Chapter 26
I
sipped my coffee the next morning waiting for Petra to get out of the shower and join me. Maybe she was right. Maybe I did need to ramp up my sex appeal.
“Okay,” she said, breezing into the kitchen. “I need my coffee and we'll be ready to roll. That was so nice of Mavis Anne to offer to keep Lotte while we go shopping.”
“She loves dogs. And she'll spoil her rotten.”
“I wouldn't have it any other way,” she said while filling her mug. “So if she loves dogs so much, then she certainly wouldn't mind Haley having a dog living here.”
“No, probably not.” I didn't feel like having the dog discussion again. Not when my mind was on matters between the sheets. “Are you sure you don't want any breakfast?”
“Nah. Coffee is fine and we'll have an early lunch after our shopping.”
* * *
We brought Lotte to the yarn shop to stay with Mavis Anne and headed down A1A so I could show Petra various sights along the ocean. When we got to Daytona Beach, I turned onto International Speedway Boulevard and headed to the Volusia Mall.
Walking into Victoria's Secret with Petra, I began having doubts about this shopping spree. Scantily glad manikins displayed items I thought more suited for a pole dancer than a forty-five-year-old female attempting to look sexy.
“Are you sure about this?” I whispered as she headed to a display of panties.
“Absolutely,” she assured me.
A perky young blonde approached us. “Something I can help you with?” she asked.
Petra waved her away. “Nope. We're fine. Thanks.”
After a few minutes of browsing, Petra held a tiny bit of silk in the air. “These,” she said. “You have to get a couple pairs of these.”
Was she serious? I doubted that the v-shaped material held together with strings on the sides would even cover my crotch.
“Oh, Petra! Really?” I wasn't sure if I was more embarrassed about the blush I felt heating my face or the fact she was waving the item in the air.
“Isabelle Wainwright. Don't be such a prude. Half the women in America wear these. The days of bloomers are long gone.”
I wasn't a prude, and as I fingered the material, I had to admit that they even had a sexy
feel
to them.
“If you're sure,” I said doubtfully.
“Here's your size. We'll get a pair in black, red, and beige. Okay. On to bras.”
By the time we left the shop with me clutching the tote bag, and my credit card feeling some serious damage, I wondered if I'd really be brave enough to wear the stuff I'd purchased. And if I did, I couldn't help but wonder what Chadwick might think of it. Should he get the chance to see it.
After shopping, I headed south on A1A to Ponce Inlet and decided to take Petra to lunch at the North Turn. With a NASCAR-themed bar and grill and beachfront deck, the location was well known for its Daytona Beach racing history.
Petra looked at the framed photos and information lining the walls when we walked in.
“This is really cool,” she said.
I nodded. “Yeah. The races ran right outside there on the beach until 1958 when they opened the speedway on International Speedway Boulevard. Come on, let's get a table outside.”
She followed me out to the covered deck area and we found a table overlooking the ocean.
After we gave our wine and food order to the waitress, we both sat there in silence soaking in the sight of the sun on the ocean and the waves crashing on the shore.
“Beautiful,” she said. “I'm not that far from the ocean in Jacksonville, but I never seem to get to the beach often enough. Working from home can have its downfalls.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I would think it could tend to become a bit isolated. But the good thing is you can live anywhere. Move down here,” I said before I realized what I was saying. Petra had always made it clear she loved her house, her area, her life.
“Hmm,” was all she said as the waitress approached and placed our wine in front of us.
“Hmm?” I repeated. “Are you saying you'd actually consider that?”
She touched her glass to mine. “Here's to the unknown future,” she said. “We never know where life will lead us.”
My cell phone rang; the caller ID listed my mother's name. “Shit,” I said. “My mother. Guess I should take the call.”
Petra gave me a thumbs-up as I said hello.
“Isabelle. How are you?”
“Good. And you?”
“Fine. Really doing well. Has Petra arrived?”
“Yes. Yesterday. Actually, we're out having lunch together.” No way was I going to tell my mother about my shopping spree.
“That's great. Be sure to tell her I said hi. But the reason I'm calling. . . well . . . I wondered if you, Petra, and Haley would like to come to dinner tomorrow evening.” When I remained silent, she said, “That is, if you're not busy.”
It was obvious that she was using Petra to lure me back into her good graces. Tomorrow evening was definitely out. Plans with Chadwick trumped my mother.
“No. I'm afraid not. I've already made previous plans for tonight and tomorrow night.”
There was a slight pause before she said, “Yes, of course. I probably should have called sooner. How about Saturday evening? Would that work for you?”
Was she groveling? “Ah . . . I'm not quite sure. Let me get back to you. I'll give you a call tomorrow.”
“That would be great, Isabelle. Enjoy your lunch.”
The call had been disconnected and I looked at Petra.
“Your mother?” she asked.
“Yup. Wants us to come to dinner Saturday evening.”
“I'd love to see her new house. What's it like?”
“I have no idea.”
“Isabelle! You haven't been over there yet?”
Despite animosity toward my mother, a twinge of shame came over me. “No. I haven't. Haley has been helping her and keeping her company. There's been no reason for me to go there. Besides, she never invited me.”
Petra took a sip of wine. “She has now.”
“Yeah. All right. Okay. But she's only extending the invite because you're here. It's more about you than me.”
Petra blew out a puff of air and shook her head. “This is one of those times that you can be such a bitch. For once, cut her some slack. She's reaching out to you, Isabelle. I have no doubt she probably thought you'd be more inclined to go with me here visiting.”
“Okay. Enough. We'll go to her damn house Saturday evening,” I muttered through clenched teeth, and was grateful to see the waitress coming with our food.
* * *
The dinner at Mavis Anne's had been a good time. Petra adored both David and Clive and the conversation had been nonstop with a lot of laughter and storytelling.
When we came back to Koi House, we both got in our jammies. I brewed a pot of herbal tea and we curled up on the sofa.
“You know you're quite fortunate, don't you?” Petra asked. “First that Chloe invited you to visit here and then that Mavis Anne insisted you stay. You're surrounded by a lot of love, Isabelle. I hope you know that.”
Then why did I always feel a void?
I let out a sigh. “Yeah. I have been fortunate. Most of the time.”
She took a sip from her mug. “You know, when we were younger I used to feel bad for you. Your mother just took off and you hardly ever heard from her. But your father more than made up for it. And you and I always balanced each other, because I never even knew my father.”
I recalled how Petra's mom had raised her daughter alone, refusing to give enough information for Petra to find him. But unlike me, she had adjusted to growing up with only one parent.
“But your mother is back in your life now. Yes, thirty years later. But it's never too late, Isabelle. At least for you it isn't. It's doubtful that I'll ever find my father.”
“What? You've been looking for him?”
She took another sip of tea. “I haven't wanted to say anything because. . . well . . . there really isn't much to say. But when my mother died three years ago, I had to go through all of her things.” She paused while shifting her position on the sofa. “And I found some papers. And an old black-and-white photograph. It was my mother with a fellow her age. Taken on a beach and she was holding a baby. I assume it was me. Of course I don't know for certain, but I have a feeling that the fellow could be my father. He has his arm around her and they look romantically involved.”
I reached over to grab her arm. “My God, Petra. I had no idea. So was this man your father? Where was the photo taken? Do you think he's still alive?”
“I have no idea. My mother always told me that my father had died and she didn't want to talk about it. I certainly couldn't force her.”
“Yeah, I remember how stubborn and set in her ways she could be. So are you searching for him now?”
“With so little info, there isn't a whole lot to search. But yeah, I've been doing lots of Google searches and I even joined Ancestry.com. Because I finally do have a name for my father. My mother wouldn't even give me that, but it was written on the back of the photo.”
“What is it? What's his name?”
“Peter. Peter Maxwell.”
“Wow,” I said, completely surprised by all of this. “Oh, my God! She named you the feminine version of his name! Why didn't you tell me before? We share everything.”
“Yeah, I know, and I did think about it. But I don't know . . . seems silly, I guess, but I thought if I actually verbalized any of this it would fall apart and I'd never get anywhere. Not that I've had one bit of success trying to find him.”
I clasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know how determined you can be, Petra. You've always been my rock. You're strong and I know you won't give up.”
She nodded and squeezed my hand back. “I probably won't. But Isabelle . . . your mother? She's right
here
. Just waiting for you to love her.”
Chapter 27
A
fter lunch Petra and I went to spend some time at the yarn shop. She hadn't touched knitting needles in years, but I could tell she was enjoying browsing and touching all the various yarns.
“I can't believe how much the yarn industry has changed since I was a teenager,” she said, fingering a skein of soft cotton.
Fay looked up from the socks she was working on. “Well, find yourself a pattern and choose some yarn. It's never too late to get back to it.”
“I think I will,” Petra said. “How about that Isabelle scarf all of you are making? Do you have the pattern? That might be good to start with.”
“Great idea,” Chloe said, jumping up and walking to the counter. “Here's the pattern and any of that Bamboo Pop cotton can be used.”
“Now the big decision,” Petra said. “Which color to choose?”
Fay laughed and looked across the table at me. “I'm glad your mother decided to help out here when Mavis Anne and Chloe are gone. We met with her the other day and worked out a schedule. She'll be coming in on Wednesday and Saturday. Those are the two days I can't make it.”
So it was final. I'd have to be with my mother in the yarn shop for two whole days. Alone.
“Oh, that's nice,” I mumbled and kept my head down, knitting away.
“I have it,” I heard Petra say. She returned to the table with two skeins of white. “This will go with anything. Now I just need needles. I got rid of all my knitting supplies years ago so I'm starting over.”
“I'm happy to see you'll be returning to the wonderful world of knitting,” Mavis Anne said. “Do you know they even have patterns now to make outfits for dogs?”
“No! Really?” I saw the look of excitement that crossed Petra's face. “As soon as I finish the scarf I'll get started on something for Lotte.”
“Leave it to you,” I said. “Knitting for a dog.”
Everybody chuckled.
“So you're going to meet Chadwick tonight?” Mavis Anne asked.
Petra nodded. “I am. Anything I should know ahead of time?”
“That he's pretty hot,” Maddie said.
“He is that,” Mavis Anne confirmed. “But he's also a very nice man. I have no doubt you'll like him. Where are you going for dinner?”
“To the Golden Lion in Flagler Beach,” I said. “Chadwick is picking us up at six.”
“Oh, good choice.” Mavis Anne nodded. “Such a pretty spot with the deck overlooking the ocean.”
The phone rang, and Chloe jumped up again to answer it while we continued talking.
A few minutes later she returned to the table. A huge smile lit her face. “That was Treva. She had her OB checkup this morning and everything is fine. Right on schedule for a June delivery.”
“Do you plan to go up to Jacksonville when she's in labor?” Maddie asked.
“Gee, I hadn't really thought about that. But I guess I could. I'd love to be right there when my grandchild is born. I'll see what Eli and Treva think.”
“Oh, I'm sure they'd love to have you there. Treva doesn't bother with her stepmother or her father, does she?” Mavis Anne asked.
Chloe shook her head. “No. I'm really it for family. Well, me and Eli and Henry.”
“Right,” Mavis Anne said and nodded. “A girl always needs a mother figure in her life. No matter her age.”
The glance she shot in my direction didn't escape me.
* * *
Chadwick rang the doorbell at precisely six. Haley reached the door first. I got up from the sofa and found I was nervous to be introducing my best friend to a man who might be in my life forever or possibly drift away.
Chadwick stepped inside as butterflies fluttered in my stomach.
“Chadwick,” I said, and grabbed Petra's hand as she came to stand beside me. “I'd like you to meet Petra Garfield.”
“Hi,” she said, not the least bit nervous, reaching out to shake his hand. “She just neglected to say that I'm her
best
friend like for a million years.”
Chadwick laughed and returned her handshake. “Very important information,” he confirmed, kidding with her.
And thereâright in front of my best friend and my daughterâhe leaned over to place a brief kiss on my lips. “You're looking as beautiful as always,” he said without one ounce of shyness.
“Thanks,” I said and smiled. All of a sudden my nervousness evaporated, and the scene felt natural and right. “Okay. I think we're ready.”
“I thought you had a little dog,” Chadwick said. “I'd like to meet him.”
That was
it
. No matter what, I knew Petra would always be Chadwick's staunchest supporter and defend anything he said or did.
“Oh, I do,” she gushed. “But it's a
she
. Lotte. And she's staying with Mavis Anne this evening until we get back. You can meet her when we pick her up later.”
“That would be great,” he said. And once again I was surprised by his sincerity.
* * *
We were seated at a table near the railing with an unobstructed view of the ocean, and the conversation hadn't lagged once in the hour we'd been at the restaurant.
I only made comments when necessary, allowing Chadwick and Petra time to get to know each other. He asked Petra about her line of work, growing up in Pennsylvania, and of course lots of questions about Lotte. He then moved on to Haley, asking about school, Tina, and various teen subjects. A couple of times I caught him sending me a wink across the table and my heart melted.
It struck me that Chadwick Price was what guys referred to as a man's man. He was sociable and knew how to work a group. But the thing was, it wasn't fake or being done for some ulterior purpose. He was genuinely interested in other people and what they had to say. A rare quality in today's world.
“Yeah, so we went shopping yesterday,” I heard Petra say.
“Ah, a woman's love,” Chadwick said. “Did you find something specific or just browsing?”
“Oh, no, we foundâ”
I kicked Petra under the table to prevent her from saying any more. “Yes,” I interrupted. “We found a few nice things. But mostly, we just browsed and then I took Petra to lunch at the North Turn.”
Chadwick looked from me to Petra and back again as a smile crossed his face. Maybe this man was a bit too astute for his own good.
“Nice choice,” he said and moved on to another subject, but I didn't miss his smirk.
By the time we headed back to Koi House, I had no doubt it had been a very good evening and Chadwick and Petra liked each other. For some reason, that meant a lot to me.
Haley went into the house but Chadwick came with us to get Lotte. After much patting and telling Petra how sweet Lotte was, he said, “It's been a very enjoyable evening. It was really great meeting you, Petra, and I hope we'll see each other again.”
“Same here,” she said. “Oh, you will. I'll always be in Isabelle's life.”
Somehow the way she said that made it sound like Chadwick would also be in my life forever.
“Thanks so much for dinner,” she said, before heading toward Koi House with Lotte in her arms.
“I like her,” he said, as we stood near the gate. “You were right. She's a no-nonsense person and tells it like it is. That's a good trait to have.”
“Hmm, sometimes,” I said, and laughed.
I felt his arms go around my waist and I looked up into his handsome face. As his lips touched mine, my arms circled around his neck. His kisses only continued to get better, and at that moment I recalled the sexy lingerie wrapped in tissue paper stashed away in my bedroom drawer. Would I ever be wearing that for Chadwick?
After a few more kisses, I pulled away. “I guess I should go inside,” I said.
“Hmm,” he mumbled, but kept his arms around me.
“Okay,” he said after a few seconds. “I guess I have to let you go. Does Petra leave on Sunday?”
I nodded.
“Can we get together on Monday evening? I have to leave Tuesday for Miami and some business meetings until Friday.”
I had no idea what I had going on Monday evening but whatever it might be, it didn't take priority over Chadwick.
“Absolutely,” I told him.
He brushed his lips with mine again. “I'll call you,” he said before walking to his car.
I walked into the house to find Petra curled up on the sofa, two wineglasses on the table. She picked one up and held it in the air.
“Here's to Chadwick Price,” she said. “He's definitely a keeper.”
I laughed and sat down beside her as I reached for the other glass. “Thanks. Then I guess you approve?”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously? What's not to like?”
“Yeah. I agree. I mean, nobody's perfect, but I've yet to find his flaws.”
“Oh, you will, but I have a feeling they'll be pretty minor ones. I do like him a lot, Isabelle, and it's plain to see, he's crazy about you. Haley adores him too and they seem to have a nice rapport between them.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I never gave that much thought because I never dated anybody after Roger and I broke up. But having them like each other is a nice bonus.”
“Oh, trust me. If the kid doesn't like the boyfriend or vice versa, it can be a game changer. So yes, you lucked out in that department.”
“I'm glad you like him, Petra. That means a lot to me.”
“Hmm,” she said, a grin covering her face. “If it means that muchâthis might be headed in a pretty serious direction.”