Daisy thought about how Ken silently threw his body into things like martial arts or framing out a house. He just as silently cast a hook or manned a grill. “That makes so much sense.”
Valerie sat back and said, “So it isn’t really surprising that you felt like he gave you a little sermon. Whenever it’s not some quick witticism, it’s always some profound thing or other. But you know as well as I do that he doesn’t mean anything by it.”
Daisy knew that. She’d had an emotional, knee-jerk reaction to his words—or lack of them. Now, she didn’t know if she could possibly build a bridge back to who they were before she walked out on him. She didn’t know if she had the emotional wherewithal to try.
She sighed. “I know. But, tell that to the emotional, hormonal woman three days ago when she might scratch your eyes out for looking at her sideways.”
“Gotta love the hormones.” She reached over and took a cookie out of the tin. “I hope you guys get back together. You two are perfect for each other.” She lifted her teacup. “But, regardless, I hope we can stay friends.”
Daisy smiled and took a sip of the tea. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
Sittingat her desk, Daisy hung up the phone and made a notation in the file. Then she opened the email that had just arrived from Toby at Dixon Contracting and Design. Just the thought of Dixon Contracting made her heart beat a little faster. She opened the email.
Dear Ms. Ruiz:
Ken Dixon asked me to contact you to confirm arrival at the job site for the Osborne Family house at 7:00 a.m. this coming Friday, 4 Sept. We have 8 carpenters and 15 laborers scheduled to work that job through 6 p.m. on Monday, 7 Sept.
If these details have changed, please contact my office right away. Find my direct line below my signature.
Signed,
Toby MacDonald, Assistant
She had received two other communications from Toby in the last couple of weeks, which kept her from worrying that Dixon Contracting would withdraw their support for the coming house. But she couldn’t help but wonder if Ken or his brothers also personally planned to work on this house. She shot a quick email back confirming the information and thanked the company for their support.
Daisy hadn’t seen or heard from Ken since the wedding. She hadn’t reached out to him, either. She completely understood his perspective, but she didn’t appreciate the way he went into logic mode immediately while she lay there crying. She needed him to put his arms around her, and instead, he preached at her.
In hindsight, though, it occurred to her she should have told him what she needed. With his arms around her, wrapping her up, she would know everything would be okay. In the end, nothing was okay. Everything was wrong. She didn’t know how to bring it back to right.
She imagined she couldn’t do anything about it at this point. Ken had made it clear what he thought of her emotional reactions.
He’d also had a glittering diamond ring on him. Why had he had a ring in his pocket?
She stood and rubbed her belly. She had started to swell slightly. In the mirror, she could easily see her baby bump, but clothes still hid it well enough. She had received a summons from her grandfather last night and knew that her mother must have told him. She did not look forward to going to see him today. Knowing she’d disappointed him was almost more than she could bear.
After she gathered her purse and turned off her computer, she walked to the front. Beverly returned from lunch just as she made it to the lobby. “Hey. I’m headed to my grandparents’. I don’t know for certain if I’ll be back today.”
Beverly glanced at her watch. “Sure. Do I need to do anything for Friday?”
“Nope.” She pushed open the door. “See you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
On the drive, Daisy tried to decide what to say to him and how to say it. She prayed for God to give her words, but she didn’t receive any kind of divine guidance. She pulled into the drive behind their sedan and took a few deep breaths before she walked up to the door.
Her grandmother answered, smiling ear-to-ear. She didn’t even stand five feet tall and had short, curly, salt-and-pepper hair and bright brown eyes. “Daisy! I’m so happy to see you!”
“Of course, I won’t miss a chance to have lunch with you, Abuela.”
Daisy bent and hugged her, then let her grandmother lead her into the house. She could smell the spicy tang of meat grilling. Her grandfather stood by the sliding glass door that led from the dining room to the back porch.
“Daisy. Glad you could make it.”
“Abuelo, I was happy to get the invitation.”
“Is that so?” He gestured at the table. “Your grandmother has some things to finish in the kitchen, but we can sit.”
He acted very cool, not his normal loving, warm self. She mentally shored up her courage, reinforcing it in anticipation.
