“Haven’t seen you out and about in months.” Gail raised her glass. “Nice to have you back.”
“Good to be back.” He guzzled his beer to wash down the lie burning a hole in his throat. He wondered if Gail, like Jessie, had made bets on him and Kelsey. Probably other yahoos in the joint right now were collecting money and joking behind his back.
The atmosphere in the bar and her perfume began to cloy, closing in and making his temperature rise.
“The Bomb Holes are playing over at On The Rocks in a bit.” Gail smiled in invitation. “Wanna come?”
He liked Gail. She was friendly, cute, and cut from the same cloth as him in terms of expectations. She’d be the perfect first step toward getting past all this business with Kelsey and the baby. Yet the thought of leaving with her made him sick to his stomach.
The jukebox continued to blare Dierks Bentley’s “Say You Do” as Trip glanced around the crowd. Couples and foursomes split off, flirting with one goal in mind. Half of the younger ones had their cell phones out, probably checking Tinder to see if something better had come up. A few rowdy guys were growing loud back in the corner. And Gail’s laughter scorched his nerves like dry ice.
He couldn’t believe he’d thought coming here would be a good idea. If anything, depression weighed more heavily on him now.
“Trip?” Gail prodded, brushing against his body.
He looked at her and shook his head. “Not tonight, thanks.” His stomach churned with discomfort. “Actually, I just stopped in for a beer. Thought maybe I’d find Jon. But I’ve got stuff to do at home. You ladies have a good night, though.”
“Okay, maybe some other time.” Gail shrugged, not too upset by his rebuff. “Bye!”
Trip finished his beer and slid the empty bottle across the bar.
“Another?” asked the bartender.
“No, thanks.”
Trip spilled onto the street, glancing up and down at the storefronts and people on the sidewalks. He frowned before strolling through town with no particular destination, his head and heart pounding with the certain knowledge of what he wanted. Who he needed.
By the time he finally arrived home, he had formulated a plan to make it happen.
Kelsey zipped up Fee’s costume and handed her the small plastic pumpkin. The child’s long underwear stuck out from beneath the short sleeves, but she still looked adorable. “All set. No doubt you’ll be the most beautiful princess trick-or-treating tonight.”
“Why aren’t you coming with us?” Fee asked, tugging on Kelsey’s pink satin skirt. “You’re all dressed for Halloween.”
“I’m going to hand out candy so your mommy and daddy can take you and Ty around town. But I’ll be here when you get back, so you can show me the best treat you get.”
“Sara’s mommy gives the big giant candy bars.”
Kelsey widened her eyes, pretending to match Fee’s level of enthusiasm. “Oh, my. Maybe you can hit them up twice.”
Fee nodded with a conspiratorial smile just as Maura tromped down the steps holding Ty, who was dressed up like Humpty Dumpty. “Bill’s almost home. Are you sure you don’t mind doing this tonight?”
“Mind? You know I love all the kids in their costumes.” Kelsey smiled.
Maura tipped her head. “You seem . . . better. I’m glad.”
Kelsey nodded, forcing herself to steer clear of any regret or doubt. It didn’t hurt that yesterday she’d deposited a substantial commission check from the quick, clean sale of the Copeland property. Within another ninety days she’d own a small apartment building. Taking control over one part of her life had helped her cope with her sorrow. “One day at a time, sis.”
Maura smiled. “You’re the bravest person I know.”
“Me too.” Fee chimed in and hugged Kelsey’s legs.
Before Kelsey could get choked up, she used a trick she’d learned from Trip and deflected. “Where’s the candy bowl?”
“In the kitchen,” Maura said. “Can you grab it so I can finish getting these two ready?”
“Sure.” Kelsey kissed Fee’s head and then walked back to the kitchen. Bill strolled through the back door just as she found the candy bowl.
“Hey, Kels, thanks for helping out tonight. I’m really looking forward to being able to participate this year.”
“It’s honestly my pleasure. We don’t get kids at the condo. This will be fun.”