Chapter Nineteen – Cadie
Cadie
“Stop wringing your hands together, Cadie,” Kian said as I stood next to him while we waited for his mother and father to show up. Apparently, they liked to have everyone out front when they arrived. I had almost asked if we were in a Downton Abbey episode, but wasn’t sure anyone would get the joke.
“That’s easy for you to say, Kian. You’re not meeting your parents for the first time while three FBI agents are staked out next door and… and let’s not forget your CIA brother, who I’m pretty sure is packing heat.”
“I’m just impressed they could convince Dean and Leslie Banks to rent out their house for a while. The whole ‘We’re going on a European cruise’ thing was last minute.”
I turned and looked at Kian, my brows rose in question. “You think the FBI paid them to leave town so they could rent out their house?”
Kian shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Sighing, I closed my eyes and prayed everything would be fine this weekend.
“Oh, joy. Here they come,” Macy said as she walked up, holding her two kids’ hands in each of hers .
Millie tugged on my skirt. “Cadie, will you pick me up?”
Smiling down at the little blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl made something inside of me ache. I loved kids, but hadn’t felt that urge to have any…until this very moment. I wasn’t sure if it was because Kian was standing next to me and I could picture a little Kian Jr. running around. Clearing the thoughts from my head, I leaned down, “Of course I will.”
“You don’t have to hold her, Cadie,” Macy said.
After scooping up Millie, I smiled at her mother. “I don’t mind at all. I love kids.”
Macy and her husband, Will, arrived yesterday. Their two kids, Millie and Jack, were adorable, and I was quickly wrapped around their fingers. I had already played Pretty, Pretty, Princess with Millie, and Jack showed me all of his trucks, not to mention we played about a dozen games of hide and seek.
“Thank you for being so good with them, Cadie. They both adore you.”
I smiled at Macy. “The feeling is mutual.”
She returned my smile, then looked at the car pulling up. The Macy standing next to me was a far cry from the one who had grilled me a few months back at Opal’s bakery. I wasn’t sure if Mark had told her yet that he worked for the CIA, or if he even planned to tell the rest of the family. The only reason he told Kian was because we were dating. Or at least, that was my thought.
“Don’t be nervous,” Macy whispered. “They will be so wrapped up in themselves they probably won’t even notice you. And I’m not trying to take a dig at you…trust me.”
My eyes widened as I looked at Macy. She gave me a sad smile. “My mother will pat them each on the head on her way into the house, and my father will give them each a hello, no hugs or kisses.”
“That’s so sad,” I whispered.
Macy shrugged. She could pretend it didn’t hurt all she wanted, but I could see it in her eyes. It was definitely sadness over their lack of concern for her own children, as well as showcasing that she was a product of the same environment growing up.
The black Mercedes stopped, and a handsome young gentleman in a suit exited the front passenger seat. He looked like a military guy dressed up to go to a wedding. He opened the back door and held out his hand, and an older version of Macy got out, followed by an older version of Kian. Lacy Carter was beautiful, and did not look fifty-nine. Her light brown hair was done up in a fancy twist, and she was dressed to the nines in a black pencil skirt, black blouse, and black Christian Louboutin pumps.
“Only my mother would come home dressed like she’s attending a funeral,” Macy softly said from beside me.
Doug Carter was handsome, just like his two sons. His short hair was brown, not a sign of gray anywhere. Clean-shaven, also dressed in a black suit. He wore a bright purple tie, and I had to smile when I saw it. I couldn’t help but wonder if the pop of color was to irritate his wife, or maybe he simply liked purple.
“Did they name you Macy because it was close to Lacy?” I asked.
She laughed. “God, no. It was my grandmother’s name. Macy, that is. My father insisted, and it drives my mother insane because it is so close to her name. I honestly think my father did it to annoy her.”
“Oh,” I said, looking between the two women.
“Macy,” Mrs. Carter said as she approached everyone. Looking down at Jack, she patted his head, and I almost laughed. Macy cleared her throat and fought to hold back her own laughter. Turning to me, she reached over and patted Millie. She looked at me and asked, “Are you the nanny?”
I nearly choked on my tongue. I was waiting for Kian or Macy to correct her and introduce me, but both were attempting not to laugh.
“No, Mrs. Carter. I’m Cadie Waterford.”
She looked me over from head to toe. “Oh, the girlfriend and the little manager at the bakery.”
“Well, I’d like to think I’m more than that, but yes.”
Her eyes snapped to mine. “I think I like you already. You have a backbone; that’s a good thing, especially for a woman.” She turned and looked at Macy. For the briefest moment I swore I saw Macy shrink back.
“Thank you?” I replied as I looked at Kian, who was still trying not to laugh—very unsuccessfully.
Doug walked up and looked at Millie first. “Hello, little darling.”
“Hi, G-dad!” Millie said in the cutest voice.
Looking from his granddaughter to me, Doug smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Waterford.”
“Please, call me Cadie.”
His smile grew bigger. “Cadie, it is. I see why my son is so taken with you.”
I felt my cheeks heat.
“Why is your face red, Cadie?” Millie asked, placing her little hands on my warm cheeks.
Lacy cleared her throat and made her way over to Kian while Doug said hello to Jack. Lacy kissed Kian on the cheek, then turned to Mark and did the same before spinning on her heels and heading to the house.
She hadn’t uttered a single word to either of them. When I looked at Kian, he shrugged and smiled, but gone was the laughter. Instead, it was a sad smile that graced his handsome face.
Macy reached for her daughter. “Didn’t I tell you? Come on, Millie, let’s give Aunt Cadie’s arms a break.”
When Macy called me Aunt Cadie, my heart felt like it kicked against my chest. Had she meant to do that, or was it a slip? Either way, I liked the sound of it.
Kian wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “So, that was my parents.”
“Your mother barely even gave the kids a hello.”
“That’s more than what she used to do for us when she and Dad would come home. We would be lined up out front. She’d get out of the car and stop in front of each of us, give us a once-over, then walk into the house.”
I slowly shook my head. “That pisses me off.”
He chuckled as we walked slowly to the house. “It used to Macy as well, but she’s moved past it. We’ve just gotten used to it.”
“What about Millie and Jack? You don’t think it bothers them that their grandparents simply pat them on the head and give them a simple hello?”
“Will has amazing parents and they spoil those kids, so they’re not lacking in love.”
I huffed. “Well, I guess one set of grandparents’ love is better than none.”
“And two very loving parents. Will told me earlier he took a desk job, so he will be home a hundred percent of the time. Maybe that will make Mark not be leery of him if he’s home more.”
“Mark doesn’t like Will?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes. “He said he didn’t trust him, but I think that’s just a Mark thing. I’m sure that will be great for all of them now that their dad will be home and not on the road. I know Macy hated him gone all the time.”
Smiling, I said, “Well, that’s nice. Will he be happy with just a desk job?”
“He said he’s been trying for years. He hates traveling and hates missing out on the kids’ activities so I imagine he will be.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Mark asked as he walked up next to us.
Kian looked at his brother and said, “The tales of Mom and Dad and their endless bounty of love they have to give.”
Mark let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, man, I needed that laugh.”
Once everyone was inside, Sally ushered us into the dining room, where the table was set with beautiful china and crystal. Lacy barely even looked at Sally as she walked around the table surveying everything. She picked up a fork, turned it around, and set it back down. Was she honestly inspecting everything? Good Lord, who is this woman?
“Everything looks good, Sally. I hope you remembered my requests for the menu.”
I reached for Kian’s hand, and he squeezed it.
“For this evening’s meal, you will start with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus as requested. The main course will be roast beef, potato gratin, and sauteed Brussels sprouts.”
Lacy simply nodded her head once. “And Easter? ”
Sally cleared her throat. “Honey-baked ham, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and lemon orzo salad. We also have the delight of having dinner rolls and homemade crescent rolls that Cadie made.”
All eyes went to me, and I felt my face heat. Kian squeezed my hand again as Macy smiled in my direction.
“Easter’s dessert will be sour cream lemon pie and sugar cookie bars. Both made by Cadie as well.”
Lacy looked at me and smiled, but it wasn’t genuine. “What is for dessert this evening?”
Sally and I exchanged a look. “Carrot cake cheesecake bars.”
“Let me guess, baked by Cadie,” Lacy said, folding her arms over her chest as if my baking dessert for everyone was a crime.
“Wrong. I made them.”
All eyes turned to see Opal standing there. A wide smile plastered on her face. Millie and Jack ran to her and threw themselves at her. I dared to take a peek at Lacy to see if she was bothered that her grandchildren were happier to see Opal than her. She wasn’t even watching. Instead, she held one of the crystal glasses up to the light. I resisted rolling my eyes.
“Glad you could make it,” Doug said as he walked up to Opal and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you, Doug.”
Opal walked into the room and spotted her sister. “Stop with all that nonsense, Lacy. It’s not like you’re entertaining the King of England, for goodness’ sake. Sally would never set the table with dirty dishes.”
Lacy’s cheeks turned red, either from embarrassment or anger. I couldn’t tell which one it was .
“Do we have assigned seats?” I asked Kian in a lowered voice.
Kian pulled out a seat for me. “No, not yet, at least.”
I chuckled, and Lacy shot me a very stern expression. I quickly stopped and cleared my throat. Mark sat beside me, put his napkin on his lap, and spoke very loudly.
“You’ll quickly learn our mother has no patience for people who show happiness, Cadie, especially at the dinner table. Isn’t that right, Mother?”
My eyes bounced from mother to son as I fidgeted in my seat. When I caught Opal looking at me, she winked. I relaxed for the first time since I’d seen the black car drive up.
Sally started serving the food, and I felt terrible about not helping her. She must have hired a few other people to help, as I could see them in the kitchen. A younger girl, about eighteen, came out and poured the wine. Mark didn’t waste any time and flirted with her until his mother told him to stop.
“That will be enough, Mark. We don’t flirt with the staff,” Lacy stated as she picked up her wine glass and studied it.
Mark smirked at his mother. “Should I flirt with Cadie then?”
My head quickly turned to look at him as Kian groaned next to me and said, “Here we go.”
“I mean, that is in the family blood. Right?”
Lacy glared at her son and then looked at her sister Opal, who was thanking the young girl for pouring her wine.
Turning to Kian, I raised a brow. “Yeah, Mark and Macy know. Opal told them yesterday after Macy overheard us talking about Jack.”
“Oh,” I softly whispered .
Macy must have taken what Mark said as her cue.
“Did you hear, Mom, that Liam Turner married Hope Magoffin? Her father, Jake, has been spending a lot of time here in Moose Village since Hope moved here and his wife passed away a few years ago. You know him, right? He used to date Aunt Opal, I think.”
Doug laughed and then quickly used his napkin to wipe at the corners of his mouth. “My, you kids came fired up today, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean by that, Dad,” Macy stated as she looked at her mother.
Lacy plastered on a fake smile and looked at Opal and then her three kids. “I see we’ve been telling stories, Opal.”
Opal’s smile faded slightly as she replied, “Not stories, Lace. Just the truth.”
“So, is Jake living in Moose Village?” Doug asked.
“Not yet,” Macy said with a smile. “Maybe you and Jake can spark up that old relationship again, Aunt Opal.”
When I looked at Opal, she was downing her wine and motioning for the young girl to refill her glass.
“He would never leave New York City,” Lacy stated matter of fact.
Doug turned and looked at his wife. “And how would you know that, Lace?”
Her face turned red. “I don’t know for sure; it’s been years since I’ve seen him, but I can’t see anything—or anyone—who would draw him here.”
“He is moving to Moose Village.”
Everyone looked at Opal. Lord, this was like a soap opera. Or a train wreck. Maybe it was a little bit of both.
“Is he?” Doug said, a little too happy sounding .
Lacy narrowed her eyes. “Really? And how do you know that?”
Opal smiled. “Unlike you, I have seen him. Actually, I saw him last night.” Taking a sip of her wine, she placed it back on the table and said, “I saw quite a bit of him, truth be told.”
Kian and Mark groaned as Will and Macy both covered a laugh. Doug let out a bark of laughter as Lacy snarled her lip at her sister.
“There are young kids at this table, Opal. If you don’t mind keeping your shenanigans to yourself, please.”
Opal laughed. “The definition of shenanigans is high-spirited and mischievous activity. Yes, that word perfectly describe what went on last night.”
My eyes widened as I looked at Opal. I wasn’t sure if I should be whooping that Opal was having herself a good time, or if I should be grossed out since Opal was becoming more and more like a mother figure to me. Either way, it took everything I had not to burst out laughing at her sass.
“Okay,” Kian said as he clapped his hands. “Will, so that new position you have. Are you happy about it?”
Will cleared his throat and attempted to hide his smile. “I’m thrilled with it. It means I’ll be home with Macy and the kids.”
Macy beamed at her husband as Millie and Jack were busy comparing the amount of food left on their plates.
“Sally, will you please bring something stronger for me to drink?” Lacy asked while snapping her fingers and holding up her empty glass with her other hand.
I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something to Lacy about how she was treating poor Sally. I made a mental note to ask Sally why in the world she put up with the way Lacy treated her. It was awful.
Doug leaned back in his chair and looked at his wife. “You’re not jealous about Opal’s shenanigans, are you, dear?”
“Shut up, Doug.”
“Grandmother, that isn’t a nice thing to say,” Millie stated.
Lacy looked at her granddaughter and mumbled something under her breath before standing and walking out of the dining room.
I watched as Doug took the drink Sally had brought and downed it. Everyone else seemed to be oblivious to how Lacy was acting, or that Doug seemed extra annoyed with his wife. Opal and Macy were lost in a conversation as Kian and Will discussed his new job.
Mark leaned in and whispered, “So, what do you think of the parents?”
Turning my head to look at him, I replied, “They’re…um…”
I let my words fade when I realized I had no words to describe his mother and father.
“I couldn’t have said it any better.”
I let out a soft breath. This was going to be a long weekend.
The second the door shut in the guest house I faced Kian. “Oh. My. God. I don’t know where to even start!”
He laughed and loosened his tie. “It’s a lot to unpack, isn’t it? ”
I kicked off my shoes and shook my head. “The way your mother treats Sally is unbelievable. Why has she stayed working for them as long as she has?”
“Sally stays for us; plus, she really doesn’t have to deal with my mother very often. Dad will come and stay a few times a year, but he’s not as bad as my mother.”
“It was really making me mad. And Macy pretends she doesn’t care that your mother doesn’t pay attention to the kids, but I can tell it bothers her.”
“You think?”
“Yes! I saw it in her eyes when your mother patted Millie on the head. She patted her!”
Kian walked into the kitchen. “Drink?”
“No, thank you,” I answered as I followed behind him and slid onto one of the stools. “And what in the world is going on with Opal and your mother? And why does your father think it is all amusing?”
Kian took a long drink from his beer and released a long sigh before speaking. “I think it has to do with the whole thing involving my mother, Opal, and Jake. I mean, my mother left my father for Jake. She got pregnant. They got married. Then she cheated on Jake with my father. It’s like this weird circle she did.”
“Did it seem like your mother was bothered that Jake and Opal are spending time together?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. She did seem a bit annoyed. And my father was poking fun at my mother, that’s for sure.”
“Wow, I’m so sorry.”
He tilted his head and studied me. “Why?”
“I can’t imagine growing up with parents like that. I can almost see why Mark is in the CIA. ”
Kian laughed then let it fade away as he looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
Sighing, I slowly shook my head and blinked back my tears. “I miss my parents. I miss hearing their voices and seeing my mother’s smile on FaceTime. I miss my brother too.”
“I know it’s hard having to keep your life a secret right now. Hopefully it will be over sooner rather than later.”
“Speaking of that, did Mark tell Macy he’s in the CIA?”
“I’m not sure if he’s told her or not. He did tell me he wasn’t telling our parents. I think he likes keeping them in the dark.”
“Why did your mother not even say a word to either of you when she showed up?”
“That’s an easy one to answer. She’s pissed at me for quitting the firm, and she is still furious—all these years later—with Mark for daring not to become a lawyer.”
It was my turn to sigh. “I hate to say this, but I’m glad they don’t come to Moose Village regularly. I’m not sure how often I could handle that.”
“They won’t be back until Christmas, if they even come back for Christmas. They’ll probably go to Europe.”
I nodded.
Kian smiled at me. “Millie and Jack love you, though.”
A warm feeling swept over my body. “They are so sweet. And fun! Jack is going to be a handful.”
He laughed. “I think so too. He keeps my sister on her toes.”
“Millie told me she wanted to have a tent birthday party. I’m not sure what she meant by that.”
“Teepee tents. Someone comes in and sets up teepees for the kids and it’s all themed. ”
“And how do you know that?” I asked, laughing.
He winked. “Macy told me. She said Millie hasn’t been able to stop talking about it. She’s super excited. Did she talk to you about the birthday cake?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, she was going to ask you if you would be able to do the cake.”
“Me?”
Kian laughed. “Yes, you.”
I blinked a few times in confusion. “Why wouldn’t she ask Opal to do it?”
He shrugged and took another drink of his beer. “She said Opal suggested you do it.”
“She did?”
Kian set his beer down. “Are you going to only ask questions?”
I felt my cheeks heat. “It’s just…that is an honor to be entrusted to do Millie’s birthday cake. I hope Opal didn’t insist on it and forced Macy into it.”
“Trust me,” Kian said, taking my hand and pulling me to him. “No one can force my sister into doing anything she doesn’t want to do.”
With a giggle, I replied, “I bet not.”
Kian leaned down and kissed me softly before resting his forehead to mine. “You survived my parents.”
“It wasn’t that bad. Although, I don’t think your mother likes me.”
He rolled his eyes. “Who gives a shit. My mother would only like you if you came from a wealthy family with a six-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.”
I raised my brows. “That’s the thing…I do come from a wealthy family. And that big home might not be in Manhattan, but does Italy count?”
I laughed. “She doesn’t know any of that, though.”
When he smiled, my stomach dipped. “Let’s keep that another secret in this family. Make love to me, Kian?”
When he reached down and scooped me up, I laughed.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”