Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
WHILE ZOEY MADE A quick trip to the visitor’s apartment to release Freeway from his crate, Genevieve and Helen broke out a bottle of champagne. They also called Willow and invited her to join them. Helen told her to hurry because they had a fabulous surprise. Helen had a few bottles of nonalcoholic bubbly that she’d stocked when her nieces began announcing pregnancies, so she chilled one of those while waiting for Willow to arrive.
At Helen’s direction, Zoey put Freeway and Cookie out into the condo’s small fenced-in yard to play. While they waited for Willow’s arrival, Helen peppered Zoey with questions about Adam. “So, he celebrates his birthday on June eighth, and he’s Adam Hillcrest. Does he have a middle name?”
“He does. Adam was my paternal grandfather’s name. His middle name is his maternal grandfather’s name.” Zoey’s eyes gleamed at Helen over the top of her champagne glass as she added, “It’s William.”
“No!” Helen and Genevieve spoke simultaneously.
“Yep.”
“Wow,” Genevieve breathed. “Just, wow.”
“If I’m not careful, I’m going to start crying all over again. I don’t want to do that. I want to take a little bit of time and enjoy the joy before I let loose the other emotions I have churning inside of me. So, tell me anything and everything else you can about him. When Willow arrives, we will read her in and then formulate a plan on how best to share this news with Adam.”
Zoey considered Helen’s request for a moment, then decided to jump in. “He is whip-smart and intense about his work. He can be forgetful when he gets lost in research. He has a sweet tooth. He’s a real candy hound, the sweeter, the better. Not much of a drinker, although he does enjoy a good scotch upon occasion.”
“What’s his favorite food?” Helen asked. “Other than candy, I mean.”
“Growing up in Florida, he learned to love fresh fish. Since he’s moved to Texas, he’s added steak and barbecue to his favorite list.” She paused a moment, then added, “He despises broccoli.”
Helen clapped her hand against her chest. “Billy didn’t like broccoli, either!”
They heard a quick rap on the door, and Willow walked inside. Her gaze went first to Zoey, and she smiled. “Our bride! I’m so happy to see you again, Zoey. I’m sorry your trip was stressful. I hope you’re feeling better after your nap?”
“Thank you. Yes, I’m feeling so much better.” She glanced toward the two older women for a cue to how to proceed.
Helen took charge, handing Willow a flute and saying, “It’s only apple juice, don’t fret. You need something with which to toast.”
“What are we toasting?” Willow responded, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “What’s the big news? Tell me!”
Helen linked arms with Zoey and said, “Willow, love. Today, I have experienced a miracle. What was lost is now found. And I have you to thank for it.”
Lifting her glass in salute, Helen said, “To Willow!”
Genevieve and Zoey raised their flutes and repeated, “To Willow!”
“Me? What did I do?” She clinked glasses with the others, then brought hers to her mouth for a sip.
Helen picked that moment to say, “You gave me a granddaughter.”
Willow spit out her juice. “What?”
Helen laughed, and over the next ten to fifteen minutes, the story tumbled out. When it was finished, Willow gazed around the room in wonder and delight. “You know what this means? We’re having another family wedding at the lake.”
Just like that, Zoey’s high evaporated. The wedding was a subject she wanted to avoid—just like she’d avoided the two phone calls she’d received from Cooper this afternoon. To divert attention from the subject, she focused on her father. “Well, first, we need to figure out how we’re going to break this news to Dad.”
Her diversion worked. The other women lost all interest in the subject of her wedding. Helen said, “Well, I guess I need to make a trip to Texas.”
“You’re not going alone,” Genevieve declared. “I’m coming with you.”
“Can I come, too?” Willow asked. “I want to come. I don’t need to be there when you first meet him, but I’d like to be there for support.”
“That would be nice.” Helen glanced at Zoey. “Would that be okay, do you think?”
Zoey nodded. Willow beamed and clapped her hands together. “Excellent. So, are you thinking road trip or will we fly? We might have trouble getting seats out of Durango this time of year. It’s high tourist season.” Glancing at her mother, she added, “I’ll bet Gage would let us use his plane.”
Genevieve frowned. “No, he is a generous man, but that is too big of an ask.”
“Not for you,” Willow fired back.
Helen nodded in agreement. “I think Gage Throckmorton would do just about anything for you.”
Genevieve shook her head and folded her arms. “Nevertheless, I’m not asking. Period.”
Helen shot Willow a meaningful look. “Now is not the time, but let’s make a note to explore this topic at a later date.”
The dogs scratched at the door, and Willow slipped off her seat on a bar stool and opened the patio door. As Freeway padded over to Zoey, Helen asked, “How do you think we should handle this, Zoey? Do we give him a warning ahead of time? A few days—if I can wait that long? A couple of hours? Or do I meet him first and then ease into the story? What is going to be best? And where? Just as long as it happens fast. I’m not getting any younger here.”
Zoey rubbed Freeway behind the ears and considered the questions. Suddenly, she was feeling a bit overwhelmed. This was happening so fast.
She blew out a breath. “Well, I don’t know. I need to think about it.”
Surprising Dad wasn’t the answer. Neither was telling him over the phone. Probably the thing to do would be for Zoey to tell her father the news in person first, then they could all meet somewhere. It would need to be private. Not Dad’s place. He’d feel like he needed to play host. Not my place, either.
Since Cooper wasn’t around for this momentous occasion in Zoey’s life, she didn’t want to be smelling his aftershave during the big event.
Then, she had an idea. “My Dad has a beach house in Galveston that I use more often than he does. It’s about an hour’s drive from the hospital. But there’s room for all of us. I think it would be a nice place for Dad to meet y’all.”
“That sounds perfect,” Helen said. “The next question is when do we leave? I know you just arrived today, Zoey, and the thought of climbing back into the car to make the return trip is exhausting but—”
“Whoa, there, Helen.” Genevieve had been watching Zoey closely. “I know you’re anxious, but Zoey just arrived today. You cannot ask her to get back in the car to make that grueling trip without at least one night’s sleep. Besides, Ms. Mayor, you have to open the Christmas festival tonight at five.”
“Oh no. The festival.” Helen slapped her forehead. “I completely forgot.”
Her brow furrowed as she thought the matter through. “I have something festival-related scheduled every day through the weekend. I guess I could ask Nicole to fill in for me.” She looked at Genevieve. “Think we can find someone to run our booth for us?”
Genevieve shrugged. “If not, we hang a sign saying family emergency. It’s a family-themed booth. It’s appropriate.”
“Oh no,” Willow said, with a shake of her head. Disappointment wreathed her face. “I don’t know what I was thinking of. I got ahead of myself. I can’t go to Texas. I have three bridal appointments this week and an event on Saturday. I was going to help Noah in his dollhouse booth, but he could manage without me. I’ll run your booth for you. We can close it down on Saturday if I can’t find anyone else to cover during my event. Just promise to get your dad to Lake in the Clouds ASAP, Zoey. I hope before your wedding, although that’ll be here sooner than we think.”
“Thank you, Willow,” Helen said fervently as Zoey’s stomach sank.
The wedding again. Zoey took a long sip of her champagne.
“Why don’t we see what sort of flight we can get out of Durango?” Genevieve suggested.
“I’ll look for you,” Willow said. She reached into her purse, pulled out her phone, and began searching a website. Genevieve and Helen discussed the logistics of driving while Zoey tried to ignore the fact that her phone had rung again.
She had a niggling fear that Cooper’s father might have had a post-op issue, but surely he’d have texted that information like he had the other surgery-related details.
Guilt nudged her to finally check her phone. Three missed calls from Cooper. No voice mail. No texts. She typed out a message to him. Can’t talk now. Update on Pat’s status?
Almost immediately, three dots showed on her screen, and one word arrived. Fine.
Okay, then. Zoey tossed her phone back into her purse. She knew him. Dr. MacKenzie was pissed. Zoey continued, “I know you’re anxious, but knowing my dad, he’ll be more relaxed if we do this on the weekend.”
“Looks like the earliest y’all could get a seat is on Friday evening,” Willow said. “That puts you in Galveston at about the same time as it would take you to drive. Should I book them?”
Everyone looked at Zoey. “Make them refundable. I’ll need to check with Dad and confirm he intends to be in town this weekend.”
Helen said, “Use my credit card, please, Willow. The one in my desk drawer. You know where it is.” To Genevieve, she added, “That will work out well. In the meantime, we can work the Christmas market. That’ll give me something else to occupy my mind.”
“It’s a plan, then.” Genevieve rose and picked up her bag. “Speaking of the festival, I have a few things to do before five o’clock tonight. I need to run by the bank and get money for our cash box and pick up our new brochures advertising the inn at the print shop, so I’m going to head out. Shall we plan to meet back at the courthouse booth at a quarter to five?” Following Helen’s nod of agreement, she passed around hugs, hesitating a moment before taking her sister into her arms. “I’m so happy for you.”
Genevieve’s tone was genuine, but only Zoey was positioned in such a way that she could see Genevieve’s expression as she embraced Helen. For just a moment, an odd expression flashed across her face. Huh. Wonder what that’s about?
Willow departed shortly after her mother, leaving Zoey and Helen alone for the first time since the big revelation. Zoey gave Helen an awkward smile. “I think I’ll go back to the apartment and catch up on a couple of phone calls and my e-mail if that’s all right with you?”
“Of course. I’m sure you can use a little downtime to process everything. Honestly, I do, too.” She approached Zoey and took her hands in hers. “I hope we haven’t OD’d you on family. If you want me to back off, just say the word. I’m not promising I’ll actually do it, mind you, but I will try to be more sensitive.”
Zoey laughed softly. “No. No. I love it. It’s what I’ve always dreamed about.”
“Me, too. Oh, honey. Me, too!” Helen wrapped her in a quick, hard hug. Stepping back, she asked, “Before you go, will you say it? I haven’t heard you say it.”
At first, Zoey thought she was asking to hear the l-word. Love was a word Zoey didn’t throw around indiscriminately. She really liked Helen, but this was still a little too fast for her. Then, even as she hesitated, Zoey realized that Helen meant something else. Her heart did a little happy dance as she leaned over and kissed her grandmother’s cheek.
“Nana. I’m so glad you’re my nana. I’m so glad to be part of your family.”
Zoey remained in the guest apartment only long enough to change clothes and don her running shoes. A section of Helen’s condo community snaked alongside a bubbling creek, and Zoey headed for the meandering trail running beside it, indicated on a facility map she’d found in the apartment’s kitchen. The myriad of emotions rolling through her would overcome her if she let them, so while she ran, she tried to clear her mind instead of dwelling on the events of the day.
She ran for almost an hour to the music of a burbling mountain stream and the perfume of Douglas fir and pine. At what point during her run she made the decision about her next move, she couldn’t say. She didn’t consciously work the problem. She simply went with her gut.
When she returned to the apartment, Zoey picked up her phone and sent a bat signal text to her dad.
“My family is going to be the death of me,” Genevieve declared without so much as a hello when Gage opened the door of the Triple T Ranch house. His lips twisted in wry amusement as he stepped aside while Genevieve barreled her way into the house. “You won’t believe what—”
She stopped abruptly upon realizing that Gage was not alone. His daughter Lindsay stood in the family room with her arms crossed and a smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh. I’m interrupting. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not interrupting,” Gage said. “This is my day for unexpected visitors. Lindsay dropped by to bring me a book by a new author that she thought I’d like. A juicy murder mystery.”
“Oh? I’m always on the lookout for new authors. What’s the title?”
Now, a gleam of emotion—was it malice?—lit the young woman’s eyes. “It’s called The Black Widow’s Demise .”
Yes, definitely malice.
“It’s a cozy mystery. I’m trying to book the author for a signing.”
“I’ll watch for it,” Genevieve said, forcing a smile. She really wasn’t in the mood to deal with Lindsay Higgins today. Meeting Gage’s gaze, she said, “I’m going to run. I just wanted to stop by and remind you that the Christmas market opens tonight.”
“No. You’re not running anywhere. You are obviously upset about something, and Lindsay was actually about to leave. Weren’t you, honey?”
She hesitated, but Genevieve could see the truth of Gage’s claim in Lindsay’s expression. She pursed her lips mulishly and nodded. “Yes, I was on my way out.”
Gage walked over to her and smoothly ushered her toward the kitchen, saying, “I’ll walk you to your car. Be right back, Genevieve.”
Genevieve concluded that Lindsay had parked beside the kitchen door. That was why she hadn’t seen the vehicle upon her arrival. Genevieve knew what kind of car Lindsay drove. Had she noticed it when she’d driven up to the ranch house, she’d have kept driving.
Spotting a pitcher of ice water sitting on Gage’s bar, Genevieve crossed the room and filled a glass. Maybe something cold would help her cool down.
Now that Genevieve was away from Helen and Zoey, she could release her inner ire. She was not a happy camper. She was furious with her father and her mother. And had her brothers known about Helen’s pregnancy? Had any of them known what her father had done with the baby?
Last, but definitely not least, Genevieve wasn’t exactly happy with Helen.
Genevieve polished off her ice water and then set down her glass with a bang. Entering the room from the kitchen, Gage noted her movement and reacted by arching his brows. “All right, sweetheart. What have your children done now?”
“Believe it or not, my children aren’t the troublemakers this time around. It’s my sister.”
Gage’s eyes widened with surprise. “Well, this is different.”
“You won’t believe. I have a story to tell you, Gage, but I need to move while I’m doing it. Want to go for a walk with me?”
“Sure thing. Want your boots?”
Genevieve glanced down at her feet, noting the sandals. “Yes, I definitely need my boots.”
Gage had given her a pair of hiking boots to leave at his house following the third time their plans changed because Genevieve was wearing inappropriate footwear. She might be living in Colorado now, but she’d yet to leave her Texas sandals-and–flip-flop lifestyle behind.
She didn’t speak again until they were out of the house and headed for the trail that wound up the mountain behind Gage’s house. It was an easy hike that required just enough exertion to help with stress relief without being so strenuous that Genevieve couldn’t talk while she hiked. And talk, she did.
She relayed the story in a clear, concise manner. During the telling, Gage whistled a time or two, but he didn’t interrupt. Only when she concluded and fell silent, searching for the words to express the emotions churning inside her, did he begin to ask questions. “So, why are you upset with Helen?”
“Why am I upset?” Genevieve whirled on Gage. “Because we don’t keep secrets. I tell her everything. I thought she did the same.”
Gage tilted his cowboy hat back on his head, then folded his arms. “So, your feelings are hurt. You’re upset because you think she didn’t trust you enough to share it.”
“She lied to me!” Genevieve bent and scooped up a handful of rocks. She sailed one into the forest as she added, “She lied to me about the biggest, most important, most devastating event of her life. She lied for fifty years!”
Gage opened his mouth to speak, but smartly reconsidered when Genevieve shot him a warning look.
“Listen, I understand why she didn’t tell me when it happened,” she said, throwing another stone. “I was too young to understand. But I grew up. We got to be best friends. Or, so I thought. She. Never. Told. Me. She never told me when I held her hand through her miscarriages. She never told me when our parents died. She never told me when my husband died, and I thought no adult around me could possibly understand the depth of my grief. And all of that time, she had lost a baby! A full-term child. I know it’s not exactly the same thing as grief for a spouse, but it has to be pretty damned close. She understood, but I didn’t know she understood! I didn’t have all the facts!”
Genevieve threw the rest of her rocks one after the other before resuming her march uphill. Gage followed, offering silent support. She liked that about him. He understood her. Right now, she needed to vent, not answer questions or listen to his thoughts or observations.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, she wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. “It stinks, Gage. I had all those feeling simmering inside me, but I had to swallow my words. This was a wonderful moment for Helen, and I wasn’t about to try to make it about me. Today wasn’t about me. I couldn’t throw a wet blanket on her joy.”
His expression turned tender. “So you came to me.”
“Yes, I came to you, Gage.”
He reached out, cupped her chin, stared deeply into her eyes, and smiled. “You came to family. Your family.”
“Oh, Gage,” she said with a sigh. “That’s not a subject for today either. My entire worldview has tilted on its axis.”
Now he pulled her into his arms. She resisted for only an instant before melting against him. “I understand, sweetheart. You and Helen have a history that is unique and gives you a bond unlike any other. The relationship you have with your sister is the longest-lasting one of your life, and it will be until one of you passes. Helen did hurt your feelings.”
She struggled just a tiny bit. He held her a little tighter. “That makes me sound like I’m six. Yes, she hurt my feelings, but it’s bigger than that. I feel betrayed. By my sister! At the same time, I understand her position. She has a right to privacy.”
“From everyone except you.”
“Exactly. I knew you’d understand, Gage.”
“You poor baby,” he teased. He tucked her head against his shoulder.
“I feel like a baby. Helen and I will need to talk this through once the excitement dies down. I need to let it go. Why am I wasting even a moment of thought on this when we’ve had a miracle today? A real honest-to-goodness miracle. Helen has a son. His name is Adam. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“When is that going to happen?”
“Hopefully, this Sunday. Helen, Zoey, and I have seats on a Saturday night flight. I think Helen would have gone tonight if she could have gotten onto a plane.”
“Y’all are welcome to use my plane.”
Warmth bubbled up inside of Genevieve. Willow had been right. But then again, so had she. “You are the most generous man, Gage Throckmorton. Thank you, but no. What I need from you is this. You holding me. Listening to me. Letting me vent.”
“You’re leaving something out.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
The gleam in his eyes telegraphed his intentions, so Genevieve wasn’t surprised when his mouth captured hers.
This, she thought, as warmth seeped languidly through her body, was coming home.
Maybe Gage is right. Maybe he’s already my family.
Had the time come for her resistance to end?
Zoey lay in bed that night and couldn’t fall asleep. Never mind that she was as weary as she’d ever been, all those never-ending hospital shifts through her residency notwithstanding. But emotion was caffeine in her blood that kept her heart racing and her mind spinning.
She’d worked the Christmas market booth with Genevieve and Helen. Helen had introduced her as her granddaughter, telling those who had questioned this new addition to the family that the story was a long one, but the bottom line was that the expansion of Helen’s family was a joyful thing.
And it had been a night of joy, with a little after-dark crisp in the air, the drifting fragrance of mulling spices and roasting nuts, and the sound of carols floating on the gentle breeze. A bit weird for July, but fun nonetheless. They’d sold an impressive amount of inventory for what Helen assured her would be the slowest night of the festival. Zoey herself had purchased a ridiculous number of family-themed tree ornaments, her excuse being a whole bunch of new cousins with whom she might wish to exchange gifts come December.
Light from a three-quarter moon beamed through the bedroom window and illuminated the handmade glass ornament that Helen had presented to her. Zoey had hung it from a suction cup hook. It was a gold angel holding a pink heart. The ribbon on the bottom read, “World’s Best Granddaughter.” Zoey focused on the ornament, and her heart did a little thud-a-thump.
She’d found family. A grandmother. Helen wouldn’t replace Mimi, whom Zoey mourned deeply to this day, but a girl had room in her life for two grandmothers, especially when Nana brought an aunt and lots of cousins along with her.
She’d been looking forward to growing her family when she became a MacKenzie. Yet she sensed that forming a family with in-laws took time. While she adored Pat and Sherry MacKenzie, they were Cooper’s family. Given time, she expected she and his parents would develop a family bond.
Given time.
Zoey’s gaze drifted to the bedside table where her phone lay connected to a charging cord. She wanted to tell Cooper about today. He’d called her three times today, and she’d let it go to voice mail each time. He hadn’t left messages.
He hadn’t contacted her at all since their brief text exchange. Had he given up on her? If Zoey were being honest with herself, she couldn’t really blame him.
She sat up, scooched back against the headboard, and reached for her phone. Her pulse speeding up, she scrolled to their latest communication. It was two hours later in Michigan, so it was after midnight on the East Coast. He wouldn’t be awake.
Hesitating only a moment and not truly expecting an answer, she typed out You awake?
His response came almost at once. Yes. Let’s talk.
She was still debating her response when the phone rang—a video call. Okay, video was not what she’d been expecting. Well, she’d started this. She couldn’t ignore this call. She switched on the lamp, then connected. Cooper’s image filled her screen.
He looked worried. She said, “Hi.”
“Hello. I was getting worried. Where are you?”
“Colorado. Lake in the Clouds.”
“Already? We’re still a month away from the wedding.”
“It’s a long story. First, though, how is your dad?”
Cooper spent a few minutes telling her about his father’s injury and prognosis. When he finished the update, Zoey responded, “I’m so glad. I’m sure he and your mom were relieved to have you there.”
“They were.”
After that, an awkward silence fell between them, and Zoey quickly surmised that he intended to wait her out. Okay, then. She’d wanted to tell him, hadn’t she?
“Remember those DNA kits you left with me when my mother was dying?”
“You told me you didn’t sample her.”
“I didn’t. I sent off a sample of my own DNA, and not long after you left our place, I received notification of a match. Except, the family I found is on my father’s side.”
Always a quick thinker, Cooper said, “Willow the wedding planner.”
“Yes.” Zoey gave him a rundown of the events of the past three days. While she talked, the frown he’d greeted her with transformed into a genuine smile. When she finished speaking, he said, “I’m both surprised and unsurprised. The resemblance between you and Willow was uncanny, but I’ve been focused on your mother. I don’t know why I never considered that the link could be through your dad. Stupid of me.”
“It’s because we always thought of his parents as his parents and never really concentrated on his being adopted.”
“But, man, a stolen child. How horrible for your grandmother. How did your dad take the news?”
Zoey exhaled a heavy breath. “I haven’t told him yet. It’s not the sort of thing I think I should do over the phone. Helen wants to meet him, of course. We were planning a quick trip to Texas, but I canceled the reservations because I managed to convince Dad to come to Lake in the Clouds. He’ll be here Friday.”
“That’s good.” Cooper raked his fingers through his hair. “How long do you plan to remain in Colorado?”
She shrugged. “I’m in no rush to return to Houston. I want to get to know my new family better.”
“Speaking of family…” Cooper glanced away for a moment and appeared to brace himself. “Zoey, I think we need to talk about us.”
From out of the blue, tears stung her eyes. “Now? It’s late, Cooper.”
“It is. You wouldn’t take my calls earlier today. Or yesterday.”
“It’s been an eventful few days, and I’m exhausted. Please, can this wait until I’ve had a decent night’s sleep?”
His brow creased with a frown. “If I agree, will you promise to quit dodging my calls?”
Zoey opened her mouth to deny the charge, but she couldn’t do so in good faith. “I promise.”
“Okay, then. We’ll talk tomorrow. I need to be at the hospital early so I can catch Dad’s doctor during his rounds. How about we schedule a time to talk? Say, after about ten?”
You’re pushing, Cooper. “I’m not sure what Helen has planned for the day tomorrow. Why don’t I text you when I have a better idea about what’s on my agenda?”
“All right.” Cooper exhaled heavily, then said, “I gotta hit the sack. I’m glad we talked, Zoey. Good night.”
“Me, too. Good night.”
It wasn’t until she’d returned her phone to the nightstand that she realized they’d ended their call without the customary “I love you.”
Zoey sank back into bed and pulled the covers over her head. How could this day have been both so extraordinarily wonderful and so extremely sad? How had she and Cooper gotten to the place where they didn’t say “I love you” to each other less than a month ahead of their wedding?
She was too tired to try to figure it out.
Searching for a distraction from her thoughts, she grabbed her phone, pulled up the audiobook app, and swiped to a classic romance novel she listened to so often that she almost knew it by heart. Her last conscious thought before drifting off to sleep was that it had been nice to hear Cooper’s voice.
She missed him.