Married in Seattle (13 page)

“Gramps—”

“Shh.” He dismissed Janine with a shake of his head. “Now, I may be an old man, but I’m not stupid. Maybe the way I went about bringing the two of you together wasn’t the smartest, or the most conventional, but by golly it worked.” He hesitated long enough to smile proudly. “In the beginning I had my doubts. Janine put up a bit of a fuss.”

“I believe you said something about how it’s easier to pluck a live chicken,” Zach inserted, slanting a secret smile at Janine.

“True enough. I never knew that girl had so much spunk. But the fact is, Zachary, as you’ll recall, you weren’t all that keen on the idea yourself. You both think because I’m an old man, I don’t see things. But I do. You were two lonely people, filling up your lives with unimportant relationships, avoiding love, avoiding life. I care about you. Too much to sit back and do nothing.”

“It worked out,” Janine said, wanting to reassure him.

“At first I thought it had. I arranged the trip to Scotland and it looked like everything was falling neatly into place, like in one of those old movies. I couldn’t have been more pleased when you announced that you were going to get married. It was sooner than I’d expected, but I assumed that meant things were progressing nicely. Apparently I was wrong. Now I’m worried.”

“You don’t need to be.”

“That’s not the way I see it,” Gramps said with a fierce glare. “Tell him you love him, Janine. Look Zach in the eye and put aside that silly pride of yours. He needs to know it. He needs to hear it. I told you from the first that he wasn’t going to be an easy man to know, and that you’d have to be patient with him. What I didn’t count on was that damnable pride of yours.”

“You want me to tell Zach I love him? Here? Now?”

“Yes!”

Janine turned to her husband and, feeling a little self-conscious, lowered her eyes.

“Tell him,” Gramps barked.

“I love you, Zach,” she said softly. “I really do.”

Gramps gave a loud satisfied sigh. “Good, good. Okay, Zach, it’s your turn.”

“My turn?”

“Tell Janine what you feel and don’t go all arrogant on me.”

Zach reached for Janine’s hand. He lifted her palm to his mouth and brushed his lips against it. “I love you,” he whispered.

“Add something else,” Gramps instructed, gesturing toward him. “Something like…you’d be a lost and lonely soul without her. Women are impressed by that sort of thing. Damn foolishness, I know, but necessary.”

“I’d be a lost and lonely soul without you,” Zach repeated, then looked back at Janine’s grandfather. “How’d I do?”

“Better than most. Is there anything else you’d like him to say, Janine?”

She gave an expressive sigh. “I don’t think so.”

“Good. Now I want the two of you to kiss.”

“Here? In front of you?”

“Yes,” Gramps insisted.

Janine slipped into Zach’s arms. The smile he shared with her was so devastating that she felt her heart race with anticipation. Her eyes fluttered closed as his mouth settled on hers, thrilling her with promises for all the years to come.

Gently, provocatively, Zach moved his mouth over hers, ending his kiss far too soon to suit Janine. From the shudder that coursed through him, Janine knew it was too soon for him, too. Reluctantly they drew apart. Zach gazed into her eyes, and Janine responded with a soft smile.

“Excellent, excellent.”

Janine had all but forgotten her grandfather’s presence. When she turned away from Zach, she discovered Gramps sitting across from them, his hands on the arms of the leather chair. He looked exceedingly proud of himself. “Are you two going to be all right now?”

“Yes, sir,” Zach answered for them both, his eyes hazy with
desire as he smiled at Janine. She could feel herself blushing, and knew her eyes were foggy with the same longing.

“Good!” Gramps declared, nodding once for emphasis. A slow grin overtook his mouth. “I knew all the two of you needed was a little assistance from me.” He inhaled deeply. “Since you’re getting along so well, maybe now would be the time to bring up the subject of children.”

“Anton,” Zach said, rising to his feet. He strode across the room and opened the door. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of that myself.”

“Soon?” Gramps wanted to know.

Zach’s eyes met Janine’s. “Soon,” he promised.

For Arlene Tresness, a grandma like me, a lover of books, a devoted reader of mine.

Thank you for your unfailing support and enthusiasm.

(Your grandchildren think the world of you!)

“I
s our ad there?” Fifteen-year-old Lindsey Remington whispered to her best friend. She glanced nervously at her bedroom door. Lindsey’s biggest fear was that her mother would find her and Brenda scanning the Dateline section of the Wednesday paper and discover what they’d done.

Okay, so it was a bit…dishonest to write an ad on Meg Remington’s behalf, but it was clear to Lindsey that her mom needed help. She was convinced that Meg
wanted
to remarry, whether she knew it or not.

It wasn’t as if Lindsey could pull a potential husband out of nowhere. So she wrote the ad, with her best friend advising her.

“Here,” Brenda said excitedly, pointing to the middle of the page. “It’s here. Oh, my goodness! It’s really here, just the way we wrote it.”

Lindsey found the ad. She read aloud:

“Wanted: Perfect partner. I’m dating-shy, divorced
and seeking a man with marriage in mind. I look like a beauty queen, cook like a mom, kiss like a woman in love. Box 1234.”

“It sounds even better in print,” Brenda said.

“Do you think anyone will actually respond?” Lindsey asked.

“I bet we get lots of letters.”

“I still think we should’ve said her kisses taste better than chocolate.”

“It didn’t fit. Remember?” They’d worked long and hard on the wording. Lindsey had wanted to describe her mother as “stunning,” and Brenda was afraid it might not meet the truth-in-advertising rules.

All right, so her mother wasn’t fashion model material, but she was very pretty. Or she could be, with a little assistance from the magazines Lindsey had been reading lately. Luckily Meg had a daughter who knew the ropes.

“Don’t worry, Linds,” Brenda said with a romantic sigh. “This is the best thing you could ever have done for your mother.”

Lindsey hoped her mom appreciated her efforts. “Just remember, this guy has to be
perfect.
We’ll need to be careful who we pick.”

“No problem. If we don’t like the sound of one guy, we’ll choose someone else,” Brenda said, as if they were guaranteed to have tons of applicants. “That’s the beauty of our plan. We’ll screen all the applicants before your mother has a chance to date them. How many teenagers get to choose their own stepfathers? Not many, I bet.”

Lindsey returned her attention to the ad, gnawing on the corner of her lip. She was experiencing a twinge of pride along with a mild case of guilt.

Her mother wasn’t going to like this. When Meg learned what she and Brenda had done, she’d probably get all bent out of shape.

As for the ad, Lindsey figured if she were a man inclined to read the Dateline section, the ad would intrigue her.

“Some men will write just because your mom’s pretty, but it’s the part about her being a good cook that’ll really work,” Brenda assured her. “My grandma says Grandpa married her because her German potato salad was so good. Can you believe it?”

Brenda brought up a good point. “How will we know if a man is marrying her for her looks or her meat loaf or ’cause he loves her?”

“We won’t,” Brenda said, “but by then we’ll be out of the picture. Your mother will be on her own.”

Lindsey wished she knew more about men. Unfortunately her experience was limited. She’d only gone on two real dates, both times to school dances. And her mother had been a chaperone.

“The day will come when Mom will appreciate what we’ve done for her,” Lindsey said. “She’s the one who’s always saying how important it is to go after your dreams. Well, this is my dream for her. She wants a man. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

“All she needs is a little help from us.”

“And she’s got it,” Lindsey said, smiling broadly.

T
hose girls were up to something. Meg Remington peeked in her fifteen-year-old daughter’s bedroom to see Lindsey and her best friend, Brenda, crouched on the floor beside the bed. They were speaking in heated whispers.

Meg cleared her throat and instantly both girls were silent.

“Hi, Mom,” Lindsey said, her bright blue eyes flashing.

Meg knew the look, which generally spelled trouble. “What are you two doing?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing,” Brenda echoed with angelic innocence.

Meg crossed her arms and leaned her shoulder against the doorjamb. She had all the time in the world, and she wanted them to know it. “Tell me why I don’t believe that. You two have the
look.
”

“What look?” Lindsey repeated, turning to Brenda.

“The one every mother recognizes. You’re up to something, and I want to know what.” She crossed her ankles,
indicating that she’d make herself comfortable until they were ready to let her in on their little secret. She could outwait them if need be.

“All right, if you
must
know,” Lindsey said with a shrug of defeat. She leapt to her feet and Brenda followed suit. “But we haven’t finished planning everything yet.”

“I must know.” Meg was struck by how beautiful her daughter had become over the past few years. She’d gone from the gangly, awkward, big-teeth stage to real beauty almost overnight. Meg’s ex-husband, Dave, had commented on the changes in Lindsey when she’d flown from Seattle to Los Angeles to visit over spring break. Their little girl was growing up.

“We’ve been doing some heavy-duty planning,” Brenda explained.

“And exactly what are the two of you working on? I haven’t seen you all evening.” Generally, when Brenda stayed over, which was at least one night of every weekend, the two of them were up until all hours playing music, watching television or DVDs. The house had been suspiciously quiet all evening. Come to think of it, they’d been spending a lot of time in Lindsey’s bedroom of late. Far too much time.

The girls glanced at each other before answering.

“You tell her,” Brenda urged, “she’s your mother.”

“I know.” Lindsey brushed back the long strands of hair. “But it might be a little easier coming from you.”

“Lindsey?” Meg was more curious than ever now.

“You’d better sit down, Mom.” Lindsey took Meg by the hand and guided her to the bed.

Meg sat on the edge. Both girls stood in front of her and each seemed to be waiting for the other to speak first.

“You’re such an attractive woman,” Lindsey began.

Meg frowned. This sounded like a setup to her, and the best way to handle that was to get straight to the point. “You need money? How much, and for what?”

With her usual flair for the dramatic, Lindsey rolled her eyes. “I don’t need any money. I meant what I said—you’re beautiful.”

“It’s true,” Brenda piped up. “And you’re only thirty-seven.”

“I am?” Meg had to think about that. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“You’re still so young.”

“I wouldn’t go that far…”

“You’ve still got it, Mrs. Remington,” Brenda cut in, her voice intense. “You’re young and pretty and single, and you’ve got
it.
” Her fist flew through the air and punctuated the comment.

“Got what?” Meg was beginning to feel a bit confused.

“You’re not in bad shape, either,” Lindsey commented, resting her chin on one hand.

Meg sucked in her stomach, feeling pleased with the girls’ assessment.

“Of course you’d look even better if you lost ten pounds,” her daughter said thoughtfully.

Ten pounds. Meg breathed again and her stomach pouched out. Those ten pounds had first made their appear
ance when Meg was pregnant with Lindsey nearly sixteen years earlier. She was downright proud of having maintained her post-pregnancy weight for all these years.

“Ten pounds isn’t too much to lose,” Brenda said confidently.

“It won’t be hard at all—especially with the two of us helping you.”

Meg stared into their eager, expectant faces. “Why is it so important for me to lose ten pounds? I happen to like the way I look.”

“There’s more.”

Meg glanced from one girl to the other. “More? What is that supposed to mean?”

“You need to be physically fit. Think about it, Mom. When’s the last time you ran an eight-minute mile?”

Meg didn’t need to consider that at all—she already knew the answer. “Never.” She’d jogged around the track during high school, only because it was required of her. The lowest grade she’d ever received was in phys ed.

“See?” Lindsey said to Brenda.

“We’ll work with her,” Brenda answered. “But we’ll have to start soon.”

Lindsey crossed her arms and carefully scrutinized Meg. “About your clothes, Mom.”

“My clothes?” Meg cried, still astonished that her daughter wanted her to run an eight-minute mile. She owned a bookstore, for heaven’s sake. In the eight years since she’d bought out Mr. Olsen, not once had she been required to run for anything.

“I want to know what’s going on here,” Meg said. “Now.”

“I promise we’ll answer all your questions in a minute,” Brenda explained. “Please be patient, Mrs. Remington.”

Lindsey sighed. “Mom, I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but when it comes to your clothes, well…you need help.”

“Help?” And to think Meg had been dressing herself for the past thirty-some years. Until now, no one had bothered to tell her what a poor job she’d done.

“I’m here to see you don’t ever wear high-waisted jeans again,” Lindsey said, as though pledging her life to a crusade. “They’re called mom jeans,” she whispered.

“So you two are official members of the fashion police?” Meg asked. Apparently they’d issued an APB on her!

Lindsey and Brenda giggled.

“That’s what it sounds like.”

“We’re here to help you,” Brenda said in loving tones.

“We’re here to keep you from committing those fashion sins.”

“What sins?” Meg should’ve known. “Do you mind telling me what this little heart-to-heart is all about?”

“
You,
Mom,” Lindsey said, in a voice that suggested the answer should’ve been obvious.

“Why now? Why me?”

“Why not?” Lindsey responded.

Meg started to get up, but Lindsey directed her back onto the bed. “We aren’t finished yet. We’re just getting to the good part.”

“Honey, I appreciate what you’re doing, but…”

“Sit down, Mom,” Lindsey said in stern tones. “I haven’t told you the most important thing yet.”

Meg held up both hands. “Okay, okay.”

“Like we already said, you’re still young,” Brenda began.

Lindsey smiled sweetly. “You could have more children if you wanted and—”

“Now wait a minute!” Meg cried.

“What we’re really saying is that you’re quite attractive.”

“Or I could be,” Meg amended, “with a little assistance from the two of you.”

“Not all that much,” Brenda added sympathetically. “We just want to get you started on the right track.”

“I see,” Meg muttered.

“Together,” Lindsey said, slipping her arm around Brenda’s waist and beaming a proud smile, “we’re going to find you a husband.”

“A husband.” Meg’s feet went out from under her and she slipped off the bed and landed with a solid whack on the carpet.

Lindsey and Brenda each grabbed one arm and pulled her off the floor. “Are you all right?” Lindsey asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

“You should’ve been more subtle,” Brenda said accusingly. “There was no need to blurt it out like that.”

Meg rubbed her rear end and sat back down on the bed. “What makes either of you think I want a husband?” she demanded angrily. She’d already been through one bad marriage and she wasn’t eager to repeat the experience.

“When’s the last time you went out on a date?” Lindsey asked.

“I don’t remember,” Meg snapped. “What does it matter, anyway?”

“Mother, it’s clear to me you aren’t thinking about the future.”

“The future? What are you talking about?”

“Do you realize that in three years I’ll be in college?”

“Three years,” Meg repeated. “No-o, I guess I hadn’t given it much thought.” Although at the moment sending her daughter away actually seemed appealing.

“You’ll be all alone.”

“Alone isn’t such a bad thing,” Meg told them.

“At forty it is,” Lindsey said dramatically. “I’ll worry myself sick about you,” she continued.

“She will,” Brenda confirmed, nodding twice.

Meg figured it was a good thing she was sitting down.

“Tell me, Mother,” Lindsey said, “what would it hurt to start dating again?”

“Honey, has it ever occurred to you that I’m happy just the way I am?”

“No,” Lindsey returned. “You aren’t happy. You’re letting life pass you by. It’s time to take action. I don’t know what went wrong between you and Dad, but whatever it was must’ve been traumatic. You haven’t had a relationship since—have you?”

Meg didn’t answer that question, but wanted to reassure Lindsey about the break-up of her marriage. “It was a friendly divorce.” In fact, Meg got along better with Dave now than she had when they were married.

Brenda shook her head. “There’s no such thing as a friendly divorce. My dad’s an attorney and he should know.”

“I don’t want to talk about the divorce,” Meg said in her sternest voice. “It happened a long time ago and bringing it up now isn’t going to help anyone.”

“It might help
you,
” Lindsey said, her eyes intense, “but I can understand why you don’t want to talk about it. Don’t worry,” she said, and a bright smile transformed her face, “because you’re going to get all the help you need from Brenda and me.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.” Meg stood up and moved toward the door.

“Your diet starts tomorrow,” Lindsey called after her.

“And your exercise regime,” Brenda added. “You haven’t got a thing to worry about, Mrs. Remington. We’re going to find you a man before you know it.”

Meg closed her eyes. If thirty-seven was so young, why didn’t she have the energy to stand up to these two? She wasn’t going on any diet, nor did she have time for exercising.

As for having Lindsey as a wardrobe consultant…That was ridiculous, and Meg intended to tell her daughter and Brenda exactly that.

First thing in the morning.

Meg soon learned exactly how serious Lindsey and Brenda were about finding her a husband. She woke Saturday morning to the sound of a workout DVD playing loudly on the television in her bedroom.

She lay facedown, awakened from a pleasant dream about a sunny beach. Her arm hung over the side of the bed, her fingertips dangling an inch or so above the carpet.

“You ready, Mrs. Remington?” Brenda called from the doorway.

She tried to ignore the girl, but that didn’t work.

“You ready?” Brenda called a second time. She seemed to be jogging in place. “Don’t worry, we’ll go nice and slow in the beginning.”

“I’m not doing anything without speaking to my attorney first,” Meg muttered. She stuck out her arm and searched blindly for the phone.

“Forget it, Mom. That isn’t going to work.” Lindsey walked into the bedroom and set a coffee mug on the nightstand.

“Bless you, my child,” Meg said. “Ah, coffee.” She’d struggled into a sitting position before she realized caffeine had nothing to do with whatever Lindsey had brought her. “What
is
this?” she barked.

“It’s a protein supplement. The lady at the health food store recommends it for toning skin in women over thirty.”

“Are you sure you’re supposed to drink it?” Meg asked.

Lindsey and Brenda looked at each other blankly.

“I’d better check the instructions again,” Lindsey said and carried it away.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Remington, we’ll have you whipped into shape in no time.”

“Coffee,” she pleaded. She couldn’t be expected to do anything, let alone exercise, without caffeine.

“You can have your coffee,” Brenda promised her, “but first…”

Meg didn’t bother to listen to the rest. She slithered back under the covers and pulled a pillow over her head. Although it did block out some of the noise, she had no trouble hearing the girls. They weren’t accepting defeat lightly. They launched into a lively discussion about the pros and cons of allowing Meg to drink coffee. She had news for these two dictators. Let either one of them try to stand between her and her first cup of coffee.

The conversation moved to the topic of the divorce; Brenda apparently believed Meg had suffered psychological damage that had prevented her from pursuing another relationship.

It was all Meg could do not to shove the pillow aside and put in her two cents’ worth. What she should’ve done was order them out of the bedroom, but she was actually curious to hear what they had to say.

Her divorce hadn’t been as bad as all that. She and Dave had made the mistake of marrying far too young. Meg had been twenty-two when she’d had Lindsey, and Dave was fresh out of college. In the five years of their marriage there hadn’t been any ugly fights or bitter disagreements. Maybe it would’ve helped if there had been.

By the time Lindsey was four, Dave had decided he didn’t love Meg anymore and wanted a divorce. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but it did—and it hurt. Meg suspected he’d found someone else.

She was right.

For a long time after the divorce was final, Meg tried
to convince herself that her failed marriage didn’t matter. She and her husband had parted on friendly terms. For Lindsey’s sake, Meg had made sure they maintained an amicable relationship.

Dave had hurt her, though, and Meg had denied that pain for too long. Eventually she’d recovered. It was over now, and she was perfectly content with her life.

She’d started working at Book Ends, an independent bookstore, and then, with a loan from her parents she’d managed to buy it.

Between the bookstore and a fifteen-year-old daughter, Meg had little time for seeking out new relationships. The first few years after the divorce she’d had a number of opportunities to get involved with other men. She hadn’t. At the time, Meg simply wasn’t interested, and as the years went on, she’d stopped thinking about it.