A Christmas Homecoming (22 page)

“Huh?” Judy asked.

His faced reddened. “I bought us tickets to go on a cruise, and I’ve been taking dancing lessons for the past couple of months.”

Judy gasped. “Why so long?”

He frowned. “It turns out, I’m a really bad dancer.”

Judy laughed.

Bailey took that moment to slip away and quickly went to her car. She sat inside and headed home for the first time in over a month. How could she have been so blind? All the little comments from Mona and Judy now made sense. Her face heated at what Mona and Judy believed her capable of. Absolutely crazy!

She definitely needed time and space away from the Belafontes. It was time to go home. She’d call Stephen and let him know her decision as soon as she got there.

Chapter Seventeen

Sitting in his old bedroom at his childhood home, Stephen stared at the phone in his hand as if it held the answer to his problems. What was going on with Bailey? She couldn’t have shocked him more if she’d told him she’d grown a second head since their coffee date this afternoon. What had caused her to leave?

“Stephen!”

“In here, John.” He left his room. “Where are you?”

“Kitchen.”

He roamed down the stairs and into the kitchen where he found his brother scavenging for food in the pantry. “I’ve been going to so many Christmas parties I’m ‘sweeted’ out. You have anything healthy here?”

“No idea. This is Bailey’s domain.” He pulled open the refrigerator. “How about eggs?”

“That works. Better than chocolate.” John took the carton of eggs and whipped three in a bowl then scrambled them. “Do you want any?”

“No thanks.” He had no appetite. “Mom is being released from the hospital.”

His younger brother looked at him. “You’re worried.” It wasn’t a question. “Why? Bailey will take care of her.”

What was it with his family assuming Bailey would jump at their beck and call? “No. She won’t. She’s moving out.”

John shut off the stove and pulled the pan off the burner. “What did you do?” He looked half annoyed, half humored.

“Nothing! Why would you even ask that?”

He raised his hands. “Chill. I only meant to ask what caused her to move out. Where is she?”

“At her place in Bend.”

John pulled a fork out and ate directly from the pan. “So was Mom’s coming home and Bailey’s moving out a coincidence?”

Stephen nodded. “It looks that way. But that’s not even why I called you over here.” He told him that Rick warned him against getting involved with Bailey and how their mom had reacted when he told her he had feelings for her.

“Whoa! How did I miss all this? You and Bailey? Man, I didn’t see that coming. Our Bailey? Are you sure? She’s not exactly your type.”

Stephen crossed his arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know, just that she’s not the kind of woman I see you with. So what is Mom’s and Rick’s problem?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know.”

His brother devoured the rest of the scrambled eggs then rinsed the pan. “How does Bailey feel about you?”

He frowned. “I don’t know that either.”

John chuckled. “You’re in quite a pickle. I’ve sure missed having you around. I didn’t realize how much until now. I’m usually the problem child in this family.”

Stephen wadded a hand towel and flung it at his brother.

“Hey.” He laughed and set the towel on the counter. “I think you need to find out how she feels before you upset Mom.”

“I wish I understood what the problem was there. Mom’s objection makes no sense.”

“You know Mom. She isn’t always rational about things, especially when it comes to us.”

“True.” She once told him he couldn’t date a girl because she didn’t like her hair color. “But what about Rick?”

“He’s a tough one. Honestly, I see no reason for him to object other than not wanting to upset Mom. Which, for the record, you shouldn’t do.”

“Great. Now you’re against me too.”

“Never. But we all know she’s not going to recover from this,” John said it as if it was a fact.

“She’s coming home.”

“Only because they can’t do anything further for her. The infection must have cleared.”

Stephen knew his brother might be right but wanted to believe she was coming home because she was improving. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed. Lock up on your way out.”

“Thought I’d crash here tonight and help you in the morning.”

Tension rolled off Stephen’s shoulders. “Thanks. ’Night.” Having his brother here with him eased a huge burden.

The following morning a knock sounded on Stephen’s bedroom door. He rolled over on his bed to face the door.

“Bailey’s here picking up her stuff,” John said.

He bolted upright. Of all days to oversleep. “Stall her?”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Maybe offer to load her car with the stuff in the office that she wants to move, then go slow. I need time to take a quick shower.”

“You’d better move fast.”

Stephen darted to the shower and readied as fast as possible. He could hear his brother talking to someone. Good, she must still be here. He rushed out and nearly collided with Bailey.

“Easy there,” she said.

He reached for the box. “I’ll get that for you.”

“Thanks.” She brushed her hands together. “That went faster than I expected. I thought I’d be here forever trying to get everything moved. All that’s left are the flooring samples. I’ll get them and meet you at my car.”

“Sure.” Standing in the driveway, talking in twenty-degree weather was not part of the plan. He took his time and sauntered slowly.

John gave him a silly grin and waggled his brows as he passed by on his way back inside. He always was the mature one—not.

He eased the box into the last open space in the trunk.

“Thanks for the help, Stephen.” She laid the samples on the back seat. “I guess I’ll see you Friday for our meeting.”

That was it? “Actually, I thought I could follow you, help you unload, and then we could get breakfast before you go to church and I get my mom.”

Surprise lit her eyes. “Really? You don’t have to.”

“I know. I want to.”

“I’d like that. Thanks. I’ll meet you at the office, and we can go from there. I only had a small amount of personal stuff, and it will keep until after church.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.”

An hour later, they were seated at a popular local restaurant. They were fortunate to be seated right away. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. He ordered coffee for them then focused on the menu. He wasn’t a coward, but yes, he was stalling.

“I’ve heard so many good things about this place, but I’ve never been. Have you?”

He nodded. It used to be a favorite. “You can’t go wrong with their scones, and their omelets are exceptional.” A moment later, their mugs were filled with coffee and their orders had been placed. “Anything more from that secret admirer of yours?”

She wrapped her hands around her mug and met his eyes. “Actually, I have two admirers.”

“Two?” He raised a brow. How was he supposed to compete with that?

“Yes. Collin and Lacy.” Her cheeks pinked. “They don’t know I know, but I overheard them talking. I guess Nicole was in on it too, which explains Spencer’s involvement. I can’t believe I actually thought it was you.” She gasped as her eyes widened.

“I wish I’d thought of it. But I’ve made no secret of how I feel about you. I hope you know, I really enjoy being with you. I’m going to miss having you next door.”

Her eyes widened ever so slightly. He’d have missed her reaction, if he hadn’t been watching so closely. “I’m going to miss you too. That’s the only negative about moving back to my place.”

“You sure I can’t talk you into staying at the house?” He asked softly.

“There’s a big part of me that wants to, but I feel strongly that this is the right thing to do.”

“Because of my mom or because of me?” He leaned in.

“Neither. I need space.”

“Why? Isn’t my mom’s house big enough for you?” His heart beat a rapid staccato. What wasn’t she saying?

She shrugged.

“I suppose I can be kind of grouchy.”

She laughed. “You're not grouchy. You are one of the kindest men I know. Your care and concern for your mother is admirable, and you step up to help your family whenever they need you.” A smile lit her face. “Wait. I take it back. There was that one time.”

“What one time?” He’d only been teasing about being grouchy.

“Right after your accident when you first arrived. You were a little grouchy that day.”

He chuckled. “That day is a bit of a blur, but I do recall being kind of snappy.”

She held her thumb and pointer finger close. “A smidge. To be perfectly honest, some stuff happened with Judy and Rick yesterday, and I need my personal space away from your family.”

“And me?”

“No. Not you, but perhaps your mother.”

“Fair enough. Will you tell me what happened?”

“No. You should talk to them.”

“Okay.” He took her hand. “I don’t want to wait until Friday to see you. Can we get dinner together one night this week?”

“I’d like that.”

It was time to have a serious talk with his mom.

Stephen couldn’t wait another minute. He checked his watch for the umpteenth time—ten o’clock. Mom had slept late, but she should be alert enough to talk about Bailey now. He’d take her a cup of tea and toast to soften her up a bit.

He almost laughed at his ridiculous thoughts. He prepared a light meal and put it on a tray, then headed upstairs. “Knock. Knock,” he said as he entered her bedroom. “Good morning, Mom.”

“Hello, son.”

He placed the tray beside her on the bed. “I’ve brought you a light breakfast.”

“Thanks.”

He helped her sit up.

She grasped the delicate teacup he’d used and sipped the tea. “You did a good job with this.”

He grinned. “I’m glad you like it.” He sat in a nearby chair and got right to the point. “I’d like to understand what your problem is with me pursuing a relationship with Bailey.”

She choked on the tea and set the cup onto the saucer with a loud clatter.

“I see the question surprises you, but I really need to discuss this with you. I want to understand why you feel the way you do.”

She said nothing and finished her meal in silence. Finally, she set the teacup down softly and cleared her throat. “I had believed something about her that turned out to be untrue. It pains me to admit it. I knew better than to think such a thing of Bailey, but I suppose I’m jealous of her.”

Nothing would have shocked him more. He stayed quiet.

“She’s young, with the rest of her life ahead of her. Her designs are fresh, and I see a bright future for her.” She sighed. “The worst part is knowing that my career is over. I’ve built this business from the ground up. It’s who I am . . . was. I’m a has-been.”

“But not with me.”

She patted his hand. “Thank you for that. What about Rebecca?”

“Mom, she’s been gone nearly three years. I’m certain she wouldn’t want me to be alone for the rest of my life. Besides that, I think Rebecca would approve.”

“Why?” She looked more curious than confrontational.

“It’s mostly a gut feeling, but Rebecca always rooted for the underdog, and if anyone is an underdog, it’s Bailey. She’s believed some outrageous lies about herself, which has set her on a path of self-doubt.”

“I’ve noticed that too. But that girl overflows with talent.”

“Have you ever told her?” He knew the answer before he asked.

“Of course not. I wouldn’t want her to get a big head.”

“Do you really think Bailey is the kind of person to let a little affirmation go to her head?”

Mom’s lips tightened into a thin line. “Perhaps not. But why take the chance?”