Sweet Serendipity (26 page)

Rebecca’s heart fluttered when she heard Riley talking about babies. She hoped her daughter wasn’t dropping hints.

“I know my sisters would love to meet you guys. It’s all I have heard about for the last few months now,” Ethan told her.

Ethan served them perfectly fluffy Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Riley dug right in and stuffed it into her mouth.

“Oh my God, Ethan, this is so yummy. We might have to keep you around if you can cook like this. Adam loves waffles, too.”

Riley smiled at Rebecca and took a bite of his own waffle. The three of them sat and had a nice breakfast together. The conversation flowed in a positive way. Riley expressed an interest in his gallery and asked if she could stop by and see the paintings. Ethan was happy to oblige and told her he would gladly show her anytime she wanted.

After Riley and Rebecca cleaned up the kitchen, Riley asked to borrow the car to go out for a while. Rebecca gave her the keys and asked her to be home before Adam got home so they could have a family dinner together.

“Sure thing, Mom. See you later, Ethan. Thanks for breakfast.”

She bounded out the door and Rebecca could hear the car pull out of the garage. She turned to Ethan and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you,” she said to him.

“You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad she likes me. She’s a good kid, Becca. You’ve done a great job with her. I can tell you guys are close.”

“We are. Sometimes she is the one who gives me advice. I think it’s because I had her when I was so young. Sometimes I like that, to her, I am a young mom. Adam, on the other hand, isn’t the easiest to get along with. He thinks I am a wicked witch right now.”

“No, he doesn’t. He’s just having a hard time adjusting to things, that’s all.” He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her as he laid his chin on her shoulder. She stared out into the backyard.

“It’s a beautiful view from here. I can see why you chose this house,” Ethan said to her.

“I did love it here, but it holds too many memories now. I’ve always been a beach person. I was debating selling the house. It’s just too much to keep up with.”

“That could be kind of hard for the kids, though. Don’t you think?”

“I’ve thought about that, too. That’s why it was only a thought.” She turned around to face him. “I met Vivian at your gallery opening. She says that she’s interested in representing me, and that you agreed to illustrate my children’s books.”

“Yes.”

“You had agreed to it before we were…us.”

“You are talented and your story was amazing. I still would have done the drawings for you no matter what happened between us. I have an eye for talent, remember?”

She leaned in and kissed him gently. He rested his forehead on hers and smiled.

“We have the house to ourselves. We could take advantage of it.”

Before he even finished his sentence, she was already running toward the stairs. He playfully chased her up and caught her just as she entered her bedroom. He half carried, half dragged them over to the bed. They collapsed on top of the bed and Rebecca giggled as she wrapped herself around him.

Ethan was in the shower and Rebecca was in her study when the phone rang. She picked it up.

“Hi, Em,” she said.

“Hey! How about if we come over this afternoon and throw some burgers on the grill? I can make potato salad, you can make macaroni salad, and Tasha can buy dessert. School is starting and this is our last summer day.”

“I think it sounds great. How about three-ish?”

“Great, I’ll call Tasha and we’ll see you then.”

Rebecca hung up the phone and pulled out a piece of paper. She began writing.

Ethan walked in the room and stood in the doorway admiring her. She was so deep in thought she didn’t realize he was standing there watching her. She finally looked up and smiled at him.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to disturb you; I was just admiring the view,” he told her.

She put her pencil down.

“I was feeling a little inspired, so I thought I’d jot it down before I forget it.”

“Do you mind if I look?” He asked her.

She turned the paper around and slid it across the desk. He smiled at her sketches and words.

“It’s a book about Brian.”

She smiled at the thoughts.

“To me, yes. For everyone else, it’s about angels. You inspired me with your painting of him.”

“I think it’s incredible. Do you want me to draw out some sketches?”

“Sure, if you don’t mind.”

He ran out to his car and came back with an artist’s pack.

“You never know when you need it,” he teased.

The rest of the morning passed quickly and they had come up with a first draft of Brian’s book. Rebecca looked at the clock and realized she still needed to make macaroni salad. She got out of her chair and looked over at Ethan.

“Why don’t you see if Ryan and Christine want to come over today?”

He looked up from his sketch.

“Really?”

“Well, if we are a couple now, then you should have your friends here, too. It shouldn’t be just about my little group.”

He hugged her.

“I love you, Becca.”

“I love you, too.” She liked the sounds of saying it to him.

Emily and James came into the kitchen. James shook hands with Ethan as Ethan offered him a beer. Emily smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Layla squirmed in her arms, so Rebecca grabbed her. She leaned down and kissed Andrew as he headed out the door to the trucks in the yard. Tasha and Micah entered the kitchen and greeted everyone. Ryan and Christine knocked gently as Tasha opened the door with a big smile.

“We don’t knock here, we just enter.” They walked in and immediately walked to Rebecca and Ethan. Ethan greeted them and introduced them to the others. Christine handed her a box filled with all different flavored cupcakes.

“These are unreal. Did you make these?” Rebecca asked.

I sell them out of my kitchen,” Christine told her.

“You need to open a little shop.”

“At some point I would love to, but not yet. I just enjoy the small scale cooking right now. I take special orders for parties and things. It’s good for now.”

They set up outside and everyone was getting along great. Riley and Ashlee came out on the patio with a little Yorkie puppy. Tasha shot up and shook her head.

“Where the hell did that thing come from?”

Ashlee giggled.

“Dad got her for me.”

“Great! Where is it going to live?” She asked sarcastically.

“Mom…”

“Oh, alright Ashlee, but you are on sole poop patrol.”

The girls went over to the swing set and let the puppy run around the yard. Rebecca walked into the kitchen to grab all the condiments for the burgers. Ethan started up the grill. Christine followed Rebecca into the kitchen to help.

“Thank you for inviting us, Becca.”

“You don’t have to thank me. You just need to get used to it, though, because this crazy group gets together often. We are as close to family as family can get.”

“Well, I’m honored that you include us then. I have to admit that I never thought I’d see Ethan domesticated like this. He was always been a free spirit ever since Lena died.”

Rebecca stopped short.

“Who is Lena?”

Christine realized she touched upon something Rebecca and Ethan hadn’t discussed yet.

“Oh God, Becca. I’m sorry. I should have kept my mouth shut. I probably should leave the story to Ethan. I don’t want him upset with me.”

“Can you just tell me who she is?”

Christine looked uncomfortable.

“They were high school sweethearts. She died in a car accident. He was driving. He always felt responsible and he left after that. He travelled the world and didn’t look at another woman until you.”

The side door opened and Adam came in. Rebecca still had a stunned look on her face and a ton more questions to ask, but her thoughts were cut off by her son coming home. Adam walked right past her and looked out the door. He looked around then ran up the stairs to his room and slammed the door shut. Jack walked in and handed her his bag.

“Did something happen?” Rebecca asked.

“No. I don’t know how to explain it, but he gets these bursts of moods. I’m starting to get concerned that maybe we should talk to someone about it.”

“What does that mean, Jack?”

Christine excused herself and walked outside. Jack saw Ethan grilling in the backyard. He slowly closed his eyes and looked down at the floor.

“We’ll talk about it when you don’t have a house full of people. I am just concerned that maybe he has depression. He seems angry and withdrawn. He had no interest in doing anything anymore.”

“How come this is the first time you have mentioned it to me? I’ve told you about the way he was treating me and you told me not to worry about it, that it was a just a boy thing.”

“I thought it was. Only now I see him getting worse. I saw some marks on his leg. When I asked him what it was he told me he just scratched himself. It didn’t look right to me.”

“What are you saying? He cut himself? Do I have to worry that my baby is going to harm himself?”

“I’m just saying that I think we should call someone about it.”

“OK. I’ll call the pediatrician in the morning.”

Jack kissed her on her cheek and returned to his truck. Rebecca stood in the kitchen feeling like she had just been handed a bomb. She didn’t hear much of the conversation at the table. She had too much rattling around in her mind.

Tasha yelled out, “Earth to Becca!”

Rebecca looked over at her and had no reaction on her face.

“What’s up, chica?” Tasha asked. “You look like someone kicked your puppy.” She looked over at Ashlee. “No offense.”

“Mom…”

Rebecca shook her head.

“Nothing, Tasha. I guess I’m just not feeling well.” She got up and walked into the kitchen. Adam still hadn’t come out of his room since he got home. She was putting together a plate of food for him when Ethan walked in.

“What’s going on, Becca?”

She looked at him, but didn’t know what to say. She wanted to know about Lena. She wanted to tell him about Adam.

“I’m just going to bring Adam a plate of food.”

He watched her walk out the room and he stood there feeling helpless. Christine walked into the kitchen with an arm full of dishes. She looked at Ethan and felt guilty.

“Oh Ethan, I’m sorry.”

“What for, Christine?”

“I opened up my mouth and may have mentioned Lena.”

Ethan grumbled.

“Why would you bring her up?”

“I didn’t know that you hadn’t told her.”

“Why would I want to? That was so long ago. It’s not one of those things you just mention.”

“Ethan, you still blame yourself, and it wasn’t your fault. It’s OK to talk about her.”

“It’s something that I buried in my past. That’s where it belongs.”

He stormed off into the driveway and leaned against the side of his car.

Rebecca knocked on Adam’s door, but he didn’t answer. She waited a minute before she opened the door. The room was empty.

“Adam?” She called out. No answer. She looked through the rest of the upstairs but there was no sign of him. She hurried down the back stairs and ran into the backyard.

“Has anyone seen Adam? He’s not in his room.”

Everyone looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders. Riley ran up to her from out in the yard.

“What’s going on, Mom?”

“Your brother isn’t in his room. I can’t find him.”

“He came home?”

“Your dad dropped him off a while ago and he stormed off to his room. His lights are on, but he’s not here.”

“I’ll go look. Maybe he’s hiding somewhere and fell asleep.”

Riley ran off and Rebecca stood frantic. She hurried back into the house and began yelling out for Adam. She ran out into the driveway and saw Ethan sitting on the back of his car. He saw the panicked look on her face and hopped down.

“What happened?”

“Adam is gone.”

She pulled out her phone and called Jack. He answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Becky. What’s up?”

“Jack, is Adam with you?”