LOST AND FOUND HUSBAND (6 page)

Really, though, why should that matter? Dana wasn’t expecting Eric to fall in love with her nor was she planning to fall in love with him. The idea was to give their baby a name and do the best they could to raise it together, for however long their union lasted.

So do it, she told herself. Go to his house, give him the picture and accept his proposal.

Having made her decision, she sat on the edge of the bed and laughed at the craziness of her situation. Go to his house? She didn’t have his address. She didn’t even know where Sweet Pea’s daddy lived.

Dana glanced at the clock. It was after four. Was Eric home from work by now?

Instead of calling, she texted him:
Can I stop by tonight to talk?

Soon her phone bleeped, signaling a reply:
Yes. When?

You pick the time.

He came back with:
6 or so?

Ok. Need ur address.

The next reply took a little longer because he included directions, with a side note that said:
So you and Sweet Pea don’t get lost.

She answered with a smiley face. She was touched that he’d included the baby. She actually pressed the phone against her heart.

Refusing to make a fuss over her reaction, she lowered the phone. She had a right to be happy that Eric was starting to take an interest in their child. It made her feel better about bringing him the framed photo.

And it made her feel better about her decision to marry him, too. A bit more certain. A tad more convinced. A scooch more ready.

Lord, she was scared. But she wasn’t going to back out. It would be far scarier to raise the baby by herself. Besides, now her family would be proud of her, the way Kaley would be proud of Eric. They would have everyone’s blessing.

Dana reached for her phone again, only this time, to text Candy. The other woman wouldn’t receive the message until after her classes ended, but Dana wanted to share her news just the same.

She wrote:
Going to Eric’s tonight. Going to accept. Think good thoughts for me. Will call Mom and Grandma tomorrow.

Around five o’clock, Dana got ready to go. Determined to look pretty for her acceptance speech, she blushed her cheeks, applied lipstick and fluffed her hair. Next she brightened up her outfit with a colorful scarf that she used for a belt, looping it through her jeans. Since it was a chilly day, she slipped on a pair of suede boots and an old fringed jacket she’d bought at a garage sale.

As she stood in front of the mirror, she thought about what Eric had called her on their date.
The bohemian bride.
Only when he’d said it, he’d been referring to her as someone else’s future wife.

What kind of wedding would they have? How many guests would they invite? Would Mom and Grandma fly out to attend? Surely, they would find a way to afford the trip. Dana couldn’t imagine them missing her nuptials.

Then, of course there was the matter of a dress. She would definitely shop for something vintage. Something wild and free. Something that reflected her style.

She was going to suggest that they get married sooner rather than later. She didn’t want to have a swollen belly when she walked down the aisle. The bohemian bride didn’t want to look like a pregnant bride, even if that was what she was.

At five-forty-five, she left for Eric’s house. She hit a bit of traffic on the way, arriving late. But not too late, she surmised. He’d said six or so, and she was still within the “or so” range. Plus, she hadn’t gotten lost. His directions were spot on.

His single-story dwelling was located in a properly maintained, typically suburban tract-housing neighborhood. The lack of individualism disappointed her, but she wasn’t surprised by it. She’d pictured him in an area like this. What she hadn’t pictured, up until this strangely reflective moment, was living here with him. But the white-and-gray house with its brick planter and neatly mowed lawn was going to be her home, too.

Dana rang the bell. She’d put Sweet Pea’s photo in a previously used gift bag. She recycled ribbons and bows, too.

Eric answered the door, and her heart fluttered, like little feet bumping at her chest. Was that how it was going to feel when the baby was bigger and kicking against her belly?

“Come in,” he said.

The house was painfully quiet. She would’ve preferred background noise, radio or a TV. But it was just the two of them, their voices echoing amid the silence.

Immediately, she glanced around, taking note of the polished oak furniture, surrounded by beige and blue accents. She suspected that a woman had originally decorated it, a woman who was neat and tidy and traditional.

“Is this the house you had with Corrine?”

“Yes. We bought it a few years after we were married.”

“So this is where Kaley was raised?”

He nodded. “She still has a room here. There are four bedrooms altogether. One of them is my studio. I’ve always done a little freelance art on the side. Illustrations, logos, that sort of thing. We used to make Native American crafts and sell them at powwows, too.”

“We?”

“Corrine, Kaley and me.”

“Was Corrine Native, too?”

“No. She was Anglo, like you. Blonde, blue-eyed.”

“Has that always been your type?”

He roamed his gaze over her, and she got tingly, her skin going warm, her attraction to him as strong as ever.

“I never really considered myself as having a type,” he said. “But apparently I do.”

Sexual tension. This was definitely an inopportune moment for it. Neither of them seemed to know what to say while it was happening.

When the eye contact got too uncomfortable, too quietly awkward, Dana glanced around again.

Amid the strained silence, she noticed that the fireplace mantel held a grouping of framed photographs. She wasn’t close enough to see who was in them, and now didn’t seem like the time to wander over there.

Instead, she handed Eric the gift bag. “I have something for you.”

He peered inside and removed the baby’s picture. He studied it carefully, gauging it from every angle, the way an expectant father should. He even traced the image behind the glass.

Finally he said, “It looks more like a kidney bean than a peapod.”

“I know. That’s what I thought, too. But I’m not calling it Sweet Bean.”

He cocked a half smile. “I like Sweet Bean.”

“No way.” She stifled a laugh, just as she’d done when she’d first seen the baby on the sonogram monitor. “It will never live that down. Besides, Sweet Pea was its original name.”

“In the old Native way, names are easily changed. And Sweet Bean isn’t something to live down. It’s who he or she is right now. Later, it will become something else.” He followed the outline of the fetus again. “It won’t always be a bean.”

How could she argue with his gentle enthusiasm? Supporting his decision, she said, “Sweet Bean it is. Until it becomes something else.”

He carried the picture over to the fireplace mantel and placed it among the photos that were already there.

She followed him, pleased that he was giving their baby what appeared to be a place of honor. She was also curious to see the other pictures since she’d already wondered about them.

Most of them were of Kaley throughout the years, starting in childhood and up to what she looked like now. She was an adorable kid and a lovely adult.

The only picture of Eric was from his wedding, on the beach with his bride in his arms. He was young and dashing and looked madly happy, the way Dana would have imagined him. Corrine appeared just as happy. She was lithe and tanned, draped in satin and lace, with her veil billowing joyfully in the breeze.

“You were a beautiful couple,” she said.

“Thank you. It was one of the best days of my life. Along with the day we adopted Kaley.”

And here he was, all these years later, having a baby with someone he barely knew. But Dana couldn’t alter what was. She couldn’t bring Corrine back or arrange it so that Sweet Bean had never been conceived. All she could do was move forward and try to make a go of things.

“Eric?”

“Yes?”

She turned away from his wedding photo, not wanting to look at it when she said this. “I made a decision.”

He turned away from it, too. “About my proposal?”

“I’m going to accept, if the offer is still on the table.”

He didn’t respond right away, and she wondered if he was going to ask her to reconsider, to take more time to be absolutely certain. But then he softly said, “Of course it’s still on the table.” He finished his statement by adding, “I’m glad you’re going to marry me. And I meant what I said about doing whatever I can to make it work. I’m going to try to be the best husband I can be to you and the best father I can be to our baby.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

He reached forward, and they embraced. She put her head on his shoulder and clutched his shirt.

Holding on for dear life.

Chapter Six

E
ric felt as if he were having an out-of-body experience, holding the woman he was going to marry and feeling her heart beating against his.

When they separated, a stream of silence engulfed them, the moment turning intimately quiet. They stared at each other, the gravity of their engagement bouncing between them.

Because he didn’t know how to cope with the tender feelings she incited, he steered the conversation in a practical direction. “At least now we don’t have to worry about the medical stuff. Once we’re married, I can put you on my health insurance.”

“That’s good.” She seemed relieved that he’d broken the ice. “It will save me the trouble of looking for another policy.” She fussed with the scarf/belt thing she was wearing, twisting the ends of the printed fabric. “It will probably save you money, too, from having to pay more than necessary.”

He nodded, grateful that they both were making an effort to talk. It was certainly better than standing here in silence. Keeping the discussion going, he said, “When should we set the date?”

“If it’s all right with you, I’d like to get married as soon as we can arrange it. It will make me too nervous to drag it out. But mostly I don’t want to be showing when we take the plunge.”

“What about the rings? Should we shop for those soon?” He glanced at his left hand where his ring used to be. He’d removed it soon after Corrine had died. It had been easier than strangers thinking he was still married. He returned his gaze to Dana. “I’d prefer to have a plain band. That’s what I wore last time. But I can get you something fancy if you want.” He’d given Corrine a diamond and it didn’t seem fair not to give Dana one, too.

“Fancy rings are expensive, Eric.”

“I can make payments on it.”

“I don’t think you should do that. Not with everything else we have going on. A plain gold band is fine for me, too. We can even shop online for a good deal.”

The internet barely existed the first time he’d gotten married. He remembered walking into a jewelry store to buy the rings he and Corrine had chosen. It had been a major part of the engagement process.

She said, “We should probably keep the wedding itself simple, too. Of course there is a lot to consider. Where we should have it, who we should invite, the type of food we should serve, the cake, our wardrobe. I’ve already been thinking about a dress. Something just a little wild.” She smiled. “The bohemian bride. Remember when you called me that?”

He smiled, too. He definitely remembered. “You can go as plain or wild as you want. Not just with your ring or your dress, but with everything. You can arrange the entire thing.”

She tilted her head. “You’re not going to be part of the planning?”

“I’d just cramp your style.” He preferred for it to be her vision. Besides, he was too overwhelmed to tackle the details.

“It’s going to be a lot of work on my own.”

Was she trying to coax him into being part of it? Or was she just concerned about getting everything done in time? Either way, he thought of a solution. “I can ask Kaley if she can come over to meet you, maybe sometime next weekend. Then while she’s here, she can help you plan it.”

“That’s a great idea. I’d love to have her help.”

“I’m sure she’ll make herself available whenever you need her.”

“What are you going to do while your daughter and I are figuring out the arrangements?”

“I’ll sit off to the sidelines and listen.” And try to keep from floating into space.

“I’ll do some wedding-planning research ahead of time so I’m prepared when I meet Kaley. What a first meeting, huh?”

“You won’t be at a loss for things to talk about.” He knew how much work went into a wedding.

“No doubt we’ll be jabbering away.”

“That’s what girls usually do.” And his daughter and his future bride were close enough in age to relate to each other. Eric was the odd guy out. Or more like the
old
guy out. He wasn’t ancient, but compared to Dana and Kaley, he might as well be.

Dana said, “I’ll do my best to keep it simple and cost-efficient, with just family and a few friends.”

“As long as you make it nice for yourself.”

“And for you, too.”

“I’m sure you’ll make it nice for both of us.”

“Do you want to shop for the rings now?” she asked. “I think it would be fun to get started.”

“Sure. I’ll get my laptop.” And make their engagement official.

* * *

On Sunday, Kaley flitted around Eric’s kitchen, making a tray of finger sandwiches that she paired with store-bought salads and snacks. Eric watched her as she prepared to play hostess. She seemed nervous about meeting Dana.

“I wish I was a better cook,” she said. “I wish I could make a special lunch for all of us.”

“You baked cupcakes and cookies last summer.”

“Because Victoria helped me. I never could have done that on my own. Does Dana cook?”

He thought about the big, hearty breakfast she’d served him on their morning-after. “Yes.”

“As well as Victoria?”

“As far as I can tell.” He’d even given Dana wifely points for her culinary skills.

“And as good as Mom, too.”

“Again, as far as I can tell. I’ve only had a couple meals that Victoria fixed and only one that Dana made. Your mom cooked for me all the time.”

“I’m glad Dana is young. I think it will make her seem less like a stepmom and more like a friend. I don’t need another mother. I had Mom and I have Victoria. Besides, if Dana was your age, you two probably wouldn’t be having a baby. A woman in her forties probably wouldn’t have gotten pregnant that easily.”

Dana certainly conceived easily. One time. One expired condom. Eric’s head was still reeling with it.

The doorbell chimed, and Kaley made a little leap into the air. “She’s here.” She pushed him out of the kitchen. “Go get the door.”

“I’m going.” He glanced back to see his daughter placing the sandwich platter on the table just so. When he opened the door, he couldn’t help noticing how cute Dana looked. She was wearing her hair in a mass of blond waves, with one of her signature silk flowers clipped at her ear.

“That’s pretty,” he said.

“It’s a plumeria blossom, like they wear in Hawaii.” She touched the white-and-yellow ornament. “It’s on my left side. See?”

Yes, he saw. When they first discussed the flowers she routinely wore, she’d told him the right side meant a woman was single and the left side implied that she was taken.

Should he lean forward and kiss her? Should he acknowledge that she belonged to him? Yes, he should. Not only was it a groom-type thing to do, he wanted to taste the sweetness of her lips. But because he couldn’t quite pull it off, he merely stated the obvious. “You’re taken now.”

“I’m also pregnant and—” she removed her slip-on shoes and laughed “—barefoot.”

He shook his head, smiled, wondered how a serious man like himself was going to fare as her husband. He really should have kissed her, but the moment had already passed. “You’re a nut, Dana.”

“I try.” She put her shoes back on and gazed past him.

He realized that Kaley must be standing there. He turned around. Sure enough, she was waiting to meet Dana.

The girls introduced themselves. They even went right for a hug. Kaley put her hand on Dana’s stomach, too.

“I’m so excited about the baby,” his daughter said. “I love the ultrasound picture you framed. It does look like a bean.”

“Sweet Bean. Your dad had to convince me that name was okay.”

“It is. It’s perfect. Which reminds me, I have a gift for you. Hold on, and I’ll go get it.” Kaley made a mad dash for her room and came back with a teddy bear. “It’s a Beanie Baby.” She squished it to showcase the beans that were inside it. “I always thought these were cool because the manufacturer gives them birthdays. This one’s is the same day as when the baby will be due. I went online and used a due date calculator to figure it out.”

“Oh, my goodness. What a special gift. Thank you.” Dana clutched the bear. “A Beanie Baby for Sweet Bean and with a proposed birthday that matches.”

“When is the date?” Eric inquired. He was the father, yet he still didn’t know. Like an idiot, he kept forgetting to ask.

“November nineteenth,” came the simultaneous reply from Dana and Kaley. With a mutual laugh, they said, “Jinx,” afterward.

Obviously they were getting along wonderfully, and they’d known each other all of a few minutes.

“Can I see the bear?” he asked.

Dana gave it to him, and he held the little toy in the palm of his hand. In November, he would be cradling his newborn son or daughter. God, he was scared.

He knew what raising a child entailed: the love, the exhaustion, the tears, the smiles, the laughter, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the loss of a first tooth, excruciating bouts of the flu, arguments about eating too much junk food and not doing enough homework, laundry that needed washing, handing over the key to your car, prom night, college entrance exams.

He’d been through it all and now he would be going through it again. Was it any wonder he was scared?

He glanced at his grown daughter, but she wasn’t paying any attention to him. Her focus was on Dana, and rightly so.

“Are you hungry?” Kaley asked the pregnant mom. “I made some finger sandwiches. I got some other stuff, too.”

“That sounds great. I’m always hungry. I didn’t used to be, but I am now. Eating helps me from getting queasy.”

The three of them went into the dining room. Eric was still holding the bear.

He didn’t sit at the table. He made up a plate for himself and took it into the living room. Although he could see and hear what was going on, his involvement would be indirect, the way he preferred it.

He put the bear on the coffee table, and one of his tabbies came out from under the couch to inspect it.

“So you do have cats,” Dana said, from her vantage point in the dining room. “Candy asked me if I thought you were a dog or cat person. I guessed cats.”

“We have two,” Kaley supplied, before Eric could respond. “They’re brother and sister, from the same litter. Dad calls them the bougainvillea babies because when they were kittens, they used to hide in the bougainvillea on the patio.”

Dana said, “Oh, that’s funny. Bougainvillea babies, a Beanie Baby, and a Sweet Bean baby in my belly. We’re besieged by babies.”

The tabby swatted the teddy bear, then climbed onto Eric’s lap while he ate his food. “For the record, I like dogs, too.”

“Candy will be glad to hear that. She teaches doga. It’s yoga for dogs. She teaches regular yoga, too. Candy is my landlord and my closet friend,” she explained to Kaley. “When I told her we were going to start making wedding plans, she offered to let us use her place for the ceremony and reception. She suggested it because I want to get married in a setting surrounded by flowers, and she has the most beautiful garden in her yard. My side of the yard has a lovely garden, too.” Dana hesitated, then asked Eric, “Would that location be okay with you?”

“Yes, of course. It’s fine.” The profusion of flowers definitely fit her. Plus the fountain she adored was there, too.

“Oh, good. Then that’s where we’ll have it.” She turned to Kaley. “We can use my little house in the back as the bridal room, where the women in the ceremony can get ready. I want you and Candy to be my bridesmaids.”

“Thank you. That’s nice. I’d love to be one of your bridesmaids. What date are you aiming for?”

Dana recited a date that was about a month away and removed a sheet of paper from her purse. “I printed a checklist from the net about how to plan a wedding in thirty days.”

“This is going to be so much fun.” Kaley got girlish and giddy. “Can I see it?”

Dana handed over the list and Kaley read the instructions aloud. “Step one is to decide on the location. Yea! That’s already done.” She waited a chipper beat. “Step two is to compile the guest list and prepare the invitations, mailing them as soon as possible. Hmm. We better get cracking on that.” Another quick pause. “Step three is getting your paperwork in order, like the marriage license. It says this should be done by day five.” She shot Eric a glance. “Better look into that, Dad.”

He lifted his brows. His bossy kid had taken it upon herself to delegate responsibility. But he noticed that Dana didn’t seem to mind. If anything, she looked pleased to have such competent help.

Kaley spoke again. “Step four is to find a pastor or whoever you’re going to use to deliver the vows. This is when you should hire a photographer, too, and start looking at rings.”

“We’ve already got that covered,” Dana said. “We ordered the rings on the day I accepted your dad’s proposal. So we can cross that off the list.”

Kaley made a happy checkmark in the air and forged ahead. “Step five is to choose the wedding party and decide on bridesmaids’ dresses. Then they say to rent the groom’s tux and purchase the bride’s dress. If it was me, I’d look for a dress sooner than step five.”

Dana responded, “Oh, believe me, I plan to. I’m going to shop at vintage stores.”

“Really? I love thrifting.”

“You can shop with me, if you’d like. Maybe we can find vintage bridesmaids dresses, too. Candy can shop with us so we can decide together.”

“This is so cool.” Kaley bounced in her seat, took a breath and continued. “The final steps are ordering the cake, arranging the food for the reception and paying for the flowers. Of course all of this is supposed to be done simply. You can’t get frilly flowers or a custom-made cake in that short amount of time.”

Dana remarked, “I intend to keep everything simple, but I want it to be pretty, too.”

“It will be,” Kaley assured her. “We can even make our own decorations. That will keep the cost down, but still give you the kind of pretty you want.”

Eric remained quiet. But even so, he was glad that Kaley and Dana were thriving on the festivities.

He asked Dana, “Have you told your family about us?”

“Oh, yes, I finally did, and they’re thrilled that I’m going to be a married mom.”

“Are they concerned about our age difference?”

“Not at all. In fact, they think me being married to someone in his forties will be good for me. That it will help settle me down.”