Lilies and Lies (7 page)

“What? Did I hear that right?” He pressed a hand to his chest as he feigned choking. “CPR, please. I must be hallucinating.”

“I'm totally serious, Wyatt, so bear with me here. This is…tough.” As a matter of fact, the words may very well choke her. But listening to Gunnar talk about his disjointed family, seeing the pain in his eyes for all he'd lost, brought front and center just how blessed she was to have her brothers, her mom…and the sweet memories of her dad. “It's a fact—you can be difficult and overbearing at times, lots of times, to be brutally honest. But I know that everything you do, no matter how ridiculous it might seem at the time, is done out of love—and protection. I realize more with each passing day just how fortunate I am to have you care so much for me. So, I'll say it again. I love you, Wyatt.”

“Wow.” His gaze held hers as he gave a slight shake of his head and a lift of his shoulders. Maddie knew she'd hit the mark when she saw a telltale hint of tears. “That's just…wow.”

“Left you speechless, huh?”

“The ultrasound and now this.” Wyatt nodded and swiped at his eyes. “It's just too much for one day. I don't know what to say.”

“Speechless. Good, that's an added bonus. In that case, I'll have to express my heartfelt sentiments more often.”

“Give me a minute here.” Wyatt grabbed his coffee cup, drew a long sip, and then tugged at the collar of his shirt. “As long as we're baring our proverbial souls over pie and coffee, I have something to say, as well.” His pause was long and, by Maddie's way of thinking, a little too over-the-top. But this was Wyatt, after all. He relished drawing things out and examining them from all angles. “I was wrong.”

The coffee Maddie had just swallowed came back up to scorch her nose. She scrambled for a napkin and mopped her face. “What?”

“Are you going to make me repeat myself?”

“Of course I am.” She cupped a hand to one ear. “Go ahead daddy-to-be times two.”

“I was…wrong. I shouldn't have given you a hard time about the delivery truck, or the way you displayed the Stargazers. They're all sold already, by the way. Reese had to place an order for another shipment this morning. You've inspired him to try something new in the grafting house, as well.”

“Two points for me.” Maddie raised a duo of fingers. Two seemed to be the order of the day. “Go on.”

“And the truck, well, the brakes have been iffy for a while. I should have had things checked out sooner. The crash wasn't your fault, Maddie. I take full responsibility. And…” He delved into his pocket, produced a ring of half-a-dozen keys that he slid across the table toward her. “You're a partner in the nursery, same as me—same as Reese and what Dillon will be when he returns home. Dad wanted it that way, and so do I.”

“Wyatt, I already have—”

“I know about the keys you had made at the hardware store. Not much stays a secret in a town like Clover Cove, especially if you're last name is Cutler. Keep those for a spare set, or hand them off to Dillon when he comes home from college next year. These—” He nudged the large chrome ring her way “—they're official Cutler Nursery keys.”

“Kami, did you—?”

“No, this is all Wyatt's idea.” Kami smiled as she smoothed a tear from Maddie's cheek. “Oh, my goodness, look who's crying now.”

 

****

 

“How are we gonna get back to the garage?” Kyle asked as they drove the delivery truck onto the Cutler Nursery lot the next day. Gunnar had finished the repairs that morning and promised Wyatt he'd return the truck before day's end. “Are we gonna walk?”

“We could. It's only a mile or so. But Wyatt or Reese will give us a ride back to the shop if we ask.”

“Or Maddie could do it.” Kyle motioned toward Pappy's. “She's over there drinking coffee with Mrs. Cutler.”

Gunnar glanced toward the polished wall of windows that fronted the popular pizzeria. Indeed, Maddie sat across from Hattie at a booth, engaged in conversation.

“I suppose she could. Let's park and check it out.” Gunnar eased alongside a second truck emblazoned with the signature blue-on-yellow Cutler Nursery logo. “Reese must be working in the grafting house, and Wyatt mentioned he was headed into Knoxville for a business meeting this afternoon. Looks like Marcus is holding down the fort, watering the flats back there. Slow day today, I guess. At least we can run across the street to let Maddie and Hattie know the truck is returned good as new.”

“The garage is pretty much fixed, too. Sam said the workmen will finish their painting and install the new shelves tomorrow.” Kyle unlatched his seatbelt and let it snap back into place. “Then things will be good as new.”

“We're fortunate, eh?” Gunnar shifted the clutch into park and killed the truck's engine. “It could have been so much worse, but now it's only a distant, if somewhat unpleasant, memory.”

“Like a bad dream, right?”

“That's right.”

Kyle glanced at the sky and the sun that had moved off to the west. “It's just about dinnertime, don't you think?” He followed Gunnar's lead and slipped from the passenger seat, then rounded the truck to fall in step beside Gunnar as they crossed the lot toward the boulevard. “Can we check Mr. Moretto's special for tonight, maybe have dinner here?”

“And forgo the leftover hamburger casserole from last night's award-winning dinner that's sitting in the fridge, just waiting to be devoured?”

“Award-winning?” Kyle made a gagging noise as he poked a finger into his opened mouth. “This must be opposite day. Oh, please can we eat dinner at Pappy's.
Please
!”

“It'll be a hardship,” Gunnar teased. “But I suppose I can bend this time…just a little.” Truth be told, he enjoyed the pizzeria as much as Kyle did—maybe even more. Especially when Maddie waited inside.

“Thank you, thank you,
thank you
.” Kyle reached up to high-five him. “Maybe Maddie's hungry, too. She can eat dinner with us, don't you think?”

“Why the sudden interest in Maddie?”

“She's nice to me, and she talks to me like I'm grown up—not just a kid. You like her too, don't you, Uncle Gunnar?”

“Well, yes. I suppose I do.” He paused as they came to the boulevard, and gave a little wink. “What's not to like?”

“Last Sunday I overheard Mrs. Johnson tell Mrs. Cutler that when you and Maddie are together you're sweeter than Oreos and milk. What does that mean?”

Gunnar nearly choked. “Are you sure you heard right?”

“Uh huh.”

“Well, if those two are conspiring, I'll tell you what it means—trouble.”

 

 

 

 

7

 

“Twins…that changes everything.” Maddie propped her elbows on the table and leaned in toward her mother. “We'll really need to step up plans for the baby shower now.”

“I can't believe I'm going to be a grandma twice over.” Mom patted her dark hair, more peppered in grey with each passing day. “Where have the years gone?”

“It's been official for a while now, Mom. You'll be OK.”

“Oh, it's not that. I'm thrilled for Wyatt and Kami, blessed with the thought of holding another little one. I just wish your dad was here to see. He'd be amazed by what you and your brothers have accomplished at the nursery and so proud of all of you.”

“I know. I miss him, too. I can't believe he's been gone three years now. It seems like just yesterday.” The memory of his loss still rubbed her heart raw at times. “I like to think he knows we miss him.”

“I'm sure he does.” Mom's gaze drifted toward the kitchen, where Anthony Moretto was busy plating ravioli for an order. Something wistful shadowed her eyes, causing Maddie to wonder…

“I spoke to Peyton earlier.” Maddie reached for her purse. “She's got some great ideas for the shower. I wrote them down. Would you like to see?”

The clatter of utensils mingled with the steaming hiss of the coffeemaker and a murmur of chatter. Italian sausage infused with fennel danced with onions and peppers. Maddie delved through her purse as she waited for her mother to respond. Finally, when Mom remained silent, her gaze still on the kitchen—and Anthony—Maddie tapped her hand. “Mom, are you listening?”

“What? Oh, yes.” Hattie returned to her, though her dark chocolate gaze remained somewhat distracted by the goings-on across the room. “Peyton, yes. She has ideas. You wrote them down. We'll set a date and get things moving.”

“Kami said twins usually come a little early. We'll have to check our calendars and get the ball rolling soon.”

“It's not a party without food.” Hattie's gaze drifted back to the kitchen. “I'll go talk to Anthony about coming up with a menu.”

“I'll take care of that, Mom. And I've already found some pretty invitations. We can host at your house, if that's OK. There's plenty of room and the weather should be nice for quite a few weeks yet. ”

“That's fine, and the invitations too, sweetheart, but leave the food to me. I've got that department covered in spades.” Mom rose from her seat. Dressed in figure-flattering jeans and a peach-colored blouse, with her make-up perfectly applied, she looked ten years younger than the last time Maddie had seen her, which was just yesterday. She looked rested and refreshed, happy with a little spring in her step. “You take care of Gunnar and leave the food to me.”

“Gunnar?”

“Yes, dear.” Mom motioned toward the entrance. “Here he comes, and he's got eyes only for you.”

“Mom,
wait
—”

“And that nephew of his, Kyle…such a nice boy. Gunnar's doing a wonderful thing by taking him in, don't you think? Admirable, the way he's handled that situation. The manner in which a man treats his family, his friends, and runs a business speaks volumes for his character.” She turned and backed away, nodding as she passed by Gunnar, who wove through a cluster of close-set tables on his way to the booth. Her voice drifted with the aroma of tomato sauce and parmesan. “Hello there, Gunnar…Kyle. I saw you two pull into the nursery lot. Thanks for returning the truck. I don't know how you managed, but it looks good as new.”

“Hi, Mrs. Cutler.” Gunnar removed his ball cap, tipped his head so dark hair spilled across his forehead. His navy polo was emblazoned with a flash of green and orange that formed the logo for his garage. “I didn't mean to run you off. It looked like you and Maddie were sharing something important.”

“Oh, we were just finishing up. I suppose you've heard the news by now…I'm going to be a grandmother of
twins
.”

“Twins? Wyatt and Kami's?”

“That's right. It's a blessing, isn't it?” Hattie offered a little wave. “I'm on my way to speak to Anthony in the kitchen. We have business to attend to…about the baby shower. Those grandbabies of ours are going to need lots of things, so we'd better get started, yes?”

“In that case, don't let me keep you.” Gunnar nodded. “It was good seeing you.”

“You too, son.” Hattie waved Gunnar off and then turned to wink at Kyle. “How'd you like a tour of the kitchen? Fred's busy making pizza crusts for tonight's special. I'll bet he'll let you run one through the press and toss it, maybe even add some sauce and toppings if you asked.”

“Cool. Can I, Uncle Gunnar?”

“Sure. Just don't overstay your welcome. The dinner rush will most likely start soon.”

“I'll stay out of Mr. Moretto's way.”

“OK then, go on. I'll be here when you're done.”

As Kyle loped off with Hattie, Gunnar turned to Maddie. “That sure was nice of your mom. Kyle will have a blast.” He motioned to the bench across from her at the booth. “Is this seat available?”

She nodded. “For you, it is.”

He slipped in. “Lots of excitement around these parts, huh?”

“You could say that. The Cutler family is growing. Kami's over the moon and Wyatt's just a little shocked. You know how he is, preferring all his ducks in a neat little row. And Reese, well, he's leery of the fact that he's a few months into his marriage with Peyton and most likely next in line on the baby radar. It's kind of nice to watch him squirm at the idea of a little one.”

“I myself like to expedite the process…get kids when they're already potty trained and sleeping through the night.” Gunnar grinned and reached for a menu. “I assume it's a lot easier when they come packaged as a pre-teen, despite the rumbling hormones. I don't function very well where three AM feedings are concerned, without sleep.”

“Despite that fact, you might offer my brother some parenting tips.”

“I don't have any of those.” Gunnar sat back as Jada delivered his cup of coffee and refilled Maddie's mug. “I'm fresh out.”

“I'll be back in a minute for your order,” Jada flashed a mega-watt smile as her cinnamon ponytail swished. “Mrs. Baker's in rare form today. Better get her another basket of garlic knots quick, or I'm sure to get an earful.” Then she turned on the heel of her neon-pink tennis shoes and flitted off to the next table.

“Anyway,” Gunnar dumped two teaspoons of sugar into his coffee and drew a long, satisfying sip. “I don't have any tips to offer. I fly by the seat of my pants and pray a lot.”

“That seems to work well for you and Kyle.”

“The jury's still out in that department. He's got a long way to go, isn't even driving—or dating—yet.”

“Good grief, bite your tongue. Driving…dating…those are the real teenage landmines, right?”

“You bet. I'm glad I still have a few years to adjust to the thought. Anything can happen…”

“In the meantime, do you ever think about it—the whole marriage and kids thing?”