“Let me take care of that right away.” Stan turned toward the door, but she had another question for him, one that had been gnawing at her subconscious for a while.
“Why were you at the house today? I’m glad you were, but I’m curious. Nobody lives there, hasn’t since the owner passed.”
A flush rushed into Stan’s cheeks, and he looked at the floor, almost like a bashful kid. All he needed was to scuff his toes along the tile, and he’d look like a big five-year-old. She couldn’t help smiling at the image.
“My mom mentioned the house had been empty for a bit and thought maybe the new owner might be interested in selling. I had a few extra minutes, and thought I’d take a look around the place from the outside. I know my folks and I haven’t been close for a long time, but they’re getting on in years, and I hopefully have stopped being a jackass. I thought maybe while I’m here in Shiloh Springs, I might set down some roots. Come home.”
“I’m going to be representing the owner, who wants to sell. Let me get out of the hospital and talk with him, and we’ll see what we can do to make a deal. If this house doesn’t work out, I’ll find you something. I promise.”
A light of what looked like hope lit his eyes, and Ms. Patti had the sudden urge to pull him into a hug. Too bad he was all the way across the room, and she couldn’t get out of bed. Not yet anyway. But she owed him, and she’d make sure he got what he deserved.
“I’d like that, ma’am. I didn’t get much of a look, but what I did see seemed like a fine place. Good bones. And I’m not afraid of a little hard work to fix the old gal right up.” He smiled and gave her a brief two-fingered salute. “Let me get hold of your son. I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”
“Thanks again, Stan. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”
He studied her before placing his cowboy hat atop his head. “I’m sure you’d have figured out a plan, Ms. Patti. I haven’t got a single doubt you’d have managed just fine.”
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the hospital room. With a sigh, she leaned back against the pillow and decided to rest while she could before the chaos that was her family descended on the hospital as soon as they heard she was there.
It was good to be loved.
CHAPTER SIX
Beth tied another bow to the church pew, making sure it was perfectly centered with the white roses and baby’s breath displayed. The gold and silver theme throughout the church looked lovely, classy, and dignified, perfect for Ms. Patti’s vow renewal ceremony. She wanted everything to be perfect. Ms. Patti was the one person in her life she adored unconditionally. Brody’s mother had accepted her and Jamie into the family without hesitation, without question. Even though she’d brought danger directly to their doorstep with her ex-husband’s depravity, Ms. Patti and Douglas had stood by her, protecting Jamie as if she was their biological granddaughter.
Now it was Beth’s turn to pay them back for all their kindness and generosity. Straightening, she placed her hands at the small of her back and glanced down at her distended, pregnant belly. Only a few more weeks, and her son would come into the world and join the amazing family that was the Boudreaus. Brody practically waited on her hand and foot, not wanting her to lift a finger. Which was kind of nice, and nothing like her first pregnancy with Jamie. Her ex could barely spare the time to speak to her, much less help her out around the house, even when she’d been as big as a whale toward the end. Oh, well, she’d found her Prince Charming, and she was never, ever leaving him or Shiloh Springs.
There were still several pews needing decoration, and she moved to the next, gathering the white and silver trimmed ribbon and twisting it around the end. The side door opened, and Tessa walked in carrying another box filled with flowers. Maggie, her soon-to-be sister-in-law, oversaw getting the flowers for the ceremony, and she’d come through big time. There were the white roses with baby’s breath and ferns for greenery. The flowers at the front were white roses, red roses, pink camellias, red and white chrysanthemums, gardenias, and daisies. The scents were intoxicating, filling the front of the church with a sweetness that made Beth smile. Everything was perfect. Except for one thing.
Ms. Patti was missing.
Oh, she wasn’t supposed to be here at the church. She was supposed to be at Jill’s Bakery, helping with the baby shower. The baby shower Beth wasn’t supposed to know about. Thinking about fooling Ms. Patti made her chuckle.
“What are you laughing about, Sis?”
“Imagining Ms. Patti’s face when she finds out not only that the baby shower isn’t a surprise, but that her vow renewal ceremony is. If anyone deserves to have a celebration of love, it is Douglas and Ms. Patti. I hope Brody and I are as happy as his parents when we’ve been married as long as they have.”
“I wish that for Rafe and me too. We’ve got a couple of winners.”
“Yes we do, and I’ve never been happier. Now if we’d only get word that Ms. Patti is okay, everything will be perfect.” Beth rubbed the small of her back, and decided she needed to sit for a minute or two. For some reason, she was extra tired today. If they weren’t working on the wedding, she’d have stayed home and taken a nap. But this was too important. She could sleep later.
“You okay?” Tessa knelt beside her, placing her hand on Beth’s knee.
“I’m fine. Just a bit tired. Junior is flipping around like a jumping bean today, and he’s wearing his mommy out.”
“Let me take over the flowers for a bit. I’ve already got the food in the big freezer. You take a break, go put your feet up. I’ve got your back.”
Beth took a deep breath and maneuvered her massive belly up from a seated position, and felt a sharp pain wrack her body. “Oh, that was some kick, kiddo. Let’s give Mommy a break, okay?”
“You alright? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine. I think I’m going to take your advice and go put my feet up for a couple of minutes.”
Tessa studied her closely for a minute, before nodding slowly. “Take it easy. I remember toward the end when you were pregnant with Jamie, you couldn’t seem to sit still. Always up and going and doing. You’ve got a ton of help, so let us handle the heavy lifting. You can be the supervisor for today, okay?”
Beth grinned. “You mean I’m queen for the day? I get to order y’all around?”
“I didn’t say that, but let’s go with it, Your Majesty.” Tessa grinned and Beth felt a lightness in her chest she’d been missing for a while. Her sister was a true joy to be around, and she’d really come into her own personality after moving to Shiloh Springs and meeting Rafe. He was the best thing to happen to her sister in—well, forever.
