Starlight Bridge

by Debbie Mason

  “Can you blame me? You broke into Gaston’s locker as fast as you just broke into the filing cabinet. And let’s not forget that you wired my room and kept telling me you’re Griffin’s match in that creepy-ass voice.”

  “For the third time, I didn’t wire your room. I wouldn’t know how even if I wanted to. You’re eating too much crap, and it’s giving you crazy dreams.”

  “I was awake.”

  Ava flipped through the employee files. “I’ve had dreams where I thought I was awake.” She used to have them often after the rape. She hadn’t had one in years though.

  “I was writing out…Anyway, I was definitely awake.”

  “Have you had them since I gave you the food guide to follow?” She’d made a what-to and what-not-to-eat list for Lexi two nights ago when they got home from the manor. Griffin hadn’t been all that supportive. He said he didn’t want her to rock the Lexi boat after the productive first step in his plan to smooth the waters between them. While Ava admired his optimism and his willingness to join Team Greystone in order to bring her and Lexi closer together, she didn’t tell him his plan was doomed to fail. At least where she and Lexi were concerned. They were complete opposites. There was no way they’d ever be friends.

  “No, I haven’t heard you whispering in my ear since that night. But your list sucks.”

  “You want a healthy baby boy, you make sacrifices.”

  “Easy for you to say. Try having cravings for a smoked meat sandwich in the middle of the night.”

  “I had cravings. Mostly for—”

  “What do you mean you had cravings?”

  Ava straightened with Gaston’s file in her hand. “When I was pregnant, I craved lots of things.” She frowned at the look of surprise on Lexi’s face. “Griffin didn’t tell you we lost a baby?”

  “No, I had no idea. Shit, I’m really sorry, mouse…” She winced and cleared her throat. “…Ava. When did it happen?”

  Ava wasn’t hurt that Griffin hadn’t mentioned the baby to Lexi. They’d shared a lot about their years apart these past few weeks, so she knew he’d locked away his memories of their life together. She told Lexi about the pregnancy.

  “You lost your baby boy at eight months?” Lexi asked, her hand moving anxiously to her stomach. “Were there any signs? Anything you could have done—”

  “They never confirmed the actual cause. But in two-thirds of cases, a stillbirth is linked to placental insufficiency. At our last ultrasound, the baby was measuring a little small for his gestational age, so that kind of points to problems with the placenta. It’s uncommon, Lexi. Griffin says your baby is a big, healthy boy.” She gave the other woman a reassuring smile. “Everything will be fine.”

  “He kicks all the time. He’s really active.”

  “See, there you go. You have to keep up your prenatal care though. Have you made an appointment with Dr. Bishop?”

  “I’ll do that. I’ll do that today.”

  Ava opened Gaston’s file, avoiding eye contact with Lexi. She didn’t want to make matters worse, but she had to say this for Griffin’s sake. “I know you’re mad at Griffin for being with me, but I hope you’ll include him in your appointments, Lexi. It’s a special time for both of you. I don’t want him to miss out because of me.”

  “Yeah, yeah, of course, I’ll let him come. And stop being so sweet.” She pressed her eye back to the door and muttered, “I knew you were going to be a pain in the ass.” And then jerked back. “Hurry up, Sophie’s coming.”

  Crapola. Ava didn’t have time to write the information down and pulled her phone from the breast pocket of her uniform. Zooming in on Gaston’s social security number, phone number, address, and references, she took several pictures before quickly replacing the file in the drawer. Grabbing the screwdriver off the floor, she put it in her pocket and returned the book to the desk.

  She hurried to the chair beside the one Lexi occupied. “You’re a little too good at this stuff, mouse.”

  “Thank you, hard-ass.”

  They were both chuckling—probably from relief that they hadn’t gotten caught—when Sophie entered the study. Sophie had refused their request to see Gaston’s file. Her cousin was a stickler for the rules and protecting Greystone’s employees’ privacy. Even after they’d explained that Gaston was fake French.

  Sophie gave them a narrowed-eyed stare, then glanced around her desk. “Why are you two laughing? What are you up to?”

  “Just joking around. Passing time while we waited for you,” Lexi said.

  Ava sighed when her cousin turned to open the filing cabinet. “You’re not very good at this,” she said out of the side of her mouth to Lexi. “Sophie, I have to get back to work. Did Gaston agree to me working in the kitchen or not?”

  As Ava had noticed, her cousin was easily distracted these days. In this instance, it worked to their advantage. Sophie took a seat behind the desk instead of opening the filing cabinet. “Yes, as long as Lexi continues to provide security and you do exactly as he tells you.”

  Ava stood up at the same time as Lexi. “Okay, we better get going then. I’m sure he wants to get a practice run in before tomorrow.”

  “All right, but just promise…Oh, God.” Sophie groaned and jumped to her feet. She didn’t make it very far, leaning over to throw up in the wastebasket.

  Fifteen minutes later, with her cousin taken care of, Ava and Lexi walked toward the entrance of the manor. “I can’t believe it doesn’t bother you to clean up puke. You’ve got this cool, competent thing going on. Why did you quit nursing school?”

  “It’s not important,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “We have to get this information to Byron. Give me your number, and I’ll send you the photos of Gaston’s employee file and his license. The Gazette’s on Main Street, just down from Books and Beans.”

  “Why don’t you just send it to him?”

  “He’ll get on it right away if you’re there. And you’re a cop, so you’ll probably pick up on things he doesn’t.”

  Lexi cocked her head. “You’re up to something, mouse. Just not sure what it is.”

  Ava smiled. “Tell Byron he’s welcome and that he owes me.”

  “Hey, what was that for?” Griffin said. They were in the dining room at Greystone waiting for the second round of the competition to begin. Griffin had just gotten there, and the judges were expected to arrive any minute. Lex had greeted him with an elbow in the ribs.

  “For not telling me you and Ava lost a baby. Why would you keep something like that from me?”

  “Honestly, it wasn’t intentional. At least back then. I buried those memories deep, Lex. I couldn’t let myself think about them. I considered telling you the other night, but you’re stressed as it is. You know you don’t have to worry about it, right?”

  “Yeah, the mouse did her best to put my mind at ease. It’s too bad she quit school. You should have seen her with Sophie yesterday…What’s with the smug smile?”

  “You like her. No, don’t try and deny it. I can see through you. But could you do me a favor and stop calling her mouse? At least to her face.”

  “She likes it. She calls me hard-ass, and it doesn’t bother me.”

  “Yeah, ’cause there’s nothing you like better than to be thought of as tough.” He put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you. I appreciate you trying to get along with Ava.”

  She shrugged. “It’s not a big…Here comes Gaston.” She pushed open the kitchen door.

  Over Lexi’s head, Griffin saw Ava barefoot in her chef’s uniform wiggling her hips and shoulders in time to the music as she stuck her finger in something on the platter. Helga was watching her with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. “You already tasted it.”

  “Quiet, old lady. I just have to—”

  “Stop tasting and get a move on. Gaston is coming,” Lexi said.

  Ava turned with her finger in her mouth. Griffin grinned at the adorab
le picture she made. Well, he was grinning until she gave him a smile that sucked the air right out of him.

  “For God’s sake, mouse. Get with the program and move it.” Lexi stepped back and, because he was unable to take his eyes off Ava, she bumped into him. Lexi scowled at him and then Ava. “You two are ridiculous. Now move it, both of you.” The door closed just as Gaston reached them.

  Lexi leaned against the door frame, blocking the chef’s way. “Everything okay, Gas? Nothing urgent, I hope.”

  “Non, it was another prank call.” He waved her away from the door.

  Lexi lifted her chin. “The judges are here. Maybe you should go over and say hello to Basil. Butter him up.”

  “I suppose it couldn’t hurt.” He pivoted on his red shoes, effusively greeting the judges.

  “You gonna tell me what’s going on?” Griffin asked as Dana, Sophie, and his grandmother joined Gaston to organize the judges and the cameraman.

  “Ava’s in charge of the risotto. Every time we got rid of Gas, she made the entrée too. She’s switching up his with hers right now. No way we’re going to lose this one.”

  Fifteen minutes later, the judges’ reactions seemed to prove Lexi right. All four of them proclaimed the chicken scaloppini with morels and spring vegetables in a sherry cream sauce perfection. Ava’s risotto got high marks too. As did Helga’s cheesecake mousse with blood orange gelée.

  “How does she stand there smiling away while the little dick takes all the credit and praise?” Lexi asked.

  “Ava’s a team player. She doesn’t need the credit or praise.” As if to prove him right, she glanced over her shoulder and gave them a thumbs-up. Griffin noticed the cameraman hadn’t taken the lens off her for nearly the entire time. In his shoes, Griffin would have done the same. He winked at Ava. She rewarded him with a blinding smile in return.

  “I see it now. I get why you love her,” Lexi said.

  “Yeah? So no more interviewing potential brides for me?” he teased.

  “No, she’s your one.” Her smile was quiet and, if he wasn’t mistaken, a little sad.

  And that made him a little sad too. “Lex, honey, what I feel for Ava doesn’t take away from what you and I had. I loved you, don’t ever doubt that. I still do.”

  Colleen sat on the counter in the kitchen watching Gaston throw a hissy fit. If Sophie, Kitty, and Jasper were here, they’d see Ava’s and Lexi’s suspicions were right. But it was late and no one was around. He’d told them all he was working on a menu for the third and final competition that would guarantee a win.

  Ava, Lexi, and Helga would have to up their game. Gaston knew he’d been had. Helga forgot to dump his entrée in the trash. He’d discovered it five minutes ago, hence the hissy fit.

  His cell rang. “What?” He sighed. “Yes, Paigey, I know we lost. I did sabotage my entrée, but the Italian she-devil pulled a switcheroo. How is it my fault? I had no choice but to let her in the kitchen. I had to throw off their suspicions. She guessed I’m not French. Of course I wanted to lose. What do you mean you don’t believe me? You listen to me, Paigey, I have as much reason as you to want to see Greystone fail. Why? Because of Colleen Gallagher, Great-grandfather disinherited me, and I lost the only man I ever loved. Ricky’s parents sent him to live with his grandparents when they heard about us kissing.”

  Bejaysus, it was Paige’s cousin, little Theo Townsend. Colleen should have recognized him. And there it was, another sin she had to wipe from her eternal soul. She hadn’t thought she’d get the opportunity to make amends to the lad. She hadn’t meant to hurt him though.

  It was different in her day, and she’d been as fool-minded as the rest of them. She’d seen Theo and Ricky the week before the church social having a snog down at Kismet Cove. She wouldn’t have said anything, mind you, but her dander had been well and truly up the day the old codger, Theo’s great-grandfather, had made a derogatory remark at the church social about one of her great-grandsons. Colleen had quipped, “At least he’s not a pansy like your Theo.”

  “So what if we were only sixteen? True love can happen at any age. What do you mean it’s off? Byron Harte was asking about me? Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place? Tell the manager at the Marquis I can start right away. I can beat the Italian she-devil. I know I can. What do you mean you can’t get me the job? You promised me…I’ve ruined my reputation because of you! You have to give me a chance to…Paige. Paige!”

  Colleen looked over as the door of her suite creaked open. Ava glanced at the still-sleeping Lexi and tiptoed inside carrying a cream-colored box that had yellowed with age, a blue ribbon tied around it.

  Colleen sat up in bed with a smile. She’d stayed the night with Lexi, whispering in her ear that Theo Townsend deserved a second chance. She had no doubt Lexi and Ava were close to discovering he was Paige’s cousin and all that implied. This was Colleen’s chance to make amends to the boy.

  “Griffin chose your nickname well, Ava, my girl. It’s a sweet thing you’re doing. Any other woman might have been bitter and jealous, but not you,” Colleen said as Ava placed the box on the end of the bed and then crept out of the room.

  Her great-grandson had chosen well both times. He was a smart boy, their Griffin was, coming up with his plan to bring the two women he loved together. It did her body good seeing the beginnings of a friendship blossoming between Ava and Lexi. Colleen was close to wiping another sin from her eternal soul, two if her plans for Theo worked as she hoped.

  Lexi sat up and rubbed her eyes with a scowl on her face. She looked around the room as though searching for a speaker. “I don’t know what you’re up to, mouse, but I’m going to find out. And the first thing I want to know is who the hell Theo Townsend is and why he deserves a second chance.”

  Colleen chuckled. Ava must have a good laugh every time Lexi calls her mouse. Rosa’s pet name for her children was topolino, mouse.

  “Don’t you worry, Lexi, my girl. You’ll find out soon enough who Theo is. I’m not sure he’ll explain why he did what he did, but I hope my message stays with you and you take it to heart.”

  Simon tugged on the blue ribbon, drawing Lexi’s attention to the box. Frowning, she drew it toward her. She pulled out the small card tucked under the ribbon, opening it to read.

  “Damn you, Ava DiRossi,” she said on a choked sob, swiping at the tear that rolled down her cheek. She untied the ribbon and opened the box, slowly removing each item. There was Griffin’s christening gown, the beautiful blanket Mary had knit for her first grandchild-to-be, the Irish wool shamrock blanket Kitty had made, and lastly, the tiny U.S. Navy outfit Griffin had bought upon hearing the news he and Ava were having a boy.

  With tears rolling down her cheeks, Lexi hugged the outfit to her chest and rocked in place. “It’s not fair. He’s all I’ve ever wanted and dreamed of, and I won’t see him in this. You’ll see him, but I won’t. He won’t remember me. All he’ll know is you.”

  Beside herself with worry over Lexi’s reaction, Colleen said, “Simon, hurry. Go to the door and make such a racket she lets you out. Get Ava, bring her here.”

  Simon leaped off the bed, his caterwauling bringing Lexi around. She rubbed the backs of her hands across her cheeks and got up, her shoulders hunched, her movements painfully slow. Simon took off as soon as the door cracked open.

  Once Lexi let him out, she closed the door and crawled back into bed, curling into a ball. Her shoulders shook as sobs wracked her body.

  “Come now, it can’t be that bad,” Colleen said, staring at the hand that went through Lexi’s back as she tried to offer her comfort. “Hush now, it’ll be all right.” She kept repeating the words even though she knew Lexi couldn’t hear her unless she yelled them in her ear, and she’d already used her energy up earlier. She was just about to go looking for Ava herself when she heard Simon outside the door.

  “You can stop yowling at me. I’m coming,” she heard Ava say, and then there was a knock on the door. “Lexi?”

&
nbsp; “Go away. Just go away and leave me alone!”

  The old Ava wouldn’t listen; she’d charge right in at the sound of someone in distress. But the new Ava had buried her so deep that Colleen couldn’t be sure that Lexi yelling at her wouldn’t scare her away. “Don’t let her leave, Simon. Nip at—” Colleen smiled when the door opened. “Welcome back, Ava, my girl. Welcome back.”

  Ava rushed to the bed, placing a knee on the edge to lean across and touch Lexi’s shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  Lexi brushed Ava off and sat up. She grabbed the blankets, christening gown, and the baby outfit and shoved them back in the box. Pushing it away from her, she said, “You shouldn’t have given me these. Keep them for when you and Griffin have another baby.”

  Ava sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to stroke the ivory lace gown. “I’m sorry I upset you, Lexi. I didn’t mean to. This was Griffin’s christening gown, and his mother and grandmother made the blankets. I thought you’d like to have them for your baby.”

  “I appreciate the thought.” The words sounded like they were scraped from Lexi’s throat. “But like I said, keep them for—”

  “There won’t be any more babies for me and Griffin. I can’t get pregnant, Lexi. The doctor who did my C-section made a mistake. He damaged—”

  “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—” Lexi covered her face, the rest of her words lost in a torrent of tears.

  Ava climbed onto the bed and pulled Lexi into her arms. “Tell me. Tell me what’s wrong. Why are you crying?”

  “I have cancer. I’m dying.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  After two days of trying to convince Lexi to tell Griffin she had cancer, Ava had changed tactics. The pressure was only stressing Lexi out, and that’s the last thing Ava wanted. And really, who was she to judge? She’d back off for a couple of weeks. Hopefully by then, Lexi would be more willing to open up to Griffin.