A Texas Family Reunion (14 page)

Alex gave her a warm smile. “David and I talked about the differences between your family and mine. Then last night, David tried to tell me that Susan had to do things the way
he
thought they should be done. I said Susan was an adult, and she had the right to make her own choices.”

“Good for you.”

“I guess so. He and I left our argument unresolved. I went to my room and read for a while before I fell asleep.”

“You mean you didn’t make up with him before you went to bed?”

“We’re not married, Carrie, like you and Jim. We’re just cousins. Not even that close.”

“But David’s father was working for your dad?”

“Yes, and after Dad died, June pretended it was her husband’s company, even though he had no idea what he was doing. Of course, once David, her son, took over, she was really able to brag.”

“That must’ve been hard for you.”

“Not really. Dad and I talked about it before he died. He told me she could say what she wanted. She couldn’t take my shares in the company or my mom’s shares from us, so we were taken care of.”

“That’s true. I think—”

The door opened and a delivery boy stood there with a huge bouquet of roses in a green vase. “These are for Ms. Alex Buford. Have I got the right place?”

Alex’s mouth fell open. Carrie smiled and said, “You sure have.”

Alex tipped him and took the bouquet. He thanked her and left.

She just stared at the beautiful roses.

“There’s a card on this side,” Carrie said. “I know you’ve been doing good work, but customers usually don’t reward us this way.”

Alex set the vase down on her desk and turned to the card. She opened and read the note. Then she cleared her throat. “It’s from David.”

“Oh. I guess it’s personal, isn’t it,” Carrie said with a grin, clearly giving Alex an out from reading the card.

“I don’t mind reading it. He says, ‘Sorry about last night. I got my families confused. Yes, you’re right and I’m wrong. Susan needs to make her own decisions and suffer the consequences. See you after work.’”

“Well, that was nice of him,” Carrie said.

“I guess, if he means it. Some people say what they think you want them to say.”

“True, but they seldom say it with expensive flowers.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I should take him at his word until he’s proven wrong.”

Will and Jim entered the office just then. When he saw the huge vase of roses, Will looked at Alex and asked, “Did someone die?”

She turned bright red. “No, Will.”

“Okay,” Will said slowly, waiting for an explanation.

Carrie supplied it. “David sent them to Alex because they had an argument.”

“Must’ve been a whale of an argument,” Will said.

Jim smiled at Alex. “It’s a nice way to apologize.”

Will scratched his head. “Has David got a flower thing? He sent Vivian a bouquet of flowers to say thank you for dinner yesterday.”

Alex immediately came to David’s defense. “C’mon, Will. Sending flowers is a nice thing to do. David really appreciates Vivian’s graciousness—especially the way she included Pete and Susan. It was an eye-opening experience for all of us. We didn’t realize a family could be warm and supportive.”

Will smiled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so suspicious of his motives. Of course flowers are a lovely way of sending a message.” His brow furrowed. “Were your families so terrible?”

“No, not really. My dad was a good man. My mom is…limited. She feels I’ve ruined my life because I haven’t married and started having babies.”

“I’m sorry, Alex, but you do realize she’s wrong, don’t you?” Will asked.

“Yes, thank you, Will. I actually changed jobs for a man, then realized he wasn’t worth spit. But I’m so glad I did take this job. I’m enjoying it immensely.”

“Good. Okay, I’m going into my office and getting to work. I’m running a little late today.”

After Will had disappeared, Jim said, “We’re glad you didn’t marry that man.”

Alex laughed. “I’m glad, too.”

“By the way,” Jim began, “what did you and David argue about? Sorry. If I’m being too personal, just say so.”

Alex shrugged. “Not at all. David just didn’t trust his sister to make the right decisions about Pete.”

“And you thought he
should
trust her?”

“Susan hasn’t had a lot of experience making decisions, which was his point. But I believe you only learn from actually making decisions and having to live with them. And you don’t tell her what to do unless she asks for help. I broke that rule because David said Susan should be told to warn Pete about their mother being a terrible snob. Susan didn’t thank me for butting in. But anyway, she’s been warned, so now it’s up to her.”

“But what does her mother being a snob have to do with Pete?” Jim asked.

“Pete’s last name is Dansky. His family came from Eastern Europe when he was a child. They definitely missed the
Mayflower.
”

“So her mother will say he’s not good enough for her and tell her to get rid of him?”

“She might. I think Susan needs to warn Pete before he meets Aunt June.”

“Do you think they’re getting serious?” Carrie asked.

“I think she’s virtually moved into his apartment.”

“But I thought they just met a couple of weeks ago.”

“At the most. But since he got shot, she’s always with him. And she told me to call her at Pete’s place rather than her own.”

“And David doesn’t know?”

Alex smiled grimly. “He hasn’t figured it out yet.”

“Didn’t you tell him?” Carrie demanded.

“No, because I don’t know for sure. I hinted at it, but he didn’t grasp what I was trying not to say.”

“Oh, dear,” Carrie said. “Men can be so dense sometimes.”

“Hey, I’m a man.” Jim complained.

“Yes, dear, I know,” Carrie said, casting him a loving smile and winking at Alex.

W
HILE
C
ARRIE AND
J
IM
were at lunch, the phone rang and Alex answered it. “Greenfield and Associates.”

“Alex, it’s David.”

“Yes. Thank you for the lovely flowers. And for the apology.”

“You more than earned them for putting up with me. I called because I’ve got two houses lined up for after work. Can you meet me at 22664 Wind Chime in Richardson at five-thirty?”

“What’s the nearest cross street?”

He told her and waited patiently.

After looking it up on Mapsco, she said, “Yes, I think so.”

“Good. This house is empty because the couple have already moved away. That’s true of the second house, too.”

“Okay. So you may have a place to live almost at once.”

“Yeah. Okay, I’ll see you at five-thirty.”

“All right.” She hung up the receiver, but her hand rested on it for a few moments. She hadn’t believed the day would come when David would buy a house. Which was silly on her part. Of course he couldn’t live with her forever.

So why did she feel so unsettled?

“M
R
. B
UFORD, DON’T YOU WANT
to go in and start looking at the house?” The real estate agent and David were standing on the sidewalk.

“No, I want to wait for my cousin. She said she’d try to be on time.” He kept looking over his shoulder. When he caught sight of her car, he waved to her, a big grin on his face.

When she joined him, she said, “I’m sorry. I ran a little late.”

“It’s okay.” He clasped her hand in his and, with the agent, went up the walk to the front porch of the house. They went inside and the agent began turning on lights and giving her spiel. David listened, but his eyes were on Alex, wanting her reaction to the house.

She said nothing until she’d walked through the entire place, looked in the closets and the backyard. Then she asked David, “Do you like it?”

“Do you?”

“Not so much. It’s a little out-of-date.”

“Okay,” he said to the agent. “We’re ready to see the other house.”

The woman looked from Alex to David and then back again. “I see. Yes, well, let’s do that. I think you’ll like it better. It’s only two years old and everything’s up to date.”

“Great,” Alex said.

“How far is it?” David asked.

“Only a couple of blocks.”

“Good. Alex, leave your car here and ride with me. Then we’ll come back afterward for your car.”

“Oh, David! I didn’t even notice you had your car back. I’m sure you’re relieved. But how’s your shoulder for driving?”

“Not bad. I just use my left arm more and give thanks my car isn’t standard. Come on.” He captured her hand with his, leaving her no choice.

When they got out at the next house, she turned to David. “Oh, it’s so pretty!”

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?”

The lawn was carefully tended, already green in early March. The bushes were neatly trimmed, flowers bloomed in the narrow garden, and two tall oak trees graced the yard.

They walked up the curved sidewalk. The front door was heavy oak with a panel of colored glass. After the agent opened the door, David, holding Alex’s hand, stepped inside. They stood in the entryway, admiring the dramatic architectural style of the house. Unlike the last house, everything was new and fresh. The back wall was all windows, looking out on a beautiful backyard.

“How many bedrooms?” David asked.

“There are four bedrooms, one on this level and three upstairs.”

“The master is downstairs?” Alex asked hurriedly.

“No, the master bedroom is upstairs.”

“Oh, good.” Alex responded.

“Why does it matter?” David asked.

“It doesn’t now, but if you should marry and have babies, you’d need the baby close to the master bedroom.”

“Oh, right.”

They saw the dining room and the den, then entered the kitchen. It was a large room with a breakfast bar, as well as room for a table. It had a side-by-side refrigerator and an extra-large range and two ovens.

“Oh, this is wonderful!” Alex enthused.

“You like it?” David asked.

“Don’t you?” she responded.

“Yeah, I do.”

“Of course, we have to see the upstairs, too,” Alex said.

They climbed the stairs. The master bedroom was twice the size of the other bedrooms. The ensuite bath
room had a large Jacuzzi tub that drew a sigh from Alex. “Oh, David, how lovely!”

David had been examining the walk-in shower with interest. “Yeah, it is.”

The agent knew when she wasn’t needed. “I’ll wait downstairs. Take your time.”

Alex began opening drawers and cabinets. David turned lights on and off. Then he wandered into the other two bedrooms.

When Alex went into the master bedroom again, David met her there. “I like having a fireplace in here.”

“Me, too, but I think it would get more use if you put in gas logs. Then you don’t have to worry about carrying up logs or cleaning the ashes out.”

“Good point.”

“There’s plenty of room for a sitting area, a television, some lamps to read by.” Alex heaved another sigh. “It would be heavenly.”

“Yeah, but it’s so big I’m not sure you could hear the baby in here.”

“Maybe. But you could get one of those intercoms that lets you hear everything in the baby’s room.”

“Wow, you’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”

“No, but I’ve thought of a few things. Are you thinking of buying it?”

“Yeah, I am. Don’t you think I should?”

“Oh, yes, if the price isn’t too high.”

“Well, let’s go ask the agent how much they want.”

Again they held hands as they came down the stairs. The agent waited for them.

“Is there anything you want to look at again down here?”

David smiled. “No, I want to know the asking price.”

“Well, it’s a little high, but I think they’d take less.” She named a figure and stood there waiting for David’s response.

After a minute David suggested they make an offer of ten thousand dollars less than what they were asking. The agent agreed.

“There’s one other thing I want you to ask the seller,” David said. “My condo was burned in a fire and I don’t really have anywhere to live. So I’d like to rent the house until closing.”

“What would you be willing to pay as rent?”

David named a figure that seemed reasonable.

“All right,” the agent said. “Hopefully I’ll have your answer tomorrow.”

David smiled and squeezed Alex’s hand.

H
ALF AN HOUR LATER
, they’d picked up Alex’s car and were eating in a nearby restaurant. As they waited for the food they’d ordered, Alex said, “I think you made a great choice, David. That house is gorgeous.”

“I agree.”

“But what if they turn your offer down?”

“Then I’ll raise the offer.”

“Will you really, David? You really intend to buy this house?”

“Yeah, I do. Are you prepared to help me furnish it?”

“Oh, yes. It’ll be so much fun!”

“I hope so, honey.”

Over dinner, they discussed the kind of furnishings he wanted to buy. It seemed to Alex that he didn’t object to much that she suggested. She suddenly felt concerned that he wasn’t making any choices.

“I can’t do this if you’re not going to tell me what you like, David!”

He looked surprised. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re just accepting everything I’m saying! I can’t help you if you’re not going to tell me what you think.”

“Honey, I’ll tell you if I don’t agree, but so far your choices are everything I like. What’s the point of arguing when I agree?”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“Nope. I’m working on being a happy family. Isn’t that what we learned about a family last Sunday?”

“Yes, but it’s not something you can fake.”

“I promise I’m not.”

“Maybe I’d better wait until I see if you get the house. Otherwise, I’ll be so disappointed.”

“That’s probably a good idea. Let’s just eat our dinner.”

She said no more about furnishing. But she still thought about how she’d furnish every room.

They went back to her place after they’d dined. Alex checked the answering machine and discovered she had messages. In the first one the feminine voice was sobbing so much, it took several seconds to identify it as Susan’s. Alex replayed the message from the start, and Susan’s only coherent words were that she was calling from her mother’s house.

Alex dialed the number. Her own mother answered. “Mom, it’s Alex. Is Susan there?”

“Well, yes, she’s here, but I’m not sure June wants you to talk to her.”

“Mom, I’m going to talk to her. She left me a message. Can you get her to the phone or should I come over?”

“Oh, no! Please don’t. I don’t want you and June to get in an argument.”

“Then, see if you can get her to the phone.”

“What’s up?” David asked as Alex waited.

Alex shook her head. At last she heard her cousin’s voice. “Susan, what’s wrong?”

Immediately Susan started crying again.

“Suse, I can’t understand you.”

David took the phone from Alex. “Susan, you have to stop crying if we’re to help you.”

Between sobs Susan moaned, “No one can help me.”

“Why are you at Mom’s?”

“Because I…I gave up my place and was living with Pete. We came over here so I could introduce him to Mom and she threw a fit and Pete went away
and I have no place else to go! Oh, David! It was awful.”

“You were living with Pete?” David was clearly in shock.

Alex took the phone back from David. “Where’s Pete now?”

“He’s…he’s gone,” Susan sobbed.

“I’ll be there in five minutes. Don’t worry. We’ll work things out.”

She hung up the phone, grabbed her keys and purse and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to get Susan.”

“Why? She’s already at Mom’s. She can stay there.”

“Haven’t you learned anything from the Barlows? Family members help each other. You need to go to Pete’s. If he’s there, get Susan’s clothes so she can change clothes and go to work in the morning.”

“Damn!” David exclaimed as she left.

It took Alex ten minutes to get to her mother and Aunt June’s house, and when the door opened, Aunt June stood there glaring at her. “What are you doing here at this time of the night?”

“It’s only a little after eight, Aunt June. I wanted to visit my mother.” She didn’t dare admit she was there for Susan. She suspected Aunt June would slam the door in her face.

“She’s watching television,” Aunt June finally said,
grudgingly stepping back and allowing her to enter. With Aunt June following, Alex went to the den, where their large-screen television was located. She greeted her mother, who shushed her because she was interrupting her favorite show.

Alex sat quietly beside her mother. Gladys, her mother, wasn’t evil, as she believed her aunt June to be. Gladys was just set in her ways. But there were always commercials.

When the first commercial came on, Alex asked about Susan.

“She’s been crying so much June locked her in her room. Good thing. I could hardly hear the television.”

“Locked her—” Words failed Alex. Her aunt’s cruelty seemed to know no bounds. “Where’s Aunt June now?”