Last One Home (36 page)

“Hello?” he snapped, in no mood to deal with her.

“Steve, it’s Britt.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You haven’t returned my calls,” she said with a small pout. “Jeremy wanted to ask you to come to the house this weekend.”

“I’m busy this weekend. Can you put him on the line and I’ll talk to him?”

Britt hesitated. “I’m beginning to think you’re not interested in seeing me or Jeremy.”

She sounded hurt now and Steve felt wretched. “Listen, Britt. I’m already involved with someone.” His heart was involved, if nothing else. Despite the fact that Cassie appeared to want nothing more to do with him, he’d fallen for her hard. She wasn’t going to be easy to forget.

“You don’t mean that girl from the Hoedown, do you? You can’t mean her! Steve, really, she’s one of those poor women who are charity cases. You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious, Britt. You’re beautiful and Jeremy is a great kid. I’ll be happy to remain pals with your son, but as for you and me, it’s not going to work.”

“Okay,” she said defiantly. “Well, that’s just fine.” She hung up before he had a chance to say anything more, which, frankly, was probably for the best.

Steve felt bad about Britt, but not for long. He got busy with paperwork and the next time he looked up it was dark. He glanced at his wrist and was shocked to see that it was after nine o’clock. His stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten since mid-morning and he was ravenous.

He locked up the office and headed out. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he ended up parked outside of Cassie’s apartment. Her beater car was on the other side of the street, so in every likelihood she was home. And the lights were on inside, so he knew she was awake.

The evening was warm and her front door was open, allowing the air to cool the apartment. Driven by something beyond his pride and his stubbornness, he climbed out of his truck. He’d sworn he wasn’t going to contact her. Sworn she had to reach out to him. Even while he reminded himself of that, Steve checked traffic and then ran across the street.

When he got to the sidewalk outside her apartment, he glanced up and saw Cassie framed in the doorway. Like a hook that was sunk deep into his heart he felt drawn to her. Step-by-step he came toward her until the only thing that separated them was the screen door. Not more than five feet from her, he stopped, his breathing shallow and labored as if he’d just finished a 10K run.

For a long moment all they did was stare at each other. He swore she’d never looked more beautiful.

He stepped nearer, so only inches separated them now. Mere inches and one thin screen.

Steve’s throat was tight. Earlier he’d asked himself the question if he loved Cassie, and looking at her now, there wasn’t a single doubt left in his mind. He was head over heels in love, crazy about her.

This was different, totally different, from what it’d been like with Alicia. They’d been college students, high on life, ruled by hormones. They’d been in love, deeply in love, and they’d married and had wonderful plans for a home, a family, a future. Cancer had robbed them of the opportunity.

What he felt for Cassie was more mature, deep, profound. Hardly aware of what he was doing, he raised his hand and pressed it against the screen, seeking a link with her. After only a slight hesitation, Cassie’s hand met his on the other side. While it was their palms that touched, he felt as if the gesture had linked their hearts.

“Hi,” he whispered.

“Hi,” she whispered back.

“I’ve missed you.”

She smiled and then bit into her lower lip as if she was trying hard not to cry. “I’ve missed you, too.” She lowered her hand and unlatched the screen and held it open for him.

The very instant he could, Steve reached for her and brought her into his arms. He sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He took in the scent of her, cherished the joy of holding her.

Cassie buried her face in his neck and clung to him. He longed to kiss her, to show her the only way he could think how miserable he’d been without her. He’d been angry, depressed, lost, and it took until this very moment to realize how convinced he was that this was home. He belonged with Cassie and she belonged with him.

They’d both made the long, arduous journey toward each
other. Nothing would be right without Cassie in his life. She offered him everything that he thought he’d lost with Alicia. A home, a daughter, a sense of belonging, but he wouldn’t pressure her. He’d learned his lesson. He’d be patient, bide his time until she was ready.

“I’m sorry I rushed you,” he whispered, needing to say it. “Will you give me another chance if I promise to take this one day at a time?”

She raised her head and placed her fingers over his lips, shushing him.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, and with her arms linked around his neck she tossed back her head and started to laugh.

Steve twirled her around and around, laughing with her, loving her so much that it felt as if his heart was about to burst wide open.

“Mom?” Amiee asked, and then immediately followed it with, “Steve?”

The girl stood in the doorway to her bedroom. She looked from her mother to Steve.

Steve set Cassie’s feet back down on the ground.

Amiee looked from one to the other. Steve kept his arm around Cassie’s waist, unwilling to let her go for even a moment.

“Are you back?” Amiee asked him.

Steve looked to Cassie and saw the joy in her face and nodded. “I’m back.”

“Amiee, honey. I thought you were reading,” Cassie said.

“I was, but then I fell asleep. And then I woke up.”

“So did I,” Steve said.

Cassie looked at him and her smile widened. “So did I,” she whispered.

Steve got back in the truck and went to get a bucket of KFC, then brought it to the apartment. The three of them sat around
the table and dug in to the feast. More than once Steve leaned over and took Cassie’s hand, unable to restrain himself.

Amiee ate mashed potatoes but refused to let anyone eat the chicken legs so she could have them all the following day.

Soon after they finished clearing off the table, Amiee returned to her room and Cassie and Steve cuddled on the sofa.

“You took flowers to Alicia’s grave site,” he said.

Cassie twisted her head back to look up at him. “How’d you know?”

“Why would you do that?”

She pressed her head against his shoulder. “I was miserable, and don’t laugh, please, but I wanted her advice. I know it sounds ridiculous … she wasn’t going to answer. I … I don’t know. It made me feel better, I guess.”

“I went to her for advice today myself,” he said, his lips grazing Cassie’s cheek. “And she answered me.”

“She did?”

Steve kissed her again, longer this time, letting Cassie know how much he’d missed her and how empty his life had felt without her. “She led me back to you,” he said, as he lifted his head. “She led me straight back to you.”

Nichole felt jubilant. In the four months since her visit with her two sisters, the three of them had made a point of routinely getting together. Reuniting with Cassie had changed everything. She had never expected to feel this close to Cassie again. It was as if reconciling with her had completed the circle. The three sisters were in almost constant communication. They texted back and forth all day long, as if to make up for lost time.

Although her sister didn’t speak of it often, Nichole learned more of the horrors of Cassie’s marriage to Duke. She’d met Steve Brody and liked him a great deal. The two were definitely an item, but they were taking it slow. If she married again, Cassie wanted to be sure.

Nichole was astonished when she saw the home Cassie was building. Cassie routinely texted her photos of the progress. It was nearly completed now, and Karen and her family, along with Nichole, Jake, and Owen, all planned to attend the dedication ceremony the following month. Cassie didn’t know they were coming—it would be a surprise.

Until Cassie’s return, Nichole hadn’t fully appreciated the importance of family connections. Oh, she’d kept in touch with
Karen, but after their father’s death so closely followed by their mother’s, the two had drifted apart. They each had busy lives and living in different states didn’t help. Without realizing it, Nichole had allowed the ties that had bound her to her oldest sibling to grow slack. That was no longer the case.

It felt wonderful to be part of a family again. Her family. While life had been treating her and Jake well, Karen and Garth had undergone their share of problems. But they seemed to be straightening it out. Three months ago Garth had taken the real estate exam and begun selling commercial property. Within a few weeks he’d had his first major sale. Karen was excited for him. He was a natural: personable, detailed-oriented, and knowledgeable. With Karen working at a title company, the two made a great team.

When she thought about how important family was, she included Jake’s side of the family. She’d been growing closer to the Pattersons as well, especially her mother-in-law, Leanne. They often visited Jake’s parents, and while father and son golfed together, Nichole and her mother-in-law shopped or took Owen on an outing, exploring the zoo or a park. It was nice to have such a great relationship with her in-laws, since they were the only grandparents Owen would know.

Her son was getting into everything these days, growing like a dandelion in lush green grass. He was a constant source of joy. Nichole was eager to get pregnant with a second child. She smiled as she set breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. Owen sat on the floor, playing with his xylophone, looking up at her gleefully as he made a racket.

He’d outgrown his morning naps shortly after his first birthday but could be counted on to take a two-hour nap every afternoon. Nichole used the time to work in the garden, which she loved.

The small vegetable garden she’d planted in their backyard had yielded lettuce and cucumbers and a small pumpkin that was the perfect size for her son. They’d be carving it soon.

If Nichole had any concern, it was the long hours her husband put into his job. Jake came home at the end of the day, emotionally drained and physically exhausted. Lately she noticed that he seemed a little depressed. She’d hoped driving his new BMW would lift his spirits, and it had in the beginning, but lately she’d sensed a growing discontent in him. Just recently she’d suggested that he consider changing jobs, seeing how demanding this one seemed to be. He wouldn’t have a problem finding other employment, especially with his successful background with the wine company.

By noon, the autumn day had cooled considerably. The weather was forecasting snow flurries in the foothills. Karen had sent her an email that morning that said Spokane had already had their first snowfall of the year. Cassie had emailed that rain was in the forecast in Seattle. Autumn was upon them.

The doorbell chimed and Nichole grabbed a kitchen towel to wipe her hands before answering. She wasn’t expecting anyone, especially mid-morning.

She opened the door to find her mother-in-law standing on the other side.

“Leanne, this is a surprise,” Nichole said, holding open the door for her.

Owen toddled toward her with outstretched arms.

“How’s my boy?” Leanne asked, leaning down and scooping up Owen. She spread eager kisses across his face and Owen squealed with delight.

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by unannounced.”

“Of course not,” Nichole said, leading her mother-in-law toward the kitchen. “How about a cup of coffee? It’s chilly out
today. I collected the mail earlier and was sorry I hadn’t put on a sweater.”

Leanne pulled out a chair and bounced Owen on her knee until he grew bored and wanted down. Eager to display his great musical ability, he returned to his xylophone and happily beat away. He really was a cheerful little boy.

Leanne was a wonderful grandmother, and in a recent conversation Nichole had shared her desire to have another baby. Her mother-in-law had been thrilled. She didn’t ask outright if Nichole was pregnant; she wouldn’t, that wasn’t her way. She looked a bit pensive, doubtful. Nichole thought to clear the air.

“I was hoping I’d get pregnant this month,” Nichole said, as she delivered two mugs of coffee to the table. “Unfortunately, my period started yesterday.”

“Some things are meant to be,” Leanne said, but didn’t quite meet Nichole’s eyes.

“I was really hoping this time.”

“I always wanted more than one child,” Leanne said, as she reached for her iced tea. “But it didn’t happen for me.” She hesitated and looked out the sliding glass door toward the patio, and when she spoke she lowered her voice. “It wasn’t until Jake was in junior high that I learned that Sean had had a vasectomy without my knowledge.”

“Oh.” Shocked, Nichole hardly knew what to say. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Again her mother-in-law looked into the distance. “I’m sure you can figure out why Sean would do such a thing and not tell me.”

“Well … I …” Again Nichole was at a loss for words, although there’d been plenty of rumors floating around regarding her father-in-law’s extramarital affairs.