Waves of Reckoning (The Montclair Brothers) (13 page)

“I’ve been away at a seminar all day, or I would have come with you. I didn’t even know what was going on.” Jacob looked down at her. “I’m sorry.”

“Because we’re going to be husband and wife, I have to tell you something. If you ever pick a fight with me, I’ll win.” She kissed his cheek and walked towards the house, as Jacob grabbed the box and papers from the car.

Everyone was in the kitchen except for Renee and Brian. Carrie was cooking dinner, while Elissa colored with the boys at the table. Emma felt all eyes on her as soon as she walked through the door.

“I got your things, Elissa. The burn barrel was going, so I hope he didn’t get the chance to destroy anything.” Just the mere mention of what she’d seen, was pissing her off.

“Here ya go, Elissa,” said Jacob as he walked in behind Emma and sat the stuff on the counter.

“Oh, thank you!” she said excitedly, as she passed the baby over to Vincent and ran to the counter. She carefully inspected the items, and pulled everything out of the box. “Some things are gone, but most of the stuff is here. I don’t know how to thank you, guys.”

“Thank Emma. She’s the brawler in the family,” laughed Jacob.

Vincent looked her in the eyes. “Emma, you don’t have to go into details right now, but is there any chance I’m going to have to defend you in court?” He laughed, but Emma could tell he wasn’t completely joking.

“No, not exactly. Well probably not.” Emma thought for a moment.

“Probably? We need to chat,” said Vincent.

“Don’t bother, Vinnie,” interrupted Jacob with laughter. “If she talks in her sleep, I’ll let you know. Other than that, she’s not going to kiss and tell.”

Tyler looked at her with fondness.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

That night, after Elissa and the boys went to bed, Carrie joined Vincent in the living room. Being an only child, made her long to be part of a large family. As chaotic and loud as it got with all of the Montclairs together in one room, it felt like she was in heaven. Who knew that this much love and laughter could exist under one roof? When she got a job and moved out on her own, all of this would be gone. She’d be alone once again, watching television each night, until she fell asleep.

“Hey, what world are you in?” laughed Vincent. “Dinner was superb by the way. You’re a mighty fine cook.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “It’s so nice being around everyone. You’re very blessed to have such a wonderful family.” She smiled but the sadness shone through her eyes. She looked down at the floor to hide her emotions.

“You’re a part of us, Carrie. Don’t think you’re anything less.” Vincent got up and walked over to the sofa. He sat beside her and lifted her chin to look at him.

“Not really. Hopefully I’ll find a job soon, and then that’ll be it.” Her eyes started to water a little.

“I like having you here and so does everyone else. You’re a good friend, Carrie. As a matter of fact, when you do get a job, you’re still welcome to stay here.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb.

“That’d be taking advantage of the situation, Vinnie. No one wants a house guest who doesn’t leave,” she laughed, but quickly stood up and turned her back to him.

The word ‘friend’ burned her for some reason. She really didn’t know she’d respond so strongly to that description by him.

“Carrie, come sit back down with me. Something’s not right with you, and I want to know what it is.” He gently pulled her by the hand so she’d sit down again.

“I think I should go get some rest. It’s getting late and I have to be up early to help make breakfast and take care of the boys.” She smiled and stood back up. Her stomach was aching with an emptiness she couldn’t describe.

“This Friday, are you busy?” he asked softly.

“I have to go grocery shopping and help Elissa out with the boys. Did you need me to do anything special?” She looked at him, and couldn’t hide the pain she felt.

“I’d like that coffee date you still owe me, if you don’t mind. I’ll come home around five or so, get spiffed up, and whisk you out of here around seven. Does that sound okay with you?”

“Really? A date?” A quick laugh escaped through her lips.

“Yeah but we’re not just going out for coffee. I’d like to take you to this great steak house I know of, and then we’ll go to a club downtown and get a little bit of dancing in.” Vincent stood up and began to swing his hips. “I can’t dance, but I’m fun to watch.”

“Aww that’s so sweet of you, but I don’t want you doing this out of some sense of obligation. It’s been my pleasure to help out, and I’m the one who should be paying for your dinner.” Carrie felt so unbelievably awkward. Feeling like a charity case wasn’t helping.

“I want to take you out, not because of what you do here, or because I agreed to a coffee date with you.” He had a serious look in his eyes as he stepped closer to her.

“Okay, if you’re sure. It sounds like fun. Goodnight, Vinnie.” Carrie tried to look happy, but her insides were a nervous wreck. What was she thinking, agreeing to a real date?

Carrie stared at herself in the mirror. How the heck was she going to look like she belonged on the arm of a man like Vincent Montclair? Her, with the drab blonde hair, no make-up, and no dress clothes to her name. She didn’t even have the money to buy anything new to wear. She’d bought some things for Elissa and the boys, and had been buying a few groceries for the house, so Carrie had very little money left to her name.

Slowly her face lowered, and she turned off the light. She’d have to make up some excuse by Friday.

Chapter 13

R
enee heard a
soft knock at the front door, while on her way into the kitchen to make lunch. After looking through the peep hole, she opened the door, surprised to see Carrie standing there with Elissa’s sons.

“It’s so good to see you, Carrie, come on in!” She gave her a hug, and then greeted the boys.

“Is this a bad time?” she asked, with a troubled look in her eyes.

Renee could tell that something was wrong with her friend. “No, not at all. I love company.” She escorted Carrie and the boys into the living room. “Brian’s in the back of the house with his teacher, so I was getting pretty lonely. I’m glad you decided to visit me.” Renee didn’t want to pry.

Carrie reached into a bag and pulled out some toys for the kids. “I came to visit because I’ve missed you, of course, but also to ask you something.”

“Sure. Ask away.” Renee smiled.

“First, I need to know if you can keep this a secret.” Renee could hear the desperation in her voice.

“As long as it doesn’t bring anyone any harm, of course I can.” Secrets, Renee knew, didn’t help anything or anyone.

“Could you find some reason to keep Vincent occupied on Friday night?” she blurted.

“Uh…why?” Renee listened closely for her explanation.

“Please don’t say anything.” Carrie repeated. “He…asked me out, and it’s not a good idea.”

Renee laughed and reached for her hand. “Vincent is one of the most wonderful men on the planet. All of the Montclair brothers are. Why don’t you want to go out with him?” Renee knew, hands down, that he’d never bring this woman harm, but Carrie was suddenly acting as though she was afraid of him.

“Look at me!” She stood up and splayed out her arms, then quickly sat back down and covered her face.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Carrie. I can certainly see why any guy would be attracted to you.” Renee tried not to explode with happiness. She’d wanted Vincent to find that special someone for a long time.

“Vinnie is a beautiful man, Renee, but I’m nothing but a plain Jane. I don’t have anything to wear, nor do I know how to act on a real date. Hell, I’m used to being invited to football games or to the bowling alley. But dinner and dancing? No way.”

“Welcome to Renee’s salon.” Renee smiled and curtsied.

“I thought about this all night long. I realized that there was no way I could come up with an excuse on my own. Like, I live with the guy.”

“Wait, how’d you get here?” Renee got up and went to the window.

“Elissa came and picked me up on her lunch break. Hopefully, I can bum a ride home from you.” Carrie laughed but it didn’t fool Renee.

“Come with me, we’re going shopping.” Renee walked to the closet and pulled her jacket out.

“I don’t have a job, so I can’t. This is useless. Maybe you can come up with some fake reason to need legal advice from him or something.” Carrie sighed heavily and let her body go limp, sagging into the back of the sofa.

“Looking nice doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Think of this as doing something good for the family. You’ll be helping Vincent to relax. Grab the boys, while I tell Brian I’m going out, and we’ll go have some fun. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone.” Renee couldn’t wait to get started. Carrie really was a beautiful woman, and her wheels were already spinning.

Their first stop was the mall. Renee remembered how it felt to not have any clothes to wear. If it wasn’t for Emma and the Montclairs, she’d still have nothing. Her heart softened more and more, each time she looked at Carrie. She knew how uncomfortable she’d felt when Tyler showered her with expensive things, and she had no desire to make this woman feel like she was undeserving or less than. It had taken a long time for Renee to feel at ease with accepting gifts, so this shopping trip wouldn’t be too over the top. But at the same time, she owed Carrie her life. They all did.

The mall was buzzing with activity, but not overly crowded. They wandered into several different stores, but Carrie shook her head at every outfit that Renee suggested. “Girl, you have to help me with this,” she laughed.

“I’m not a flowery type of person. I don’t want to look like I’m ready to pick up every guy in a bar, but looking like a librarian isn’t my goal either. I told you, this is useless.” Carrie placed the last dress Renee had held out, back on the rack.

“I’m not giving up, and neither are you,” insisted Renee. There was only one store left, and she knew the place was expensive, but she’d have to work around that fact.

“No! Look at this! I can’t afford to buy a dress for eighty bucks!” Carrie gasped and handed the red dress back to Renee.

“It’s twenty percent off. Go try it on for me.” Renee took her by the wrist, and led her to the fitting rooms. Come out and let me see it on you.”

The boys had fallen asleep in the stroller. Renee took out her phone and snapped several pictures of them. She couldn’t wait to hold her own baby in her arms and begin her life as a mother.

“I look dumb.” Carrie stepped out of the dressing room. The look on her face showed pure disgust.

“Just focus on the dress. It fits you beautifully! Turn around.” Carried turned around slowly, and Renee’s breath caught in her throat. The small V in the back, the dusting of lace and sequins...It was all red and fit her perfect figure...Then Renee let her eyes travel downward.

“What?” Carrie looked very concerned as she, too, stared down at her legs and feet.

“Do you have any high heels?” There was no way this dress could be pulled off without them.

“No, I don’t own a pair. To be honest, I doubt I could even walk in them.” Carrie laughed a little, as she stepped back into the fitting room and took her dress off.

“Time to learn.” Renee grabbed the dress from over the door and pushed the stroller up to the counter. “Get your clothes on,” she called over her shoulder. After paying for the dress, Renee picked out some nude thigh-highs, and then off to the shoe department they went.

“These are really pretty,” said Renee as she lifted a red stiletto sandal. Look how elegant it is!”

“You’re kidding, right? I can’t walk in that damn thing. Look at it! I’ll break my legs in front of everyone, Renee. Let’s go find some matching flats. How about some ballet slippers? They probably make red ones.” She smiled, pointed to some sensible flats, and attempted to walk away.

“Nope!” Renee protested and grabbed her wrist. “What size do you wear?”

“Seven. Honestly, Renee. If we’re sitting at a table eating, no one’s going to notice my feet anyways. I don’t understand why you’re so against ballet slippers or flats.” Carrie’s face was clearly showing her aggravation.

“I wear a seven too.” She asked the saleswoman to bring out a pair in the needed size. When she did, Renee took off her sneakers and socks, and then slipped her feet inside of them. She pulled her pant legs up and slowly walked up the shoe aisle. “You like?”

“Oh, my! Those are beautiful!” Carrie stared at Renee’s feet. “How did you learn to walk in those?” She shook her head and looked for the price printed on the box. “No, no, no!” she insisted.

“You don’t have to know the price. Besides, they aren’t expensive.”

“Did that sticker say sixty bucks?! For shoes?!” Carrie put the box down and refused to have anything more to do with them.

“Look. They’re in the clearance section.” Renee smiled and snatched up the box, and quickly put the sandals inside. The shoes weren’t part of the clearance sale, just near it, and they were ninety dollars, but Carrie didn’t need to know any of that. She asked her to wait with the boys, while she went to the register and paid for the items. At the counter, there was also a jewelry case, and a row of clutches, so a few more items were added to the purchase. She quickly stuffed the earrings, necklace, bracelet set, and clutch into her own purse.

Renee dropped Carrie and the boys off at Vincent’s house. She was exhausted. Running around the mall had always tired her out, but now that she was pregnant, she had a lot less energy than before. She’d offered to keep Carrie’s new outfit at her house, so Vincent would be surprised when she revealed herself. Now she just had to make sure that she kept the dress away from Tyler, so he wouldn’t blab to his brother. She told Carrie to hide the shoes in her room and practice walking in them. By the time Renee was finished with this woman, she’d be the talk of town, or at the very least, the apple of Vincent’s eye.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Vincent walked into Elissa’s office, reached over and saved the file on her computer, before he proceeded to pull her up from the chair.

“Vinnie! I’m in the middle of something!” She yanked her arm back.

“Do you know what day it is?” he asked slyly, while he squinted his eyes at her.

“Wednesday, and I have—” She suddenly stopped and stared at him. “My new car—Oh my God!” Her eyes began to water. “Oh. My. God!”

“Let’s go get it. The dealership just called and said we can come pick it up. Drive your old car there and I’ll follow you.” Vincent winked, helped her put her arms into her sweater, and then escorted her to the parking lot. He fought to remain calm; his insides were ready to burst with excitement.

After her old car keys were exchanged for the new ones, the plates transferred, and all the other final details were taken care of, Vincent stood by the salesman and smiled as he watched Elissa drive off the lot. She was already crying when she started the engine, and he hoped she could see where she was going through her tears. He dug out his phone and called Sean.

“Well, Bro, she drove off into the sunset,” laughed Vincent.

“Sweet! It’s lunchtime, so no sunset. Which way did she head?” Sean returned the laughter.

“The office I assume, but who knows? That girl’s in seventh heaven.” He could no longer see her up the street, so he thanked the salesman and then walked to his car. After seeing Elissa’s face, nothing could ruin his day.

Vincent stopped by Tyler’s office, letting him know he hadn’t heard anything about Robert yet. As he walked past Elissa’s office again, he saw that she was working like a crazy woman; her fingers were flying across the keyboard. He was surprised to see her back at the office so soon.

“And I shall call you, Speedy.” Vincent stuck his head in the door and smiled.

“I’m just so excited, Vinnie.” Elissa stood up from her chair and ran to him. She threw her arms around his neck and thanked him over and over again. “You’ve changed my life, and you’ve given the boys a future they can be happy in. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude.” She buried her face in his shoulder.

All at once, there was a man knocking on the open door. He had a box in his hand and he stepped inside. “Elissa Chiles?” he asked.

“Yes?” Elissa backed away from Vincent, so she could speak to the delivery man.

“This is for you. Have a great day,” he said, while handing her the box.

Vincent tipped the guy and then looked back at Elissa with curiosity. “Well, open it.” He smiled and waited. “Oh, did you want me to go?”

“No, you can stay. After all, these are probably from you.” Her cheeks flushed, while she slid the ribbon off the box. Inside were twelve, beautiful, red, long-stemmed roses. “Oh, wow…” she whispered.

“Red? Okay, whose your secret admirer?” he winked.

“’You deserve every great thing life has to offer. Sean’” Elissa looked up from the card and stared at Vincent.

Vincent gently took the card from her hands. “Well I’ll be damned.” He stepped backwards into the hall, looking for his brother. “Emma’s a vase hoarder. Go grab one, so you can get these in water.”

Elissa agreed and took off up the hall. While she was gone, Vincent strolled over to his brother’s office at the opposite end of the twelfth floor. He tapped on the door before opening it. His brother was in the middle of stuffing his face with chicken Lo Mein, with a set of chopsticks. Classic rock was playing, while Sean flipped through papers.

“Wow, dude, you’re a train wreck,” laughed Vincent.

“Yeah that’s me. Want some?” Sean offered as he held out the quart of noodles.

“Elissa loved her roses.” Vincent winked. “You know…the red ones. Not yellow as a sign of friendship, but red. The long-stemmed red ones. The roses that represent love. Did you know that that’s what they symbolize?” Vincent walked closer to the desk and looked Sean in the eyes.

“So? They’re flowers. They looked nice in the bucket at the florist. I just thought that every girl liked red roses. What do you expect me to do, Vinnie, go grab them from her and exchange them for some puke color?” Sean shook his head and crammed more noodles into his mouth.

“Let me guess. You send red roses to Donna…” He couldn’t help but egg his brother on.

“No, I give her assortments. She likes that kind of thing. Besides, she’s just a kid.” Sean stared up at Vincent with grease on his lips. “Nice try, though, Brother. Now get out, and let me finish what I’m doing.” He placed the chopsticks in the carton and shooed him away with his hand, while laughing.

“If you washed that shit off your face, you might even grab yourself a girl who can look past all of your obnoxious habits.” Vincent pointed at him.

Sean smiled and lifted a napkin up to his face. “Yeah, like you, Mr. Lonely?”