Winds of Heaven (19 page)

“I miss Mom,” Casey whispered. She looked at Meredith and shrugged.

“I do too.” Meredith put her head back and studied Casey. “I know I have not been as supportive of your lifestyle as Eleanor was. Your mother had a very giving and open heart, much like her father.” She laughed. “Your father was more like me, and we weren’t even related. Funny how that works.”

Casey nodded and gazed into the woods beyond the cabin. “You’ve been much more supportive in recent years, Gram.”

Meredith grunted. “That’s because I’m trying to buy my way into heaven.”

Casey laughed then. “No, you’re not. You’re kinder than you let on.”

“And if you tell anyone, I shall disinherit you.”

“I thought you had no money…”

“You’ll get my martini shaker.”

Casey leaned against the porch railing and looked out over the lake as Liz and Skye’s playful banter could be heard in the background.

“What are you thinking?” Meredith asked.

Casey smiled. “I love to get away from Chicago and the rat race and hide here.”

“Alone?”

Casey struck a thoughtful pose. “You know my lifestyle.”

“Is that what you still want? Brief encounters. The novelty of someone new? It’s fleeting at best.”

“I’m not sure I’m equipped for anything else. Julie was the only one I came even remotely close to it all with. And she…”

“Wanted a family.”

Casey nodded. “I was right not to have a family with Julie. She wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready.”

“And now?”

Casey’s head shot up; she stared in disbelief. “Now? What do you mean?”

Meredith motioned to the kitchen. Casey’s mouth dropped. “Liz? Oh, good grief, Gram. I, she…” She finished her beer with one long gulp.

“You haven’t thought of it?” Meredith gently prodded.

“No, well, yes, but no.” She stopped and let out a long sigh. “Gram, am I fond of them? Yes. Is Liz attractive? Certainly. She’s more beautiful pregnant.”

“Really? Have you told her this?”

“Shit, no.”

“Why not? I’m sure in her condition she’d love to hear it.”

They were silent for a moment. “I have Suzette.”

Meredith groaned deeply and rolled her eyes. Casey continued. “Really, Gram. While Suzette might be shallow, she knows what she wants from me.”

“Nothing,” Meredith chimed in.

“No strings. No attachments, no—”

“Love.”

Casey’s shoulders sagged and she hung her head.

“I’m annoying, aren’t I?”

“You have no idea.”

The giggling heard in the kitchen from mother and daughter brought a contented grin to Casey’s face once again. Meredith laughed and put her head back, gazing at the twilight sky. “I’m sorry, Casey. I shouldn’t butt into your life. You’re a grown woman with a fabulous career and a carefree lifestyle. The last thing you need is a ready-made family.” She lifted her head and noticed the faraway look in Casey’s eyes. “But you’re doing a good thing here, dear. I sincerely mean that. It’s not an easy situation for you or Liz. Perhaps a wonderful friendship may be forged from this. That in itself would be very good for both of you.”

“Maybe.” Casey shrugged and lifted the lid to the grill and put it on the ground. “I wonder if these are done.”

“Casey? Did you check the steaks?” Liz called out from the kitchen.

Meredith let out a wicked laugh then. “She’s reading your mind now? Interesting.”

Casey glared and drank her beer; she noticed the bottle was empty. “Shit.”

Skye appeared at the screen door. With her nose pressed against the screen, she cupped her hands around her face and peered at Casey. “
Cafey
, Mama—”

“Tell your mother I’m not stupid,” Casey said as she poked at the steak.

“Mama!
Cafey
say she not stupid.”

Casey completely avoided Meredith, who nearly spit up her drink. She wiped her chin. “What a waste of good vodka.” She smiled sweetly at Casey.

“Well, I didn’t say she was,” Liz called back. “Oh, good grief, that stubborn…”

“She’s got your number.” Meredith held up the empty glass.

Casey groaned helplessly and took the glass. “Who invited you?” She walked to the opposite side of the deck and looked out at the woods. She couldn’t think anymore; this was too much emotion, too much—

“Casey?”

When she heard her grandmother’s voice, she groaned. “Gram, I know what you’re saying and—”

“Do you know where we could order a pizza?”

“Mama! Fire!”

Casey whirled around when she heard Skye’s scream to see flames shooting out of the grill. “Shit!”

Meredith calmly sat in the chaise lounge and watched as Casey dashed off the deck and grabbed the garden hose.

The screen door flew open and Meredith now looked at Liz, who ran onto the deck with a pitcher of iced tea. Meredith, feeling like she was at a tennis match, looked back when Casey ran back with the garden hose and pointed the nozzle at the flames, just as Liz stood back and heaved the pitcher of tea at the grill; the iced tea missed the grill but doused Casey—lemons, ice, and all.

Blinded by the tea, pelted by the ice cubes and lemon wedges, Casey tried to get liquid out of her eyes and turn on the hose. “This damned thing!”

“Casey, I’m so sorry,” Liz exclaimed.

Meredith looked to the heavens and shook her head; she stood with a groan and picked up the lid, placing it on the grill. Skye was giggling. Casey was breathing like a bull, completely soaked. Liz stood there holding the empty pitcher of tea and waving the smoke out of her face.

The aroma of charred beef filled the air.

Meredith dusted off her hands. “Now about that pizza.”
 

“I found a doctor in Rhinelander,” Liz offered as they ate dinner. “I have an appointment day after tomorrow in the afternoon.”

Casey looked up from her pizza. “Is this a normal appointment?”

“Yes, don’t worry.” Liz blew at the steamy pizza.

“If I’m still here, dear, I’ll take you.” Meredith smiled at Liz, who glanced at Casey.

“Thank you, Meredith. Unfortunately, I don’t have a car.”

Casey wiped her mouth on the napkin. “I would’ve taken you. You only had to ask.”

Liz felt the blood rush to her face. She hated feeling this helpless, and once again, she heard the critical tone in Casey’s voice. It was really getting annoying. “I’ve interrupted your life so much as it is. I—”

Casey snorted sarcastically.

Meredith’s eyes flew open. “Casey Bennett!”

Liz threw down her napkin and wiped the pizza sauce off Skye’s mouth. “C’mon, sweet pea, time for a bath.”

Meredith put her hand on Liz’s arm. “Let me. I haven’t bathed a child in years.” She looked at Skye, who giggled. “How about, Skye, can Grandma give you a bath?”

“Sure,” Skye said and struggled off the chair. She pulled at Meredith’s hand. “Come, Gamma. I show you
fith
.”

Liz was fuming as she watched Skye and Meredith disappear down the hall. She pulled herself out of the kitchen chair with as much dignity as her stomach would allow and reached for the dishes.

Casey held onto her hand. “I’ll clean up.”

“No, thank you. I’d like to earn my room and board, Ms. Bennett.” She angrily wrenched her hand away and picked up the plates and glasses.

Casey tossed down her napkin and walked out of the kitchen. Liz whirled around. “Enough of this.”

She followed Casey into the living room. Casey was kneeling by the hearth, preparing to start a fire. I’ll give her a fire, Liz thought.

“Okay, Casey. You and I need a heart to heart.”

Casey’s brow furrowed deeper. She then tossed the kindling and wood on the fire and angrily struck the match. “I have nothing to say.”

“Oh, yes, you do. You’ve been on the verge of something since the day you picked us up at the bus station. Now we’re having this out. I can’t live on pins and needles like this. One minute you’re adorable and sweet, and the next you’re an ass.” Inwardly, she wanted to kick herself in the ass, if she could get her foot that high, when she let the adorable comment slip.

Casey was breathing deeply; Liz could tell she was controlling her anger.

“Look, I know this is an inconvenience and I know you weren’t expecting your life to be like this. But, damn it, neither was I!”

Casey whirled around to her. “Then why?”

Liz blinked at the obscure question. “Why what?”

“You seem, or seemed, like a logical, well-adjusted person. You know how Julie was, how irresponsible she was.”

Liz bristled at the accusation. “I do not owe you any explanation. How dare you? What right do you have to question a decision made about a family and a relationship? What do you know of love, Casey Bennett? Or of a commitment?” She walked up to Casey and stood in front of her. “I don’t think your life has been so exemplary that you can question mine. I had a partner who loved me. Was she irresponsible? Perhaps.”

“Perhaps, that’s almost laughable. Julie was like a child. She had no idea how to be a parent.”

“And you have vast experience in that department?”

Casey looked down into Liz’s eyes. “No, I do not. But I will admit to it and not go off and selfishly have two children. I can only imagine the cost of that, and you working part time as it was.”

Liz shook her head. “Wait a second, what are you talking about two children?”

“Why would you do this? Twice?” Casey asked. Liz heard the pure confounded tone. Casey raised her hand. “Look, I apologize. It’s none of my business.”

“Is that what has been bothering you all this time?” Liz asked. “You thought Julie and I had two inseminations?” Liz sighed deeply, then laughed. She looked up to see the curious, almost scared look on Casey’s face. “So you think I’m irresponsible, as well, is that it?”

“Like I said, it’s none of my business.”

“You’re very arrogant and pompous. You do realize that, don’t you?” Liz heard the muffled laugh coming from the direction of the bathroom.

“Let’s skip it.”

“No, this is important. I’m going to tell you, Ms. Bennett. Then if you still feel me irresponsible, I will gladly pack my bags and leave.” She turned and faced the fireplace. She shook her head and laughed again.

“Twice?” Liz repeated. How could Casey Bennett know? “Casey, Skye is not my biological daughter.”

Chapter 12

Casey shook her head as if to clear the cobwebs; she painfully pinched the bridge of her nose. “I beg your pardon?”

Liz sighed. “I’m going to need to sit for this one.” She eased into the chair by the fireplace. Casey awkwardly reached out to assist her; she was too late and pulled her hand away.