Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (32 page)

“Yes, I believe so,” Stacey said. “I think she just feels a little neglected by her mommy. She has been such a good little angel letting other people feed her.” 

“I know how she feels,” Shane said.

Stacey put the palm of her hand on the side of Shane’s face and asked, “Do you feel neglected too?” 

“Just a wee bit lass, however, it’ll be good to have you back home.”

After Jessie went to sleep, Stacey put her in bed and checked on Jackie, then went to their bedroom.  She removed the towel from her head and ran her fingers through her hair.  She knew Shane was waiting for her, so she dropped her robe on the floor.  Shane was watching her. He knew she was tired, but the dark side of him didn’t care. He wanted her to feel guilty.

Stacey made love to her husband as if she was fresh as a daisy. Afterwards Shane said, “You were marvelous tonight. I wanted to jump on stage and shout to the world, this woman is mine.”   

When Stacey didn’t respond, Shane turned the light on to look at her. To his surprise, she was sound asleep.  Now the tables were turned and he was the one who felt guilty.

The next morning when Shane woke, Stacey’s side of the bed was empty. He looked in the nursery, but it was empty too. He went downstairs where Stacey was having coffee. The girls were in the playpen sound asleep.

Stacey stood up, kissed him and said, “Good morning, do you want a cup of coffee?” 

“How long have you been up?” Shane asked.

“Just a couple of hours,” Stacey said. “I brought the girls down here to feed and bathe them. I didn’t wanna disturb you.”

Shane looked around and asked, “Where’s Mr. Chen?” 

“He’s gone to do a little last minute shopping.  He’ll be leaving tomorrow.” 

The phone rang and Stacey went to answer it.  Shane looked at his tiny daughters sound asleep in the playpen.  He took a good look at his actions for the past few weeks. He couldn’t explain why he resented Stacey’s involvement with the concert. He was damn proud of her last night watching the crowd’s reaction to her. Is it because I don’t share that part of her life?  Shane knew he should talk to someone, but he didn’t want too.  He would come to grips himself with this irrational baggage he was carrying around. He had asked himself many times, why did he fear that someday Stacey would leave him?  He’d had other women in his life.  He had never cared if they stayed or went. Of course, he wasn’t in love with them.

Stacey came back into the kitchen to make breakfast. She asked, “What’s the matter Shane, you seem preoccupied?”

Shane smiled at her and said, “You fell asleep on me last night before I could tell you how proud I am of you and how much I enjoyed your performances. When did you purchase that black top and that sexy red costume? You were a knock out.” 

Stacey laughed and said, “The black corset is called a bustier. It came from Victoria’s secret. The red leather outfit is not mine. Jodi had it ready before her operation.  Mrs. McGraw helped to make it fit me. As you may have noticed it was a bit short on me, so we added a row of fringe.” 

“Oh, yes, I noticed. I thought it looked spectacular on you.” 

On Monday morning, Stacey had just finished feeding the girls when Mrs. Wyatt came upstairs to tell her there was a Mr. Bradshaw downstairs. He says he’s from one of the periodicals.

Annoyed over his intrusion, Stacey sat Jessie in her crib and said, “I’ll be right back will you keep an eye on the girls, please?”  Jessie started crying as soon as she was put in the crib.  Stacey picked her up again and put her on her hip and said, “Mrs. Wyatt, please watch Jackie.  I’ll be right back.”

When Stacey came downstairs, she was in jeans and barefooted.  Mr. Bradshaw stood up and introduced himself.  Stacey said, “I know who you are Mr. Bradshaw. I told you on Saturday when you called, I wasn’t interested.”

“Mrs. McLeod, I don’t think you understand what I’m offering you. May I call you Stacey?” Mr. Bradshaw asked.

“No, you may not, and yes I do understand, but evidently you don’t understand the meaning of, ‘No, I’m not interested.’ Don’t you see I’m busy with this one on my hip? Well upstairs, I have another one just like her. So, if you’ll be so kind as to say goodbye.”

As he was leaving, Stacey said, “Mr. Bradshaw, there were a lot of talented young people in that show Friday night, why don’t you talk to them?  As a matter of fact the young woman that I stood in for, is in the Charring Cross hospital. Her name is Jodi Burns. Why don’t you go visit her I think you might be interested in her and her talent.”

Monday afternoon, Mr. Bradshaw walked into Doctor McLeod’s office.  He introduced himself and told Shane what he wanted right up front.  Shane’s first instinct was to throw him out, however, that wasn’t his style therefore he listened to the man. When Mr. Bradshaw finished, Shane asked, “What did my wife say when you broached her on the subject?” 

“Quite honestly, she said, she wasn’t interested,” Mr. Bradshaw said, “However, I thought perhaps if you encouraged her.” 

Shane laughed at him and said, “You’re barking up the wrong tree. What kind of fool do you think I am? I would be the last person to encourage my wife to take our daughters, leave our home and go on the road eight to ten months out of the year. My work is here and what about our marriage?  You are a lunatic sir, and this conversation is over. I have patients waiting, good day.”

Shane walked out and left him standing. Shane made it home early and brought a bouquet of roses for his wife. “What’s the occasion?” Stacey asked.

“Does there have to be one for me to say, I love you?” Shane asked.  Neither of them ever spoke of Mr. Bradshaw.

Chapter-54

Visitors

The last week in November, Stacey’s Aunt Tracy, Uncle Alan, Rebecca and Robby came to visit and see the twins. Alan had made reservations at a resort in Austria for a weekend of skiing. Hugh, Annie and little Matthew were invited too. Stacey and Annie spent most of their time at the hotel.  Stacey finally talked Annie into skiing while she watched the three little ones. Stacey didn’t mind, as she wasn’t much of a skier anyway. She was more into snowboarding. Along with Eric, Tony, Rich and some of her cousins, they would go to New Mexico for a week in January. Stacey always had a good time, but she liked summer and water skiing better. She did let Shane watch the girls for and hour or so while, she snowboarded with Robby and Rebecca.

Aunt Lora and Richard flew to Texas to spend Thanksgiving with her brothers and their families.  Lora knew she and Richard would be needed at home for Christmas as her brother, Bradley, his wife Jackie, as well as Stacey’s parents would be coming to England for Christmas.  Stacey’s grandparents would be staying with her and Richard.

Lora and Richard returned from Texas two days before Tracy and family left London. Aunt Lora invited everyone over for dinner. Stacey was upstairs nursing the babies when Rebecca came up to join her. She said, “Boy, Aunt Lora sure hit the jackpot when she married Richard. Did she know he was rich?” 

“No, I don’t think she did. She knew he wasn’t poor, but this came as quite a surprise, along with Wilkes and Mavis.” 

Rebecca laughed and said, “They’re sure a snooty pair. You would think this place belonged to them.” 

“I know they seem that way, but they both are devoted to Aunt Lora after what happened last Christmas.”

Stacey and Shane’s company had been gone about two weeks when the incident happened. Stacey went to check on the babies, they were in the playpen in the living room. Stacey saw Jackie was asleep and Jessie was drinking juice from her bottle. Stacey turned to go back to the kitchen when something stopped her. She looked at the babies again, then tiptoed to Shane’s study where he was answering e-mails.  Stacey crooked her index finger for him to come look.  He did, but he didn’t see what Stacey saw. Stacey pushed Jackie’s hair back a little so Shane could see the tiny rosebud birthmark. Jessie was asleep and Jackie had seized her bottle. Stacey and Shane looked at each other and started laughing, wondering how long their little minx had been drinking from a bottle on the sly.

Chapter-55

Christmas

Stacey had been busy with Christmas shopping and trying to get the flat decorated for the holidays. Her mom and dad plus the Flemming grandparents were coming over for the holidays. She had finally gotten all of her Christmas cards in the mail. Mr. Chen, was in Hong Kong with his cousin and Eric and Jennifer were joining her parents at a resort in Thailand.  Eric and Jen had sent the cutest little pajamas and shoes for the girls from China.  Eric wrote almost every week telling Stacey about the site and how he and Jennifer were very excited to be excavating there. Eric wrote in his e-mail, “I’m learning Chinese, baby cakes, so when we get back, I’ll be able to speak Chinese and keep up with you and Mr. Chen.”

Stacey’s family arrived on the twentieth, of December. There was much laughing, hugging and talking. The twins had grown so much since Stacey’s mom and dad had been there. Stacey’s grandparents were captivated by the two little darlings. Grandad Flemming, said right away; “These two shall be my favorite great granddaughters.” 

Everyone laughed; because no matter how many great-grandchildren he might have, he will tell them all, they are his favorite.

Shane’s parents, along with Grandmother McLeod and Mrs. Beebe arrived on the morning of the twenty-fourth. The twins became cranky after being held and passed around so much. In self-defense they slept like two little angels when put to bed. Shane had helped Stacey carry the twins upstairs; and said, “I think our lasses are a wee bit tired of being shifted about.” 

“Yes, I agree,” Stacey said, “But which one of us is gonna tell those loving people, ‘hands off,’ so to speak.”

“That is a dilemma,” Shane agreed, then suggested. “How about you do it.” 

“I don’t think so,” Stacey said. “There’s gotta be another way.” 

Aunt Lora was standing in the nursery doorway; and said, “Don’t you two worry about it, I’ll take care of it. Diplomatically, of course.”

Christmas was a wonderful celebration. The flat was a happy, festive place filled with love.  Shane sat and watched all these wonderful people in his life. His life before Stacey and his tiny daughters seemed so insignificant. Of course, he loved his work and still did, however, now there was more to life, happiness and contentment than he’d ever dreamed.  How could he have thought he was happy before Stacey came into his life?

The morning after Christmas day, Shane’s family took the train to Yorkshire to join Leddy and John for New Years celebration.  Stacey’s family would be staying until after the New Year. Stacey had just put the babies down for a nap when they heard on the TV about the tsunami in Southeast Asia. As Stacey came down the stairs, her mom asked, “What resort in Thailand are Jennifer and Eric meeting her parents?” 

“Phuket,” Stacey said. “Why?” 

“There’s been a bad tsunami in southeast Asia,” Shane said as he came to stand beside her. Stacey just stood motionless with her eyes on the TV. Finally, she said, “They’re okay, they’re okay. I would know if they weren’t okay.” 

The rest of the day was spent listening to the news and watching the devastation the tsunami caused. Stacey was quiet and went about her duties as if she were programmed.

Jessie knew Shane was worried about her. She told him, “She’s willing her mind and body for them to be okay.” 

“What if their not?” Shane asked.

Jessie took a deep breath and shook her head. Other than Scooby, Stacey had never lost a loved one other than her great grandparents when she was very young.

Stacey fed and rocked her babies. She refused to watch the TV, and Shane stayed by her side.  He wanted her to talk to him, but when she did, it was to reassure him, she was okay.  Stacey slept very little the night of the twenty-sixth.  The morning of the twenty-seventh her dad’s cell phone rang. It was Harlan. Everyone in the living room knew the unimaginable truth by the look on Sam’s face. He glanced upstairs, then told them what Harlan said, “Mr. Chen heard about the tsunami. He called on Eric’s cell phone. Jennifer answered. She was frantic, she had forgotten her scarf and ran back to the hotel to get it. While she was upstairs, the tsunami hit with no warning.  It took out the first two floors of the hotel. There were no stairs left and no way for her to get down to go look for her parents and Eric. Mr. Chen and his cousin chartered a seaplane to get there. He’s with Jennifer now.  They found Eric and her parents.  Jen has a broken leg, she tried to swing down a chandelier cable to go look for Eric and her parents before Le got there.”

Stacey’s mom and Gram were both crying. Her dad looked up toward the stairs and there Stacey stood. Shane was standing right behind her. He had gone to the bathroom and when he came out Stacey was standing on the stairs listening. He didn’t stop them talking, he thought perhaps this was the best way to tell her. Stacey’s body slowly swayed as her knees gave way and she sat down on the top step as the room tilted gently. Shane reached out to steady her, then sat down beside her and took her in his arms. He waited for her to start crying, but she didn’t.

Grandad came over to the stairs and said, “I just talked to my boys, sugar. We’re gonna go get’em and bring them home.” 

“Thank you, Grandad.”

Stacey’s dad and grandad were on their phones changing reservations to fly back to Houston early. This was unreal. How could Eric be gone, Stacey wanted this to just be a bad dream. Calmly she said, “Mom go with them, Jen is gonna need you. Shane is here with me, so don’t worry.” 

“Do you want me to stay with you too, darling?” 

“No, Gram, you go too. I have Shane, I’ll be fine.” 

Aunt Lora called and assured everyone that she and Richard would be standing by if needed. She told Jessica, “The enormity of the situation hasn’t sunk in yet. Stacey is strong, but we’ll be here for her and help her and Shane in anyway we can.”

Stacey heard her grandad talking on his cell phone. He said, “Hello Barbara, this is Bradley Flemming. Yes, thank you, and your family? Good, good. May I speak with George? George, Bradley Flemming here. It’s this tsunami mess. My boys are flying in over there to pick up my foster grandson and his girl...