A Christmas Homecoming (21 page)

“I want to be at my own home in my own bed. You or one of your brothers can carry me to my room.”

Her voice sounded stronger than it had, but concern for her health still made him rethink the conversation he’d planned to have. Then again, if they were sending her home, she must be well enough to have a difficult conversation. “Okay. That won’t be a problem.” But he’d have to move into the main house, which would not go over well with Bailey. Even if they
were
starting to date, he suspected she wouldn’t want him living under the same roof.

“Good.” She raised her chin and cocked her head to the side. “What brings you by? You look like you have something on your mind.”

“You’re right. In your absence, I’ve taken over running the business.”

Surprise lit her eyes for a moment before pride quickly replaced it. “Good. Was it terribly difficult finding someone to replace Bailey?”

He held back a sigh. He’d hoped to avoid this conversation, but he wouldn’t lie to her. “No, because I didn’t replace her. However, I did promote her, and I hired a talented woman with a lot of potential to be her assistant.”

Mom gasped. “How dare you usurp my authority!”

He sat up in the chair and met her angry eyes. “With all due respect, I believe your illness has clouded your judgment. Bailey is exceptional at what she does. Sure, she’s submissive toward you, but the more I think about it, I believe it is her way of showing you respect. I’d really appreciate it if you would trust me and let me deal with Bailey the way I think is best.”

Her eyes had widened while he talked, then she suddenly rested her head back and closed her lids. “You’re right, Stephen. Of all my boys, you’re the most solid and intelligent.” Her eyes narrowed. “If you repeat that to your brothers, I will deny I ever said it!”

He held in a chuckle. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“I suppose I’ve been extra hard on Bailey.” Her speech was still slow, but her words were becoming clearer, even after all her recent medical issues.

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter, but I’m pleased to hear you’re happy with her.”

His feelings for Bailey went way beyond that. There was so much he needed to tell his mom, but he wasn’t sure now was the time.

“What else is on your mind, son?”

“How’d you know?”

“I’m your mother. It’s not like you to sit there quietly and look so contemplative. You have something to say, so speak up before you miss your chance. You never know if this will be the last time we speak.”

He winced. He didn’t like it when she talked like that, but death was a part of life, which he needed to learn to accept whether he wanted to or not. “I have feelings for Bailey, and I’d like your blessing to pursue them.”

Her eyes shot open. “Absolutely not! I’ll concede that she is a good designer, and if you think she can represent Belafonte Designs at the standard that I expect, then okay, but I will not have her be a part of this family.” Her voice shook, and she started to cough. Her pulse monitor beeped faster.

He stood and reached for the water bottle with a straw sticking out of it and held it to her lips. “I don’t understand what the problem is.” He kept his voice calm in spite of his aggravation. It would do no good to argue with his mother. He waited for her to finish then put the bottle back on the table on the other side of her bed within her reach.

“I’m too tired to discuss this further. Leave me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With a sigh, he took his mother’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I love you, Mom. I will let this drop for now, but rest assured this conversation is not over.” He left without a backward glance.

Time to get John’s help. He sent a text to his brother and headed to his car. Maybe John could enlighten him about his mother’s problem with Bailey.

After her coffee date with Stephen, Bailey set out to Bend to check on the house Rick was building. She needed to view the progress anyway. Halfway to the property, she noticed the silver car in her rearview mirror. “What is going on?” Using the hands free feature in her car she told her phone to call Spencer.

“Hey, Bails, what’s up? It’s not like you to call.”

She quickly explained the situation.

“I’ll notify the Sheriff and State Police and see if there are any deputies or officers in the area.”

“What should I do?”

“You said this car has followed you to the building site before, right?”

“Yes.”

“Keep going, but if there’s no one there, don’t stop. Instead go to the State Police office. Do you know where that’s at?”

“Yes.” Her palms sweated. “Are you sure about this, Spencer?”

“Yes. This person has never confronted you or made threats against you.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“True. That’s why you won’t be getting out if no one is there. Stay on the line and talk with me until you arrive.”

She did as he requested and even asked him about the Secret Santa. He denied being it, but indicated he knew who it was and that she had no reason to worry about who was sending her things. Well at least she didn’t have to stress that.

She glanced in her rearview mirror as she signaled and turned off the highway. “He’s following me off 97.”

“Good. I was just notified that there is a State Trooper along the road up ahead.”

“I see him.”

“Good. Now drive normally. The trooper has been briefed on the situation and will pull out after the silver car.”

Sure enough, the trooper pulled out and a moment later flipped on his lights. She pulled up to the site and was only mildly surprised to see Rick’s truck parked outside. She raced inside.

She knocked on the door then let herself in. “Hello! It’s me, Bailey.”

“In here!” Rick said.

Bailey walked toward the hall bath and spotted him hanging a mirror. “I didn’t expect you to be here on a Saturday. I stopped in to check on the progress and make sure everything was moving along on schedule.”

Rick finished what he was doing, then turned and looked past her as if he expected someone to be with her. “We got a little behind when I took off a couple of days. I’m working today to make up for it. The painters will be here on Monday to do some touchups, otherwise there is only finish work and landscaping left. Is Stephen with you?” He glanced past her.

“No. Are you expecting him?”

He shook his head. “The two of you have been spending a lot of time together, so I thought he might be. Excuse me.”

She stepped aside, allowing him to walk past her. “Is everything okay?”

“Sure. Just busy.” He strode down the hall then tromped up the stairs.

She followed after him. Why was Rick behaving so oddly? Regret hit her. She should have gone home rather than here. “Is there a problem, Rick?” She hated confrontation, but dancing around whatever was bothering him, especially when she felt like
she
was the problem, made her even more uncomfortable.

He stopped in the upstairs bath and began to mount the mirror to the wall. “You tell me?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rick sighed, stopped what he was doing, then turned and faced her. “I’m sorry. Don’t pay any attention to me. It’s been a rough week, and I’m a grump.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh. Okay. I’m going to take a few pictures then head out.”

He grunted.

She wandered through the house taking pictures with her camera of all the high end touches—crown molding, medium oak hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, modern fixtures in the bathrooms, and a sliding barn door mounted on black hinges in the master that led to the walk in closet. It would be handy to have photos when she went to the warehouse to pick out merchandise to stage the place. Rick liked to stage their houses for a quick sale.

Satisfied she had all she needed, she tucked her phone into her purse and headed toward the door. Voices in the direction of the kitchen grabbed her attention. No one else should be here. She crept toward the voices, being careful to stay out of the line of sight, and listened.

“Lacy, when are we going to tell Bailey we’re her secret admirer?”

Bailey gasped. The kids had sent her those cards and the flowers? Of course. No wonder Spencer said she didn’t need to worry.

“Shh. She might hear you. Remember her car is out front.”

“Sorry.” He stage-whispered. “Do you think we made her feel loved?”

A tear slid down Bailey’s face. She didn’t know whether she was happy or sad. These kids were so sweet, but at the same time, her feelings were hurt that they all thought she was so unlovable.

“I’m sure she feels loved now, but we don’t want her to know yet. Miss Nicole said it’s good for her to think it’s Uncle Stephen.”

Nicole is in on it too?
She rushed quietly from the house, hoping the kids would be none the wiser. Rather than head back to Mona’s, she would stay at her condo here in Bend. A little time to herself away from Stephen and the Belafontes sounded like a good idea.

She rushed out the front door and ran smack into Judy. “Oh excuse me. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” She blinked rapidly and swiped the tears off her face with the back of her hand.

“What do
you
have to cry about? Did my husband finally end his affair with you?” Hopefulness filled Judy’s eyes.

“What affair?”

“Come on. Don’t play dumb with me. I know what’s going on. I’ve had a P.I. following you for weeks!”

“Does he happen to drive a silver car?”

“Yes. So?”

At least now she knew why the car had been following her, but how could Judy think her capable of such a thing? “I don’t know what you think you know, but your husband and I are not involved in any way except professionally. I’m an interior designer and nothing more. Period.”

Judy crossed her arms. “Prove it.” Her voice held venom.

Bailey’s pulse thrummed in her ears. How was she supposed to prove she wasn’t having an affair? “Was your P.I. able to prove that I was?”

“Well, no,” she sputtered. “But I know it’s true.”

“No, Judy.” Rick’s firm voice filled the silence. “I have been telling you for weeks that I am not having an affair with Bailey or anyone else. Let’s take this outside. The kids are going to hear. If they haven’t already.”

“Fine,” Judy snapped.

Rick closed the door behind them then faced his wife.

“Why are you never home?” Her voice hitched. “I came down here several weeks ago to surprise you, but when I saw Bailey come out of the house I stopped and talked to her. By the time I got inside, one of the guys said you’d gone to run an errand. I don’t know how I missed you.”

Bailey gasped. “I told you why I was here. I stopped in to deal with an emergency design decision after vandals ruined some cabinetry.”

“And I left right away, to deal with something else.” His face softened. “Is this what has come between us?” He blew out a breath. “Judy, honey. I love you more than anything, and I would never have an affair, much less with Bailey.”

Ouch!
She wouldn’t go there either, but it still hurt the way he’d said it.

Judy’s stance relaxed, and she stepped closer to her husband. “You’re telling me the truth.” It wasn’t a question. “I’m so relieved. I know you’ve said it before, but I finally realize it’s the truth.” She wrapped her arms around Rick, then gasped and turned to face Bailey. “I’ve done something awful.”

“What?” Rick asked.

“I told Mona that the two of you were having an affair.” She looked sheepishly at her husband. “You’ve been so distracted since your mother’s stroke. At first I thought it was because of your mom’s health, and then I began to get suspicious that you were seeing someone. I kept seeing you with Bailey and well . . . my imagination took over.”

Bailey groaned. “That’s why Mona hates me.”

Judy nodded. “I’m so sorry. I will tell her right away that I was wrong.”

“Good.” Rick placed a possessive arm across his wife’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about all of this, Bailey. It seems my wife is more in tune with me than I realized. I have been up to something.”