The Good Luck Potion (The Good Luck Series) (10 page)

“When you check with the caterer can you be sure to remind her about the mints. She said she’d do a special design
of our initials for them, but I needed to remind her about it closer to time.”

“Okay.” She rummaged in her purse for a pen and paper to jot it down so she wouldn’t forget.

“Thanks and have fun. I didn’t realize you were seeing Alex again tonight.”

“He called after I got home from the fitting.”

“Things sure are moving in the right direction for you.”

“I guess. Listen I really need to get off the phone before a nurse catches me.”

“Sure. Sure. We can talk about this later. Bye.”

Sue ended the call and turned the cellphone off before putting it back in her purse. When she turned around she bumped into Alex.

He reached out and took hold of her arms to steady her.
His strong hold on her sent a little spark running down her spine, and a warmth filled her belly as she recalled their earlier kiss. Oh man, but she really was treading on dangerous ground with him.

“Anything wrong?”
His brow arched and her pulse raced. She swallowed hard.

“No. Kimberly had something to add to that list of things for me to do.”

“Ah…listen there really isn’t a reason for us to stick around here unless you just want to. It could be hours before the twins are born. We probably could still go get dinner and maybe come back later if you just wanted.”

She nodded.

“Okay. Let’s go tell Keely we’re leaving so she doesn’t worry.”

He offered her his hand and she took it feeling a warm buzz spread up her arm. She loved touching him and the way it made her feel. The gris-gris warmed too and she couldn’t help smiling, imagining that was its way of telling her he was her soul mate.

“Keels, we’ll going to head out.”

“Do you have to?” Lucinda asked, frowning. “I was hoping to chat with you some more. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.”

“We kinda had plans.” He looked at Sue and she could tell he felt torn by what he wanted and pleasing Lucinda. So she made the decision for him.

“But we can stay a few more minutes.”

“Perfect.” Lucinda’s frown turned into a smile and she beamed. “I could really use a cup of coffee. Alex, would you mind getting me some?”

“That sounds good.” Lillian nodded. “Darren?”

“I’ll get you a cup, mom.” He stood. “Come on Alex, let’s go to the cafeteria. Anyone else want anything?”

“I’m fine,
” Sue assured them.

“Keely?”

“I’m good too. Thanks, honey.”

“Okay, we’ll be back.”

Sue sat down between Keely and Lucinda on the cushioned bench. “So any idea how long it’ll be before the babies arrive?”

“Kyle came out and said that Jama
had stopped dilating which could prolong the process,” Keely explained.

“She’ll be fine. I said a blessing
at the doorway and I tucked a little something in Kyle’s pocket to ward off evil when I hugged him.” Lucinda’s voice held much confidence and Sue wished she had an ounce of it when it came to the future. 

“
We should just relax and let Sue tell us about how things are progressing with her and Alex.”

“Huh?”
She glanced at the woman, not liking being put on the spot, especially to talk about something personal in front of Keely’s mother-in-law. 

“
Don’t huh me,” Lucinda wagged a finger in front of her. “It looked to me like things are going nicely.”

“Lucinda,” Keely warned shifting on the cushion. “Leave them alone.”

“There really isn’t anything to tell…yet.” Sue got up and walked over to the magazine rack to put a safe distance between them. The gris-gris warmed and she was afraid it might start glowing giving away her feelings.

“But you being here together, tonight, it isn’t the first time you’ve been out, is it?”

She shook her head and glanced back at the women. “No.”

“Oh, she’s blushing.” Lillian pointed at her and smiled. “I think you may be on to something, Lucinda.”

“Of course I am. She’s wearing my gris-gris.”

Sue reached up and touched the charm and silently prayed it would not steer her wrong where Alex was concerned. She selected a magazine and went back to sit down, choosing a chair adjacent
to the women. “We’re getting to know one another.”

“A good step,” Lillian agreed. “
You don’t have to rush into anything, no matter what magic Lucinda tries to throw at you.”

“Pish Posh.” Lucinda waved a hand in the air and her bangle bracelets jingled.
She turned to face Keely. “Are you okay, dear? You’ve been shifting like you’re uncomfortable.”

“I am. I think I need to get up and walk, but I also have to stay off my feet.”

Lucinda stood and helped her to stand as well. “Let’s walk down to the nurses’ station and back.”

“Okay.”

When they were a short distance away, Lillian walked toward the closed door to Jama’s room. Sue put down the magazine and turned watching her. She seemed so disheartened to not be in there with her daughter.

Soon, the woman came back and sat down again.
“This waiting game is hard on an old woman.”

“I don’t think you’re old, Mrs. Wright.
”

“Thank you dear, but I feel old and alone. My kids are all grown and I’m about to be a grandmother. What else should I feel about myself?”

“That you’re starting a new segment of your life.”

She smiled. “You’re a very sweet girl. I see why Keely talks so favorably about you. And that Alex. He’s such a cutie. I can tell you like him.”

Sue’s cheeks warmed and she couldn’t help smiling. “I do.”

“Then I hope only the best for you both.”

The door to Jama’s room opened and Kyle appeared. “Lillian, Jama is asking for you.”

The woman sucked in her breath.
“Oh goodness. Please excuse me, dear.”

Sue watched as she
hurried away and the door closed again. When she was alone she glanced down the hall to see if she could see Keely or Lucinda coming back, but they were nowhere in sight. She picked up the magazine and flipped through looking for something to occupy her time. Finally she heard their voices once more, and when she looked up, Keely had a container of juice sipping on it.

“That looks good.”

“It is. They keep it in a little freezer at the nurses’ station and the juice gets icy. I don’t know if that makes it taste better or what, but I think I could drink lots of these if I were here for a while.”

“That’s
because it’s good for you,” Lucinda said, placing a pillow behind Keely’s back once she sat. “Where’s Lillian?”

“Jama asked for her.”

“Oh good. It shouldn’t be long now.”

“Lucinda, what did you do?” Keely asked, leveling a look on her.

The Cajun woman shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Keely looked at Sue and they both nodded, silently agreeing that she’d used her charms somehow.

The door opened and Lillian emerged beaming. “She’s doing fine. The nurse said she’s started dilating again and it shouldn’t be long now because she is fully effaced. Jama’s in great spirits. She looks so beautiful. Motherhood will agree with her nicely even though she has been so worried about it.”

It wasn’t long before
Darren and Alex returned with the coffee. Lillian informed them about Jama’s progress. Lucinda insisted that Alex sit beside her and talk while she drank it. Darren settled beside Keely and began fussing over her, insisting she put her feet up in one of the adjacent chairs that he pulled over to the bench.

Sighing,
Sue flipped through the pages of the magazine again, not really reading the articles or looking at the pictures, but pretended to so she appeared uninterested in what Alex and Lucinda were saying. The harder she tried to listen though the softer Lucinda seemed to speak as if she knew what was going on. In frustration, Sue finally glanced at them and Alex had leaned closer to his godmother so even his voice was hard to hear.

She finally got up and returned the magazine to the rack before going to the ladies room
staying in there longer than necessary because the waiting was getting to her. When she came out, everyone was hugging one another.

“What’s happened?” she asked.

“They’re here. My beautiful grandbabies are here.” Lillian dabbed at the corner of her eye with a tissue. “I have a grandson and a granddaughter. James and Klarissa Landers.”

“Congratulations.”

“See it all worked out just fine,” Lucinda said.

Alex stood and
came over to her. “Kyle’s going to come out with his digital camera and show everyone pictures of them shortly. I assume you’ll want to stay for that?”

“Yes. I’d love to see them if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” He grinned and shook his head. “It’s been so long since I’ve felt a part of a family like this. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Sue felt a tightening in her chest
while moisture formed at her eyes and she impulsively hugged him. “Oh, Alex. I’m sorry you were so alone when you were in Alaska. I couldn’t imagine being that far away from my family all because of a job. I’m glad you’re here now.”

“Thank you. I’m glad we got to share this together.”
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back, running his strong hands up and down her back. She closed her eyes, breathing in his cologne and relaxed against him for a moment before she realized what she was doing. Coming back to her senses, she stepped back and broke their hug, feeling a little unsettled. Why did she have to feel so strongly about him when they hardly knew each other?

Thankfully
Kyle appeared as promised and they all passed the camera around getting a peek at the twins as they were bathed, checked over by the doctor, and swaddled for the first time. There was even a picture of Jama holding both of them.

“Congratulations,” Alex told Kyle
as he shook his hand.

Kyle looked surprised. “Thank you, Alex.
I didn’t realize you were here. What —”

“Darren texted and I thought it was about my sister until we got here.”

“Yeah I got that text too, which I thought was odd that he was telling me my wife was in labor.” Kyle shook his head. “Well, whatever brought you here it’s good to see you without my favorite patient in tow. I assume he is doing well?”

“Duke is fine
healthwise. Thanks for asking.”

“Good.” Kyle glanced at Sue. “It’s nice to see you again. I’m sure Jama will be pleased to know you were here awaiting the birth.”

“Please tell her the babies are gorgeous. I know you both couldn’t be happier.”

“
We are. Thank you both for coming. I need to get back to her.” Kyle hurried back to the room.

“I guess we should go now,” Sue said.

“Yeah.” Alex looked at his watch. “We shouldn’t have trouble getting into a restaurant now. If you still want to go eat?”

“How about we go back to my apartment. I have some fresh chicken I can grill and make a salad. The vegetables are already cut up so it won’t take long to do it on my counter top grill. I’ll even let you raid my DVD collection and find something to watch if you are up for a movie?”

He grinned. “That sounds perfect.”

“Okay.”

They said their goodbyes and started to leave when Darren’s mom stopped them. “Thank you for coming,” Lillian stood and hugged Alex. “You should come with Keely and Darren to my house next Sunday for a home cooked meal. Bring Sue with you. There’s always room for one more at my table.”

“Thank you for
the invitation. We’d like that.”

“
Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Wright,” Sue added.

“You’re welcome, dear. It was good to see you again.”

By the time they left the sun had set and the moon was high in the sky. A cool breeze blew reminding them it was fall of the year. Sue was glad she had worn a sweater as they hurried to her car for another evening at home with Alex.

Chapter Eight

Monday morning came too early in Sue’s opinion. She’d spent most of Sunday working on Kimberly’s to do list and trying to make a decision about Alex. As a result
, she’d been restless when she went to bed and tossed and turned most of the night. When she woke, her mind immediately replayed how they’d spent the remainder of their date after they returned from the hospital. She’d fixed the grilled chicken and salad while Alex had searched through her DVD collection. But instead of eating dinner and watching a movie, they’d spent it in conversation and then he’d coaxed her into dancing with him because he’d uncovered her CD collection. The dancing had been nice, but then he’d kissed her and they’d ended up on the couch kissing until she’d been breathless. When he finally left, she had to take a cold shower. She had to stop seeing him.