crying?”
“Because the timing is so bad…and I can't keep anything down. And...” When her eyes flicked up to him, her long lashes formed wet peaks. “Because I thought you’d be mad.”
“Mad?” He felt like climbing onto the roof, beating his chest and telling the world. “I am the most excited man on the planet right now. Aren’t you excited?”
A smile finally finding her lips, she nodded. “Yes, I am. But bad timing, right?”
“I don't give a damn about timing. Is that why you don’t feel well?”
“From what Julep tells me, this goes on for three months. Can you imagine?” Her amazement made him chuckle. Bad move.
“But how?” His mind spun back.
“The antibiotics.” She looked crestfallen. “Another one of my mess-ups. That first week, you know, after Thanksgiving.”
He thought back and smiled. “Good times. Totally worth it.”
“But it’s such bad timing...” To stop the complaining, he sealed his lips over hers. She tasted sweet, like toothpaste and mouthwash and something else he couldn’t identify. But she was his. But suddenly he didn't know how to hold her.
Pulling away, she frowned. “Hey, what's up with you?”
“What do you mean?” He'd seen this expression before. Pure exasperation.
She cuffed his shoulder. “I’m not a piece of china. I'm not going to break.”
Good to know. The first time he became a father was so long ago. He’d been so young. This time would be different. Better. “Oh, darlin’. I've got so much to learn.”
“And I am just the girl to teach you. I think.” For a second, uncertainty clouded her eyes.
“Yes, you definitely are.” Cameron gave her a kiss that let her know she’d been kissed. Warm and wet. Slow and thorough. “Nothing’s changed, babe,” he whispered against her lips. “It all got better.”
“You really mean that?”
Caught in a happy haze, they studied each other. “I really do.”
Her smile widened. “Me too. Oh, Cameron, I am so excited.”
Chapter 21
When Harper heard Mrs. Blodgett in the kitchen, there was no mistaking that flat, crushing monotone. Straightening her shoulders, she hoped she’d be able to control the nausea. Thinking back to playing dress-up in grade school, she didn't know one girl at St. Edmund Grade School who dreamed of being a pregnant bride. That hadn’t been in the plan. But here she was, thrilled beyond belief despite the upset tummy. They’d decided not to share this latest development. “The wedding ceremony is the main event,” Cameron told her. “That and Christmas. Let’s keep our other news for another special announcement.”
“Is it, Cameron, really?’
He gave her that sweet, endearing grin. “It sure is, darlin’. Hiring the Goodyear blimp to trail a sign across the sky wouldn’t come close to being enough.”
Coming down from the second floor, she smiled remembering that conversation. She'd done a final check of the guest rooms. Apparently, Cameron was giving his mother a tour. She could hear Lily exclaiming about the Christmas decorations. When they reached the parlor, just as Harper reached the bottom of the stairs, there was a general gasp. “Just like a department store,” Mrs. Blodgett exclaimed. “Isn’t it, Lily?”
Harper grabbed the newel post. Tugging at the hem of her bright red skirt, she smoothed her black top and adjusted the holly headband. As she crossed the hall, one of Cameron's brothers said, “Now, Cameron, don't tell me you cut down that tree yourself.”
The boisterous laughter quieted when she entered the room. Bella was pointing out her favorite ornaments. But all eyes turned to Harper, including Cameron’s. His smile was pure encouragement and lit her up like a Christmas candle. Looking from her mother to Harper, Lily opened her arms. “And don't you look wonderful. We are so excited for both of you.” Then she laughed. “Well, all three of you.”
Her mind on the whole pregnancy thing, Harper thought Lily meant the baby. Had he told them after all? Her hand went to her stomach, but she caught Cameron’s raised eyebrows. They were so in sync. Letting her hand fall, she turned to Mrs. Blodgett. “So nice to see you.”
A brief nod and a quick hug.
“Why you've had your hair done, Mrs. Blodgett. How nice it looks.” It was hard to keep the amazement from her voice. The thought of Esther Blodgett entering a beauty salon was a leap for Harper.
“I convinced Mama to come with me,” Lily explained, while Cameron’s mother ran a hand over her bouffant hair-do.
“You look beautiful.” Enjoying Esther’s shy flush, Harper meant it as she turned to the rest of the family.
Sometimes Harper thought Henry and Fred looked like Cameron and other times she didn't. Hands down, when they were on the farm at Hazel Hurst dressed in their overalls, the family similarity was a stretch. But cleaned up in V-neck sweaters, khaki slacks and loafers, these two were completely different men. And she didn't miss the ruddy blush in their cheeks, as if they knew what she was thinking.
“You remember my husband Walt,” Lily said, turning to her husband.
“Of course, how nice to see you again.” And when he went to shake her hand, Harper hugged him. The group seemed to shine and she was touched. For them, this trip to Savannah had been a big deal. For a second, she was ashamed that she hadn't realized that earlier. Chicago might have seemed as far away as the moon. No wonder Esther had hesitated.
After that awkward exchange, Cameron continued the tour of the house. Of course, Esther and Lily had seen it on earlier visits, but not Walt or the two brothers. Harper couldn’t wait to relay their comments about the decorations to Julep.
And oh yes, Bella made sure that they saw everything. Every little figurine in each crèche set, each gilded star on the mantles. Harper never would have believed the powder room could fit six people. By the time Lily had wound up the third snow globe, perspiration was breaking out on the men's foreheads.
“Maybe your grandmother and Aunt Lily would like to see their rooms, Bella,” Harper said. Bella gave her a frown until Harper added, “Want to show them your room first?”
With an excited giggle, Bella led the group up the stairs, chattering all the way. While Bella showed the Blodgetts her bedroom, Harper dashed back to the powder room. Surrounded by cinnamon potpourri and snow globes, she wondered if she should create another bout with the flu as an excuse for her tummy trouble. But she didn't want people fussing over her. Accessing the mouthwash and the toothpaste that she now kept in every bathroom drawer, she steadied herself and stepped out. Cameron was waiting. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect.” The last thing she wanted was him hovering, although it was kind of sweet.
Since Cameron had planned to take his family on one of the trolley tours of Savannah, she didn't have to be too concerned about the Blodgetts today. The day before, Cameron had his cast taken off, so he was able to drive them around. The only tension came when Connie and Cameron's mother faced off in the kitchen. The rest of the family was upstairs when Harper came across the two women, both with copies of the list in their hands. Bless Connie’s heart. Although very territorial about her kitchen, she was showing Esther what she had in the freezer. Together the two women planned what they would cook the next day. And neither one mentioned or brought out a recipe. How amazing.
“She's got a good start on it,” Harper overheard Esther tell Lily when she joined them.
“Mama, I never doubted that she would.”
“I’m taking Bella with us,” Cameron told Harper, taking her chin in one hand while the others got their coats on. “You look like you need a nap.”
“Very perceptive,” she said as he kissed her.
After a tour of downtown Savannah, Cameron was going to take his brothers to a house on Jones Street that would be their home for the next four days.
When he returned, Cameron had the strangest expression on his face. “You know, I think Henry and Fred are thinking of going out tonight.”
The two of them were in the library alone. Cameron had picked up a dinner from Fresh Market, and his mother and Lily insisted on helping Connie serve it, with Bella’s assistance. They seemed to think that the bride shouldn't lift a finger. Harper wasn’t going to argue with that.
“Why shouldn’t Henry and Fred go out? Wouldn’t you be curious to see a new city?”
Cameron gave her this blank stare. “I just can’t imagine my brothers out on the town.”
Harper laughed at his expression. “You are still thinking of the farm boys you grew up with. Maybe they think of you that way too.”
They both had plenty to consider as they walked into the dining room for dinner. Bella had brought out the Christmas placemats. And when Harper saw the green mats with holly appliqued in the corners, it took her back to a disastrous dinner when she first came. Cameron had asked Kimmy, his girlfriend, to join them. Connie was off that night. Eager to prove herself, Harper had mistakenly set the table with these Christmas placements. Of course, Kimmy called it to their attention. She was just like that.
Tonight everyone seemed tired, and the atmosphere may have been a little stilted. Still, it was a family meal. One where Cameron and his siblings shared stories that made their mother smile. Eventually, Harper trudged up to bed, exhausted but excited about the next day when her family would arrive. When she heard the knock on her bedroom door, she thought it was Cameron.
Turning, she was ready to read him the riot act. She made it plain that they would definitely be in their own bedrooms before the wedding. But opening the door she found, not Cameron but Bella. Eyes wide, she stood there in her blue Frozen nightgown. “Harper, I bet you forgot that you told me…”
The wedding gown. Of course. “I did forget, but you have to keep it a secret. You can't tell your dad what it looks like.” When she opened the door to the closet, Bella's eyes got even wider. Still encased in protective plastic, the dress belonged in a fairy tale. Instead of the pink bouquet at the waist, Harper had replaced it with shiny magnolia leaves with sprigs of bright holly beads in the center.
“Just like mine,” Bella said. “Right?”
“Kind of, yes.” Bella's dress, which had been ordered online, was very similar. The skirt was layers of long silk organza, wired at the hem. At the waist was a small clutch of magnolia leaves with the bright berries. As flower girl, she’d carry a white basket of holly with the instructions not to toss any in the air because it could be prickly. That had been the only disappointment for Bella. Because they’d decided to have the ceremony inside, there would be no aisle, only the staircase.
“I can hardly wait,” Bella told her, shivering with excitement. “I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.”
“You better get to bed. I'll take you down. Tomorrow is a very big day.”
“Oh I know,” said Bella, her hand gripping the handrail. These steps were a little steeper than the grand staircase that swept from the first to the second floor. “Daddy said I could go to the airport with him to pick up Grandpa Mike and Grandma Reenie. And McKenna is coming too.” She hopped from step to step with excitement. McKenna was a favorite with Bella since she came for the St. Patrick's Day parade.
Poor Cameron. He was making two trips to the airport that day, since Seth and Selena were coming on a later flight. In a surprise development, the rest of the Kirkpatrick clan had decided to come. Apparently, Mark and Malcolm's wives did not want to miss a Christmas in Savannah. McKenna and Logan, Seth and Selena, along with their parents were staying up on the third floor. Cameron had made arrangements for the others. “I'm beginning to feel like a travel agent,” he grumbled. But he looked as pleased as she felt.
Realization that her entire family had come made her downright teary-eyed. To Harper’s disgust, everything made her either nauseous or teary-eyed. And she had no time for it.
After she tucked Bella in, she was tiptoeing past the rooms occupied by the Blodgetts when Cameron stuck his hand out of the master suite and beckoned. Harper approached with mixed feelings. “We're not fooling around tonight. I know your foot is better but...”
“This has nothing to do with my foot.” Sliding his arms around her, he took her chin between his finger and
thumb. “Are you laying down the law with me, Mrs. Bennett?”
She wagged a finger. “Not yet but just wait.” Right. As if she could ever deny this man anything.
“I just want to kiss you good night.” With a cheeky grin, he added, “I don't know how I was so lucky to get a woman so beautiful and so sassy.”
“You like that, do you?” She knew he did.
When he launched a full onslaught of kisses, she was glad she was wearing her reindeer pajamas. Anything less and she’d be slipping out of them. Although for all the stroking that was going on, he seemed to find the flannel appealing. Feeling her earlier resolve melting, she backed away. “Everybody's asleep and we should be too.”
“I'm all for it but in the same bed. It's lonely down here.” And he tried that pathetic little boy look that usually worked. But not tonight.
“Watch it. Your mother might hear you.” She eased away.
The love in his eyes followed her all the way to bed.
When she awoke the next morning, her body went on alert almost immediately. Today her family arrived. Getting dressed quickly, she bounded down the stairs. When she passed Bella’s open door, Harper could only see the tip of her nose above the ninja quilts. Good. Let her sleep. This is going to be a long day. Pipsqueak, however, didn't want to miss out on anything and trotted next to her down the steps.
Headed toward the back of the house, she enjoyed hearing voices in the kitchen. Usually it was quiet in the morning. The smell of coffee, once warm and comforting, turned her stomach. Now she always carried soda crackers in her pocket. And her mother had gone through this seven times? Harper couldn’t imagine it.
“Everybody sleep well?” She circled the room with her eyes and everyone nodded. Well, everyone but Cameron, who was slowly shaking his head. But he stopped when his mother turned his way.
“Now today,” Connie began, “Esther and I have agreed that you will not be allowed in the kitchen.”