CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) (31 page)

Chelan had to sit down fast. “Oh, Will…”

“Wait, hear me out. Marion has always been a very quiet person. She never reveals anything to anyone.”

Chelan looked down at the floor. “How did she take it?”

William laughed and then cleared his throat. “Uh, well, um… She was as stunned as me.”

“I bet,” Chelan mumbled.

“Anyway, she knows that Jim is in the dark, so if you wish, you can leave him at home.”

“No, I’ll let him tag along. That will lessen the pressure on me when it comes to any questions Marion may throw my way. The three of us can spend some time together later on.”

“You’re sure about this, Chel?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. It sounds like a plan. If Jim is available, we’ll both meet you at the theater.”

“Okay. Uh, we won’t be going out for dinner first as Marion is still having trouble with nausea. But we do plan to come back here after. You can play that part by ear.”

“Okay. In the meantime, email me all the info.”

“No problem. I hope Jim is available. I’m really looking forward to this.”

“Me too, Will. Talk soon!”

*****

Chelan had no problem convincing Jim to go on a date with her. He had just about embarked on another shopping spree when she hauled him up short. She was not going to endure any more money being spent on her, and besides, she had plenty of nice clothes to choose from.

Soon it was Saturday evening. Jim helped her into the Ferrari, and off they went. As Chelan stood in the theater lobby, her nerves lit up. She ran her fingers through her hair, and then adjusted her dress.

“You look great, Chelan,” Jim said.

“Thanks, but I’m just a little anxious about meeting Marion.”

Jim frowned. “Quit worrying. You’ll love her. She’s a doll.”

Just then, Chelan heard William’s voice. “Jim, Chel, glad you could both meet us!”

Chelan turned around and her eyes met Marion’s. The women stared at one another for a long time. It was Marion who finally broke the silence. “Oh my gosh, Chelan. I am so happy to meet you!” And she reached for Chelan, hugging her tight.

Chelan returned the hug and then pulled back. “It’s wonderful to meet you also, Marion. Will has said so many wonderful things about you. Oh, and congratulations!”

Marion glanced at William, her whole face alight. “Thank you. We’re so happy.”

Jim stepped forward. “I would like to add my congratulations to you too.” And he gave her a big kiss on the cheek.

“Aw, thank you, Jim.”

William reached for Marion’s coat. “Here, I’ll go check these in. It won’t be long till we are allowed to go to our seats.”

Marion shrugged out of her coat and then beamed at Chelan. “I hope the two of you can come back to our place after.”

“You sure? I wouldn’t want to keep you up. William—”

“Ah, William worries too much. One late night won’t hurt me.”

Just then a chime sounded, and William hustled back. He looked at Jim. “Shall we escort our dates inside?”

Jim smiled and offered Chelan his arm. “Yes, we shall.”

*****

The play was stupendous, and soon they were back at William’s. Marion quickly set out some snacks and William and Jim retired to one end of the living room to catch up on each others' careers. Marion sat with Chelan on the couch. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” Marion said in a whisper.

Chelan smiled and leaned in close. “Me neither, actually.”

Marion glanced at the men and then shuffled closer to Chelan. “Will told me everything. I’m still in shock. I just can’t wrap my head around this all.”

Chelan chuckled. “Honestly, neither can I, and I’ve lived it.”

“Will says you’ll return to them at the end of April. Are you excited?”

“Oh, yes, very much so. But I will admit, I’m not going to be very happy to say good-bye to my dear sweet brother.”

“Aw, he is going to miss you terribly, but at least he’ll know that you are alive and very well this time.”

“I guess. But it’s still going to be hard.”

Marion grinned. “So, tell me more about these men…”

Chelan was about to speak just as Jim approached. “Well, my lovelies. What are the two of you conspiring about?”

Chelan gave him a weak smile. “Just girl talk.”

He sat on the other couch and tipped his drink toward her. “I can imagine.” And both men chuckled.

Chelan stood. “Here, Will. Sit here with your lovely wife,” she said, and then she moved to a chair.

When all were settled again, Jim spoke. “So, Marion, when is the bundle of joy due?”

Chelan sat quietly, enjoying the light conversation and the delicious treats. But soon it was getting late. She looked to Jim. “We should get going.”

Jim nodded. “You are so right.”

William nodded at Chelan. “You’re welcome here any time, sis. I’m sure Marion would like the company during my long days away at work.”

“I would love that!” Chelan exclaimed.

“Oh, so would I,” said Marion. “We have so much to catch up on.”

William glanced at Jim and then back to Chelan. “Also, we’ll be heading back to New York a couple of weeks before Christmas, so you can move back here if Jim is driving you nuts… or sooner, if you wish. You know where the spare room is.”

Chelan caught the body language Jim displayed, his displeasure at the offer not too well concealed. “Well, I’ll let you know, good brother. I may take you up on it at some point, just to give Jim a break.”

Jim smiled but ground his jaw at the same time. “Jim doesn’t need a break,” he said.

William laughed. “Anyway, the offer is open.”

Chelan stood, as did the rest. They all said their good-byes and in no time, Chelan and Jim were on their way.

*****

Time went quickly for Chelan as she spent every spare minute with Marion, the two women forming an instant and deep bond. She stayed with Jim, however, unwilling to disturb William’s quiet time with his wife. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, it came time for William and Marion to depart for New York. Chelan thought about moving back to William’s place, but she was comfortable at Jim’s, and the man was being a gentleman when he wasn’t working his ass off.

Then William called one morning with some bad news. “Hey, Chel.”

“Hi, Will.”

“Marion and I really wanted you over here for the holidays, but Marion’s mom has fallen ill. I’m afraid we’ll be spending the holidays in Florida.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry about Marion’s mom. But don’t you worry about me. Remember, I’m not exactly used to celebrating the holidays anymore.”

William chuckled. “Yes, I guess the Iceaneans are not too into Santa.”

Chelan laughed. “No, they’re not. But you two have a good time if you can, William. Give Marion a hug for me. And I hope her mom gets better soon.”

“Thanks, Chel. We’ll keep in touch.”

*****

Chelan was doing well, but as the Christmas season approached, with it came an unexpected deep sense of melancholy. She had not expected to get hit so hard, but with all the music on the radio and the festive atmosphere in the streets, she could not escape it. Christmas on Earth had arrived, whether she liked it or not.

December twenty-fourth dawned, and Chelan remained in bed, her depression immovable. She had not shopped, and indeed, could not. Thoughts of her shattered family intruded brutally on her tormented mind. Her parents were dead and her brother temporarily inaccessible. Jason had returned to Montana, and Chelan had not even bothered to ask Jim what he intended to do. She closed her eyes. While she’d been bathed in the waters of the Empire, Earth holidays had been nonexistent. For the most part, Chelan had been immersed in either Iceanean or Imperial time, neither having any relevance to her little blue planet.

Suddenly, there came a gentle knock upon the door. “Come in,” she whispered.

Jim opened the door and hesitated, staring at the ashen woman curled up tightly under the blankets. He edged over to the bed and sat down beside her. “Talk to me, Chelan.”

Chelan rolled onto her back and looked up at him. It was the first time he had ever come into her room while she was still in bed. Although she thought she should be concerned, she did not have the energy. She was numb. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’m not very good holiday material.”

“I understand. I know this must be nothing but pain for you.”

Chelan hesitated a moment. “Aren’t you going home?”

Jim smiled. “And leave you alone here to slit your wrists? Not likely.”

Chelan’s lips thinned. “Please don’t ruin your holiday on my account.”

“It’s not ruined. I want to be here with you.”

Chelan took a deep breath. “Well, I guess I should make an effort to get up.”

Jim stood and smiled down at her. “I’ll go make breakfast.”

*****

The day passed and Christmas morning descended upon them with all the gloom of a death march. Chelan stood at the windows, watching the deluge of snow being dumped upon the quiet city. Jim observed her from the kitchen. He had deliberately not put up any decorations, and now he even debated whether he should give her the gift he had purchased. Maybe it would wait for another occasion. Somehow he felt the whole holiday should be brushed over for her sake. Finally, he spoke. “How about we go downstairs for a workout? We’ll have all the equipment to ourselves.”

Chelan remained still for a second and then turned to him. “Sounds like a fine idea,” she said, and she disappeared to put on her track suit. She accompanied Jim to the workout area and didn’t waste any time before attacking the weights with a vengeance.

Jim sat back and watched. It was if she needed the exercise to clear her mind of some sort of hidden demon. Her single-minded focus on the weights was almost scaring him. She trained relentlessly, not once acknowledging his presence.

Finally he began on himself, taking time out only to spot for her when needed. As the morning progressed, her mood began to lighten, and near noon she actually gave him a full smile, a simple gesture that made his whole day.

Back at the penthouse, Chelan headed straight for a shower. She had just stepped out when there came a faint knock on the bathroom door. “It’s for you, Chelan—the phone.”

Chelan wrapped the bath sheet around her wet body and opened the door a crack. Jim handed her the handset. “Hello?” she answered guardedly.

“Hi, Chel, it’s Will.”

Chelan sat down on the edge of the tub. “Oh, Will! It’s so good to hear from you.”

“I tried your cell but there was no answer, so I called Jim’s number.”

“Sorry. I was in the shower.”

“That’s okay. I figured you’d be lonely, sis. I wish we could have spent the holiday together.”

“Me too, but these things happen.”

“I know. I just told Marion I was going to call you. She said to say hi.”

Chelan smiled. “Say hi to her for me, and I wish all of you the best.”

There was silence. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine, Will. Jim’s staying here with me today instead of being with his friends or family.”

“That’s nice of him. You phone me if you need anything.”

“I will. Merry Christmas, big brother.”

“Merry Christmas, Chel, and the same to Jim.” And he hung up.

Dressing quickly she padded out to the living room to return the phone. “Will wishes us a Merry Christmas.”

Jim smiled at her. “Good old William.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry you’re missing the holidays with them.”

Chelan wrung her wet hair. “I know. Talk about a bad set of events for everyone. Unfortunately for you, it means you get to spend Christmas with the Grinch.”

Jim laughed. “Oh, come on—you’re not the Grinch. Quite the contrary. Besides, I’m enjoying the peace and quiet right here with you.”

Chelan watched as he grinned mischievously and then headed to the kitchen. “What are you doing?”

Jim beamed. “Turkey!” He reached into the fridge and staggered back with a huge bird. Then he looked at her. “And you have to help stuff it, and soon. The damn thing is going to take a fortnight to cook.”

Chelan laughed. “Oh my god, could you have gotten a bigger one?”

Jim lurched toward the sink and dropped the bird in it. “Actually, highly unlikely. I wanted a fresh one from the local butcher, and this was the only size he had left other than a couple that I’m sure were just chickens masquerading as turkeys.”

“I guess we will be eating fashionably late,” she said with a grin.

Jim wiped his hands on some paper towel. “Have no fear. I will simply crank up the oven temperature. I’m sure we’ll be ready to dine sometime before midnight.”

“Midnight today or tomorrow?”

“Ha ha, smart ass. Tonight, of course. Now get over here and help.”

*****

All afternoon and part of the evening were taken up creating a culinary masterpiece for dinner—and for the next month of dinners, Chelan surmised. When all was complete, Jim lit some candles and poured the wine. Then they dove into their labor of love.

Stomachs full and dishes done, they retired to the living room, where Jim lit the gas fireplace. Chelan curled up at one end of the couch with Jim beside her as she sipped her wine. Just when they had both settled, Jim sprang to his feet. “I know! I should make you one of Jim’s specials.”

“What’s that?”

Jim eyed her slyly. “You’ll see.” And moments later he returned to her with another drink.

Chelan sat up slowly and looked at him, wary. “Where’s yours?”

Jim shook his head. “No, I had one glass of wine. I lose control too easily, as you know all too well. This is for you.”

Chelan smiled appreciatively and took the drink, but there was no way she was consuming the whole thing. She wanted to keep her wits about her. Finally, she took a sip. “It tastes like root beer!”

Jim chuckled. “That’s what it’s called. Actually, I’m surprised you’ve never had one before. I remember how much you liked root beer. But take it easy—they’re powerful.”

Chelan nodded and took another sip. “So, how do you remember about my addiction to root beer?”

“Because, my dear woman, half the time I can’t put anything in the fridge because of all the cans of root beer in there. They jogged my memory.”