by Judith Keim
“That might give you both time to work through a few things,” said Lynetta.
“I’m such a fool,” said Carol Ann. “I thought he and Lee had something going on. I thought he wanted to get rid of me.”
“It’s obvious Lee really does like him,” said Lynetta. “Be careful with her.”
Carol Ann straightened. “Well, she’s not going to get him. Ed and I are going to be together. All I have to do is convince him of that.”
Sukie laughed with the others, but she knew that it would take a lot of patience on Carol Ann’s part to make it all work out the way she wanted. She was very new to the game of love.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
GRACE
After the other women had left, Grace turned to Carol Ann. “How about letting me fix you a light supper? I bet you haven’t eaten since our Fat Fridays lunch.”
Carol Ann patted her stomach. “Oh, that would be so nice.” She shook her head. “What in the world would I ever do without you women? Don’t tell the others, but for a minute, when I was totally heartbroken at the thought of losing Ed, I thought of doing something dramatic like ending it all.”
Grace felt her eyebrows rise. “But?”
“But I could never do something like that. Especially with my having a baby.” Carol Ann gave Grace a sheepish look. “Guess you, our man-hater would think it’s really stupid to care that much about a guy.”
“Not all men are bad,” Grace said, surprising herself. At one time, she’d thought exactly that. But so many things in her life had changed since the days of being constantly frightened by one particular man. And having worked with Bert the last few days, she was finding his company enjoyable. Not that anything other than a nice working relationship would come from it. After being so hurt, neither of them was looking for more than that.
With few choices in the refrigerator, Grace whipped up a cheese omelet for Carol Ann.
As she watched Carol Ann dig into the food, Grace thought of Misty. Part of the healing process for her daughter was trying to eat well and get lots of sleep.
Carol Ann finished her meal and loaded her dishes in the dishwasher. She turned to Grace and smiled. “Thanks. That made me feel a whole lot better. Ready to begin the research?”
Grace nodded. “Let’s do it.”
“I’m going to take notes,” said Carol Ann, setting up her computer on the dining room table. “You search.”
Grace settled behind the computer and began googling information. Soon, they had a lot of facts about multiple sclerosis. The relapsing kind Ed hoped for could be treated with medicine, which might prevent or delay relapses of the disease. Though people reacted to the disease differently, a patient could expect to feel fatigued from time to time. Other symptoms could include vision problems, walking and balance issues, muscle pain, memory lapses, and the inability to focus.
As Grace dictated even more symptoms, Carol Ann dutifully wrote them down. Tears filled her eyes when she set her pen down. “No wonder Ed’s scared.”
Grace nodded. “It’s good that he’s getting all the information he can about the disease and his particular response to it. That will help him come to terms with what the future might hold.” She looked Carol Ann in the eye. “It isn’t a death sentence.”
“I know. That’s what I tried to tell Ed.” Carol Ann wrung her hands together. “I wish I could talk to him, but he’s on his way to Baltimore.”
“Like Lynetta said, give him time to deal with it. His being away will also give you time to figure out how best to handle the situation.”
Carol Ann nodded. “Thank you, Grace. I love you and all the others so much.”
Grace smiled. “Love you too. Now, I have to get home. Misty will be home soon, and I want to be there for her.”
Before Carol Ann showed her out, she gave Grace a hug.
As Grace went down to her car, she recalled the first time she’d met Carol Ann. She’d seemed so childish, so prim and proper, so inhibited. A lot had happened since then, turning her into a more confident, lovely woman. Ed would be foolish to let her go.
At home, Grace made sure she had a freshly ironed shirt to wear with her slacks for work the next day. Instead of her normal day off from work at MacTel, she’d be busy. Saturdays were big days for the hardware store.
She picked up the pages of notes she’d taken during training. She’d always known the difference between a Phillips screwdriver and a flat-head one. But she had no idea how many sizes of screwdrivers there were, and that there were nutdrivers, too. And that was just one tool that every homeowner needed. Bert had shown her the boxes of different nuts, bolts, screws, and other fasteners for a variety of uses and in many different sizes. Though much of her time on the job would be spent in the office, she had to know about all the tools and other equipment they were selling and buying, or none of it would make sense.
Reviewing her notes, she laughed out loud. For a woman known as a man-hater, she’d be working for and with a whole lot of them. Life sure was funny sometimes.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
CAROL ANN
Carol Ann awoke on Saturday morning feeling as if she’d run a ten-mile race in mud. Groaning, she shut her eyes against the sunlight streaming into her room. Still feeling weighted down by her worries, she blinked against the day’s brightness.
The baby kicked inside her. Smiling, she rubbed her stomach. “Okaaay.”
She hurried out of bed and raced into the bathroom. Like it or not, her day had begun.
In the kitchen, she fixed herself a cup of decaf and then wandered out to the balcony. The days were getting hotter. She sat in one of the chairs and lifted her face to the morning sun, letting its warmth wash over her. Her hand automatically went to her baby bump. She still didn’t know the sex of the baby, but it didn’t matter. She’d grown to love the baby inside her. And when she found out, she’d have reason to love it even more.
As her hands stroked her stomach, she realized the baby was resting lower. The doctor hadn’t mentioned anything about it. He’d just told her that both she and the baby were doing well. The thought of Ed not being the baby’s father sent pangs of disappointment through her. She’d discovered how loving, how kind, how gentle he was and knew he’d be a terrific dad.
She set her coffee cup down on the table next to her and stared out at the scenery. The green expanse of lawn met the woods beyond it. Here and there, splashes of color indicated begonias and other flowers planted in the shade. Carol Ann had always found comfort in the scenery. But today peace would not come. She’d tried calling Ed sometime during the night, but the call went right to voicemail, and she’d quickly hung up.
Maybe, she thought now, the best thing she could do would be to send him a text message. Determined to let him know that she was there for him, she rose. Surely, he couldn’t object to that. After she sent him the message, Carol Ann felt better.
She showered and dressed, then went into the baby’s room.
A white crib sat in the middle of the room. A gray, organic-cotton bottom sheet was coordinated with a fluffy white blanket and a white quilt with cute, little gray elephants scampering across the fabric. Once the baby was born, she’d add color to the baby’s room—a soft, light pink or a bold blue. She’d intended to move all of it to Ed’s condo. Now, that plan was over.
She opened one of the drawers of the bureau. Inside, folded neatly, were little onesies. Many of them were hand-me-downs from Tiffany. Others she’d bought on sale. A lower drawer held pajamas and one-piece play outfits. The lowest drawer held several sweaters in different sizes. Carol Ann sighed. The future she’d once envisioned for her baby was now destroyed.
She drew a deep breath and decided she’d better do a little more shopping. The baby was coming whether she and Ed were together or not.
###
On Monday morning before Carol Ann left for work, she sent Ed another text message, again telling him that she loved him and would be there for him no matter what. She�
��d even gone so far as to say it didn’t matter whether they were married or not; she wouldn’t abandon him.
Knowing the week would seem interminable without Ed there, she headed for the office.
It was more important than ever for her to do a good job because it looked like she’d be on her own for the foreseeable future.
As soon as she walked into the office, Lynetta hurried over to her.
“How are you doing?” she asked Carol Ann. “I thought about you all weekend. I figured you’d call if you needed me.”
“Thanks,” said Carol Ann. “I’ve sent Ed several text messages, but I haven’t heard from him. And I decided I’d better do some shopping on my own to get ready for the baby.”
Lynetta’s eyes sparkled. “Don’t buy too much stuff. Your baby shower is coming up.”
Carol Ann smiled. She couldn’t wait for that to happen.
Lee came out of her office. “Ladies, I need to speak to Carol Ann privately.”
Lynetta quickly moved away.
“Carol Ann, I need you to come into my office,” said Lee. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Swallowing nervously, Carol Ann followed Lee into the corner office Roger Carruthers used to have.
“Sit down, please,” said Lee, motioning Carol Ann to one of the brown-leather chairs facing her desk.
Carol Ann took a seat, telling herself to remain calm though visions of something horrible happening to Ed floated in her mind.
Lee clasped her hands together. “I’ve had some bad news from your boss. He’s ill and will be out of the office all week.”
Carol Ann sat still for a moment, realizing she had to react as if she didn’t know about Ed and his recent diagnosis.
Carol Ann clasped her hands together and gave Lee a stricken look that wasn’t the least bit fake. “Ed is sick? What’s wrong with him?”
Lee shook her head. “I’m not at liberty to say, but I may be taking a trip to Baltimore later this week. He and I have become good friends.”
In a performance worthy of an Oscar, Carol Ann maintained a neutral face. “If you learn anything about his condition, please let me know. I’m naturally concerned.”
“Will do,” said Lee. “I’ve discussed your workload with him, and I’ve left a number of things for you to do.” She lifted a finger of warning. “Until we know more, I’m trying to keep this as quiet as possible. Thanks, Carol Ann.”
It took all of Carol Ann’s strength to rise on legs gone weak. As she’d feared, it was more than his disease that was making Ed push her away. Lee knew a whole lot more about what Ed was up to than she did.
Holding back her tears, she left Lee’s office and headed for the ladies’ room.
Lynetta saw her and followed her inside. “What’s going on?”
Eyes stinging, Carol Ann repeated her conversation with Lee. “It’s so obvious that for Ed, it’s over. Why else would he confide in Lee, but not me?”
Lynetta took hold of her arm. “Listen to me. You’re jumping to conclusions. Wait until you have had a chance to talk to him before deciding anything.”
Carol Ann nodded numbly. What choice did she have?
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
TIFFANY
Tiffany left Carol Ann’s apartment troubled. She remembered how, not so long ago,
she’d been in that apartment crying on the couch over Beau’s death. She felt a hidden warning in what had happened so unexpectedly to Carol Ann. Life was uncertain, filled with surprises both good and bad.
When she entered her office next door, Kevin greeted her with a worried frown. “Is everything all right?”
Tiffany shook her head and gave him the details.
Kevin approached her and lifted her chin. “Aw, honey. You’re crying. What’s up?”
“I’m just thinking how fragile life is. I’ve been so scared about Muffy and Regard’s reaction to us that I realize I’ve been pushing you away. I won’t do that anymore.”
Kevin wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back in loving circles the same way she did to Vanna when she was upset. Tiffany leaned against his sturdy body feeling so safe she wanted to weep with relief.
“Sometimes,” Kevin murmured, “we just have to follow our dreams without worrying what others think of them. You and I know we’re not forgetting Beau. How could we, when we do his work for him every day? And he knew how I felt about you. I think he’d be happy for us.”
Tiffany smiled. Even though she’d hoped Beau and she would get back together, their relationship had never been as kind, as loving, as gentle, as what she had with Kevin. And after seeing what had happened to Carol Ann, she didn’t want her relationship with Kevin to unravel.
She gazed up at him. “I love you, Kevin. I really do.”
He smiled and wiped the last traces of tears off her cheeks. “I love you too. Now, how about we go home?”
She allowed him to lead her out of the office. Her darling Vanna was waiting for her.
With a new sense of commitment to her relationship with Kevin, Tiffany enjoyed time with him. The next day they took Vanna for a long walk around town, stopping to say hello to people who wanted a look at “that adorable baby.” Tiffany noted Kevin’s pride in Vanna with amusement and laughed when Vanna called him, “Da,” making him beam with delight. It all seemed so right.
By the time Monday came around, Tiffany was a lot more comfortable with the idea of living with Kevin. When Hildie arrived that morning for her five-day stint, she explained that Kevin had moved into the house permanently.
Hildie smiled. “I’m happy for you. You’re too young to live alone.”
“Thanks,” Tiffany said, appreciating her candor.
After going over Vanna’s schedule with Hildie, she left for the office truly happy with her choices.
Tiffany was working on research for water-filtration eco-systems when her cell phone rang. She saw it was Hildie calling and snatched up her phone. “Yes? Is everything all right?”
“Vanna’s fine,” said Hildie in a pinched voice. “But you have company. Muffy Wright is here.”
Tiffany’s heart sank. Hildie sounded upset. “I’ll be right there.”
She told Kevin where she was going and hurried to her car. Thankfully, the office was just ten minutes away from her house.
As she climbed out of the car, Tiffany reminded herself of her new resolution to enjoy her life openly and freely. She entered the kitchen to the sound of Vanna crying in Muffy’s arms.
When Vanna saw her, she stopped crying and reached for Tiffany. Crooning softly to her, Tiffany took Vanna from Muffy, as Hildie stood aside.
“Hello, Muffy. What are you doing in town?” Tiffany said, forcing a smile.
Muffy straightened and gave her a defiant stare. “I’ve come to see my granddaughter. I’ve missed her.”
“I wish I’d known. We could have dressed her in one of your cute outfits,” Tiffany said calmly, though her heart had begun to pound with dismay.
“Yes, Vanna has food all over this outfit,” said Muffy. “I didn’t know you’d hired a nanny, Tiffany. I thought you were staying home with our baby.”
“With all the work I’m doing for the Wright Children’s Fund, I’m in and out of the house all day. Besides, Vanna loves Hildie.” She turned to Vanna. “Want to go to Hildie?”
Vanna held out her arms to her nanny.
Tiffany smiled. “Would you like some tea or coffee? We can sit for a while if you like.”
“That would be nice,” said Muffy, keeping an eye on Vanna. “I’ve got some exciting news to share with you.”
“I’ll change Vanna’s outfit and bring her back down to you,” said Hildie. “I was about to change her when Mrs. Wright arrived.”
“Thanks, Hildie.” Tiffany turned to Muffy. “What’ll you have?”
“Hot tea with a slice of lemon would be nice,” said Muffy. “Where should I sit?”
Tiffany noticed the dishes and newspaper on the table. Hil
die wasn’t the tidiest person, but she was wonderful with the baby. “Let me move these things out of the way, and we can sit right here at the kitchen table.”
Muffy stood aside while Tiffany cleared the table and wiped it off.
“I love being able to sit here by the French doors looking out to the garden,” Tiffany said, trying to make conversation.
“Yes, it’s nice,” said Muffy, taking a seat.
Tiffany fixed the tea for Muffy and a cup of coffee for herself, then carried them over to the table. She sat at the table opposite Muffy and studied the woman who’d caused her so much pain. She’d changed dramatically since her son’s death, but the air of disapproval was still apparent in the way she gazed around the room.
“You said you had some news?” Tiffany prompted, trying to hide her anxiety. She had an afternoon appointment and wanted to complete more research before she met with her client.
“Oh yes,” beamed Muffy. “I’m making arrangements to rent the carriage house apartment on Edythe Aynsley’s property, so I can spend more time here with our baby.”
The swallow of coffee Tiffany had just taken caught in her throat. She swallowed and began coughing.
“Are you all right?” Muffy asked, looking alarmed.
Tiffany managed to nod her head, but she wasn’t all right with the idea of her mother-in-law’s being so close. She was trying to form words in her mind when Kevin walked into the room.
“Sorry to disturb you. I’m just changing into something more suitable. I’m meeting with a client for lunch.” He moved through the room and raced up the stairs. His footsteps echoed behind him.
Muffy’s eyebrows formed a V of disapproval. “Is Kevin staying here?”
Tiffany set down her cup of coffee. “Yes. We’ve decided to live together.” She swallowed hard. “We love each other.”
Muffy’s mouth opened in silent protest. “But Beau hasn’t even been dead a year! Honestly, Tiffany, this is so typical of a person of your class. And what about Vanna? She’s living in a sinful household.”