Calling Charlie

by Pamela M. Kelley

  “Do I smell taco dip?” Maggie’s mother gave Bethany a hug too. “Great minds think alike. I made a big batch of guacamole and Maggie brought margaritas.”

  “So, where is Josh taking you next?” Ivy asked a few hours later. They were all stuffed and gathered in the living room, around Gram’s big screen TV. Bethany, Maggie and Ivy were sitting on a comfy, plush sofa and the show had just gone to half-time commercial break. Maggie smiled when she noticed that the room had grown quiet as everyone leaned in to hear her reply.

  “It’s almost two weeks from now. The Spinazolla Gala in Lewiston.” Maggie saw a sea of impressed faces.

  “What’s the Spinazolla Gala?” Bethany asked.

  “It’s a big deal, creative black tie. A charity event that has food and wine tastings from the best restaurants in Lewiston and wineries from all over the country. It’s named after a famous, retired food critic. I’ve never been, but I’ve heard it’s amazing,” Ivy said.

  Maggie nodded. “It is a fun time. I went once a few years ago.”

  “When you were dating Eric?” Ivy asked.

  “Yes. It was a memorable night.” In more ways than one. She’d been head over heels for Eric and they’d dated for several years. But she’d sensed him growing distant and didn’t know why. When he invited her to go, she’d been thrilled and told herself she’d been imagining things. And they’d had a wonderful, special night.

  Until the end, when she’d gone off to find the ladies’ room, went the wrong way, and walked into a closet where Eric and a skinny blonde girl were making out. She’d taken a cab home and never spoken to him again--after telling him what she thought of him, of course. A year later, he’d moved away from Quinn Valley and she was glad to hear of it. But she hadn’t dated anyone seriously since then.

  “Bethany, are you and Ryder going, too?” Maggie’s cousin Robyn asked.

  “No, I don’t think so. He hasn’t mentioned it.” She winced slightly and rubbed her back as she shifted position.

  “Do you need more Advil? I have some in my purse,” Maggie offered.

  “Are you not feeling well? I’m sure I have some, too.” Robyn sounded concerned. She worked as a midwife and Maggie often thought she knew as much as the doctors that she worked for.

  “Thanks. I just took some a little while ago, it should kick in soon. I have a doctor’s appointment this week. I’m sure it’s nothing serious. Probably just standing for too long, and getting old,” she joked.

  Robyn studied her closely. “Is it just a back ache? Any other symptoms?”

  “That’s it, mostly. Oh, I have been really tired lately. Seems to hit me most afternoons out of nowhere.”

  “Is there any chance you might be pregnant?” Robyn asked quietly.

  Bethany laughed. “Oh, I don’t see how I could be. I’m on the pill.”

  Robyn nodded. “And you’re probably not late either, then?”

  Bethany thought about that for a moment. “Honestly, I’ve never been regular. It’s not unusual for me to miss a month or be really late. I don’t even track it that closely anymore.”

  “Maybe you just need a few days off,” Robyn suggested.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Maggie agreed.

  “Ryder does, too. I think we’re going to try to take a long weekend soon and go away and just relax, maybe get massages.”

  “You should go see Maddie at River’s End Ranch. She has a healing touch. I always feel better after I see her,” Ivy said.

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  “How’ve you been, Robyn?” Maggie asked. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Good! Busy, with work and my newest addiction, Pinterest.”

  “Pinterest? Every time I get on there I fall down a rabbit hole and time seems to disappear. I redecorated my condo a few months ago and got so many great ideas from it. It was great for researching paint colors.”

  Robyn laughed. “I’m almost ready to buy a house, so I’ve been getting lots of ideas there, too.”

  “What are you looking for?” Bethany asked.

  “I actually have my eye on one house. It’s old and run down, but it has a lot of character and potential. It could be a really fun project!” She sounded so excited that Maggie was curious to see the house when she finished with it.

  “That sounds great. Keep us posted how it goes.”

  “I will. Oh, I meant to ask. Do any of you know what’s going with Katie?” Maggie hadn’t seen their other cousin Katie in even longer.

  “No, why?”

  “Well, she’s usually here, but she hasn’t been in a few weeks. It almost seems like she’s avoiding the family. Oh, and did you notice she has a new car in her driveway? I wouldn’t think she could afford a sports car like that making soap.”

  “Is she dating someone new maybe?” Maggie wondered.

  Ivy leaned forward and lowered her voice, so that the rest of the room couldn’t over hear. “I heard something yesterday and meant to mention it to you, but totally forgot. Two of Katie’s friends were in for lunch and I overheard them talking as I brought their food to their table. One of them told the other that she heard that Katie has a man living there with her!”

  “Our Katie?” Maggie didn’t think that could possibly be true.

  “Hmm,” Robyn said. “Well, it would explain the sports car.”

  “I’m sure there’s a good explanation for it,” Bethany chimed in.

  “That’s true. Things aren’t always what they appear to be,” Ivy said.

  Chapter 4

  Ryder was fussing. Bethany knew he was just worried about her, so she let him fuss as he drove her to her doctor appointment Wednesday morning.

  “So, we’ll leave Friday morning and come home Sunday afternoon. Wade said he put us in the Copper Cottage. He thought you’d love it because it has a true chef’s kitchen. We can go out to dinner, though, instead. If you don’t feel like cooking.”

  Bethany reached over and squeezed his free hand. She loved that he was so worried about her.

  “I’m sure I’ll feel like cooking something, even if it’s just breakfast. That was nice of Wade.” Wade Weston was the general manager of River’s End Ranch and he and Ryder had been friends for years.

  “You look a little better today,” Ryder said.

  Bethany smiled. “My back seems to have eased up a bit. I really do think it’s nothing a long weekend away won’t cure.”

  Ryder pulled into the parking lot of Finnegan’s Family Care. Tom and Margery Finnegan were both doctors, and husband and wife. They were general practitioners and Ryder had been going to see them since he was a child. He saw Tom and Bethany had an appointment with Margery.

  There was only one other person in the waiting room when they walked in. Bethany checked in at the front desk and then sat next to Ryder. She didn’t have to wait long, as it was early in the day. A few minutes later, her name was called and she followed the doctor’s assistant to an examining room where her blood pressure and temperature was checked and recorded. The assistant then told her that the doctor would be in shortly.

  Almost immediately, there was a gentle knock on the door and Margery Finnegan entered the room and said hello. She quickly checked the assistant’s notes and then smiled warmly at Bethany.

  “It’s nice to see you. Please tell your mother I said hello. She’s not due to come in for a few more months. So, what brings you in today?” Bethany’s mother had recently battled cancer and was now doing well. Bethany had seen Dr. Finnegan often while her mother was going through treatment. It was the reason she had come home to Quinn Valley and then decided to stay. She told the doctor how she’d been feeling.

  “I’m actually feeling quite a bit better today and was going to cancel the appointment. But, Ryder insisted that I keep it, just as a precaution.”

  “He’s a smart man. It never hurts to get checked out. Your vital signs are all good. How long has it been since your last period?”

  “I’m
not sure, five or six weeks maybe? I’m on the pill, though, and I’ve never been regular.”

  “Hm.” The doctor listened to Bethany’s chest and lungs, had her cough and looked in her throat and ears.

  “Everything looks good. I’d like to take a blood sample to check all your levels. Where you’ve been so tired, could be low vitamin D. That’s common. We’ll run a full panel and check everything. I should have the results by Friday afternoon and will give you a call as soon as I hear.”

  Two days later, Bethany and Ryder checked into River’s End Ranch for their long weekend away. The Copper Cottage was every bit as beautiful as Wade had said. Bethany was impressed with the six-burner stove in the sleek kitchen. After a relaxing lunch at Kelsey’s Kafe, they made their way back to the cabin and had about an hour until it was time to go for their couples’ massage at the spa. If was a new offering and Bethany was looking forward to sharing it with Ryder.

  She and Ryder would share a room and each would have their own masseuse. Bethany was booked with Maddie, who Ivy had raved about. Later on, they had dinner reservations at the restaurant at the resort and planned to watch movies after that. It sounded like a perfect night, and Bethany was already feeling so much better. The stiffness in her back had eased quite a bit and she was sure the massage would help loosen her muscles even more.

  As they made their way to the spa, Bethany’s cell phone rang. It was the doctor’s office.

  “Hello, this is Bethany.”

  “This is Dr. Finnegan. I have your test results and all your levels look good.”

  “Oh, that’s good. Thank you.”

  “Yes, that is good news. There is something else, though. Is there a chance that you’ve taken an antibiotic recently? I know I didn’t prescribe one, but maybe someone else did?”

  Bethany was surprised by the question. “Yes, I did, actually. I had a root canal a few weeks ago. I’d cracked a tooth and the dentist had me take an antibiotic before the treatment.”

  “That explains it, then. You’d said you were taking birth control, but an antibiotic can interfere with that and cancel its effectiveness.”

  “What are you saying?” Bethany asked quietly and stopped walking. Ryder looked at her in confusion.

  “That congratulations are in order. You’re pregnant.”

  “Really? Oh, my goodness. Are you sure?”

  The doctor chuckled. “Blood tests don’t lie. I’m positive.”

  “Okay. Thank you, then.” She hung up the phone in a daze.

  “What is it? Is everything okay? What did the blood test show?” Ryder’s questions came out in a rush.

  “I’m perfectly healthy, and quite pregnant.”

  Ryder grinned. “We’re having a baby? Really? That’s great news. But, I thought you wanted to wait. You were still on the pill, right?”

  Bethany explained about the antibiotic. “I did want to wait. But it looks like our plans have changed. I guess we have something to celebrate over dinner.”

  “We certainly do. I can’t wait to tell everyone.”

  Bethany laughed. “My mother is going to be thrilled.”

  “My mother will be, too. She’s looking forward to being a grandmother.” He pulled Bethany in for a hug and tenderly brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. “This is such a gift. I love you so much, and now we’re going to have a baby of our own. This is going to be incredible.” He kissed her and she felt the same spark she always felt when Ryder’s lips touched hers. The news had been a shock at first, but Bethany was excited now and nervous. Mostly excited, though, and looking forward to building her new family with the person who mattered most to her.

  “You’re going to be a wonderful father, Ryder. I love you so much.” She patted her flat stomach lightly. “And I can’t wait to meet our new baby.”

  Maggie arrived earlier than usual Monday morning. It had been a quiet weekend with Bethany and Ryder gone. The restaurant was as busy as usual, but it felt different without two of her favorite people there. She and Bethany had grown close since Bethany started working at the restaurant and married Ryder. And of all her siblings, Maggie had always been closest to Ryder. He was the perfect co-owner because they shared the same approach to the business and got along so well. She looked forward to hearing all about their weekend and hoped that Bethany was feeling better.

  Her mother was already there when Maggie walked into the kitchen to start the coffee.

  “Are you looking for this?” Her mother handed her a fresh full pot of coffee.

  “Thank you.” Maggie filled her cup to the top, brought the pot out to the bar and set it on a burner to keep warm. Her mother followed her out and set a brown paper bakery bag on the bar.

  “I couldn’t help myself. They were just putting the pistachio muffins out when I walked in the door.” She reached in and pulled out a giant muffin and handed it to Maggie then took one for herself.

  They settled at the bar with their coffee and muffins. Maggie had just taken her first bite when Bethany and Ryder walked in together, holding hands and looking both excited and pleased with themselves. Bethany had a glow about her that Maggie hadn’t seen before. To say she looked well-rested was an understatement.

  “Well, don’t you two look bright and shiny this morning,” their mother said. “I take it the weekend was a success?”

  Bethany and Ryder nodded and then Ryder spoke.

  “We have some exciting news to share. Bethany is not sick.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. The doctor said it was nothing, then?”

  “The blood test did show something.” He paused for dramatic effect and then grinned. “We’re pregnant!”

  “What?” Their mother screamed, jumped up and pulled the two of them in for a bear hug while Maggie sat there, shocked. None of them had even considered that possibility. But now it made sense.

  Maggie got up and hugged her brother and sister-in-law, too. “That’s the best possible news. I’m so happy for you both.”

  “Thank you. We found out on Friday and we’ve spent the long weekend dreaming and planning. We both agree that if it’s okay with you, Maggie, we’d like you to be our baby’s godmother.”

  Maggie felt tears well up immediately, she was so touched.

  “Of course. I’d be honored.”

  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  They all turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Charlie was standing at the bar, looking much more polished than the last time Maggie had seen him. None of them had even heard him walk in, they’d been so distracted by the exciting baby news.

  “I’m so sorry, Charlie. I’ll be right with you.”

  Charlie was right on time for their long-awaited lunch meeting. She’d scheduled it for eleven, a half hour before the restaurant opened, so they’d have time to look over the bar thoroughly and then sit and eat before the lunch rush came at noon.

  “Charlie, we have some good news to celebrate. I’m going to be a dad. Bethany and I just learned that we’re expecting.” Ryder was still grinning ear to ear and Maggie couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him so excited.

  “That’s fantastic,” Charlie said warmly. “Congratulations to both of you.”

  “Well, I should probably get to work,” Bethany said.

  “I need to run, too. I have to go tell everyone I know that I’m going to be a grandmother. See you all later.” Their mother grabbed her purse and headed for the door as Bethany went to meet with Charlie.

  “Thank you for coming in. I’d love to show you how we have the bar set up and what we have stocked. We’ve been moving a lot of whiskey, lately, not as much gin. Wine and beer are always steady sellers and vodka is always on top.”

  Charlie came behind the bar and paid close attention as Maggie showed him around. He had some great suggestions for how to order more efficiently and also shared what was working for some of his other clients. He took her weekly order as they went along and she agreed to make a few chan
ges based on his ideas ,and to try a few new beers and wines to see how they went over with their customers. When they finished, it was almost eleven thirty and Maggie’s stomach rumbled. She was used to eating lunch early, before the rush got underway.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked as she grabbed two menus. She set them down on the bar as they both settled onto bar stools.

  “I’m always hungry. What do you recommend?”

  “Well, everything’s good, but Bethany does comfort food like no one else. The shepherd’s pie with cheddar mashed potatoes is outstanding and the steak tips or grilled chicken on Caesar salad are always popular.”

  “What are you going to get?” he asked.

  “I’m pretty hungry. I’m going to get a turkey club sandwich with chips.”

  “That sounds good to me. I’ll have the same.”

  “I’ll run this order into the kitchen. What can I get you to drink?”

  “Water’s fine.”

  Maggie quickly poured two glasses of water, set them on the bar, and brought the order into the kitchen and handed it to Bethany. It was the first lunch order of the day, so she knew it would be out quickly.

  “Check back in five minutes,” Bethany said.

  Maggie made her way back to the bar and settled into her seat. Charlie was texting on his phone and finished up when he saw her.

  “Sorry about that. My office had a question.”

  “No need to apologize.” She noticed how much more comfortable Charlie seemed. He looked sharp in his light blue, button-down shirt, gray tie and a navy blazer. And his black shoes were shiny and new looking. “I know yours is a family business, like Quinn’s. Did you ever consider doing something else? Maybe selling the business when your father died?”

  Charlie smiled. “I thought about it, but it was just a passing thought. I always expected that one day I’d take over the business. I just didn’t expect it would happen so soon. I do enjoy it though. My father built a strong business, but we’ve tripled our sales in the past five years.”