One True Love by Barbara Freethy

Author:Barbara Freethy [Freethy, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Contemporary
Published: 2011-03-31T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Raymond,” Lisa said swiftly. “She wants to know if I love the man I’m going to marry, and of course the answer is yes. By the way, your girlfriend is lovely. How long have you been together?”

Nick’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Long enough. She is pretty, isn’t she?” He looked her straight in the eye. “And loyal, too.”

Lisa swallowed hard. “She sounds perfect. What does she do for a living, save the world?”

“Not quite. Suzanne owns a retail store that specializes in clothing for infants and toddlers. It’s very successful.”

Lisa’s body tightened with sudden, unreasonable tension. “Babies! That’s just great. Is she part of your ‘face your fear’ strategy? Maybe you should just have another baby and attack it head-on. Maybe two or three, to fill up all those cribs in your storeroom.”

“Maybe I should,” he said through tight lips. “I haven’t ruled it out. I’m not afraid of trying again.”

“No, you’re just—you’re just—” Oh, good grief, she couldn’t even think of what he was. She just knew she hated the idea of Nick and another baby—and another woman. It seemed unthinkable.

“I’m just what, Lisa? Living in the real world? Some of us do that, you know.”

“So, are you serious about her? “”Maybe Nick crossed his arms in front of his chest. “What’s it to you?”

Lisa glanced over at her mother, suddenly aware that Silvia had heard their entire conversation.

“What is it to you, Lisa?” Silvia asked.

“It’s nothing to me. I was just making conversation.”

The screen door opened, and Roxy stuck her head out. “Grandma Silvia, the oven timer went off, and Aunt Carmela is chanting something weird over a candle.”

“Oh, dear. I’ll be right there.” Silvia moved toward the door, then looked at Nick. “Carmela is very worried about the anniversary of Robin’s death. Perhaps you can convince Lisa to stay, Nick. It would be nice to have both of you.” Lisa’s jaw dropped open once again as Silvia left to tend to dinner. “You—you’ve done the celebration before?”

“Someone had to.”

“You don’t believe in those customs.”

“Your mother and your great-aunt do, and they both loved Robin. I figured it couldn’t hurt. Maggie came last year, and Roxy. We thought Dylan and Mary Bea were a little young to hear your great-aunt’s stories, but I’ve taken them by the cemetery a few times, and we’ve put flowers on Robin’s grave. She is their cousin, after all.” Nick leaned against the side of the house. “Have you ever gone to the cemetery, Lisa?”

She hesitated for a long moment. “Yes.”

“The violets. You left her the violets.” He nodded as he smiled to himself. “I found them by the headstone, the day after Mary Bea was born. Did you talk to her, Lisa? Did you say her name out loud?”

His words came softly on the breeze, accompanied by the sound of the wind chimes hanging over the deck. Here in the shadowy darkness, it seemed easier to answer Nick’s questions.

“I don’t think she’s interested in anything I have to say. I’m the one who let her down.

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