When they got inside, she busied herself pouring a glass of milk for Jonah and giving him a plate for his snack. “Things are a bit of a mess,” she said. “You can sit on the floor, I guess. But don’t touch the cabinets. Or anything else that might be wet.”
“Would it be okay if I go outside?” Jonah asked.
“That’s a great idea.”
Jonah glanced at Brett, who nodded assent, then he headed out the door.
“How did his appointment go?” Amy asked once Jonah was out of earshot.
“You know how it is,” Brett said. “Go to one place and wait, then another place and wait. But it’s all good news so far. They did a CAT scan, and the preliminary look was promising. We’ll know more in a few days.”
“Did you talk to Meghan?”
“Yeah. She was a wreck not being here.”
“I’m still surprised she went to New York.”
“I’m glad she did. She needed a break, and it was too good an opportunity for her to pass up. And Dani and I need this time with Jonah.”
“One little happy family?”
“Scoff all you want, but yes. We are.” Brett broke one of the cookies in half but paused before taking a bite. “We really are.”
“Just remember this moment when he’s a teenager,” Amy teased.
“Remind me of it.”
Gabe chuckled and glanced toward the doorway where they could see Jonah through the pane. “Looks like he’s enjoying those cookies. Tess will be glad.”
“Tess can bake him all the cookies she wants as long as he shares with the rest of us,” Brett said. “These are good.”
“She’ll be glad to know you all enjoyed them.” Gabe took the container Amy handed him. “Thanks again for lunch. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”
“Whenever that day-long thunderstorm comes along,” Amy said. “I’ll walk you to the gate.”
“Afraid he’ll get lost?” Brett teased.
She gave him a withering look. “Just being neighborly.” Behind her, Brett made a harrumphing noise, but she ignored him.
Once they were outside, Gabe paused by Jonah.
“What did you think of those snickerdoodles?” he asked.
Jonah appeared deep in thought for a moment. “They’re as good as Mom’s,” he said decidedly, then wrinkled his nose. “But I like Mom’s better.”
“As you should.”
“Good answer.” Amy tousled Jonah’s hair. “I’ll be right back.”
When she and Gabe reached the gate, she self-consciously rubbed her arms as if feeling a sudden chill. “We didn’t get to finish our talk,” she said.
“Maybe that’s a good thing.”
“It’s just . . . I told you about my eating disorder because I wanted you to hear it from me. It goes the other way too.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want to know your story from you. No one else.”
“There’s no story.”
“I don’t believe that.”
He shifted his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t like that any more than you like pity.”
“I won’t,” she stammered. “I don’t.”
He gripped her elbow, and for a lingering second she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he let her go, slipped through the gate, and was gone.
Amy walked up the slope to the cottage with an ache in her heart she never expected to experience. She wished that when she went back inside, somehow Gran would be there. She yearned to pour out her heart, to tell her what she’d said to Gabe and what he’d said to her. Maybe Gran’s wisdom and her unconditional love could help Amy sort out the tangled mess she’d made of her life.
She also wanted to tell Gran how sorry she was for not spending more time with her. For not listening to her stories.
Brett walked out of the house as she neared the porch. “You okay? You look a little sad.”
“I’m fine.” She pasted on a smile, more for Jonah’s sake than Brett’s. Her brother wouldn’t be fooled.
“Are there any more cookies?” Jonah asked.
“Only for you to take home,” Amy said. “Your dad might get mad at me if I let you spoil your supper.”
Jonah made a face, then brightened. “I asked Dr. Marc if I could ride a horse.”
“What did he say?” Amy glanced at Brett’s stony expression. “Or shouldn’t I ask?”
“Let’s just say I won’t be donating to any more of his favorite charities for a while,” Brett said.
“First he said yes,” Jonah said. “Then later he said he wanted to think about it. But he only said that because Daddy talked to him.”
“Why don’t you run a lap around the cottage?” Brett suggested. “Stretch your legs.”
“You mean so you can talk without me hearing?”
Brett looked over Jonah’s head at Amy. “He’s a smart one.”
Jonah snorted and slowly walked around the corner. Once he was out of sight, Brett blew out air.
“I started riding when I was younger than he is,” Amy said quietly.
“You hadn’t spent weeks in a coma.”
“I know. But—”
“Don’t push it, Amy. If anything happened to him . . .” Brett’s jaw set in a hard line. “Meghan would never forgive me. I’d never forgive me.”
“You can’t protect him from everything. And if you try, he’ll resent you for it.”
“We’re letting him take swimming lessons. Why can’t that be enough?” He glanced at his watch. “We need to get home and change. There’s a game tonight.”
“What kind of game?”
“Church softball league.”
“You’re playing church softball?”
“Surprised?”
“Flabbergasted.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” He scrutinized her appearance. “Though you might want to wash your face first. Get rid of that paint.”
“What paint?” She swiped at her cheeks. “Where?”
“There.” He touched her chin then her cheek. “And there. Also there.”
“You couldn’t have told me this earlier? I am so embarrassed.”
“Because Gabe saw you like that?” Brett flashed his dimples. “To him you looked adorable.”
“I doubt that.”
“Trust me, you did. AJ asked him to join the team too, you know.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“So how about it? Softball game with the family? Not-so-fine dining afterward?”
“Sounds like the best time ever, but I think I’ll pass.”
“So what’s on your menu for this evening?” He held up his hands before she could answer. “Just making conversation.”
“Sure you were.”
He looked apologetic, but why couldn’t he understand she didn’t like his overprotectiveness any more than Jonah did? His subtle and not-so-subtle questions only made her want to lash out at him. Even avoid him.
One of her counselors had said she was lucky to have someone in her life who cared enough to hover. But it still aggravated her. “I had a salad not that long ago. Just before Gabe and I painted the cabinet doors, in fact. So I’m not hungry for the simple reason I just ate. Plus I saved two”—she held up her fingers—“snickerdoodles for later.” She hadn’t, but he didn’t need to know that.
Brett drew her into a spontaneous hug. “Just eat supper too. Okay?” She lightly punched him, and he doubled over in exaggerated pain.
“Hey, Jonah,” he called. “We need to get out of here before Aunt Amy beats me up.”
Jonah came running around the other side of the cottage, then raced Brett to the car. Once again, Amy made the trek down the slope to open and close the gate.
On her way back to the cottage, her phone buzzed. Logan. The guy sure was persistent. She frowned but accepted the call.
“Amy,” he said enthusiastically. “How have you been?”
“Fine. You?”
> “I’ll be perfect if you say yes to my invitation.”
“Invitation to what?” She entered the cottage and awkwardly plopped onto a canvas-covered chair.
“Only coffee.”
“Why don’t I believe that? Oh, I know. Because you said something in your message about one of my former clients.”
“So I did.” He chuckled softly. “But I’d rather not discuss it on the phone.”
“I don’t think I want to discuss it at all.”
“It’s important, Amy. Otherwise I wouldn’t have called. Besides, I miss our secret strategy sessions. Don’t you?”
No, she didn’t.
Amy moved the phone away from her mouth so he wouldn’t hear her resigned sigh. Those long chats that broke all the rules regarding client confidentiality seemed daring at the time and had been helpful to them both. But it was another part of her past she wished she could erase.
If this were anyone but Logan, she probably would have already hung up by now. If she’d even answered the call.
But he’d been her confidential sounding board more than once during her lobbying days. And an accommodating plus-one on the rare occasions she didn’t have a steady escort.
“When and where?” she asked.
“That depends. Where are you living these days?”
“In Glade County outside Madison. At my cousin’s cottage.”
“I’m glad to know you’re still in the state. How about tomorrow around 10:30? You name the place.”
“There’s a coffee shop on London Avenue. Can you find the address?”
“I’m sure I can.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Great. See you then.”
They hung up, and Amy leaned her head against the back of the chair. Logan obviously wanted information, but if he also hoped to lure her back into his world, he’d be disappointed with her answer. Those long days of scheming, plotting, and strategizing were over.
But not her painting days. The kitchen and bathroom were still on her list, but she’d tackle them another time. She cleaned the brushes and rollers, took a shower, and looked ahead to a lazy evening.
A lonely evening.
Unless she went to that game.
10
Amy slipped a pink tailored jacket over her black pantsuit and scrutinized her reflection in the bank of full-length mirrors situated in a corner of the room. The lightweight jacket rested effortlessly on her hips, and the pant legs fitted around her ankles in a sleek version of harem pants. She placed a pink high-heeled shoe on one foot and a silver high-heeled sandal on the other. Which pair to wear?
“Knock knock,” Shelby said from the front room.
“Come on in. I’m back here.” Amy opted for the pink heels, then noticed Shelby’s partial reflection in the mirror. She turned and consciously held in her stomach.
Both Shelby and Dani, dressed in shorts, tank tops, and sneakers, stood at the threshold leading into Amy’s dressing room/closet combo. Dani’s brunette hair was braided loosely across the top of her head. Wispy strands framed her face and crawled out of the loose bun at the nape of her neck.
Amy looked beyond them. “Where are the kids? Outside?”
“They went with the guys,” Shelby said. “I’m so glad you called. Surprised but glad.”
“Beats staying home alone.” Amy rummaged beneath a pile of clothes sprawled across a bureau for her black clutch. “Ready to go?”
“You look lovely,” Shelby said with a smile meant to be gracious but that didn’t quite make it.
Amy eyed her skeptically. “You mean I look overdressed.”
“It really is a beautiful outfit,” Shelby said. “But it’s a softball game. The ground is dusty and the guys get all sweaty.”
“Well, I hadn’t quite made up my mind.” Amy gestured at the tops, pants, and skirts thrown helter-skelter while she’d tried to find the perfect look of easy sophistication she wanted. “As you can see.”
Dani looked at her own attire and giggled. “Maybe we’re underdressed.” She stepped into the room and picked up a violet tunic lying on a chair. Though the top was sleeveless, a swath of fabric formed an angled collar that flowed down one side. “This is so beautiful.”
“You can try it on if you want,” Amy said.
Dani’s eyes rounded. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Go ahead.” Amy examined her reflection again. She touched the smooth fabric of her jumpsuit with regret. The deep lace-covered V neck actually made her look voluptuous, and the small belt accentuated her waist. To be honest, she had wanted Gabe to see her in something dressier than hiking and painting clothes.
Dani held the tunic to her shoulders and sighed. “Times like this I wish I had your height.”
Amy appraised her, then flipped through one of the wheeled wardrobe racks for something that wouldn’t fall to Dani’s knees. She found a sleeveless designer top in a coral geometric pattern and handed it to her sister-in-law. “Try this. The color complements your complexion. And I have the perfect necklace.”
She rummaged through her jewelry chest and pulled out a multi-strand gold chain. “Ta-da.”
“This is so much fun,” Dani said as she peeled off her tank top.
“What about you, Shelby?” Amy asked.
“I don’t know,” she said doubtfully but with a wistful look on her face.
“But your eyes say yes,” Amy teased. “Besides, if I have to change, we all have to change.”
Before Shelby could protest, Amy gathered several tops, including a Vera Wang in navy blue with cutout shoulders, and piled them into her arms.
“If you insist,” Shelby said gleefully.
Dani fastened the necklace over the coral top and struck a pose. She’d also managed to squeeze into a pair of Amy’s capris. The hem practically reached her ankles and the pockets were squeezing out at the sides. “What do you think?”
Amy and Shelby appraised Dani, then exchanged glances with each other.
“I knew you’d look great in that color,” Amy said. “The top looks beautiful.”
“But maybe you should stick with your shorts,” Shelby added.
Dani swiveled and twisted in the mirror to get a better look at the rear view. “I suppose you’re right.”
“You also need other shoes.” Amy ran her eyes over her rows of heels, sandals, casual shoes, and boots. Dani probably wore a size six, six-and-a-half. Shelby maybe an eight. While she needed a massive size nine. The curse bestowed on the tall. “But none of mine unless you want to look like Big Foot.”
“Not a prob,” Shelby said. “We can stop by Dani’s house on the way to the game. We’re driving right past it. Speaking of, we better get moving or we’ll miss the opening pitch.”
Amy changed into a pale yellow shirt with a draped hemline over a matching camisole, beige shorts, and matching shoes. A simple gold pendant encircled her throat.
Despite her own prodding to get moving, Shelby was the last one to pull together an outfit. While she wavered between the Vera Wang top and a tailored taupe blouse with turquoise shorts and clunky accessories, Amy brushed Dani’s hair and fastened it with a coral clip adorned with tiny diamond chips.
“I can’t decide,” Shelby moaned as she turned and twisted in front of the mirrors.
“The turquoise,” Amy and Dani said together.
Finally, the three posed together and admired their reflections. Shelby had even managed to find a pair of taupe sandals with butterfly clips on the straps that she could tighten enough to almost fit.
“This is so much fun,” Dani said. “And don’t we look fabulous?”
“We’ll be the best-dressed spectators there,” Shelby said.
“Nothing wrong with that.” Amy searched through her shelves of bags and pulled out three. “One last touch.”
“Lovin’ it.” Dani practically bubbled with excitement as she examined the leather tote Amy handed her. “Look, my purse fits right inside i
t.”
“I guess that works,” Amy said while she transferred the items in her clutch to a brown leather bag. “Okay, I have to ask. You both are married to guys with exceedingly deep pockets. Haven’t you ever gone on a blow-out shopping spree?”
“Not me,” Shelby said. “We live on AJ’s teaching salary. It’s more than enough since we don’t have a mortgage or car payments.”
“Says the missionary kid,” Amy said dismissively, then immediately regretted her retort. If she’d been better at budgeting, she wouldn’t be in the financial mess she was in now. “I’m sorry, Shelby. That was mean, and I’m trying to not be mean. Sometimes things just pop out.”
“I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to sound so pompous,” Shelby said. “And you’re not a mean girl. If you were, Dani and I wouldn’t look like we just stepped out of a Glamour photo shoot.”
Amy acknowledged the apology with a smile. She had to admit, the more time she spent around Shelby, the more she genuinely liked her. And the more she wanted them to be true friends. Dani too.
“We really need to go.” Shelby herded them toward the doors.
“I’ll drive,” Amy said. “Sorry, Shelby, but we’re dressed in style and we’re going to arrive in style.”
“Fine by me. I know my Camry’s a bit on the blah side.”
Once they were on their way, after a quick stop for Dani to change from her sneakers into a pair of gold flats, Amy glanced at her sister-in-law in the rearview mirror.
“What about you, Dani? No shopping sprees for you either?”
She shrugged uncomfortably. “Brett has tried to get me to go wild, but it doesn’t feel right somehow. I never want him to think that—because it’s so not true.”
“Think what?” Amy asked.
When Dani didn’t respond, Shelby answered for her. “That she’s like some of the women he dated.”
That only wanted his money. Amy nodded understanding.
Shelby turned around in her seat and smiled at Dani. “But he knows that isn’t true. You should let him spoil you sometimes.”
“You’re probably right,” Dani said. “But to never have to worry about money ever again? That takes some getting used to.”
It goes the other way too. To never worry about money and then needing to watch every dollar. So not easy.
What Hope Remembers Page 7