Winds of Heaven (23 page)

The cold water in her face broke her reverie. Skye laughed as Liz shrieked when Casey splashed water again. “Oh, you!”
 

Treading water, Casey grinned evilly. “You have to catch me first.”

“You just wait, Ms. Bennett. Once this baby is born, paybacks are a bi—”

“Ah, ah.” Casey wagged a finger in her direction as she walked out of the water. She absently reached behind and pulled at the bottom of her suit. Liz stared at Casey’s firm backside and felt the tingling sensation she hadn’t felt in quite some time.

After a wonderful dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers, and a good bath, Skye was sound asleep before the sun went down. Liz left the bedroom door ajar, then found Casey on the porch leaning on the railing, watching the sunset.

For an instant, she stood at the screen door and just watched her. The sounds of late summer echoed through the woods; the crickets chirped, the night birds called, and the light summer breeze whistled through the birch trees. Liz smiled and walked out onto the porch.

Casey turned to her. “
Shortround
was pooped.”

“Yes, she was. She had a full few days. I had to really keep her busy. She missed you very much.”

“I missed her, too,” Casey whispered. “I-I missed you, as well, Liz.”

“Thanks,” Liz said and avoided her face. “I missed you, too.”

Casey hid her grin as she turned back to look at the lake. Liz tried not to smile, but she couldn’t help it; she was happy. She then saw the tube of ointment lying on the railing. “What’s that?”

Casey followed her gaze. “Oh, it’s a lotion I use when I get sunburn. I thought you could use it.” She laughed and pointed to her shoulders. “You’re really red.”

Liz strained to see the back of her shoulders. “God, I nearly smothered Skye with it all week.”

“And completely forgot about yourself.” Casey reached for the tube. “Here, let me.”

Liz put her hand out to take the tube and Casey gently brushed her hand away. “Let me. You can’t reach it. Turn around.”

“Oh.” Liz did as Casey asked. She looked to the heavens to help her composure when she felt the cool lotion on her shoulders.

“It would be better if you didn’t have this tank top on,” Casey said in a low voice.

“Are you flirting with me, Ms. Bennett?” Liz asked, knowing her voice trembled. She tried to avoid the fluttering sensation in her stomach.

“I don’t know. Would that be a bad thing?”

“I don’t know.”

There was a moment of silence, then both women laughed.
 

“I guess this will have to do.”

“I guess.” Liz winced as a long sigh escaped at the same time. She immediately missed the gentle fingers when they finished. The spell was broken.

She turned around to find Casey frowning deeply. This was not what she expected to see. Liz had hoped at least to see Casey breathing heavily or perhaps her hands trembling.

“Thank you. I feel better already,” Liz said.

“You’re welcome.”

“It’s a beautiful sunset,” Liz whispered and stood next to her. “The lake is as smooth as glass tonight.”

“Maybe tomorrow we can take the rowboat out. Skye would like that.”

“Yes, she would.” Liz looked at Casey, who was looking at the lake. “Thank you, Casey.”

Casey looked down into her eyes. “For what?”

“For all you’ve done for me and for Skye. I’m not quite sure where I’d be right now.”

“Julie is to thank for that. I had no idea you existed.”

“I thought Julie told you about me.”

Casey cocked her head and thought about that. She smiled then. “Yes, she did. I suppose I had no idea that Liz Kennedy, compassionate mother and friend, existed. I had an abstract idea, but now I know you, how you are, what you think.” She shrugged and continued. “So, yes, I had no idea you existed.”

Liz said nothing for a moment. “You have a way about you, Ms. Bennett. I can see what Julie loved about you. I suppose we both should thank Julie.” Liz felt the tears well in her eyes. She desperately didn’t want to break this mood by blubbering like a fool. “I’ll thank her in my prayers tonight, along with you.” She felt as though she should leave before her hormones got the better of her and she said something she would regret.

“I will too,” Casey said.

Liz smiled and placed her hand over Casey’s. “I think I might turn in. Good night, Casey.”

Casey nodded. “Sleep well, Liz.”

Later that night, as Skye slept, Liz lay in the big bed and stared at the ceiling. She ran her hand over her stomach while wiping away her tears with the other. Though she and Casey were getting along better and they had a wonderful day, her head pounded, trying not to think of all that was to come and how she would manage alone. Though, if she were honest, Liz was always alone. Julie was constantly on the go. Being a pilot took her away more than Liz wanted, but she was never sure if it bothered Julie as much. She grunted sarcastically, apparently it did not. Liz’s pleading fell on deaf ears.
 

In the beginning, it was wonderful, as she imagined most new relationships were. Julie was an ardent lover and Liz reveled in her tenderness. Liz thought she found someone whom she could love and build a life with. Julie Bridges certainly seemed to fit the bill. However, in the following year, when Julie took the longer schedule and route with the airlines, it started to change. It was a slow, subtle change that seemed to take Liz by surprise. Perhaps she wasn’t giving Julie enough attention. Skye came into their lives early in their relationship. They had only been together for about two years when Barb and Steve died in that car accident. Everyone’s lives changed after that.

Liz had no idea how to be a mother, and though saddened by her parents’ death, Julie loved the idea of being a mom for Skye. Liz shook her head, staring now out the bedroom window—Julie loved being Skye’s playmate was more accurate.
  

Although motherhood had been thrust upon her, it came easily to Liz, easier than she could imagine. When she saw those adorable blue eyes, she fell in love with Skye. From that day, her well-being was paramount. It was just an enormous responsibility; she knew she was hard on Julie at times. And truth be told, Julie did try. There was a period of adjustment for all of them. Then things seemed to fall into place and they were happy. Julie took the job with the airlines because it was more money—money they needed. Yes, Liz thought and sighed tiredly, they were happy, they were a family. Then it all fell apart.

Her eyes grew heavy, lulled by Skye’s deep breathing. She reached over and placed her hand on Skye’s shoulder just to make contact. As she drifted off, Casey’s face crowded her mind and invaded her dreams.

“How much do you weigh?” Casey asked as they ate breakfast. She handed Skye a sausage link and the little blonde nodded enthusiastically as she took the offering.

Liz narrowed her eyes at Casey. “She can use a fork.”

Casey looked up and grinned. When she saw the scowl, she quickly took the sausage from Skye and cut it into little pieces, then handed Skye the fork.

“And I have no idea how much I weigh. Why do you ask?” Liz asked abruptly. She looked at her hand and flexed it a few times.

Casey heard the terse tone in Liz’s voice and could tell Liz was probably trying to control her raging hormones. By the way she was examining her hand, Liz more than likely felt bloated. She glanced down the hall to the bedroom, quelling the urge to run into the bedroom and find the correct chapter
Dorie
had advised her to read in
Understanding Her Pregnancy
.

“I just want to make sure you’re gaining enough weight, that’s all. Dr. Martin said you needed to keep an eye on it,” she said, feeling awkward and inept. Honestly, Casey had no clue what she was doing. This whole pregnancy thing was so beyond her.

Liz tossed down her napkin. “Will everybody relax about my gaining weight?”
 

Casey was shocked, and as she glanced at Skye, so was she. She wanted to say something but wisely shut up.

Liz took a deep breath. “I would love a cup of coffee, not decaf, regular coffee with cream and sugar! I want to be able to stand up without holding on to the table. I want to be able to walk and not waddle,” she continued, her voice rising with every word.

Casey and Skye just sat there gaping.

“I want to sleep through the night without shuffling to the bathroom every hour. I want control of my emotions once again. Yesterday, Skye and I were watching ‘The Three Stooges,’ and I started crying when Moe poked Curly in the eyes! I want to see my feet again,” she bellowed and buried her face in her hands.

Casey glanced at poor Skye, who was watching her mother with great curiosity.

Okay, mood swings, mood swings, Casey thought, reaching over to put her hand on Liz’s arm.

“I’m sorry. I’m fine, sweet pea,” Liz said as she sniffed and wiped her eyes with the napkin.

Skye lifted her bare foot. “Mama see my feet!”

Casey and Liz laughed outright. “Yes, baby, I see your feet.” She reached over and took the little foot in her hand and kissed her toes. “I love these toes,” Liz exclaimed and Skye shrieked with laughter.

Liz was still laughing while she struggled out of her chair. As she gathered the breakfast dishes, Casey stood. “Sit, I’ll clean up.”

“No, no. I want to. You play This Little Piggy with Skye,” she said with a challenging grin.

Casey felt the color rush to her face. Skye clapped her hands as she presented her bare foot to Casey. “Piggy, peas.”

Casey cleared her throat and glanced at Liz, who had her back to them as she washed the dishes.

“Okay,
Shortround
, here goes,” she started and held the little foot in her hand. “You have small feet,” she said in amazement, emitting a small giggle from the owner. “Anyway, this little piggy went to market—”

“Why?” Skye asked with a frown.

“I-I really don’t know,” Casey said and looked to Liz, who shrugged. “We’ll come back to that one. This is good. Now this little piggy stayed home and I don’t know why,” she added before Skye could ask. “This little piggy had roast beef. Maybe that’s why the other piggy went to market. This one,” she said and playfully tugged the wriggling toe, “ate all the roast beef, ’cause this one,” Casey announced with a self-satisfied air, “had none.”

Liz had turned off the water and leaned against the sink to hear the rest of Casey’s logical rendition. Casey sported a confident smile as she continued. Liz watched her daughter, who looked from her foot to Casey with great interest.

“Now this little piggy goes wee, wee, wee all the way home. Not quite sure why, though. Maybe she was at the market with the other one and…” She stopped abruptly, realizing how ridiculous she sounded. She looked at Liz, who had one eyebrow raised in smug fashion as she dried her hands on the towel.

“Mama plays better,” Skye whispered.

Casey smiled sheepishly and sat back. “Well, it’s been a while since I played that game,” she conceded and drank her coffee.

She watched as Skye struggled to get out of her booster chair while Liz tried to help. “Mama, I do it by
mineself
,” Skye argued. Liz stepped back.

Skye slipped down from her seat and ran from the kitchen.

“When did that start?” Casey asked with a chuckle. “She sounds so much older.”

“Two days ago. Her independent streak is starting. This will be interesting,” Liz said with a groan. “Her vocabulary is growing every day.”