Sweet Carolina Morning (9 page)

“Pretty big list,” Linny said shortly.

He shook his head, looking disgusted. “I know. She wanted me to buy the best of everything, too. Everything Vera buys is top of the line.”

Linny pointed out, “But Neal doesn't care about having top-of-the-line equipment. You have to remind him not to wear the same jeans and sweatshirt three days in a row.”

Jack's lips twitched. “True.”

Linny felt blood pound in her head, and the demeanor of calm she was working at flew right out the window. “Why does a boy who has never snowboarded before and doesn't even know if he likes it need such expensive stuff?” she breathed. “And why would you buy it?”

“Good questions.” He rubbed his face with his hands.

“You just bought exactly what she told you to buy?” she asked incredulously, pulling farther away from him. “Why?”

Jack shrugged, and his eyes wouldn't meet hers. “I'm not sure.”

Linny tried to slow her quick breathing. Before they'd agreed to marry, she and Jack had talked frankly about money: how much they had, how they felt about debt, and how they should spend it. Jack made a good living, but even adding her income, she couldn't imagine they weren't even close to being in the same league as Chaz and Vera. Why was he appeasing Vera? Was he trying to compete with Chaz? She tilted her head and studied him. “This isn't how you usually spend money, is it?”

“Not usually,” Jack admitted.

“So what are you going to do, Mr. Bill Gates?” she asked, expecting him to say he'd made a mistake and would say no to Vera.

He shifted in the cushion and looked uncomfortable. “I'll cancel the order and go online to try to find sales on the things on the list. It's almost end of season. Maybe I can find some deals. . . .” He trailed off, not looking at her.

Linny had to press her lips together to keep her jaw from gaping open at his lame solution. This was her brave, smart, strong man letting a spoiled ex-wife push him around. She saw Jack in a whole new, unflattering light, and it made her push even farther away from him on the couch. Finally, she just laced her fingers together, set them on her lap, and said, “Huh.”

“Aw, Lin.” Jack shook his head apologetically. “I didn't mean to get you involved in all this mess. It's just something I need to straighten out with Vera.”

Or not
, she thought, studying him as her supper congealed in a cold knot in her stomach. His breath smelled of onion and the five-o'clock shadow she'd thought looked sexy earlier in the evening now just looked unkempt. After they married and she contributed to the household budget, her money wasn't going to go toward any crazy extravagance for Neal that Vera claimed was essential.

He must have seen the dark emotions play across her face because he slid closer, patted her arm and said briskly, “I'll take care of it, Lin. Don't worry.”

But she did worry. Of course she worried. Linny quietly simmered. He had to start telling Vera no flat out or she'd keep intruding in their new lives. His ex-wife couldn't stand that he was happy. Vera wanted to make him pay. “Let's just watch the shows,” Linny said, flat voiced and staring at the TV screen. She didn't feel like talking anymore.

Linny stayed one couch cushion down from Jack as they watched their shows. Antique pickers Frank and Mike elatedly dusted off a Mobil Pegasus sign, but her stomach roiled as she remembered learning her late husband almost bankrupted her. The Coast Guard helicopter hovered over the sinking fishing boat, but she couldn't pay attention to the rescue. Her heart hammered as she replayed the nightmare her life had become as she tried to clean up the messes Buck had left her. Jack gave her a worried glance, pointed the remote at the TV, and clicked it off. Turning toward her, he looked solemn as he studied her. “Talk to me.”

Blinking back hot tears, Linny's words came out in a rush. “I was just married to a man who didn't put me first and I'm never doing it again.”

Jack shot her an incredulous look and searched her face. “I'm nothing like Buck.”

“Buck blew money and was involved with other women.” Deliberately, she relaxed her hands, which had somehow gotten balled up at her side, and blurted out, “You're blowing money. You're too involved with another woman—your ex—if you let her manipulate you or keep trying to appease her.”

After a long moment, Jack nodded gravely. “Path of least resistance, I guess.”

Linny stared at him, blood pounding in her ears. “I'm terrified of making another mistake by marrying you.”

“Don't say that, Lin. Don't.” Jack tried to take her hands, but she pulled them away. “I spent my whole marriage trying to please Vera and give her what she wanted, but I never could. Maybe I'm still trying.”

Linny could hear his sense of failure and felt a wave of compassion for him. “What happens if you stop?” Linny asked, turning her hands palms up. “If you don't give her what she wants, what's the worst that would happen? That she gets mad?”

Jack was silent for a moment, looking rueful. “She turns into a Tasmanian devil. She screams and cries and throws things. Flames come out of her head.”

Linny cracked a smile. “We can handle it.”

“I'm sorry, Linny. I'll fix this,” Jack said and blew out a long exhale. “I'll cancel the order, and if it's been shipped, I'll return it. I'll see how much gear he can rent at the slopes and find the rest on craigslist.” He pulled her over to his couch cushion, put an arm around her shoulders, and rested his chin on the top of her head.

Thank God Jack's back
, she thought, and let herself be hugged.

* * *

After he'd gone, Linny stood on the porch in her nightgown, cowboy boots, and a down jacket while she waited for Curtis and Roy to finish up in the men's room near the pecan tree. Rubbing her hands together and blowing on them to keep them warm, she thought about the evening and smiled tiredly. She'd gone from wanting to kill him to feeling contempt for him to understanding his weakness and loving him more for it.

Staring at the starry winter sky, she shook her head, amazed at how honest she'd been with him. When she'd tried to talk with Buck about a concern, Mr.
Gaslight
would tell her she was being overly emotional. Jack hadn't. He admitted he'd messed up and vowed to fix it.

Blowing out a frosty breath, she shivered. The whole business of exes was new to her, but she'd be willing to bet this wouldn't be the last round with Vera. She and Jack needed to stick together, to help each other with their weak spots.

Curtis and Roy skidded onto the porch, panting and pushing each other aside to try to be the first to kiss her. Ruffling each of their handsome heads, she spoke to them softly. “Calm down, boys. There's plenty of love to go around.” She opened the door and let them back into the warmth.

After she turned off the outside lights and locked up, she picked up her phone and felt a sense of peace come over her as she sent Jack a text.
I love you more and more.

She saw the text from Mary Catherine, and smiled as she read it. Her friend had written:
Can you do Quiet River Spa next Tuesday at 6:30? Coupons are for massages, manicures, pedicures: the works. We won't have a lot of time to talk, but I've got two new what-not-to-do stepparenting tips for you. Let's go early, get steamed.

Linny shook her head at her good fortune. It'd been too long since she'd enjoyed this kind of indulgence. Grinning like a lottery winner, she responded:
You don't know how perfect your timing is! I'll meet you there.

* * *

The next morning, Linny glanced at the clock on her phone as she finished blowing out her hair. Kate would be by in a few minutes, and they'd get to Skype chat with Mama from her cruise. Linny smiled, excited. She hoped Mama was still in her new fun, fun, fun routine.

Kate came to the door a few minutes before ten. “Good morning,” she chirped, all pink-cheeked and grinning.

“Morning, girl.” Linny leaned in and kissed Kate.

“You look nice. Very professional,” Kate said, nodding approvingly at Linny's outfit.

“Thanks,” Linny said, feeling frazzled as she took another unsuccessful stab at tying a fashionable knot in the scarf drooping around her neck. “I've got a coffee meeting with a new client at ten forty-five, so I'll need to run as soon as we finish the call.”

“I've got to scoot, too. I've got an OB appointment.” Kate put a hand on her burgeoning belly.

“Can you tie me?” Linny pointed to her scarf. One of the many fashion things she'd never gotten the hang of, like walking in heels and grooming her eyebrows.

Kate stepped over, formed a loop, and pulled the end through to form the graceful, draped look.

Linny patted it and smiled appreciatively. She waved toward the kitchen table, where she'd set up the laptop.

As they slid into chairs, Kate glanced at her. “Quick, tell me. Any news after the other night with Jack's parents?”

“Not a peep.” Linny shook her head. “I think I expected more fallout.”

Ever sunny-side up, Kate said, “Maybe no news is good news. Ceecee could have just needed time to take it in.”

Linny nodded, but she had her doubts. Jack's mother had gone from ticked off to delighted a little too quickly.

A moment later, the Skype ringtone sounded. Linny scooted her chair closer to Kate. Dottie's face swam into view, then the floor, then her chest. They called, “Hey, Mama!”

Linny's eyes widened as she gazed at two glossy black pigtails and a ruffled red gingham checked shirt. The screen adjusted up and the camera stabilized on Dottie's face. Linny blinked and called out, “Hey, Mama. You look . . . pretty.”

“Thank you.” Dottie boomed.

“We can hear you fine, Mama. Just like on the cell. Just talk normal,” Kate reminded her.

Linny leaned her head in and squinted, asking, “Is this the new hairdo you were talking about?”

Dottie smiled and flipped her pigtails. “No, these are pretend braids. I'm Mary Ann, from
Gilligan's Island
. Today is an at-sea day, so they're having a big costume party tonight. We're just trying on our costumes ahead of time.” she explained. “Dessie's dressed up as a fortune teller and Ruby is going as Lady Gaga.”

Linny grinned at her sister. Their mother looked happy.

Kate cocked her head. “Who's helping you with Skype, Mama?”

“A friend.” Her mother's eyes twinkled at whoever held the device and, again, the picture on the screen swam. A good-looking white-haired man appeared wearing an ascot and a sea captain's hat perched at a jaunty angle. His jaw thrust forward, he said in an upper-crust voice, “Let me introduce myself. I'm Thurston Howell the Third: Harvard class of '44, staunch Republican, and wunderkind of Wall Street.” He gave them an unctuous smile.

They heard Dottie giggle girlishly. Linny shot Kate a worried look but said evenly, “Nice to meet you. Thanks for helping Mama with Skype.”

Thurston broke into a grin and spoke in a normal voice. “My pleasure. I'm really Maximillian Walters—I go by Mack—but I'm attending the costume party as Thurston Howell the Third . . . you know, the millionaire on
Gilligan's Island
.” He colored and pulled at the knot in his ascot. “I'm a dance instructor. Your mama and her friends are real nice ladies.” He touched the brim of his hat and turned the camera back on Dottie.

Maximillian. That had to be a made-up name. An alias, Linny decided, frowning.

“Now where is my boy Curtis?” Dottie asked, craning her neck to look past her daughters.

“He's right here.” Kate tried to angle the huge dog's head up so Dottie could see him.

Curtis stared at the screen, looked away, and started to whine when he heard Dottie croon, “Curtis, it's your mama! I've missed you, puddin' pie. Are you being a good boy for Linny? You're my sugar booger, and I'll be home soon. You stay sweet, now.”

Her gentleman friend said something, and Dottie nodded. “We need to go, girls. Captain Sven is giving a how you steer the boat lecture in the bridge that starts in five minutes and we don't want to be late.” She gave a cheery wave.

After they ended the call, Linny turned to Kate and raised a brow. “Her friend, huh? Mama might not know dance instructors are paid to be friendly. Aren't they gigolos?” She glowered. “I know all about gigolos.”

Kate twirled a lock of her curly hair and thought about it. “I don't think so. The cruise company must do background checks.”

“You're right,” Linny admitted, leaning back in her chair and frowning. “But Mama's got such bad radar about men. Daddy had a girlfriend for forever, and Mama didn't catch on 'til he died and somebody told her.” She shook her head. “And before she left on her trip, she went on and on about what a prince that creepy minister was.”

But Kate just patted her arm. “We'll keep an eye on things, sweets.”

“Now that Mama's letting herself have fun, she seems to be getting the hang of it pretty easily.” Linny raised one shoulder and said plaintively, “She didn't even ask about us.”

Kate gave a wry smile as she rose from the couch. “She's probably doesn't know Skype is free and is worried about the cost of the Wi-Fi minutes, Lin. You know how frugal Mama is.”

“I know,” Linny agreed reluctantly. Gazing at Curtis, she gave him a behind-the-ear scratch and groused, “She spent some minutes mooning over you, though, sugar booger.”

* * *

Chin in hand, Linny stared at the screen and drew in her breath sharply when she saw the closing balance on her business checking account. After the flurry of new business with the pharmaceutical company, the dentist's office, the Roving Fleet of Geeks, and the Earth and Sky classes, the coffers were getting low just as the American Express bill and quarterly taxes were coming due. Her palms went clammy as she flashed back to last year, when she'd been fired just after discovering her late husband had almost bankrupted them. She'd never, ever let herself be poor like that again. Forcing herself to slow her breathing, she gave herself a talking to.
This is just a little dry spell. You got too busy training and didn't work at getting new business. You can fix that.
She sat up straighter, recalling her crusty mentor's drawl:
Stop whining and get up with people. Text, email, and dial for dollars.