Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
I pulled into the three-lane driveway of Chaz’s—and now Zoe’s—enormous Victorian house with the wraparound porch on Hope Lane. It had to be five thousand square feet. Soft almond siding with hunter Hunter green shutters decorated the outside, and the mansion sat on a lot twice the size of any other house on the block. It reminded me of my grandmother’s house before she sold it and moved into a condo on the lake, after I grew up and moved out.
The Andersons had clout.
Looked like the zoning board had made more than a few allowances. It didn’t hurt that his parents were former members of the board, current members of the historical society and town council, and his father had even been mayor years ago. They had retired to Florida but still spent half the year in Mayflower. Zoe had the town wrapped around her finger as their favorite party planner, not to mention she was engaged to their beloved doctor.
Meanwhile, I was still the pregnant harlot with the risqué job who’d said no .
I sighed as I parked my car and headed inside. It looked like Harm and Morti were already here. All the kids were at sleepovers, and Chaz was at the pub with Matt. They had become pretty good friends since he’d gone to Chaz for help in processing the idea of becoming a father and learning what he could do to help.
The kitchen consisted of tons of counter space, tiled backdrop, quartz countertops, and an enormous island with a flattop range built right in. A large black iron wagon wheel hung above it, with cast iron pots and pans dangling. A second oven and microwave were built into the wall beside the cabinets, right next to the wine bar and breakfast nook. There was a formal dining room as well, but we preferred to sit at the island.
“So glad you’re up to girls’ night, Tiff.” Zoe handed me a glass of sparkling water. “I wasn’t sure, with how you’ve been feeling.”
“Nothing can keep me away from your cooking.” I took a big sip of the water as I sat on a barstool.
Glancing around and inhaling the delicious aroma, I tried not to drool over the display before me. She’d gone all out as usual, cooking up a storm. French cuisine this time, my favorite. She had French Onion Soup to start, then Coq au vin, followed by crème brulée.
“How far along are you now?” Harm glanced at my stomach and took a sip of her beer followed by a bite of cheese.
“Ten weeks.” I nibbled on a cracker.
“You’re not even showing yet.” Morti studied me.
“The morning sickness will go away at the end of the first trimester, around twelve weeks. Usually for a first baby you won’t show until around sixteen weeks, but for twins you’ll probably notice a difference at twelve weeks.” Zoe winked.
“Great, only two more weeks until I have to start wearing maternity clothes.” I sighed, so not looking forward to that.
“The clothes today have come a long way. You should have seen the ugly outfits I wore when I was pregnant with Lexi sixteen years ago. I wore the same for Troy thirteen years ago, but thank goodness, I got new ones for Bobby six years ago, and even newer ones for Katy three years ago. I would pass them on, but trust me, you won’t want them. Not to mention, I have curves, while you look like a fitness model.”
“Not for long at this rate,” I muttered, feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. A first for me. “I’m sick of talking about me. What’s going on with you all?”
“Well, planning the Labor Day Bash is stressful enough. I don’t want to let the mayor down since he believed in me enough to choose me to plan this big event. And now Bitsy’s back and already married.” Zoe took a sip of her chardonnay. “On top of that, my mother and former mother-in-law are pushing me to start wedding planning.”
“I love Wilma and Lilabelle.” I grinned, thinking of them and their crazy antics. “At least you know they care.” I thought of my own family who said they cared, but I couldn’t even fathom that my grandmother had lied to me. She had been my everything.
If it was true, why hadn’t she told me?
“I wish they didn’t care quite so much. Thank goodness Chaz’s mother, Roz, isn’t interfering.”
“Yet.” I scoffed.
My ex-husband’s mother had been a nightmare when we got married. That should have been my first red flag. She hadn’t liked me then and liked me even less now. She had tried to take over and make the wedding hers because I had taken away her baby boy. I’d gladly given him back after our divorce, but he hadn’t moved on without me.
I’d always been a sucker for pretty things. He was still gorgeous, but no other woman was dumb enough to support his sorry ass. Mommy Dearest was tickled pink to have him to herself, which was yet another thing Bud hated me for.
His mother drove him nuts.
“I don’t even have a boyfriend, and my mother is driving me insane.” Harmony took another sip of her beer. “I can’t imagine what she’ll be like if I ever get engaged.” She shuddered.
“Good luck with finding a single decent man in this town.” Morticia poured more diet cola for herself.
“Right?” Harm shook her head. “I’d settle for single at this point. Trust me, I’m not picky. I just want someone to do life with. I mean you girls are great, but I get lonely. I’d love to have someone to cuddle up with and watch a movie or whatever.”
“Get a cat,” I said. “In my experience men are overrated. Only good for one thing, and you don’t need a wedding to get that.”
“You’ve just had bad luck, Tiff.” Zoe looked pensive. “Maybe if you gave Matt?—”
“Let me stop you right there, doll. That ship sailed when he made it clear I wasn’t good enough for his family because I’m divorced.”
“You’re right, Tiff.” I could tell the frustration was getting to Harm. “I don’t need a wedding, but at this point, I can’t even get a date night. I know I have a strong personality, but if I didn’t know better, I would say the men in this town are avoiding me.”
“Don’t feel bad.” Morti snorted. “On the rare occasion I get asked out on a date, I make a fool of myself. I am horrible at flirting and don’t know how to talk to men, period.” She shrugged. “My widowed father, on the other hand, has more game than I do. He is still dating a woman half his age. Samantha . At least he’s not hiding her from me anymore.”
“You both can do it. You just have to put yourself out there to get more comfortable around the opposite sex.” Zoe always tried to see the silver lining.
“That’s true, doll,” I agreed, looking at Morti especially. “The only time you go out is with us.”
“I interact with men.” Morti smoothed back a strand of black hair that had escaped her usual bun. “In fact, I just did this morning in that thriller book club I’m in.”
“Cyber flirting doesn’t count, Morti.” Harm ran a frustrated hand through her red spiked hair. “Especially when you use an alias.”
“Safety first,” Morti replied weakly.
We all just stared at her.
“Oh, I know you’re right.” She huffed out a breath. “It’s just hard. The real me is boring and a little freaky, or so I’m told. It’s just easier online. I really want children, and I’m running out of time.”
“You don’t need a wedding for that, either.” I patted my tummy.
“I know that. I just never pictured myself as a single mother.” She shrugged. “Although, I’m not sure I can even have children.”
“Medical advancements have come such a long way.” Zoe squeezed Morti’s hand. “Don’t give up hope.”
“I know, you’re right. I just sometimes feel like my life is passing me by, and I’m going to end up with nothing to show for it.”
“Well, this has turned into one downer of an evening.” Harmony pouted.
“Then I’d say it’s time we turned things right side up.” Zoe put on classic rock music and started to dance.
“Now you’re talking.” Harm jumped up and joined her.
Morti rolled her eyes when they grabbed her hands and pulled her to the dance floor, but she didn’t protest as much as normal. I laughed and joined them…
Then, ten minutes later, I wet my pants and burst into tears.
The next day I walked into Peace, Love, and Harmony . The shop was filled with New Age trinkets, incense burning candles, and old books.
Harmony stood behind the counter, getting her cash register drawer ready for the day. She wore her “Where’s the Beef” t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans. Her auburn hair was extra gelled and spiked this morning. She looked up when I walked through the door, and the bell above it chimed.
Her face lit up, but almost as quickly, she sobered. “Tiff, what are you doing here? Don’t get me wrong, babe, I’m thrilled to see you. Just making sure you’re okay. Should I call McShamrock?”
“Definitely not.”
“Well, you don’t look so good, and he’s the closest thing to family you’ve got.” She picked up her phone, looking ready to dial someone. Anyone.
“I’m fine, Harm, really. I’m just restless. Anxious almost. That’s why I’m here.” I looked around her shop. “What can you give me to help?”
“Oh, well, that’s normal.”
“How would you know?”
“Are you kidding? I have seven brothers with several sisters-in-law, and too many nieces and nephews to count.”
“True.” I took a deep breath.
“That’s it. Just keep taking deep breaths while I find you something.” She looked over her supplies. “Okay, so first of all, I have some lavender essential oil to help calm and relax you. Mix a few drops with some witch hazel and some distilled water then spray it on your pillow to help you sleep. I can mix it into a small roller bottle for you and you can apply it directly to your wrists as needed. You can also put some in a diffuser to fill whatever room you’re in with its scent.”
“That sounds wonderful. I know I’ll be up all the time once the twins are born, but I’m up all the time now having to pee. Not to mention, my thoughts are keeping me awake at night. Is this nature’s way of preparing me for what’s to come?”
Harmony laughed, holding up the lavender. “From what I’ve heard, yes, in part, but I can tell you, this will help ease your symptoms for sure.”
“Thank you. You’re a goddess. Zoe might know about babies, but she doesn’t know anything about homeopathic remedies. That’s why I came to you. Please, help me, doll. Give me more.”
Harm tapped her short fingernails on the counter. “I’ve got it!” She went to a shelf behind her and pulled out an egg-sized crystal. “I have this blue celestite geode crystal, which is a rock that’s cut in half, and it’s crystalized on the inside.”
“It’s so pretty.” I stared at the rock in awe. I’d always been drawn to sparkly, shiny things. “What does it do?”
“Well, the outer edge looks like a rock, but the crystals formed on the inside are a nice calming blue. They give off soft, serene vibrations that soothe and comfort the spirit. It enhances one’s inner wisdom and grants direct access to the angelic realm.”
The crystal looked wonderful, but I was confused. “What does that do for me?”
“This crystal releases energies of tranquility and peace. It’s ideal for seeking harmony and connection.”
“Harm, speak English.” I bit back my frustration.
“Basically, it will help to balance your throat chakra. So, if you hold it in your hand,” she held the twinkling geode in front of me, and I naturally took it as she continued, “it will calm any disruptions that produce anxiety for you and will help you to be more compassionate and understanding. It will also help you with verbalizing what you’re feeling to others.”
“I’ll take it.” Oddly enough I felt connected almost immediately upon holding it, and when I handed it back, I was surprised when I noticed an absence of calming energy.
“I thought you would.” She winked and packaged up my possessions.
I grabbed my purse. “What do I owe you?”
“Nothing. It’s my contribution to the bear cubs.”
I laughed, and then my eye was drawn to a silver, foil-covered book with an intricate design on the spine. “What is that?” I pointed.
Harmony turned around and pulled the book from its shelf. “I’m not really sure. It came in on the last shipment. I put everything out for purchase, but I haven’t really looked closely at the books yet. I ordered books on ancient myths and legends, as well as strange cults, etc. Why?” She looked at the cover closer. “Oh, wow, look at this.” She pointed to the spine. “Doesn’t that look like a….”
“A clover. Yes. That’s what drew my eye.” I took the book from her, and sure enough, there was a bright green four-leaf clover etched on the spine.
“What do you think it means?” A wary expression crossed her face.
“I don’t know, but the clover kind of freaks me out, doll.” I flipped the book open and started to skim the pages. I came to a spot that made me freeze in place.
“What? Did you find something?” Harmony’s eyes grew wide.
My jaw fell open as I said in barely more than a whisper, “Yes.” I looked up at her. “I found the Children of the Clover.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Her face twisted into a look of horror. “It sounds terrifying. Like some scary movie.”
“It might as well be. There is an ancient cult of men who think they are so superior; they want to preserve their line for all eternity.”
Harmony barked out a laugh. “Yeah right. How are they going to do that?”
My eyes met hers. “By becoming seed spreaders.”
“Seed…whaters?”
“They believe the four-leaf clover is so rare and special that they tattoo it on their penises, and then they target women to procreate with to spread their seed and keep the children to populate the Clover Clan.”
Her jaw unhinged. “Dude, that is crazy weird.”
I stared at her with determination…or obsession. I couldn’t really tell what I looked like. “And yet suddenly makes so much sense.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What does this have to do with you?”
“Apparently, an older woman is at the peak of her prime in wisdom and still fertile. And a forty-year-old woman is even better because she possesses the power of the four, producing children who are worthy enough to carry on the power of the Clover Legacy.”
“Wait a minute, you think Matt McGinnis is a member of this cult?” Harmony gaped at me with major skepticism.
“How else would you explain the rumored legend? I saw something that looked suspiciously like a clover, and he got me pregnant on my fortieth birthday, with twins no less. Apparently, I’m very fertile but not so wise.”
“Tiffany, I think the pregnancy hormones are talking.” She patted my hand. “That’s a bit of a stretch if you ask me.”
“Well, I didn’t.” I tossed the book on my pile, feeling hysteria bubble up inside of me once more. “Add this to my order.” I set my jaw. “I’ve got an egg-shaped geode to hold and some reading to do.”