“She gets it.”
Jameson nodded.
“I didn’t mean that I was upset or that anything was missing. We were just talking.”
“Want my advice?”
“For once? Yes,” Melanie chuckled nervously.
“Let Shell try and make this work for both of you.”
“She’s so upset.”
“No, she’s overwhelmed,” Jameson said.
“I know. They really want her to run for Candace’s old congressional seat.”
“I heard.”
“I think she’s afraid that it will ruin us somehow.”
“She is.”
“It won’t, no matter what she decides,” Melanie said.
“I know that too,” Jameson replied. “In some ways, she is just like her mom,” she said. “They see things, Mel—more than they can share some days. Shell has seen that up close the last couple of years. She knows how hard it is.”
“What about you?” Melanie asked.
“Me? What about me?”
“Do you want Candace to run for president?”
“No,” Jameson replied.
Melanie’s jaw dropped.
“I want her to myself all the time,” Jameson laughed. “And, yes, I do, because she wants to, and she has too much to offer for me to ask her to stay here.”
“But, what about what you want?”
Jameson shrugged. “I have what I want,” she said. She looked over at Cooper who was climbing up his slide. “I have more than I ever hoped for,” Jameson turned emotional. She looked back at Melanie. “Let her lead this round,” she advised Melanie. “Trust me; she will need you to lead a lot in the future when she comes home.”
“You think Shell will run; don’t you?” Melanie asked.
“I don’t know. Do you?”
“I think she wants to.”
“She has a lot of Candace in her,” Jameson observed affectionately.
“I can’t imagine Candace flipping out over who is walking to whom.”
Jameson shrugged. “Candace has her moments,” she said. “She has almost thirty years on Shell. That’s a lot of living,” Jameson reminded Melanie.
“I guess,” Melanie conceded. “I don’t want our wedding to be the source of tension.”
“Just be honest with her,” Jameson suggested. “I wouldn’t worry too much.”
“No?”
“Nope. Not with Pearl on the case.”
Melanie laughed. “Good point.”
***
“Michelle,” Pearl walked into Candace’s study.
“Go ahead; tell me what a jerk I was.”
Pearl closed the door. “No wonder your mother stays in here for hours,” she sighed as she sunk into a large leather chair at the room’s center. “Want to tell me why you are so upset or are you in the mood for twenty questions? Because I could sit in this chair all night.”
Michelle shook her head. “She won’t tell me that it’s bothering her.”
“I will assume we are talking about your fiancé, here?”
“Yeah.”
“What won’t she tell you?”
“Grandma, I heard her tell Laura that she always used to daydream about walking down the aisle.”
“And?”
“And? And, she isn’t. I am.”
“Technically, you are walking through the grass.”
“Grandma, I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
Michelle sighed.
“The point is, Shell; daydreams and reality are seldom the same. You’re so caught up in worrying about fantasies that you seem to have forgotten the reality you’re living in is much better.”
“How do you figure?”
“Don’t you love Melanie?”
“Of course!”
“And, she certainly loves you; we all know that. So? In your daydreams—in hers—did you imagine this? You and her?”
“We didn’t know each other then.”
“Right.”
“I hear you. It’s hard for her. Her parents won’t be here. Her brother will be away, and Gram, well, Grandma, she’s not herself most of the time.”
Pearl nodded. “So, this is about family? Or is it about you trying to fix something you can’t?”
“I just want it to be perfect.”
“Then you are sure to be disappointed.”
“Grandma…”
“Well, you are.”
“I want her to feel like she has a family.”
“She does,” Pearl said.
“But, I don’t know if she feels that way.”
“So, ask her.”
“Ask her?”
“Right,” Pearl said. “Ask her how she feels, and remind her that this is her family.”
Michelle sighed.
“Shell…”
“Grandma, I don’t want her to be disappointed.”
“I thought you wanted to see her walk to you?” Pearl raised a brow.
“I do because I know part of her wants that.”
Pearl smiled. “Shell, you need to talk to Melanie; not blow up at her.”
“I know. I just don’t know what to do.”
“Mm-hum. This wouldn’t have anything to do with your mother’s old congressional seat?”
“How did you…”
“Sweetie, I grew up in a political house. My daddy was a politician, and the woman I raised as my daughter might just end up the next president. Ask your mother; you can’t hide much from me. I might be getting old, but I’m no fool.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Well, stop thinking so much; that’s my advice.”
“You sound like Mom.”
Pearl smiled.
Michelle rolled her eyes. “I get it. I just want her to know that she is my family; that I want us to be a family.”
Pearl nodded. “You remind me of Jameson.”
“What?”
“You do. You two are a lot alike.”
“I don’t think JD and I…”
“Oh, well, Jameson isn’t quite as dramatic; I agree.”
“Grandma!”
“What? Truth hurts, huh?” she winked. “You are so sensitive, Shell. You are so afraid that you will let Melanie down that you forget she worries about the same things.”
“She’s never let me down.”
Pearl gloated.
“Oh, come on, Grandma; Mom loves JD like… Well, you know what they are like.”
“I do.”
“JD could never let her down.”
“I don’t expect she could—no. That doesn’t mean Jameson never worries about that, or for that matter that your mother doesn’t worry about letting down Jameson.”
“Mom worries about all of us.”
“Because she loves you. Let me ask you something. Would you be disappointed in your mother if she decided she wanted to stay here in New York?”
Michelle sighed. “I’d be disappointed that she didn’t run. I wouldn’t be disappointed in her.”
Pearl smirked.
“Not the same,” Michelle said.
“It is the same. Maybe Mel might feel a tinge of disappointment if she doesn’t walk down an aisle. Maybe she will be a little disappointed if you decide to run, or not to run—I don’t know. I would bet your mother’s stash of fortune cookies that she will not be disappointed in you.”
“Not a very risky bet.”
“How do you figure? You know how your mother is about that stash.”
Michelle finally laughed. “She probably hates me about now.”
“I doubt that,” Pearl said. “Although, a little apology and a lot of groveling might not hurt.”
Michelle rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
***
Cooper saw Melanie head into the house and took the opportunity to run to Jameson.
“Hey, buddy,” Jameson caught him. “What’s wrong?”
“Can I cal
l Jonah?”
“Can you call Jonah?” Jameson was confused. Cooper nodded. “Why do you want to call Jonah?”
Cooper huffed. “Momma,” he said firmly. “It’s for bwoffers.”
Jameson bit her lips to keep from laughing. She nodded and pulled out her phone. “Now, when I hand this to you, you have to tell Jonah who it is.” Cooper nodded. Jameson pulled up Jonah’s contact and handed Cooper the phone.
“JD?” Jonah picked up.
“Hi Jonah,” Cooper greeted his big brother.
“Coop? Is that you?”
“Yep.”
“Did you mean to call me?”
“Yep.”
Jonah chuckled. “What’s up, little man?”
Cooper sighed and turned his back to Jameson as if she would not be able to hear him once he couldn’t see her. Jameson grinned. I wish Candace were here to see this.
“Jonah,” Cooper took a big breath. “You need to walk Shell.”
Jameson’s jaw dropped.
“I need to walk Shell? Where is she going?”
“To Mel,” Cooper said. “I has to walk Mel. ‘Cause she’s our sister too.”
Jonah was confused. “Coop, I don’t think I understand.”
“Mel was cwying.”
“Why was Mel crying?” Jonah asked.
“”Cause nobody can walk her.”
Jonah sighed and closed his eyes. The wedding—of, course. “Coop? What did…”
“If you walk Shell, I can walk Mel. They will bof have a bwoffer.”
Jonah smiled as he listened to his little brother. He had overheard Laura on the phone with Mel talking about the wedding. In fact, he had heard his wife and Melanie talk frequently about their estranged families. It wasn’t difficult for him to imagine what might have prompted Cooper’s call.
“Tell you what, Coop,” Jonah said. “Why don’t you tell Shell and Melanie about your idea and see what they say. You tell them I would love to be a part of it.”
“Okay!”
“But, listen, little man,” Jonah said, “If they say no, just remember that’s ‘cause they want you and Spence to carry the rings; okay?”
“Okay,” Cooper agreed.
“Is Mom there?” Jonah asked.
“Nope, Momma is. Mommy’s at work.”
“Can I talk to JD then?”
“Okay,” Cooper said. He handed Jameson the phone. “It’s for you, Momma,” he said.
Jameson accepted the phone with a smile. She watched Cooper scurry off toward the house. “And, he’s off,” she laughed.
“JD?”
“Hey, Jonah.”
“What was that about?” he asked.
“Your sister had a little meltdown.”
“Jitters?” he guessed.
“I think it’s a little more than that,” Jameson said.
“Cold feet?”
“Nah,” Jameson dismissed that thought. “I think she is trying to make everything perfect.”
“Good luck with that,” Jonah replied. “How are you?” he asked.
“Good, why?”
“Haven’t talked to you much since you got back.”
Jameson groaned. “I know. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. How’s Mom?” Jonah asked.
“Stressed.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet. I saw the news this morning. Do they really think there might be a serial killer around here?”
“I don’t know,” Jameson replied. “But, she has to deal with all the possibilities.”
“Why do I think you aren’t talking about that news story?”
“Probably because I’m not.”
“That’s what I thought.”
***
Cooper ran into the house and straight into Melanie.
“Whoa,” Melanie laughed. “What’s your hurry?”
Copper grabbed Melanie’s hand and pulled her forward.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
Cooper silently tugged on the hand that held his. He peeked in the living room and then stopped. He turned back to Melanie and pulled her toward his mother’s office.
“Coop?”
Copper stopped outside the door and knocked.
Pearl looked at Michelle and headed for the door. She opened it slowly. “Cooper?” she asked. “Where’s your momma?”
“Outside,” he said. He turned and looked at Melanie. “Can me and Mel come in, please?” he asked politely.
Pearl looked at Cooper curiously and then opened the door wider for him to step through. Michelle caught sight of Cooper first and then of Melanie following dutifully behind.
Melanie shrugged. “Sorry,” she apologized.
Michelle looked at her little brother. “You okay, Coop?” she asked him.
Cooper nodded and pulled gently on Melanie’s hand so she would stand by his mother’s desk. He took a deep breath and looked at his sister. “Mel cwied.”
Michelle sighed and closed her eyes regretfully. She opened her eyes and met Mel’s loving gaze.
“I’m okay,” Melanie assured her fiancé.
Cooper shook his head and kept looking at Michelle. “Shell,” he said.
“What is it, Coop?”
“I can walk wif Mel.”
“Aww, Coop…”
“And, Jonah can walk wif you. You bof will have a bwoffer to walk you.”
Michelle looked up at Melanie. Melanie shrugged and smiled. Michelle had planned to have her father walk her to Melanie. She’d never considered asking Jonah. Jonah was set to stand up for Melanie at the ceremony. Melanie shrugged, indicating this was all news to her. Michelle looked back at Cooper. He looked so determined and proud that she couldn’t help but smile.
“Coop, I don’t know If Jonah would…”
“He said yes if you say yes.”
Michelle was stunned.
Pearl giggled from behind Cooper. “Cooper,” Pearl called for his attention. “When did you talk to Jonah?”
“I called him,” Cooper explained. “Momma helped.” He turned back to Michelle. “Bwoffers are supposed to pwotect sisters,” he explained. “Spen says.”
Michelle nodded. She looked up at Melanie. Melanie’s smile told her everything she needed to know. “I think that would be perfect,” Michelle said. “And, Spencer can carry both our rings.”
Cooper smiled and looked up at Melanie. “I don’t want you to cwy.”
Michelle moved from behind the desk and squatted in front of her little brother. “Thank you, Cooper,” she told him. “I’m glad you are my little brother.”
Cooper beamed.
Melanie got down and kissed Cooper on the cheek. “I love you, Coop.”
Cooper nodded. “I’m gonna tell Momma!” he said as she spun on his heels.
Pearl laughed. “And, he’s off again.”
Michelle looked at Melanie. “I’m sorry.”
Melanie nodded. “It’s okay, babe. Maybe we should head home and spend a little time talking, huh?”
Michelle nodded. “I am sorry.”
“I know. Are you really okay with Cooper’s plan?”
Michelle smiled. “After that? How could I deny him?”
“Who would want to?” Melanie asked.
“Not me,” Michelle said. “Would you mind if I…”
Melanie leaned in and kissed Michelle sweetly. “Call your mom. I’ll meet you outside.”
***
Candace lowered the glasses on her nose and massaged her eyes in a feeble attempt to banish her mounting headache. “Shit,” she grumbled. She sighed heavily when her cell phone buzzed across the top of her desk. “What now?” she groaned. She looked at the number and took a deep breath. “Shell?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hey, everything okay?” Candace asked.
“Yeah, actually it is now thanks to Cooper.”
“Cooper?”
“Yeah,” Michelle giggled. “Do you have a minute?”
“For you? Of course.”
>
“I sort of lost it today on Mel.”
“Oh no.”
“I know. I just… Mom, I’ve been so confused; you know? Like, what do I do about this suggestion to run for office? I don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t know if we’re ready. Then I heard Mel on the phone with Laura talking about how she’s always imagined her dad walking her down the aisle. I got here to the house, and… I don’t know. It’s like I just didn’t want one more thing to disappoint her. I don’t want to let her down.”
Candace listened attentively. “And, that made you lose it?”
“Kind of.”
Candace took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “How does Cooper figure into this?”
“He saw Mel crying, I guess. I don’t really know, Mom. But, he told Mel he would walk her down the aisle.”
Candace smiled. “I’ll bet.”
“Yeah, but it gets better.”
“Really?”
“You won’t believe it.”
“Try me,” Candace said.
“He must’ve asked JD to call Jonah.”
“Jonah?”
“Yeah, to see if Jonah would walk with me. It’s a brother, sister thing, you know?”
Candace chuckled. Oh, Cooper. “He loves you,” Candace said.
“I know. You should have seen him telling me that he needed to protect Mel.”
Candace closed her eyes. Cooper. “Is that what he said?”
“Yeah.”
“What did you say?”
“What could I say?” Michelle laughed. “If you had been here—Mom, he was so sweet. I could never deny him that. Kind of made me realize something.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. You remember what you told me about knowing you and JD would make it through things?”
“I do remember.”
“I know what you mean. I just know that Mel will be there, even when it gets, well—even when I get crazy.”
“It’s a good feeling; isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. I don’t know, listening to Coop—I think I’ve made my decision.”
“About?”
Michelle sucked in a deep breath for courage. “I’m not going to run for Congress.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I am,” Michelle said. Candace smiled at the peaceful tenor of Michelle’s voice. “Maybe someday—not now. I want to support you. And, Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I think I’d rather concentrate on my family first.”
“I’m happy for you, Shell. There’s something I need to talk to you about too.”
Road Blocks Page 6