The Good Wife(36)
“Me, too. Can’t wait to come home.”
“What day will that be?”
“Saturday. I’m hoping.”
“That’s not too soon?”
“I can’t stay here forever.”
“No, I hear that. And it’ll be good to have you home.”
“I’ve been looking into flights. Ella and I would get in around ten. If you’re still at the park, we will just cab it.”
“You don’t need a cab. If I’m still at the park, I’ll have a car sent for you.”
“How did Brennan do on the flight?”
“He said it was fine. He’s looking forward to the game tomorrow. Alyssa is going to take him to the park with her kids.”
“That’s nice of her,” Sarah said, grateful that Alyssa Neeley always included Brennan. Her husband, Jeff, was the Rays’ new shortstop, joining the team a year ago, and when the Neeleys moved to Tampa Bay, they bought a house on the same cul-de-sac as Sarah and Boone.
“Alyssa has offered to watch Brennan until you’re back.”
“She’s a sweetheart,” Sarah said.
“We owe her big-time.”
“Remember that when I treat her to a spa day later.”
Boone laughed. “I promise I won’t complain, ’cause, baby, you’ve earned it.”
Sarah closed her eyes, savoring the way Boone’s deep voice rumbled through her. She loved his voice, both the tone and the Louisiana drawl. She didn’t know how he did it, but when he laughed he managed to sound sexy and innocent all at the same time. “Excited for tomorrow night?”
“Men don’t get excited, babe.”
She grinned. “Looking forward to tomorrow night, Boone?”
“Yeah, I am. The Yankees have CC Sabathia on the mound and we’ve got to take Shields. Should be a good game.”
“Nervous?”
“Nah. Just ready to get the season going.”
“Come on. No butterflies? None at all?”
“Shields is probably feeling a little puky, but not me. I’m good. I just want to get out there and hit the ball.”
“That’s what I love about you.”
“That’s it?” he asked innocently.
She laughed softly, amused. “Well, there is something else . . .”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.”
Ella suddenly appeared next to the kitchen island, blue eyes wide, worried. “Mommy?”
Sarah covered the phone. “Yes, sweetie?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry, why?”
Ella wrinkled her nose. “’Cuz Gabi told me I’m supposed to tell you I had an accident.”
“Oh.” For a second Sarah just looked at her and then she stood up. “Boone, I better go.”
“What’s happening?”
“Ella had an accident.”
Boone laughed, a low, husky laugh, on the other end of the line. “It’s all you, babe.”
“I know.” Sarah held out a hand to Ella, uncertain whether she should laugh or cry. “It usually is, hon.”
Six
Meg lay in bed, eyes open, eyes burning, chest burning, feeling dead. No, not dead. She hurt too much to be dead.
She’d been doing this for the past couple of nights, all night. Lying awake. Feeling too much. Thinking too much. Thinking of Jack and the previous weekend, and that last night they were all together. Replaying that final scene over and over in her head, wondering if she could have stopped him from leaving angry, wondering if he’d be alive now if she’d smoothed things over . . . made amends.
But how many ways were there to make amends? How many times did you apologize before the words just didn’t mean anything anymore?
And now he was gone and tomorrow his parents would arrive—they were staying in two separate Santa Rosa hotels—but they’d both come to the house for dinner, and then there was his church service and reception on Friday.
Except she still hadn’t booked anything for the reception and she was beginning to run out of options . . . never mind time.
Just this morning she’d called her favorite caterer, Summer Bakery & Café in Napa, and practically begged Lisa Summer, the older of the two Summer sisters, to cater the reception, but Lisa explained, most apologetically, that with Lauren moving to the East Bay for the year, and with so many of the café staff gone for spring break, she was shorthanded.
“I hate saying no to you, Meg. You’re one of our favorite people, and definitely our best client—”
“It’s okay.” Meg gently cut her short. “I understand. And it’s a lot to ask of Lauren, even if she hadn’t gone. Although I hadn’t realized she’d moved away. When did that happen?”