Chapter Seventeen
Selena lay on her couch, knowing she was being a complete and utter pain in the ass. And maybe she was doing it on purpose. At least a little.
Her head throbbed with every beat of her heart and she refused to take any pain meds for it. The doctor had assured her it wouldn’t hurt the baby, but Selena wasn’t taking any chances. She’d heard Dr. Martin’s mention of the possibility of the placenta ripping away from the uterine wall. She’d do anything to improve the baby’s odds.
The front door opened and Evan strode into the living room of the beach house.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Nothing’s changed.”
He was being a rock star, verging on sainthood. Fetching whatever she asked for, dealing with her bitch-on-wheels-ness.
“Dinner is served,” he said, setting a large paper bag on the end table. “Spicy lasagna, bread sticks, and salad. Double serving of Italian dressing on the side.” He held up a smaller plastic bag from the grocery store. “Half gallon of butter pecan ice cream, going to the freezer now.”
“Thank you,” she said. She annoyed even herself with her mood swings, but dammit, she really did have work that needed to be done — like, yesterday. That she could even think about work after her fall… It had occurred to her that several of her problems would be solved if she had lost this baby.
As soon as the thought had crossed her mind, guilt had nearly choked her. What kind of a crappy mom ever had that thought?
It was unfair to Evan, but he’d received the brunt of it all — her anger, guilt, worry, and the other two hundred emotions that’d stormed through her over the course of the day.
She slowly sat up and propped an extra cushion between her back and the arm of the couch, then reached behind her head to grab the bag of food.
“Stop. I’ve got it,” Evan said as he came back into the room.
“You’re going to stop me from lifting a bag of food?”
“No. I’m going to stop you from dumping my dinner all over the floor. I’ve been breathing it in for the past twenty minutes and I plan to enjoy every last bite.”
As he spoke, he set the takeout containers on the floor next to him, unwrapped the plastic fork for her, and scooped the lasagna onto two plates. He handed one to her.
“Thank you, Evan.”
“No worries. I’m starving, too.”
“I mean for everything. I’ve been awful today and yet here you are, still taking care of me.”
“Like I said, I’m just hungry.” He grinned and sat on the floor, his back against the couch.
“Yeah. And I’m a terrible candidate for motherhood.”
He’d just shoved a bite into his mouth and turned to study her, saying around the food, “Where the hell did that come from?”
“The heart.” She took her first bite of pasta and tried to ignore him.
“We talked about that, Selena. If you want to be a good mom, you will be.”
She took her time chewing, then reached for the glass of water he’d gotten for her earlier. “You think my mom just stopped wanting to be good?”
“What went wrong between you two?”
Selena closed her eyes and shook her head. “I wish I knew,” she said softly. “After my dad was shot, she was never the same. It’s like she went cold.”
“You could never be cold.”
“I used to think that about her.”
He watched her for several seconds. “Have you ever talked to her about it?”
“We don’t have much of a talking-about-things relationship.”
“Maybe you should try. For your own peace of mind.”
Selena hated every bit of this conversation, so she didn’t respond.
“I don’t want you to stay here tomorrow,” she said after several minutes of silence. “You need to work.”
“Too late. I got Dawson to take my shift.”
“I’ll be fine by myself.”
“Then I’ll stay out of the room so you won’t know I’m here.”
“Evan, I mean it. I don’t want to owe you any more than I already do…”
“Owe me? Seriously? Tell me you didn’t really mean to say that.”
“I meant it.”
“You have to carry the kid. The least I can do is get you dinner or keep you company when you can’t move.”
Selena was about to disagree when someone knocked on the door.
Evan set his food on the floor and got up to answer it. “Expecting anyone?”
She shook her head. “Maybe it’s Macey.”
“She has to close the bar tonight.”
Selena shrugged. She didn’t really care who it was, as long as Evan made the intruder go away. She was sleepy enough she wasn’t sure she could get through her meal.
“Can I help you?” she heard Evan ask.
“I’m looking for my daughter. Is Selena here?”
No. No way. Her mother was not here.
“You’re Selena’s mother?” There was surprise in his voice and she knew it was because her mom looked young enough to be her sister, thanks to work she’d had done.
“Where is my daughter?”
Nice manners, Mom.
“I’m in here! Evan, go ahead and let her in.”
Her mom barreled down the hallway, heels clicking on the tile floor.
“Thank you, God.” Clara Cambridge-Jarboe was dressed in black slacks and a burgundy cashmere sweater. In full makeup and three-inch heels, she toted a Prada purse big enough to stow a small child. The only telltale sign that she’d just traveled across the country was that her hair was less than perfect, with a couple of auburn strands out of place. “Now that I’ve laid eyes on you, I’ll return in a moment.”
Before Selena could say a word, her mother had clicked back down the hall out of sight. Evan appeared at the entrance to the living room, his eyes narrowed.
“That’s your mother.”
It wasn’t really phrased as a question but Selena nodded anyway.
“She arrived in a stretch limo. Won’t even fit in the driveway.”
Selena rolled her eyes but wasn’t surprised. Her mother would sooner fly directly back home than be caught in a regular taxi.
oOo
Evan stared at Selena but she didn’t say a word. He went back to the door, completely dumbstruck by the woman who’d just shown up. She was making her way toward the house again, climbing the single flight of stairs from the driveway, as out of place here on San Amaro Island as a black stallion among dairy cows. She was dressed to the hilt, and though Evan didn’t know the first thing about ladies’ handbags, the one she carried looked like it cost more than his truck.
Then the limo driver appeared, loaded down with three enormous bags. He was following her to the house, Evan realized. And the woman didn’t appear the least bit bothered that she was only carrying her purse while the driver could barely walk.
It struck him that the pregnant woman on the couch was more of a stranger to him than he’d ever guessed.
Selena’s mother waltzed through the door and down the hallway to her daughter, barely acknowledging Evan. He went out to help the driver with his load. He took the biggest suitcase from him and groaned as he lifted it. That thing had to weigh close to seventy-five pounds. What the hell did the woman have in there? And how long did she intend to stay?
“You may set my bags by the stairs, please.”
Evan refused to let his jaw drop, though it took serious effort. He glanced over at Selena, but she didn’t appear to have noticed anything out of the ordinary.
Didn’t that just speak volumes.
Who was this woman he’d thought he was getting to know for the past few weeks? Who was her mother? And maybe more to the point, who did she think she was?
The older woman handed the limo driver a bill — a large bill — and the guy left.
“What are you doing here, Mom?” Selena said tiredly.
“I could ask you the same.” Her mother sat pristinely on the old armchair closest to the couch. “It’s been almost two months, Selena. Do you know how sick with worry I’ve been?”
Evan still stood near the stairway, trying to absorb this new facet of the woman he was trying to marry.
“Evan, this is my mother, Clara Cambridge-Jarboe. Mom, Evan Drake.”
Mrs. Cambridge-Jarboe turned and offered a hand to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, ma’am.” He shook her hand, then moved both lasagna plates to the end table. He sat on the edge of the couch, by Selena’s knees, not really sure how he fit in.
“Who told you where to find me?” Selena asked her mom, clearly upset.
“No one. At first I assumed you were traveling, but after so long, I figured the only place you could be was the beach house your dad left you. I came as soon as I found replacements for my social commitments.”
Now Evan’s mouth did gape open. Selena owned this house? Its value had more zeroes than he’d ever see in his lifetime. What a fool he’d been, trying to help her with a three-hundred-dollar doctor’s bill.
“So you found me. What do you want?” Selena asked.
“I want you to come home.”
He felt Selena’s body tense behind him. He whispered to her to relax. Getting upset wouldn’t help anyone. Least of all the baby.
“Are you kidding? I can’t relax,” she said aloud. “I’m not going back to Boston, Mom.”
“It’s your home, Selena. You belong there.”
“This is my home now.”
“Your brother asks about you every time he calls.”
Low blow, Evan thought.
“All he has to do to talk to me is come home. Permanently.”
“I don’t want to argue about this again. That’s not what I’m here for.”
“Right. You already said what you’re here for and I’m not coming home. So you can leave now. You’ve done your matronly duty.”
Hurt flickered over Mrs. Cambridge-Jarboe’s face. “I just flew across the country. I plan to stay here a few days.”
“You cut me off from our money and then expect me to put you up here?”
“I was just trying to get you to come home, honey. The house is awfully quiet.”
“So turn the TV on.”
“That’s not fair, Selena.”
Selena pulled out the extra cushion from behind her back and reclined on the sofa. Her lips moved slightly and it took several seconds for Evan to realize she was counting to herself.
“I’m sorry, Mom. It’s not a good time for me. I really need to rest.”
“You look pale. Is everything okay?”
“Things are fantastic,” Selena muttered tiredly.
Evan took Selena’s hand, her obvious fatigue worrying him. “Does she know anything that’s happened?” he asked her quietly.
“I do not,” her mom said. “Yet.”
“You need to tell your mom what’s going on,” Evan said. “I can leave the room or I can stay. But you have to tell her.”
“Selena, what is this man talking about?”
Selena closed her eyes, frowning. As she inhaled, he could see her chest rise slowly. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Where to start?” Selena said flippantly, opening her eyes.
“You decide,” he replied, planning to stay with her unless she asked for privacy.
“I don’t understand what’s happening,” her mom said. “Are you involved with my daughter?”
Involved was one word for it.
“Do we have to do this right now? For real?” Selena asked Evan.
“Get it over with. Then sleep.”
Selena stared at the ceiling. “Well, Mom … I’m pregnant.”
Her mother gasped. Loudly. “Selena?”
“Knocked up. Your grandbaby is due June twenty-eighth. If it makes it through the week.”
Silence fell over the room for several seconds. “What do you mean, if it makes it through the week?”
Selena explained about her fall and related the doctor’s prognosis.
“Oh, honey … you’ve been handling this all by yourself?”
“Do I look like I’m alone?”
Clara turned her attention to Evan, studied him. “Are you the baby’s father?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been trying to convince Selena to marry me.”
“I see,” was all she said, and her tone was indifferent.
“Stop planning the engagement party, Mom. We’re not getting married.”
“I wasn’t planning. I was trying to process everything you’ve just told me. How could you not call me? I would’ve sent you money for the doctor if I’d known.”
“Oh, crap. Evan?” Selena said, paling. “I didn’t think about that. How big a check did you have to write at the hospital this morning?”
“I didn’t pay for any of it. They’ll bill you. I don’t know how much.”
“I’ll leave you money for it,” her mom said, and she started digging through her handbag.
“I’ll figure out how to handle it, Mom. I’ve got an income now.”
“You … what?”
“I have a job. Two jobs.”
“My God, Selena. What has happened to you?” She said it as if Selena had announced she was joining the circus.
“What did you expect me to do when I couldn’t withdraw money to buy food?”
“I already told you. I expected you to come home.” Selena looked as if she was about to snap a reply but she stopped herself.
“I think it would be best if Selena got some sleep now. Stress is the last thing she needs,” Evan said, stunned by their exchange. By her mom’s visit and everything it had revealed so far.
Selena looked at him with gratitude in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” her mother said. “You’re right, Evan. What can I do to help, honey?”
“Nothing right now,” Selena said. “Actually…”
“Just say it. Whatever you need.”
What had happened to the woman who was horrified her daughter had taken a job?
“Since you’re in town, could you stay here tomorrow so Evan can go to work?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve already made arrangements, Selena,” Evan told her. “I said I would stay with you and I meant it.” He had a shit ton to process about the things he’d learned tonight, but he was a man of his word.
“I’ll be here already,” Mrs. Cambridge-Jarboe said. “Nothing to worry about. You can visit if it makes you feel better but I can handle the job.”
“Or you two could both get lost and give me some peace.” Selena pressed her fingers to her temples.
“What fun would that be?” Evan asked.
“I can become better acquainted with Evan,” her mom said.
“Maybe I can join you,” Selena said drily.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” her mom said, standing. “Which room may I sleep in?”
“Take your pick. I don’t know what condition they’re in.”
“Don’t worry, honey. I’ll take care of it.”
“The bed might need to be changed, Mom. It might still smell like smoke.”
Her mom’s eyes widened. “What else have I missed, Selena?”
She told her mom about the fire, downplaying it.
“I’ll check the sheets,” Evan said as he stood. “Please. Relax.”
“You don’t have to change my mother’s bed.”
“Shh. Rest. Where are the extras?”
“In the hall closet on the second floor. This is ridiculous.” Selena started to get up.
“Down,” Evan said with a gentle but firm hand to her shoulder. “I’ve got it.”
Mrs. Cambridge-Jarboe was halfway up the stairs. Her luggage still sat on the entry floor, waiting for someone to carry it upstairs. He picked up the largest bag and took it with him. He found her in the second room on the left, which overlooked the beach. She’d already pulled back the covers and was running her hand over the sheet. She bent down to smell it, then nodded.
“Bad?” he asked.
“Needs to be changed. But I’ll do it.”
Hallelujah.
“I’ll say good night, then. I’m going to help Selena to her bed before I leave.”
“Good night.”
There was no need to help Selena do anything, Evan realized when he came downstairs to an empty couch. Her bedroom door was ajar and he tapped on it. When she didn’t answer, he pushed the door open a little more and looked in. The lights were out and he could barely see her. She didn’t stir. He could’ve walked out and she wouldn’t have known the difference, but he was compelled to go into the room.
He stared at her face as she slept, wondering what other major parts of her life she’d neglected to mention. Was he making the mistake of his life in trying to get her to marry him?