The Carson Springs Trilogy: Stranger in Paradise, Taste of Honey, and Wish Come True (144 page)

“I remember when my parents brought Alice home from the hospital. I thought she was all mine.” Laura’s voice grew soft. “I used to dress her in my doll clothes until she got too big. And the way she’d look at me with those big blue eyes of hers, like I was the sun, the moon, and the stars—well, I’d never felt so important.” She smiled down at Finch. “There’s nothing like a sister. You’ll see.”

Right now all Finch wanted was for time to stand still. She scooted over, laying her head in Laura’s lap. When she was younger, she’d watched in envy as mothers cuddled their kids, but she’d learned it was better not to want what you couldn’t have. Now the warm weight of Laura’s hand on her brow was reminding her all over again of everything she’d missed out on that her little sister would take for granted.

“Oh, hell,” Laura swore under her breath. Finch lifted her head to find her holding a crumpled tissue to her nose, looking sheepish. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. If I don’t watch out, I’ll be a sobbing wreck by the time we land.”

Finch sat up. “You’ll be fine. Come on, I’ll help you finish packing.’

She went through the suitcase, double-checking to make sure it had everything Laura would need while weeding out what she wouldn’t wear. Hector popped his head in at one point, then with a roll of his eyes disappeared. Maude brought a travel sewing kit for last-minute emergencies. Even the dogs ambled in, Pearl tucking her tail under her legs at the sight of the suitcase.

When there was nothing left to do, Finch wandered into the living room to watch TV, where she dozed off half an hour into a
National Geographic
special on Alaskan wildlife. She woke much later to the sound of murmuring voices. Light spilled from under the door to Laura and Hector’s room. They wouldn’t be getting much sleep tonight, she knew.

She envied them. Whatever else happened, they had each other. While all she’d have of Lucien were memories and an e-mail address. Would she ever see him again? Suddenly she couldn’t bear not knowing. How had she gone from wondering what to do with him to wondering what she’d do without him?

“What are you thinking?” she asked as they strolled hand in hand across the quad, no different from the couples she’d once secretly made fun of.

Lucien shrugged. “I was just wondering if it’s possible to get a decent grade for a paper you wrote in your sleep.”

Finals were upon them and from the tense looks around campus, he wasn’t the only one preoccupied with grades. Finch knew she ought to be worried, too, but with everything else that was going on, she couldn’t seem to get too worked up about whether she got a B or a B minus on some stupid paper.

“If it’s for Ms. Goodbee,” she said, “you could turn in re-copied Cliffs Notes, and she’d give you an A.”

“So now I’m a teacher’s pet?”

“You said it, not me.”

“Must be my irresistible charm.” He let his eyelids droop in an attempt to look mysterious.

“To a woman who hasn’t been laid since the sinking of the
Titanic,
anyone would look good.”

He laughed, saying, “I take it you mean the actual
Titanic,
not the movie. Anyway, how would you know?”

“Have you noticed how she walks? Like there’s a two-by-four up her rear.”

“You’re in a good mood this morning.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She ignored Courtney Russo, standing with her posse by the cafeteria, eyeing her and Lucien like she knew something they didn’t.

“Join the club.”

Finch felt irritated all of a sudden. Was that all he could think of, acing his finals? “I wasn’t up all night studying,” she snapped. “I just had trouble sleeping, that’s all.”

Lucien eyed her warily. “Something on your mind?”

“Well, let’s see. It could have something to do with the fact that my parents are bringing home a baby any day.”

“When do they get back?”

“In a week.”

“You’ll know then.”

“Know what?” Was he suggesting the adoption might fall through?

“What it’s like having a baby in the house.” He frowned. “What’s eating you anyway?”

“Nothing.” She shrugged, letting go of his hand.

But Lucien knew her too well. These past weeks they’d grown close, falling into a rhythm so perfectly tuned that even now she looked down to note with dismay that her stride matched his. She slowed at once, letting him pull ahead of her, but they hadn’t gone far when he caught hold of her wrist, drawing her into an empty classroom.

“I’m not letting you off the hook until you tell me what’s wrong,” he said.

“We’ll be late for class.”

“Fuck class.”

“Yeah, right. Who cares? Next year you won’t even be around.” The words slipped out.

“So that’s it.” He nodded slowly in understanding, then with a sigh slumped onto the nearest desk.

“So it’s true,” she said softly. “You’re not coming back.”

He stared down at the floor. “It looks that way.”

“Was it your idea, or your mom’s?” She had to know.

He looked up at her, the picture of misery. “She’s not forcing me or anything. It’s just … she’s having a tough time right now, but she’s trying, you know? I don’t want to make it any harder on her.” There were tears in his eyes.

“Will we still see each other?” She swallowed against the lump in her throat.

“I’ll be back Christmas week. My dad’s taking me skiing.” He didn’t have to say it: His vacation plans didn’t include her.

“Whatever. I’m not sure I’ll be around either,” she said coolly. “My aunt and uncle have a place in Cabo.” She liked the way it sounded.
Cabo.
As if she were the kind of person used to jetting off to places like Cabo San Lucas at a moment’s notice. And it wasn’t a lie, exactly; Alice and Wes
did
have a condo in Cabo, which they were always offering to let them use, even if Laura and Hector would sooner fly to the moon. What would they do in Cabo with a baby? Laura had said.

He looked crestfallen. “Really? Because I was kind of hoping …” He shrugged. “Never mind. It’s no big deal.”

“What?”

“I was going to ask my dad if you could come with us.”

“Really?” Her heart soared, then just as quickly plummeted. She couldn’t ask Laura and Hector to finance such a trip; every cent of their savings had gone toward the baby. “I’d love to,” she said as casually as she could, “but my parents are kind of expecting me to spend Christmas with them. I don’t want to disappoint them.”

“We wouldn’t leave until the day after.”

“Look, for your information I don’t even
know
how to ski,” she told him, angrily almost.

“I’d teach you.”

“What about skis?”

“You can rent those.”

“Not everyone can afford it, you know.” She glared at him as if he were somehow to blame for the fact that she was poor.

He cocked his head, giving her that slow-breaking smile that got to her every time. “Look, I wouldn’t have offered if I’d expected you to pay your way. It’d be my dad’s treat. He’d be thrilled, believe me. Anything that keeps me out of his hair.”

She was flooded with relief. Even so, she held back, saying, “How do I know you won’t have another girlfriend by then?”

“You could just as easily have another boyfriend,” he lobbed right back.

“As if.”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the way Alan Dorfmeyer looks at you.”

“You’re making this up.”

He grinned. It wasn’t until they were walking to their next class that he asked, “So how about it, do you want to come or not?”

She took a deep breath. “I’d have to ask my parents, but I’m pretty sure they’ll say okay.”

Lucien pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, oblivious to the students strolling past. “Preview of coming attractions,” he whispered in her ear.

“I guess this means Alan’s out of the running,” she said.

“He lays a finger on you, I’ll beat the living crap out of him.”

The bell rang. Lockers banged. Out in the hallway, voices called raucously to one another. The vice principal announced over the PA system that there’d be a special assembly after lunch. “We better hurry,” she said.

“Mrs. G. can live without me for once.” He didn’t move except to tighten his arms about her.

“I’m not sure I can.” She was horrified to realize she was on the verge of tears.

Christmas seemed a long way away. She thought that if she could survive this, skiing would be a cinch. Even if she got hurt, what was breaking an arm or a leg compared to falling in love?

Two days before Laura and Hector were due back, Finch and Andie took on the task of cleaning the house, top to bottom. They sorted through the odds and ends that had collected on the back porch—mud-caked boots, dog-chewed Frisbees, half-empty bags of potting soil—filling several large garbage bags. They bathed the dogs, clipping a bow atop Rocky’s curly head that five minutes later ended up trampled in the yard. They even whitewashed the fence along the driveway. When there was nothing left to clean or polish, Finch looked about at the gleaming woodwork, the cat-scratched sofa covered in a freshly laundered bedspread, and the spray of pussywillows in the milk can by the fireplace, feeling an enormous sense of accomplishment. The place hadn’t looked this good since Laura and Hector’s wedding.

At the last minute, Anna stopped by to see if she could lend a hand. She seemed subdued, and Finch guessed it had to do with missing Marc. At the same time, she seemed determined to get on with her life. Where in the past she’d always seemed to be running on empty, there was an air of quiet strength about her these days.

They were chatting on the porch when the Explorer pulled into the driveway amid a plume of dust. Finch watched with her heart in her throat as Laura and Hector climbed out. Where was the baby? Had something happened? She’d heard horror stories about adoptive parents’ setting off with high hopes only to return empty-handed because of some last minute glitch or Third World snafu.

Then Laura opened the rear door and bent over to retrieve something from the backseat. All Finch could see from where she stood was a blanket-wrapped bundle from which a pair of plump brown arms emerged, waving like an orchestra conductor’s. Laura spotted them and broke into a grin as she headed up the path, treading as carefully as if she were carrying a fragile newborn, not a chubby six-month-old. A wave of relief washed over Finch.

Esperanza was even cuter than her picture, with a round face and dimples, and a thatch of jet-black hair that stuck straight up like a punk rocker’s. When Finch put her hand out, the baby grabbed hold of her index finger with surprising strength, cooing and kicking with delight. Finch’s heart tipped over inside her chest.

“Would you like to hold her?” Laura handed her over without further ado.

“She weighs a ton,” Finch said with a laugh, afraid that any minute she’d start crying.

“Half of it’s diaper. I haven’t changed her since the airport.” Laura spoke as if even diaper duty were a privilege.

“Look at that face.” Anna tickled a fat brown foot, gazing into eyes like Hershey Kisses, with lashes so long they curled back to brush her brows. Jack would have to watch out; he’d have competition.

Maude stepped out onto the porch just then, and seeing what all the commotion was about clapped a hand to her bosom. “Gracious.” She scooped the baby from Finch’s arms and set about inspecting her from head to toe. Esperanza seemed equally fascinated with Maude as she cooed, “We’re going to get along just fine, aren’t we, sweet pea?”

“Is she crawling yet?” Anna wanted to know.

“She hasn’t quite figured it out yet, but she’s trying,” Laura told her.

Maude’s blue eyes shone. It had been ages since she’d cared for a baby—her son was now middle-aged with a family of his own—but she knew exactly what to do when Esperanza began to whimper, pacing back and forth while patting her back. Immediately, the baby stopped fussing.

When she began to nod off, Laura took her from Maude, already an old hand as she pushed open the door, Esperanza drooping against her shoulder.

“I take it everything went well,” Anna said to Hector.

“Had a little trouble at the embassy, but after that it was smooth sailing. As of yesterday, Uncle Sam has a brand-new citizen.” He grinned, showing his chipped front tooth.

“Thank God. I was so worried.” Anna had obviously feared the worst. Would she spend the rest of her life imagining that disaster loomed around every bend?

Hector asked, “How’s the new job?”

Anna brightened. “Harder than I thought it would be, but I’m learning something new every day.”

Anna was being modest, as usual. “Her boss said she should try doing a story,” Finch told him. “If it’s any good, he’ll run it.”

“The operative word being
if.
Either way, it sure beats …” Her smile fell away. “Sitting at home,” she finished weakly.

Finch wondered how she did it. If Monica had been her sister, she’d have been throwing rocks at her grave.

“Glad to hear it.” Hector regarded her affectionately, and Finch knew he slept easier these days knowing she was safe from harm. “Heard from Marc?”

“He called just the other day.” Anna ducked her head, but not quick enough to hide her pained look.

Hector was careful to maintain an even tone as he said. “Next time you talk to him, tell him we sure do miss him around here.”

“I’ll do that.” She managed a small smile, then a moment later excused herself, saying she had some things to do back at the house.

When they were alone, Hector slung an arm about Finch’s shoulders. “Nice job,” he said, nodding in the direction of the newly whitewashed fence.

“I figured you’d have your hands full with the baby,” she told him.

“Good guess.” He cast a wry glance toward the house. “In fact, I have a feeling nothing’s gonna be the same from here on out.”

“You sure you don’t want your old room back?” she teased.

Hector grinned, the deep creases at the corners of his eyes curving to meet his temples, where she noticed for the first time a light dusting of silver hairs. “You’re welcome to it,” he said.

“Does she cry a lot?”

“No more than most babies.”

“Do you mind that she’s not—” She caught herself.