“Oh you are melting my heart little girl. Did you hear that? She called me Gah-ma.”
“Better than Bah-ma,” Renie answered.
“What brings you two here this morning? Not that you ever need a reason.”
“Billy is painting Willow’s bedroom and the house smells. I thought I should get Willow out of there.”
“Are you getting settled in okay?”
“Yeah, almost everything is finished, except her room.”
Billy and Renie had been busy furnishing the house. She felt as though all she did lately was wait for furniture or appliances to be delivered. They’d gone to Denver the week before and stocked up on kitchen stuff, bedding, towels—all the essential little stuff they could fit in the back of Billy’s truck.
“Have you talked to Paige lately?”
“Yep, I talked to her this morning?”
“Did she say anything about Blythe?”
“Yes.”
“She’s not coming, is she?”
“No honey, she’s not.”
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with her, but she’s not responding.”
“She’s upset Renie. Part of her feels stupid about how she pestered you about Billy. The other part of her is mad that you never told her how you felt. And then, you disappeared on her. She’s not just mad, she’s hurt.”
“Sounds familiar.”
Liv set the dish down she had in her hand, and motioned to Renie to come sit next to her.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, and now is as good a time as any.”
“Oh no. Mom, if you’re about to tell me you’re mad at me too, I’m not up for it.”
“No, that isn’t it at all. Do you want to hear what I have to say?”
“As long as you don’t yell at me.”
“Oh honey, I never yell at you.”
“But you scold me.”
“I won’t do that either. Well, maybe a little, but in a good way.”
“Great.”
Willow toddled over and climbed up on Renie’s lap. “You love me don’t you Willow? You’ll protect me from Gah-ma.”
“Gah-ma,” she said, looking at Liv, who pulled her phone out of her pocket and handed it to Willow to play with.
“Don’t do that, she’ll want to play with everyone’s phone now.”
Liv pointed to herself. “Gah-mas get to do whatever they want. That’s the beauty of it. No rules for gah-mas.”
“Okay, let’s get this over with. Scold away.”
“Honey, you need to learn to stand up for yourself.”
“Huh?”
“I mean it. How much of Blythe’s crap have you put up with over the years? My guess is that it’s been a lot. She doesn’t want to talk to you? Send her an email. Say you’re sorry you didn’t tell her how you felt about Billy. You don’t have to say anything more than you’re sorry.
“We all need to accept that you need time and space too, in the same way everyone else does.”
“Mom, I can’t.”
“You can. And you have to sweet girl. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but the days of Renie the doormat are over. I won’t stand for it any longer.”
“I am a bit of a doormat sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
“Back off Mom, I’m agreeing with you.”
“Good. So apologize and tell her to get over it. Tell her she owes you some slack. Demand it.”
Renie looked at Willow. “Gah-ma’s feisty today. My goodness!”
Liv kept Willow entertained while Renie used her laptop to send Blythe an email.
“Okay, done,” she said a few minutes later.
“Good. Do you feel better?”
“I do, but at the end I begged a little. I want her to come for Thanksgiving. I couldn’t help myself.”
“Speaking of Thanksgiving…has Billy talked to you about it?”
“No. About what?”
“He asked Ben to invite Jace and his family.”
“He did what?”
“I was afraid this would be your reaction.”
Liv was back to keeping Willow occupied while Renie called Billy. She went out to the front porch to do it, but Liv could still hear part of the conversation, and her daughter was not happy.
“Billy, why would you do this? And more importantly, why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”
“I know, I shoulda talked to you about it. But Renie, it felt like the right thing to do.”
“Why?”
“Now wait a minute girl. Aren’t you the one who told me you and Jace were friends? Doesn’t make sense that you’re gettin’ this upset about me invitin’ one of your friends to join us for Thanksgiving.”
“Just because I said we were friends doesn’t mean we should start spending holidays with him.”
“Listen, he’s Ben’s cousin—”
“Who up until last month he hadn’t seen for years.”
“And, as I was saying before you interrupted me, which was rude by the way, he helped me Renie. He didn’t have to do that.”
She still didn’t know what that meant. Billy told her Jace called him, but not much more than that. What, were they friends now too? That might be a little awkward.
“Doesn’t matter anyway sugar. The deed’s done.”
“Ben didn’t think it might be a good idea to ask me about it before he did it?”
“Nah, I told him you were fine with it.”
“Billy!”
“Come on now. We gotta do it sometime. We’re gonna be runnin’ into him at family gatherings, might as well start now.”
“Fine. But next time, at least talk to me about it.”
“You’re not mad at me are ya? ’Cause if you are, why don’t you see if your mama can babysit Willow while we, ya know, have make-up sex.”
That put a smile on her face, as he knew it would. “No, I’m not mad at you Billy.”
“Damn. Wanna see if your mama will babysit Willow anyway? I’m craving a little alone time with you darlin’.”
“How’d it go?”
“Not much I can do about it now. It isn’t as if I’d ask Ben to un-invite him. It will be awkward though.”
“We’ll have a full house honey, you can avoid him at least part of the day.”
“Thanks. That helps not at all. By the way, Billy wanted me to ask you if you could babysit Willow.”
“Of course I can. When?”
“Tonight. Too short notice?”
“No, it’s fine,” she chuckled. “We don’t have any plans. Better get your babysitting in now,” she rubbed her belly. “Soon I’ll have my hands full, won’t I Willow?”
Willow rubbed her belly too.
“We’ve been talking about the new baby, haven’t we?”
“How are you feeling anyway?”
“Great. Much better now that the morning sickness has subsided.”
We’re on tonight, she texted Billy.
Why we gotta wait til tonight? he answered. Which made her laugh, then blush.
“Go ahead,” Liv said.
“What?”
“Go. We’re good here. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You’re sure?”
“Leave Renie, before I change my mind.”
“Thanks Mom,” she said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Bye-bye baby girl.”
“Bye Bah-ma,” Willow answered.
“Call us if she gets too fussy.”
Renie left Willow’s diaper bag, and they hadn’t taken the porta-crib back to Ben’s parent’s house, so Willow had everything she needed for the night.
“Okay, we’ll call you.” Liv smirked. “We won’t call them will we baby? We’ll have a great night, just you, me and Grandpa Ben.”
“How’s he taking to being called Grandpa?”
“He grumbles, but he loves it,” she winked. “Now, go!”
Renie stopped and picked up a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers, and
strawberries on her way back to the house. It would be their first night alone since the night Billy proposed. It hadn’t stopped them from making love every night, but there was something different about knowing Willow wasn’t in the next room, and they wouldn’t have to worry about her waking up at an inopportune moment.
“Come here girl,” Billy greeted her at the back door. “What’s this? Wine? You must not be too mad at me.”
“I can’t stay mad at you Billy. You know that. Especially once I see those damn dimples.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled up against her hair. “I love you Renie.”
“I love you too Billy.”
“Come show me then.”
***
Blythe gave in and agreed to come to Thanksgiving with the warning that Renie owed her, and she expected her to fix her up with a hot skier. Great, thought Renie. Maybe she’d placate her by taking her out to the Goat one night while she was there. There’d be a couple contenders for hot skier at the Rice family’s bar. Maybe CB Rice, or at least Ben would consider playing over the weekend. It had been a long time since she’d seen them play, and she didn’t think that Billy or Blythe ever had.
***
By Monday, Ben and Liv’s house was full. Dottie and Bill were staying in Renie’s room, Paige and Mark were in Luke’s room, and Luke was bunking with Jake in his room.
Jace and his family would be staying in the main house with Bud and Ginny.
“I’m proud of my mama,” said Ben. “She didn’t try once to talk us into having dinner at the main house instead of here.”
“Oh no, do you think she wanted to? I don’t want to offend her. Ben why didn’t you say something sooner?”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I think she’s more than happy to pass the gauntlet to you Liv. Maybe next year one of the other daughters-in-law will host.”
Liv raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t imagine either one of her sisters-in-law hosting a crowd of people.
“No?” Ben laughed, picking up on her thought process. “Well maybe you and my mama can switch off every other year.”
“Let’s see how I do this year before we etch a schedule in stone. I’ve never done this before.”
“It’ll be great, and I’m helping. So’s Dottie. You think you’ll get to do much yourself?”
“You’re right, not much. Dottie is used to cooking for a group much bigger than ours.”
They’d had good times over the years spending the holidays with the Patterson family. It was hard to believe that soon they’d be family in earnest.
“Did I tell you Renie asked if I’d consider getting the band to play at the Goat Thursday night?” Ben told Liv.
“On Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah, most of them will be here with us for dinner anyway. Will and Maeve said they wouldn’t mind manning the bar. Renie said she’d work too. No one ever has anything to do Thanksgiving night, that’s why movie theaters are so crowded.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Nah, I’m looking forward to it. We don’t have to serve food, just drinks. Maybe it’ll become a tradition. Thanksgiving night at the Goat.”
Liv had to admit it sounded like fun. Even if it was just family and friends, the place would be packed.
It felt like old times, having the Cochrans and Pattersons with them for Thanksgiving, even if they were in Crested Butte instead of Monument.
They were headed to the ranch; Renie to see Blythe and spend the day with her. Billy was tasked with bringing Willow to the house. He figured no one cared about seeing him; it was his daughter they were dying to get their hands on.
“Billy?”
“Yeah darlin’?”
“I’m worried about you and Jace.”
“Why? You think he’s gonna challenge me to a dual over you or somethin’?” He picked up her left hand and brought it his lips. “You’re wearin’ my ring, your fate is sealed. I’m not givin’ you up for anyone.”
“It’s just that the two of you are a lot alike.”
“Handsome, charming, lady-killers, that sort of thing?”
“Yeah that. Stubborn and maybe a little over-confident too.”
“We’ll be fine. You gotta remember, we’re guys. We handle things differently. We’ll give each other a ton of shit, jabs mired in humor…don’t worry, we got this.”
***
Renie took Blythe downtown. They would have breakfast, shop, spend too much money, and things would be fine between them. She hoped.
They hugged when Renie came in the house, but Blythe was unusually quiet. And sullen, which wasn’t as unusual.
“We’re going to Izzys, sometimes it gets crowded and there’s a long wait, but it’s worth it.”
“That’s fine.” She was sulking.
“Come on Blythe, are you going to act this way all day? I told you I was sorry.”
“I thought I was your best friend.”
“You are my best friend.”
“Then how come you never told me how you felt about Billy? I feel like such an idiot. All the times I asked you to fix me up with him, and you didn’t say a word. You lied to me Renie.”
“I didn’t lie to you Blythe.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I just didn’t tell you. I didn’t tell anyone.”
“That’s bullshit. I distinctly remember you telling me that you thought Billy was serious about someone. Remember that? Was it you?”
That had been before she and Billy went from being friends to being more. And Blythe was right, she had lied to her.
“No, it wasn’t me.”
“See?”
“I didn’t tell anyone. It wasn’t just you. I couldn’t admit how I felt to anyone.”
“That’s the part I don’t understand. Why not?”
“It was too personal.”
“Too personal? I’m your best friend.”
“I’m sorry Blythe. I don’t know what more I can say.”
“Maybe we’re not as good of friends as I thought we were.”
“Don’t go there. It isn’t that way.”
“It isn’t? Will you tell me the truth from now on? Will you talk to me about how you’re feeling? Because I’m not sure I’ll feel comfortable talking to you when I know how much you hold back. Do you ever give me your honest opinion, about anything?”
No, not always. And there was a reason she didn’t. She never wanted to hurt Blythe’s feelings. It was easier to tell her what she thought Blythe wanted to hear, than tell her what she really thought. That included when Blythe hurt her feelings. It was all part of her life as a doormat. She took on the annoyance, sometimes even the hurt, to spare her friends’ feelings.
“I’m working on it.”
“What does that mean?”
“My mom gave me a lecture about being a doormat the other day. So I’m working on not being one. It isn’t easy. I’ve had twenty-three years practice hiding my feelings.”
“She’s right. It’s time to stop doing that.”
Renie wondered how Blythe would react if she got what she wanted, and she told her how she felt. She doubted their friendship could withstand it. Blythe was used to doing things her own way, and getting whatever she wanted. Especially when it came to Renie. How would Blythe react when she told her to find her own hot skier, and leave her out of it?
When they got back to the house, Liv was sitting at the table and had her feet up on a chair, with a pillow under them.
“Mom, is everything okay?”
Liv started to laugh. “They’re babying me. Because they’ve forgotten I’ve already had one,” she shouted in the direction of the kitchen.
That’s right, her mom hadn’t told Dottie or Paige she was pregnant before today. She’d wanted to wait until she could do it in person.
“What?” asked Blythe. “What is she talking about?”
“My mom is having a baby.”
By the look on Blythe’s face, you would have thou
ght Renie said Liv was giving birth to alien triplets. “Blythe, be nice.”
“But—”
Renie put her hand over Blythe’s mouth. “I’ll work on telling you how I’m feeling. You need to work on the opposite. We don’t always want to hear what you’re thinking Blythe.”
“Bravo!” There were claps and cheers from her mother and Paige.
“’Bout time you stood up for something Renie,” said Paige. “I’ll enjoy finding out how you feel about things.”
Renie rolled her eyes. “It hasn’t been that bad.”
“She never hesitates to tell me when she doesn’t like something,” Billy shouted from the family room. “Never has, never will.”
“Oh hush up you,” she answered.
“See? That’s how she talks to me. Tells me to shut up, tells me she doesn’t like what I’m wearin’, hates my cooking.”
“As if you ever cook.”
“I made breakfast once.”
“What time is dinner? I’m thinking about going for a ride. Blythe are you up for a ride?”
“I will be if you let me ride Pooh.” Blythe was skittish around horses. Whenever the two of them rode together, Renie let her ride Pooh, knowing her horse would be gentle.
“Of course. I’ll ride one of Ben’s. He won’t mind.”
“Hey can I get a kiss before you leave again?” Billy shouted.
“Somethin’ wrong with your legs cowboy?” she answered.
She went into the family room and saw that Willow was passed out on his lap.
“The boys wore her out. I know I should put her in bed, but I miss her sleepin’ on me.”
“I love seeing the two of you this way.”
“She’s usually hangin’ on you lately, not me so much anymore. Thought I’d take what I could get.”
Renie bent down and kissed Willow’s forehead, and then turned to kiss Billy. He put his hand on the back of her neck and held her there. “Give me a real kiss darlin’. And later, you and me are gonna do some dancin’. Got it?”
“Got it.” She loved to dance with Billy. She had all her life, from the time she was a little girl to the first time Billy realized she wasn’t a little girl anymore, to now. Soon they’d be dancing as husband and wife. She couldn’t wait for that day to come.
And Then You Dance (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 2) Page 25