by Loree Lough
She returned moments later with Mr. Fuzzbottom tucked under one arm. It surprised Rena, seeing Rosie with the bear during daylight hours. She and Grant had taken to calling the toy her cuddle buddy, since she fell asleep hugging it every night.
“Grandma said she made something for him,” Rosie said, answering Rena’s unasked question. “Probably a funny knitted hat or something.”
She walked to the door with her.
“You don’t have to take me over there, Mom. Grandma lives right next door. And I’m not a baby, remember.”
“I remember.” But I can’t let you out of my sight. At least, not until she could be absolutely certain that her girl had safely made her way into Grant’s mom’s house.
“I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll stand on the porch and watch until you get inside. Okay?”
Rosie tilted her head and thought it over. “Okay.” She looked left, to the O’Briens’ house, two doors down. Their kids were outside, laughing and shouting as they kicked a soccer ball back and forth.
“What are their names again?”
“Steven and Samantha.”
“Wish I could play with them.”
Logic told her that Rosie needed to spread her wings, test her limits and make new friends. But the idea of her going over there—maybe running out of sight as she joined in the revelry—struck fear in her heart.
“Tomorrow, maybe, when we get back from shopping.”
The Citerony twins were outside, too, squealing as they beaned one another with water balloons.
“Oh, man, that looks like fun,” Rosie said, smiling. “Bet it feels good, too. It’s so hot out.”
“I’ll make another deal with you,” Rena said. “Soon as I can, I’ll call the kids’ moms and arrange a playdate. They can all come over and swim in our pool. I’ll make everybody ice-cream cones.”
“Can we play with water balloons, too?”
“You bet. Now, you’d better get to Grandma’s before she comes over here and takes you over there, herself.”
With that, Rosie raced down the white-painted wood steps, braids bouncing as she crossed the strip of lawn that connected their yards. When she reached Tina’s door, she turned and hollered “See you in a little while, Mom!”
Tina loved Rosie almost as much as she and Grant did, and knowing their girl was in good hands, Rena waved and went inside. The quiet hum of the cooling system was strangely calming. It was at least ninety outside, and humid, but the house was a comfortable seventy degrees. “The guy who invented air conditioner is a hero,” Rena said to herself. It was a silly thought, but she treasured it, because she hadn’t felt happier or more content in years.
She checked the roast, and pulled out the ingredients for a special dessert. Yes, they’d have the cake Tina and Rosie were baking. Chocolate chip cookies, too. But Rena loved chocolate mousse, and this meal was more for her than Grant’s mom.
There wasn’t time to stand around daydreaming. She needed to shower and change her clothes. That way, if Tina arrived earlier than expected, she could make her feel useful, chopping salad fixings. She’d wear the coral sheath Grant had complimented in Chicago. The shoes, too. And if she could find them in the jewelry box she’d left behind, the beautiful silver wolf earrings and matching necklace he’d given her the Christmas before Rosie disappeared.
Maybe Grant was right and things really were coming together. He was back at work, not calling every hour to check on her as he had that first week. Rosie was enrolled in school and having a grand time baking with her grandmother next door.
It had been a long time since Rena had felt this hopeful...
Chapter Sixteen
IT HADN’T BEEN EASY, rearranging his schedule, but by some minor miracle, Grant pulled it off. He hadn’t been able to get home early enough to meet up with Rena and Rosie at the elementary school, but at least he’d be around to help get his mom’s birthday dinner on the table.
He sat at a traffic light, remembering how Rosie had suggested shopping after their meeting at the school. Rena had gently said, “We’ll go tomorrow, sweetie. Today, you promised to help Grandma with her cake.” With less than a dozen words, she’d taught Rosie a valuable life lesson: when you give your word, you honor it, no matter what.
He could take a lesson from that, too: on their wedding day, he’d stood at the altar and promised to stand by Rena through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, forever. And yet the very first—and only—time their love had been put to the test, he’d failed. Failed the marriage. Failed Rena. Failed himself. If he’d been a smarter man, a better husband, he would have taken a page from her book. Rena had been committed to him from the start, fully prepared to honor her marriage vows, even amid his outbursts and accusations. Yes, she’d been the one to leave. But he hadn’t given her much choice.
Rena was back now, though, and fully prepared to tough it out. It felt good, knowing Rosie had a mom who’d teach her strong values. Felt good that he had a wife who’d support him.
The way she’d supported him last night...
He steered his sedan onto Columbia Road, the click-clack of the turn signal keeping time with his heartbeats. Grant needed to thank her for putting up with his hotheaded outbursts. For loving him still, despite the awful, hateful things he’d said, things that drove her away. An apology, in his opinion, just wouldn’t cut it. He needed to show her how bad he felt by treating her with love and respect, day after day, until she believed in him again.
Pressing the button that sent the garage door up, Grant pulled into the driveway...
...and slammed on the brakes, unable to believe his eyes.
Rosie raced around the O’Briens’ lawn, purple-bowed braids bobbing. She giggled when Steven tapped her shoulder and bellowed, “Tag! You’re it!”
Grant got out of the car, pocketing his keys as he walked toward them. He scanned the yard, looking for Rena. She was probably on the porch with Christine, supervising the horseplay. No way would she have let Rosie out of her sight again.
“Daddy!” Rosie yelled, throwing her arms around his waist. “You’re home early!”
“Aren’t you supposed to be at Grandma’s?”
“I saw the kids,” she said, blinking up at him. “I wanted to play.”
“Where’s your mother?”
“In the house, I guess.”
“Does she know you’re over here?” he barked.
Her happy smile vanished. His gruff tone had caused that. Grant had never raised his voice to her before. Not when she broke his college football trophy, not when she spilled milk on his suit moments before he had to leave for an important client meeting, not when she threw her ball in the living room—after he’d told her not to—and broke the window.
“I just wanted to play.”
The O’Brien kids stood quiet and still, watching the entire exchange. Rosie had been home for weeks now, but between appointments, family gatherings and getting her acclimated to being with him and Rena again, there hadn’t been time to introduce her to the neighbor kids. He felt like a heel for spoiling her fun. But he wouldn’t have had to if Rena was here...
Grant wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she’d taken Rosie to his mom’s, as planned. His mother had never been able to say no to this kid; if she’d asked to go outside and play...
He made a concerted effort to gentle his voice. “What about Grandma? Does she know you’re here?”
“No...”
The one-word reply told him Rena hadn’t brought her next door. He still couldn’t believe she wasn’t here!
“Sorry, kids,” he called over his daughter’s head, “Rosie has to go home now. She’ll see you later. Maybe.”
Reluctantly, she accepted his offered hand. He’d deliver her to his mom’s house, making sure his girl was safe, and then he’d find out why Rena had l
et Rosie out of her sight.
“Sorry, Dad. I didn’t think anybody would mind.” Glancing over her shoulder, she waved at Samantha and Steven. “They were having so much fun,” she repeated. “I wanted to have fun, too.”
“It’s okay, kiddo. Nothing wrong with having fun. But from now on, you need to tell Mom or me or Grandma where you’re going.”
He opened his mother’s front door and led Rosie into the foyer. “Mom?”
“In here, honey.” Wiping flour-dusted hands on a kitchen towel, she said “You’re home early. Did someone cancel a meeting?”
“I did.”
Now, his tone erased his mother’s smile. Grant slapped a hand to the back of his neck. He’d hurt two of the people he cared most about, all because Rena hadn’t been where she was supposed to be.
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s been a crazy day.” Kissing Tina’s cheek, Grant added, “How’s the birthday cake coming?”
“Haven’t started it yet.” She smiled at Rosie. “I was waiting for this li’l munchkin.” She bent to meet her granddaughter’s eyes. “It isn’t like you to be late.”
“Sorry, Grandma.”
“No need for that.” Straightening, she added, “Do you remember how to run the electric mixer, the way I taught you last week?”
Rosie nodded.
“Well, the cake batter is ready for you. Think you can get started without me?”
“Sure, Grandma. And don’t worry, I won’t lift the beaters out of the bowl and make a big mess like last time.”
“That’s my girl.” She watched Rosie climb onto the kitchen stool and adjust the beaters, then led Grant into the hall. “What’s going on?”
“Rosie was at the O’Briens’. Without Rena.”
Chin raised, she examined his face. “I see.”
But did she? Did his mother realize how terrified he’d been, seeing his girl over there, alone and unsupervised?
“I need to get home. You and Rosie gonna be okay for a while?”
Tina snorted. “We’ll be fine. And by the time we get over there with that cake, you two had better be fine, too.” She punctuated the statement by jabbing a finger into his chest. “That child needs stability, not a lot of up and down, back and forth between her parents.”
“But, Mom—”
“Don’t ‘but Mom’ me. I’m sure Rena has a perfectly legitimate explanation. Before you fly off the handle and start the war of the VanMeters, give her a chance to tell you what happened.” Arms folded, she added, “Now go. Get straight with your wife. You owe her that.” With that, she turned on her heel and left him standing in the hall.
He took his time crossing the lawn. When he confronted Rena, he wanted to be cool, calm and collected. Because his mother had been right: nothing could be accomplished if he stormed in there huffing and puffing like an angry bull.
The house smelled great when he stepped into the foyer. Pot roast, unless he was mistaken. His mother’s favorite. His, too. He opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water, saw a row of small bowls lined up on the bottom shelf, each filled with chocolate mousse. Rena’s favorite. His, too...next to chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. Grant frowned. Had she let meal prep get in the way of minding Rosie?
“Rena?” He entered the dining room, saw that she’d already set the table with the china and the good linens. The place looked like something out of a decorating magazine. She liked his mom and wanted the birthday dinner to be something special, but to go all-out like this? Grant didn’t get it.
“Rena!”
“I’m up here,” she called from the top of the stairs. “I’ll be right down.”
He didn’t have to see her to know that she was smiling.
Her sandals slapped the soles of her feet as she hurried down to meet him. She was wearing that dress he liked so much. She’d put her hair up, too. A few strands had escaped the clip and now curved alluringly alongside her face. The earrings he’d given her sparkled in the sunshine. She’d put on the matching necklace. If she’d ever looked more gorgeous, he couldn’t remember when. But he couldn’t let that distract him.
“I’m so glad you’re home early. I nearly called to tell you about our meeting at the school, but I didn’t want to interrupt a meeting or anything. I think our girl is going to love—”
“Our girl,” he interrupted, “was at the O’Briens’ when I got home.”
Her smile vanished, exactly as Rosie’s had moments ago.
“That’s impossible,” she said, taking a cautious step back. “She’s with your mom. I watched her walk over there myself.”
“I saw it with my own eyes. She. Was. At. The. O’Briens’.”
Eyes wide with shock, she tucked the curls behind her ears. “But...but she opened your mom’s front door. I watched her!”
“Why didn’t you bring her in?”
“She...Rosie asked me to let her walk over by herself. Said I needed to quit treating her like a baby. I thought...I thought what better way to show her that I have confidence in her, so said okay, all right, you can walk over by yourself, but I’m going to watch you...” She bit her lower lip. Then, blinking, Rena repeated, “She opened the door. I saw her.”
Why did she keep saying that?
“Yeah, well, she never went inside. She saw those kids goofing around in their front yard, and went over there to join in on the fun.” He shrugged out of his suit jacket, hung it on the hall tree. “She’s nine, Rena. Nine. You’re her mother. You should have realized a kid her age might be tempted, especially after she came right out and told you what she wanted to play with them,” Grant said, rolling up his sleeves.
Cupping her elbows, her voice shaky, she whispered “You’re right.” Slumping onto the bottom step, she buried her face in her hands. “Anything could have happened between here and there. A stranger might have driven by. And...and...we don’t really know the O’Briens all that well. What if she went into their house and one of them...”
He felt bad, seeing her this way, but he had more important things to worry about than her hurt feelings. Because Rena was right: anything could have happened. He couldn’t survive another abduction. He’d barely survived the last one! It wasn’t just that risk, though. How could he live with himself if something else happened to her, mere weeks after they’d finally got their Rosie-girl back?
“I’m at a loss, Rena.” He began to pace from the front door to the staircase and back again. She hadn’t just let Rosie down, she’d let him down, too.
“I have responsibilities at work, clients to take care of.” He stopped, looked her square in the eye. “I can’t be here all day, every day, making sure you’re doing your job. I adore that kid, Rena, and if I can’t rely on you...”
“I love her, too, you know.” She got to her feet. “I’ve been doing everything I can to help her readjust. I gave up my job, my career, to dote on the two of you. You have no right to talk to me this way, Grant. I’ve earned more respect than this.”
She took a step closer and stared at him, hard.
“I watched her walk over there. Saw her open the door and start to go inside.” Rena leaned on the newel post. “But you’re right. I should have known better. The kids were out there, kicking a soccer ball around. The Citerony twins were across the street, too, throwing water balloons. Rosie asked if she could go over, but I told her no, because she’d promised to help your mother. I felt so bad, disappointing her that way when all she wanted was to play like any other girl her age. So I made a deal with her, said I’d ask the other moms if the kids could come over, swim in the pool, have ice cream and...”
She shook her head, as if still trying to wrap her mind around what he’d told her.
“It’s just that Rosie is such a good little girl. I never would have guessed she’d just go off on her own that way. I’m sorry it happened. It won’t happen again. So
you can stop treating me like some empty-headed, errant child. You know me, Grant. You know, somewhere deep inside that stubborn heart of yours that I’d never do anything to hurt that child!”
Part of him did believe that. And yet...
“This isn’t getting us anywhere,” he said.
“Nothing like this will happen again. Not because you blew in here like a storm trooper, hurling accusations left and right, but because I love her every bit as much as you do.”
He couldn’t very well deny that. Every look, every word, every action proved how much Rosie meant to Rena. And when he cooled off, he’d admit it.
“Mom made a point of telling me she expected us to pull ourselves together before she and Rosie get here.”
Rena responded as if she hadn’t heard his last words.
“You need to stop pretending that watching her like a hawk is the answer to everything. For one thing, it’s impossible. For another, you’ll suffocate the poor kid. As you so astutely pointed out, she’s nine. We need to teach her about boundaries, not stick her in some protective bubble where she never has to think or make a decision, or—God forbid—a mistake! How do you expect her to learn what her limits are if you insist on us hovering every minute of her life? Just because you don’t agree with that is no reason to hate and mistrust me, Grant!”
What she’d done had scared him, but he didn’t hate her for it. Rena had never lied to him. So why not give her the benefit of the doubt, now?
Then he remembered something his mom had said, about how unlike Rosie it was to be late. It told him that she and Rena had set an arrival time. Technically, she was almost as much to blame as Rena.
Almost.
He took a deep breath. “Um, need a hand with supper?”
She brushed past him, chin up and back stiff. “Except for warming the rolls, everything is ready.”
“I could put ice in the glasses...”
“Believe it or not,” she bit out, “I can handle it.”