The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (67 page)

They both nodded, then parted ways.

Eric returned to the office and saw Nina coloring. He sat behind his desk and tapped a pen, thoughtful. The gleam in Carter's eyes had worried him. He knew what he was like, knew the temptation to get in the game again. But if Carter did anything that involved Nina he would kill him.

* * *

Carter hoped his investment would pay off soon. He didn't like that Henson didn't believe him, though he was lying. He wasn't a bad guy and when he made his money he would prove it. Fortunately, he had more time now so he could relax.

At home he hung up his jacket and grinned. So Eric knew money. He remembered the days when they had dreamed of days like that. Serena would definitely be impressed, she liked dropping names. He headed to the kitchen where he knew she would be.

"Hey, babe. Henson knows Laurence Shelton's kid. Can you believe it? I just met her. She's—" He came around the corner and stopped. Serena was eating lunch with three other women. "Sorry, I didn't realize you had company."

She waved her hand. "Don't worry about it."

He flashed a sheepish grin and took a step back. One cute, petite woman caught his eye. He wasn't sure why she did, there was just something about her. He pushed the thought aside and went to the basement.

* * *

Drake stared at his brother across the desk as they sat in his main office. He couldn't put his finger on it, but Eric had changed. He seemed more real, as if his existence was more than that of a moving shadow, drifting in and out of life and relationships.

"Adriana and Nina are coming for Thanksgiving," Eric said suddenly.

Drake scribbled something down to look busy. "Okay."

"Schedule to make something where you can use basil or chives."

Drake glanced up. "Why?"

"Because Nina has been growing them."

He nodded. "Okay."

After a few moments Eric said, "And make sure there's nothing too hot. Adriana doesn't handle spices very well."

Drake hesitated. "Okay."

Eric tapped his pen on the desk and then pointed at him. "And make sure to use candles. She likes candles."

"Fine." Drake sat back in his chair ready for more instructions. He was not disappointed.

"And could you use your china dishes, the ones with the geometric patterns?"

"I think you should talk to Cassie about that."

"Right." He turned away, missing Drake's smile.

* * *

"Did Eric call you?" Drake asked his wife that evening as she washed dishes. He liked simple times like this when the children were asleep in the nursery and they had time alone.

Cassie nodded. "I don't know what has gotten into him. He had so many requests I felt like saying, 'Very good, sir.'"

Drake took a towel and dried a plate. "He likes her. It's going to be awkward when things don't work out."

"Stop saying that. They might."

"Those two are about as good together as cheese puffs and caviar. They have nothing in common."

She took the towel from him and dried her hands. "People could say the same about us."

"We have plenty in common. We both love food. We both think I'm incredibly attractive."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, and humble."

"And we both love..." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

She hit him with the towel. "I'm sure they have that in common."

"Doubt it's as good."

"Your humility is faltering." She opened a cupboard, then quickly shut it, guilty. She turned to him and smiled, hoping he hadn't seen what she had been hiding.

He had. He narrowed his eyes. "Did I just see what I thought I saw?"

"No."

He opened the cupboard and picked up a can. "What is Quick-Slim doing in my kitchen?"

She reached for the can. "Drake, don't be silly."

He moved the can out of reach and frowned. "I can't seem to make clear how much I hate these things."

"I just bought it today. I've been exercising, but the fat from Ericka is still clinging on."

He shoved a hand in his pocket, unconvinced.

"It's been six months."

He rubbed his nose and sniffed.

"I just want to lose—"

He lifted a brow and measured her body. "When you want a workout, you can just come to me."

She frowned. "I don't like your workouts. Torturous machines, running until my lungs threaten to burst."

"This involves lying down. I—"

She snatched the can and tossed it in the bin. "I'm in."

He smiled and grabbed her.

* * *

Adriana dumped
The Washington Post
advertising inserts in the trash bin, but their glossy covers and bright colors remained in her memory. The Thanksgiving sales were calling her like the Sirens. She had to resist them. Most of the stores were closed today, but tomorrow would be sale heaven. She had to try and think of something else.

She missed shopping. Missed the feel of shopping bags, their logos stamped on the bags signs of a successful hunt. She missed clothes wrapped in tissue paper, the rush of crowds, spotting a bargain, seeing the red dash slashing through the price tag. Her palms began to sweat. She had to think of something else. It was Thanksgiving Day. There had to be something she could think of.

"Nina, we're going to volunteer."

She arrived at the Memorial Church just as the meal ended. She glanced at the black and orange streamers on the walls, the remnants of food on paper plates, and
trash
bins overflowing with rubbish.

"It smells funny," Nina said, wrinkling her nose.

"Remember what I told you," Adriana whispered as they walked past the row of tables. "Many of these people don't have homes so they don't get the chance to shower."

"Isn't this a surprise!" Cassie said. She approached them wearing a plastic cap and an apron.

"I'm surprised myself."

"Eric's over there." She pointed to him in the kids' corner, helping a little girl with a puzzle. Nina ran to him.

"He volunteers with the kids every year," Cassie said. "I don't know why. He doesn't seem the type."

"But he is," Adriana said. "He understands them."

"Are you going to say hello?"

She hesitated. "He looks busy."

"He's never too busy to say hello."

She shrugged and watched him. He didn't seem as distant with kids. Probably because he remembered what it was like to be a child, the uncertainty and private insecurities that most adults chose to forget.

Cassie took off her cap and sat at an empty table.

Adriana sat in front of her. "Where are the kids?"

"At home with a baby-sitter. I love them, but sometimes I have to get away before they drive me crazy."

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Be a mother, wife, and Cassie."

"It's a struggle, Drake helps a lot. It's really about planning and getting help when you need it. There are those women who are meant to be stay-at-home moms and that's great, but I'm not one of them. If I stayed home I would only end up resenting the very thing I love most—my family."

"Do you feel guilty?"

Cassie looked sheepish. "I'm supposed to say yes, but I don't. I'm so happy with everything about my life—my husband, my kids, my career. It's all about priority. I love them more by loving me first. I'll always be Cassie in every role I have."

"You're brave to admit that."

"Sure, and if you repeat it I will deny every word." She drummed her fingers. "You're doing the same thing. You're a mom in a relationship also running a business."

"I keep waiting to mess up."

"We all mess up, but we try our best. Should I ask how things are going with you and Eric?"

Adriana glanced at a streamer that was slowly falling from the wall. "I'm scared to think about the future."

"Why?"

"Because I know it will be without him."

"It doesn't have to be."

She wished she had Cassie's optimism. "I'm not marrying Laurence again, you know that."

"Eric is not like Laurence and it's unfair to compare them. It's downright cruel, really. I know he's a nerd, but—"

"He's not a nerd," Adriana cut in. "He's a little brainy but not that."

"Those were your words, not mine," Cassie reminded her.

Her voice dropped, ashamed. "I know. I've changed."

"I've noticed." She switched topics. "I'm glad you'll be joining us for dinner tomorrow. Eric has made sure it's to be a fantastic affair."

Adriana stared, amazed. "He has?"

"Yes." Cassie smiled, pleased. "He's fussed over every detail—the table setting, the food. Don't tell him I told you." She stretched the elastic rim of her cap and chose her words carefully. "He really cares about you and Nina. I think if you want him, you can have him. He's officially on the marriage market."

Adriana shook her head. "You know marriage changes things."

"Yes, sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better. I didn't let a first bad marriage stop me from
enjoying a
second one."

She lowered her eyes. "Truth is. I don't think I'm the wife he's looking for."

"How do you know?"

"Past experience. You've met the women he's gone out with."

"He wouldn't have married the ones I met."

"He asked Lynda."

"He did?" She made a face. "Then you'd be a nice change."

"You didn't like her either?"

"No."

"He doesn't want to be Nina's father," Adriana said.

Cassie blinked. "He said that?"

"Yes."

She was quiet a moment. "Perhaps he meant he doesn't want you to be with him for that reason."

Adriana shrugged.

"Sometimes we don't know what we want until we find it. And who says he wouldn't want you?"

"I don't know why we're having this conversation. I don't want to get married."

"Aren't you going to say anything to him at least?"

"No, not yet."

Cassie stood. "Then you can help me clean up."

Adriana glanced at a young man gloomily sweeping the floor. "What's wrong with him?"

Cassie turned. "Cedric?" She sighed. "Pamela won't be coming home for the winter holiday. He's very disappointed."

Drake passed them humming the death march.

Cassie hit him. "Be quiet."

He stopped in front of them. "The end is near," he said in ominous tones.

"She had an opportunity to travel to France and took it."

"I'm not faulting her choices. Unfortunately, she's leaving Cedric behind. Even if she does come back—"

"She will."

"I bet we won't recognize her." Drake watched him, pensive. "I'm surprised he hasn't started to cheat."

Adriana and Cassie sent him a venomous glare.

He held up his hands in surrender. "It happens. I'm not condoning it but—"

Cassie pushed him away. "Go before you shame me further. I'll give you a lesson on appropriate conversations in mixed company later."

Adriana watched Cedric put the broom aside, wondering if his relationship would last. Educational differences was a big hurdle to climb, especially when you're young. Perhaps it would be better for them to break up as friends.

To date people who had similar experiences so that there would be no awkward moments, no instances when one would be regarded as better than the other.

Cassie nudged her. "Let's work. I see a table with your name on it."

The trash bag felt like an anchor, but she wasn't emptying out its contents. She took a deep breath and swung it over her shoulder, teetering backward. She was saved from falling over when the load was suddenly lifted. She turned and saw Eric.

He didn't smile, but looked pleased to see her. "Cassie is working you so hard you didn't have a moment to say hello," he said with mock annoyance.

"It's not completely her fault. I wanted to help."

"Thanks for coming."

She felt shamed into honesty. "A Thanksgiving's sale was calling me." She shoved her hands in her pockets. "I felt safe to come here."

He nodded with sympathy. "I'm sure that must hurt. All those designer blouses fifty percent off, designer shoes buy one, get one free."

Adriana frowned. "You're not helping."

Eric tossed the bag in the bin. "That's because I know the secret."

"What?"

"Sales always come back."

"But it's not the same," she said, gloomy.

"True, but considering how quickly trends change, that's a good thing, right?"

She sighed. "I miss shopping."

"Don't worry. Christmas is coming up. I'll be sure to give you my list."

* * *

"Come on, Nina, time to go," Adriana said once the clearing had been completed.

Nina came up to her smiling. "This was fun."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Where's your jacket?"

Her smile faltered. "Tamara needed it."

"Tamara?"

She nodded.

"You gave your leather jacket away?"

Nina wrung her hands, sensing she was in trouble. "She needed it. She doesn't have anything, not anything, and it's so cold. I can't take it back."

"But I gave you..." She stopped. It was gone and it was no big deal. She shouldn't feel betrayed. "Forget it." She took her hand to go.

Eric approached them, zipping up his coat. "Hey, Nina, where's your jacket?"

She lowered her eyes, but her words were defiant. "I gave it away."

"That was nice of you." He glanced at Adriana and could see she didn't agree. "Why don't you let Aunt Cassie give you something for your special deed?"

She turned to her mother for permission. Adriana nodded and she left.

Eric said, "I can see that Mom doesn't approve."

"Do you know how much that jacket cost? I bought it especially for her and she just gives it away like it's nothing."

"Adriana, she has plenty of coats. She did a good thing."

"Yes, now some homeless kid is going to look good in—"

"Adriana," he warned.

She moved her hand in a quick dismissive gesture. "Callous of me, I know. She did a good thing. Very much in the holiday spirit. I shouldn't care she gave away the very coat I bought especially so that we'd look like mother and daughter. My gifts never mean anything. They're just shallow, materialistic baubles. Your gifts, of course, are gold. Heaven forbid she should give one of your beloved books away."