Secrets, p.10
Secrets, page 10
Layton’s face went grim. “Please don’t tell me you’re leaving?”
“No. Nothing like that.” She sucked in a huge gulp of air. “I’m pregnant.”
Layton looked startled. He didn’t know how to react to that news. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? He knew life wasn’t paradise for Tori, but a child? At thirty-eight?
“Yes, I am just as surprised as you are. It wasn’t planned.” Tori started twisting her napkin on her lap. “I intend on having the baby, but to be completely honest with you, I haven’t told my husband yet.”
Layton looked even more perplexed. “How far along are you?”
“A little over six weeks.” Her eyes welled up. “Mr. Layton, I love working here. Ever since Brendon joined the army, well, it’s usually the best part of my day.”
Layton clasped his hands and tapped his nose with his two forefingers, something he would do when he had to think. “I’m flattered you feel that way, Tori. I don’t mean to pry, but are things bad at home? You hardly ever speak about it.”
She sighed again and unfurled her napkin, trying to catch the tears before they streaked her makeup. “Mr. Layton, from the outside, my marriage may look, well, I can’t even say happy, but it seems to be OK. We have a routine. We make a decent living. But it’s empty.”
“I see.” Layton sat up in his chair. “You left home at a very young age. You thought you knew everything there was to know about life.” He gave her an understanding smile. “That expression, ‘If I only knew then what I know now,’ has probably been said hundreds of thousands of times throughout the ages.”
“You’re right about that.” Tori felt as if someone understood her. “I was only eighteen when I left. Had a baby when I was nineteen. Then the next nineteen years flew past me. I was busy raising a son, working, and taking care of the house. There hardly seemed to be time to think about anything except what was coming next. Soccer. Baseball. Camp. Baking cupcakes for the PTA.”
“And now you have a very big something to think about.” Layton nodded. “I want you to know we will help you in any way we can.”
“I appreciate that very much. You have been so kind to me. You plucked me out of a grueling job at the restaurant and gave me an opportunity to learn and grow. You encouraged me to take an online course to become a certified paralegal. I could never thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”
“And you have never disappointed me, Tori.” Layton thought for a minute, calculating when she would be due.
“I want to continue working here, Mr. Layton.” Tori had a pleading expression on her face.
“Well of course you will continue to work here. And we’ll make sure there are accommodations for the baby after he or she arrives. We have the break room you can use. Set up a crib, playpen. Babies don’t do much in the beginning. Eat, sleep, poop.” He chuckled, trying to ease Tori’s angst.
“Once the child is old enough for day care, we can work on that together. As you know, the local day care is one of our clients,” Layton offered. “Tori, I do not want to lose the best paralegal I’ve ever had. But don’t tell Dorothy.” He smiled again.
Tori got up from where she was sitting. “Thank you, Mr. Layton. You cannot imagine how relieved I am.” Tears streamed down her face. This time she didn’t care. It was worth getting the mascara smeared under her eyes.
“Tori, I think of you like family. Anything I can do, just let me know. I won’t mention it to Robert until you’re ready for everyone else to know.”
Layton got up from his chair and walked to where Tori was standing. She threw her arms around him like he was a giant teddy bear. “You have no idea how grateful I am.”
“You can do something for me.” He held her at arm’s length. “After all these years, will you please call me George?”
Tori burst into a big smile. “I don’t know if I can, Mr. Layton.”
“Well, you give it a try, or I’ll tell my doctor about the donuts.”
“I believe there is some culpability in that regard,” Tori joked.
“See, I knew you were a smart woman. We’ll make a pact. No mention of donuts. Not to anyone.”
“You got it. George.” She smiled as she punctuated his name.
Tori went to her desk feeling a lot lighter and more optimistic than she had just twenty-four hours earlier. What a difference a day makes, she thought to herself. Now that she was a bit more relaxed, she thought about that odd conversation at the coffee shop. Ringo’s? Thursday? What would her husband say? Maybe she wouldn’t tell him and surprise him. Maybe he wouldn’t like that either. She would decide when the time came. For now, she was looking forward to her excursion to the Stillwell Art Center to see if she could find the psychic and maybe a hobby.
Chapter Nine
Stillwell Art Center
Later that day
Luna hovered over Cullen’s shoulder as he gently disengaged the lock on the diary. “Do you mind?” He smirked. “Space. I need some.”
Luna backed away a few inches. She made an attempt to move in again, but Cullen caught her standing on her tiptoes and peering at him. “Will you please stop?” For the first time in a long time, he was losing his patience with his sister.
“Jeez. Fine. What’s gotten into you?” Luna took a huge step back.
“Sorry. Nothing really.”
“Oh, that ‘nothing really’ does not sound very convincing,” Luna taunted him.
Cullen set his fine tools down. “I need some advice.”
“OK, but keep working.” Luna was less interested in giving him advice than she was about what was in the diary. That wasn’t the norm. She would be all up in his business on any day of the week if she had an inkling something was going on with him.
“Never mind.” Cullen went back to disengaging the lock. He was about to hand it over to her. “You should probably wear gloves.”
“Good point.” Luna went to the drawer and pulled out a pair.
“Here. Happy now?” Cullen still had a grim look on his face.
“Ecstatic!” Luna hopped up and down. “Now, tell me what is it that requires my assistance?”
Cullen put his jewelry tools in their pouch and returned them to their drawer. “I think you know what I’m going to say.”
“That you should ask Chi-Chi out on a real date?” Luna gave him a wide-eyed look.
Cullen started to sputter. “But . . . how . . . ?”
“You can’t be serious. First of all, I am your sister. Second of all, I am a bit woo-woo. Third, I’ve been around you when you’re with her. Even Stevie Wonder could see it on your face.”
“So what should I do?” Cullen laughed nervously.
“Well, duh. Ask her.” Luna laid the diary down on a piece of tissue paper on the table. She then folded her arms. “What are you waiting for?”
“Me? What are you waiting for?” Cullen snapped back.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She brooded. “Besides, this is a conversation about you, buster. Just ask her if she’d like to have dinner with you. How hard is that?”
“Last night, when I was driving her back here, we discussed certain protocols. I told her that because of all the sexual harassment going on, it’s as if a woman has to invite a man to kiss her.”
“Say what?” Luna knitted her eyebrows. “You said that?”
“Yeah. Kinda stupid, but it was the only way I could explain it.”
“Jeez. So now you’re waiting for her to make a move?”
“Yes. And if she was interested, why didn’t she ‘invite’ me?” he asked, using air quotes.
“Well, I think that topic deserves a little more attention before you start making assumptions.” Luna was being the thoughtful sister now. “I think you should ‘invite’ her to dinner.” Luna returned the air-quote gesture. “By the end of the evening, I am sure she will give you the green light.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Cullen frowned.
“Then you keep being her friend. Listen, you don’t have to make any decisions about what action needs to be taken. Invite her to dinner and play it by ear. She is probably just as nervous as you are.”
“You think so?” Cullen looked a bit more uplifted.
“Oh, come on. The two of you are just as wacky as me and Chris. Speaking of whom, did he say anything about me last night? Huh? Huh? Huh?”
“Oh, now we’re making this about you?”
“I thought we were finished talking about you,” she teased. “I told you what to do. Next subject. Me.”
Cullen gave her a wry grin. “Yes, the marshal asked about you.” He paused deliberately. “Well, not exactly.”
“What? What?” She was going to choke it out of him if he didn’t answer soon.
“We talked about some personal stuff. I told him my theory about relationships and how people are almost forced to pair up so they’ll be invited to things that only couples get invited to. Like dinner parties.”
“So? Where does the stuff about me come in?”
“I said you were usually my plus-one because you weren’t involved with anyone either.”
“And?”
“And that’s it.”
“That can’t be it! Spill, brother, spill!”
“OK. If you must know, and I know you must, I wanted to let him know you were unattached; and no, I didn’t tell him you were all googly-eyed over him.”
“Thank goodness for some miracles.” Luna smirked. “And what about him? Is he involved with anyone?”
Cullen paused again. “No. He said that after the divorce he had to rearrange his life so he could spend time with his son, plus his schedule is always up in the air. Most women don’t like to be second or third on the list of priorities.”
Luna bit her lip. “So I guess I’m not even on the list.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. He is genuinely interested in you.”
“Did he say that? Did he?” Luna was looking for reassurance.
“He didn’t have to. Jeez, sis, do you need a building to fall on top of you? For a psychic, you really stink at your own personal stuff.”
“Hey, watch it. Listen, being skittish is in our DNA. Look at us. We are in our midthirties and acting like teenagers.”
Cullen chuckled. “You have a very good point there, missy. So how about we encourage each other to make a move.”
“Oooh, Cullen, that would be so out of character for you. And me,” Luna said thoughtfully. “Not the encouragement part. I mean the make a move part.”
“OK. So how do I get Chi-Chi to invite me to kiss her?” Cullen folded his arms and leaned against the worktable.
“Duh. Invite her to dinner. Someplace romantic. After a glass of wine, you’ll both be relaxed. Then you can take her hand across the table and give her a wonderful compliment as you gaze into her eyes.”
“I’m not Cary Grant or even Hugh Grant. That only works in the movies.”
“Bull-oney! Instead of being cynical, how about trying a little positive thinking?” She cocked her head and gave him her sideways stare.
“What if she flinches?” Cullen whined.
“Oh my Lord! Can you just try it? If she pulls her hand away, then you’ll know. You’ve got to get out of your own way, my brother.”
“You should talk! I see you all gaga over Chris.”
“Yeah, well if he’s interested, why hasn’t he made a major move?”
“Did you give him the green light? I mean, have you ever leaned in?”
“What do you mean leaned in?”
“I know he’s kissed you good night. Right? So, why didn’t you just turn into a limp noodle and let the sparks fly?”
Luna burst out laughing. “Listen to us arguing over who is the bigger chicken.” Luna walked over to her brother and gave him a big hug. “You know I’m your biggest cheerleader. Trust me on this one.”
“And what about you? What’s your next move?”
“I’ve been a little hesitant because, if you think about it, Chris and I haven’t spent a lot of time together, as in the same space. Yes, we’ve known each other for a while, but that’s different than being around each other. I actually had a plan to invite him to my place for dinner next time he’s in town, but now that he’s invited me, or should I say I volunteered to help him, I’ll be going to Charlotte in a couple of weeks.”
“Oh, that should be very interesting. Didn’t he say you can stay in Carter’s room?”
“Yes! With all the baseball memorabilia.” She chuckled. “I’ll bring a pair of pretty pajamas. Nothing too lingerie-ish. I don’t want to come off as a trollop.”
She giggled. “Come to think of it, I don’t have any bedclothes in either category. I’ve been sleeping in T-shirts and sweatpants. Yikes. That’s kinda pathetic.”
“From a man’s point of view, I think a pair of silk pajamas with a matching robe would be elegant, classy, and a touch of . . .” His voice trailed off.
“Touch of?” she pushed.
“Sensuality. OK. I said it.” Cullen ran his hands through his hair. “I have a hard time thinking about you in that way.”
Luna guffawed. “That is hilarious. I am a woman, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Yes, but you are my sister first.” Cullen grinned.
“Fair enough. And I appreciate your input. I’ll have to take a ride and do some shopping.” She nodded to herself. “I want to be appropriately dressed.” She giggled. “And I am going to make a reservation for you at Bouchorelle for the weekend I’m away. It’s a good excuse for you to ask Chi-Chi to go to dinner.” She gave him a wink.
Cullen took in a big gulp of air. “Tell me it isn’t going to be a full moon, please.”
“Nope. A new moon, which is perfect for new beginnings. Speaking of dinner, I am famished. Should we go grab a bite?”
“Aren’t you going to dig into that diary? You were so anxious for me to open it.”
“Yes, but with fresh eyes. I’ll call Chi-Chi and see if she wants to grab a pizza. I’ll casually bring up my excursion to Charlotte and ‘hey, why don’t the two of you keep each other company while I’m gone?’ or something like that.”
“You crack me up. But, sure. Why not?”
“It will be the perfect segue.” Luna grabbed Cullen’s walkie-talkie and buzzed Chi-Chi. “In the mood for pizza with me and Cullen?”
“I was just thinking about pizza. How did you know?” Chi-Chi was half serious.
“Because I’m me, that’s why.” Luna laughed. “Fifteen minutes?”
“That should be fine. Thank you. I’ll meet you at the café.”
Luna had an impish look. “Yes, I know. I am a goddess.”
“Let’s not push it, OK?” Cullen gave her a big hug.
“I’ll go clean up the café. Be back in a few. Ta-ta!” Luna went outside to fetch Wiley.
“Hey, Alex. Has he been a good boy?” She squatted down to scratch the dog’s ears and give him a hug.
“Always. I swear, I wish some of these kids would behave as well.”
“I hear ya. I think Ellie has a plan to handle the little maniacs.”
“Really? Like putting Valium in their milk?” Alex was teasing, but Luna knew the sentiment.
She laughed. “She is going to hire a security guard.”
“But we have state-of-the-art security, right?” Alex looked confused.
“Yes, but a big man with a uniform and a badge is what will keep those hooligans in line,” Luna explained.
“Huh. That never occurred to me.”
“Me neither, but Marshal Gaines was here earlier and suggested it to Ellie. Kids under ten have a lot more respect for authority, especially when it isn’t their parents.”
“Good point.”
“So the moms can sip their chardonnay and pick at their salads, and the kids won’t be running around like a pack of squirrels looking for nuts to hide.”
“What do you suppose they’ll do to keep themselves entertained?”
“Not our problem.” Luna chuckled. “Let the mommies figure it out. Maybe they’ll bring them to day care or hire a babysitter or bring the nanny. They can certainly afford it.”
“I could never understand why parents bring their children out in public, then ignore them,” Alex wondered aloud.
“It’s an accessory. Or a ‘look what I did. I gave birth.’”
Both of them laughed out loud, and Wiley gave a woof.
“Right? You need to pass a test to deliver the mail, but you don’t have to do anything to deliver a baby.”
“Alex, that was quite an astute comment.”
“Yeah, I have a few every once in a while.”
Luna smiled. “Gotta run. Thanks again. See you tomorrow.”
“Have a good night,” Alex called out, as Luna and Wiley dashed to the café.
As everyone was closing up, Luna realized she had never pinged Rita. “Dang.” She picked up her walkie-talkie. “Rita, I am so sorry. The day just got away from me.”
“No problem.” Rita sounded sincere.
“I have a busy day tomorrow, but how is Wednesday looking for you?”
“That should work fine. After we close?”
“You bet. I am marking it down on my calendar.” Luna did exactly that. “Again, sorry.”
“Again, no problem,” Rita echoed.
Chi-Chi was crossing the atrium as Luna was closing up. “Good evening.”
“English?” Luna was surprised that Chi-Chi did not greet her in her native tongue.
“I’m trying it on for size.” Chi-Chi’s face lit up with a big smile.
“How about ‘Buona sera’ since we’re having pizza?” Luna suggested.
“My, we are multilingual now.” Chi-Chi smiled again.
Cullen met up with them in the café. “Should we take one car?”
“I have to drop Wiley off at home, so why don’t you and Chi-Chi follow me there? Chi-Chi can ride with you, and you can bring her back to her car later.”
Cullen’s palms started to sweat as he recalled the conversation from the night before. “Uh, sure.”
“If it is not an inconvenience for you,” Chi-Chi offered.
