Celebration (39 page)

“I was wondering where you were,” Kristine said.

“You know me. I couldn't wait to try out
your
new snowmobile. I gotta tell you, Kristine, it was a blast.”

“Where did you go?”

“I went over to check on Woodie. He's drunk. I made him some coffee and put him to bed on the couch. He's going to have a hell of a hangover tomorrow.”

“Did he say anything?”

“Actually he said a lot. You know drunks. They talk a lot. I didn't mean . . .”

“No offense taken. What did he say, Pete?”

“If I tell you, you won't like it.”

“Try me,” Kristine said.

“His ex-wife is in Washington and she called to wish him a Merry Christmas. It seems her husband gave her a diamond belt for Christmas, the kind ya wear when you're
nakid.
She's coming out to model it for him. If you're planning on going over there, call first. That's what he told me to do.”

Kristine stomped into the house, her face murderous.

“It was my best shot, Woodie,” Pete murmured as he followed Kristine into the house.

 

 

“It was a great dinner, Mom,” Tyler said.

“I'll help clear up, but first I want to put the kids to bed. Both of them are out on their feet,” Cala said.

“Take your time; Mike and I will clean up,” Carol said.

“I'm going to fix a plate for your father,” Kristine said with an edge in her voice. She waited to see what her children would say to that. They ignored her comment and went about their business.

“I can take it over if you want me to,” Jack said.

“It's okay, Jack. I need to talk to Logan to straighten out a few things.”

Pete poured fresh coffee into his cup. “All things considered, it's been a great Christmas, Kristine. It's amazing how the animals adapted. My biggest worry is when their owners pick up their pets after the new year that they're going to want to be pulled around in a red wagon. How are we going to explain that?”

Kristine smiled. “Look at it this way, it's a service we provide. They can bring them back anytime and I'm sure Emily and Ellie will oblige. For a fee of course.”

“Now why didn't I think of that?”

“Because Mom's the brains,” Cala said, tossing him a dish towel. “Are you coming up to say good night, Pete?”

“As soon as I finish my coffee.”

Kristine arranged everything on Logan's plate in neat little sections. Pete watched her with clinical interest. “That's rather tidy, Kristine.”

Kristine looked down at the plate. “It's the way Logan always ate. Nothing touched anything else. If it did, he would toss it out.” She ripped off a piece of tin foil when she saw Pete's jaw drop.

“You fixed his plate?”

Kristine clenched her teeth. “Yes.”

“Cala would boot mv butt out the door if I asked her to do that. What did you do if he tossed out a plate?”

Kristine unlocked her jaw. “Made another one.”

“Uh-huh,” Pete said.

“You don't understand,” Kristine said lamely.

“You're right. I don't. Please don't explain it to me either, okay?”

Kristine yanked at the aluminum foil and dumped the contents of the plate into the trash. A minute later she tossed food onto the same plate any old way. She slopped gravy onto the mess, dusted it all with salt and pepper before she crunched the same foil around the plate. “Satisfied?”

“Hey, this is none of my business. I have to say good night to my kids,” Pete said, heading up the back stairway.

Jack Valarian's pitying look almost drove Kristine to tears. Carol refused to meet her gaze. Tyler bent over to tie his shoelace, and Mike shook out a clean trash bag as he danced around Gracie and Slick.

“I'll be back in a few minutes.”

Outside in the cold air, Kristine followed the shoveled path. She must be crazy to be doing this. She'd always been crazy where Logan was concerned. She needed her wits about her.

She didn't bother to knock, but kicked at the door with one foot to announce her arrival, then opened the door. “I brought you some dinner. You better eat it now before it gets cold.”

“That was nice of you, Kristine. What is it?”

“Prime rib, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, salad, and plum pudding.”

Logan folded back the aluminum foil. “Did you fall on your way over?”

“No. Why?”

“It's all messed up. I can't eat this.”

“That's a shame. That's right, you like little spaces between your food. How could I have forgotten something so important?” She watched as Logan set the plate aside. He picked up a chunk of cheese and nibbled at it. She shrugged. “Your loss, Logan, it was a good dinner.”

“Sit down, Kristine. Do you want to talk?”

“Actually, Logan, no, I do not want to talk. By that I mean I don't want us to have a conversation. I volunteered to bring dinner over to you because I wanted to tell you something. I plan . . . planned on getting married New Year's Day. Now that you're here, I will postpone it until . . . a more . . . later when it's warm. I thought you should know.”

“You're getting married!” Kristine smiled at the shock on her ex-husband's face. “How can you do that? Are you saying you've been having an
affair?
Who is it? Kristine, I cannot believe you would do that to me. You've been carrying on with someone behind my back?”

Kristine stared in awe at Logan. If he wasn't so serious, so shocked, she wouldn't have laughed. She doubled over, howling with mirth. “You are absolutely unbelievable. You really are.”

Logan found his voice. “Who is it, Kristine? I think I have a right to know that.”

“You have no rights where I'm concerned, Logan. However, I don't mind telling you. It's Aaron Dunwoodie.”

“Woodie. He was always a stuffed shirt. I bet he has a paunch and is half-bald. Woodie!”

Kristine laughed. “Wrong. He's taller than you, full head of hair, all his own teeth, one-eighty without an ounce of fat, and he's so virile he makes my head spin. Eat your dinner, Logan. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“No, no, it doesn't work that way, Kristine. You stay right here and explain all of this to me. I can't believe you turned into a slut!”

Kristine whirled around so fast Logan stepped backward but not in time to ward off the resounding slap she centered on his puffing cheek. “If you ever make a remark like that about me or to me again, I will personally slice off your prick while you're sleeping. Are we clear on that, Logan? You aren't answering me. Are we clear on that?”

“You struck me! Jesus Christ, Kristine, what's gotten into you. I don't know you anymore.”

“That's true, Logan, you don't know me anymore. You never knew me. And, pay attention to this, you aren't going to get to know me now at this point in time. Good night, Logan. Sleep well.”

“Kristine, wait. I'm sorry. You can't just throw something like that at me and expect me to ... to say congratulations. You shocked the hell out of me. I need to know more. I need to digest what you said.”

“No, you don't. It's my business, not yours. You can digest and dissect this all night long after I leave. You really should eat your dinner, Logan. It was very good. I'd heat it in the oven, though. It must be cold by now.”

“Kristine, wait.”

“I can't, Logan. My family is waiting for me.”

Kristine zipped up her down jacket. It was clear and cold, the sky star-spangled. She drew the drawstring on the hood tight as she trudged around to the front of the house. Christmas was almost over. She sat down on the front steps, her hands jammed into her pockets.

How could Logan talk to her like that? Was she supposed to make allowances for him because he was dying. Had he always been that inconsiderate, that cruel? Of course he had, and she'd put up with it. Tonight she'd shown her backbone, though.

Too much too little too late.

“The daffodils are about to bloom. I guess we can count on spring arriving a little early this year,” Pete said, his gaze sweeping around the backyard.

“It's about time,” Kristine said. “This past winter was a horror. We survived, though. I'm very excited that Mike and Carol will be here by Easter. Dillon should be walking by now. Actually, he is toddling around, Carol said. And he's into everything. Business is great. They're going to start on the new barns as soon as the ground warms up. By summer we'll be up to speed. I'm up to four pages on my waiting list. It warms my heart. I heard in town a few weeks ago that Taylor's toy store had a run on red wagons. Mr. Taylor personally thanked me,” Kristine's voice was so flat-sounding that Pete blinked.

“We're dancing around this, Kristine. Talk to me about Woodie and Logan. I don't like the way you're acting. It's almost as though you're a robot just going through the motions.”

“There's nothing to say, Pete. I heard in town that Woodie is doing some consulting work at the bank. He hasn't called. I've called him, but I always get the machine. I leave messages, but he doesn't return them. Maybe he's seeing his ex-wife. Before you can ask, of course I miss him, and, yes, I still love him. I've come to the conclusion that if it's meant to be, it will be. As for Logan, we are civil. I inquire about his treatments. He's helped me a little with the books. He clears up after dinner. One evening we even sat on the back porch and talked. We didn't discuss anything important. Mostly it was the weather, what kind of summer we'll have, putting a new roof on, things like that. He was quite pleasant. He's never said another word about Woodie.”

“Jack Valarian?”

“I think Jack is about ready to give up on me. Logan has been looking at the records and he found stuff Jack and I missed. You're going to find this hard to believe but it was Logan's ancestors who were the big slave traders, not mine. Somehow Jack mixed up some of the records. In the end it doesn't really matter which side of the family did it. We're going to make it right. Logan is agreeable to it all. He said he didn't want to go to his Maker with that on his conscience. So, some good has come of all this—by
this
, I mean his return. He even volunteered to input all the records and files into a computer. He ordered one last week. It should be set up today or tomorrow. He also hired a handyman to clear out the storage room so he can move into it. He's having trouble with the stairs. He said he doesn't sleep well at night, so he might as well work at the computer to keep himself busy. I hesitate to say this, but he isn't the same old Logan I used to know.”

“I saw you going for a walk the other day,” Pete said sourly.

“I went for a walk. I go for a walk every day. That particular day, Logan tagged along. He didn't get far. I went ahead and picked him up on the way back. If you have something to say, Pete, then say it.”

“I just did. I'm sorry, Kristine, but I don't like your ex-husband. I never did, and I don't see any point in pretending I do. I stayed on here because of you.”

“I know that, Pete, and I'm grateful. Cala talks to him, and she should, because he's her father. Emily and Ellie are polite, but they don't seem to like him much. Children instinctively know who they can run up to and hug. The dogs leave Logan alone, too.”

“Guess what, Kristine. The animals hate him. Kids and animals are astute judges of character.”

“I know that, Pete. Just let things take their natural course.”

“Fine, I'll do that. I want to make sure you aren't blinded by what you see on the surface. You already screwed things up with Woodie.” Pete's voice was so sour-sounding that Kristine wanted to swat him.

“I resent that, Pete.”

“Too bad. When something is true, it's true.”

“Is Woodie seeing someone, Pete?”

“How would I know something like that?”

“Forget I mentioned it. If he is, I don't blame him. So, what would you like for lunch, tuna salad or egg salad?”

“Surprise me,” Pete said, heading for the barn.

Kristine stood at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the back porch. She looked up to see Logan sitting on the folding chair with Gracie and Slick in his lap. He was tickling their ears. “Get down!” Kristine shouted. When the dogs stayed where they were, she raised her voice a second time. Slick leaped to the ground. Gracie stayed on Logan's lap.

“Why didn't we ever get a dog?”

“Because you hated animals,” Kristine snapped as she snatched Gracie from Logan's lap. She swatted the little dog on her rear end. “When I call you, you come,” she said, wagging her finger under the little dog's nose.

“What do you want for lunch, egg salad or tuna?”

“Egg salad will be fine.”

“We're having tuna,” Kristine said as she opened the screen door.

“Tuna's fine, too. Do you want me to do anything? I cleaned up the kitchen earlier. You are a messy cook, Kristine.”

“What time is your appointment today?”

“Two o'clock. I'll be home by five. In case you're interested, the doctors say I'm doing better than expected. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll die right on schedule, and you can marry Aaron Dunwoodie. That certainly is a strange relationship. Do you ever
see
him? I'm beginning to think that confession you made to me on Christmas Day was all a figment of your imagination. You just said it to get a rise out of me, and I fell for it.”

“Think what you want, Logan. My relationship with Woodie is none of your damn business. If you want to talk about infidelities, why don't we discuss some of yours. I know you carried on affairs while we were married. Don't bother to deny it, Logan. I might have cared then, but I don't care now.”

“Yes you do. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. You remember all the good times we had. We loved each other. I'll never believe you stopped loving me.”

“In your dreams, Logan. This is not something I care to discuss. Not now, not ever. I'm warning you now, when you move into the storage room, that's where you will stay. You do not step foot on the second floor.”

“You're afraid of me, aren't you?” Logan teased.

“No, I'm not afraid of you.”

“Then you're afraid of yourself.”

Kristine wondered if it was true. “Make yourself useful, Logan,” she said too quickly. “Chop the onions and celery for the tuna. I have to go down to the barn for something.”

“Why didn't you just tell me to make the sandwiches, Kristine? I don't mind. If I can make things easier for you, I'll feel like I'm earning my keep.”

Kristine washed her hands. When she turned away from the sink she stepped right into Logan's arms. She gasped as his lips clamped down on hers. She struggled briefly and then gave in to the moment—the moment she'd dreamed about for so many years. The moment when Logan returned, to sweep her into his arms and promise undying love. It was a sweet, gentle kiss that spoke of things to come.

At that precise second, she wanted those other things yet to come.

The sound of steps on the back porch brought her back to reality. Logan released her, a little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I've wanted to do that since the night I came home. Do you know what I want to do to you right now?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Kristine saw Pete take the steps off the porch two at a time. Her stomach immediately tied itself into a big, hard knot.

“Don't do that again, Logan.”

“I'm sorry. I liked it. You responded. To me that means you liked it, too. It seemed natural. I always used to kiss you when you were standing by the sink. Don't you remember? One time we went for it right there with the kids out on the back porch playing Monopoly. Do you remember that?”

“No,” Kristine croaked.

“Liar,” Logan said in the same light, teasing voice.

Flustered, Kristine opened the door for the dogs. She followed them to the barn, dreading the look she would see on Pete's face. She wondered if Pete would tell Cala what he'd seen. If he did, Cala would then call Mike, who would in turn call Tyler.
And all through no fault of mine,
she thought.
Of course it was your fault, Kristine. You even liked it there for a minute, and you wanted more. Admit it,
a voice inside her head argued with her.

“Woodie is the better kisser. I love Woodie. God, how I love Woodie,” she muttered.

If you loved him, you wouldn't be standing here trying to figure out what you're going to say to Pete. He's never going to believe you weren't a willing partner in that kiss,
the voice continued to argue.

That sounds like a pretty lame excuse to me,
the voice grumbled.

“Stuff it,” Kristine mumbled as she made her way to the small office where Pete was poring over AKC records. He looked up, a scowl on his face. Kristine reacted.

“Look, Pete, it isn't what you think. I don't owe you any explanations. That's all I'm going to say on the matter.”

“That's fine with me. Don't fix any lunch for me. I lost my appetite.”

“Isn't that kind of childish?”

“Is that what you think?”

“I told you, it isn't . . . wasn't what you think. I'm in love with Woodie. I will go to my grave loving that man.”

“It might be nice if you told him so.”

“He knows it, Pete. I'm doing what I feel is right. Woodie and I differ on what we think is right. If this is going to be a problem between you and me, spit it out now.”

“Your life is your life, Kristine. I'm still not hungry.”

“Fine,” Kristine snapped as she gathered up the papers she wanted. “Mrs. Danziger called this morning. She wants a companion for Mitzi. I told her all the pups were promised, but she could have her pick from the first summer litter. I told her you would call her.”

“Kristine, the woman already has four dogs. She's sixty-six. Are you sure you want to give her another pup?”

“She's got live-in help around the clock. Those dogs are her greatest enjoyment in life. She called, I promised, and that's the end of it.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Pete said smartly.

“I have to go into town. I'll be back by three. Do you need anything?”

“No,” Pete said curtly.

“Then I'm going up to the house to eat my lunch.”

Kristine felt Pete's eyes boring into her back as she walked up the path to the house.

“It's all ready, hon,” Logan said as he took his place at the table across from Kristine.

Kristine looked down at the plate. The sandwich was toasted to perfection, the carrot curls and thin slices of cucumber looked delicious. The napkins were folded just right, the apple juice properly chilled. “Too bad you never did this when we were married, Logan. If you had, I wouldn't have had so much stress in my life.”

“Ah, Kristine, we can't unring the bell. That was then, this is now. I wish I could do more for you. If I'm not too drained when I get back, let's go out to dinner. Or you could drive in and meet me. We could grab a fast bite in town and take in a movie. I haven't had Chinese in a long time. You love Chinese, and there are two good restaurants in town. Come on, you don't do anything here at night but wait for the phone to ring. Three hours tops. Come on, say yes.”

“Yes.”

“Yes. You mean it? It will be like old times with no strings.”

“Yes, like old times with no strings,” Kristine said.

“I'll meet you in town at five o'clock.”

“Five o'clock is fine. Where do you want to meet me?”

“At the Golden Dragon.”

“I'm going to leave now. Do you mind clearing up, Logan?”

“Yes, I do mind, but I'll do it.”

“Never mind, I'll do it. I suppose it's fair since you made lunch. You need to leave now so you won't be late,” Kristine said.

“I'll make lunch all this week. I'll clean up, too. You're a sweetheart, Kris.”

“Just go, Logan.”

Fool, fool, fool,
Kristine's mind shrieked.

When the kitchen was all cleaned up, Kristine poured herself a second cup of coffee. As she sipped at it, she realized she had absolutely nothing to do. If she went down to the barn, she would only be in Pete's way. Cala would be out soon with the girls. She couldn't take Cala's job away from her or the little chores Emily and Ellie loved doing. The house was clean, the laundry all caught up. The paperwork was still in piles in the dining room waiting for Logan's final input. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right about a lot of things. In just a few days things would be ready to be put into motion. It had been Logan's idea to form the Summers Kelly Foundation that would disburse the monies to those family members they had documented and had been able to locate. Even Jack Valarian had agreed with Logan, which for some reason excited him, so much so Kristine found herself being jealous when Jack deferred to Logan over her.

She needed to think about that kiss by the kitchen sink. She had felt something, and she would be a liar if she denied it. It was a physical thing, not a head and heart thing like she felt for Woodie, she finally decided.

Kristine checked the kitchen clock. She had three hours to kill until it was time to head to town to meet Logan. If she waited until the last minute, she could go to the drive-through teller at the bank so as not to run into Woodie. If she had time to spare, she could go to the candy shop and get the candies and chicks for Emily's and Ellie's Easter baskets.