by Lynn Cahoon
She smiled at Claire. She could do this. She had to.
Two hours later, a dusty and tired Kati in the back seat, they parked in front of the Ice Cream Palace. “We’re right on time,” Barb announced.
“Great.” Kati’s voice was petulant.
“Come on, she’s your aunt. She wants to visit with you.” Barb turned, laying her arm over the seat.
“I don’t think so.” Kati met Barb’s glance. “I mean, she never even talked to me before Mom and Dad died. When we went to visit, she’d send me out to play with Tony. We weren’t allowed in the front room with the adults.”
“People see kids differently. Maybe losing her sister has changed your aunt.” Barb was trying to give Angel the benefit of the doubt but every time she learned something new, she hated the woman even more. “And it’s just ice cream. You can talk to her for a few minutes for ice cream, right?”
Bribery. It was a shameful ploy, but it was all Barb had.
“I guess.” Kati slipped out of the car and waited on the sidewalk for Barb to join her.
By the time Barb had locked the car and met up with Kati, Hunter had joined them. “I didn’t realize you were coming too.” She spoke quietly, letting Kati walk in front of them.
“After your last encounter with Angel, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He nodded at Kati. “How’d the lesson go?”
Barb smiled, her face relaxing. “The kid’s a natural. Get ready, you’ve got ten years of riding competitions ahead of you.”
Hunter glanced at her, his look unreadable. “Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.”
Barb was just about to ask him what he meant when Angel stood from her table and waved them over. “Here we go.”
Angel and Fred had come alone. Which was too bad in Barb’s mind since she had decided she would rat off their precious son about his alcohol use. Or maybe the parents already knew and didn’t care? This parenting job seemed harder and harder the more she found out about the requirements. They needed to make people get a license. A test Angel wouldn’t pass. But Barb didn’t know if she would, either.
“Look at you in your cowgirl outfit.” Angel’s gaze dropped to Kati’s boots. “And new boots too. Didn’t you tell that woman your aunt had just bought you boots?”
“Boots totally inappropriate for riding or a seven-year-old. Her trainer had her in a backup pair at the barn.” Barb smiled sweetly, trying to soften the words for Kati’s sake.
Anger flashed on Angel’s face, then disappeared. “Well, you should have told me, darling, I would have bought you different boots.”
Kati slipped into her chair. “That’s okay. I didn’t mind.”
“Kati’s trainer says she’ll be ready to compete by fall,” Barb announced to the table, feeling pride for the little girl.
“Compete? What on earth are you talking about?” Angel asked.
“Riding competitions, showing the horse, how you can control its movements. Eventually, she’ll be jumping, but not yet.” Barb smiled at Kati. “We’ll need to get you English riding clothes too.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be making plans with the child so close to the court hearing,” Fred Monnet spoke up. “I’m sure Hunter’s lawyer has expressed the likelihood that the child will be in our custody soon. With visitation, of course.”
“This isn’t the place to talk about the legal stuff,” Hunter growled at Fred. “Angel said you wanted some time with Kati, so here’s your time.”
“I don’t understand why we had to meet here.” Fred straightened his suit and tie, glancing around the room. “So many children around.”
“Because it serves ice cream.” Barb shook her head. The man definitely didn’t understand kids. He probably would have been happy meeting in a five-star restaurant where Kati had to dress up just to be seen. This was why she had to help Hunter keep Kati. As much as she disliked Angel from first glance, Fred was coming up a close second. The waitress appeared for their order.
“I’m having a banana split,” Hunter announced.
“Chocolate peanut surprise,” Barb chimed in. “Kati?”
“I want the Monster.”
Barb laughed. The Monster was a taste of every ice cream the place had, topped with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top. In addition, they brought out chocolate, caramel, and strawberry topping, just in case.
Angel frowned, glancing at the menu. “That seems to be a lot of ice cream. Wouldn’t you rather have a small sherbet? You have to watch your calories.”
“She’s not dieting, Angel,” Hunter stepped in. “Besides, she just rode for two hours. She deserves a treat.”
“Leave it alone,” Fred warned and a look passed between the couple.
Great, another incident of bad parenting on our part, Barb thought. Just by letting a kid be a kid, we’ll look like we don’t care about her diet or health. She made plans to have a very healthy dinner to counteract the ice cream calories. Maybe grilled chicken and a salad? Green salad though, not the decadent potato salad she’d planned.
Fred and Angel ordered coffee and the waitress left. The table grew still. Finally, Angel brightened. “How’s school?”
Barb groaned silently. Angel took that long to come up with a lame question like that?
But Kati didn’t seem to mind. She prattled on about her teacher and their science experiment and how they were building a real live volcano and reading a book about a volcano exploding. Barb tuned out, grateful that the waitress had brought their ice cream while Kati talked. She had just taken a bite when she heard Kati’s words.
“Then Grandma said she’d teach me to knit the next time we visited so I need to go to the craft store.”
Angel sat back in her chair. “Grandma? Honey, you don’t have any grandmothers. They are both dead.”
Kati shook her head and took a big bite of what looked like butter pecan ice cream. “No, Barb’s mom is alive. She just has to live with other old people because she forgets things.”
“Really.”
Barb could see Angel’s thought whirling, wondering if this new development in the family structure hurt or helped her case.
“Look, leave my mother out of this,” Barb warned. “She has nothing to do with the court case.”
Angel’s eyebrows rose. “I’m not sure what you mean.” She smiled at Barb. “Well, this has been lovely, but we have to get back. The babysitter can’t stay late today, she has finals.”
“We have a babysitter?” Fred asked, confused.
“Of course we do. We wouldn’t leave our dear child alone without proper supervision.”
Right, and you don’t let your ten-year-old drink beer, either. Barb watched the woman kiss Kati on the head, not wanting to touch her face, which by this time was smeared with chocolate syrup.
“Nice meeting you,” Barb called out to the retreating Fred. He just waved.
“We’ll see you tomorrow at the reception,” Angel called back.
Barb shot a glance at Hunter. “You invited the enemy?”
He shrugged, carving out a spoonful filled with banana, vanilla ice cream, and strawberry syrup, dipping it into the whipped cream before he brought it toward his lips. “Figured they needed to know we were serious about this marriage. Besides, I’m sure they bought us a great gift. Maybe even a fondue pot.”
Barb shook her head and laughed. “You’re bad. Besides, we already have a fondue pot coming.”
Kati glanced between them, her face covered with ice cream and syrup. “What’s a fondue pot?”
Chapter 12
“So tell me the truth, did you pick out my wedding dress or did James?”
Lizzie Hudson Sullivan adjusted the tank straps on the white chiffon wedding dress she’d arrived with Sunday morning. A wedding dress and a box of cinnamon rolls. When Lizzie had zipped the dress, Barb was glad she’d only eaten one of the rolls before they’d started getting ready for the reception.
Barb glanced at her reflection, thinking back on the day James
and Lizzie tied the knot and she’d been the lady-in-waiting for her friend.
“Seriously, James ordered your dress. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you.”
“The man surprises me at times, that’s all.” Lizzie adjusted the neckline.
Barb smiled at her friend’s reflection in the mirror. “This is beautiful, Liz. You didn’t have to buy this for me.”
“When James came home and told me you were planning on wearing a suit? Come on. A girl doesn’t get married every day.” Lizzie hugged Barb. All of a sudden, Barb felt a kick in her stomach. “Sorry, the boys are active today.”
Lizzie was due to deliver her twin boys any day now. Barb just hoped she got through the wedding reception without being rushed to the hospital. Lizzie handed Barb the mimosa she’d poured earlier.
“You sure this is mine?” Barb sipped the drink quickly, not wanting Lizzie to wind up with the alcoholic version. Yep, the champagne gave the orange juice a nice kick. Just enough for Barb to think this reception wasn’t the horror story she worried it was going to become.
“I tied a ribbon around mine. Although, I’d kill for a nice glass of wine. With breastfeeding, I’ll be dry for close to two years. James has promised me a trip to Napa, just the two of us, when the boys are weaned.” Lizzie grinned and patted her stomach. “Of course by then, one glass will send me over the edge and I’ll wind up like this again.”
“James isn’t stupid. He knows how to get what he wants.” Barb smoothed her skirt. The dress fit like a dream. It was exactly the dress she’d always wanted. The two friends had taken Mrs. Higgins’s home economics class together as seniors where they’d had to plan a wedding as a class assignment. Barb could swear this was the exact dress she’d found in the bride’s magazine so many years ago. “You did good.”
“Yeah, I know. Shopping for you is easier than shopping for tents for me. You should have seen all the hideous maternity bride maids’ dresses.” Lizzie lowered herself into a chair and took a bite of her third cinnamon roll. “You could have planned this wedding a little better for me. I mean, give me a month or two to slim down and I’d be a hot matron of honor.”
“The wedding just kind of happened. And this … ” Barb glanced down at her dress feeling like a fraud. “This was kind of spur of the moment too.”
Lizzie studied her friend for a moment before she spoke. “Are you happy?”
“Yes, I mean … ” She pulled a chair up next to Liz. “If I tell you something, you have to promise not to even tell James. He’ll know, eventually, but right now, it has to be a secret.”
“Oh. My. God. You’re pregnant. I’m so excited. The babies will be so close, this is wonderful news.” Lizzie pulled her friend into a hug. Then pushed her back and glanced at her. “Funny thing, you don’t look it. The first week I knew I was carrying the twins, my boobs grew two cup sizes. James was in heaven.”
“Liz, I’m not pregnant.” Barb paused, waiting for her words to sink in.
“Then what’s the secret? Don’t tell me you’re quitting as Jesse’s manager. James can’t take that back on, not yet, not now with the boys coming.” Lizzie’s face paled.
“Stop making up stories and let me talk, okay?” Barb looked at her friend. For all her tough demeanor and years as a single mom, Lizzie had always believed in love. In happily ever after. How would she take finding out her best friend had been impulsive in getting married and money had kept her in the relationship? Well, money for Mom’s care … and then there was Kati. She’d do anything for that little girl. Almost like she was her own child.
“I’m waiting.” Lizzie’s voice brought her out of her thoughts.
“I didn’t tell you everything last week. Hunter and I didn’t plan to get married,” Barb started.
“Vegas weddings usually aren’t planned.”
“Well, we were planning an annulment once we got back. It was impulsive and stupid. We hardly knew each other.” Barb could see Lizzie wanted to calm what she thought was just nerves on Barb’s part. She continued talking to hold Lizzie off. “Hunter’s being sued for custody of Kati. Her maternal aunt found out that Kati has a sizable trust and wants control over the money.”
“He’ll fight it, of course.” Lizzie looked confused.
“Yes, he’s fighting the suit. But, they have a perfect family on the surface. Mom, dad, kid. The judge might choose family over a single guy raising a young girl.”
“But Hunter’s not single. You’re married.” Lizzie’s voice trailed off. “And that’s why you’re staying married. Why the dog and pony show today. You’re staying married for the court case appearance.”
“You make it sound wrong.”
“I don’t know what to think. What are you getting out of this arrangement?” Lizzie took Barb’s hands and squeezed. “You always were too generous. Too willing to help anyone and everyone.”
“Not this time.” Barb swallowed. “Hunter put up the money so Mom could live at Countryside.”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “He paid you?”
“No, well, yes, kind of.” Barb squeezed her friend’s hands. “I know what I’m doing here. Just be happy for me.”
“Happy for your secret life or the fake one you’re playing at?” Lizzie lifted herself out of her chair. “The boys are killing my bladder. I’ll be right back.”
As she walked into the hallway toward the bathroom she stopped and looked back at Barb. “I would have sworn you looked like you were in love. Are you sure there isn’t something else going on here?”
Lizzie didn’t wait for an answer, which was for the best. Barb didn’t know what to say. She looked at herself in the mirror. Was she falling in love with Hunter Martin? With Kati? She knew the answer to that — Kati was a great kid. She could see a future raising Kati, going to mother-daughter teas at school, cheering for her at the riding competitions, and, ultimately, standing by her while she dressed in a white dress, waiting for her life to change.
As if Barb’s thoughts had called her, Kati ran into the bedroom. She had on a new blue chiffon dress just like Lizzie’s. Her blonde hair hung straight down her back. She looked beautiful.
Barb leaned down and hugged Kati hard, tears filling Barb’s eyes. “You look amazing.”
“Not as good as you.” Kati pulled out of the hug and made Barb twirl. “I love that dress. You look like a princess.”
Barb laughed. “I feel like a princess today. What’s going on downstairs, are we ready to start?”
They had driven over to John Carter’s mini ranch right after Lizzie had arrived and the women had confiscated his master suite.
“Uncle Hunter says you and Lizzie need to come down, the photographer’s here. He said I get a picture of just me.” Kati twirled in her dress. “We’ll get it framed and everything.”
Barb smiled. “Let’s wait for Lizzie and then we can go down.” She perched on the bed. “Come sit by me.”
Kati sat close.
Barb pulled out a jewelry box with a silver heart locket. In the locket, she’d put a picture of Kati’s parents she’d gotten from John Carter. She opened the box and handed it to the little girl. “This is so you’ll always remember me and your parents, even if we aren’t here to hug you or tell you how much we love you.”
Kati’s eyes glistened. “I love it. Can I wear it today?”
“That’s why I bought it.” Barb pulled the locket out and latched it around Kati’s neck. She kissed the top of Kati’s head. “I love you, little girl. Don’t ever question that.”
Kati looked up and smiled. “I love you too.” She grabbed Barb into a tight hug. “Now we make a good family.”
Barb’s heart sank. This was wrong, on oh, so many levels, the day was wrong. And mostly, Kati would be the one hurt when Barb walked away. Whatever you have to tell yourself. She shook away the thought. Barb wasn’t attached. Wasn’t in love. Lizzie was wrong.
“Did I hear someone say it’s picture time?” Lizzie put her hand on Barb’s shoul
der.
Pulling away from Kati, Barb dabbed at her eyes. “As long as my mascara has lived up to its waterproof claim, I’m ready.”
Lizzie lifted Barb’s chin, examining her makeup. Her gaze was thoughtful and Barb knew it had nothing to do with the state of her face. “You’re good.”
Kati bounced off the bed. “Look what Barb gave me. My first real piece of jewelry. And it has a picture of my parents in it.”
Lizzie peered at the locket. “It’s beautiful. What a lovely thought.” She looked again at Barb.
Barb shifted her gaze downward and stood. “We better get down there before they send a search crew for us.”
Lizzie followed Barb out of the room and Kati chatted happily all the way down the stairs and out onto the lawn. But Barb didn’t hear a word the kid was saying. She felt like she was walking up the steps to an Old West hanging, or that she was one of Henry the Eighth’s unfortunate wives. When her gaze found Hunter on the lawn with his father, James, and another man, she froze.
He looked amazing. This was the wedding of her dreams. The man she’d always wanted. And a built in family she could love. Probably did love if she was being honest. And it was all fake.
The touch of Lizzie’s hand on her back eased her forward. Barb faked a smile and took a deep breath. She could do this. For her mom’s sake, she could do this. She glided forward to the group.
Hunter came to greet her and kissed her gently on the cheek. “You look amazing.” Then he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Thank you for doing this. Kati deserves a real family.”
Barb’s heart fell for the second time in twenty minutes. She’d forgotten he had an agenda too. An agenda that didn’t include loving her or promising anything outside their original arrangement. He was acting too. She closed her eyes for just a second, to settle, to get her bearings. To get the smell of Hunter’s cologne out of her head.