by Kathryn Shay
She moved in the bed. Her breath sped up. Louder beeps came from the monitors. Pain obviously shot through her. Before he could say anything, a nurse rushed into the room. “Her monitors changed,” the woman said brusquely. “You should go outside.”
He absconded out the door. Five pair of eyes watched him as he came toward the others. “What’s wrong?” Finn asked.
“She thought you were with her. When I made myself known she got upset and the monitors started beeping. A nurse came in and told me to leave.”
“Damn her.” This from Finn.
Just then, Dr. Battaglia came out of the CCU. “Hi, all. Your mother had a fitful night, as you might expect. The anesthesia is still making her groggy, routine after heart surgery. We extubated at eight this morning, which helped with her comfort. Who was the last one inside to see her?”
“Me.” Ronan’s voice was harsh.
“Her heartrate and blood pressure went up.”
“Our relationship is antagonistic.”
“Then you better hold off visiting her again. The rest of you can go in to see her later on this morning, but I’d like you all to leave for the afternoon. She needs to rest. You can come back tonight.” He transferred his gaze to Ronan. “I suggest you wait until tomorrow if you want to visit her again. She should be in a room then.”
Ronan chided himself. Here he’d been trying to be a good son and come to her bedside when, even then, she rejected him. When the hell would he learn?
Chapter 6
* * *
On Friday night, Lisel Loring answered her front door. “Hello, you two. I’m so glad you could come to dinner.”
“We’re happy to be here,” Ronan told her.
And Eliza believed that was the truth. They’d stayed over in New York another night, canceling Thursday’s practice. He’d gotten in to see Bridget, she was more civil than the day before, but unbearably cold to him. The bitch. Neither one of them could get out of town fast enough.
“Come inside.”
They stepped into the sprawling ranch home, that was both warm and cozy, yet modern with its high ceilings, open floor plan and contemporary décor. Ian wheeled out from the back, devastatingly handsome in jeans and a yellow shirt that accented his blond hair. There was a ruggedness about him that belied his disability. “Hello. I’m Ian Woodward.” He grasped Lisel’s hand.
Lisel squeezed his. For a minute, Eliza envied their closeness. “This is Eliza Ellington and Ronan Casella.”
His gray-blue eyes twinkled. “The dancer and the movie star.”
Eliza and Ronan both smiled. Ronan handed her the wine they’d brought, then they walked back into the kitchen, where counters were at a lower height, and roomy enough for Ian to roll under. The Woodwards’ children waited there, and Lisel introduced them.
Liam was a spitting image of Ian, and Evie had long dark hair and blue eyes like her Mom.
“I see you’ve finished your snack,” Ian said. “Let’s say goodnight to our guests.”
With exuberant goodbyes, the little one climbed on Ian’s lap and Evie tagged along on the side. She asked, “I can watch some TV right, Daddy? It’s too early for my bedtime.”
“Yes, princess.”
“They’re lovely,” Eliza told Lisel.
“Thank you. What will you have to drink? We have scotch, wine and beer.”
“Scotch, thanks.” Ronan seemed a bit more relaxed than when they left New York. They hadn’t discussed Craig’s visit because Ronan was too raw from how Bridget treated him. He, too, was devastatingly handsome in knife-pressed khakis and a green and tan striped shirt.
“Chardonnay, please,” Eliza requested.
“I’ll replicate those since Ian and I will have the same.”
She poured two glasses of each and then the back door opened and another couple walked inside. “Hey, there.” Lisel kissed Eve’s cheek. “Ronan Casella, this is Noah Callahan and Eve Callahan, Ian’s sister.”
The guys shook hands.
“You and Ian look so much alike.” Eliza cocked her head. “Oh, you’re twins.”
“We are.”
“Glad to meet you both.” Noah’s expression was quizzical. “A Casella, huh. I know your cousin, Rafe.”
At Ronan’s questioning expression, Noah added, “I was the chief in the HCFD for a long time.”
“Ah. Rafe’s a terrific guy.” Ronan gave a genuine smile. “We were close growing up.”
“Yeah, he’s the best.”
Ian returned and kissed his sister on the cheek. “Let’s go into the family room. Noah, get what you and Eve want to drink.” The two couples had the same easy-going relationship that the Casellas had. Being an only child, Eliza envied that.
When they walked—and wheeled—into the spacious room off the kitchen, Eve accompanied them. Ian clasped her hand. “Ronan’s directing a play at the Hidden Cove Playhouse.”
“Isn’t that closed?”
“I thought so, too.” Noah came in and dropped down across from Eliza.
“We rented it out,” Ronan explained. “I wanted to come back to Hidden Cove for personal reasons. I’m a director and also wanted to work.” He reached over and took Eliza’s hand. If felt good to have the connection. “I talked her into coming along as my choreographer.”
Eliza held on to him. “We worked together for five years on plays in New York.”
“You’re both famous,” Eve said.
“Like Lisel.”
“Ian,” Lisel explained, “Eliza left the rat race like I did.”
“Lucky you. It would have killed Lise.”
Ronan added, “My movie career would have done the same.”
“Eliza. Why did you leave?” Ian asked.
“I fell in love, got pregnant at twenty-five.”
“Did you resent having to give up your career?” Lisel this time.
“At first I did. Then I had Taylor, my now seventeen-year-old daughter and quitting became worth the sacrifice. But my ex, that’s a different story there.”
“Now,” Ronan put in, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief, “Tell us some of your secrets.”
“Fair is fair.” Lisel took a sip of wine. “My parents didn’t want me to quit dancing. I’d developed an ulcer, though, and had to stop. They still haven’t forgiven me. I couldn’t have done it without Ian.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your parents.” This from Ronan. “At least you have Eve and Noah.”
Eliza directed her comment to them. “I heard that there was a scandal about you two.”
“Oh, Lord, we were the talk of the town.” Eve laughed softly. “Now, we’re simply an old married couple, and I’m grateful for that.”
“Us, too,” Lisel put in.
Eliza watched the four of them. What would it be like to have what they had? Soulmates. Precious children. And enduring friendships. She wondered if they knew how lucky they were.
Yet, they’d had their problems, too. She guessed there were happy endings in the world even after problems.
After a delicious dinner, Ronan’s phone rang. He frowned at the caller. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.” He rose from the table and walked to the foyer. “Hey, Finn. What’s going on?”
“I know you have plans tonight, but I wanted to put your mind at ease. Bridget’s been moved from CCU to the cardiac wing. She seems to be rebounding.”
“I’m glad.”
“I didn’t want you to worry. So have a good weekend.”
“Thanks, bro.”
When he returned, he said, “Sorry about that. My mother had a heart attack on Wednesday, which was why I left my phone on. My brother was calling to say she was moved into a room on the cardio floor.”
Lisel frowned. “Oh, dear, I hope you didn’t feel you had to come here. You could have rescheduled.”
“We wanted to come.” He glanced at Eliza, sitting on a gray leather couch, wearing a purple one-piece suit. She looked adorable. “My mother and I barely speak.”
“I�
�m sorry for that, too. Like I said, my parents and I don’t socialize.”
“And they weren’t happy with the prima ballerina marrying a gimp.”
“Ian!”
“Sorry love. It doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“It did then.”
“Ah, but I was a different man.” Ian gestured to Noah. “Thanks to that one over there browbeating me to join the fire department as a teacher.”
“Of what?”
“Terrorist responses in the fire department.”
“Is that what happened to you?” Eliza asked quietly.
“Yes, I was hurt in the Towers.”
“Oh, man, I’m sorry.” Ronan couldn’t imagine what agony he’d gone through, physically and mentally.
“We’ve learned to live a full and happy life though, haven’t we, love?”
“Yes, of course.” Then she started laughing. “Well, we’ve managed to expose some of our most personal experiences to each other in a few hours.” She lifted her wine glass. “To friends.”
“To friends,” Ronan repeated. And damned if he didn’t feel good about the night.
* * *
The next morning, he and Eliza were still basking in the dinner at the Woodwards and making new friends. Both were in a pleasant mood, sitting on a sunny porch, sipping coffee and reading then news on their tablets.
Ronan’s phone rang. Before he checked the ID, he said, “I don’t want to answer that.”
“Who is it?”
His eyes lowered to the cell. “Oh, my aunt.” He clicked on. “Hello, Carmella.”
“Hello, dear. I have some news. Julianne’s going to the hospital now. She’s in labor.”
“Ah. This is a happy thing.”
“Why don’t you come over and wait with us?”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re family. Like a son, as I told you. Join us. Everyone wants you to be here for this. Bring Eliza.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll expect you.”
He was smiling when he disconnected.
Eliza glanced up. “What?”
“Looks like another little Casella is coming today.”
Her brows shot up. “Julianne’s in labor?”
“Yeah.” He dropped down into the recliner. “They want us to wait with them.”
“You should go.”
“Would you come with me?”
“I’m not family.”
“Carmella asked specifically for you.”
“She did? I never waited for a baby to come except my own.”
“Me either. We’ve both missed a lot of things.”
“Do you want to talk about Bridget first?”
“No, the text this morning from Finn said she’s doing all right.”
“About us, then?”
“I suppose. Liza, I’m embarrassed by how I’ve been behaving. But our relationship is so nebulous, I didn’t know how to react to other men.”
“We never did discuss seeing others while we were together.”
“As if I would.”
Eliza frowned. “As if I would, too, Ronan. I can’t control Craig, or even Mitt. I can only control what I do.” She took a bead on him. “So, does this mean we’re exclusive?”
“Yes, on my part.”
“Yes, on mine, too.”
“Then that settles it.”
She got up and sat on his lap. He inhaled the after-shower scent of her, then she kissed him to seal the deal.
An hour later, they walked into Memorial Hospital on the edge of Hidden Cove, the same place Ronan had come when Kate delivered Mellie. They found the waiting room for maternity, where phones rang in the distance and chatter from the nurses and guests filled the room. Holding hands, they walked toward the others.
Gideon saw him first. “Hey, man.”
“Look, it’s Ronan.” This from Ali. She got up and hugged them both. “So glad you came.”
He glanced at Carmella. “Your mother’s pretty persuasive.”
They said hello to Derek, then Rafe and Kate. “Where’s your little sweetie?” Eliza asked them.
“Carina’s babysitting her and Tomaso.”
“She’s a darling girl,” Ronan put in. “She’s trying out for our play.”
“Gideon didn’t tell us.” Kate rolled her eyes at him. “I hope she makes the cast. She’s still pretty shy, it could help her out of that.”
“I can guarantee she’ll make it in some capacity.” Ronan nodded and walked over to Carmella where she sat with Judd. “I came.”
They both stood and hugged him. “I’m so glad.”
He and Judd shook hands.
“How’s Bridget?” Carmella asked, kindly.
“Better.” He’d called his aunt from New York to fill the family in. He explained his mother’s progress.
After a bit, Ronan saw Kate and Eliza deep in conversation, so he went to sit with Gideon and Anabelle. “You two out in the open yet?”
“Uh-huh. We finally told the kids, and we’ll tell work this week. We think everything will be fine.”
“Hmm. You could have a double wedding with Finn.”
Gideon’s jaw dropped. “Finn and Millie are getting hitched?”
“Yeah, end of May. I hope I didn’t steal his thunder.”
He bumped shoulders with Anabelle. “What do you think, love? Want to tie the knot?”
Anabelle rolled her eyes. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”
“Then we’ll just get engaged after we come out at work.”
She laughed.
“You know you want to marry me.”
Soon, Seth came out of the birthing room. Beaming. He crossed to his Mama and they gathered around him. “My son is here. Eight pounds, twelve ounces.”
“A big baby. He’ll sleep well.” Carmella kissed him. “How’d Julianne do?”
“She was a real trooper.” He shook his right hand out. “Though I thought she might break my fingers during the worst of it.”
“Ah, I did the same to Rafe.” Kate smiled. “Part of the process I think.”
“Name?” Ronan asked.
“Ford.”
“Ford? Where…ah, Julianne’s maiden name.”
“Yep, so he’ll be Ford Casella. I kind of like the name because it’s different. And he won’t have to do the hyphenation thing.”
Rafe patted him on the back. “Congratulations, little brother, you’re a daddy.”
Seth’s eyes welled. “I am.”
Rafe hugged him.
When he collected himself, Seth reached out to his mother. “Mama, come on, you can see him.”
When they left, Ronan was once again filled with the warm fuzzies. Hell, was life always like this with his extended family? He found he liked it. A lot.
* * *
On Monday, Eliza headed to yoga for a morning class. Luckily, an advanced session was offered early in the day and also, François wanted a quick meeting with her. Tonight, they’d start casting in earnest, and the roles would be decided in a few days. She would be busy for a while but hoped she could continue her practice.
Once inside, she walked by the desk to the locker room at the same time François exited his office. “Good morning, Eliza.” They were on a first name basis now.
“Good morning, François.”
His smile was welcoming. “I’m glad you’re here. I want to talk to you.”
They went into his office and she gaped. It was like walking into Paris. The walls were covered with scenes of the city, but not the famous landmarks. Instead, François had chosen streets, public markets, little neighborhoods and people going about their days. “Wow, those are lovely,” she said gesturing to the photographs.
“Thank you. I took them myself.”
“Are you a photographer, too?”
“I’ve developed a lot of interests over the years. Sometime we’ll have to talk about that. I’d like to learn more about you, too.”
“Eliza, I have a job offer for you, teaching two classes at the Institute.”
“Me? Why?”
“You have your Teacher Training Certificate, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m giving up my basic sessions. I have some traveling to do, so I’ll need coverage for both of them. Are you interested?”
She hesitated. Damn, if he hadn’t made that remark about getting to know her, she’d say yes. Except…
“I’m only committed to staying in Hidden Cove through the summer.”
He seemed thoughtful. “Well, I have an immediate need. So how about a temporary job?”
“I’d love to. During the day I assume. We work on the play at night.”
“They’re both during the day. Wednesday and Friday.”
“Sounds great.”
“Thank you, Eliza.”
She was distracted all during class by the offer, and headed to the playhouse in the same state. Should she tell Ronan about it? She didn’t want to side track him from the play. Who was she kidding? She didn’t want him to get upset by this. But why would he? Then again, she had to teach on Wednesday.
She reached the playhouse by 10:30. Ronan was in the office.
“How was class?”
“It felt wonderful after the tension of the last few weeks.”
He stood and pulled her to him. “We said no more of this at work, but…” He hugged her. An intimate hug, that somehow only offered comfort. “I’m sorry you’re tense.”
“It wasn’t just because of us. So much is happening all at once.”
An extra squeeze, then he drew back. “Ready to discuss the play?”
“I’d love to.”
He kissed the top of her head, then led her to the new, flowered chairs of the office, with posters of Rebel and Swan Lake on the walls near them.
He looked at his tablet. “Let’s pair them up in the main roles tonight. What about Sabrina?”
Eliza checked her notes, too. “She should audition with Joe. They both did well in their readings. Besides, I don’t think anyone else can execute the main ballet parts.”
“What about the dancing in the play?”
“That’s basic so I think Maryann could handle it, but she definitely can’t do the full ballet scenes. I wonder if we even have a choice for Caroline.”