“Marry him?” Bobby blurted out, amazed at how quickly their lives had all just shifted. “That’s great. I guess.”
“What’s the matter?” Piper thought Bobby would be relieved to know Jules had the support she needed.
“I just thought we’d be married before them.”
Piper had never let herself imagine being married. The idea of being someone’s wife was so far from what she thought she was destined for that she’d just always put it out of her mind. But now, with Bobby’s arm protectively around her, the other half of her heart returned, she could actually entertain the idea.
“We’ll have our chance.”
Chapter Seventeen
The group had woken early Christmas morning and met in the luxurious common room of the hotel. Betty had made pancakes and everyone laughed when she apologized for the light breakfast. She’d be cooking the rest of the day and didn’t feel up to the full buffet she’d normally put out on the holiday morning.
“Betty, I think the blueberry pancakes you made from scratch will have to do. We’ll survive.” Michael joked, as he reached for another one.
The presents exchanged were few but meaningful. Bobby had gone to Central Park and dug up a few scoops of earth and on the jar wrote, The city where we found each other again. “I want to have a whole house of those jars someday,” he told her. “I want to travel and take a little piece of the ground back home with us.” All three girls swooned at this. Piper reciprocated with a sentimental gift of her own. In a small box was a map with the route from New York City to the prison Jedda was in, the exact change for the tolls he’d encounter along the way, and a gas card. And more importantly, the promise that no matter how it went, she’d be there for him. This was quietly exchanged and lost on the rest of the group, but judging by the look on Bobby’s face, it was special.
They’d all gotten together and bought Betty a gift certificate to a spa in the city. She was over the moon with excitement at the thought of having her hair done in an upscale spa like she’d seen on television rather than the gossip-filled corner salon back in Edenville.
Michael slid a long jewelry case over to Jules and grinned with accomplishment. “I heard you may have bartered something special and I thought maybe you were regretting it by now.”
Jules opened the box and looked down at the necklace she’d given to Mrs. Meriwether for the information about Marty. “How did you know and how did you get it back?” she gasped, pulling it out of the box and immediately putting it on.
“Piper told me what you did, so I went and paid Mrs. Meriwether a little visit. That woman drives a hard bargain, but it was worth it. That’s a mighty unwelcoming neighborhood you grew up in, Piper. Good thing I had the sense to dress down a little or I think I’d have been in trouble.”
Jules ran her fingers over the necklace as it hung on her, like an old friend reunited. “I can’t believe you did that. I’ve been going out of my mind thinking how I could get it back.”
Piper frowned, “I thought you said it was nothing special, just something you picked up somewhere.”
“My dad gave it to me. I didn’t have anything else and I thought my dad would want me to use it to help you find your dad. I didn’t want you to feel bad so I didn’t tell you. But I guess when you told Michael, he remembered the story I’d told him about it.”
“Jules, I never would have let you do that if I had known.”
“I know, that’s why I didn’t tell you. I’m just glad to have it back,” she threw her arms around Michael and hopped into his lap on the couch.
“There is something else, too.” He slipped another jewelry box into her hand. “But we should talk to your mom before you open it.”
And with as much finesse as they could muster they tried to explain everything to Betty. She listened while she sat across from Michael and Jules with a scowl on her face. They told her about everything—the baby they were expecting, the pending nuptials, even the previous day’s scare.
“Y’all are telling me that my daughter, who is pregnant, was in the hospital yesterday, and I didn’t get so much as a phone call?” Her eyes scanned the room, throwing heat at each of them, including Piper and Bobby who were tucked in the corner trying to be equal parts supportive and invisible.
For the first few minutes Michael punctuated everything he said with the words, “I’m sorry.” He wasn’t exactly sure what he was sorry about, not telling Betty that Jules was in the hospital or maybe his unexpected fertile potency that had resulted in the pregnancy. Whatever it was, he felt like he should be apologizing for something.
Jules took a different approach, transparently attempting to change the subject. “You were on a date, Ma, and it was Christmas Eve. Once I knew everything was fine, I didn’t want to bother you. You got in pretty late, by the way, I suppose your date went well.”
“We are not through with this discussion, young lady. You know how I feel about having a child out of wedlock.” But then, Betty’s face relaxed and her lips curled into a smile, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes. “But none of that seems to matter right now because I am gonna be a grandma and there ain’t nothing better in life than that.” She clapped her hands together excitedly, and a wave of relief washed over everyone else.
They took the next half hour to answer every question Betty could come up with, from how Jules was coping with her symptoms to whether they planned to use a family name for the baby. There was only one way out of this endless stream of interrogation. Redirection.
“But seriously, Betty,” Michael began, the weight of the world clearly off his shoulders, “you were out until almost three o’clock in the morning. We were getting worried about you.”
“I was on Skip all night,” she explained, waving her hands like it was nothing. She looked around the room confused as the horror and laughter lit everyone all at once.
“Ma, I thought his name was Clayton, who is Skip?” Jules asked, saying out loud what everyone was clearly thinking.
“What?” Betty exclaimed, covering her heart with her hand as the blood rushed to her face in embarrassment. “What in the world do you take me for? I am not some hussy who carries on with different men all night. I was on Skip. You know, that telephone thing where you can talk to people and see them at the same time.”
The roar of laughter almost knocked Betty over, and the fact that she didn’t understand it made her even more frustrated.
“Betty,” Bobby laughed, being the only one able to compose himself long enough to speak. “It’s called Skype, not Skip.”
Betty let out a big sigh as she flopped backward against the plush cushions of the hotel couch. “I honestly don’t know who comes up with all this junk. Until Clay told me it existed I’d never heard the likes of it before. It’s just a good thing he had his computer at the restaurant or I wouldn’t have been able to help.”
“Who in the world were you skipping with that late?” Michael asked, sending everyone back into tear-inducing laughter.
“It is a long story that I am in no mood to tell. But it was for our dear friend, Chris, in Illinois, and it was absolutely worth the lack of sleep. Now,” she stood and pushed the wrinkles out of her shirt as if she were pushing off their insults, “I am heading over to Connie and Marty’s house to start preparing the Christmas meal. Michael, your job is to keep Jules calm and rested today. I expect you all to be at their house looking presentable by one o’clock, dinner is at three. Make sure you don’t all show up empty-handed either. Let’s try to at least act like you have some sense in your heads.”
Betty grabbed her purse and headed for the door. When they heard it click shut, the room fell silent as they all exchanged glances. Piper was the first to speak and it only took a couple of breathy, laughed-out-loud words to send them all reeling again. “I was on Skip all night!”
“You are going to make me pee my pants,” Jules cried, as she ran into the bathroom.
The friends quieted again, and Michael took
the opportunity to regroup with Bobby. “So, I don’t want Jules to have to worry about this stuff, but you said you overheard a meeting yesterday between Marty and Reuben. What did you hear?”
As Bobby began to rehash what he and Piper had learned, Jules came back into the room and felt the awkwardness of a conversation stilted by her presence.
“Oh no you don’t.” She raised a scolding finger in their direction. “I am pregnant, not stupid. I’m not getting cut out of this just because y’all think I’m some fragile little flower. It’s about Marty? I want to know.”
“The doctor said you should take it easy, Jules. You don’t need any extra stress,” Piper said softly, remembering vividly Michael’s words about her effect on people.
“I want to know what’s going on. End of story.” She folded her arms and raised her eyebrows as she waited.
“We overheard a conversation between Marty and Rueben, the black market organ guy, yesterday. Marty is mixed up with them one way or another, and he owes them money. The man threatened Connie and the kids, and Marty threatened him right back. But before we left we heard him call someone and say he was going to be withdrawing a substantial amount of money. I think he intends to pay them off. Rueben made it pretty clear, though, that Marty couldn’t take them down without going down himself, which means, at a minimum, he’s done something illegal.”
“Yes,” Jules agreed, “but we don’t know why. I don’t think we should jump to conclusions.”
“You think he’s innocent?” Michael asked, surprised at Jules’s defense of the man.
“You weren’t there yesterday when he took me to the hospital. You can’t be that kind of man, the way he was for me, and some kind of heartless criminal at the same time. I just want to give him a chance to explain and see if we can help him.”
“Thanks, Jules. I know I’ve gotten you into some pretty precarious situations since we met, and being my friend has put you in danger—” Piper looked at the ground as she spoke, but her eyes shot up as Michael interrupted.
“I didn’t mean what I said yesterday, Piper.” Michael swallowed his pride as he mustered his apology.
“What did you say to her?” Jules snapped, stepping between Michael and Piper.
“I was upset that she let you go on your own with Marty. It was dangerous, and I said some things I didn’t mean.”
“Well, make that the last time, Michael Cooper, because this here is my friend, my best friend, and I can find a hundred husbands but I can’t replace her, you keep that in mind.”
“Yes ma’am,” Michael agreed, not sure if Jules was kidding.
“You sure you know what you’re signing up for here, Michael?” Bobby asked, making a mocking face.
“Shut up Bobby, we’ll drop you in a heartbeat, too,” Jules said, slapping at his hand. “So what are we going to do about Marty then?”
“Let’s see if the opportunity comes up to talk to him in private tonight. Maybe if he knows we are on his side, that he can trust us, he’ll let us know what he’s up against.”
“Sounds very Christmasy. We’ll have a little ham, sing some carols, then discuss the illegal black market organ ring he’s done business with. Never a dull moment with you people,” Michael quipped, shaking his head and smiling. “I can’t wait to see what we do for New Year’s Eve.”
Chapter Eighteen
As the door of Connie and Marty’s house opened, the smells and sounds of Christmas overtook Piper. The savory scents of ham and roasted vegetables poured from the kitchen and the comforting, earthy fragrance of the Christmas tree made Piper feel cheerful. Under the tree were opened piles of presents and toys. The soft sound of carols hummed in the background.
“Piper!” Eli squealed, running to her and wrapping his arms around her waist. “Do you want to see the train I got from Santa? Do you?”
“Eli, they just got here. Let them settle in a little before you go dragging them in to look at your toys. We’ll be eating soon, you can play after that.” Connie turned toward the group apologetically. “He’s had a lot of candy.” The boy sulked away and groaned something about life not being fair.
Betty came out of the kitchen, apron fastened tightly and hands covered in flour. “Dinner is a little ahead of schedule. We should be ready in about a half hour.”
“Are you sure you don’t need any help, Betty? Everything looks and smells so wonderful, but there must be something I can do.” Connie followed a bustling Betty back into the kitchen.
“Jules, how are you feeling?” Marty asked, as he escorted them to the living room and offered drinks all around.
“I feel much better. I really appreciate you taking such good care of me yesterday.”
“Absolutely,” he nodded. “So have you all enjoyed your time in New York so far? Michael, you’re a lawyer, do you get up here much for business?”
“Yes,” Piper answered with an anxiousness that shocked the room. “There aren’t many situations a good lawyer can’t get you out of, so . . . you know . . . if you ever needed one, they are good friends to have . . .” she trailed off.
“I’m sure that is handy,” Marty answered awkwardly.
“Has this been a good Christmas for you guys?” Piper asked, pressing even further. “Would you say just a regular one or an eventful one?”
“Well I guess I’d call it eventful considering we met you,” Marty said smiling, seeming to assume that was the answer she was fishing for.
The conversation crawled along as the minutes ticked by, waiting for dinner. They talked about Edenville, some football, and, when all else failed, the weather.
When Connie and Betty came out of the kitchen announcing dinner was ready they acted like prisoners being released from jail. They all stood up and hurried to the table, hoping the meal would make some of the uncomfortable silence dissipate. That was why it was always good to have Betty around; there were very few pauses when she was involved.
They all took a seat at the table and sat in awe for a moment at the spread before them. The glazed ham was the centerpiece of the table. Mashed potatoes were piled so high in the dish they looked like they might fall over. Fresh cheddar biscuits and a dish of generously buttered peas had their mouths watering.
Marty’s eyes were wide as he took in the gorgeous meal in front of him. “Betty, you have truly outdone yourself. This meal looks good enough for royalty. We’re very blessed to have you all here with us. Jennipher, why don’t you say grace?”
Jennipher let out an audible sigh and rolled her eyes as she clasped her hands together in prayer. Marty looked as though he wished he could take the request back. “God, you hand out some pretty crappy deals to some pretty nice people, and I don’t get it. And while we are on it, like the Bible says, honesty is the best policy.” Connie cleared her throat loudly, but never opened her eyes. “But we are grateful for this meal and the company and, you know, all that stuff. Amen.”
“Very eloquent, dear, but that isn’t from the Bible,” Betty said, beginning to pass the food around the table. “Now let’s eat up before that message gets up to God and he makes one of us choke on a green bean or something.” A ripple of laughter crossed the table and even Jennipher smiled slightly.
The meal seemed to quiet the table in just the right way. There was no longer silence filled with people trying to find the right words, it was silence bred from full mouths.
“Let’s take a break before dessert, don’t you think?” Connie asked as she rose from the table.
“I couldn’t eat another bite right now,” Marty agreed, and he waved them out of the dining room. As they passed down the hallway a loud thump at the door grabbed everyone’s attention.
“What was that?” Connie asked, startled by the noise. “Do you think another bird flew into the house? I hope it isn’t hurt.”
“I’ll go check,” Eli shouted, his Christmas candy and holiday energy still moving through his body faster than he could process it.
“No,” Marty called,
trying to grab for his son’s shoulder but grabbing only a fistful of air. “Buddy, let Daddy check, okay?” Before his words could catch up to his son, Eli had flung the door open. He appeared disappointed to find no one standing there, but glad to see no bird lying hurt on the porch.
Michael, the first one to see it, swung his arm out, scooped up the boy, and slammed the door tightly. He placed Eli down by his mom as he peered out the curtains to the front lawn.
“What is it?” Connie asked, narrowing her eyes in confusion.
“Maybe Jennipher should take Eli upstairs to play with some of his new toys,” Bobby suggested, not completely clued in on the situation but reading Michael’s reaction.
“Yes,” Marty said with a nervous expression, “Jennipher, take Eli upstairs please.”
With an attitude the size of the room, Jennipher grabbed her brother’s hand and tugged him up the stairs. When they were out of earshot, Michael leaned into Bobby and whispered something. Connie gasped as Bobby pulled his gun from the holster under his shirt.
“We don’t allow guns in this house,” she said quietly, afraid her children might hear.
“Connie, he’s a police officer, you know that. What is it, Bobby?” Marty asked, instinctively moving in front of Jules and his wife.
Michael swung the door open again, and this time everyone noticed what was out of place. A small surgical scalpel was plunged into the wood of the door with a note attached. Michael scanned the yard as he pulled the note down. They shut the door quickly and Bobby kept his eyes on the front lawn through the window.
“What does it say?” Connie asked. “I’m calling the police,” she continued as she began to move for her phone.
“No, Connie,” Marty said sternly. “We can’t call the police. I know who did this, and the police won’t help right now.” Michael handed the note over to Marty who read the words, The price has gone up again.
Changing Fate (Book 3) (Piper Anderson Series) Page 16