Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) (5 page)

“I believe you.” She pointed to the plans for the lowest level. “Dude, do we really need three guest bedrooms?”

“I don’t know what we were thinking. That’s why that level is not finished.”

“Are the family bedrooms ready?”

“Nearly ready, yes, and the furniture for babies’ rooms will arrive tomorrow.”

Gianessa squealed again and raised her glass mug. “To our family.”

She took a sip and hummed with pleasure.

“Good?”

“
Perfetto
.” She licked whipped cream from her upper lip. “Speaking of Gwen, she told me she has a new beau.”

“What do we know about him?”

“His name is Peter. Not only is he handsome, he was the officer on duty when Haley broke into Gwen’s the other night. Gwen says he handled the situation with professionalism and compassion.”

“Haley, the niece who’s coming with us to Clifton Springs? Broke into Gwen’s?”

“No cause for worry, Justin. And I know one more thing about Gwen’s Peter.”

“What’s that?”

She raised her eyebrows. “He makes her heart flutter.”

“Do
I
make
your
heart flutter?”

She winked. “You do, dude.”

“You keep rubbing your arm. Are you sore from the blood work?” Gwen walked ahead of Haley to clear a path through the swarm of back-to-school shoppers at the mall.

“A little. Eleven vials.” Haley rolled her eyes. “I thought she’d never finish.”

“You were in there a long time,” Gwen pressed.

“Somebody had fainted earlier, so she made me lie down and eat crackers and drink apple juice.” Haley laughed. “What I wanted was a whole bag of Oreos.”

“You just made me hungry. It’s not suppertime yet, but let’s take a break and see what we still need from your list.” Neither of them had checked things off as they moved from store to store.

Haley’s face lit up. “Chocolate chip super cookie and an iced tea. Lead me to it.”

“You’re easy. I’m going for iced Americano and a big piece of carrot cake.”

Gwen settled her niece at a table beside the Starbucks kiosk and arranged the half-dozen shopping bags around her. “Put your feet up on the empty chair and dig out your list. I’ll get the food, and we’ll go through everything.”

After a few bites of the giant cookie, Haley’s pallor gave way to pink cheeks and bright eyes.

Gwen felt her energy soar once the espresso and sugar hit her system. “How shall we do this? Do you want to root through the bags or check off your list?”

“You root. You can bend over easier than me.”

Gwen lifted things out one at a time, and exclaimed over the bright tunic tops and smart pants. She noted bras that offered the right support for Haley’s active style. “We’ll come back to the mall after you deliver in October and get some warm clothes for winter.”

Haley sighed. “Seems a shame to wear these for just a couple of months.”

“We’ll give them to a thrift shop before the holidays, and make some mom-to-be very happy.” Gwen had come to the end of their purchases. “That’s all we’ve got. How are we doing?”

Haley reviewed her list and circled the one item without a check mark. “I just need a hoodie.”

“And something decent to wear out to dinner,” Gwen added with a sly smile.

Haley laughed. “Why would I be going out to dinner?”

“I might arrange for Rick to take you out for a lovely dinner while he’s here.”

“Gwen, he can’t afford . . .” She stopped herself. “Thank you,” she said, and kissed Gwen’s cheek. “We’ll both really like that. But we need a shirt and tie for him if it’s that kind of place.”

Gwen took one last swallow of espresso. “Good thinking. Do you know his shirt size?”

“I do.” Haley wiped up their spills and stuffed napkins and straw wrappers into Gwen’s empty cup. “I got him a shirt for Christmas, because he had an interview coming up for a summer research job.”

“Did he get the job?”

Haley nodded. “That’s where he was from late April until a couple weeks ago. That’s why he didn’t know about the baby until now.”

“You two have a lot to talk about.” Gwen pressed Haley’s hand.

“I am really scared.”

“Why, honey?”

“Like Peter said, I haven’t been honest with Rick. Not telling him something this important is the same as not being honest. I never meant to betray Rick.”

“Betray might have been too strong a word. Peter may still be smarting from his divorce. Why didn’t you tell Rick?”

“Basically, I panicked.” Haley’s forehead puckered. “I tried to buy myself some time to figure out what I wanted to do.” Haley turned her big, dark eyes on Gwen. “Rick and I have always done things together. He helped me set up my business, and he came with me whenever I wanted to hike through the woods and photograph wildflowers for my paintings. So, why wouldn’t I ask for his help with this? With the baby.”

“You said earlier you were afraid he would give up his degree to get married.”

“He’s so Catholic sometimes.” Haley glanced down. “In the beginning I thought about having an abortion.”

“Did you?” That surprised Gwen. Haley seemed so invested in this baby. Maybe that had come with time.

“When Rick got the summer job, I figured he would never know. But I knew this baby was part of us, and I loved my baby. So I decided to go ahead with the pregnancy, and I just focused on keeping us safe and healthy.”

Gwen’s heart ached that Haley had been dealing with her pregnancy alone for months. “I’m so glad you came to me and that you’re sharing this with me. And I’m proud of you for bringing Rick into it now.”

Haley closed her eyes. Pain settled on the bones of her face. “I don’t know how to talk to him about this.”

“If you speak from your heart, you can’t say anything wrong.”

A few tears slipped from Haley’s eyes. She nodded.

Gwen’s cell phone rang, and she ignored it. She fished a package of tissues from her purse. She waited while Haley blew her nose and wondered if she would reveal more. The phone rang again.

“You should take that,” Haley decided for them. “I’ll dump the trash and get a glass of water.”

“Okay,” Gwen relented. She checked the caller ID. “Hi, Peter,” she answered.

Haley’s face lit up as she left the table.

“Hi, yourself. Where are you?”

Gwen kicked off her shoes and put her feet up. “At the mall. Haley and I are taking a break from buying maternity clothes. Did you sleep?”

“Like the dead, and way longer than usual,” Peter told her. “Listen, I have a thing Sunday evening, and I want you to come as my guest.”

Gwen laughed. “‘Thing’ as in paint ball, wedding reception, stakeout . . .”

“Farewell dinner and dance for the outgoing chief.”

“Chief Barker? Very nice.”

“It’s at the Manse Inn and Spa, cocktails at five, dinner at six, dancing until whenever.”

Gwen slid down in her chair like she had as a teenager when her favorite guy called. “Sounds great. And that will get me out of the house so Haley and Rick can be by themselves for a couple of hours.”

“He’s coming?” Peter’s voice was eager.

“Yes, tomorrow. Tomorrow is Sunday, right?”

“Hey, I’m the one that just woke up.” He chuckled.

She gave it back to him. “But you haven’t been shopping with half the kids and moms of Rochester for the past three hours. And it’s good that we’re still shopping, because I want a new dress for the dinner dance.”

“I’m flattered,” Peter said, his voice soft. “So, shall I pick you up at five-thirty, or do you want to start the cocktail hour exactly at five?”

Gwen laughed. “Peter, I don’t drink at all. I have no interest in the cocktail hour.”

“So, I’ll come for you at five-thirty.”

“It’s a date.” Gwen sat up with a sudden thought. “Do you have to work after the party?”

“Yes, unfortunately. Question for you. Do you know someone named Cushman?”

“Yes, why?”

“This whole shindig is privately funded. Scuttlebutt is that Cushman is backing the party to acknowledge the important contribution the chief made to the town for twenty-plus years.”

“That would be Joel Cushman. We were in school together. He owns the Manse where it’s being held. I suspect Joel is acknowledging Chief Barker as the person who made our town safe for everyone, including women. Barker was an advocate for women’s shelters and services for victims of rape and domestic violence.”

“Sounds like I’ll learn a lot more about Tompkins Falls tomorrow night.”

“You will, and I’ll introduce you to Joel if he’s in attendance. He’s recovering from a serious accident, though, and he may not be up to it.”

“You two are friends?”

“We go back a long way. And this is cool: he and his bride Manda were married this summer on the grounds of the Manse. If the weather is good, I’ll show you the garden the Manse created for the occasion.”

Peter whistled. “That takes money.”

“Joel’s a good man, and he uses his money to benefit the community. I think you’ll like him.”

Haley nudged Gwen’s outstretched feet.

“Gotta go, Peter. Haley’s back and ready to shop.”

“Tell her hello. See you at five-thirty tomorrow.” He added with a chuckle, “No leaves in your hair.”

Gwen laughed and ended the call.

“You’ve got a date with Peter?” Haley slid into her chair and grabbed Gwen’s hand.

Gwen nodded.

“You’ve got a silly smile on your face, and your eyes are all dreamy,” Haley teased her. “It’s a good look for you, Aunt Gwen.”

“None of this ‘Aunt Gwen’ stuff. You make me feel old.”

“How perfect for your date, that you and I are booked at the spa first thing tomorrow morning.”

“The universe is on our side. I’ll see if we can get our hair done, too. And before we leave the mall, I need to find The Dress.”

“Go sexy. Go all out.”

“I just might.”

Deirdre surveyed Lynnie’s Chestnut Lake Café on Sunday morning and saw mostly empty tables at eleven o’clock. “The calm between storms,” she said.

“I’m glad for a little privacy,” Gwen admitted as she settled across from her sponsor.

Deirdre brought two coffees and two cinnamon buns to the table. “An update on Mr. Right, please.” She leaned close. “Tell me everything.”

Gwen blushed and fanned her steaming coffee mug. “He dumped decades of leaves and bugs and grime in my hair.”

A horselaugh escaped Deirdre. “This guy is so right for you.”

“It was the fallout when we brought the canoe down from the rafters. And later, he called and invited me to an event at the Manse tonight.”

“I like it.” Deirdre put her elbows on the table.

Gwen chuckled. “I do, too. And he used some tough love with Haley at breakfast, made her open up about what her boyfriend, Rick, was thinking. It turned out she’d kept the pregnancy a secret from Rick all this time.”

“Yikes.” Deirdre took a sip of her coffee.

“‘Yikes’ is right. But Peter’s words had an effect. Haley called Rick, and Rick’s coming around suppertime today. Which reminds me, what food can Haley and I fix this afternoon that will keep her mind occupied but be easy to heat up at the last minute?”

“Comfort food. A big pan of lasagna, a salad with good old Italian dressing, and lots of bread and butter.”

“Great. I’ll swing by the store after this, and Haley and I will make a project of it.”

“And we are now done with distraction number one, correct? The subject on the table is your love life, not Haley’s.” Deirdre’s voice was stern.

“You’re right. I distracted us.”

Lynnie bustled over. “Anything else, ladies?”

Deirdre replied for both of them, “No, thank you, Lynnie.”

Gwen opened her mouth to greet Lynnie. Before she could say a word, Deirdre glared at her and mouthed, “Shut up.”

Gwen scowled at her sponsor.
What’s up with that?

Lynnie hesitated a second before she said, “Sure, no problem. It will be quiet now until noon.”

To Gwen, her voice sounded puzzled and a little hurt.
No wonder
. She offered Lynnie a weak smile, and Lynnie left them to their conversation.

“What was that about?” Gwen whispered.

“If you’d said one word, Lynnie would have talked for an hour.” Deirdre raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe, but it felt rude.”

“Sorry, I’ve only got half an hour, and I really need to know what’s going on in your head and in your life. Back to breakfast with Peter, please.”

Gwen made a mental note that something was off with her sponsor. It didn’t happen often, and it usually had something to do with Vince. She continued her breakfast story. “The three of us laughed and had an interesting conversation. Then, as I said, Peter convinced her to contact Rick. After breakfast Peter fixed the lock Haley had broken, and he asked about the old canoe. It had been sitting up on the rafters in the garage for . . . probably decades. I’d never given it a moment’s thought. Tired as he was, he helped me get it down and out to the lawn. I can’t tell you how excited I am at the thought of paddling that canoe with him, Deirdre.” A smile curved her lips.

Deirdre reached across the table and tapped Gwen’s fingers. “Nice nails. You’ve been to the spa. And your hair is gorgeous. I like the upswept wave on one side.”

“I do, too. I’m going to tuck in a couple of sparkly bobby pins for the dinner dance.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“It’s to honor Chief Barker as he retires. I have a hunch Joel arranged it all,” Gwen told her. She pointed to Deirdre’s mug. “More?”

Deirdre shook her head. “It wouldn’t surprise me. Joel was so appreciative of the chief’s handling of the situation with Manda and the pervert professor. After that, Joel made a complete turnaround in his relationship with the police. There had been years and years of animosity between the police and Joel’s forefathers.”