Chapter 9

 

Maybe it was fate, Susan thought, since she and Keith seemed to constantly be thrown together. Although, if she’d been thinking when she decided to bring Scott tonight, she would have realized the Callahans were bound to be there in full force. After all, Holy Family was their parish, and if Susan wasn’t mistaken, she’d read something in the Rainbow’s End Register about Keith’s father being a newly elected member of the parish council.

Or maybe, she thought wryly, her subconscious had purposely steered her in this direction. She watched as Keith greeted the rest of his family. She obviously had no will power if just the sight of him caused her resolve to melt as if it had never existed.

“Hi, Susan.”

Susan smiled at Jan Callahan, Patrick’s wife. She and Jan had served together on the elementary-school PTA board the previous year, and Susan had enjoyed getting to know Keith’s sister-in-law. “Hi, Jan,” she said with pleasure. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You, too. Are you going to sit with us?”

Susan nodded. “Your mother-in-law invited me to.”

“Oh, good. I’ve missed talking to you.” Jan’s gaze moved to Scott. “Hi, Scott.”

“Hello, Mrs. Callahan,” Scott said politely. Briana, Jan’s daughter who was in Scott’s class in school, gave him a shy wave from the other side of the table. Scott, who wasn’t shy at all, walked over to talk to her. Susan smothered a smile as she saw the telltale pink that colored Briana’s cheeks. We females are all alike, Susan thought, whether we’re nine or ninety. We get a little attention from an attractive male and we turn to mush. Unable to resist, she glanced at Keith again. He looked terrific tonight, wearing casual khaki Dockers and a navy cotton shirt open at the throat. The color of the shirt emphasized the blue of his eyes. Her pulse picked up speed just looking at him. Unexpectedly, he turned, and Susan hurriedly looked away. She knew her cheeks were probably as pink as little Briana’s, and she could have kicked herself for letting him catch her observing him.

“Sit down by me.” Jan patted the chair next to her.

“All right.”

“I hear you’ve gone to work for Tom Shaver at the college,” Jan said once Susan was settled. “How do you like it?”

“I love it.”

“Tom’s an awfully nice guy,” Jan said.

“Yes, he is.”

“So what are you doing there?”

While Susan was telling Jan about her job, various members of the family arrived. Susan had met all but Kevin at Paul’s funeral—he’d been away at the time—but Jan reminded her who was who as they joined the group. Rose, finished greeting friends, took a seat across the table from Susan. A few minutes later Keith walked over and sat next to his mother. Within seconds Scott, still in the throes of hero-worship, abandoned Briana and plopped down next to Keith. Although Susan wasn’t looking at him—she certainly didn’t want him catching her again—she could feel Keith watching her. Immediately, she felt unsettled.

Why can’t I control my emotions? I am a grown woman. Why does Keith’s mere presence have the ability to make me come unglued? Determined not to let him see, by so much as a flicker of her eyes, how he affected her, she kept her attention firmly fixed on Jan.

“Your job sounds great,” Jan said wistfully when Susan finished describing it. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I’m thinking of going to work, too.”

“Are you?”

“You are?” This was from Rose.

Jan looked at her mother-in-law. “You weren’t supposed to hear that, Mom.”

“Why not? Did you think I wouldn’t approve?”

“I knew you wouldn’t approve.”

Rose shrugged. “Well, I know I’m old-fashioned, but I do think mothers should be home when their children are little.”

“Allene’s going to be in school all day this year,” Jan pointed out.

“I know.”

“And if I need after-school care, I couldn’t find anyone better than Molly to watch her and Briana.”

“That’s true.” But Rose’s tone of voice very clearly said she wasn’t convinced.

“Anyway, I wasn’t thinking of a full-time job,” Jan said. “Maybe just four or five hours a day. Or even a couple of days a week.”

“Hey, Jan,” Sheila said from farther down the table, “it’s your life. If you want to get a job, I say go for it.”

“You would,” Rory said.

“Mind your own business,” Sheila said, sticking her tongue out.

“You’re not minding yours,” Rory shot back.

Susan bit back a smile. She was glad to see that Keith’s family wasn’t perfect. She was also glad to see that it wasn’t just her mother-in-law who thought a mother’s place was in the home.

While this conversation was taking place, two of the servers—members of the C.Y.O.—had started placing steaming plates of spaghetti and meatballs in front of each of them. Another server carried a tray of drinks and still another was distributing baskets of garlic bread. Each place already had napkin-wrapped utensils and in the middle of the table were shakers of parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.

“Sheila’s right,” Rose said. “If you want to go to work, it is your business.”

Sheila grinned. “Gee, thanks, Ma.” Her green eyes turned to Jan again. “Word of advice, Jan. Just don’t ask to work on the construction crew!”

“Jeez, Sheila,” Patrick Jr. said. “Don’t you ever give up?” Addressing Susan, he added, “She’s the stubbornest person I’ve ever known.”

“Oh, really?" Sheila shot back. "That’s the pot calling the kettle black!”

Keith laughed and poked Patrick Jr. “You can say that again, bro.”

“Hey,” Sheila said, leaning forward—her mother sat between them—to see Keith. “You’re skating on thin ice, you know, so maybe you should be quiet.”

“What do you mean, I’m skating on thin ice?”

“Just what I said.”

“What’s she talking about?” Keith said.

His father shrugged. “She’s mad because you’ve been away all these years, but the minute you’re back, you have a job with the company.”

“Whereas I’ve been old faithful,” Sheila said, “and Dad doesn’t care.”

“Sheila,” Patrick Sr. said in a warning tone. “Enough is enough. We’ve been over this ground before.”

Sheila exchanged a look with Jan. “And we’ll be over it again,” she grumbled, but softly. Then she speared the last piece of meatball on her plate and popped it into her mouth. 

Her father ignored her. “Would you please pass the bread?” he said to Susan.

Susan smiled and handed him the basket. She decided she liked Sheila a lot, even though Keith’s sister was—like Zoe—almost intimidating in her self-assurance and beauty. Actually, Susan was fascinated by the way Keith’s entire family related to one another. It was obvious they had plenty of disagreements, yet they didn’t let those disagreements change the way they felt about each other. A familiar pang of envy pierced her. She wondered if they realized how lucky they all were to have each other.

“So Susan,” Rose said cheerily, “how is your mother-in-law doing?”

“Much better, thank you.”

“I’m so glad. I know these past months must have been awfully hard for her.”

“Yes, they have.”

Rose’s expression softened. “It’s been hard for you, too,” she said gently.

Susan nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Keith and Scott were busy talking, and she was glad. Rose seemed to understand that Susan really didn’t want to talk about the loss of Paul, especially not now, with Scott so near, and she dropped the subject.

For a while, mostly silence reigned as they ate the really excellent food, and Susan felt more relaxed than she’d felt in a long time. The Callahans were all such nice people, she thought. So genuine and kind, and so easy to be around. And then she finally acknowledged the other thought. The one that was lodged in the back of her mind. The one that refused to go away. The one that went, what if I’d married Keith instead of Paul?

Immediately she felt so disloyal. Paul had been a wonderful husband. A wonderful father. He had done so much for her. He had never, not by a word, not by a look, not by an action, alluded to the less-than-perfect circumstances resulting in Scott’s existence. She should be ashamed of herself for even thinking about erasing her life with him. Once again she made a determined effort to clear her mind, to count her blessings, and to think only of the present.

When most of the attendees had finished their meal, the helpers started to clear the tables. In short order, the job was done, and the men’s club members began setting out the items that would be auctioned off. Scott and Briana raced off to look at everything. Susan and Jan followed more slowly.

“Mom, Mom!” Scott called. “Come over here and see this!”

“Uh-oh,” Jan said. “Now you’re in trouble.” When Susan reached the table where he stood, she saw what had put that excited sparkle into his eyes. It was a beautiful collection of about a dozen antique wooden cars. They were hand painted in intricate detail, and the workmanship was flawless.

“Aren’t they cool?” Scott said in awe. He prodded one of the cars with his forefinger. Smoothly, it moved a couple of inches.

“Yes, they’re very nice.” Gently, she added, “Honey, I know you like them, but I’m afraid they’re too expensive for me to bid on.”

“I know, Mom. I just wanted you to see them ’cause they’re so cool.”

Susan’s heart swelled with pride at this evidence of maturity on his part. A lot of kids his age would whine and pout if told they couldn’t have something they wanted, but Scott wasn’t like that. Oh, he did his share of pressing his case, especially when it came to going places or doing things his friends were doing, but he wasn’t greedy, nor was he selfish. And because he didn’t whine, she suddenly wished she could afford the cars. After all, she could save them and give them to him at Christmas.

When they got back to the table, Scott eagerly told Keith about the cars.

“I’d like to see those,” Keith said.

There was a lump in Susan’s throat as she watched father and son walk off together. It amazed her that no one else could see how alike they were, when to her eyes, it was impossible not to see.

“Keith is so good with kids,” Jan said.

“Yes,” Rose agreed. “He needs to get married and have some of his own.”

Susan’s heart thumped foolishly. She wondered if Rose had said that with some ulterior motive, but no, when she looked at Rose, she was positive Rose’s comment had been innocently made.

“Oh, Mom,” Jan said, laughing. “You say that about all your sons.”

“Yes, because it’s true of all my sons. But it’s particularly true of Keith, I think.”

“Why do you say that?” Jan said curiously.

“I can’t explain it. Mothers just know these things.”

Susan shifted uncomfortably. She wished they would talk about something else.

Just then, in answer to her wish, the auctioneer walked up onto the stage and began testing the microphone.

“Okay, folks,” he said a few minutes later. “Take one last good look at the items you want, then take your seats and we’ll begin the auction.”

A few minutes later Keith and Scott came back to the table, and five minutes later, the auction started. The most inexpensive items were auctioned first. Susan hadn’t intended to bid on anything, but about halfway through the auction, when a particularly lovely crocheted tablecloth was up for bids, she couldn’t help thinking what a nice Christmas present it would make for Laverne. She joined in the spirited bidding, and to her amazement, got the tablecloth for eighty dollars.

“Way to go, Susan!” said Jan.

“Yeah, Susan,” said Sheila.

“Good for you,” said Rose, amid a general chorus of congratulations.

Susan sat back, flushed and pleased with herself. Her adrenaline was still pumping after the excitement of the competition. Her gaze met Keith’s, and he gave her a thumbs-up and a grin. His obvious approval, combined with the welcoming friendliness of his family throughout the evening, filled her with a warm glow of happiness.

A dozen items later, the antique cars came on the block. Susan gave Scott a commiserating smile when the bidding started at fifty dollars. Obviously, the cars would sell for at least several hundred.

“I have fifty. Do I hear seventy-five?” the auctioneer called in his singsong voice.

Suddenly, surprising everyone, Keith’s hand shot up. “Seventy-five,” he said.

What was he doing? Surely he wasn’t bidding on the cars for Scott! Susan tried to catch his eye, but he was looking at the auctioneer.

After that, the bidding was fast-paced and heated.

In no time at all, it seemed to Susan, the bid was up to two hundred and fifty dollars and only Keith and another man were still bidding.

“Do I hear two-seventy-five?” the auctioneer said, looking first at Keith, then at the other man, who had made the last bid.

Keith pursed his lips. For a few moments there was silence as the audience, caught up in the competition, held its collective breath.

“Two fifty once. Two fifty twice,” the auctioneer said.

“Three hundred!” Keith called out.

The audience gasped. Everyone looked at the other man who, after a long moment, finally shook his head, and the bidding was over. Amid cheers, a triumphant Keith walked up front to claim his prize. When he came back to the table ten minutes later, he had a large box in his arms. With a smile, he set it down in front of Scott. “Happy Birthday,” he said. Susan’s mouth dropped open.

Scott, eyes nearly popping out of his head, looked up at Keith. “B-but it’s not my birthday.”

Keith grinned. “Maybe not today. But it will be one of these days, won’t it?”

“Keith,” Susan said, finally finding her voice. “He can’t accept those.”

Keith’s eyes—so like Scott’s—met hers. “Why not?”

“Because it...it’s too much, that’s why.”

“Aw, come on, Susan. It’s no big deal.”

“But it is a big deal.” Susan looked at Rose and Jan for support, but neither woman said anything. Rose had an odd look on her face, though, and Susan was sure Keith’s mother agreed with her but didn’t want to oppose her son.

“Look at it this way,” Keith said. “I’ve missed all Scott’s birthdays, and as Paul’s best friend, you know I would have given Scott something if I’d been here. So consider this a makeup present for all those years.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I still think—”

“Besides,” Keith said, “I’ll probably want to play with these cars as much as Scott.”

Susan looked at Scott. Naked longing was in his eyes.

“When is his birthday, anyway?” Keith said.

“D-December 22nd,” she stammered, knowing she was blushing.

“In that case, it’s a birthday present and a Christmas present. Now you really can’t refuse, Susan.”

“Man,” Scott said in wonderment. “This is the best present I ever had. Thanks, Keith!”

Keith smiled happily. His gaze, meeting Susan’s again, said you wouldn’t spoil this, would you?

After a moment, Susan gave him a weak smile. “Thank you,” she mouthed.

There were only a couple more items left to auction, and then it was time to go home. Susan said goodbye to everyone, leaving Keith for last.

“Thank you again,” she said. “It was very generous of you to buy him the cars.”

“I told you,” Keith warned, “I plan to come and play with them, too.” His eyes were warm as they met hers.

“You’re welcome anytime.” She could hardly tear her gaze away and knew his eyes were following them as they left the hall.

As she and a thrilled Scott drove home, Susan told herself that under the circumstances, there was no other answer she could have given.

* * *

Keith’s brothers began teasing him the minute Susan and Scott said their goodbyes.

“Now we know the reason you decided to stay in Rainbow’s End,” Patrick Jr. said.

“Yeah, and her name is Susan,” Rory said. He winked. “Don’t blame you, bro. She’s a fox.”

Kevin elbowed Glenn. “And here we thought he missed us.”

“Come on, you guys,” Keith said, but it was hard to sound indignant. He avoided looking at his mother, afraid if he did, one or the other of them would give him away completely.

“Smart move,” Rory said, “buying the kid those cars. I’ve never known a woman yet who could resist a man who likes her kid.”

“That’s not why I bought the cars.” But maybe it was. Maybe he’d wanted to see that look in Susan’s eyes as much as he’d wanted to please Scott.

In answer, Rory and the others only smiled at him.

“Come on, boys,” Patrick Sr. said. “I volunteered all of you to help with the cleanup.”

After they were finished, Glenn, Kevin and Rory said they were going to Pot O’ Gold.

“Wanna come?” Rory said, looking at Keith.

“No, I don’t think so. It’s been a long day, and I’m tired.”

“You don’t have to stay late.”

“I know. I guess I’m just not in the mood.”

“He wants to go home and dream about Susan,” Kevin taunted.

Keith pretended to punch Kevin, and there was a good-natured scuffle.

Rory fell into step with Keith as they walked outside. “You do like her, don’t you?” he said.

There was no sense pretending he didn’t understand the question, so Keith answered honestly. “Yes.”

Rory nodded. He didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then, surprising Keith, he threw his arm around Keith’s shoulder. “Go for it, then.”

Much later, after Keith was in bed, he thought back over the evening. He couldn’t remember when he’d had a more satisfying one. Having Susan and Scott there with his family, seeing how they fit in, then buying those cars for Scott and seeing the happiness in the kid’s eyes...

Keith had felt like a million bucks.

And he was determined to hang on to that feeling. The last of his guilt over the past had finally disappeared.

Go for it, Rory had said.

He would go for it. From now on, he would do whatever it took to win Susan.

Cowardice and youthful stupidity had caused him to walk away from her once. He had no intention of doing it again. This time he intended to stick around for the duration, whether she wanted him to or not.