Practice Makes Perfect (25 page)

“Would that be so bad?” Jade asked.

Tears came to her eyes. “It would be horrible.”

“I liked the old Darcy.”

Darcy became indignant. “You hated me, Jade. We fought all the time.”

Jade fiddled with her curls. “I was jealous. Everybody liked you. Especially boys.”

“I never knew that.” Darcy watched Jade. “What’s your
I
?”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to raise Jewel right.”

“She’s a good kid,” Darcy said. “I’m an expert now, and I think you’re doing a great job with her.”

The others said they’d like to meet Jade’s daughter.

Nora dropped her bomb last. She’d been waiting for the right time to say this. “I’m insecure about our new venture.”

Paige cocked her head. “Your marriage?”

“No, of course not. Dan and I are opening a boys’ group home in Hyde Point. Nathan Hyde’s family is providing the start-up money.”

Anabelle stood and went to get more champagne. Nora caught the frown on her face.

Finally they were on the last letter,
P
. Past regrets. Nora was really worried about this one. So she used a technique she’d often employed when the girls were young: she told them something that was hard for her to admit. “I wish I’d been able to have more of Dan’s life. It was impossible, of course, but I still regret it.”

“I regret being such bum gum to creeps.” This from Darcy. “I wish I’d attracted better men.”

“I regret...” Charly sighed. “I regret not taking more risks. I played it pretty safe. I loved Cal, of course, but thinking back, he was safe.”

Anabelle coughed. Her big honey-colored eyes still looked wounded. “I regret not leaving Hyde Point as soon as I got out of Serenity House.”

When she said no more, Paige probed. “You worked for the Hydes for a while, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” She stared at the living room of the cottage as if she were seeing something there. “I wish I’d never met Nathan Hyde.”

Nora wasn’t shocked, but the girls were.

“Why?” Darcy asked.

“A long and boring story. And very trite. Suffice it to say I was a fool. I regret that.”

“He’s best man in the wedding, dear.” Nora knew Dan had told Anabelle this, but Nora thought she should remind her.

“I know. I can face him. Even though I don’t want to.” She looked around. “Let’s go on to somebody else.”

Jade took a gulp of champagne. Nora wondered if she’d be honest. “I regret...” She glanced at her sister, who smiled at her. “I regret that I wasn’t able to change Jewel’s circumstances, the circumstances of her birth. I wish they’d been different.”

“That her father didn’t die, Jade?” Darcy asked.

“No. I didn’t tell the truth the first day here. Her father isn’t dead. I’ve never been married.”

They listened attentively while Jade talked, then all chimed in at once to console or advise her.

When it was her turn, Taylor shook her head. “I can’t talk about regrets. I have no memory of anything in my life. I don’t even know who I am.”

“You’re a bright, caring woman, Taylor.” Charly was adamant. “A good friend. A great mother. A terrific wife.”

“Yeah, but where did I come from? It drives me crazy not knowing. I have nightmares. It’s the one thing wrong with my life.”

After commiserating with Taylor, all eyes turned to Paige. Nora saw that she’d gone white and knew why. Everybody had been excruciatingly honest tonight, baring their innermost secrets.

Page bit her lip, and looked so much like the pregnant girl who’d come to Nora. Her hand went to her stomach. She said simply, “I regret that I had no other alternative than to give up my child.” Tears filmed her eyes. “I didn’t even know I felt that way until recently. I don’t
want
to feel that way.”

Charly said gently, “We can’t help how we feel, Paige.”

“I know. I’ve tried controlling how I feel, but I can’t.”

“Dr. Hot and Hunky put the kibosh on that,” Jade said.

“He did.”

“Are you glad, sweetie?” Charly asked.

“Yes, I’m glad,” Paige admitted.

Nora sighed. Somewhere along the line her chicks had grown up. Judging from tonight, they were doing pretty well with the rotten hands they’d been dealt.

o0o

WEDDINGS TURNED everybody into saps, Paige thought as she gazed out over the grounds of Hyde Point Country Club; its sprawling lawns served as a stunning backdrop to the small gazebo where Dan and Nora stood before the minister. As the sun set and the smell of newly mowed grass and wisteria surrounded them, Paige studied the participants and witnesses.

Nora wore her hair up with baby’s breath entwined in it; she’d chosen a simple, lacy, white dress which bared her shoulders and fell in a handkerchief hem around her calves. Her face glowed and her eyes were misty as she stared up at Dan. He’d picked a tux of raven black, which set off his salt-and-pepper hair. He peered down lovingly at his wife-to-be, and his voice caught when he answered the minister’s questions about honoring and cherishing. Paige guessed they were both only barely aware of the crowd gathered around them.

The honor attendants were closest: Nora’s sister, in bright blue, dabbed at her eyes. Nathan Hyde, dashing in his own black tux, stood soberly by, almost wistful, watching the union.

Five of the six original residents of Serenity House were crowded off to the left. Each was dealing with her own emotion; Charly cried openly. In their three days at the lake, Paige had learned how close Charly and Nora had become, but Paige also knew Charly was most likely remembering her own wedding, and her recent loss. Taylor, her husband and three kids flanked Charly. Taylor leaned into Nick, who was dewy-eyed; the man was an absolute dream, from what Paige could tell. Darcy, looking like Ms. Goody Two-shoes in a prim beige suit and low heels, had tears streaming down her cheeks. Jade and Jewel stood on the other side of Paige, both clothed in hot pink; Jade’s outfit was a showstopper—a slim-fitting sheath with a flowered crepe overlay. Her face and Jewel’s were wreathed in smiles. Anabelle was the only one not standing with the group. Paige caught a glimpse of her in the back, her sunglasses covering her eyes, her classic yellow dress setting off her tall, slender body. She held herself stiffly, and Paige couldn’t tell if she was moved by the ceremony.

Paige looked up at Ian. He stood next to her in a lightweight, gray, pin-striped suit, with a gray silk shirt and matching tie. He grasped her hand tightly, and she could see him swallow hard as Nora and Dan took their vows. On a whim, she’d let Ian pick out what she would wear today. He chose the purple-and-pink-flowered silk jumpsuit she’d worn the first time they’d made love.

The current Serenity House girls—Charly’s charges now—formed a group, too. Paige recognized them all, but kept an eye on one—Mary Ellen Barone. She’d lost a lot of weight since she’d given birth three weeks ago. Her simple pink-and-white dress hung loosely on her. Her hair was lank, and there were smudges beneath her eyes.

Things were not going well at home. Lena Barone constantly berated her daughter, and Mary Ellen was getting little sleep. With Sammy due to be released from the hospital Monday, Mary Ellen’s situation would only worsen. Paige had made an appointment to talk to Elliot Emerson about the girl.

“You’re scowling, sweetheart,” Ian whispered in her ear. “This is a happy occasion.”

“I’m happy.”

“Hmm.” He tucked her arm in his.

When the ceremony was over, the guests gathered on the outside deck for cocktails Nora and Dan were surrounded by well-wishers. Paige was listening to Ian tell Nick Morelli how upset Scalpel was at not being invited to the wedding. Ian had rented a feature-length
Rin Tin Tin
video to appease the dog.

Paige noticed Dan scanning the small crowd. His gaze landed on Anabelle, who was once again standing on the periphery. Dan waved her over. But Anabelle didn’t move.

“Excuse me for a second.” Paige left Ian and Nick and made her way to Anabelle. “Hey, girl, you okay?” Paige asked when she reached her.

Anabelle angled her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I’m fine. I need to go congratulate them.” Still, she just stared ahead. When Paige tracked her gaze, she saw Nathan Hyde beside the happy couple talking to the other attendant.

I wish I’d never met Nathan Hyde
.

“I’d like to congratulate them, too. Let’s go together.”

Anabelle removed her sunglasses. Her amber eyes sparked fire. “I don’t need anybody to baby-sit me, Paige.”

“Who said you did?” She glanced at the couple, then back at Anabelle. “Might be nice to have a friend nearby, though.”

“All right, Mother Hen, let’s go.”

They made their way through the crowd; Dan spotted Anabelle instantly. “There’s my girl!” he exclaimed, handing his champagne to his bride and hugging Anabelle. She hugged back and gave Nora a warm embrace, too.

Then Anabelle faced Nathan, who, Paige noticed, had watched her with an inscrutable expression on his face. “Hello, Nathan,”

“Hello, Annie.”

She stiffened. “I go by Anabelle now.”

Nathan didn’t respond, just seemed to study her.

“How are you?” Anabelle’s voice was remarkably calm.

He cleared his throat. “Fine. You?”

“Good.”

“You look different.” He seemed to take in the details. “Your hair...”

She touched her French braid. “For work.”

“Dan says you’re a cop.”

“Undercover. Last time, I was a blonde. I kind of liked it.”

He smiled. “I do, too.”

She was about to say something when Barbara Benton approached them. “Hello, darling.”

Nathan acted as if he’d been caught
in flagrante delicto
. “Barbara.” His voice held a trace of irritation.

Paige said, “Barbara, this is Anabelle Crane. A friend of mine.”

“Hi, Anabelle.” When Nathan remained silent, Barbara added, “I’m Nathan’s fiancée.”

This did not seem to come as news to Anabelle. “Nice to meet you,” she said, and turned away.

Nathan called after her, “Annie, I—”

But she was already out of earshot.

Halfway across the patio, Paige caught up with her. “Anabelle?”

The mask was back. “I’m all right. I need a drink.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, I want to be alone. Thanks, though.” And she disappeared into the bar area.

Unsure of what to do, Paige watched Anabelle’s retreating back. Dan came up behind her. “She okay?” Dan asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Did Nathan upset her?”

“I don’t know, Dan.”

Darcy and Jade approached them.

“Anabelle all right?” Jade asked.

“The sixty-four-thousand-dollar question.”

A man threaded his way through the crowd toward them. “Wow, who’s the hunk?” Darcy asked.

Paige and Jade eyed the guy and said simultaneously, “Wow.” He was medium height, had mile-wide shoulders and thick dark hair that brushed the collar of the black T-shirt he wore with slacks; the outfit made him stand out from the other summer-attired guests.

“Oh, my God. I don’t believe it.” Dan beamed. “I was hoping he’d come.”

The man reached Dan. The two of them embraced like long lost buddies. Dan said, “I’m so glad you came, Hunter.”

“I wouldn’t miss this.” Hunter’s voice was deep. Paige noticed a scar just under his chin. The word
danger
came to mind.

Dan drew back. He introduced the man to them as Hunter Sloan, but gave no indication of how he knew him. As the two men stepped away, Paige heard Dan ask, “You didn’t come all the way to New York on that motorcycle of yours, did you?”

“No, I flew.”

“How long can you stay?”

“I’m leaving today. The damnedest thing happened with my ex...” The conversation trailed off.

“He’s not married,” Jade cooed longingly after the guys were out of earshot.

“Ah, too bad I’ve given up on bad boys.” Darcy’s words ended on a sigh.

“How do you know he’s a bad boy?”

Darcy snorted. “Other than the James Dean black, the motorcycle and the scars?”

Jade laughed.

“All right, ladies, I’m claiming her.” Ian had come up behind Paige and possessively gripped her shoulders. “You’re a bad influence.” He nodded in Hunter’s direction. “I saw you checkin’ out that guy.”

Paige laughed, and before Darcy and Jade could comment, Ian dragged Paige to the dance floor, which was off to the side on the far patio.

“You know I only have eyes for you,” she said, winding her arms around his neck.

They swayed to the song, and Paige forgot all about Hunter Sloan. She had the best guy in the world in her arms.

After more dancing and some eating at the several food stations set up around the club, Mary Ellen approached Ian and Paige. They were sitting on a bench down by the pro shop. “I’ve got to go,” Mary Ellen said wearily, “but I wanted to say thanks again, Dr. Chandler.”

Ian ducked his head. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m going to stop and see Sammy on the way home.”

Paige smiled at her. “Tell him I said hello.”

As they watched her leave, Paige asked, “What’d you do?”

“Nothing.”

“
Ian?
”

He slid his arm around her and tugged her close. “Nice night, huh? Romantic for a wedding.”

“Ian. ‘Fess up.”

“All right. I got a nurse to watch Suzy a few hours each afternoon so Mary Ellen can go see Sammy.”

“How’d you manage that?”

Shrugging, he fussed with his tie. “I hired her.”

“On the Center’s budget?”

“What does it matter?”

“You’re paying for it, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” When she just stared at him, he said, “All right. It’s not much.”

“Ian, that’s so generous. Most doctors wouldn’t even think of it.”

“You would.”

“I didn’t.”

Again the self-conscious shrug.

“You’re a nice guy, Dr. Chandler,” she said, leaning into him

“I’d rather be sexy and mysterious.”

Paige didn’t answer. She thought about the kind of man Ian was. He was a good, compassionate doctor. He was a sexy, unselfish lover. A funny and kind friend. They’d come a long way in the six weeks they’d been seeing each other, and she’d never felt so close to—or so happy with—any other man. In that moment, under the stars, breathing in Ian’s woodsy aftershave, thinking about Nora and Dan’s vows, everything crystallized for Paige.