by Jill Sanders
Becca wished her mother would just stop talking, but she continued for almost another five minutes.
“Listen, Mom, It’s been a very long day.”
“Okay, think on what I said. Promise me.”
“Yes. Have you talked to Sara yet?”
“I just got off the phone with her before I called you. Why?”
“Did she tell you anything?” Becca bit her bottom lip.
“Like?” Her mother dragged out the word.
“Nothing. It’s not for me…”
“Becca, what is going…No, never mind. I’m hanging up now and calling her right back. Love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too.”
Becca watched the clock and estimated it would take less than ten minutes for her sister to call her.
Just enough time for some dessert. She walked into the kitchen and pulled out a container of ice cream. Since it was officially gossip night, she might as well enjoy being stuck on the phone.
By the time she had half the container emptied, her phone was ringing again.
“How did you know?” Sara sounded a little winded.
Becca laughed. “You can’t get anything past me.”
“We were going to tell you this weekend.” Sara sounded a little disappointed.
“I’ve known for a couple days. Sean tells me he even knows. I wonder how long it will take to spread through town.”
Sara sighed. “Oh, knowing our mother, it’s already going around. No doubt there will be a lot more customers in the bakery tomorrow morning, all wanting to congratulate Allen and me.”
“Good. Then you can work out front.” Becca took another bite of ice cream. “Oh, that reminds me, I think Luke and Amber are in the same way.”
“What? Who told you?”
Becca laughed. “The two bags full of ice cream I just witnessed them loading into their car.””
“Hmm.” Sara said. “How wonderful. After all, we did get married just a few weeks after they did. It would be so nice to have our kids grow up together.” She could hear the wistfulness in her sister’s voice.
“Don’t go planning play dates yet. It’s just a hunch.”
“What are you eating?” Sara asked after a moment of silence.
Becca looked down. “Blue Bunny Rocky Road.”
“Great. Now I want some ice cream.”
“So, get some,” she said, taking another bite.
“We don’t have any.” Her sister sounded like she was whining.
“You have a man. Make him go get you some.”
“He’s still at work. They are having problems with one of their teachers.” She sighed. “I do have a sister that lives above the town’s only grocery store.”
Becca laughed. “No way. I’ve spent all day on my feet. These puppies are staying right where they are.” She wiggled them under the blanket and smiled.
“But…Just think of your niece or nephew.”
Becca smiled. “When he or she gets here, I’ll make sure to spoil him or her rotten. But, until then, morning comes awful early and my boss doesn’t like it when I’m late.”
Sara laughed. “I guess I can call Allen and have him pick some up on the way home.” She sighed. “How did things go tonight with Sean?”
“Oh, no.” Becca shook her head and finished off the ice cream. “My love life, or lack of one, is not open for discussion at this time.”
“But…” Sara was whining again. “I’m bored.”
Becca laughed. “Watch TV. I’m going to go take a hot bath and read a book until I fall asleep.”
“What book are you reading?”
“’Night, Sara.” Becca listened to her sister sigh and then hung up.
*******
What had he done? The whole drive home he kept asking himself that question as images of Nick’s face flooded his mind. Of course, he hadn’t thought of Nick when he’d been kissing Becca. No, his mind had been flooded with wonderful visions of her, wonderful smells, and of course the sweet way she’d tasted on his lips.
Shaking his head, he pulled into his drive and groaned out loud when he saw Skyler’s car sitting behind his dad’s truck.
Before he could get out of his car, she was walking towards him. She hadn’t changed much in six years. Her hair was still very blonde and styled pretty much the same as it had been in school. She dressed and acted like she was still in school, as well.
He supposed many people would find the short shirts and tight tops to be a big turn on.
“Well, there you are. I thought I was going to have to wait around all night.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and the smell of alcohol hit him full force. He could see that she wasn’t drunk, which was a blessing because he didn’t want to have to call a cab for her or, worse, drive her home himself. For some reason, the thought of being in a car with Skyler for five minutes made his stomach uneasy.
“What are you doing here?” He unwrapped her arms from his body.
“What? Can’t a girl come and see her man whenever she gets an itch?” She tried to lean towards him, but he stopped her.
“I’m not your man. Remember?” He gripped her hands in his to hold her still.
Her eyes grew large. “You didn’t really mean all that. It was just a little fight.” She giggled and sighed. “Besides, now that you’re home, things will go back to the way they were. You’ll see.” She wiggled her hands until he released her. “There.” She smiled and rubbed her chest against his arm. “Now, why don’t we go somewhere where we can be alone?” She purred.
“It’s not going to work, Skyler. I meant what I said. We’re through and have been for a long time.” He moved her aside so he could shut his car door. “I’m going in to get some rest.” He turned back to her. “Go home.” He walked into the house. Both of his parents sat in the living room, looking like they’d been desperately trying not to eavesdrop.
He almost laughed at the innocent faces they were trying to make.
“Evening, son,” his father said from behind the newspaper.
“Don’t worry, she’s gone.” He chuckled when he saw his mother sigh with relief. “I don’t know why she just won’t take a hint.”
His mother got up and started walking towards him. “Some women are just—”
“Stupid,” his father blurted out causing everyone to chuckle.
“Now—” A loud crash interrupted his mother’s next words.
By the time they made it outside, Skyler’s taillights had disappeared down the drive. He walked over to his shattered front windshield.
“Well, now, that’s a shame,” his father said next to him. “Want me to call Robert?”
Sean shook his head. “Won’t do her any good. Besides, maybe now she’s gotten it out of her system and we can move on.” He turned to his mother. “Don’t worry, my windshield was cracked and needed to be replaced anyway.” He walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulders. Had she always been this small and petite? He shook his head. The woman had always been a giant in his mind. He felt her vibrating and for a moment, thought she would burst into tears.
“That bitch.” He looked down at her and saw that it wasn’t sadness, but anger. “Who does she think she is? Coming onto our land, destroying our property? I’m going to go in and call the sheriff.”
“Now, Lori, it’s not our place. If Sean doesn’t want to press charges, then we need to leave it up to him.”
His mother turned on his father. “What’s to stop that crazy woman from setting the house on fire?” She waved her hands around and walked over to point a finger at her husband’s chest. “I told you that girl was trouble from the get-go.”
His father chuckled a little. “Yes, you did. You can sure spot ’em.”
“What does that mean?” She put her hands on her hips and glared at his father.
He shook his head and walked over to wrap his arms around her. “Just that you have excellent taste.” He leaned down and kissed her.
�
��I married you, didn’t I?” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him back.
Sean had grown up seeing his parents’ affection, but he still cringed every time they kissed in front of him. Especially when they continue to kiss for a long period of time.
“Aww!” he groaned and turned away. “Do you have to do that in front of me?”
He heard his folks chuckling.
“You do what you feel is right, son.” His mother walked over and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then she pinched it. “But stay away from that one. She’s crazy.”
He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, that message was received loud and clear.”
The next morning, he made a few phone calls and arranged everything for the trip. The hardest part had been switching the tickets from Nick’s name over to his own. But after sending the airline a copy of Nick’s death certificate, they were all set.
Their flight from Portland to Miami left in two days. From there they would hop on the cruise ship for three days to Nassau where they had one of the best suites at the SLS Lux. They would stay four nights there before hopping on another cruise home.
He’d never in his life imagined spending that much time just relaxing. In the last six years, he’d always been on the go. Sure, he had R and R every now and then. A night here or there. He’d even gotten to enjoy a few weekends in Berlin. But nothing like this. Especially when he thought about taking the time with Becca.
He tried not to think about the kiss, but his mind kept playing it over and over in his head. He knew he had one more stop to make and even though he’d talked to Sean’s folks over the phone, he needed to do this last thing in person.
When he drove up to their place, his sweaty palms let him know just how nervous he was. Wiping his hands on his jeans, he knocked on the door.
Lynn, Nick’s mother, answered. She was a short woman, shorter than his own mother. Where his mother had rich dark hair, Lynn was a blonde. Although he doubted it was natural. She looked young and healthy, but the sadness in her blue eyes told him everything.
“Sean, you know you don’t have to knock.” She smiled and waved him in.
“Yes, I know.” He stepped in and nodded to Phillip, Nick’s father. Phillip had been in bad health recently, or so his parents had informed him. But just like his mother was doing for his father, Lynn had him on a special diet, and Sean could tell it was doing the man some good.
“Well, hello, Sean. What brings you over here on this fine day?” Phillip stood and shook his hand.
“I wanted a chance to talk to you both in person. Before word got out.”
“Is this about the trip?” Lynn asked, motioning for him to sit down on the sofa.
He nodded and sat.
“We’ve already heard,” Lynn said, sitting across from him. “We’re happy you’re going with Becca. She shouldn’t go alone.”
He looked down at his hands. They were still sweaty and he wished the knot in his throat would go away.
“Well?” Phillip leaned forward a little and looked at him. “Did you get everything switched over alright?” He nodded again. “Then, what is it?”
He looked up at Nick’s father and felt like bursting into tears. “I guess I just wanted to know that it was okay? That we’re okay?”
Nick’s parents looked at him for a long time. “Son, we are always okay with whatever you plan on doing,” Nick’s father said.
“Honey, you’re like a son to us. We love you as much as we loved Nick. You have our blessing in whatever you want to do in life. We’re so proud of you for helping Becca out. We know it’s been so hard on the two of you, just as it has on us this last year,” Lynn said. Her husband reached over and took her hand in his and nodded.
“I…” He looked down at his hands again. “I feel like I’m betraying Nick somehow.” His voice sounded far away.
“Oh, honey. You shouldn’t. Nick loved you like a brother. He wouldn’t want us sitting around wasting our lives feeling bad all the time. We didn’t raise him like that, and I know that’s what he’d want for you now. You’re so young. So much of your life is ahead of you.”
He nodded, knowing in his heart that what she was saying was true. He’d been telling himself the same thing for almost a year.
“Go, have a wonderful time. Be young. Be alive.” She smiled as a tear fell down her cheek. “Nick would have wanted it.”
He stood up quickly and pulled her up into his arms as his tears fell.
Chapter Seven
How could flour cause such a mess? It wasn’t as if she was new to the whole working in a bakery thing. She knew that adding the flour to a mix too quickly was bad, but she’d been so preoccupied that she’d lost track of how fast she was pouring it into the mixer.
Now, she was not only covered in flour, but it was caked into her hair since she’d shown up to work with it still damp.
She was in the bathroom, trying to pull chunks of flour out of her hair, when her sister burst in and started getting sick.
Becca rushed over to her and rubbed her back as she hunched over the toilet.
“I’m sorry,” Sara said when she was finally able to sit up. “It’s all Josie’s fault.” She leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes.
“What did she do now?” Becca smiled. Josie was Sara’s best friend and business partner.
“She made me…”—Sara held her stomach—“drink some nasty tea. She told me it would help the morning sickness.”
Becca chuckled. “She’s probably getting back at you since she had to hear about the pregnancy from Patty.”
Sara shook her head and closed her eyes. “No¸ at first I think it worked.” She sighed and leaned her head against the wall. “Then, I was feeling a little too confident and tried to have a nibble of a scone.”
Becca shook her head. “What are you going to do without me while I’m gone?”
Sara’s eyes flew open. “You are coming back. You better come back.”
Becca chuckled. “Of course. What? Did you think I’d run off with Sean and never be seen or heard from again?”
Sara shrugged her shoulders, then stood up and walked over to the sink to rinse her mouth.
“I mean…Sean and I?” Becca laughed.
“What’s wrong with you and Sean?”
Becca stopped and looked at her sister. “Well, for starters…” Her mind went completely blank.
“See!” Sara pointed towards her. “You can’t even think of one reason you two shouldn’t be together.”
Becca shook her head, trying to clear it.
“I mean, you’re attracted to each other. The whole town knows that by now.” Sara smiled and dried her hands.
“No, they don’t!” That snapped Becca back a step.
Sara chuckled and nodded. “It’s like you’re on fire when he’s around. Your face gets flushed and your eyes go dreamy.” Sara made a funny face and held her hands up to her chin and sighed.
“Oh, please.” Becca yanked opened the bathroom door and then realized she still had flour in her hair. “I’m running home to shower before we open the doors.”
Sara smiled. “I kind of like your new look.” She tugged on her hair and they both laughed as a plume of flour rose from her hair.
Three hours after the doors opened, Becca saw Sean’s car park across the street and her heart skipped a beat. Then she noticed the windshield and worry set in.
When he walked into the bakery, she rushed over to him. “Did you get in an accident?” She looked him over for any sign of injuries. He looked fine, but he didn’t answer; he just frowned down at her.
“Well?” She stopped right in front of him. “What happened to your car? It looks like a brick flew through it. Where you driving when that happened?”
He shook his head and smiled a little. “A brick did go through it, but I was in the house at the moment.”
Becca put her hands on her hips and waited. When he didn’t say anything more, she sighed. “Sean Thomas
Farrow, are you going to tell me what happened? Or do I have to call your mother?”
He chuckled. “Okay, fine.” Then his smile fell away. “But I get a cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee first.”
“Fine.” She walked behind the counter to get his order.
She set the plate and cup in front of him, sat across from him, and waited until he took a bite and a sip. Then she cleared her throat and gave him an impatient look.
He smiled a little. “Skyler paid me a visit last night.”
Becca felt herself vibrating with anger. “She did that?”
He nodded as he took another bite.
Becca looked off towards his car. “Did you call—”
“No, and I’m not going to. Hopefully she’ll take it as we’re even.”
“Even?” Becca looked at him. “Even? What are you talking about? You haven’t done anything to her.” She leaned forward. “She’s the one…” She looked around and noticed that several other people sitting in the small dining area had stopped talking. She shook her head. “Later.” She sighed. “Stop by for dinner?”
He smiled again and she felt her heart skip. “Six okay?”
She nodded and got up to help a customer who had just come in.
“I’ll stop by the Golden Oar and pick up some pizza on my way over.”
She smiled down at him. “Did you think I was going to cook?” Becca laughed and shook her head as she walked off to help the new customer.
*******
When he arrived at her door a few minutes before six, his arms full of pizza and dessert from the Golden Oar, he couldn’t explain the nerves that raced through him.
He’d eaten at her place before, but for some reason, this felt different.
He was glad when she met him at the door.
“Wow, that’s huge.” She laughed and took the bag full of desserts from the top of the pizza box.
“Yeah, it’s called a King Pizza. Iian’s new addition.”
Becca laughed and shook his head. “I’ll just bet he could plow through one of these by himself. How the man eats like he does and looks the way he does…” She shook his head. “Do you know, I watched him wolf down half a dozen cinnamon crumb muffins in one sitting?” She set the bag down on the countertop and turned to him. Her smile fell away a little. “Sean, about earlier…”