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The message must have gotten through, because Heather relaxed against the back of her seat and reached for her martini. “Well, that’s good to hear.”
To my relief, the conversation moved on to other topics after that, up to and including the all-important subject of the new baby’s name. Calvin and I had our favorites, of course, but because we didn’t know the sex of our child, we had to be content with a top three for either gender and hope that inspiration would strike once the baby had made its entrance into the world and we gazed down into his or her face.
Jordan might have gotten the slightest wistful look when I mentioned how my mother had named me Selena because she’d thought I would be born under the sign of Cancer, and I wondered if he ever regretted not being there when I came into the world.
Maybe. But every indication showed he was happy with the way his life had turned out…and so was I.
As dinner was winding down, I excused myself to go to the ladies’ room. At once, Chloe plucked the napkin out of her lap and said, “Oh, I need to go, too.”
We headed off there together…even as I had the sneaking suspicion that this wasn’t merely about having to use the restroom.
To my relief — in more ways than one — she waited until we’d both taken care of business and were washing our hands.
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of my parents,” she began. “And I know it’s a huge imposition, but I was wondering if I could come back and stay with you and Calvin for a couple of days. Just until I can find another place to crash,” she went on hastily, as I had a feeling I hadn’t been quite able to hide the surprise on my face.
“Is something wrong at Hazel’s Airbnb?” I asked. “Have you felt something?”
Immediately, Chloe shook her head. “No, nothing like that,” she replied. “It’s not like Jack’s ghost suddenly decided to appear or something. But it still feels weird to be there. I just think I’d sleep better at your house. I’ll totally get it if you need to say no, though.”
Worry was clear in every inch of her pretty, pixieish features, so I knew I needed to soothe those fears as best I could. “It’s fine,” I said. “The baby isn’t due for another week and a half, so we can put you up until then. Or even after,” I added with a grin. “I’m sure both Calvin and I would be fine with having an extra pair of hands around for diaper duty.”
Her nose wrinkled, although she corrected herself almost at once. “I can do that,” she said stoutly, and my smile only broadened.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I don’t expect you to handle dirty diapers…just like I really don’t expect you to hang around to put up with 3 a.m. feedings and the rest of it. We’ll get something figured out.”
“You’re sure?” she asked, dark gray eyes shining with relief.
“Absolutely. Just go back to the Airbnb and get your stuff, and then head out to the house. Your parents won’t even have to know.”
“Thanks, Selena.”
I assured her it was fine, and the two of us headed back out to the table where the rest of our party was waiting. Calvin and I thanked the Fairfields for dinner — it was their treat — and then everyone walked over to their respective vehicles, with Chloe and her parents pointing their cars toward town while my husband and I got in his Durango and went in the opposite direction.
“Chloe’s coming to stay with us for a few more days,” I said once we were out of the parking lot, and he lifted a surprised eyebrow.
“Really? Is everything okay?”
“As far as I can tell,” I replied. “I just think she’s feeling hinky, and I get it. I’m sure we’ll be able to get her into one of Mavis’s Airbnbs in the next day or so.”
Preferably not the one where Dillon James had been killed by his murderous agent. Although I knew the place wasn’t haunted, I still thought it was probably better to keep Chloe away from any crime scenes.
“If you’re sure,” my husband said, with a pointed glance at my swollen belly.
The baby had been mostly quiescent during dinner, but it chose that time to kick. I blinked, thinking, Soon, little one.
“Oh, I’m sure,” I said. I didn’t know why, but something inside me was telling me this was the right thing to do.
We needed to keep our family together.
About a half hour after Calvin and I got back from our dinner with the Fairfields, Chloe showed up carrying two overnight bags and wearing an expression that was half relief and half worry.
“You’re really, really sure this is okay?” she said as I led her to the guest bedroom so she could drop off her bags.
“It’s fine,” I said. “And Calvin’s fine with it, too. Tomorrow I’ll call Mavis and see which one of her places is available. Sometimes they’re all booked up, but since we haven’t hit spring break yet, I’m hoping at least one will be empty.”
Chloe set both the bags down on the guest room bed. Since the room was fairly large, we had a queen in there, along with a set of nightstands and a dresser and a mirror. I hadn’t gotten around to adding many personal touches, mostly because Calvin and I had gone back and forth on whether to keep the space as a guest room or turn it into a play area for the baby, but at least it was functional and had a bathroom just down the hall.
“That sounds good,” my sister said. “And I’ll stay out of your hair tonight. I’m kind of sleepy and just want to crash early.”
