by Lucy Score
Gia was at a loss for words.
“I mean it,” Summer nodded earnestly. “You’re amazing. Your kids are amazing. And you’re doing this on your own. You make it look so easy.”
“Remind me to show you my bedroom soon,” Gia quipped. “But seriously, you can do this. You and Carter can absolutely do this and it’s going to be one of the most amazing things you share, in addition to a kick-ass marriage.”
“It is going to be kick-ass, isn’t it?” Summer glanced down at the sparkling promise Carter had put on her finger.
“It’s all going to be kick-ass.”
“And you’ll be there to help me?”
“I’ll be there,” Gia nodded. “How do you feel?”
“So very happy and grateful and scared.”
“Welcome to motherhood.”
16
Gia ushered the kids through the front door and dumped the groceries on the table. “Okay, you,” she pointed to Aurora. “Go change for your party. And you,” she pointed at Evan. “Go find Brian’s birthday card.”
She could barely recall the days when a Saturday meant relaxation. She’d gone from Saturday morning hangovers and brunch in college to pregnant and married in the blink of an eye.
Now her weekends were a blur of kid birthday parties, frantic trips down the grocery aisle, and yoga classes.
She’d planned to tackle at least a small portion of the hot mess that was her bedroom today, but two birthday invites and an impromptu dinner party later and she would be lucky if she saw the inside of her room before ten tonight.
Not that she was complaining. Seeing Evan get excited about a party invitation from a classmate was an awesome sign that he was making new friends. Quiet and a little reserved, it usually took him longer to make friends than the gregarious Aurora. And in the leapfrog moves they’d made to follow Paul’s dreams, he’d had to start over too often.
But in Blue Moon, no one was a stranger … or strange.
Gia grabbed the grocery bag and hauled it into the kitchen. She’d throw together grilled cheese sandwiches before hitting two parties on opposite ends of town that started at the same time. She could drop off Evan at the Lord of the Rings themed party, but it was probably frowned upon to abandon a five-year-old at a party with a bunch of strangers.
At least she had dinner to look forward to. She’d invited her dad and Phoebe over for a nice quiet dinner. Part of the reason for moving here was to spend more time with her father. And that also meant his girlfriend.
She quickly assembled sandwiches — with three different combinations of ingredients —and was getting ready to toss them in the pan on the stove when her tablet signaled an incoming call.
Her older sister’s face grinned up at her from the screen. Emmaline was an auburn-haired beauty with a head for business and a smart mouth. Their weekly video chats were always entertaining.
“Hey, sis,” Gia answered, deftly transferring a sandwich to the pan.
Emma wrinkled her nose. “What are you making?”
“Grilled cheese. It’s no broiled chicken breast and celery stalks, but it’ll do.”
“Smart ass,” her sister said, sticking her tongue out.
“So what’s up? How’s the life of a big, important five-star restaurant manager?” Gia asked.
“Oh, you know,” Emma answered adjusting her tailored suit jacket. “The usual. Wining and dining celebrities, jetting off to Tuscany to woo a potential new head chef. Nothing special,” she winked.
“Give me a hint on the celebrities,” Gia said, flipping the sandwiches over.
“Hmm, okay. One very good looking secret agent in the box office joined us for lunch with his very famous wife and then returned for dinner with an unknown, huge-breasted aspiring actress.”
“Gross.”
“Players are pigs,” Emmaline shrugged. “Always have been always will be.”
“You’ll meet a non-player someday, Em,” Gia told her.
“Maybe if I get myself out of a city crawling with celebrities and athletes. How’s Blue Moon? Maybe I should move in with you.”
Gia tried to imagine her urban chic, balance-sheet-loving sister finding passion in rural paradise.
“There’s always room for you here. You might have to sleep in the bathtub or the shed, though.”
“I’m reconsidering my rash decision to throw away my nice, fat salary and apartment with its squishy king-sized bed.”
“Yeah, I’d put some thought into that if I were you,” Gia teased. “So what do I owe the pleasure of your face today?”
“I’m calling on behalf of Eva and myself with orders for you to get the dirt on Dad’s girlfriend. Since you’re on the ground, we’re depending on you to give us a full report on this Phoebe Pierce.”
It was hard for her sisters to be so far away from their father, especially since Franklin was often less-than-forthcoming about the details of his life. But now that Gia was close by, Emmaline and Evangeline had a direct line for information.
“I mean, it’s great that he’s getting out there and dating. But what do we really know about this woman?”
“They’re not just dating, Em. They’re moving in together. They’ve been house hunting together.”
Emma sat forward. “What?” she demanded icily.
“You’re using your manager voice,” Gia reminded her.
“Sorry,” Emma said. She leaned back and fixed a phony smile on her face. “What?” she asked through unmoving lips and clenched teeth.
“Yeah, Beckett spilled the beans on that one. I guess Dad wasn’t ready to share that particular piece of information.”
“Who’s Beckett?”
“My … landlord. And Phoebe’s son.”
“Interesting.” Emma pursed her lips together.
“What’s interesting?”
“The way your face gets all soft and dewy when you say his name.”
Gia fumbled a sandwich, dumping it on the counter instead of the plate.
“Very interesting,” her sister reiterated.
Gia was about to argue when there was a knock at the door.
“I got it!” Evan shouted, hurrying down the stairs. “Hey, Aunt Em,” he waved as he raced by Gia’s screen, dropping a crumpled envelope on the table.
“Hey, Van Morrison,” Emma returned.
Evan rolled his eyes at the nickname and missed Gia sending his aunt a wink. Emma’s eyes widened at something behind Gia. “You’ve got company.”
Gia glanced over her shoulder and proceeded to burn herself on the hot pan when she spotted Beckett coming through her front door.
She yelped and swore, bringing the flesh of her palm to her mouth. Evan snickered at her language.
“Are you okay?” Beckett asked, backing through the door handling his end of a large cardboard box.
“I gotta go,” Gia hissed at Emma. “I’ll call you later.”
“Don’t you dare hang —” Gia cut off her sister’s threat and disconnected.
“What’s all this?” Gia asked, moving the frying pan to the safety of a cool burner.
Jax shuffled in after his brother hefting the other side of the box. “Just go about your business. Don’t mind us,” he said with a wink in her direction.
They moved past the table and stopped next to the island. “Here’s good,” Beckett decided. They let the box slide gently to the floor.
“A dishwasher?” Gia eyed up the box. “You brought me a dishwasher?”
Beckett swiped his hands on his jeans and turned his attention to her. He grabbed her wrist and examined the burn before turning on the cold water in her sink and shoving her hand under the stream.
“Better?” he asked, still holding her wrist.
Gia craned her neck to look up at him. She was still staring into those concerned gray eyes when Phoebe and her father walked in.
“Grampa!” Aurora shouted from the top of the stairs. She thundered down the skinny staircase and threw herself into Franklin�
�s outstretched arms.
Gia’s heart was thumping in her head and she wasn’t sure if it was stress or Beckett, who was still holding her hand.
She shut off the water and tugged out of Beckett’s grasp, but not before sensing Phoebe’s knowing gaze.
“This is a nice surprise.” She greeted her father with a kiss and offered Phoebe a hug.
“Mama, I’m hungry,” Aurora announced, wiggling out of Franklin’s arms.
“Well that’s perfect timing, because lunch is ready. Can I get you guys a drink?” she asked her as she skirted around the island
Gia studied the outfit her daughter had chosen. Aurora was wearing black leggings under a purple and pink striped dress with little green Crocs. Good enough, she decided.
“I’d love a water,” Phoebe said. “Can I help with anything?”
Gia stepped over Beckett who was kneeling next to the sink and wished to God she’d had time to grab a shower before her house was overrun.
“I think everything is under control for now. We actually have to head out for some birthday parties in a few minutes.” She grabbed a bottle of water and two baggies of sliced vegetables out of the fridge. She passed Phoebe the water and tossed the baggies onto the plates.
“Evan, lunch.”
He was on the floor between Jax and Beckett frowning at a tape measure with them.
Gia deposited the plates on the table. Franklin sat next to Aurora and pretended to eat her sandwich. “No, Grampa! That’s mine,” she giggled.
Evan strolled over and slid onto his chair. “Vegetables again? Jeez, Gia. Haven’t you ever heard of chips?”
“You’re going to a party where you’ll stuff your face with pizza, chips, cake, and ice cream. You can suffer through some cucumbers and carrots now.”
He grumbled, but opened the bag.
Gia ignored her own sandwich and grabbed one of the juices she’d picked up at OJs by Julia. A glance at the microwave clock told her she only had ten more minutes before she needed to herd everyone out the door. Not enough time to change or eat. She unscrewed the lid and drank deeply.
Jax laid a hand on her shoulder. “That’s not Jolly Green, is it?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s a new juice Julia’s doing for fall. I think she calls it Harvest. Why?”
“I had a bad experience,” he said and shuddered.
“Want to try this one?” she offered.
He shook his head. “I think I’m still too traumatized.”
“So you two are a little early for dinner,” Gia said, sliding into the chair next to Evan.
“Well, we had a free afternoon and wondered if we could help out,” Franklin said, taking a bite out of the baby carrot Aurora offered him.
“Help out with what? Dinner?”
“I’m offering up my chauffer and chaperone services and Phoebe here happens to be an excellent amateur organizer,” her dad said waving his hand in the direction of Gia’s bedroom.
Phoebe smiled. “Beckett told me you have a bit of a situation,” she said nodding toward the room. “If you’re okay with it, Franklin can take the kids to their parties this afternoon and I can help you go through some boxes.”
Gia blinked.
Beckett had ratted her out and now everyone knew her dirty little secret. She was going to murder him … after he was done installing the dishwasher.
“It can’t be easy making such a big move. Getting your kids settled while starting a new business. But it doesn’t have to be on your own. You have us,” Phoebe said, smiling cheerfully. “Besides, it’ll help feed my sickness for personal organization.”
“I see,” Gia said primly. “Beckett? Can I see you outside for a minute?”
His head popped up on the other side of the island. “Now?”
“Now.”
She shut the front door behind them and fixed him with her best suspicious mom look. “What are you doing?”
He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m trying to install a dishwasher.”
“Why?” Gia crossed her arms.
“A dishwasher would make your life easier. And so would a little time and help to organize the rest of your crap,” Beckett said, sounding annoyed now.
“What if I weren’t your tenant? What if it was someone else?”
“Are you asking if I’d be doing this for someone else?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m asking. You say I’m not your type. We decide we need to keep this professional and then you show up here with kitchen appliances and my father, who you don’t even like —”
“It’s what we do, Red. We’re fixers. Smotherers. I talked to my mom, she talked to Franklin. We devised a plan. It’s the Blue Moon way.”
“So you, as a Blue Mooner, see a way to improve someone’s life and you just jump on in and force your help on them.”
“Exactly. The only difference this time is I also have an irrational and completely unrelated desire to sleep with you while I help you.”
A small smile played across her lips. “I can’t peg you, Beckett. Just when I think I have you figured out, you surprise me. A steamy makeout session and we both know we’re not right for each other. Then you go and blab about my failings to your family and mine. Then you show up here with a dishwasher and the cavalry and tell me you want to sleep with me. I’m confused. Annoyed and confused.”
“Is that all?”
“And hungry,” she added. “Are you helping me because you think I’m doing a bad job?”
Beckett looked genuinely surprised and a little offended. “Of course not. I’m buying you an afternoon of your life back and twenty minutes a day of dishwashing.”
“Okay. Then I am annoyed, confused, hungry, and grateful,” Gia revised.
“Yeah, well, join the club. Now, can I get back to installing your dishwasher while fantasizing about you doing yoga naked?”
“Just one more thing. If I ever trust you with a secret again — no matter how silly it may seem to you — I expect you to keep it to yourself.”
“You got it, Red.” He glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one inside was watching. “You look really sexy in this shirt,” he said, hooking his index finger in the scoop neck of her tank.
“Beckett, behave yourself,” she said, slapping his hand away and tugging her cardigan tighter around her.
“Really sexy,” he said again, tapping her nose before heading back inside.
She should be annoyed. Should be furious with Beckett for outing her and then riding to her rescue. She took pride in being able to provide for her kids, to run a business and a house. In never asking for help.
She was independent, first by chance and now by choice. She had Paul to thank for that. While he had chased his dreams, dragging the rest of them along like luggage, Gia had turned herself into a strong, capable woman.
She didn’t do everything perfectly. Obviously, she thought, cringing over her bedroom. But damn it, she was good at being a mom and good at running a business. And someday she hoped to be great at it all.
She let herself back inside. “My friend Walter has two moms,” Aurora was saying conversationally to Franklin and Phoebe. “Van, can I try yours?” she asked, eyeing up his grilled cheese.
Evan pulled off a piece of his sandwich. “Trade?”
“Are you sure it’s okay with you, Dad?” Gia asked, looping her arms around his neck. “You’ll actually have to stay with Rora. That’s ten screaming five-year-olds hopped up on sugar and crowd mentality. And Phoebe, I don’t know if Beckett explained just how serious my ‘situation’ is.”
“I’d be happy to spend some time with my grandkids,” Franklin announced. “Phoebe and I were talking about how we’re hoping to spend an evening a week with the kids. Plus, Walter’s moms are going to be there and I’m hoping to pin them down on a catering gig.”
“We both miss having little ones around,” Phoebe said wistfully. “Not that Evan isn’t practically an adult,” she said, winking at the boy.
Jax chose that moment to shove Beckett out of his squat on the kitchen floor. Beckett’s foot lashed out to catch his brother in the gut. They grunted and wrestled, slamming into the cabinets.
“Or that my boys are remotely grown-up,” Phoebe amended. She stood up, turned on the sink faucet, and calmly hosed her sons down with the dish sprayer. “Just in case you ever need to know how to break this up.” She winked at Gia as Jax and Beckett sputtered under the stream of water.
“Now clean up that mess and pretend to act like adults,” she ordered them.
Gia felt a tickle in her throat. Family. Help. A few hours a week all to herself. It was a Blue Moon miracle.
“Would you guys like to hang out with Grampa and Phoebe?” she asked Evan and Aurora.
“Can we go back to the farm?” Evan asked.
“Definitely,” Phoebe said. “Carter wants you to come out for a riding lesson soon.”
“With Joey?” Evan was trying to sound nonchalant.
“Probably,” Phoebe nodded.
“Sounds okay,” Evan said with a shrug.
“I can ride a pony?” Aurora gasped. “Do you have any pink ones? Bucket likes pink ponies, right Bucket?”
Beckett’s head popped up over the kitchen island. “Sure do, shortcake.”
“We don’t have any pink ponies, but we do have a little white one named Princess,” Phoebe said.
“Princess?” Aurora’s little mouth formed a perfect “o.”
“I think you just made her day,” Gia laughed.
17
With the kids packed off to birthday parties and Beckett and Jax systematically ripping apart her kitchen cabinets, Gia led Phoebe into the battlefield that was her bedroom.
“I know it looks bad, but it’s actually probably worse than it seems,” Gia confessed.
“That’s very comforting,” Phoebe said, taking stock.
“You really don’t have to do this,” Gia reminded her. I think with three free hours I can make some headway on my own. I’m sure you have better things to do than go through mislabeled boxes and piles of things that should have been thrown out or recycled years ago.”