Chapter 27
Kathy’s restaurant was a favorite for breakfast. With a cozy atmosphere and fantastic food, the place was usually packed. Today was no different. Cassie stared out the window over the rim of her coffee mug. A silver streak zoomed into the parking lot making her catch her breath.
She could do this.
Cassie and Mike had talked for hours. She told him about her mom, her dad, her sister, who had gotten her all worked up into a stew. Mike talked her through her grief regarding her dad and said he wanted to meet her mom. He’d even convinced her to make amends with her sister. God, how she loved that man.
Even though her sister agreed to meet, Cassie’s stomach churned with nausea. They’d talked, apologized, then Jennifer had suggested breakfast. So, it shouldn’t be but so bad. Still, Cassie couldn’t calm her nerves.
Jennifer entered the restaurant, spotted Cassie and headed straight for their table.
“I’m starved,” she said plopping down into the booth. “I had to take Ranger out for a walk, then I took a shower and my stomach growled all the way here.”
Just like Jennifer to take charge and act like nothing was out of sorts. Cassie welcomed it. This was better than being at each other’s throats.
“That’s because you were looking forward to blueberry pancakes.”
“Is there any other kind?” Jennifer asked with a roll of her eyes.
The waitress came to their table carrying a pot of fresh coffee. She poured a cup for Jennifer then refilled Cassie’s and took their orders.
“I’m glad you called yesterday. I knew you wouldn’t stay mad long.”
Here we go.
“We both said some pretty heavy things,” Jennifer continued. “I’m sorry, too.”
The air escaped Cassie’s lungs and she stared at her sister in amazement.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” Jennifer said with a wave of her hand. “I can shoot my mouth off with the best of them. A lot of what I spew is just me venting. I’ve always done that.”
“You do it with style.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your words, most of the time, are precise. Like you’re dictating. You don’t sound like me when I vent.”
“You did a fabulous job of it at the hospital.”
“I was pissed.”
“No shit.”
The waitress brought coffee for Jennifer and then took their order. Jennifer lifted her mug and blew across the surface before putting it to her lips. She set the cup down and met Cassie’s eyes. “We’re sisters. That will never change. What you said really hit me.”
At the time, Cassie had meant every word. But Jennifer was right. She couldn’t stay mad. Especially if her sister was being sensible. Which was not like her at all.
“You looked like you could kill me.”
“I was pretty mad.”
“I didn’t mean half of what I said.”
Cassie knew better than to point out Jennifer had said half. Some of the things they’d shouted were true.
“I know.”
“Especially the part about my ex. That was just stupid.”
“I’m glad to hear you didn’t believe that. I had no interest in—”
“You don’t need to say it. All men stare at you. Your chest, anyway.”
Heat crawled up Cassie’s neck, but she managed to keep her mouth shut on that subject.
“Look,” Jennifer said with a shrug, “what’s done is done. “Besides. That’s history. He’s gone, I remarried, end of story.”
The waitress appeared with their food. “Scrambled eggs for you,” she said, placing a plate before Cassie, “and blueberries for you.” The waitress set a plate of pancakes piled with blueberries and whipped cream in front of Jennifer, then pasted a big grin on her face. “You make me want to get an order for myself.”
“Blueberry pancakes and whipped cream are my favorite.”
“They’re my favorite, too. Can I get you ladies anything else?”
“Thank you. I’m good,” Jennifer said, reaching for the syrup.
“Thank you.” Cassie picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite.
“I could hardly wait to get here and get my pancakes.”
“Kathy’s serves the best.”
“Mmm, she has great breakfast food.” Jennifer tried to chew and talk at the same time. Cassie laughed.
Jennifer froze. “That’s better than the last time I saw you.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I want to talk about Mom.”
“We both care for her.”
“She’s doing well and getting around really good, now.”
“Yeah, she’s completely recovered from the surgery and happy to be back in her own house. Thank you for taking care of her during her recovery.”
“No thanks necessary. I know you would have brought her to your home if you didn’t work.”
A few minutes of silence ensued while they both devoured their food. Cassie lifted her mug just as Jennifer spoke.
“You think it’s true that a person can wither away pining for their spouse or is it just crap?”
Where did that come from?
“I guess … if you really love your husband or your wife … I’ve known some who couldn’t live without their mate.”
“You mean soul mate?”
Cassie shrugged. “I guess. If you really love—”
“So, you believe in that?”
This wasn’t like Jennifer. Where was this coming from? Cassie wanted to tell her sister about Mike, but Jennifer had something on her mind.
“Yes. I do.”
“Hmm,” Jennifer mumbled and took a big bite of pancakes.
“Do you believe in that kind of love?” her sister asked hesitantly.
Jennifer was quiet for a long while. Cassie chewed her food and waited.
“I thought about what you said. About my current husband and how he would leave me too.”
Uh oh. She’d forgotten that. She prepared herself for the sermon she was about to receive.
“I do care for Eric.” Jennifer lowered her eyes to her plate. “I didn’t realize how much until you said what you did.”
“Jennifer, I’m—”
“It got me to thinking. I don’t want to lose him.”
Oh shit.
“Is your marriage in trouble?”
Her gaze shot to meet Cassie’s. “I never thought so. But it’s not what it could be.”
A real conversation, with her sister. Miracles did happen.
“You can work on that.”
“How?”
I can’t believe she’s asking me.
The last twenty-nine years of oppressiveness floated from her shoulders. Jennifer was her sister and this could be the beginning of what Cassie wanted—a new relationship.
“Explore your feelings. Pay more attention to your husband.”
“Are you kidding? He’s never home.”
“When he comes home, what do you do? Do you greet him with warmth? Tell him you’re glad to see him? Fix him a special meal?”
“When he gets home at bedtime?”
“You don’t think he’s having an affair, do you?”
“No. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed at work to avoid me.” Her shoulders slumped and she placed her fork beside her plate. “He says he has to keep me satisfied. And he’s not talking about the first thing you’d think. He means money.”
By her sister’s actions, it was easy enough to believe all Jennifer cared about was money. Diamonds graced each of her fingers, she drove a Porsche and bragged about her possessions to anyone who would listen.
“You can fix that,” she told her sister. “Take notice of what he wants. What he might like. When was the last time you did something for him?”
“I picked up his dry-cleaning for him yesterday.”
“Not that, Jennifer. For him personally. It could be anything from bringing him coffee or—I know. Have a drink ready for him when he walks in the door. If he gets home late, he has to be exhausted. You could take his briefcase or his coat. Give him a drink, lead him to the couch and rub his shoulders.”
“He’d think he was in the wrong house. Or with another woman.”
“Point made,” Cassie said with intensity. “Show him more attention. Give him a reason to come home.”
“I can’t change overnight.”
“But you can try. You’ve already noticed your marriage can be better. You seem willing to do something about it. Why not spruce it up a bit?”
“You want me to get a see-through negligee and lie on the couch naked?”
“If you want.” Cassie shook her head, wondering if her suggestions were pointless. “A simple gesture might go a long way.”
“Where do you get all of your great wisdom?” Jennifer said sarcastically.
Cassie immediately thought of Mike. Her pulse quickened and her face heated.
“I can only tell you how I feel.”
“Oh my God. You have a man in your life?”
“Don’t act so surprised,” Cassie grumbled, then picked up her fork and cut her scrambled eggs, taking her frustration out on them.
Jennifer slammed her palms on the table. “You do. The only reason I’m surprised is because you don’t date. Hardly ever.”
“Well, I do have someone and it’s serious.”
“Really?”
Cassie leveled a glare on her sister. “Really.”
“Tell me about him. How did you meet? Wait. Is he that fireman? Tammy told me about him when she came to pick up the boys.”
“He’s a firefighter. And he’s everything to me.”
Her sister’s fork stopped mid-air and never reached her mouth. “You can’t be serious. You just met the guy.”
“I’m very serious, and if we”—Cassie moved her fork between the two of them—“weren’t so busy fighting, you’d know about him.”
Jennifer stabbed a blueberry. “Tell me about him, then.”
Cassie’s chest squeezed a little. Partly just because she loved Mike and partly because her sister was willing to listen.
Mike knew all her secrets and loved her anyway.
“He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever met and he loves me.” Saying the words made her believe them even more. Mike did love her.
“For now, anyway.”
Irritation made Cassie’s muscles tense. “Must you always be so discouraging?”
“Do you forget there is a word called divorce? Forever doesn’t mean for- ever,” Jennifer said with a shrug.
“It can. With the right man.”
“Who’s to say there is such a thing as the right man?”
“Can you say you had the same feeling for Ronnie that you claim to have for Eric now? You didn’t love your first husband.”
With a shrug, Jennifer stuffed more pancake into her mouth.
“You’ve mentioned you’d like to fix things with Eric. At the very least, make them better so you don’t lose him.”
A flash of discomfort flickered in Jennifer’s eyes.
“Think about what I said.” Cassie lifted her mug. “You can have forever with Eric if that’s what you want. I want forever. One of these days, I’ll be married.”
Jennifer choked on her food. “What?” she gasped.
“You think you were the only one with marriage plans?” Cassie asked.
“You’re getting married?” Jennifer shouted.
“Lower your voice.” Cassie could feel the stares from the other patrons. “I will one day.”
“How soon?”
“Why? What’s wrong with my wanting to get married?”
“Have you told Mom?”
“I haven’t told anyone. I haven’t been asked.”
“But you’re thinking about it.”
“Look,” Cassie said, placing her mug on the table and leaning forward. “I’ve fallen in love. I’m crazy about Mike.”
“Mike, is it?” Jennifer leaned back with her cup in her hand.
“Yes, Mike Armstrong. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“Wow. That’s pretty heavy.”
“I don’t know when or how soon or even if we’re getting married. But he feels the same way I do.”
“In that case, I’d say it won’t be long.”
The way Cassie felt about Mike, she’d marry him today. Since they were on the subject, she might as well get a certain issue out of the way.
“Jennifer, I’d like you to be in my wedding, but you know Tammy will be my Maid of Honor.”
“Are those darling boys going to be in it?”
The storm Cassie had expected did not come. Jennifer had spoken in a reasonable tone and actually seemed to accept the idea. Cassie needed to be sure.
“You’re okay with Tammy being my Maid of Honor?” she asked cautiously.
“Matron of honor,” Jennifer corrected. “It figures. She’s been your best friend forever.”
Cassie released a sigh of relief.
It was nice to have a conversation with her sister without dreading a scene.