It Takes Three

Thea walked through the doorway separating the front office from the kitchen/work area in the back. She’d leased this space when her business outgrew her condo. Sometimes she cooked for a job at home, but mostly she and Connie prepared food here.

They’d furnished this office with a top-of-the-line double oven, a microwave/convection oven, a large side-by-side refrigerator and the best set of pots and pans their budget allowed. The drawers and cupboards were stuffed with the latest gizmos to make a cook’s heart go pitter-patter.

Connie was industriously wiping down the counter-tops. As Thea approached, her tall, redheaded friend glanced over her shoulder. “Hi, T.”

“Hi, yourself. It’s only eight-thirty. What are you doing here so early?”

“It’s not that early. Besides, I had a day off.” She faced Thea and put her hands on her boyishly slim hips. “So how did your appointments go yesterday?”

The image of Scott Matthews instantly popped into her head. Not surprising, since thoughts of him hadn’t been far from her mind since leaving his place yesterday. She’d wondered whether his daughter was going to have a baby. Some appointment.

“I took deposits for several parties,” she said vaguely.

Connie’s green-eyed gaze narrowed on her. “And?”

“And nothing.”

“Don’t blow me off, T. You’ve got a funny look on your face.”

Thea sat on one of the tall stools outside the U-shaped work space and looked at her friend. “One of my appointments got a little weird. The initial contact was made by a teenager who didn’t have parental permission for a catered graduation party.”

“Bummer.”

“Yeah,” Thea said, sighing with what felt like regret. And she wasn’t sure why. Like she’d told Scott—it wasn’t as if they needed the catering job to survive. This business was thriving and word of mouth was their best free advertising.

Connie leaned forward and rested her elbows on the counter. “It’s just as well you found out she was pulling a fast one before putting time, effort and money into the event. How did the underhanded little stinker get caught?”

“Kendra’s father came home unexpectedly while she and I were discussing the party.”

“What about the kid’s mother?”

“Out of the picture,” Thea answered. “And I get the feeling Kendra is having some feelings about it. She accused her father of ignoring her.”

“I was going to high-five you on your perception, but most teenagers are giddy with happiness when their parents ignore them. I’d say that’s a big clue she’s got issues.”

Thea laughed. “There’s more.”

“How can there be more? Is this kid in training for America’s Most Wanted? How old is she?”

“She’s eighteen, getting ready to graduate and go to college. Scott wants—”

“Scott?”

“Her father. He wants her to go away to school and she was talking up the local junior college. Reading between the lines, I think maybe she’s getting cold feet.”

“So she’s acting out? Masterminding a covert event to get even with a pushy dad?”

Thea shook her head. “Your flair for the dramatic comes in handy for planning themed events. But in everyday life, not so much.”

“I’m not the one trying to pull a fast one,” Connie protested.

“Maybe she has reason. She was upset about her father getting ready to sell the house when she goes to college. He hadn’t said anything to her about it yet. Selling, I mean.”

“Still, he’s the grown-up. I don’t think a failure to communicate is cause to take him out back and beat the crap out of him. So to speak,” she added.

Thea shrugged. “I think he’s guilty of premeditated failure to communicate. He didn’t want to deal with his daughter’s emotional fallout until it was absolutely necessary.”

“Chicken,” Connie said.

“I can’t say I blame him.”

“Now you’re defending him?” her friend questioned.

“I guess it’s my tragic flaw that I can see both sides of an issue. He was somewhat hostile in the beginning. But then I began to feel sorry for him.”

“Why?”

Thea rested her chin on her knuckles. “I guess it was the pregnancy test he found.”

“Whoa.” Connie shook her head as if to clear it. “You’re going to need to back up and explain that one.”

“It’s not that complicated. Joyce took a tour of the house for the market evaluation and I tagged along. It’s a great place, by the way. Just what I’ve been looking for.”

“Yeah, yeah. Get back to the test.”

“Kendra’s bathroom looked like a beauty supply store threw up all over it. He was shocked and appalled in equal parts and instinctively grabbed the bag of trash. When he was dumping it, the little stick fell out.”

“Is she pregnant?”

Thea lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Inconclusive because it’s only accurate for a certain length of time. He didn’t know how long ago she’d done the test before tossing it in the trash.”

“Did you tell him you knew this because you’d recently used one yourself?”

Thea shook her head. “He was in a state of shock and didn’t ask how I could read it.”

“And if he had?”

“I’d have told him it’s none of his business. My pregnancy has barely gotten off the ground. In my experience, it’s bad luck bordering on a jinx to talk about it until I’ve successfully completed the first trimester.”

“Okay.”

The tone of that one word said she was crazy and superstitious.

“Connie, don’t you go judgmental on me. You know better than anyone why I feel this way. In vitro fertilization is personal and private. I’ve done it twice and twice I thought I was pregnant. The first time, I told everyone. Strangers on the street, people on the phone, it didn’t matter. And then I lost the baby. I had to go back to everyone I’d told and relive the pain of losing a child over and over. But once wasn’t enough. I did it again because apparently I’m incapable of learning from my mistake. Third time’s the charm. I won’t do it again. Especially because I’ve got all my eggs in one basket. So to speak. I have no more eggs, at least none that are fertilized.”

“I’m aware of that. And, by the way, that was quite a speech.”

“It’s from the heart, Con. If I lose this baby, too, it will be like losing my husband all over again.” She took a deep breath to relieve the sudden pressure in her chest. “I promised David I would make sure part of him went on.”

“And you’ve done that,” Connie said, sympathy lacing the words.

“Not yet. Not until this child is born. To do that, I will not breathe a word to anyone—”

“What am I? Chopped liver?”

“You’re my best friend. I had to tell you. Besides, you’d have known. Sort of a best friend ESP.” She shrugged. “But I will not discuss this baby with anyone else until the first trimester is under my belt.”

“So to speak.”

“Yes.” Thea reluctantly gave in to a smile.

“Not even your family?”

“Especially not them. Mom and Dad can’t be emotionally involved until the risky first three months are done. They were crushed the other two times and I don’t want them hurt again. Or my brother and sister, either.”

“You don’t need to protect everyone, Thea.”

“Not everyone. Just my family, including this life inside me. Con, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want children. Even when I was a little girl, I was drawn to babies. When I see a pregnant woman, or someone with kids in a stroller, the yearning to have one is so powerful, it’s almost a pain inside me. Does that sound crazy?”

“Yes.” Connie tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. “But I understand. If I’d never had a couple of little misery-makers, I know I’d feel as if something was missing from my life.”

Connie’s choice of words belied the fact that she was a devoted wife and mother. She’d been Thea’s rock through everything: when Thea and David were trying unsuccessfully to conceive; the subsequent exams that indirectly led to discovering his cancer; freezing sperm so they could have children following his chemotherapy; remission; the two IVF attempts that were unsuccessful and so incredibly heartbreaking; David’s relapse and death. Now this one last try.

“I will do anything,” Thea said, “to insure the success of this pregnancy.”

“And I’ll help in any way I can.” Connie made a gesture, as if she were zipping her lips.

“Thanks.”

Connie grinned. “So tell me about Scott Matthews.”

“He’s got baggage, big-time.”

“Who doesn’t?”

“You, for one.” Thea toyed with the diamond-studded heart on a delicate chain around her neck. “He’s raised his two girls on his own—a father for the first time at twenty. It was an enormous responsibility and he was understandably upset to learn his daughter used a pregnancy test. And concerned she’ll repeat his history.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of information.”

“I guess he felt comfortable talking to me. That happens sometimes with a complete stranger.”

“And how would you know that? Sharing information isn’t something you do,” Connie pointed out.

“And you know why. When David was sick, I found out the hard way that sharing details can be a huge mistake.” One she didn’t plan to repeat. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me.

“Still,” Connie said, “there’s something different about you since I last saw you.”

“Probably the pregnancy glow,” she said wryly. “Although I think that’s an old wives’ tale. I haven’t got the energy to glow.”

“Don’t be so sure. There’s a sparkle in your eyes. Could it be because of Scott Matthews?”

“I think someone’s been whacked with the whimsical stick,” Thea said. “I’m the same as usual. Besides, Scott joked about wanting to be alone when his daughter goes to college. But I think many a truth is spoken in jest.”

Thea could tell him, alone wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She wouldn’t share that with her friend and give her any ideas. But the truth was, as a caterer, she cooked for many people, but no one special. There was no one waiting for her at home, no one to take care of, no one to talk about her day with.

“No one’s whacked me with anything,” Connie said. “I just know you. What does Scott Matthews look like?”

“Oh, come on—”

“Humor me.”

Thea let out a big sigh. “He’s tall. Dark hair. Blue eyes.”

“Not bad. What does he do for a living?”

“Kendra told me he’s a building contractor,” Thea answered. “And if his house is any indication, he does all right financially.”

“So you had this communication thing going on, yet you’re blowing him off?”

“He was annoyed that I met with his daughter behind his back. For Whom the Bell Toils didn’t get the job. I have no reason to see him again. That doesn’t constitute blowing him off. There’s nothing to blow off.”

She heard the ding-dong from the reception area indicating someone had come in the front door. “Anyone here?” The voice was decidedly masculine.

“I’ll get it,” Connie said, untying her apron.

“No. I’ll go. Saved by the bell.” Thea stood and grinned at her friend. “Now I know how Kendra felt when her father started in on her.”

Thea walked through the door and was surprised to see the father in question standing there. Her stomach did a funny little shimmy. She knew it was too early for that movement to be about the baby. So it had to be all about Scott Matthews. She hadn’t expected to be attracted to a man again. She’d thought that part of her had died with her husband.

She smiled at Scott. “Hello again.”

“Thea.” One corner of his wonderful mouth quirked up. “Or should I call you Obi-Wan?”

“Excuse me?”

“You did see Star Wars?”

“Of course. But I don’t get the reference.”

“The teacher and the student. Are you sure you don’t have children?”

None that she’d cop to just yet. “No. I mean yes, I’m sure. Why? What are you talking about?”

“Wise you are, as well as beautiful,” he said, imitating one of the movie characters.

“I think that’s Yoda-speak. But if it was a bona fide compliment, thank you.”

“It was. And you’re welcome.”

“Why am I wise?” she asked, refusing to acknowledge the beautiful part of that compliment.

“I managed to talk to Kendra without anyone leaving the room in hysterics, including me.”

She laughed. “What happened?”

“I took your advice and simply listened and asked questions. I tried not to lecture or offer advice.”

“And that didn’t make you hysterical?” she couldn’t resist asking.

“Of course it did. I’m a guy. And I build things. So the need to fix it now is especially strong. But I was a brave little soldier and didn’t let it show.”

“Wow. Congressional Medal of Honor material.”

He leaned a jean-clad hip against her desk and half sat. “It almost killed me not to bring up the pregnancy test, but I tried it your way.”

“And?”

“She admitted she feels bad when there’s an event and her mother isn’t there. Which proves your theory—listen you must, then talk to you she will.”

Thea laughed. “I didn’t say it like that.”

“No. But the message was the same. I hope by not lecturing this time, she’ll be more open to talking about it when I bring up the subject of the pregnancy test. Which I plan to in the very near future.” He frowned and worry lines bracketed his nose and mouth.

“Good instincts. Pick and choose your battles. Figure out which hill you want to die on.”

“Actually, I’d prefer not to die on any of them. But I suppose a single battle isn’t critical as long as I win the war.”

“Well said, General Solo.” She saluted. His responding grin hit her in the midsection like a fireball. She backed away and rested her backside against Connie’s desk.

“I—I’m glad you think I helped,” she said, hoping he hadn’t noticed her stammer. And especially hoping he didn’t get that her reaction to him caused it. “But, really, I didn’t do anything. There should be some kind of a medal for raising a terrific young woman like Kendra. I’m sure your older daughter is just as wonderful.”

“Gail,” he said.

She nodded. “She’s in college and on her way, thanks to you.”

“I don’t know how much is thanks to me. She’s just a good kid. So is Kendra.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I always thought I was doing a good job as both mother and father. That they wouldn’t miss their mother too much. After listening to my daughter, I realize I was wrong. She missed a lot.”

“It’s not your fault, Scott. You shouldn’t feel guilty.”

“No? I picked the woman who walked out so who else is there to blame?”

“You couldn’t make her stay. Any more than—”

“What?” he prompted.

She’d been about to say any more than she could prevent her husband from dying. But this conversation wasn’t about her. It was about a breakthrough with his daughter. Thea knew saying something about her own loss would completely shift the topic to her. Talking about herself could get awkward.

“I was going to say you couldn’t make her stay any more than you could keep your girls from growing up.”

“Isn’t that the truth?” A tender look stole into his eyes. “But I wanted to give my kids everything, every advantage. And I couldn’t give them a mom, which is what they needed most.”

The words were like a stone pressing on Thea’s chest. She’d made a choice to do everything humanly possible to ensure that a part of her husband went on. Now she was well on her way to keeping her promise. But she’d never stopped to consider the child’s feelings. Scott’s ex-wife was alive and well somewhere and, if she had a change of heart, could be involved with her girls. But there was no way her child would ever know its father.

How profoundly sad was that? When she and David had first started trying to have a baby, she’d had dreams about parenting together. She so very much wanted to share the experience with him. But fate had other plans. Now she was in this alone. And Scott was alone, too. For a long time now. Why was that? A good-looking guy like him. Was he commitment-phobic? If so, she certainly couldn’t blame him.

“Thea?”

“Hmm?” She looked up and noticed Scott was frowning.

“You drifted off there. Anything wrong?”

“No.” She took a deep breath. “I was just wondering—”

“What?”

“Feel free to tell me to jump in the lake. But I was wondering how a mother could simply walk out on her children.”

“There’s the million-dollar question.” He lifted one broad shoulder drawing her attention there.

His light blue collared golf shirt molded to his upper body in a most intriguing way. He was alternately lean and muscular in all the right places. Her gaze slid to the sturdy work boots he wore and she tried to remember if she’d always thought the look was sexy. Or if it was more a matter of the man in the boots.

He sighed. “I was focused on how hard her leaving was on me and the difficulties of raising the girls alone. They seemed to be doing fine, so I took that at face value. I believed it because it was easier. I buried my head in the sand and left my backside exposed.”

And a very nice backside it was, Thea thought. Unfortunately, she’d noticed a lot more than his backside and had the spiking pulse and sweaty palms to prove it.

“You’ve obviously done a fine job with the girls, Scott. And that’s the last time I’m going to pump up your ego. It’s entirely possible that Kendra hasn’t missed her mother all that much. Until now. Graduation from high school is a big step. I still remember the emotional trauma.”

“Really?” He folded his arms over his chest. The movement showcased his superior biceps.

“Spoken like a man,” she said, shaking her head. “She’s grieving the loss of a comfortable way of life as well as the familiar faces she sees every day.”

“But she’ll make new friends in college.”

“She doesn’t know that yet. All she can see is what will be gone. What’s changing. Maybe this has triggered some emotional upheaval she hasn’t felt until now.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Interesting theory. She’s had bouts of rebelliousness here and there. But until yesterday, she’s never done anything without running it by me first.”

“Reading between the lines, I’d say that behavior is an indication of something pretty important to her.”

“Yeah. When I listened to her, I got that impression.”

Thea knew men were action-oriented, and Scott more than most. She wondered how many fathers would have taken her advice and actually listened to their daughters. She met his gaze across the space separating the desks and realized he was certainly more than just another pretty face. In addition to his good looks, he was thoughtful, introspective and boyishly charming. The triple threat.

She had a vague sense of relief that she hadn’t gotten the catering job. He was the first man she’d noticed in a long time and the sensation wasn’t the least bit comfortable. She didn’t want to notice a man. It was act one in a play she wouldn’t audition for.

Obviously Scott had dropped by to thank her for the advice. And the courtesy was very nice. But she was grateful she wouldn’t have to see him again after this.

“I appreciate the 4-1-1 about Kendra.”

“Hmm?” he said, obviously puzzled.

“Information. That she’s communicating,” Thea clarified.

“Yeah.” He blew out a long breath.

She straightened away from the desk. “I’m glad things went well with the two of you. Now I have to get to an appointment.”

He stood up. “And I have to get to work.”

“Kendra said you’re a building contractor?”

“Matthews and Sons Construction. My father is retired now, but my brother and I run the company.”

“Aren’t you doing that big housing project over in Northbridge?”

He nodded. “And I have a crew there waiting for me.”

“You shouldn’t keep them waiting any longer. Thanks for stopping by, Scott.”

“Actually, I didn’t come by just to give you an update. I want to hire Thea Bell to toil for me. Will you cater my daughter’s graduation party?”

Talk about burying your head in the sand. Thea hadn’t seen that one coming. Or maybe she just hadn’t wanted to see it. Now what was she going to do?

Chapter Four

“You want to hire me?”

“That’s what I said. You sound surprised.”

“That’s because I am.” There was an understatement, she thought.

“Why?”

“I guess because you acted as if I committed a mortal sin when I treated your daughter like a grown-up.”

“I may have overreacted,” he admitted. “I might have come off a tad abrasive.”

She couldn’t resist needling him a tad. “Might have? You acted as if I was working black-ops catering with your teenager behind your back. I got the impression that my integrity was questionable in your opinion.”

“Now that you mention it…” His expression turned sheepish. “I made some phone calls. You’ll be glad to know your integrity checks out fine.”

“What a relief. I was worried.”

When he turned all the amps in his grin on her, Thea couldn’t breathe. She began to straighten the already neat stack of receipts on Connie’s desk, but the distraction didn’t do much to take the edge off her reaction to him. He was offering her a job. The fact that she was even hesitating to take it spoke volumes. When she was dealing with Kendra, there had been no question about her doing the party. Now that she would be dealing with Kendra’s father, everything was different. And it shouldn’t be.

Thea had catered events for both women and men. She’d done functions for corporate CEOs—male executives. This man was no different.

And that was when she recognized the lie.

She liked Scott and that made him different. It made her as nervous as a dieter in a doughnut shop, which was why she wanted to turn him down flat.

Then she looked head-on into the intensity of his gaze and her stomach did that whole stop, drop and roll thing. From another lifetime she vaguely remembered this feeling. It was another good reason to refuse the job. But what did that intensity in his expression mean? Did he find her attractive? It had been too long since she’d wondered or cared about such things and she couldn’t tell. Her feminine instincts, too long turned off, were now unreliable. He probably didn’t care about her one way or the other and she was being a ninny.

“Earth to Thea. It didn’t take this long to build the Suez Canal. So what do you say? Will you take the gig?”

“Do you have a date in mind?” she hedged. “I need to check my schedule.”

“She’s graduating the middle of June, assuming there are no unexpected surprises with her grades. But she’s always been an honors student, so I don’t expect that.” He thought for a moment. “I think a Saturday night would work best.” Moving closer to her, he glanced down at the large, desk-blotter calendar. “How about June nineteenth?” he said, pointing to the date.

She noticed the strength in his wide wrist and tanned forearm. She watched the muscles there bunch and ripple, making it difficult for her to take a deep breath.

“I’ll check my day planner.” She unzipped her briefcase and pulled out the leather-bound calendar. After opening it, she found the date and tried not to let him see her relief when she spotted a conflict. Loophole. She met his gaze. “I’m holding that date open for someone.”

“Holding it?” He frowned. “I’m going to take a shot in the dark here. Do you have a signed contract? A deposit?”

“Not yet, but I promised to try and keep that date free and I feel an obligation to the client.”

He pulled a checkbook from the back pocket of his jeans. “I’m willing to sign on the dotted line right now and put my money where my mouth is.”

Of course as soon as he mentioned it, her gaze went straight to his mouth. Some subconscious part of her wondered how his lips would feel against her own and the thought made her shiver. What was that about? Fear? Awareness? Weather-related? Darned if she knew. But the reaction told her she should refuse his deposit and tell him if the date opened up, she would let him know.