Holding On (17 page)

“Sounds wonderful.”
I wish I could see it with you.
The computer alerted her she had new mail.

“Did it open?” Daniel’s voice had an anxious edge to it.

He really likes this house
. “Wow.” Now that she’d heard Daniel’s descriptions, the images had more impact. The windows, the garden, it was all just as he said, beautiful. “I don’t know what to ask first. What’s the neighborhood like? Is it near the University? How much is it? When can they be out?”

Daniel chuckled. “The location is great, a short drive or long walk to campus, very near shops and town. The neighborhood is quaint with mostly older homes and some new construction. Huge trees everywhere. The yard backs up to a wooded area that’s so dense it looks like an enchanted forest.”

She imagined Daniel, eyes glittering with excitement, phone cradled on his shoulder as he tried to talk and type at the same time. “Are we going to bid on it?”

“Do you like it?”

“I think so.”

“It feels insane to be doing this without you.”

Marienne heard Drew starting to fuss. She picked him up, feeling his warm sleepy head nestle against her neck. “It’ll be great. I trust you.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

The whirlwind of packing overwhelmed Marienne. She couldn’t believe how much stuff they had accumulated. Every spare moment of her time was devoted to sorting, boxing and eBaying. Daniel helped when he could, but he seemed equally consumed by wrapping up everything at NYU.

With two days left until the movers were due to arrive Marienne had to confront the one task she was dreading most—saying goodbye to Ruth. She’d invited Ruth to come for the day, in part so she could spend a last day with Ella but also because she needed someone to watch her.

Ruth arrived with a cooler full of food. “I knew you’d be too busy with all the last minute stuff so I made dinner for us and brought you things you can have for lunch the next few days.” She unpacked Tupperware containers into the fridge and set a plate of cookies and a coffee cake on the countertop.

Marienne remembered how Ruth had always brought meals when she was pregnant with Ella. It made her sad to watch what was likely the last time she’d ever show up with baskets of food. “You’re so good to us.”

Ruth smiled and waved her hand. “It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s not. You know my mother would never do anything like this. Thank you for always looking after me.”

Ruth ran her hand over Marienne’s hair. “It’s my pleasure, sweetie. You and Ella will always be my family.”

Marienne’s eyes filled with tears, and she blinked them away. “I thought maybe after lunch you could take Ella to the park.”

“A last trip to the park would be nice.”

Last trip. The words broke her heart.

After lunch Ruth headed out with Ella, and Marienne tried to finish packing the linen closet before Drew woke from his nap. Daniel called, and she picked up on the first ring, holding her breath as she checked to make sure Drew hadn’t awakened.

“How’s it going?” Daniel asked.

“Good, just the kids’ stuff left to pack at this point.”

“I meant with Ruth. Is it as hard as you expected?”

Marienne felt the tears stinging again. “Worse.”

“I’m sorry.”

Marienne knew he was, he’d been nothing but sympathetic to how she was feeling, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. “We’ll be fine, I know. I just feel like she’s the only other family we have. She’s the only grandparent the kids have.”

“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t contribute to the family tree in that regard.”

Guilt swept over Marienne. “That’s not what I meant. God knows I don’t bring anything to the table family-wise. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be complaining.”

“Complain all you want. That’s what I’m here for.”

“No, it’s not, but I love you for saying that.”

“And all this time I thought you loved me for my accent.”

Marienne smiled as one of the tears snuck down her cheek. “The accent’s just a bonus.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Daniel drove down the winding wooded roads toward Arnold and Cynthia’s house. Marienne was thankful not to have to cook dinner, but she worried how the kids would behave around strangers. The passing scenery helped to calm her. She couldn’t get over how dense the trees were, tall and lush. Ferns covered the forest floor, everything brilliantly green.

She looked at Daniel, his handsome profile lit from the sunlight that filtered into the car. His hair tousled, his posture relaxed, he seemed at ease for the first time in weeks. He caught her staring and smiled, reaching over to give her leg a reassuring caress.

“Relax,” he said. “This will be a fun afternoon.”

“Are you sure they’re prepared to have little kids in their house?”

“They’ve raised four children and have a grandson who visits regularly. They’re more than prepared. They’re professionals. Don’t worry.” He gave her knee a squeeze then turned into a pebble-covered driveway. It seemed to go on forever before she caught sight of the house. It was just as Daniel had described it, nestled deep in the woods like something out of a Disney film.

Cynthia greeted them at the door. “Come in. It’s so good to see you.” Her face gleamed with friendliness. “Oh my God, look at you. How’d you manage to get your figure back so quickly? I carried baby weight for years.”

“You’re still carrying it.” Arnold came up behind her, his eyes dancing with laughter.

“Shut up, you old fool. I wouldn’t talk if I were you. You gained at least ten pounds during each of my pregnancies, and you never lost any of it. Make yourself useful and take that pie out of Daniel’s hand.” She turned back to Marienne. “You didn’t have to bring anything. You must be out of your mind trying to get the house unpacked with these little ones running around.”

“We’re managing. Sort of.”

Cynthia set her hand on Marienne’s shoulder. “Come into the kitchen so I can get you a drink. Let the men take the kids outside to play for a bit, and you and I can get better acquainted.”

Daniel took Drew from Marienne’s arms. “That sounds like a great idea. Ella, come, let’s go see the garden.”

Arnold crouched down to Ella’s height. “Do you like strawberries?”

Ella nodded.

“Perfect. We’ve got a bunch that just turned ripe, and we need to pick them before the bunnies eat them all. Do you think you could help with that?”

She nodded again as Arnold handed her a white basket.

“Let’s go see what we can find.”

Marienne watched through the sliding glass door as Ella skipped across the yard. Daniel held Drew and pointed to the butterflies that were swarming around the butterfly trees.

“Daniel told me your house was lovely. He wasn’t exaggerating.”

“Thanks.” Cynthia placed a plate of cheese and focaccia in front of Marienne. “Can I get you a drink? Beer, wine, mojito? One of each?”

“A mojito sounds wonderful. Though one will probably do me in. I’ve barely drunk at all since before the pregnancy.”

“Then you need a mojito.” Cynthia pulled a vase full of fresh mint out of her refrigerator and went to work shredding leaves of it into a glass pitcher.

“Would you like me to squeeze the limes?” Marienne asked.

“Sure.” Cynthia handed her the bag of limes and a wooden citrus reamer. “I’d say four ought to do it.”

“Daniel tells me you have a grandson?”

“Yes.” Cynthia pointed to the photos on the fridge. “Ethan is thirteen months. Not that much older than Drew. We should have you all over at the same time. Our son Philip and his wife live in Burlington so they visit often.”

“That would be great. I have to meet some local people with children. I don’t know anyone.”

“You will soon, not to worry. This is a very friendly town. Before you know it you’ll know everyone. Small towns are like big families. That reminds me, if you ever need some time to yourself, or you and Daniel want to go out just the two or you, call us. We’d be happy to watch the kids for you. We’re pros at this sort of thing. Arnold’s dying to have more grandkids. It’s his excuse to act like a kid again himself. Exhibit A.”

Marienne looked out the window and saw Arnold lying on the grass with Ella, blowing bubbles with an enormous wand. The bubbles were bigger than Ella’s head, and her eyes were huge with amazement.

“I may take you up on that offer more often than you’d like.”

In no time the backyard filled with the aroma of grilling meats. There were skewers of shish kabobs, loaded with marinated steak and chicken and assorted garden vegetables, plus gigantic prawns. Cynthia had offered to make hotdogs for Ella but Marienne insisted that wasn’t necessary. “Ella’s an adventurous eater,” Marienne said. “She always wants to try new foods.”

“That’s wonderful that she’s so willing to taste everything,” Cynthia said.

Daniel nodded. “I’m guessing it’s because her mum’s such a great cook. Everything smells too good not to have a go.”

Marienne blushed.

Arnold came over to the picnic table carrying a platter of food.

Daniel loosened a piece of steak from a skewer and sliced it into bite-sized pieces before placing it on Ella’s plate.

Arnold carried over a second tray, this one heaped with lightly charred ears of corn, still in their husks. “So, what’s the word on that screenplay of yours?”

Daniel swallowed his mouthful of beer. “I’ve no idea. I was getting calls every few weeks, then all of a sudden nothing.”

“That’s odd,” Arnold peeled open a corn and offered it to Marienne.

“Thanks. Ella, would you like to try some corn?”

“Yes please.” She skewered a piece of steak and popped it into her mouth.

Daniel grabbed an ear and started to husk it for her. “Apparently it’s not unusual for these things to stall. It could stay untouched forever. All depends on the producers from what I understand. Honestly with the move and all I hadn’t given it much thought.”

“Well you’ll be plenty busy once the school term starts, that I can guarantee.” Arnold poured himself a glass of wine then turned to Marienne. “Think you’ll be able to stand having him underfoot for the next few weeks?”

“I think I can manage.”

Cynthia passed her the salad. “You’ll have to give me a call, and I can take you around to all the local shops. There’s an outlet mall not far from here. It’s a great place to get clothes for the kids and any housewares you might need.”

“Yes, Cyn loves to spend twice as much money as she planned because the stuff was half the price it should be.”

Cynthia ignored him. “We’ll go as soon as classes start up. It’ll be fun.”

Daniel was glad to see the smile on Marienne’s face. She seemed to have relaxed and was getting along great with Cynthia and Arnold. He hoped that would make her feel more at home especially once he was off at work every day.

Marienne helped Cynthia clear the dinner dishes while Arnold taught Ella how to make s’mores. Daniel paced up and down the side of the yard with Drew propped on his shoulder trying to get him to sleep.

Cynthia came up alongside Marienne, pointing out the kitchen window as they covered leftovers in aluminum foil. “Ella has Arnold wrapped around her finger.”

Marienne laughed. “She seems to, doesn’t she?” They watched as Arnold loaded a second marshmallow onto a stick and helped her hold it over the coals.

“I can’t even tell you how thrilled Arnold was when Daniel accepted his offer. He’s really very fond of him, you know.”

“The feeling is mutual. I don’t know that Daniel would have left NYU for anyone else.”

“I hope you like living up here. I know I was skeptical when we first moved up from New York. It all seemed so foreign. But it’s really a great place to raise a family. You’ll see. I think you’ll be very happy here.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Marienne settled Drew into his stroller with a cup of cheerios. Ella was busy going down the slide. The playground was so different from the one near their old house. Countless trees towering over the play area, bark mulch cushioning the ground, tire swings in addition to the regular equipment. It was like playing in the woods rather than a park. Ella scampered onto the monkey bars with a cute blonde girl who appeared to be around her age.

A tall man in a dark blue sweater called to the little girl. “Careful, Katie, not too high.”

Marienne smiled. She’d been about to yell the same thing to Ella.

“Is that your daughter?” he asked, pointing to Ella.

Marienne noticed the small pink fleece jacket draped over his arm. “Yes, that’s Ella. How old is Katie?”

“Almost five,” he smiled as he watched her play.

“Ella won’t be five until January.”

“They’re only a few months apart. I’m Bob, by the way.” He extended his tan hand. It was warm and strong. His pale blue eyes crinkled at the corners, probably from years of sun.

“Marienne. And this is Drew.” She adjusted the hood on the stroller so the sun wasn’t in Drew’s eyes.

“May I?” Bob gestured to the bench.