Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) (6 page)

Chapter Nine

Beth

“Oh my god, Bethy! I want to hear everything.” Amy has been chattering non-stop since I told her about having Mason come over because of my paranoia.

“He insisted on staying until you returned today. I hope that’s okay.” My eyes flicker to her, but she just grins in return.

“Of course it’s okay. We’re not at Mom’s house. You’re welcome to have male company over,” she says with a laugh.

“You should have seen him outside playing with Isla yesterday. He’s so good with her.”

“I told you he was a good guy. When’s he coming back over? We need to throw something together. How about tonight?”

“Amy, you and Nate just got back from your trip. I’m sure Nate doesn’t want company over.”

Amy waggles her eyebrows. “You must not realize who’s really in charge here.”

A loud chortle escapes my lips as I move in closer to my sister and wrap my arms around her. “I love you, honey. You know that, right?”

“I love you too, Beth.”

“Okay. I’ll let you plan something, but next weekend, okay?”

Amy sticks out her lip in a pout, which is soon replaced by a yawn. I point a finger at her and give her an “I told you so” look as she nods her head in agreement.

“Okay, okay. Maybe I am a bit tired. Ugh, who decided camping was a vacation option anyway? My idea of camping is going to a nice hotel where someone makes your bed.”

“But isn’t it Nate who makes your bed now?”

“You know what I mean.” Amy waves her hand through the air, giggling.

“Since I know you’re tired, why don’t you head upstairs and take a nap? I’ll get dinner together and wake you when it’s ready.”

Amy gives me a soft smile as another yawn comes from her lips. “I can help you get something ready…”

“Absolutely not.” I grab her shoulders and turn her around so she’s facing the stairs. “You go upstairs. I’ve got this.”

“Sure, okay. Thanks.”

“Amy?”

She stops midstride, half on one of the steps to the upstairs landing. When she meets my gaze, I give her the brightest smile I remember having in a long time.

“Thank you.”

She dips her head in acknowledgement, the understanding of how much I appreciate what she’s doing for me being spoken without any more words.

Once she’s upstairs, I head to the kitchen. Both of the kids are down for an afternoon nap and Nate ran into town to check on the salon. I search around in the pantry for various ingredients, eventually finding everything I need to make a lasagna.

My cell phone rings from the other room, so I run into the den to grab it. Mason’s name becomes visible when I lift the phone. Swiping the small line at the bottom to answer, my voice is cheery when I say hello.

“Hey, Beth. I just wanted to make sure Nate and Amy made it back okay.”

“They did. Thanks for checking. They pulled in about an hour ago.”

“That’s great.” He pauses for a brief moment, a sweet silence drifting between us. My thoughts race back to my teenage years when I would just sit and listen to my boyfriend breathe on the other end of the phone. A rush of heat floods over me as I find myself thinking about Mason in terms of a boyfriend.

“Mason,” I say softly into the phone.

“Yeah?”

“I had a wonderful weekend.”

“Me too,” he says with a soft laugh. “I hope you’ll call me again when you get scared.”

“Is that the only time I can call you?” The flirtatious tone I use is fun. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself to get close to a guy. But Mason’s different than the others. I can tell that just from being around him. He’s caring, kind, and handsome. Everything I could ever want in a man. The fact that he and Isla get along is a cherry on top of this sundae.

“You can call me anytime.” Sincerity is clear in his tone. “I hope that you will.”

“Okay, I will.”

“Good. I’d like that.” His reply is raspy and filled with unspoken emotion. “I’d like to take you out, if that’s okay.”

“When?”

“What about next Friday night?”

“I can probably do that. I’ll see if Amy can watch Isla for me.”

“Bring her along.”

“Really?” I wonder if my ears are playing tricks on me.

“Yes, really,” he replies. “We’ll go to Chuck E. Cheese’s or someplace like that. She’ll love it.”

My heart thumps loudly in my chest. Nervous energy fills my body at the realization of how truly wonderful Mason is. I can’t ever remember meeting a guy that was interested in getting to know Isla, except those trying to get in my panties. Since Mason has technically already been there, the fact that he’s still interested only confirms my thoughts about him.

“That sounds like fun. She will love it. Friday night it is.”

“Great!” His voice is loud and excited. “Sorry.”

“I’m excited too.”

“I’ll text you later, and we can work out a time.”

“Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Mason.”

“Talk to you later.” He hangs up and I carry the phone back with me into the kitchen, setting it on the island. As I’m preparing dinner, a huge grin is plastered across my face the entire time. Suddenly, the week can’t pass fast enough.

~**~

When Friday night finally arrives, I greet Mason at the door after he gets to the house. Isla and Natey are playing with a box of large, plastic blocks. They’re attempting to make a large tower. They never quite succeed as one of them always manages to accidently bump the blocks and everything tumbles down.

“Hi, Mason.”

“These are for you.” He steps through the doorway and hands me a large bouquet of pink roses. Leaning over, he pecks my cheek before stepping back.

“They’re beautiful. Thank you so much.” I smile and begin to wonder what Mason’s flaw is. He’s almost too perfect. “Let me just put them in water. I’ll be right back.”

As I walk to the kitchen, I hear Nate and Amy say hello. By the time I find a vase and fill it with water, there is a large commotion coming from the den.

Isla runs up to me. “Mr. Mason says Natey can come too!” She’s bouncing up and down on her toes, grinning from ear to ear.

“He did?”

“I don’t know,” Amy says. “I’m sure you don’t want to keep up with both of them when you’re trying to spend time together.”

“It’s perfectly fine,” Mason says, his eyes lighting up as the kids start running around in excitement.

“This is gonna be so cool,” Natey says to Amy.

“Honey, why don’t you stay home with me and Daddy?”

Natey looks at her like he’s crazy. “I was just with you and Daddy.”

Isla looks from me to Mason with a terrified expression because her best friend might not be joining us.

“How about we all go?” Mason’s suggestion puts a smile back on the kids’ faces.

“Oh, no… We couldn’t interrupt your evening,” Nate says as Amy shakes her head.

“Nonsense. The more the merrier. Really.” Mason waves his hand in the air to brush away their concern. “You should come.”

I look from Amy and Nate back to Mason. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Mason takes my hand in his. “I just want to spend time with you, Beth. It doesn’t matter if we’re alone or with your family. I’m happy either way.”

“Okay.” I want to melt into him. “Then it’s settled. Let’s all go.”

“Yay!” Both kids start running around the living room with their hands flailing in the air. They’ve obviously had too much sugar today. Nate and Amy agree to take the two kids with them in Amy’s new Expedition so I can ride with Mason.

“You really are sweet to let everyone tag along.” I turn my head toward him and rest it on the seat.

Mason reaches over and places his hand on mine, giving it a light squeeze.

“I told you. I just want us to spend some time together. Besides, I love Nate and Amy and Natey. They’re great. I could think of worse company to have on a Friday night.”

“Still, you didn’t have to be so great about it. Not many guys would be.”

“I’m not most guys,” he says in all seriousness.

No, you’re not
. Settling back, our ride to the restaurant turns into easy conversation about his week at the bakery.

“I’ve never really had the talent to bake pastries before. Is it difficult?” I’m a little intimidated by his culinary talents.

“You should come by sometime, and I’ll show you around. Becca and Aaron are great. I don’t know how I would survive without them.”

“Sounds like you have a good crew then.”

“Absolutely. You’d like Becca, I think. She’s spunky like you.”

I can’t help but chuckle at his description of me. I don’t think of myself as spunky, more like cowardly and weak.

No… I will not let memories of JR ruin this night for me with this perfect guy. Pushing all thoughts of the past away for the moment, I refocus on Mason as he tells me about how he helped set Aaron up with some waiter at a pub they frequent.

His eyes seem to sparkle when he talks about his family and friends. Wherever this guy has been hiding and whoever let him go, I’m grateful that he’s come into my life. I just hope he stays for a while.

Chapter Ten

Carly

“It was amazing.” I’m practically gushing to Christina as I run my shears across the bottom of her long, auburn hair to grab a few stray hairs. “The lights, the music, the atmosphere. It was like a party all the time. I can’t wait to go back.”

“I’m so jealous,” she says in a high pitched whine. “Ugh, I wish my boyfriend would take me to New Orleans. Hell, I wish he’d take me anywhere. All he wants to do is come home and sit in front of the TV all night.”

“Well, you have to make it happen.” I pull out a brush for a final check. “It’s too much fun to miss. You have to go sometime. You’ll love it.”

“I will… May have to make it a girl’s weekend.” Christina’s eyes gleam with mischief as I pull off the drape from around her neck. She gives her style a quick fluff with her hands before giving me a quick hug and heading toward the front to pay her bill.

Amy walks over from her chair, seeming to waddle back and forth. She’s so ready to have this baby, but she loves being pregnant too.

“How’s baby today?” I ask, putting my hand on her stomach.

“Restless and literally getting on my nerves. I think the baby likes to sprawl out right against my lower back and then kick.” Amy’s weary eyes don’t hide her exhaustion.

“Come on.” I spin my chair towards her. “Mommy needs a fresh haircut.”

“Oh, god. Yes, she does.” Amy pulls at the strands of hair covering the side of her face. “I don’t even know what to do but throw it up in some messy ponytail anymore.” She blows her long bangs from in front of her eyes. “Have at it. Anything will be better than this hot mess.”

“Not to worry. I know just the look.” I start working on Amy’s hair, remembering a cute, shoulder-length style I saw on a young woman in the French Quarter that would look perfect on Amy.

“How are things?” Amy has a loving smile on her face. She was almost as relieved that we found Noah as Max and I were. She really cares about all her friends like we’re blood.

I turn her back so she can’t see herself in the mirror. I don’t want her to panic and get emotional before I’ve given her a finished look.

“Things are good. I’m so glad to have Noah back. Max won’t admit it, but I think not having Noah around made him feel like he had lost part of his soul.”

“Well, you can tell they’re close. I can’t imagine what it would be like if Nate left, and we’ve only known each other for a few years. Max and Noah have lived together for practically their entire lives.”

“Yeah, I try not to think about it anymore.” I make the first cut of Amy’s hair. “How about you? Do you have the nursery ready yet?”

Amy visibly brightens at the mention of the nursery. “Oh, yes. Nate put up a crib the other week and since Beth has been around, she’s helped me pick out bedding and outfits. Of course, we’re only getting a few things in yellows and greens, since we don’t want to know the baby’s sex, but we have enough to get by for the first couple weeks.”

“That’s great.” I rotate her slightly in the chair and start working on her bangs, trimming them above her eyes and making them angle slightly across her forehead.

“I’m excited…and ready. God, if this baby doesn’t hurry up, I don’t think I’ll make it. I could have killed Nate for not bringing something to make the bed at the cabin more comfortable. I wound up sleeping in the chair for most of the night.”

“How horrible.” I grimace and shake my head. Poor thing.

“I know. Luckily, it was only for two nights.”

“And how’s your sister?”

“Beth’s good. You know she and Ma―”

“I knew it,” I say with a grin. “I knew he had to be seeing someone. I could tell.”

“He didn’t tell you?” Amy looks worried about spilling his secret.

“No, that brat! He should know better than to try to keep it from me. After the grief he gave Max and Noah.”

Amy’s eyes widen. “Well, uh, I probably—”

“Oh, I won’t do anything to Beth. She’s sweet and I really like her based on the few times I’ve gotten to meet her. But that brother of mine on the other hand.” I pump my fist in the air like I’m angry.

Amy laughs. “Okay, but you didn’t hear it from me.”

Amy closes her eyes and lets me work on her hair. After thirty minutes, I’m happy with what I’ve created.

“Ready?” I spin her back around toward the mirror.

Amy opens her eyes and appears shocked by her new look. “Oh my god, Carly. I love it!”

“And it should be easy for you to fix in the morning. Just throw some styling cream and a brush through it and you’ll be all set.”

She pulls herself out of the chair and gives me a huge hug, fresh tears falling down her face. “Thank you. It’s just what I needed.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

Amy practically bounces in front of me. “I can’t wait to show Nate. He’ll love it too.”

“You look great. I saw this style and just knew it would be perfect for you. Now we can see your face in full pregnancy-glowing glory.”

“Speaking of glowing.” Amy looks at me with a pointed expression. “You seem to be doing that a bit yourself today.”

“Well, Noah’s back.” I chuckle sheepishly, suddenly embarrassed to be referring to all the great sex I’ve been having lately.

“I don’t know.” She eyes me up and down. “You look different than before.”

“Probably because we’re doing it all the time.” I can’t help but laugh as Amy gives me wide-eyed look.

“Maybe,” she says, walking back over to her station and preparing for her next client.

Amy’s comments have me looking at myself in the mirror. Am I glowing? I’ve been feeling a little tired lately so I should look exhausted more than anything. My mind starts to count down days in my head.

It couldn’t be… Could it?

I pull out my phone and check the calendar. Flipping back through the weeks, I look for the red label I always add when I start my period. I used to have issues with being regular so my doctor had me start tracking when I was in college and the habit stuck. After searching longer than I expect, I find it.

Six weeks ago.

Is that right? Contemplating the past month, maybe I forgot to note it with everything happening with Noah and the search. I was distracted so it’s not impossible that I forgot to write down when my last period came.

Although, I’m fairly positive it’s been longer than a few weeks since I last had it. In fact, it does seem like it was over a month ago. Maybe the stress I’ve been under lately is causing me to become irregular again. That’s the most likely scenario.

Over and over, the past several weeks play out in my head. The trip to New Orleans, the weeks leading up to us leaving. My training trip was just over a month ago… and my last period was a few weeks before that so the timing does work.

Holy shit.

The realization that I could be pregnant finally hits me and my stomach becomes queasy.

“Are you okay?” Amy asks from across the way.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I busy myself at my station, thinking about how I need to hit the first pharmacy I come across before heading home.