Chapter 16
Summer and her mother lived in an older part of Bellevue. The lots were huge, the trees massive. Several properties were gated. The truck turned a corner, then drove down a long driveway. Allison followed, catching sight of a small house on the edge of the property.
“So that’s a carriage house,” she murmured, parking next to the truck.
The front door burst open and Summer raced out.
“You’re here! I wanted to help with the packing, but Grandma said I’d be in the way.” Summer grabbed her hand. “Come inside. You’re going to love it here. My friends and I babyproofed everywhere! We painted your room and Jackson’s room. We used that special safe paint, so don’t worry about fumes.”
Summer tugged her into the house. Allison had a brief impression of size and light. The foyer was two stories high and nearly as big as the house she’d just left. To the right was a formal living room and to the left was a dining room that would easily seat twenty. A grand curving staircase led to the second floor.
It was the nicest house Allison had ever seen—like something out of a movie. She couldn’t imagine regular people living here, let alone her and Jackson. The tension she’d been carrying around since Peter’s arrest increased and she found it difficult to breathe.
An older woman, maybe in her sixties, walked toward them. She had a little gray in her hair and looked enough like Erica for Allison to guess who she was.
“I’m Mara,” the woman said, her tone warm, her smile welcoming. “Summer’s grandmother and Erica’s mom. How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing all right. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Finally,” Mara said with a laugh. “I’m not sure why we had to wait until now, but it’s done.” She motioned to the stairs. “Summer will show you the bedrooms. I hope they’ll work for you. I’ll get the movers going on loading your things into the garage. They were supposed to sort the furniture and boxes based on what was going where. Did they?”
“They did.”
“Excellent. All right. Let’s get you settled.”
Mara walked toward the front door while Allison and Summer started up the wide staircase.
“There’s no way to childproof this staircase,” Summer said as they climbed. “So we bought a bunch of baby gates for the upstairs and downstairs. We figure we’ll contain Jackson in whatever room he’s in.”
Allison nodded, trying to take everything in. When they reached the landing, Summer pointed left.
“Mom’s room is down there, along with her home office. The media room is through those double doors. There’s a big TV downstairs in the family room, too, but this room is fun for movies. I thought Jackson and I could binge some cartoons.”
She turned right and pointed to a door. “Laundry room. There’s a whole wall of mostly empty cupboards you can use for diapers and other supplies.”
She stood outside the last room on the right. “This is your room.” Her smile turned shy. “I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will. You’ve been so kind, giving up your room for me.” Allison’s throat tightened to the point where she couldn’t speak. She fought against tears. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to feel emotional.”
Summer hugged her. “This is really hard. I get that. Mom told me I had to go slow with you and Jackson. To not think you could just jump into living here and be okay. She said you’d both have to adjust and there would be a sense of loss. That I probably couldn’t understand it but I have to respect it.”
“Your mom said all that?”
She couldn’t imagine Erica being that insightful and sensitive, but then what did she really know about the other woman? Just what Peter had told her—nothing especially flattering. Yet action-wise, Erica had been extremely supportive. Not only with the business, but inviting Allison and her children to move in. Not many people would be willing to upend their lives like that.
“She knows things.” Summer grinned. “Don’t tell her I said that. It’s better when she thinks I don’t listen to her.”
She pushed open the wide bedroom door. “Here you go. Is it okay?”
Allison stepped inside the big, empty room. The space was huge. At least sixteen by fourteen, maybe bigger, with high ceilings. There were gorgeous windows on two walls, framed by elegant floor-length drapes.
“Those are electric,” Summer said, pointing to the shades that were halfway down the window. “They work off a remote control. In the summer when it gets light so early, I use both the blinds and the drapes, but in the winter, the blinds are enough. The closet is through here.”
Allison stared at the walk-in closet, which was nearly the size of Jackson’s room at the other house. There were built-in drawers and shelves, along with a full-length mirror at one end. She avoided her reflection, knowing these days she wasn’t at her sparkly best.
“This is so big,” she said, stunned at how much room there was. “You’re sure this isn’t the main bedroom?”
Summer laughed. “Trust me. Mom’s closet is way bigger. Come on. You have to see the bathroom. Jackson can learn to swim in the tub.”
The bathroom was bigger than the closet. There were double sinks, plenty of storage, a walk-in shower for five and yes, a huge soaking tub.
“The floor’s heated,” Summer said, pointing to a control on the wall. She opened a cabinet and showed Allison stacks of fluffy towels and washcloths. “So, do you like it?”
“It’s wonderful. I can’t take your room.”
“I don’t mind. It’s no big deal. You need this more. There’s plenty of room for the bed and the crib. Even the changing table. Once we get everything in, we’ll see how it works. You should even have room for the rocking chair you had in the corner of the living room. The one that wouldn’t fit in the bedroom.”
They crossed the hall to the two other bedrooms. Summer’s furniture filled the much smaller area, and the closet was half the size. Allison pressed a hand to her chest.
“No,” she breathed. “Summer, no. You can’t stay here.”
Her stepdaughter’s new bedroom was large by normal standards, but nothing like the one she’d been using. There was just one small window and the only furniture was a queen-size bed and two nightstands.
“It’s okay,” Summer told her. “I want this. I didn’t put in my desk because I want Jackson’s crib in with me. Just until he gets settled. Then he’ll move next door. My desk and dresser are in storage, which is fine because the closet has built-ins and Mom suggested I use Dad’s old office downstairs for studying.”
Allison shook her head. “I want to move you back. I’ll take this room. I’ll be fine here.”
“No. It’s already decided. You need the extra room for Bethany and her stuff. Remember the rocking chair? Besides, this way I can watch Jackson.”
She walked into the shared bathroom. There was a vanity with a sink, separate from the toilet and shower, then a sink on the other side. Beyond that was a matching bedroom painted in a cheerful blue.
“Once Jackson’s okay being in his own room, we’ll move him back here. At night I can keep the bathroom doors open, so you won’t have to worry. When I have sleepovers, you can use the baby monitor.”
Allison continued to fight tears. “You can’t give up all this for me. You can’t! It’s not right.”
“I can and it was my idea. Allison, you’re going through a lot. You’re going to have Bethany soon. You need to not have so much stress in your life. I’m doing this because I want to.” Her smile returned. “And because my mom said I could.”
Allison looked at her. “When I was your age, I was nowhere near this together. You’re so giving and thoughtful.”
“My mom always taught me that we have to take care of people, especially other women. There’s a sisterhood. Men are important but a lot of times, women need to take care of women. She does that with her scholarship programs at her work. Women in tough circumstances apply for the scholarships. When I was eight or nine, she had me read some of the applications so I could understand not everyone is as blessed as we are.”
Summer’s mouth turned down at the corners. “There were some really sad stories. Mom works with a couple of organizations that coordinate shelters and stuff so the women have a place to live while they go through beauty school.”
“I don’t understand. I thought your mother owned a hair salon.”
“She does. But she pays for six or so women to go to beauty school every year. It’s a full ride—tuition, supplies, a stipend for gas and living expenses and day care, because most of them have kids. When they graduate, they work for her. There’s a special apprentice program to make sure they’re successful.”
She tilted her head. “I don’t mean this to sound bad, but sometimes when people haven’t had the same advantages, they don’t understand how to talk to people or how the upscale service industry works. Mom wants to make sure the women in her program are successful, because if they are, they can make enough money to support themselves and their family. She doesn’t even mind if after they’re done with the program, they leave to go somewhere else or start their own business.”
She smiled. “I have to do a senior service project next year. I think I want to do something with the scholarship program. This summer I’m going to figure out how I could help. The purpose of the service project is to make a difference, not just go through the motions.” She paused. “I haven’t told Mom yet, so if you wouldn’t say anything, I’d appreciate it.”
Allison felt the room shift a little. Her back and feet hurt and she was exhausted from not sleeping. The move was upsetting and now Summer was singing the praises of her mother and her generosity. Something of which Allison had direct proof.
But what about all the things Peter had said? How Erica had taken him for every penny, even cutting him out of his half of the house? It was too much to think about.
Fortunately Summer was already walking toward the stairs. “Let’s see what the movers are doing. Grandma said unloading should go fast because you don’t have to unpack a kitchen.”
Summer’s words turned out to be prophetic. Two hours later, the truck was empty and the same guys who had packed all her belongings had unpacked the things she’d wanted for the house. When they’d left, she and Summer made quick work of putting everything away.
Diapers and other baby supplies went into the cupboards in the giant laundry room. In addition to an oversize washer and dryer, there was a large sink, perfect for the baby bathtub, and acres of counter space.
“Mom said you can store whatever you need in here,” Summer told her. “If you need more storage, we can figure it out.”
“Where is your mom?”
“Working. Saturday’s a busy day for her. She’s usually at the salon. Unless I have a school thing, then she’s there.”
While Summer put away Jackson’s clothes and toys, Allison loaded her and Peter’s things into the large closet. His shirts and suits hung next to her more casual clothes, as they always had. She smoothed her hand over a row of ties, wondering how long before he was back with her.
Her hand stilled. Wait. What was going to happen when he was finally released from jail? Where would he go? She couldn’t imagine Erica’s generosity extending so far as to allow her ex-husband to live there with his new wife.
A question that was destined to go unanswered, she thought grimly. At least for now. Currently her biggest priority was putting everything away so she could pick up Jackson.
She worked as quickly as she could, ignoring her back pain and exhaustion. It only took an hour to put everything away. Summer continued to help until Allison firmly told her to stop.
“You’ve been so sweet to me,” she said. “Now go live your life.”
“Knock, knock.” Mara entered Allison’s room. “How’s it going?”
“I’m unpacked. The house is beautiful and Summer’s room is lovely.” She glanced at the teen. “I wish you hadn’t given it up for me.”
“Oh, she wanted to,” Mara said easily. “We all talked about it and she insisted. Summer can be stubborn.” Mara smiled. “I wonder where she gets that from.”
Her gaze returned to Allison. “I think we’d all feel better with a plan for the rest of the day. You have to be uncomfortable with all the changes, and it will take time for us to adjust.”
“I need to go get Jackson,” Allison said. “But first I’d like to know where the baby gates are so I can corral him.”
“I can show you,” Summer said eagerly.
“Don’t you have homework?” Mara asked. “And dinner with your friends?”
“I was going to cancel that.”
“No!” Allison and Mara said together.
Allison turned to the teen. “You’re not responsible for me. I’m grateful, but I’m fine. Keep your plans, please.” Erica had been right, she had been leaning on her stepdaughter too much. Starting now, that had to stop.
“Let’s do this,” Mara said. “Allison, you would probably like to take a long, hot shower. Why don’t you do that? I’ll make us a snack. After that, you can go get Jackson. When you get back, we’ll take a tour of the house. I’ll show you the baby gates, give you the Wi-Fi password, explain how to work the TVs. Then you can rest.”
She pointed at her granddaughter. “You will do your homework, then go hang out with your friends.”
“But I want to be here,” Summer whined. She brightened. “Oh, I know. I’ll invite Avery to dinner. That will be fine. Is that okay, Grandma?”
Mara looked at Allison. “Are you up for company?”
Not really. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for three days. But that wasn’t an option.
“That sounds great if it’s not too much trouble. The dinner part. Or I can cook.”
“I’ll show you where everything is so you’re comfortable,” Mara said. “We’ll figure out how we’re going to work meals as we go. You’re welcome to use any food you want. We keep a running list of what we need. The weekly cleaning service also does the grocery shopping.”
“I’d want to pay for my food.”
“You can take that up with Erica.” Mara smiled. “She’s the businesswoman in the family. All right. We have a plan. Summer, you can help me with the food after you finish your homework and text Avery. So we’re set.”
They went their separate ways. Allison walked up the wide staircase, telling herself she would be fine. She had a place to stay, Jackson was safe and hopefully over the next few days, she could relax enough to sleep. She needed to appreciate this unexpected miracle. Which she would, just as soon as she could shake off her sense of looming disaster.
“I want to believe you’re working diligently, but my guess is you’re hiding.”
Erica looked up from her computer to find Killion in her office doorway. It was just after seven on Saturday. The last clients were being checked out and most employees had already left. Normally she would have headed home an hour ago, but she’d already told Summer and her mother that she would be late tonight.
“You think you know everything, but you don’t. I’m not hiding. I’m avoiding. There’s a difference.”
“Semantics,” he teased, setting a bag of takeout on the small conference table along with a bottle of Peter Michael Chardonnay and a black picnic bag.
She crossed to him. He pulled her close, then kissed her. She let herself lean into him for a moment before straightening.
She pointed at the bag. “What did you bring me?”
He turned it so she could see the Seastar logo, then pulled a receipt out of his long-sleeved shirt pocket.
“An assortment of sashimi and sushi, two orders of deviled eggs. Crab bisque, Thai chicken, black truffle mac and cheese, grilled asparagus and their bread service.”
Her stomach growled. “All my favorites.”
“Mine, too.”
They unloaded the picnic tote. Killion, Erica had learned early, liked nice things and had the ability to always have them around him. The tote contained china plates, bowls and flatware. There were elegant wineglasses, cloth napkins and a stone chiller to keep the chardonnay at the perfect temperature.
Once their places were set, they put out the food, then sat down to eat.
“Who pulls all this together for you?” she asked. “Your assistant?”
“My personal assistant, who is someone different than my work assistant.”
“Napoleon? I thought he just managed where you live.”
“He handles all the details of my personal life. He arranges for the housekeeping service and tells the gardeners when it’s time to prune the trees. He coordinates my travel, stocks my refrigerator and yes, keeps tracks of your favorite restaurants and what you like to order.”
She smiled. “Basically, he’s your wife.”
Killion laughed. “He’s better than a wife. In my relationship with Napoleon, I’m always right.”
“Spoken like a man.”
“You also like being right.”
“I do,” she admitted, taking several pieces of sushi while he filled two bowls with bisque. “Thank you for dinner. And the company.”
“I enjoy being your distraction, but at some point you’ll have to go home.”
“I don’t know. I could get a lovely hotel room with a water view and live there for the next few months.”
“You’d miss Summer and your mom.”
True enough, but they could visit her and then she wouldn’t have to deal with Allison.
“It’s not that I don’t like her,” she said, picking up her spoon. “I don’t know her well enough to form an opinion. It’s just so damned awkward and weird.”
“That your ex-husband’s second wife is now living with you?”
“And her child, although Jackson is a sweetie.”
She paused to savor the bisque. The creamy texture was decadently rich, with bits of crab. She’d heard once that good bisque was in essence reduction and cream, which meant plenty of calories. Something she would worry about tomorrow.
“We’re so different,” she continued. “It’s hard to believe the same man married us.”
“Maybe the more interesting question is what you each saw in him.”
She looked at Killion. “There is that. We both fell in love with a man who turned out to be a criminal. That’s a little upsetting.”
“He wasn’t a criminal when you met him.”
“I hope not. I’ve always thought I was a good judge of character. Given how many people I employ, it would be depressing to find out I’m not.”
“Peter wasn’t a criminal when you met him,” Killion repeated. “You weren’t the trigger.”
“But Allison was? That’s almost worse. Summer adores her, so I know she’s nice, and she’s a good mom. How can this be her fault?”
“It’s not. It’s Peter’s fault. He’s the one who chose to take those actions. It’s his plan, his outcome and his responsibility. I’m saying something in their life caused him to go down that path. He would have always had the proclivity to cross the line. People who don’t wouldn’t have considered what he did an option.”
She eyed the deviled eggs. They were delicious on their own, but Seastar topped theirs with salmon gravlax, wasabi tobiko or truffle-ahi tartare. After spending at least fifteen seconds trying to pick, she muttered, “What the hell,” and put one of each on her plate.
“He stole from me,” she said, not meeting Killion’s gaze.
He was silent. She reached for her wine.
“I found out after the divorce, when the new accounting firm went over the books. He was siphoning off money. A few thousand here, a few thousand there. It added up to over a hundred thousand dollars.” She looked away. “I thought he was angry and it was about revenge.”
“It was more than that.”
“I don’t want to think that, but given where he is right now, what else could it be?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.” She ate one of the deviled eggs. “He totally fooled me.”
“He fooled you both. That’s something you have in common.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Oh, please. So we should sit down over a cup of tea and discuss the man we both married? I don’t think so.”
“It would be therapeutic.”
“Not happening.”
“The more you get to know her, the less you’ll worry that Summer will one day love her more.”
She snapped up her head and stared at him. “What did you say?”
“What you’ve felt deep inside but have been afraid to articulate.”
Heat stained her cheeks and she looked away. “That’s crazy. You’re wrong. I would never think that. Summer’s my daughter. We have a bond that will never be broken. I’m hardly concerned about how she feels about Peter’s current wife.”
His green eyes gave nothing away as he shrugged and casually said, “You’re right. I was reaching. I take it back.”
“As you should. Let’s change the subject.”
He mentioned a project at work and she commented. The ridiculous statement about Summer loving Allison more was soon in the past. Unfortunately for Erica, it wasn’t forgotten and as she drove home an hour later, she was unable to get it out of her mind.
Killion was wrong about her, wrong about her daughter. Summer was softhearted and yes, she cared about Allison and Jackson. It was her nature, nothing more. Erica wasn’t going to lose her, certainly not to someone like Allison.