by Lesley Crewe
She shrugged. “I don’t know. He might.”
“You said you wanted me to be happy and now you’re telling me that Matt might break up with me?”
Her friend came back and sat on the bed. “I’m worried that you’re going to wrap yourself around Matt and whatever he does is going to determine your destiny.”
“Huh?”
“Stop thinking in terms of what Matt is going to do. In all likelihood you two are not going to stay together. So you need to think about what you’re going to do and how you’re going to raise your baby in spite of him.”
“Did my mother send you up here? She said the same damn thing to me yesterday.”
“No, of course not. I just don’t want you to stop being you. Remember how we were going to go on a road trip to Vancouver, and travel in Europe and surf in Costa Rica? I don’t want that girl to disappear when this baby comes.”
“I’m always going to be me, aren’t I?”
Maribeth lay back on the bed. “Remember Pam whatshername, who graduated two years ago? She’s barely nineteen and she’s got two kids. I saw her the other day and for a minute I thought she was her mother. She looked trapped.”
“You worry too much.”
“All right, lecture over. Mom wanted to know if you’d like to have dinner with us tonight. She’s invited a ton of relatives over. You’d think I was going to the other side of the moon. It’s only Halifax, for heaven’s sake.”
“It’ll feel like a million miles away tomorrow.”
Maribeth gave her a quick shove. “Let’s go.” They scrambled from the bed and went out the door.
Dermot put out feelers among his colleagues in the auto industry to see if anyone would be interested in buying Tansy’s Porsche privately. It didn’t take long to get results. A man called him at home one evening wondering if it would be possible to take the car out for a test drive. Dermot said that could be arranged and he’d get back to him.
Dermot made the call. Whoever picked up the phone would be the one he’d talk to. It turned out it was Bay.
“Hi, Dermot, nice to hear from you. Are you calling to take me out for coffee?”
“Well…”
“Oh sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed that.”
“No, not at all. I’d love to take you for coffee. How about tonight?”
“Okay. I can be ready in ten minutes.”
“Great. I’ll be right over.”
After he hung up, he stood there. He was going out with Bay. How did that happen? And he forgot to mention the car. He reached up to feel his face. A shave was the first order of business, so he bounded up the stairs.
About twenty minutes later he knocked on Bay’s back door.
“Come in.”
Dermot entered the kitchen. Tansy was at the sink, with her sleeves rolled up, an apron around her waist. When she looked up and saw him, the first thing she did was brush her hair away from her forehead, which left a small deposit of soap bubbles by her right ear. “What are you doing here?”
He stared at the small exotic flower bubbles caught in her hair.
“Dermot?”
He pointed and came towards her. “Sorry, you have some bubbles…” Reaching out, he brushed them away with his thumb. She didn’t say anything as his hand lingered against her cheek. He was aware of the scent of her and couldn’t take his eyes off that perfect mouth. He needed to get away from her as fast as possible.
“You haven’t answered my question.”
Dermot backed up and stood near the kitchen table. “I’m here to tell you that I have someone interested in your car.”
“That’s great.”
“He wants to take it for a test drive.”
“Okay. How do I arrange that?”
“I can do it for you.”
“All right. Let me know when he wants to do it and I can take it to your garage.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
There were quick footsteps on the stairs and Bay appeared in the doorway. “Hi, Dermot. I’m ready to go.”
“Go where?” Tansy asked.
Bay smiled at Dermot. “We’re going out. We won’t be late.”
Tansy looked taken aback. “Oh.” She continued to wash the dishes. “Have fun.”
Bay put on her jacket and started for the door. “See you later.”
Dermot looked at Tansy. “I’ll call you.”
She didn’t look at him. “You do that.”
Dermot walked to the truck and held the door open for Bay. “Where would you like to go?”
“Let’s go into Sydney. I need to get out of this town every once in a while.”
They had a pleasant evening. They chatted about everything and nothing. Dermot had to admit it was nice to talk to her again and see that great smile. He’d missed her.
All too soon they realized it was after ten and time to head home. They didn’t say much on the ride back to Louisbourg, content to be in each other’s company. When Dermot drove up to her door, Bay turned to him.
“I’ve missed you, you know.”
“Me too.”
“I’m sorry I raked you over the coals about Tansy. You had no idea who she was and now that I’m thinking clearly, I can see I was wrong. Do you forgive me?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t.”
Bay looked down at her hands. “I think I want to be more than friends.”
Dermot watched her. “Are you sure? It might be difficult…”
She shrugged. “Life is difficult. We can’t get around that, but Tansy and I have come to an agreement. She’s been a big help these past months and I believe her when she says she wants me to be happy.”
Bay reached for him then and kissed him. She was soft and sweet. At this moment it was easy for him to forget everything else.
Bay pulled away. “Why don’t we have dinner at your place one night? It’s a little crowded here.”
“How about next Friday? I’ll cook.”
“I’ll be there. Goodnight.”
He watched her go back in the house. As he pulled out of the driveway, he noticed the darkened living room window. Tansy sat in a chair, her face silhouetted by the television light. Why wouldn’t she go? It would be much easier if she left town without a word. Then he and Bay could get on with things. This mess was Tansy’s fault. He shoved the truck into gear and backed out of the driveway.
Just his luck, Dermot had to call the house the next night and ask Tansy to bring the Porsche to his garage by seven. The prospective buyer wanted to meet them there for the test drive. Tansy made sure she told Bay what she was doing.
“Fine by me,” Bay said nonchalantly. “You don’t have to tell me where you’re going every second of the day.”
“I feel I do where Dermot is concerned.”
Bay put down the newspaper she was reading. “That was a stupid episode that won’t be repeated.”
“Good. I’ll be back in a little while.”
Tansy started for the door when Bay said, “Tell Dermot I’ll be over on Friday around six.”
Her sister turned around. “You’re going to his place?”
“He’s making me dinner.”
“Oh.”
Bay smiled. “This is déjà vu. It wasn’t long ago you were asking me if I was going on a date. Speaking of that, it’s not like you to stay home night after night.”
“I’m too tired at the end of the day to go anywhere.”
The way she said it bothered Bay. “Are you okay?”
“Fine. See you later.” Tansy hurried out to the car and tried not to think that this might be one of the last times she’d drive it. She loved this car, and now it was one more thing to give up.
When she arrived at the garage, Dermot stood with two men. She pulled up beside them and got out of the car. Dermot made the introductions.
“Tansy Gillis, this is Bob Morrison and his brother Joe.”
Tansy shook their hands. “How are you? Which
one is interested in the car?”
“Guilty as charged,” laughed Bob. “My, it is a beauty.”
“Like its owner,” Joe smiled.
Tansy wasn’t in the mood for flattery. “It’s a ’99 Porsche 911 with only fifty-four thousand miles on it.”
“How much are you asking?” Bob wanted to know.
Tansy looked to Dermot and he took over. “Sixty-nine thousand. Considering the pristine condition it’s in, that’s a bargain.”
Bob whistled. “That’s a lot of money.”
“It’s a lot of car,” Dermot countered.
Tansy passed Bob the keys. “Take it for a run.”
“Don’t mind if I do. Would it be okay if I went as far as Sydney?”
“Fine.”
“We’ll be back in an hour.” The two men got in the car, started it up, and left the garage behind.
“Do you think he’ll pay that kind of money?”
Dermot shrugged. “It’s hard to say. Are you willing to compromise?”
She gave him a look. “That’s all I ever do.”
There was an awkward silence before Dermot jerked his thumb behind him. “Do you want a coffee while we wait?”
“Sure.”
They headed for the garage. Dermot led the way into his office and while Tansy made herself comfortable, he busied himself with the coffee.
“Bay wants me to tell you she’ll be over at your place on Friday around six.”
“Right. Thanks.”
“Apparently you’re making her dinner.”
Dermot kept his face turned away and watched the coffee drip. “That’s right.”
“Have fun.”
Dermot didn’t answer her so Tansy stayed quiet. He broke the silence by asking her if she took her coffee black.
“Yes, please.”
He poured the coffee into two mugs and brought one over to her.
“Thanks.”
He sat behind the desk, facing her. They both took a sip of their coffee. Neither one said anything. Finally Dermot blurted, “This is uncomfortable. Maybe it would be better if I drove you home.”
“Why? Don’t you want me here?”
“It’s not that. I’m thinking of you.”
Tansy took another sip of coffee. “You don’t trust me, do you?”
He looked away.
That’s when it dawned on her. She put down the coffee mug. “You don’t trust yourself.”
“Stop it.”
“I assumed when you took Bay out the other night, and made plans for dinner, that you were truly over me. Don’t you dare get Bay’s hopes up if you can’t give her your whole heart.”
“Why can’t you leave me alone?”
“I am leaving you alone. And that’s what you can’t stand.” Tansy got out of her chair. “Go to my sister. Be with her if that’s what you want. Just make sure when you’re kissing her you’re not wishing it was me!”
He came from behind the desk and took her in his arms. “But I do wish it was you, Tansy.” Dermot reached up and held her face in his hands before he kissed her. Tansy was out of breath when she whispered against his lips, “Stop. You have to stop.”
“I don’t want to stop. Be with me. Stay with me.” His mouth travelled down the length of her throat before he pushed back her hair and kissed her earlobe. “Please.”
“We can’t. It’s not right.”
“Tell me this doesn’t feel right.” He softly bit her bottom lip and pulled on it before covering her mouth once more with his own. He murmured, “I do want you, more than anything.”
She couldn’t do it. Tansy pressed against his chest with her open hands. “Is this what you did to my sister?”
Dermot lifted his head and looked at her with hurt in his eyes. “Don’t.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I’d never come back to this place. It’s only ever caused me pain.”
“What am I going to do? How am I supposed to be with Bay and not be with you?”
She wouldn’t look at him.
His arms were still around her. “I love you, Tansy.”
“You don’t know me. If you knew me, you wouldn’t love me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I have to go.” She pushed against him. “We’ll pretend this never happened. And once Ashley’s baby is here, I’ll leave this place and you and Bay can be together. Because you’re a good man, Dermot, and Bay needs a good man to love her.”
“And what about you? Why do you think you don’t deserve to be loved?”
“I gave away that right a long time ago.” She started for the door. “Get me the best deal you can for the car. I’ll leave it up to you.”
“Wait!”
Tansy ran until she was out of sight.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Bay couldn’t wait for the end of her shift on Friday. She’d been looking forward to seeing Dermot all week. It was nice to be happy about something for a change. Life was beginning to feel more normal, due in no small way to the medication she was on. Her mood had been changing slowly, but she was aware of her progress and the small glimmer of hope it provided.
She made a real effort to look pretty before she left for the evening. Ashley whistled at her when she came down the stairs.
“Wow, Mom. You look great.”
“Thank you.”
“Doesn’t she look great, Tansy?”
Tansy looked up from the television screen. “Great. Bay, will you ask Dermot if that man is still interested in my car?”
“Sure. I’ll see you two later.” Out the door she went. It only took five minutes to drive over to Dermot’s house. She was nervous as she walked up the porch steps, more nervous than she cared to admit.
Bay knocked on the door, waited about fifteen seconds, and knocked again. She tried to see into the kitchen through the curtains, but there was no sign of life. She wasn’t sure what to do. She started down the steps and hurried over to the car. That’s when the door opened and Dermot stepped outside.
“Bay! Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“I thought I had the wrong day.”
“Please, come in.”
She followed him into the kitchen. He’d taken the trouble to set the table and had a casserole in the oven. It smelled good.
“What’s for dinner?”
“Shepherd’s pie, I’m afraid. It’s the only thing I know how to cook.”
“Sounds great.”
Dermot stood there and looked down at her shoes. He said in a rush, “Would you like a beer? Or I have a couple of coolers if you’d prefer. I meant to buy some wine today, but it got busy at work.”
“A cooler would be nice.”
Dermot hurried over to the fridge and took out a bottle. “Would you like a glass?”
“Nah, it’s only us.”
He passed her the bottle and grabbed a beer for himself. “Please, sit down.”
Bay sat at the table and took a swig of her drink. “Before I forget, Tansy wanted to know if that man is still interested in the car.”
Dermot rubbed his thumbnail over the beer label. “I should’ve called her. He said he needed some time to sort out his financial affairs, but that was a while ago. I’ll give him a shout tomorrow and see where he stands.”
“Thanks. So how’s everything going with you?”
“Fine.”
“What have you been up to?”
“Not much. You?”
“Ashley and I have started to clean out the bedrooms upstairs. We’re trying to figure out which room we can use as a nursery and how the sleeping arrangements are going to work.”
Dermot shook his head. “I still can’t believe you’re going to be a grandmother.”
“I can’t believe it either. This is not the way I imagined her teen years. I try not to let her know how frightened I am.”
“Frightened of what?”
Bay shrugged. “Everything. I know what it’s like to be a single mother. I never could have done
it without my mother, and I’ll be there for Ashley, but it’s still a struggle.”
Dermot took another swallow of beer. “But at least Matt is in the picture.”
“He is for now, but will he stay in the baby’s life? Who knows? Not if his mother has anything to do with it.”
Dermot nodded. When he didn’t say anything else, Bay searched for something to say. “Maybe you should check your shepherd’s pie.”
“Good idea.”
He leapt out of his chair as if relieved to have something to do. As it turned out, it was a good thing he took their dinner out of the oven when he did—it already looked burnt around the edges. Bay told him not to worry about it. They busied themselves getting the food on the table. Once they started to eat, the conversation flowed more easily. Unfortunately, when the tea was poured, they were back to looking at each other across the table without a lot to say.
“Why don’t we go into the living room?” she suggested. “It’s more comfortable.”
“Oh. Sure.”
Dermot didn’t move until she rose from the table, as if he was reluctant to leave his chair. When she sat down at one end of the sofa, he sat at the other end until she patted the cushion in the middle.
“Why don’t you sit here?”
He hesitated.
Bay put down her tea. “Dermot, I thought you wanted me to come here tonight. You’re acting as if we just met.”
“It’s been a crummy day, that’s all.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
He smiled at her. “Yeah, don’t get mad at me.”
She smiled back. “Okay.”
“Bay, I need to—”
Bay’s cellphone rang. “Sorry, I’d better get that.”
“Leave it,” Dermot pleaded. “I need to talk to you.”
Bay was tempted to ignore it, but she couldn’t. “It might be Ashley. I’ll make sure she’s all right.” Bay got up from the couch and went to her purse. She took out her cell and flipped it open.
“Hello?”
“Bay, I need your help!”
“Gertie?”
“You have to get over here right now. I think Peter’s hurt himself but he won’t let me call an ambulance.”
“What happened?”
“Never mind, just get over here!”
“I’ll bring Dermot.”