Saving Abby (8 page)

“Why would you do this?” Millie took the remaining unwrapped items and set them on the floor. “Why do this to yourself?”

“It’s Jack’s birthday, Mom. I needed to do something to celebrate it.” Claire held a book in her hand and stared at the image on the cover, a little boy surrounded by toys.

“Jack? That’s what you named him? I thought—” Millie shook her head as she took the book from Claire’s hands. “I thought you understood that his family would pick his name?”

“I did. I do. But I still . . . he was still my little boy, Mom. I needed to give him a name from me.”

Millie nodded as she processed that. “Jack, huh? I’ve always liked that name. It’s strong. But honey, you can’t be doing this. It’s not healthy. Let it go and move on, remember?”

Let it go and move on. Her mother’s favorite mantra when it came to anything unpleasant. Let it go and move on. Except, how could you let it go and move on if you’ve never dealt with it in the first place?

“We all have our own ways of dealing with things, Mom. You like to pretend it never happened. But I need to face it.”

Millie sighed. “I don’t pretend, Claire. I just choose not to dwell on what happened. And you shouldn’t either. Come on. Let’s go get dinner. I made reservations at a new Italian restaurant that’s getting rave reviews. Why don’t you hop in the shower and get ready, and I’ll tidy up a little.” Millie gathered the plate and cup she’d left on the coffee table and headed to the kitchen.

“Can we make a stop first?” Claire glanced at the wrapped gifts. “There’s a group home nearby I’d like to drop these off at, if you don’t mind.”

Millie stopped but didn’t turn around. “What kind of group home?”

From the way she asked, it sounded as if she already knew what Claire would say, but that wasn’t possible, was it? Did her mother know about her monthly donations?

“For pregnant teenagers who have been kicked out of their homes, like I was.”

“You weren’t kicked out, Claire. Stop being so melodramatic.” Millie sighed and walked away.

Claire fumed. She was being melodramatic, was she? As far as she was concerned, the moment her pregnant belly could no longer be concealed, she’d been forced to move into their summer cottage, away from family and friends, to live in seclusion. She’d stayed behind when her mother ran errands, drove three hours to a city hospital so she wouldn’t be recognized, and then had given up her child.

She wondered if her mother still felt she was being melodramatic even after all these years.

She opened her eyes and watched her mother putter in the garden, tending to flowers that were doing fine on their own. When Millie turned, Claire gave her a little wave.

“It’s a bit warm out here.” Millie shielded her eyes from the sun. “How about I put the kettle on and make us a nice pitcher of homemade iced tea.” She stood.

“You know his birthday is coming up,” Claire said quietly. “Each year gets a little bit easier, but it’s still like a knife in the heart.” Claire sat up in her chair and leaned forward. “Do you ever think of him?”

“The things you ask some days.” Millie shook her head. She squeezed Claire’s shoulder. “Of course I do, Claire. He’d almost be the age you were when you had him. I’m sure he’s had a very full life with his family.”

“And there’s that knife twisting,” she mumbled as her mother walked away.

“Oh Claire. You’re your own worst enemy,” Millie said with a hint of sadness as she walked into the house, the screen door closing behind her with a loud bang.

NINE

MILLIE

Present day

M
illie didn’t know what was going on with her daughter, but she wasn’t leaving here tonight until she found out.

For days, weeks even, she’d listened to Josh worry and fret over Claire’s health, keeping her up-to-date on any little thing, like how much she slept or how little she ate. But today . . . nothing. Josh seemed calm about everything, and Claire seemed quite chipper and not as exhausted.

If she didn’t know any better, she’d say Claire was pregnant.

No.
She immediately dismissed the thought. Claire would have told her by now, especially after she had reminisced about the time when she was pregnant with Claire. That would have been the perfect time to tell her.

So if she wasn’t pregnant, what was it? Did they get a new book deal? Were they going to go ahead with adopting a baby?

Little flutters of hope had Millie clasping her hands together. Maybe that was it. Maybe Claire decided she didn’t want to wait after all.

When Josh walked through the front door, arms laden with bags of groceries, Millie was there to help him.

“Welcome home.” She beamed at him.

“Um, thanks.” Josh gave her a quizzical look, which she ignored.

The moment she’d met Josh, she’d sized him up and known immediately he was the right man for her daughter. He was a partner in life, not a dictator. He worshiped the ground Claire walked on, and that was fine by her.

“Why don’t you let me take care of dinner tonight? You go out and relax with my daughter. I know you’re working hard on your deadlines”—she patted him on the cheek—“and could use some good homemade food.”

“We don’t eat out every night.” Josh followed her into the kitchen and set the bags on the counter. “I do burgers on the grill too you know.”

“Of course you do.” She rummaged in the bags, looking through the food he’d bought. Lots of vegetables, some chicken, and a squash.

“I thought I’d grill the chicken and vegetables.” Josh started to unload the bags before Millie swatted his hands away.

“I’ve a better idea.”

“Okay then. I’ll leave it all in your awesome hands.” Josh leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek. “There’s some mint tea chilling in the fridge.” He eyed the kettle she had put on the stove.

“Mint tea sounds perfect right about now.”

While Millie sorted the vegetables and finalized her plan for dinner, Josh headed out to the patio and gave Claire a hug. Millie couldn’t hear what they said, but she caught the way Claire shook her head and Josh glanced back toward her.

Her ears should be burning, but she decided to ignore whatever was going on. If she were right—and let’s admit it, she often was—hopefully she could get it out of them tonight. Over dessert.

Which reminded her . . . finding out you were going to be a grandmother, again, merited a celebratory cake.

“Mom?”

Millie turned at the sound of Claire’s voice. She saw her daughter pop her head up from the hammock she was resting in.

“Are you cooking dinner?” Claire swung her legs over the side and yawned. “Let me help.” She gave her head a small shake, wiped her eyes, and yawned again.

“Don’t you even bother yourself. Stay in that hammock and just relax.”

“We invited you over for dinner, not to cook it.” Millie joined Claire in the hammock, and they swung together in silence.

“Honestly, what can I do to help?” Claire said.

“Nothing. I’ve got it all prepped. I was just about to make dessert, and no, you can’t help me.”

Her daughter groaned.

“What’s wrong?” Millie squeezed her daughter’s hand.

“I just got hit with a killer headache.” Claire massaged her temple. “I’ve never had so many headaches as I have these past two months.”

Millie didn’t like the sound of that. “Have you talked to Abby about it?”

“No. They’re just headaches. Maybe it’s time for a good massage and a visit to the chiropractor.”

“Sweetheart, you’ve never been one for headaches. Ever. You get that from me. If you’re getting a lot of them, you need to tell Abby. You might need more than just an adjustment and a massage.”

“Oh, but have you seen the new massage therapist at the clinic? I seriously think I need a massage.” Claire’s eyes twinkled.

“I heard that,” Josh yelled out the kitchen window.

Claire blushed while Millie laughed.

“Keep him on his toes, girl. It does a marriage good.” The moment Millie said it she winced. Who was she to give her daughter marriage advice?

“So,” she said to break the awkwardness. “I’d better get busy.”

“Seriously, let me help. I’m not an invalid,” Claire said as she hopped out of the hammock and then held her hand out for Millie.

Millie ignored the help and stood up, letting the hammock drop from beneath her. “I never said you were. But you’re exhausted. Don’t bother denying that. While we both know Josh is more than capable of making dinner, you’re probably ready for something other than barbecued beef, right?”

“I heard that too,” Josh yelled.

“That boy had better not be messing with that food,” Millie muttered.

“Oh, you have no idea. I was going to say we should go to the Wandering Table if he suggested another burger.”

The Wandering Table was a cute diner owned by one of Claire’s old friends from school. Gloria used only fresh, local ingredients. Millie approved of that restaurant, unlike the greasy spoon at the edge of town where everything was fried.

“Gloria would probably offer to make you anything you craved.”

Claire laughed. “She would. She thinks I’m too thin as it is.”

“But you’re eating, right?”

Claire shook her head. “Not really. Josh makes me eat at least one meal, which is usually either lunch or dinner, and then the rest are protein drinks. I’m just not hungry, Mom.”

Millie patted the hand resting on Claire’s stomach. “It’s okay. As long as you’re getting something into your body, you’re fine.” She almost said
baby
but caught herself.

“What’s for dinner?” Claire asked.

“Chicken Alfredo, but instead of pasta, I’m using spaghetti squash. And cake.” She sat up. “Which reminds me. I’m making it from scratch, so I better get started.”

“What kind of cake?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe coconut cream?” She tipped her head toward her daughter, knowing it was her favorite.

“I love you, Mom.” Claire covered her mouth as she yawned again. “You’re the bestest, you know that, right?”

“Oh honey, I know. Now, come with me, and we’ll get you something to help with that headache.” She recalled the mint tea in the fridge. That would help. She’d also talk to David, and see if he recommended anything else.

With the cake cooling on the rack, Millie prepared the chicken all the while keeping an eye on her daughter. Claire had to be sleeping again. She hadn’t stirred for the past half hour in the hammock.

Josh stopped in the kitchen doorway as he caught the aroma of freshly baked cake. “Something smells delicious.” Dropping his notebook on the counter, he said, “That’s not chocolate.” He crossed his arms and frowned.

“No, it’s not.” Millie smiled to herself as she shook her head at him.
Most men are like little kids when it came to their expectations. If they don’t get their way, they pout.

“When you said cake, I assumed you meant chocolate.” His gaze narrowed as he scrutinized the kitchen, and then he went over to peer into the oven.

“No, Josh, there isn’t another cake in there.” Millie chuckled. “The last cake I made was chocolate. Don’t you think it’s Claire’s turn this time?”

His nose scrunched up. “Coconut cream?”

She nodded.

He sighed. “Next time you’ll make a cake I like, right? Please?”

“Go on with you.” Millie swatted his arm. “I make you plenty of desserts your wife doesn’t eat. How about those chocolate peanut butter cupcakes I brought over last week? Or the key lime pie I made to welcome you home from your trip?”

“True.” He sighed again, drooping his shoulders melodramatically. “Fine. Let my darling wife have her cake. She deserves it.” The moment he said the words, his eyes lit up.

For a moment, Millie’s heart stopped. He almost said something. She could feel it.

“On that note—I have something for my girl to read, so I’d better make sure she’s awake,” he said as he headed for the patio.

Millie loved to watch the two together. Their love for one another was always sparkling between them, so alive. Seeing them—how good they were together, how in love even after everything they’d been through—gave Millie hope. Not hope for herself, she didn’t need that, but for her daughter. That she would always be loved and treasured.

If anyone deserved it, it was Claire.

Millie moved closer to the open kitchen window. She wasn’t one to consider eavesdropping beneath her, not when there was something for her to learn.

“Hey, beautiful. I’ve got some pages for you to read.” Josh leaned over and gave Claire a lingering kiss.

Her daughter murmured something before Josh pulled up a chair and raised his legs so his feet rested in the hammock.

“What do you think of Alethea? We could call her Thea,” he said.

Millie leaned closer.

“We can add it to the list at least. Or Zane for a boy.” Josh pulled out a little notepad he had in his back pocket and wrote in it.

Hmmm. Name hunting could mean one of two things. They were searching for names for a new character, something they normally let their followers on Facebook help with, or they were thinking of names for a baby.

She prayed it was for a baby.

After dinner and while they lingered over the coconut cream cake, Millie watched her daughter intently, catching the little hand movements toward her belly, the glances between Claire and Josh. They had a secret.

She hated not knowing secrets.

“Did you hear that Matt and Melissa are having another baby?” Millie leaned back in her chair and sipped at the coffee Josh had made.

Claire’s hand stilled as she was about to take a bit of cake. “They are?”

“This will be baby number four. I wonder what they’ll call this one.” She smiled at the thought. Matt and Melissa owned the local bookstore in town called Something Different. They tended to name their babies after famous authors.

“I remember Matt telling me he always wanted to name a son Tennyson.” Josh winked at Claire before he smiled at Millie.

Millie smiled back. “Who knows, maybe they’ll actually have a boy this time. Tennyson is a nice name.” She took another bite of her cake, keeping her gaze locked on the dessert plate in front of her. “I always thought Elliot would make a nice name for a boy or Avery for a girl.”

“Avery”—Claire hesitated for only a second but one that felt like forever—“is a nice name. Maybe we can add it to our list, Josh?”

Millie almost choked.

“Avery is good. We could use it for either too.” There was hint of laughter in her son-in-law’s voice.

Millie looked up, struggling very hard to keep the smile off her face. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” she asked.

“Mom . . .”

“Yes, Claire?”

“There’s something we want to share with you.” Claire reached over and grabbed Josh’s hand. “I meant to tell you earlier, but . . .”

“It’s okay, honey.” Her daughter didn’t need to apologize for needing to bring up the past. No doubt it was very much present in her life right now.

“Mom, I’m pregnant.” Claire laughed as she made her announcement.

Millie shrieked, jumped up, and hugged her own baby, unable to contain her excitement any longer.

“I knew it!” She danced on the spot. “I’m so happy for you, for you both.” She reached for Josh’s hand and then realized that wasn’t enough. She skipped her way over to him, squeezing tight as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

“So you’re okay with being a grandma?” Josh asked, laughing at her.

He could laugh all he wanted. She didn’t care. This was a dream come true.

“Well, I’m not sure about the whole
Grandma
part. We’ll need to come up with a name that doesn’t make me feel old. But having a baby to love, absolutely.”

She went over to hug her daughter again. “I’m so happy for you, honey. You will be an amazing mom, full of love and laughter. This little one is a gift. One that will always be cherished. Always.”

“You knew, didn’t you?” Claire asked, her face beaming.

Millie nodded. “A mother always knows, sweetheart.”

“What about Xavier?” Josh tossed the name out of nowhere.

“As in X-Men Xavier, the one who could read minds?” Millie asked. She knew her son-in-law was a comic book junkie, but wasn’t that pushing it too far?

“What’s wrong with naming our child after a man with superpowers?” Josh sat down and leaned back, entwining his hands behind his neck and looking content.

“You’re not adding that one to the list,” Claire said.

Josh’s brows rose as his arms slowly came down, and he pulled out a notebook from his back pocket.

“Wanna bet? We made the deal that any name could go on the list. No name was a bad name. Remember?”