Chapter Eleven
CHELSEA
She didn’t know where it had come from. The outburst kind of snuck up on her, and Lucas probably didn’t deserve it. Or maybe he did. Chelsea shook her head and rubbed her hands over her face.
Was Lucas only in the hiking club so he’d look good?
Did Scott have something to do with the vandalism against the Cedar View Heights development?
Chelsea no longer knew what to believe. It was exhausting trying to keep it all straight in her head. Maybe it was just time to focus on herself and stop worrying about these men. She had enough to think about.
But at that moment, all she really needed to think about was a Halloween costume. She took a few more minutes to clear her head before she went into Evie’s store. Evie had opened the shop that summer. And Live Love Lake had become an instant success. Cedar Springs had been dying for a shop like this one but it wasn’t just the beautiful clothes that had made it successful. No, it mostly had to do with Evie’s amazing personality, and her knack for helping people find just the right thing.
Chelsea certainly hoped Declan’s fiancée could help her find just the right Halloween costume.
As soon as she pushed through the door and walked into the store, she felt more relaxed. Maybe a little retail therapy was exactly what she needed
“Hello,” Evie’s voice called out from the back room. “I’ll be right with you.”
“It’s just me, Evie. I need an amazing Halloween costume.”
While Chelsea waited for Evie to join her, she wandered over to the rack of Halloween costumes and started browsing.
Evie had pretty much everything. From the standard witch costume, to princesses, to zombies. There was definitely something for everyone. But was there something that was right for her?
“Hey there.” Evie gave Chelsea a hug as she joined her. “You find something yet?”
Chelsea shook her head. “No. Honestly, I’ve never really been a huge Halloween fan. And I tend to leave these things to the last minute. And then for a while I thought I may not even be working, so I didn’t bother. But now…”
Evie laughed. “Say no more. We’ll find you the perfect costume.” Her sister-in-law to-be started rifling through the racks. “Glad to see that your ankle is feeling better,” she said with her head stuck in the clothing. “Scott mentioned something the other day about it just being a bad sprain.”
“Scott?” Chelsea remembered a moment too late that Evie was on team Scott. So it probably shouldn’t have surprised her that she’d heard about her ankle.
“It’s not like he was talking about you.” Evie popped her head out and tried to reassure her. “I went in for a sandwich and asked if he’d seen you lately. Like on a date or something.” Her eyes gleamed with mischief and Chelsea couldn’t help but giggle.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think that all of you cared more about my love life than I do.”
“Well, I can’t think that’s true.” Evie laughed. “But we do care. How could we not? We love you, Chelsea. We want the best for you.”
And there was no doubt that Evie thought that the best for her was Scott.
Maybe he was. He cared about her. He told her so. And he was concerned about her, took care of her. But… There shouldn’t be a but.
That didn’t change the fact that there was.
“So what do you have for costumes?” Chelsea changed the subject. Thinking about Scott, or Lucas for that matter, was exhausting. And all she really wanted to do was get her costume, and get home to her laptop. She knew she was going to have to deal with the whole Scott-Lucas thing eventually. But that day didn’t have to be today.
Evie looked at her for a moment, but then gratefully didn’t push her. “Are you looking for sexy, or classic?”
Chelsea thought about it for a moment. “Well, I don’t want to look trashy, and I like the idea of classic. Show me what you got.”
She spent the next forty minutes searching through the costumes. Chelsea tried on everything that Evie handed her until finally she settled on the perfect costume.
By the time she left the shop, she’d forgotten all about Scott and Lucas and her siblings picking sides, practically making bets on her love life.
Instead of going straight home, she decided to pop in and see Jade to see how she was doing.
Chelsea popped into Dream Puffs bakery and picked up some of their famous cinnamon buns, before driving back out toward Mitch and Jade’s house.
She hadn’t expected to see Mitch’s car in the driveway when she pulled up as it was a school day and he should be teaching. He’d transferred to the local school from a snooty private one in the city at the beginning of the school year after falling in love with both the town and Jade. He took his job as a teacher very seriously and by all accounts, he was a great one. Which didn’t surprise Chelsea at all.
But it did surprise her that he was home in the middle of the day. Her immediate thoughts turned to the worst-case scenario that something was wrong with the baby. Or Jade. Fear raced through her. But she did her best to stay calm as she knocked on the door.
Moments later, she heard footsteps and Mitch opened the door. Her brother looked tired, and worried. In the moment Chelsea looked at him, she knew that Jade had finally told him about the doctor’s appointment.
Chelsea’s first instinct was to offer Mitch a hug but she hesitated. Their relationship had only grown stronger in the last few months but still she couldn’t be sure whether it would be well received.
Instead, she said, “Everything is going to be okay.” It didn’t seem like an adequate thing to say, but judging by Mitch’s face, it was enough.
He nodded slowly. “It is. It’s going to be okay.” He moved aside, and gestured for her to come in. “What are you doing here? Does Jade know you’re coming?”
Chelsea shook her head. “No, I just wanted to drop by and see how she was doing. And if she had…”
“Told me yet?” Mitch nodded and offered her a small smile. “She told me how you’ve been there with her, thank you. It means a lot.”
Chelsea shook her head. “Of course. I was happy to be there for her.”
“She also told me about how you encouraged her to tell me about the appointment.”
“I did. I knew she had to process everything, but ultimately it was important that you know what was going on. And I didn’t want her to hold the secret on her own. Because really, I meant what I said. It is going to be okay. I believe that. No matter what. You guys are going to be great parents.”
Mitch’s face split to a broad smile. “I absolutely agree with that. Now come on, let’s try out those cinnamon buns.”
An afternoon of tea, cinnamon buns, and family was just what Chelsea needed to keep her mind off her own problems. The conversation was easy and Chelsea resisted asking Jade about the baby at all. If she wanted to talk about it, she would.
They were on their second cup of tea, when Maureen, who was living with them temporarily, came home from a walk and joined them. As she always was, Chelsea was very aware of the other woman’s presence and almost felt badly just for being there. But more and more lately, when Maureen was around, she seemed to be more at ease. And when she sat down next to Chelsea and smiled, it was as if something had finally shifted.
“Chelsea.” Jade sat in a corner of the room. “I really just want to thank you again for being there the other day at the doctor’s.” She looked at her husband. “And…I also want to thank you for really pushing me to tell Mitch about the baby. You are exactly right—he needed to know. And I needed to tell. More than I knew. Thank you.”
“No. You don’t have to thank me at all.” Chelsea shook her head. “I was happy to be there, and I can’t even imagine how difficult it is for you. That’s why I wanted you to tell Mitch. You shouldn’t have to deal with stuff like this alone.” Once again, Chelsea had to resist the urge to ask about the baby and what they decided. It was really none of her business, but she was already completely in love with her little niece or nephew.
“Well, either way, I can’t thank you enough.” Jade reached for Mitch’s hand. “And we’ve done a lot of talking over the last few days.”
“We have,” Mitch agreed. “And we’ve made a decision. Would you like to know what it is?”
Of course Chelsea wanted to know. She also didn’t want to know. All the feelings raced through her, surprising her with their intensity. Finally, she closed her eyes and nodded. “I do. I really do. But before you tell me anything,” she added quickly, “I just want you to know that…”
“It’s okay, Chelsea.” Jade smiled. “We know you love us. And we know that you’re going to love this baby, no matter what.”
Relief flooded through her. She hadn’t really thought that they weren’t going to have the baby. Not really. After all, they didn’t know anything for sure. And even if something was wrong, Chelsea knew deep in her heart that Jade and Mitch would never have chosen that option.
“Of course. No matter what, I am so excited for this little guy. Or girl,” she added quickly.
“So after a lot of talking.” Jade squeezed Mitch’s hand and looked at her husband for support. He nodded, as she continued. “We decided not to do any of the testing.”
Chelsea looked between them and then back to Jade. “You’re not? But don’t you want to know? I mean, didn’t Doctor Deanna say that a test would rule out if there is anything…I mean if the baby has…”
“Yes,” Mitch finished for her. “There is a possibility that the baby has Down syndrome.” Jade blinked hard when Mitch said the words. “But we’ve already decided that no matter what, we’re going to love this baby just the way he or she is. We don’t need a test to tell us anything.”
“And Deanna has already assured us that the test isn’t necessary. Not if it doesn’t matter to us.”
“And it doesn’t.”
During the whole conversation, Maureen sat quietly and listened. She nodded and smiled. But now, she chimed in. “I think whatever decision you feel is best is the right one. And I know that your family will be a hundred percent behind you both.”
Chelsea nodded. “Absolutely,” she agreed. “Have you told everyone else?”
“Not yet,” Jade said. “I kind of wanted you to know first. You know, since you already kind of knew.”
Chelsea jumped up from the couch and went to give her sister-in-law a big hug. She followed it up by giving Mitch one too. “I love you guys.” She blinked back the tears that threatened. “I cannot even imagine my life without the two of you. And your baby is going to be absolutely perfect.”
She pulled away before she could start crying.
Chelsea blinked hard and looked at Maureen, who offered her another warm smile. The other woman stood and walked toward her and for the first time ever, pulled Chelsea into a hug. Having Maureen’s arms around her was just like having her own mother, only different somehow. Almost more meaningful. Because this woman had every reason to hate her existence.
“You are going to be the most amazing auntie,” Maureen whispered in her ear. “I already know this baby is going to be so lucky to have you in her or his life.”
Chelsea couldn’t stop the tears then for anything else in the world. She let them flow freely down her face, and soon she wasn’t just crying for Jade and Mitch’s baby, or the breakthrough moment she’d just had with Maureen. She was crying for everything that happened over the last few months, and how it had all been manageable because of her family. The family she didn’t even know she really wanted.
And wasn’t that what it was all about? Family. It was everything.
And it was Cedar Springs.
SCOTT
It may have been a bad idea for Scott not to honor his order with Lucas Lee’s company. But when it came time to make sandwiches for the man, he just couldn’t do it. He couldn’t work for a man he didn’t respect. And he really didn’t respect Lucas Lee.
How could he?
Lucas was a liar, a sneak, and unethical, and worst of all, he had Chelsea completely snowed.
Scott tried not to make his decision based on Chelsea, but he couldn’t help it.
It had been days, but he still couldn’t get the image of her on Lucas’s back, as he carried her off the mountain with the twisted ankle that she wouldn’t even have had if it hadn’t been for Lucas, out of his head.
He didn’t understand why she insisted on spending time with him. And why she couldn’t see that the man was not who he said he was.
But the thing that bothered him most was that she continued to spend time with Lucas even after the two of them were growing more serious.
And they were more serious. Weren’t they?
Dammit. He didn’t even know anymore.
What he did know was that they really hadn’t spoken since the night of her accident and his giant outburst against Lucas. That probably hadn’t been a good idea.
He could add it to his list of bad decisions. He seemed to be making a lot of them lately. He picked up his cell phone and just stopped short of calling her. He’d already left too many messages. Instead, he texted her.
Hey. Hope you’re feeling better. How about I bring you lunch?
Scott knew he was taking a chance. But lately it seemed as if everything with Chelsea was taking a chance. She was so hard to read. Maybe it was time to figure out once and for all what was going on between them.
That wasn’t a bad idea. He’d ask her. As soon as he had a chance.
He stared at the cell phone.
But first she was going to have to answer him.
He was about to give up when the phone beeped with a response.
It feels better. No lunch today, thanks. I’m running errands.
Scott read the message twice. That was it? After days of no contact, that was it?
Something was definitely going on.
Okay. I’d like to talk. How about lunch tomorrow?
He sent the text before he could think better about it.
A moment later, a response came through.
I’m working. Stop by the Paw.
It was less than ideal. And he hated that was the only response. Scott hated even more that he was willing to take it.
He quickly tapped out a response.
Looking forward to it.
He could sit and analyze that terrible text conversation all day. But he had work to do.
He spent a few minutes tasting and adding ingredients to the soup that was simmering on the stove top. He was just about to whip up a potato salad, when the bells over the door chimed.
Before Scott even had a chance to turn around and call out a greeting to his customer, a familiar, and slightly angry voice, beat him to it.
“Harding. Where the hell are my sandwiches?”
Scott knew it could only be a matter of time before Lucas Lee had something to say about the sandwiches he’d ordered and not received. He took a breath and turned around. If Lucas wanted a fight, he’d get one.
“I don’t do business with crooks.” He kept his voice even.
“Crooks? Isn’t that exactly what you are?” Lucas crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him. “After all, did you not take my money and not deliver on a product? That’s about as crooked as they come.”
“Your refund check is in the mail.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” Lucas stared at Scott for a moment, but he was not about to back down. Lucas may get what he wanted by intimidating others, but Scott would not be intimidated. “Would you care to tell me why you couldn’t deliver the sandwiches? I have a crew of hungry men who would really like an answer.”
“While I don’t really owe you an explanation, like I said, I don’t do business with crooks. And I don’t do business with men who can’t keep their word.” Scott ignored the irony in that statement, considering he hadn’t delivered on his promise either.
“Interesting.” Lucas nodded slowly. “What is this really about? The development project? Or Chelsea?”
Scott’s first instinct was to deny both charges, but there was no point. “This has nothing to do with Chelsea.” He continued quickly, because he was having a very hard time denying that it had nothing to do with her. “The society was under the impression that you were going to work with us. Seems to me, you’re just being an asshole for the sake of it. Or maybe I’m wrong about that and you’re the one making this whole thing about Chelsea. Is that why you won’t agree to put the environment first? Because Chelsea’s dating me?”
Lucas laughed, and the sound made Scott want to punch him in the face. “She’s dating you, is she?” He nodded smugly and it took everything in him for Scott not to jump across the counter and punch the man. “Because it seems very much like she’s dating me.”
The statement hit close to home. Too close to home. Rage raced through him. Scott was not a jealous man. But something about Lucas, especially when it came to Chelsea, was enough to push him over the edge. “You need to get out.” Scott’s voice shook, and he worked hard to control his anger. “Now. You’re not welcome here.”
Lucas’s jaw twitched. But after a moment, he nodded. “Okay. I’ll leave. But you need to know something. Poisoning Chelsea’s mind with lies about me isn’t going to make her love you. And despite what you think, my intentions are honorable. I didn’t join the hiking club for any other reason than I like to hike. That’s it. And I don’t care if you don’t believe me, because Chelsea will. Because it’s the truth. And if you need to lie to keep her away from me, then you’ll have bigger problems than losing business over a few sandwiches. A lot bigger. Because I’m sick of playing nice. It’s time to get to the truth.” Lucas slammed the glass door behind him. The bells fell to the floor.
Scott wasn’t about to be intimidated by a man who couldn’t even keep his job site under control. Besides, what was the worst Lucas Lee could do to him besides cancel a few sandwich orders?
The next day, when Rhys Anderson came in, he found out.
“You have to be kidding me.” Scott laughed, but Rhys wasn’t smiling.
“I wish I was, Scott. I’m sorry.”
“No.” He shook his head. “You’re not seriously considering what that lying snake said has any bit of truth in it, are you? I mean, come on, Rhys.”
When Rhys had come in a few moments earlier, Scott poured a cup of coffee and was ready to sit and shoot the shit for a few minutes before Rhys dropped his bombshell.
“I’ll have to take you in,” Rhys said. “The allegations Lucas made are quite serious. I can’t ignore them, Scott. I’m sorry.”
Scott shook his head. “No. I can’t do it. I don’t know what to tell you. The soup is on. I have to prep the salads for tomorrow. I can’t just go down to the station with you. Not right now.”
Scott thought his buddy had been kidding by suggesting he go down to the police station to answer questions. But there was no way. No matter how bogus the charges were, it was not funny. Not at all. Scott was definitely not laughing. Especially now that he saw just how serious Rhys was.
“Scott, don’t make this hard for me, man. If you say you didn’t do anything, then I believe you, but I still have a job to do. And one where I have to take you into the station with me. And I think you know that.”
Of course Scott knew that. But that didn’t make him any less pissed off. “You have to give me a few minutes,” he said, finally resigned as to how he’d be spending the rest of his afternoon. “I have to call the part-time kid to come in. I can’t leave the kitchen without supervision.” Scott tried not to think about what wasting an afternoon at the police station was going to do for his productivity, let alone his temper. When Rhys agreed, Scott left him at the counter with his coffee and went to the back room to make a few quick calls. Twenty minutes later, Scott was headed to the police station to sort out what could only be a giant misunderstanding.