The Unexpected Wedding(18)

“I’m sorry.”

“At least it’s not sick all day long like it was with the boys. So far, by about ten in the morning, I’m fine. It’s just the early mornings.” Bella took a nibble of a cracker. “Jenny told me all about Theresa Jean. Oh my gosh. I can’t believe it.”

“I know. I want to go see her, but Cal says it’s not safe. But… I’m not sure. I think she needs to see—or hear—family. Something to pull her from her coma.”

“And you have a nephew.”

“Scotty. He’s great. I’m trying to get to know him better, though Cal also said it’s better if people don’t know I’m his aunt. Safer.” Becky Lee gathered her hair up and off her neck. It had been a hot walk over to Bella’s. “I wish Theresa Jean would wake up and all this hiding could be over. I don’t think Cal was exaggerating though. I know his father tried to take Scotty away before. I know Theresa Jean wouldn’t want that.”

Bella reached across the table and squeezed Becky Lee’s hand. “I hope she wakes up soon, too. I’m so sorry all this has happened. And widowed at such a young age. That is so sad. Poor Scotty must be so confused.”

“He is. But I think Cal is doing a good job with him. Scotty has been playing with Steve Bergeron’s son and that has helped, too. Just having a friend his own age. They are actually going to rent Steve’s sister Lucy’s cottage.”

“That will work out great.”

“I think so. I’m going to go over tonight, cook dinner, and stock them up with some groceries. That way I can spend more time with Scotty.”

“So what’s this Cal like?”

“He’s good with Scotty. Patient. He’s trying hard. I can see he worries that he’s making the wrong decisions.” Becky Lee paused for a moment. “I can see the pain in his eyes when he talks about his brother and Theresa Jean. Oh, he calls her TJ. That always startles me a bit. I have a hard time thinking of her as a TJ.”

“I bet. I have a hard time thinking of her old enough to have a child. She’s still little Theresa Jean to me. Tagging along behind us, always wanting to join in with whatever we were doing.”

“And I’d send her home most of the time. I feel badly about that.”

“She was ten years younger.”

“I should have been more patient with her.”

“I remember you taught her to read. And taught her basic cooking. Helped her with homework. You were a great big sister to her.”

“Well, I don’t feel like one now. How did it get to be so many years without seeing her or hearing from her?” Pain pulsed through her again. Guilt. So much guilt. “I’m going to make it up to her.”

Bella’s brows furrowed. “She’s the one who made the choice to leave. But I hope you two do have the chance to work things out soon.”

“Me, too, Izz. Me, too.”

~ * ~

Becky Lee loaded up the shopping cart with groceries. Not only for dinner tonight, but staples they would need in the cottage. Bread, butter, milk, coffee, sugar, flour, cereal, boxes of mac and cheese. What did Cal know how to make?

She snagged oranges, grapes, apples, and peaches. Then back an aisle for peanut butter. Then cheese and crackers. She was at a loss on what they liked to eat, and what they would need for lunches. She picked up her favorite tea, then as an afterthought, a six-pack of beer. That would have to do for now.

She hurried home to bake a peach pie for dessert. She had this overwhelming desire to feed the two males. Take care of them. Make sure they didn’t go hungry. She shook her head. Surely Cal could cook and feed Scotty.

With a quick glance at her watch, she saw she’d just enough time for a quick shower. She changed into a sundress and sandals. She swore she went through at least two outfits a day with this hot streak of weather.

She loaded up her car and headed over to the cottage. Steve lived on the edge of town on Chalk Road with his sister’s cottage right next door. She found the address easily and pulled into the long driveway. Cal’s car was already parked in front of the cottage. She glanced over next door and saw Scotty and Josh playing croquet.

Cal came out on the porch and waved. She slipped out of the cool, air-conditioned car and was immediately enveloped in the shimmering late afternoon heat. Cal sauntered across the parched yard and grabbed the bags from her arms. She reached back in the car for two more sacks.

“Looks like you’re going to feed an army here.” Cal smiled.

“I wanted to get you stocked up for a bit, too.” Maybe she had overstepped? She was just trying to help.