“Well, maybe Javier can shed some light on it. I invited him over.” Distressed, Lucy gripped the table’s edge. “Calm down. He’s not the enemy. Here he is now.” Wanda watched a car pull in her driveway. “I’ll let him in.”
Lucy dropped her head in her hands and groaned. She didn’t want to face Javier, Brogan’s best friend. They’d probably shared a good laugh over Lucy’s delusion about love, relationships, and marriage. And how Lucy never learned from her past mistakes. Was it her destiny to fall for the wrong guy every time?
“Talk to her before she goes into a diabetic coma,” Wanda said as they entered the kitchen. Lucy stared at Javier, followed by Margo and Wanda. Margo carried a container of scraps for Fiona.
“What the hoot? Who’s manning the store?”
“Hola, Lucy. Cómo estás?” Javier pulled out the chair next to Lucy and indicated for Margo to sit. Margo handed the scrap container to Wanda.
“Hey, Lucy. The store’s covered,” Margo said, worry creasing her face.
“About Brogan—” Javier started.
“Don’t. Don’t justify his actions to me.” At Javier’s confused expression, she added, “I know I’m a delusional idiot and thought we had…something good…great.” Lucy’s voice trailed off.
“Listen to me.” Margo shook Lucy’s shoulders, gaining her attention. “Brogan had an unexpected visitor on Saturday. His dad. And it wasn’t good. They argued in his office. I heard the whole thing.”
Lucy blinked, taking a minute to gauge Margo’s serious expression and Javier’s sympathetic one. “How did you hear everything?” Lucy would rather focus on the mundane than face the implications of what the meeting meant.
“I eavesdropped,” Margo said indignantly. “I wouldn’t be a proud member of the Harmony Busybody Grapevine if I hadn’t.”
Everyone around the table stared at Lucy with a mixture of pity and love. Lucy swallowed more tea just to give her hands something to do other than twirling her hair into corkscrews. Grateful to be surrounded by friends, she nodded for Margo to continue.
Margo regaled them with a tale that made Lucy shiver and the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Beginning with Brogan learning he had half siblings, to his dad being a bigamist, and ending with Brogan’s fit of rage as he took down an expensive display of vinegars with an apple.
“There’s nothing wrong with his throwing arm, I’ll tell you that.” Margo’s lips thinned. “Place still stinks all to be damned like vinegar.”
“Lucy, I probably know more about Brogan and his personal demons than anyone. It seems this time he confronted them literally and figuratively. I think meeting his dad on Saturday was some sort of breaking point. He finally got answers to questions that have plagued him his entire life.” Javier gave Lucy’s hand a squeeze.
“Okay…I get the whole horrible dad issue, and I even get running to hide and lick his wounds, but leaving a Dear Jane and then refusing to talk this out… How am I supposed to combat that? He says he wants to move on with his life, which doesn’t include me or Harmony.” Her shoulders slumped. “I really believe he’s never coming back.” Lucy met their concerned faces. “Ever.”
Silence hung over them like a large, ominous black cloud. Wanda boomed, scattering the cloud and the air. “That’s ridiculous. First of all, he still has to sell his house, and secondly, he needs to be here for BetterBites, but most importantly”—she paused for dramatic effect—“he’s going to come home for you.” She pointed a manicured nail at Lucy. Everyone nodded in solemn agreement, but Lucy wasn’t convinced. They hadn’t been rejected by an empty house, a pathetic note, and a silent cell phone.
“How do you propose we get him back?” Margo asked the group.
Javier fiddled with the plastic floral placemat on Wanda’s table. “We need to give him some time. He has to work this out on his own. I’ve seen him shut down for a few days, or a few months, depending on his state of mind. I think this hit him real hard.”
Months? She didn’t know if she could last that long without hunting him down and throwing herself at his feet, begging him to love her.
“Ha, my bootie patootie! I know a way to get him back,” Wanda responded to Lucy’s stricken expression.
“Uh, Wanda, this is one time your wonderbust won’t get the job done. Don’t get me wrong, Brogan would enjoy the show, but…I don’t know.”
“I do.” Wanda stood and adjusted the silver belt over her tight blue sundress. “I’ve got other weapons in my arsenal besides my fabulous bust.” Pride rang clear in her voice.
“You care to share it with the rest of us?” Lucy asked, clearly afraid of what Wanda might be plotting.
“Nope. You’re just going to have to trust me.”
And the next two weeks went downhill from there.
* * *
By Friday, Lucy didn’t know if she had the flu, or if she couldn’t get out of bed because of her broken heart. Thirteen days had passed since she or anyone else had last seen or spoken with Brogan. Lucy managed to fix Parker’s breakfast and see that he caught the bus before she rushed to the bathroom to hurl her cookies. And yes, literally cookies…two boxes of Oreos she’d consumed the night before. Wanda arrived in time to hustle Lucy back to bed, promising that she’d take care of feeding Julia and pick Parker up from football practice. She left Lucy with a little ginger ale and some saltine crackers, and cleared the room of all her social media devices, including her cell phone, laptop, and iPad.
“You need your rest. Don’t worry. I’ll alert Dottie and Keith and your other accounts that you’re taking a sick day,” Wanda said as she tucked covers around Lucy.
“B-but what if he calls?” Wanda knew exactly who he was.
“You’ll be the first to know. Now get some sleep. You look like death warmed over.”
“Lovely,” Lucy mumbled before closing her tired eyes.
* * *
Wanda Pattershaw stood in the threshold of Lucy’s bedroom and watched her friend fall into a restless sleep. Wanda was no doctor, but she didn’t need an MD to diagnose what really ailed Lucy. And it wasn’t a broken heart, although that may be causing Lucy’s depression. Nope. Wanda knew like she knew her own bust size: Lucy was carrying a little Brogan bun in her oven. Wanda had never been pregnant, but she’d witnessed enough friends go through the ordeal and recognized the signs. Smiling, she thought of how happy Lucy and Brogan would finally be. She quietly closed the bedroom door and worked her way downstairs. Yes in-deedy. She couldn’t wait to be maid of honor. With Wanda in charge…she’d see that everything went according to plan…her plan.
Reapplying her devil-red lipstick in the foyer mirror, Wanda arranged her brown curls and gave the mirror a cocky smile. Time to take on Julia and give her something to really think about, like how not to lie to your friends and family.
Wanda tapped on the bedroom door before letting herself in. Julia looked up from her laptop, and surprise registered on her face before she masked it.
“Hey, Wanda. What brings you here?” Her voice was pleasant, but the wariness in her eyes gave her away.
Wanda’s gaze roamed the Pepto-Bismol pink room and the cherub mural on the ceiling. Maybe she’d find out who painted it, thinking she’d like one painted in her own bedroom, with a naked David strategically posed over her bed. Settling in the guest chair, she said, “Thought we could have ourselves a little chat.”
“Oh? About what?” Julia’s wariness remained as she closed her laptop and slid it to the side.
“I’ve got a long list, and you have nothing but time. Might as well get comfortable, because I’m not leaving until we’ve settled a few things.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Julia sounded nervous.
Oh, I bet you have a good idea. Wanda wore a pleasant smile and asked, “You okay with water and liquids here? Wouldn’t want you to get dehydrate
d or anything.”
Julia picked up her tumbler of water and swallowed a huge gulp. “I’m good. What’s on your mind?”
Wanda crossed her legs and adopted a casual pose. “For starters…Russell. I know everything.” She addressed the fear skating across Julia’s face. “Russell has confessed and is mending his wicked, wicked ways.”
Julia sputtered, “I don’t know what you’ve heard, b-but—”
“I’ve heard it all, sister. The where, the how, the why. When my man confesses, he comes completely clean. In case we’re not on the same page, let me spell it out for you.” Wanda skewered Julia with her fiercest stare. “I know Russell is the father of this baby, and I know you will never, ever get your hooks into him again.” Julia squirmed beneath her covers. “Yes, I understand the love muscle’s potency, but Russell’s officially off the market. I’m the only recipient of his powerful love from now on.”
“Wanda, please!” Crimson bloomed on Julia’s cheeks.
“Drink some more water, because I’m just getting started.”
Shooting Wanda the bitchy glare-down, Julia crossed her arms in a huff.
“Here’s how this is going to play out: first, Russell will be a part of this baby’s life. No more secrecy. No more lying. Russell wants to know his child and wants to help with support. Russell has rights too. Agreed?” Wanda mirrored Julia’s bitchy glare-down. After several tense moments, she said between clenched teeth, “I’m waiting…”
“All right. Russell can be a part of the baby’s life,” Julia said grudgingly. “We’ll work out every other weekend or whatever.”
“You’re damn right. He’s going to be a big part. Russell will make a great father, and I’m going to be a kick-ass stepmother.” Wanda rubbed her hands together in glee, loving the thought of helping with Julia and Russell’s kid.
Julia rolled her eyes, groaning. “Oh Lord. Are you done torturing me yet?”
“Not even close. Second, you are going to sit down with Parker this afternoon, and you’re going to tell him the truth about all of it.”
“No. The time is not right. He’s upset about Brogan leaving, and I don’t want to hurt—”
“Cut the pig shit. No more excuses. The kid’s almost sixteen, and he has a right to know. I’m marching him in here, and I’ll be standing right outside that door, listening. And if you don’t tell him all the facts…I will.”
“Do you know? Did Lucy tell you? I’m going to kill her,” Julia snarled.
“Lucy’s lips are sealed, but not for long, make no mistake about it. So warm up your vocals and start singing like Carrie Underwood, unless you want your son to hate you for the rest of his life.” Big tears filled Julia’s eyes. “Don’t start blubbering now. I’m not done.” Wanda handed Julia a tissue, along with more water. “Finally, and this will be your kindest act since you’ve graced this earth.” Sarcasm laced Wanda’s tone. “You’re going to help Lucy by getting Brogan to come back home.”
“As if I have control over Brogan.” Julia sniffed.
“No, but he’ll listen to you about Lucy.”
“What makes you say that?” Julia asked with heavy suspicion.
“Because he loves Lucy, and she loves him.”
“What? You’re crazy. There’s a difference between lust and love. I should know.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh.
“Yeah, you’ve lived in denial for years, and how’s that working out? I know Lucy and Brogan’s affair was a whirlwind, but they’ve both been hit hard. They’re in love, and as an expression of that love”—she paused, gaining Julia’s riveted attention—“you’re going to be Aunty Julia in about eight months.”
“W-what?” A coughing fit hit Julia as her shock went down the wrong pipe. “No way.”
“Way. However, Lucy has no clue. She thinks she’s suffering from the flu, so this is going to surprise her as much as it has you.”
“Dammit. I told her not to do this. I can’t believe she’s this dum—” Julia stopped at the incredulous expression lighting Wanda’s face.
“You are seriously not going there, right?” Julia had the good grace to appear sheepish. “That’s what I thought. Look, Julia, do us all a favor and redeem yourself. I’m not asking for an apology from you for sleeping with my man. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over and will never be repeated. Ever. But I am asking you to do the right thing by Lucy. You have an opportunity to do something good for your sister. Lucy deserves her own happiness. And so do you.” Hope followed by doubt skittered across Julia’s perfect features. “Imagine how great it will make you feel to help your sister. You’ll look and feel ten years younger.” On that last word, Julia’s ears perked up. “Let’s work on spreading wonderful news and not vicious gossip. You owe it to Lucy and Brogan.” Julia’s lips thinned, and then she finally conceded and gave a slow nod.
Wanda stood, ready to leave. “Good girl. Now, let’s recap. One. Russell Upton is this baby’s father, and you will acknowledge that fact wearing a smile.” Wanda ticked items off on her fingers. “Two. This afternoon you have a come-to-the-Jordan cleansing talk with Parker. And last but certainly not least, I expect Brogan home within the next two weeks. That should give him plenty of time to wrap up his affairs in New York.”
“How are we going to break the news to Lucy?” Julia whispered fiercely.
“I’m already on it. You will make an appointment with your OB-GYN, and when you get there, be sure Lucy gets the test.” Wanda picked up Julia’s cell phone and handed it to her, wearing her don’t-mess-with-the-Wonderbust expression. “Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
“You won’t regret it. Now, what would you like for lunch?” Wanda asked.
“Can I trust you not to put laxatives in my food?”
Wanda nodded. “No problem. But arsenic…um, not so sure.”
Chapter 27
“Aunt Lucy, do you think Brogan is coming back?” Parker asked in a low voice as he ate a healthy after-school snack at the kitchen table. Lucy continued to stare at the contents of her handbag, trying to wrap her head around her unexpected news.
“Aunt Lucy?”
“Oh, uh…yeah, he’ll definitely be back.” Just not for me. “He has BetterBites to check on.” Parker ducked his head, looking defeated. “And of course, he wants to see you and, er, your mom and the new baby.” Having no idea if any of that was true, Lucy sat next to Parker, hating the slump he’d fallen into since Brogan had left two and a half weeks ago. If she could have wrung Brogan’s neck, she would have, and then she’d kiss him and never let him go.
“Mom told me, um…about my dad,” Parker mumbled into his snack plate. “Do you know who my real dad is?” He watched Lucy, making sure he didn’t miss a thing.
“Yeah, I do. And I’m happy you know too. You inherited Joe Monahan’s great athletic ability,” she said, trying to coax a smile from him.
He shrugged his half-boy/half-man shoulders beneath his football T-shirt. “I guess. But you wanna know something, Aunt Lucy?” He pierced her with his gorgeous, sad blue eyes. “Deep down, I wished my dad was Brogan.”
Lucy’s heart thumped right up into her throat. “Oh, Parks.” She wrapped him in a bear hug. “Don’t you worry, everything will turn out fine. I promise.” Lucy shot prayers up, hoping she spoke the truth. Pulling back, she said to his worried face, “Get your homework done, and I’ll take you to practice later.”
He nodded and started to finish his snack but stopped. “Aunt Lucy, are you leaving too?”
Startled, she gave her handbag a nervous glance. Maybe. Probably. “I’ll be here until your mom has her baby in a few weeks. And then…we’ll see. Okay?”
Parker swallowed hard. “I don’t blame you if you leave. I haven’t made things real easy for you.”
“No, you’ve made things bearable for me.” She squeezed his shoulders. “I love you, Par
ker…more than ever. Don’t you forget it. You hear?”
He smiled his adorable smile and gobbled the remainder of his snack.
* * *
Lucy stood in her bathroom, staring at her pale, tired face. She pulled the bottle of doctor-prescribed prenatal vitamins from her handbag.
Knocked up.
Pregnant.
Life changing…forever.
She tossed a vitamin in her mouth and chased it down with some water. She and Julia didn’t share the same genes, but they sure shared the proclivity for pregnancy and single motherhood. Yep. Single. Because a herd of wild buffaloes couldn’t get her to trap Brogan in an unwanted, loveless marriage…again. Lucy recalled Brogan’s first marriage and how it had traumatized him. She knew he didn’t want a repeat performance. His disappearing act had made that abundantly clear.
Marveling at the idea that life was growing inside her, Lucy started rubbing her stomach. A thrill of excitement coursed through her, along with its counterpart, a stab of ice-cold anxiety. At four and a half weeks, the little poppy seed growing inside her had already done a tap dance on her hormones, making her tired and queasy most of the day, but she loved him/her with a ferocity she couldn’t explain. Of course, she was scared spitless. Doubt, the fire-breathing dragon, would keep rearing its menacing head, making her nervous and unsure, but the same could be said for any major life change. And if Brogan chose to lock himself away from ever experiencing true love and the tiny life that grew within her, then he had serious, serious problems. And Lucy wasn’t equipped to deal with them. She straightened her spine, because along with raging hormones and indigestion, Lucy had a plan. For once in her thirty-two years, she’d be putting herself first.
* * *
Pregnant.
Knocked up…again.
Brogan slumped back in his hotel chair with the phone to his ear, not hearing Julia’s story on the other end. His mind had zeroed in on the word: pregnant. It was late Saturday night, and he’d been gone from Harmony for three weeks, working long hours on the new flagship store, trying to forget his life back home and trying to banish Lucy from his mind. Nothing had worked, including massive amounts of Advil or the collection of empty beer cans littering his room. Julia had explained that she and Lucy had visited the doctor this past week, and yes indeed, Lucy was pregnant. It had come down to this: Lucy would eventually get around to telling him, and he’d feel guilty and trapped. He’d do his best, but it’d all go down the toilet before long. Just like before.
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