Charlotte laughed, “You’re probably right.”
“Another thing, Gram told me that this whole feud began over a piece of land that each family believed they were the rightful owners of. That doesn’t make any sense. They each own more land than they need so why carry around this stupid grudge all these years. Con said that our grandfathers were once friends and their father’s forbid it. Their father’s are long gone, so why is hating each other still so important to them?”
The look of sympathy in Charlotte’s eyes made me feel pathetic. “I don’t know what to tell you, Meg, but if I can do anything to help, you know I will.”
“I know.”
We left the conversation of my past alone and finished our coffee with Charlotte telling me about her meeting at the school and me telling her about my meeting at the bank. I passed the idea of a church wedding full of guests by her again but she still seemed opposed to it.
“The whole idea of a big wedding seems cliché. Half the people we invite would be purely out of obligation and then half of them would look at our ten-year-old son and then my white dress and glare with disapproval. Kind of takes the romance out of it, don’t you think?” I watched silently, as Charlotte rummaged through a box. “Let’s face it, deep down Kevin and I have been an old married couple for almost ten years, a big wedding is just bells and whistles.” She laughed. “Most of them would only come for the free booze anyway.”
“That would be my reason.” I joked.
“I have to go.” Pulling her hand from the box she’d been picking through, she said, “Here’s your deodorant,” as she tossed it to me.
I caught it. “Hey, thanks.”
“Later.”
~ ~ ~
Several days passed without seeing Con and I felt as though I were going through withdrawals, minus the shakes. Irregular flights had kept him working odd hours with layovers in other cities. We talked on the phone several times a day but that only served as a teaser to seeing him again.
I had readily agreed not to visit my grandparent’s until he returned; however, I did intend to make the trip to Cherry Hall today. I still had many new and confusing emotions where my mother was concerned, so I thought this trip would be best made alone. I didn’t know if my bringing someone she’d never seen before would upset her and asking beforehand wasn’t an option.
Neither Charlotte nor I had heard from Cory in several days and we were beginning to get worried. Contact with the outside world was to Cory like reading the newspaper was to anyone else. She couldn’t begin her day without a phone call or a meeting at Sal’s and checking in with us several times in one day was not uncommon for her. I held hope that Cory had finally found something she could throw herself in to. Charlotte mentioned that she had a meeting with her father and I had to admit, I was more than a little curious.
Grateful for an interruption from the stack of paperwork that stared back at me, I said, “Come in,” in response to the knock on my office door.
Nelda and Marco entered my office and stood silently in front of my desk. Something instinctively told me that there was a pending announcement and I secretly prayed they were not going to tell me they were quitting.
Marco asked, “Can we talk?”
I hesitantly replied, “Yes,” as I leaned back in my chair.
“You know, Nelda’s not feeling well lately.”
My voice filled with concern. “Oh my God, don’t tell me it’s anything serious.”
Nelda smiled and shook her head. “It’s good serious. Marco and I will have a baby this winter.”
Relief passed over me as I stood and made my way around the desk. I hugged each of them at the same time, congratulating them repeatedly.
“I am so happy for the both of you.” I clasped my hands in front of me, and said, “You make such a sweet couple, you will be wonderful parents.”
A look passed between them and it sent a warm feeling through me. I had seen Con look at me the same way and I knew exactly what they were feeling at this moment. Oh, how I wish he were here.
With the orders caught up for the day, I sent Nelda and Marco on their way with another round of congratulations and best wishes. I wanted to do something for them and thought that the opportunity would present itself when I opened my new bakery. I would need more help and a head baker and I couldn’t think of anyone better qualified than Marco. With a baby on the way, I knew that the increase in pay would be put to good use.
I muttered, “We’re closed,” when the phone rang as I was leaving for the day.
I was anxious to get to Cherry Hall and answered more casually than I normally would. “Hello.”