by Steena Marie
“She does. I…we need to talk.”
“We do? What about?” She didn’t like the sudden change in his tone.
“I got a letter from my brother.”
And with those words, Melissa was just sucker-punched. Her first thought was why? Why did he get a letter and not her? But the next thought explained it all…of course he would. They were brothers, and close brothers at that. And she’d asked him not to mail her letters. She’d had a good reason at the time, to try to contain the rumor she’d allowed to spread, to protect her daughter…but it’d been the wrong decision; she knew that now. As her mother loved to say: you make your bed, you lie in it—even if those sheets threaten to strangle you in the night.
“Is he…is Wade okay?” It had been nine long years since her husband had left her but the sound of his name, the memory of their love…it still hurt. Really hurt.
They’d been high school sweethearts and married as soon as they both graduated. Of course, it helped that she was pregnant at the time…but who was she kidding? It wouldn’t have mattered; they would have married, pregnant or not. She used to think nothing could come between them but she’d been young and foolish then.
A deep sadness set in and she wished she could turn back time because now she knew better.
She’d always wanted the happily-ever-after, the kind of romance Becky and Matt had and once upon a time, she’d honestly thought she had it. Until life threw her a curveball and she ended up raising their daughter alone.
“We need to talk. Tonight? Okay?”
A shiver of dread rolled over Melissa’s body at Parker’s words.
“Just tell me if he’s okay.”
She heard Parker sigh. “He’s never going to be okay until he’s home. We both know that.”
“Soon. One more year,” she whispered into the phone. Why did she whisper? There was no one around.
“That’s what we need to talk about. Tonight, okay?”
When she hung up the phone, she knew she wasn’t going to like their discussion. Only because she had a feeling she knew what it was going to be about.
For nine years, she’d been living a lie and soon, everyone was going to find out.
4
Nikki
She put the finishing touches on a website project she was working on for a local photographer, and closed the lid of her laptop. Done. And just in time, too. Ryan would be home from school and she needed to hurry to the store to pick something special to cook for dinner, which was crazy: they’d had dinner together almost every night for weeks and it was never anything special. Heck, if she was cooking, it wasn’t ever going to be anything special. She’d mastered the art of convenience cooking, which in her book was good enough. As long as it was healthy, quick, and Ryan would eat it, she was happy.
But as her relationship with Parker developed, she found herself wanting to impress him a little bit and tonight, Ryan would be spending the night at his dad’s house, which meant… She laughed at her own ridiculousness as she collected the coffee cups that always managed to find their way to her desk. She wasn’t a teenager anymore; she shouldn’t be feeling the butterflies she was feeling. But she was. Things with Parker were going well—very well—and it had been a long time since she’d felt the way he made her feel. But they barely had any time to spend together, and Nikki insisted that Parker not stay the night when Ryan was home. After all, she didn’t need to field those questions. Not yet.
But Ryan wouldn’t be there tonight.
She let the thought dance around her brain for a minute and she indulged in the idea of what that exactly would mean. Nikki was still indulging the idea when the screen door slammed open.
“Mom! I’m hungry.”
Nikki turned around at the exact moment her son slammed into her with a bear hug. At almost eleven, she was lucky he still liked to give his mom hugs, and she’d gladly accept them. It wouldn’t be too much longer until he was too cool for hugs. She didn’t want to think about those days and how much she’d miss them. “Grab a snack, but not too much. You’re heading over to your dad’s tonight and—”
“Becky’s cooking!” Ryan whooped and did an impressive fist pump. She ignored the little twinge of jealousy. He certainly didn’t get that excited for his mom’s cooking. But the jealousy vanished almost as soon as it appeared. Who was she kidding? Nikki would get that excited for Becky’s cooking, too. She was the best cook in Halfway—hell, probably the state—and whatever she cooked up for a simple Friday night dinner would be a hell of a lot better than whatever she picked up at the store to heat up.
But it didn’t matter what was on the plate. Not tonight. Not with Parker coming over for a night alone.
With Ryan at his dad’s, it meant they’d finally have a night alone together. Their first. Which was why she was so stressed about what to serve. It should be perfect. All the details should be perfect for something so special and romantic. Not that Parker would complain about what was served.
Nikki laughed. Parker was way too smart for that.
“What’s so funny?”
She turned to see her son staring at her with a question in his eyes. Ryan liked Parker. He always looked forward to hanging out with him, and Parker was careful not to try to take the place of Ryan’s dad, whom Ryan himself was just getting to know. But he acted like more of a friend to her son, which was exactly what he needed. But despite all that, Nikki still wasn’t ready to talk to him about her relationship with Parker. He was too young to understand. At least that’s what she kept telling herself.
“Nothing.” She handed Ryan a cookie from the box. “Here. One cookie.” Distraction was always the best technique when it came to Ryan. She’d talk to him about Parker. Just not yet. Not when he was still adjusting to life in Halfway and spending time with his dad and Becky. No, Ryan had enough going on without worrying about yet another change in his life.
And that was getting ahead of things. Nikki hadn’t even spent the night with Parker; she needed to stop thinking too far in the future. Marriage was off the table. At least for now.
But she wouldn’t rule it out. The thought bounced through her head the same way it had been for the last few weeks and a smile came to her face. No. She definitely wouldn’t rule it out.
“When you’re done with your snack, go pack your bag. I’ll drop you off after I stop at the store.”
“Okay.” Ryan shoved the cookie in his mouth. “Are you—”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Ryan rolled his eyes but dutifully chewed and swallowed before he continued. “Are you hanging out with Parker tonight?”
She could feel the blush on her face, which was ridiculous because she was talking to her eleven-year-old son. As casually as possible, Nikki nodded. “He said he’d come by for dinner. I’m going to pick something up before I drop you off. Is that okay?” She’d been waiting for Ryan to somehow object to their relationship, not because he didn’t like Parker but because it had always been the two of them and secretly she worried Ryan might resent that.
“Yup.” He shrugged. “But don’t tell him about the new Lego I got. I want to show him when I’m finished building it.”
“Deal.” Nikki smiled. She had nothing to worry about. “Now go grab your bag. I want to get going.”
The grocery store was busy, which wasn’t unusual since Greta Wilson started her new dinner campaign to encourage the people of Halfway to eat healthy and it didn’t have to taste bad. And it didn’t—not when Greta prepared it and Nikki bought one of her pop in the oven dinners, which is exactly what she hoped to find today. Greta’s cooking wasn’t quite Becky’s, but it had Nikki’s beat.
“Do you need any snacks for school or anything?” Ryan had his eye on a stack of sugary cereals. He looked up at his mom hopefully. “Not a chance. But I’ll get you granola bars if you need them.”
Reluctantly, Ryan left the cereal boxes alone. “Okay. But can I choose them?”
“Sounds go
od to me.” She took the basket from her son. “I’ll tell you what—it’s so busy in here and I want to get you to your dad’s as soon as possible, so why don’t you go get them and find me some milk, too, okay?”
His face split into a smile. He loved being independent and it wouldn’t be long before he was, time was going so quickly. “Yes! Can I get some—”
Nikki pressed her mouth in a thin line.
“What?” Ryan shrugged. “I wasn’t going to ask for soda or anything. But…”
“No.”
“What about those pudding things?”
“Fine.” Nikki tried to look serious. “Now go. I’ll meet you in the deli.”
He didn’t need to be told again. Ryan took off in the opposite direction and Nikki shook her head. No doubt he’d come back with all types of things she would have to say no to. It was almost impossible to keep his sugar intake down.
Without wasting any more time, Nikki headed straight to the deli. It was already late in the day, but with any luck there might be a lasagna or a chicken and dumplings or one of the other delicious meals Greta usually prepared. But when she reached the case with the big Bring Dinner Home sign over the top, there was only one package left. Chicken rotini. It wasn’t her favorite, but it was a lot better than trying to whip something up on her own.
Nikki reached for the package at the same time as another hand. They both grabbed it at the same time. “Oh, I…”
Her words died on her lips when she saw the other hand belonged to Melissa Tait-Rhodes.
“Can you believe it’s the last one?” Melissa smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Ever since we ran that piece in the Herald about Greta’s fabulous dinners, it’s been harder and harder to get one. Sometimes I think I should have just kept it to myself.”
Nikki chuckled politely. Neither woman took their hand off the package.
“I guess we have a bit of a situation,” she said. “It’s not like we can share it.” The only person she planned to share her dinner with was Parker. But something told her that wouldn’t be an argument to use in this particular situation. Melissa definitely was touchy about her relationship with Parker.
“I think I got here first.”
Really? Nikki had to swallow the retort before it slipped out. “I’m not sure about that.”
Melissa blushed, obviously realizing how her comment sounded. “Look,” she said softly. “I would really owe you. I’m in a bit of a time crunch and…I’m sure if it’s just you and Ryan, you could get by with something else tonight or—”
“Ryan’s going to Matt and Becky’s tonight.” Nikki wished she could take the words back as soon as they popped out. Especially when Melissa’s eyes narrowed in question.
“Surely you weren’t going to eat all this by yourself?”
Nikki pulled her hand back and contemplated what and how much she should say. Melissa had never come right out and said anything, but Nikki had the distinct impression that Melissa wasn’t a big fan of her relationship with Parker. It was no secret that Parker spent a lot of time with his sister-in-law and niece after his brother had abandoned them, but nobody she’d spoken with seemed to think it was a romantic relationship, and Nikki couldn’t believe it was. But why then did Melissa seem so standoffish with her? Over the last few months, Nikki had tried to be friendly with her, even going so far as offering to help her out with the Halfway Pumpkin Festival, but either Melissa wasn’t interested in being friends, or there was some other reason she pulled back. Either way, Nikki didn’t think the other woman would be very happy to hear she was supposed to be sharing a meal with Parker.
“No,” Nikki said, finally. “But you and Abby…maybe a pizza would be a more popular choice?”
Melissa drew her hand back as well and left the packaged meal sitting alone in the cooler. Both women eyed it before they looked at each other once again. “Thanks for the suggestion,” Melissa said, and Nikki tried to pretend she didn’t pick up on the attitude in her voice. “But pizza won’t work. Parker’s coming over tonight and I—”
“Wait.” That got Nikki’s attention. “Parker?”
“Yes. I was speaking to him just a bit ago. He hasn’t been around much, you know?”
Nikki knew the comment was aimed at her but she wasn’t going to take the bait. “But tonight?” He couldn’t be having dinner with Melissa and Abby. Not that she’d normally care. They were family after all, and even if she got a bit jealous sometimes…that wasn’t the point. The point was, she had a romantic evening planned for them. And Parker having dinner with Melissa was definitely not part of that plan. “Are you sure?”
Her question caused a shift in Melissa’s demeanor. She pulled her purse up on her shoulder. “Of course I’m sure. Why?”
Nikki didn’t want to do it. She didn’t want to tell Melissa that really Parker was having dinner with her; she didn’t want to give the other woman any more reasons not to like her, especially when it would be so much better if they were friends. But, there didn’t seem to be any help for it. She took a breath and tried to look as friendly as possible. “Because Parker’s having dinner with me. We kind of have an evening planned.”
She didn’t know what was worse: the look of resignation on Melissa’s face, as if she already knew what Nikki was going to say, or the hurt in her eyes she tried so hard not to show.
“I’m sorry, Melissa. I would absolutely reschedule, but Ryan’s with Matt and Becky tonight and…well, it’s kind of—”
“No.” Melissa held up a hand. “I get it.” She turned to leave, without the rotini, and suddenly it was the last thing Nikki wanted for dinner.
“Hey, wait.” Melissa stopped and turned. “Why don’t you take it? I actually think pizza will work. And—”
Her cellphone rang in her purse and interrupted her. She held up a finger in apology before she dug it out. Damn. “It’s Matt. I’m sorry, Melissa. Just give me a second. I have to take this.”
The other woman nodded and Nikki half turned away to take the call.
“Matt? What’s up? I’m just going to be—”
“Nik, I’m so sorry for such late notice, but we have to cancel on tonight.”
“Cancel?” Aware that Melissa probably listened in, Nikki lowered her voice. “Why? What’s up?” She didn’t say it, but it better be important for Matt to cancel. Especially last minute. Besides the fact that she was disappointed, she knew Ryan would be really upset. He loved spending time with his dad and stepmom.
“Becky’s sick. Like throwing up sick and I’m sure Ryan could come, but—”
“No, no. I really don’t need Ryan exposed to the flu.”
“I know. I’m so sorry, Nikki. I hope Ryan’s not too disappointed. We had an X-Men movie marathon planned. If Becky’s doing better tomorrow, I’ll come get him and take him out for the day, okay? Maybe we can even pop in on Levi.”
Nikki smiled, because Ryan adored Levi Jenkins. The older man had been a friend of her mother’s and had stepped in as a grandfather figure for Ryan. “Sounds good. He’ll like that. Tell Becky to feel better.”
She hung up and turned back to Melissa, who now had the chicken rotini dinner in her basket.
“That didn’t sound good. Everything okay?”
Nikki shrugged. “Becky’s not feeling well, so it looks like there’ll be three of us for dinner after all.” She glanced down at Melissa’s basket. “I guess it’ll be pizza.”
“Pizza?” Ryan chose that moment to appear, his hands full of snacks he’d picked up on the way. Nikki noticed he’d forgotten the milk. “Who’s having pizza?”
“We are.” Nikki took the items from his hands, eyeing his choice of granola bars but she didn’t say anything as she put them in the basket. “Looks like Becky is pretty sick, so your dad had to cancel on tonight. Sorry, buddy.”
Ryan’s face fell. “That sucks.”
“It does. But he’s going to take you out and spend the day with you tomorrow as long as Becky’s feeling wel
l enough to leave alone.”
“Cool.” Young boys were easily swayed, and Ryan perked up almost at once. “And I get to hang out with Parker tonight.”
Nikki could almost feel Melissa bristle, and when she looked up, the other woman didn’t look pleased. “That’s really too bad,” Melissa said.
With her romantic evening a bust, it would be easy for her to cancel on Parker altogether so he wouldn’t have a conflict with Melissa. But when she saw the rotini meal in Melissa’s basket, it sparked something spiteful in her. Something she wasn’t altogether proud of, but she couldn’t help it.
“Well, we should run.” Nikki smiled sweetly. “But we really do have to get together early next week, Melissa. I worked on a few designs this afternoon I’d like to show you.”
Melissa nodded. “I’m pretty busy with everything, but I’m sure I can make time.”
The two women regarded each other for a moment, neither willing to turn away first. Finally it was Nikki who broke the moment, excused herself, and with Ryan in tow, went to pick out a frozen pizza.
5
Melissa
Parker, how could you?
Melissa felt bad for Nikki and her son, for the letdown about to come their way when Parker canceled on them. It was really too bad. Her brother-in-law needed to manage his time a little better. Especially now that there was Nikki’s son to think about. Kids didn’t react well to change and the little guy had been through enough lately, with his grandmother passing away, moving to a new home, and finding out about his new dad.
God knows, Abby had been through enough. She knew how rough it was as a single mother to raise a child alone, especially one having to adjust to things out of their control. She really needed to give Nikki a break, be nicer. If things were getting serious between her and Parker, then one day, hopefully not too soon, Nikki would be family.
Part of her wanted to call Parker and be the better person—tell her brother-in-law to come over tomorrow and spend the night with Nikki instead. But that part warred with her concern over Wade. Parker wouldn’t have mentioned the letter unless it was important.