Woven Wishes (Whispered Wishes Book 4)

by Karen Pokras

  “Well, it was a huge exhibit, and a lot of work for me, but because of the timing of our move, I had to miss it in the end. Turns out the artist, Gregory Douglas, was visiting the museum today, and that’s who Ryan wound up talking to. Quite a coincidence, if you ask me. Anyway, you should have seen him, Max,” Ava said with a tiny laugh. “He was pointing to the paintings trying to explain the colors and brush strokes, like a real professional. It was so adorable.”

  “Are you referring to the part about how you lost our son or the part about how he was talking to someone he thought was a complete stranger? Because I’m really not finding anything adorable about this story, Ava.”

  “Max, I really think you’re overreacting. I told you, he’s fine, and Gregory—”

  “What if it wasn’t this guy Gregory, Av? What if it was someone who wasn’t interested in learning about paintings? What if it was someone who snatched Ryan up and ran out the door with him? It only takes a split second.”

  As the reality of the situation hit her, tears streamed down her face. She could try to rationalize the events all she wanted, but the truth was she wasn’t paying attention, and she’d gotten lucky. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, shaking as Max wrapped his arms around her. “You’re right, and I’m so sorry.”

  Chapter 17 – Tessa

  The silence from the street was enough to drive Tessa insane as she sat on the couch and read yesterday’s Arts and Entertainment section of the newspaper. The article in front of her was a review, but after five reads she couldn’t say if was for a movie, book, recording, or play. She also had no idea if the review was positive or negative. The words only stared blankly at her, never registering into her subconscious.

  On most days, the sound from the screeching brakes of the school bus would pull her out of whatever work she was engrossed in. She’d open the door for Sophie, give her a kiss, ask her how school was, and watch as she got started with homework with her high school babysitter for a minute or two before returning to the theater for several grueling hours of rehearsals. Today would be different. So very, very different. For starters, the bus was late … only three minutes, but to Tessa it felt like three hours. And there would be no afterschool babysitter. Not anymore. With Nicholas there to take over the business side of things, she could hold all of her rehearsals during school hours and be home for Sophie after school and at night. She peeked out the window for the twentieth time.

  “Watching for the bus every two seconds is not going to make it get here any faster, you know,” Nicholas told her, taking the newspaper out of her hand and exchanging it for a cup of hot tea. “It’s herbal. The box said it was good for calming the soul. I figured you could use it right about now.”

  “You’re so good to me,” she replied, taking a sip. “It’s perfect.” As she placed the cup on the table, the sound she’d been waiting for jolted her out of her calm moment. “She’s here.” Tessa watched her daughter step off the bus.

  Sophie bounded through the front door with the biggest smile on her face. “Mommy, I had the best day!” she said, full of energy and glee … her entire body radiating with excitement. “You’re not going to believe it. First, Mrs. Cliffman chose my family tree art project for Community Month. She’s going to hang it in the lobby for thirty whole days. Everyone will see it. Then, I got picked to use the bongos in music. I’ve been waiting all year for my turn, and then I found out I came closest to guessing the correct number of jellybeans in the giant jar on Mr. McKinley’s desk. So guess what I won?” She reached into her book bag and pulled out a giant sack of candy. “Yup, all the jelly beans. They’re mine now!”

  “Wow,” Tessa said, taking the enormous bag from her. “You really did have a great day. That’s wonderful, sweetie.”

  “Amazing,” Nicholas chimed in with a huge grin. “So just how many jellybeans are there?”

  “Eight hundred and thirty-seven. I guessed eight hundred and sixteen,” she stated proudly. “Only off by twenty-one.”

  “Impressive,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “This is definitely a day to remember.”

  “And it’s not even done yet, because now Mommy and I get to spend the rest of the day together and have movie night! I’ve been waiting all day. What are we seeing first? Hey, can we eat jelly beans while we watch?”

  Was this really happening? Did Scott really think he could just come and go as he pleased? She didn’t have to tell Sophie. She could hit delete and pretend the email never existed. Her daughter would never know. They could snuggle on the couch, watch movies, eat jellybeans, and have the perfect ending to the perfect day. Except … she’d know. It would forever hang over her head, and she’d never be able to forgive herself.

  “Honey, before we get started, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Is this about the puppy?” Sophie asked, hopping up onto the couch to snuggle in close to Tessa.

  “No, we’ll have to save the puppy talk for another time. There’s actually something else we need to talk to you about.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  Tessa looked up at Nicholas. Nothing could hurt them now. Their lives were secure. She had this amazing man who adored both her and her daughter. Even without his riches, he made their lives complete. The money, house, and other perks were nice, but they weren’t what mattered to Tessa. What mattered was that their lives were filled with an unconditional and unbreakable love. That alone was stronger than anything Scott could ever offer Sophie or try to take away from them. Still, just the thought of Scott’s email was enough to suck her back into a dark place she’d tucked away years ago. Tessa concentrated on Nicholas’ compassionate eyes and began to play with her daughter’s hair as she spoke. “Sweetheart, Aunt Holly and Aunt Ava told me you were asking about Scott yesterday.”

  “Yes,” Sophie said, a sadness pushing through the bubbly tone she’d had just seconds earlier. “I got upset at school when I was working on my family tree project and didn’t have anything to write next to Scott’s name. I mean, I know I have Nicholas, but I still don’t understand why my other dad isn’t around. Sally Hart’s mom got remarried, and her first dad still visits her every weekend. She asked me why mine didn’t, and then some of the other kids started teasing me about it.”

  “I’m so sorry that happened to you.” When Tessa pulled her in for a hug, she could feel her eyes starting to well up. “I’m sure if Scott could have been here he would have been,” she lied. She was always lying when it came to Scott, and it killed her to defend him. But in the end, she had only one goal: protecting Sophie from the pain of knowing her dad didn’t care enough about her to stick around. She was determined to meet that goal, no matter what.

  “I know, Mommy. It just makes me sad. You said one day he might come, and so far he hasn’t.”

  “Sophie, if Scott does come to Forest Hills, do you think you’d want to see him?” Tessa asked.

  “Of course,” her daughter exclaimed, her voice perking up again. “I would love that. I’ve been waiting so long.”

  It was the answer Tessa both expected and dreaded. Nicholas continued to look at his wife with kind eyes and a caring smile. She nodded back at him and decided she would email Scott back to set up a meeting, establishing some strict and non-negotiable ground rules as part of the deal. Later. At the moment, she had more pressing matters to attend to: movie watching and jellybean eating with her precious daughter.

  Chapter 18 - Holly

  Soft music played in the background as the waiter filled their glasses. Holly sat back in her chair. It had been two weeks since she’d lost the baby. Their baby. She smiled, as she looked across the table at her husband. No matter how tough things were, she knew how blessed she was to have Ben in her life. He was her rock. He always would be.

  “We really need to do this more often,” she said, taking a sip of her water. Ben had asked if she wanted to order a bottle of wine, but she declined. She didn’t need alcohol to ease her stress … not with B
en sitting right there across the table from her.

  “I agree,” he said, reaching over to take her free hand in his own. “Why don’t we?”

  “Well, for starters, we’re sitting in The Urban Bistro,” she told him, looking around the restaurant. Trendy pendant lights perfectly spaced gave just enough light to see the crystal and china place settings immaculately set at each table amongst bowls filled with colored water, lit tea candles, and floating flowers in contrasting colors to offset the linens. Bright gold ornate columns dispersed throughout the room brought a deep contrast to the walls, which were dark red and orange, with a splattered and uneven texture, giving it a rustic barn look. The restaurant was described as French fusion and the decor as shabby chic meets Versailles. At least that’s what the full-page write-up in Restaurant Weekly said. “This place isn’t exactly in our everyday dining price range.”

  “Or our price range at all,” Ben said, staring at the menu with a strange look on his face.

  “Babe, we’re allowed to treat ourselves once in a while. Don’t be such a spoilsport. The prices aren’t that bad. Besides, I don’t remember you complaining when you took Michelle here back before we were married, remember?” Just saying her name out loud made Holly’s stomach turn. Michelle was one of the vilest women she’d ever met. She still couldn’t believe Ben had fallen for her tricks. No, calling her a woman was too kind. Holly didn’t want to insult her other women friends by lumping her into their category. Michelle belonged in her own category: Disgusting, conniving, loathsome, thing. Much better.

  “That’s because she was paying,” Ben reminded her. “She was my sugar mama.”

  “Actually, I have a different set of descriptive words put aside for her,” Holly muttered, rolling her eyes. “But okay, if being a sugar mama is what it takes, then tonight will be my treat … and let’s not bring up that thing’s name again.”

  “You’re the one who mentioned … Okay,” he said, shaking his head, with the look of defeat Holly had seen so many times over the years. “Anyway, you do realize, of course, that all of our accounts are combined, so your money and my money is kind of the same. You know, that whole marriage thing?”

  “Well fine, then. But don’t say I didn’t try to take you somewhere nice,” she said with a smirk. “If it were up to you, we’d probably be eating at Roy’s Rib Shack or something.”

  “What’s wrong with Roy’s Rib Shack?”

  “No, it’s great,” Holly replied. “Nothing says romance like getting a big ‘ole plastic bib slapped on you the minute you sit down.”

  “I know, right?” Ben asked. “Now if that’s not service, I don’t know what is. I don’t see that happening here, do you? Seriously, do you think these people care if you spill some of their fancy sauce on your clothes? Nope. But they care at Roy’s that’s for doggone sure,” he added, winking.

  “Yeah, and don’t forget the picnic table and benches covered in brown paper. It’s all the rage in decorating. In fact, I was thinking of re-doing our entire house that way, so start saving the grocery bags.”

  “See that?” Ben replied with a huge smile. “I knew it was a classy joint. Only the best for my babe.”

  “Yeah,” Holly agreed, “but the best part is that instead of soft music, we get serenaded by the belches from the people sitting at the next table. You’re right, Ben, this place doesn’t even come close. What was I thinking?”

  “Listen,” her husband moved his chair closer and nuzzled his face into her neck, “all kidding aside, if it’s romance you’re looking for, just wait until I get you alone next weekend at the cabin.”

  “Oh yeah?” Holly asked softly, leaning into his body. “Just what did you have in mind?”

  “Well, Mrs. Oakes, I plan on completely sweeping you off your feet. I think you need a bit of pampering, and I’m just the guy who’s going to make it happen. I don’t want to give too much away, but there will be candles and your favorite Louis Armstrong CD. Did I mention my boss’ cabin has a hot tub?”

  Holly felt her breathing begin to slow as she closed her eyes and pictured the scene. “No,” she replied in a low voice. “Are you sure we have to wait until next weekend?”

  “I’m afraid we do,” he said, whispering directly into her ear, “but there’s no reason we can’t go home and create our own romance. You know, it can be sort of a trial run for us. If you feel up to it. The doctor said it was your call.”

  “It’s been two weeks. I’m ready,” she replied, smiling. “Let’s go.”

  “Now?” Ben asked, pulling away. “What about dinner?”

  Running her hands through Ben’s hair, Holly looked at her husband with a mischievous grin. Screw dinner. She needed her husband right now. “We can stop at Roy’s Rib Shack on the way home and grab some take out for later,” she said, laughing.

  Chapter 19 - Tessa

  “You’re trembling,” Nicholas whispered, holding on to Tessa’s waist as they walked through the parking lot toward the diner.

  “I’m okay,” she answered softly. She wished it were true. In reality, her heart was beating so fast, it felt as if it would burst right through her chest and fly off into the clouds. Looking over to her daughter, she wondered if she felt the same way. Earlier, Sophie was downright giddy with excitement over the thought of meeting her biological father. She’d changed her clothes five times, wanting to make sure she looked absolutely perfect for him. Tessa prayed he didn’t bail … again.

  When Tessa emailed Scott to say Sophie would meet him, she was surprised he didn’t email her back right away. After all, he was the one requesting the meeting. But, as Nicholas calmly reminded her, not everyone checks their email daily, so she waited. On day two, she was starting to think maybe he had a change of heart and was beginning to feel relieved. On the third day, she was grateful she’d never mentioned the original email to her daughter. However, just as her guard was beginning to go down, on the fourth day, his response arrived: They were to meet at the diner on Brown Street a week from that Saturday at 11:00 a.m. It was the place he and Tessa used to eat on a regular basis. She hadn’t been back since he’d left town. A calculated move on his part or the only place he could think of?

  “Mommy, is that him?” Sophie asked, pulling on Tessa’s arm as they walked through the front door.

  A bell jingled as it closed behind them, rattling her nerves even further. Tessa scanned the room. “Where honey?” she asked. Almost eight years had gone by since she’d last seen Scott. Would she even recognize him?

  “Over there.” Sophie pointed to a balding man with a short beard wearing a flannel shirt, who sat alone in a booth, fiddling with his phone.

  “I’m not sure,” Tessa answered. The Scott she knew had a full head of hair and no beard. He looked up at her, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. Sophie’s eyes. All this time she thought Sophie had her eyes, but there was no doubt about it. She had Scott’s eyes. “Yes, that’s him,” she said, barely able to get the words out. She clutched her daughter’s hand as Scott rose and slowly approached.

  “Tessa,” he said, “I can’t believe it’s really you.”

  As he leaned in to kiss her on her cheek, Tessa took a step back and grabbed hold of Nicholas’ arm with her free hand. How dare this man think he could touch her like they were old friends?

  Her husband stepped forward. “I’m Nicholas,” he said, “Tessa’s husband.”

  “Right.” Scott reached in to shake his hand. “I recognize you from the picture I saw. The guy with all of the businesses.”

  “And of course, this is Sophie,” Nicholas continued, not responding to Scott’s last remark.

  “Hello, sir,” Sophie said meekly.

  “Sir? No need to be so formal, honey. I’m your daddy.”

  “No,” Tessa said, feeling years of rage seep into her blood. “Nicholas is her daddy. You don’t know the first thing about—” She stopped at the touch of her husband’s hand on her shoulder and took a deep breath. This was neither th
e time nor the place. “I’m sorry,” she said, before bending down to look at Sophie. “Sweetheart, you can call him whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “Is Scott okay?” she asked.

  “It’s fine,” he responded.

  “Y’all together?” a waitress asked, holding a stack of menus across her chest.

  Tessa looked over to the booth where Scott had been sitting. He’d originally asked to meet Sophie alone, but Tessa refused. In the end, she agreed her daughter could sit with him solo, as long as she and Nicholas were nearby. A couple in the booth directly behind Scott’s was just getting up to leave. “Can my husband and I take that booth over there?” she asked, pointing to the now vacated space. Grabbing Sophie’s hand, she headed over without waiting for an answer.

  “We’re right behind you,” she told Sophie, watching as her daughter slid in the booth behind them. “And we can hear everything,” she added, glaring at Scott.

  “Why are these walls so damn high?” Tessa asked. As soon as she and Nicholas sat down, she realized she couldn’t see her daughter or Scott over the separation between the two booths. She’d purposely taken the seat facing them so she could watch, but now the only thing she could see was her husband and a wall of quilted red pleather.

  “I’m assuming for privacy,” Nicholas said.

  “Maybe we should switch seats. I can’t hear a thing from over here.”

  “Sweetheart, relax. Sophie has her back to me. I can hear, and she’s doing fine. They can’t go anywhere without walking by us. How about some coffee?”

  “But what’s she saying?” Tessa whispered. She was already on edge … coffee was the last thing she needed.