The Amber Stone (23 page)

She clasped her hands together. “Absolutely splendid, thank you.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

An awkward silence descended.

Jessie came in with more hot water. She placed the teapot on the table, then collapsed into a chair.

“You still move like a man,” Aunt Yvette scolded. “Must you be so graceless? I’m surprised you didn’t plod down the aisle when you were getting married.”

Jessie took a deep breath, choosing not to respond.

“How is your husband?”

“He’s fine, thank you.”

“Does the beast still force you to work?”

Jessie folded her arms, trying to keep her temper. “I like to work, Auntie.”

“Of course you do, dear,” she allowed with a quick nod. “That’s the acceptable answer nowadays, isn’t it?”

“No, I—”

“My dear Celena doesn’t have to work. Her husband provides her with all her needs.”

“Kenneth provides for me and Syrah just fine.”

“Of course he does.” Her smile was the equivalent of a patronizing pat of reassurance on the cheek. “Celena’s husband just bought her a delightful new dining room set. You must stop by to see it. It’s the envy of the entire neighborhood.”

The sisters nodded.

She adjusted her hat. “Belinda’s getting married by the way.”

“Is the marriage arranged?” Jessie asked.

Michelle pinched her.

“Of course it’s not. I agree that Belinda isn’t as social as I would like, but she has successfully snagged a very eligible man. He’s from Germany, but nobody’s perfect. He will treat her well.”

They all murmured their congratulations.

“Bridesmaids have already been selected of course, but we’ll still find some role for you ladies to play.”

“Actually, I think I’ll be busy,” Jessie said.

“But I haven’t told you the date yet.”

“Right, but the year’s pretty busy and next year—”

“I’m sure you can make it. It’s next August. We’d like to use the same wedding planner you used.”

“Actually, Kenneth scheduled everything. You’ll have to ask him.”

Aunt Yvette smiled. “Your humor is so unique.”

“I wasn’t joking—”

“His name is Brenton, or some such ridiculous name. I already told her that the children must have proper names. Oh, I am so happy. Now with Celena and Belinda matched up there’s only Winston and Olivia. Then of course you two.” She nibbled on a tea biscuit. “But enough of this chatter, I’ve heard news that I found both disturbing and intriguing.”

“Kenneth and I were not having sex in the Long Creek Park fountain, it just looked that way from a distance,” Jessie blurted.

Aunt Yvette gasped horrified, Olivia blushed prettily. Teresa and Michelle’s mouths dropped open.

Jessie smiled sheepishly. “Just joking. I thought I’d add a little humor.”

Aunt Yvette sent Jessie a censured look then focused her attention on Teresa. “As I was saying, I heard that you’ve decided to play nurse to some girl living in South Bank.”

“Yes, Louisa. She’s our cousin.”

Aunt Yvette smoothed out her gloves, choosing her words carefully. “I know, dear, but her relationship with you need not be acknowledged so publicly.”

“But she’s family—”

She held up her hand for silence. “And I also heard that you were seen with the outsider.”

“His name is Sean Casey.”

“Yes, I know, but I don’t wish you to converse with him until I can discover more about him. I’m sure if your parents were here, they would agree with me.”

“Not Dad.”

“Yes, well, your father was an exception when it came to good judgment.”

Teresa bit her tongue trying to refrain from saying anything.

“You must think of your family ties, your name. One stain is enough.” Aunt Yvette didn’t look at Michelle, but everyone knew to whom she referred. Michelle was the first in the family ever to separate from her husband, let alone talk about divorce. Michelle didn’t seem affected by the statement.

Michelle refilled her teacup. “I suppose I am the stain?”

Aunt Yvette sat straighter, adjusting her hat. “You married into a very prestigious family and ruined that opportunity and now you two are condoning your sister’s indiscretions,” she said.

Michelle sipped her tea. “What century is this again?”

“What did we do?” Jessie added.

“You invited him to your home.” She lowered her voice. “Olivia told me he attacked her.” Olivia opened her mouth, but her mother waved her finger. “Quiet, dear. I know that’s what you meant.”

“He accidentally spilled curried chicken on her,” Teresa clarified. “Because he tripped over her purse, which was left in the way.”

Aunt Yvette stiffened. “Olivia told me that he was uncouth, rude and—”

Olivia opened her mouth again, but Michelle spoke first.

“Auntie, we recognize that this man is not...” Michelle paused, searching for the right word. “Cultured. However, he is completely harmless.”

Teresa and Jessie stared at Michelle in shock, wondering why she’d chosen to stand up for Sean.

Aunt Yvette nodded. “I agree.”

“You do?” they chorused.

“Yes. Olivia, show them the box.”

Olivia opened a box she was carrying and showed them a pink silk blouse, inside was a note that read:

I hope this is adequate compensation for your ruined blouse.

Sean

“Wasn’t that gallant of him?” Olivia gushed. “I couldn’t believe it when this was delivered to my door. I saw the exact same copy and it cost—”

“Don’t be vulgar, Olivia,” Aunt Yvette snapped. “You know we don’t discuss the price of things. However, this changes things considerably. It shows some breeding and money. Now there are rumors that he may be one of the Caseys of New York.”

“So?”

“So, I’ll—”

“Let’s leave the poor man alone,” Jessie said. “He obviously wants to remain private for a reason, and Teresa only sees him socially.”

“So he’s free?” Olivia asked. “Do you know where he lives? I’d love to thank him.”

“That’s enough of that,” Aunt Yvette said. “I’ve said my piece.” She rose to her feet, went to the door and stood in front of it, waiting for someone to open it for her. Michelle looked at Jessie, but she folded her arms like a petulant five year old and shook her head. Teresa busied herself with clearing the table. With a checked sigh, Michelle did the honors. “I am staying in town with Olivia for a while if you need to reach me,” she said.

“Thank you,” Michelle said for all of them.

The sisters waved as they watched their relatives drive off.

“My only concern is that they’re staying in town,” Jessie said once Michelle had closed the door. “That Olivia is such a big mouth. I knew I shouldn’t have let Kenneth invite her.”

“I can’t believe she didn’t hear that Sean’s Teresa’s boyfriend,” Michelle said. “Not that he made it very obvious. I can understand her confusion.”

“I can’t believe you stood up for him,” Teresa said to Michelle.

Michelle tugged at the cuffs of her jacket. “The woman annoys me. I couldn’t give her the satisfaction of being right. But please, for the love of God, please don’t tell her that you’re in love with him. Then she may never leave.”

***

Louisa was watering the pots of purple flowers that lined the shop’s windows, while Teresa tended to the front landscape of circular bushes and daffodils when they heard Sean’s truck drive up. Although the store was doing well, and her manager and clerks were keeping customers happy, Teresa didn’t have money in the budget for a gardener so she decided to take care of the plants herself with Louisa’s help.

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Louisa said, watching Sean approach with a certain swing to his step.

“I’m in a very good mood,” he said.

“What happened today?”

He stopped in front of her and leaned against the side of the building. “I just came back from white water rafting, the rush was exhilarating,” he said, easily slipping into their old game.

She twirled one of his curls around her finger. “Alone?”

“Her husband thinks so.”

Louisa laughed. “I’ve missed that. For a moment I thought you weren’t going to be fun anymore.”

“Why don’t we go for a drive by the bay?” Sean offered in a soft voice. “It’s a nice day.”

Louisa smiled up at him; that’s when Teresa saw it. The magic—He was in love! He had never looked at Louisa that way before, with such gentle admiration, sexual heat. Suddenly Teresa’s eyes were opened, the translucent gauze lifted. Teresa looked at Louisa as he probably saw her: a beautiful young woman with luxurious hair pulled back in a braid and brilliant brown eyes. She wore a soft peach dress that complimented a mother figure ripe with child. Sean could explain away staring at Olivia but the look he gave Louisa was undeniable. He’d stayed away from the store since the incident at her sister’s party and now she knew why. Just as she’d feared, she’d healed his heart so that he could give it to someone else.

Teresa felt her heart split and melt.

“That sounds wonderful,” Louisa said.

Sean turned to Teresa. “What do you think?”

“I’m sure she would prefer to stay here with her weeds,” Louisa said.

Sean sent Teresa an amused look, a smile on his face.

She was unable to reply to Louisa’s teasing with a witty remark. She felt worn and old, like something that had been around too long and needed to be replaced, she was no longer useful. “Right, I like my weeds,” she said in a dull voice.

The teasing glint quickly left his eyes and his expression grew concerned. Teresa saw this and offered him a reassuring smile. “You two have a good time.”

“We will,” Louisa said, heading inside the shop. “Let me just get my bag and touch up my makeup.”

Teresa went back to her weeding. “You’re staring at me,” she said after a few moments, feeling his eyes on her.

“You’re angry.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you lied to me.”

“Lied?”

She ripped off her gloves, gripped them in her fist and turned to him. “Yes, you said you’d never fall in love.”

He stroked his beard, amazed. “Damn, is it that obvious?”

As obvious as the sun in the sky,
Teresa thought, feeling the weight of her sadness. She’d hoped he would deny it. “Olivia was looking for you. Do you want to be found?”

He squatted down in front of her and cupped her chin. “What’s wrong?”

There would be no more moments like this, quiet moments that only she and he occupied. Even alone, someone else would fill his thoughts.
Oh no, she was going to cry.
She could feel the tears building up like a dam waiting to break. She blinked her eyes and plastered on a smile. “Nothing.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “Don’t smile at me when you’re on the verge of tears.”

Teresa’s smile wavered. “Really, I—”

“And don’t tell me nothing’s wrong. I sent the blouse to Olivia because I want your family to like me, okay?” He threw up his hands in surrender. “All right, I admit. Seeing Olivia did something to me, I couldn’t help—”

“You don’t have to explain it to me. I know.”

“No, you don’t know—”

“I’m ready,” Louisa said.

Sean looked up at her with regret. “Sorry, we’ll have to go out another time.”

She folded her arms, annoyed. “Having a lover’s spat or something?”

“Yes,” he said.

“No,” Teresa countered.

Louisa made a face and went back inside.

Teresa stood. “Just go with her.”

Sean stood too, resting a hand on his chest. “Do you think this is easy for me? Falling in love with you was not part of the plan, but once I saw your cousin, and then your brother-in-law tried to warn me off, something inside me just changed.”

Teresa stared at him. “Wait, what?”

“He tried to warn me—”

“No, not that,” she said waving her hands. “Did you say you loved me?”

Sean blinked. “Isn’t that what we’re talking about?”

“But you were looking at Louisa in a way I’d never seen before. You look so in love.”

He blushed, tugged at his collar and lowered his voice. “I fall in love hard, okay? It’s not something I’m proud of, but I can’t help myself.” He glanced at a caterpillar inching its way up the side of a pot, avoiding her gaze. “I’ll try not to be so obvious, but I’m not good at it.”

Teresa stared at him not knowing whether to scream or to cry to hug him or to dance. “You’re in love with me?”

“Yes,” he said looking at her, his eyes heated with emotion. “I was going to wait for tomorrow, but I might as well do it today.”

“What?”

He took her hand in his and held her gaze as he got down on one knee. “Ask the woman I love to marry me.”

Teresa stared down at him. “What?”

“I’ve never been so sure of something in my life,” Sean said, slowly rising, holding her gaze. “I’ve tried to fight it, but I’m not going to do that anymore. Because for the first time in a long while, I feel free. After your sister’s party and thinking I saw Renee again, I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep. And I couldn’t. But not for the usual reason. I kept thinking about you. I didn’t care about her anymore. With you I don’t feel broken. When you took me to your sister’s party, you weren’t ashamed of me. You fit into my life and fit into my home and I want to share all that I have with you. So, will you be my wife?”