Two of a Kind (31 page)

“Don’t apologize to me.”

Carter hung his head. “I was mean to her.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know why I did it. I really like Felicia. She’s cool, you know? Always nice and interesting.”

Gideon searched for the right words, for some parable to explain what was going on. The problem was, he didn’t understand Carter any more than he understood the two old ladies who had invaded his space a few days ago. The only thing he knew for sure was Felicia was hurting, and he wanted her to feel better. And his son was confused, and he needed to help him.

Carter nodded. “I get it. I’m testing her, right? To make sure she’s going to be there. She’s so patient and understanding. I want this to work. I want the two of you to get married and stuff, but what if you don’t? What if she leaves?”

Gideon was on his feet and nearly out the door before he caught himself and turned around. Fortunately, Carter was busy trying not to cry and hadn’t noticed.

“Married?” The sound was more croak than word.

He couldn’t get married. He couldn’t. That part of him had been beaten, electrocuted or just plain starved out of him. No way.

Carter looked up at him. “Sure. You like her, and she gets this funny look when you’re around. It makes a stable home for me. But if you don’t, she’ll leave eventually. I mean come on, she’s hot. Some other guy is going to snatch her up if you don’t make your play.”

“You fought with Felicia because you think she’s going to start dating another guy?”

Carter gave him a half smile. “No. I don’t want her to leave.”

“I don’t want her to leave, either.”

The smile broadened. “Cool.”

“No, not cool. Not anything. What happens or doesn’t happen with Felicia doesn’t change what you did to her. And it doesn’t change this.”

He pulled the envelope out of his back pocket and dropped it on the bed. “The DNA results are back. You’re stuck with me, kid.”

Carter stared at the paper but didn’t touch it. “You’re my dad?”

“Uh-huh. Not a surprise for either of us. I’ll talk to a lawyer and find out what the next step is to make it official. There will be a few legal things. You can keep your last name. It’s what you know and a connection with your mom.”

Carter drew his knee to his chest and poked at the envelope. “Felicia told you that last part, didn’t she?”

“Yes. She said it was important for you to maintain your identity. Or at the very least, that it should be your decision.”

He had more to say, but Carter was already running down the hall.

Gideon followed more slowly. He found them in the center of the master, Carter nearly wringing his hands as he apologized.

Felicia let him finish, then shrugged. “We need to establish some rules and consequences.”

“I can help with that,” he told her earnestly. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” He brushed away tears. “I mean it.”

“I know.”

Carter sniffed. “He’s my dad.”

“Are you surprised?” she asked.

“No, but it’s nice to know for sure.”

“Confirmation can be soothing.”

Carter started to laugh. Gideon expected him to hug her now, but the kid turned and reached for him. The teen pulled her along and it was the three of them, holding on for a very long time.

Gideon suddenly understood what Dickens had meant. The best of times and the worst of times. Unexpectedly, he started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Carter asked.

“Felicia.” He looked at the woman in question. “You’re a dangerous influence.”

She smiled. “I try to only use my powers for good.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“YOU’RE NOT GOING to believe it,” Isabel said, reaching for a chip.

Felicia dipped into the guacamole and waited for the news.

Lunch with her friends was always fun and interesting, she thought. There were plenty of jokes and a real sense of caring and connection. Just a few months ago she’d been a stranger in a new town, but now she belonged. She had a job she loved, girlfriends to hang out with, a gorgeous man in her bed and a growing bond with a teenager. The best part was she honestly couldn’t say which element was the most surprising. She never would have expected to be so happy, but here she was.

Patience smiled at Isabel. “We’re not, so tell us.”

Isabel waved her chip. “I got an email from my parents, who are very close to Hong Kong, by the way, and they’ve rented out the apartment over the garage. Just like that. A note telling me the tenant will be moving in at the end of the week, and could I please get the cleaning service in and air out the place.”

“Who’s the tenant?” Noelle asked.

“I have no idea.”

“Could be a serial killer,” Charlie said cheerfully. She was looking tanned and relaxed after her exotic honeymoon.

“Thanks for that,” Isabel said with a grimace. “I can’t believe they didn’t ask me to interview whoever it is. Or at least meet them.”

“If he kills you in your sleep, they’ll feel guilty,” Noelle said. “I mean that in a helpful way and it didn’t come out exactly as I planned.”

“Oddly, I know what you mean,” Isabel said and bit down on her chip.

“I understand your point,” Patience told her. “The apartment is close enough that you’ll be seeing a lot of your new tenant.”

“Not if he only goes out at night,” Charlie pointed out.

“Somebody kick her,” Isabel said.

“While I’m closest and capable,” Felicia said with a smile. “I don’t want to take Charlie on.”

“Thanks.” Charlie grinned. “Because, of everyone here, I think you’re the only one who could take me.” She looked at Consuelo. “Okay, you, too. Even though you’re small.”

Consuelo winked. “People underestimate me all the time. It takes away the challenge, but I always enjoy having the advantage.”

Jo appeared with a big tray. “It’s food time, people. Move your stuff.”

Salads, burgers and tacos were passed out. Felicia accepted her BBQ chicken salad and wondered what Carter would make of the place. While he was too young to come into the bar at night, during the day, children were welcome. There was even a play area in the corner for the toddler set.

She thought he might get the joke of reality TV playing and the female-skin-tone-flattering paint colors. He’d been home the past couple of days with a cold. She’d stayed with him, and they’d enjoyed hanging out together.

Since the big fight a few days before, life had been a lot calmer. She and Carter had written up house rules and consequences. He’d been extremely fair when suggesting punishments, offering up items he valued most. He’d admitted to testing boundaries and apologized for hurting her.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, the incident had brought them closer. Logically she should have been worried he would hurt her again, but she wasn’t. Gideon, on the other hand, seemed to be more wary around them. She suspected having the DNA test confirm his relationship with Carter was something he had to deal with. Connections were difficult for him, and there was no way to un-make Carter his son.

“If you’re really worried about your new tenant,” Charlie said, picking up her burger, “ask the police to run a check on the guy. Assuming it’s a guy.”

“Women can be killers,” Consuelo pointed out.

Noelle smiled at her. “You say that so cheerfully.”

“I don’t like discrimination.” She grabbed a French fry and turned to Felicia. “Carter’s doing really well in class. He’s got some talent.”

“He probably gets that from his dad. He’s loving the class. And he has a big crush on you.”

“He’ll get over it.”

“Are you going to offer self-defense classes?” Patience asked. “I’d love to take one.”

“I could,” Consuelo said. “If you think people would be interested.”

“It’s Fool’s Gold.” Isabel rolled her eyes. “Nothing scary ever happens here.”

“That’s not true.” Patience waved her fork. “Lillie was kidnapped.”

They all nodded. “That was awful,” Charlie said.

“And remember after Brew-haha opened and there was that guy?” Patience asked.

Consuelo looked confused. “What guy?”

“It was great,” Patience told her. “This guy came in with his wife. He was awful. Abusive and mean. Felicia walked over to him and took him down.”

Felicia shook her head. “I immobilized him until the police could come. Nothing more.”

“Impressive,” Isabel said. She turned to Consuelo. “If you’re teaching that, sign me up.”

“I can show you how to kick a little butt.”

Felicia felt both pleased and uncomfortable with the praise.

“I remember her,” Charlie said. “Helen. She left him. Relocated and is starting over. Good for her.”

Maybe it was the town, Felicia thought, glancing out the window. It empowered people to change. There were—

Her brain came to a complete stop. There was a woman outside walking her dog. Not an unusual occurrence. People walked dogs all the time. Except... Except...

She pushed back her chair and sprang to her feet. “I forgot!”

Everyone stared at her.

“What’s wrong?” Consuelo asked. “Are you okay?”

“No. I can’t believe it. I forgot. It’s Tuesday.”

“Did she hit her head?” Isabel asked.

Horror had a metallic taste, Felicia thought, barely breathing as the truth rushed into her brain like the tide. How could she have forgotten?

“I was working on it all last week. I knew. And then I had the fight with Carter and I just forgot.” She stared at them. “It’s the Dog Days of Summer festival on Friday.”

“Oh, that,” Charlie said and picked up her burger. “Sure. Same weekend every year.”

“But I’m not ready,” Felicia shrieked. “Do you see any decorations? Signs for parking? Have there been any announcements on the radio? I forgot. It’s my job and I forgot.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty, then ran out of the bar. Once on the sidewalk, she came to a stop, not sure what to do next.

There should be decorations, she thought frantically. Due to a scheduling mix-up, the city crew wasn’t available to put up the signs, but she’d been given a budget to hire high school and college kids to hook the banners to the light poles. She had a three-page, single-spaced list of all she was supposed to accomplish. Instead of checking that in her office, she’d been home with Carter. She’d been so focused on him, she’d forgotten about the festival.

Indecision clutched her like big hairy monster hands. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Help. She needed help.

She pulled her phone out of her purse and pushed in Gideon’s number.

“Hey,” he said when he answered.

“I forgot the festival,” she said, her voice breathless. “I forgot. I don’t know how it happened. I’ve never forgotten anything. It’s in three days and I’m not ready.”

“Festival?”

“The Dog Days of Summer. There are no decorations, no pooper-scooper stations. I stayed home with Carter instead of going to work. I was out to lunch with my friends. I forgot! I never forget. I have a perfect memory.”

She clutched the phone with both hands as panic made it impossible to breathe.

“Slow down,” Gideon said. “What do you need?”

“I don’t know. Everything. The festival is ruined.”

“Can’t ruin what hasn’t started. Figure out what you need and call me. I’ll head to the station and put the word out. We have three days. In Fool’s Gold time, that’s a month. We’ll get it done.”

“I hope you’re right,” she whispered and disconnected the call.

Her office, she thought. She had to get to her office.

She turned to head that way and found all her friends standing on the sidewalk.

“You were eating lunch,” she said, confused to see them there.

Charlie waved her burger. “You can get food to go. Jo grumbles, but she’ll do it.”

Patience touched Felicia’s arm. “You’re in trouble. We want to help.”

Isabel smiled. “We heard what you said on the phone. We’re going with you to your office, and we’ll split the to-do list. Gideon can put out a request for help on the radio and you’ll have plenty of volunteers.”

“That’s what he said,” Felicia murmured, still unable to grasp what would happen. “You can’t help me. You’re all busy.”

Noelle shook her head. “Nothing that can’t wait. You need us. Later, you’ll return the favor. No big deal.”

“Let’s call Dellina,” Isabel said. “We all saw what she did with Charlie’s wedding. The girl has mad skills.”

“Thank you,” Felicia said fervently. “I’m so confused, I don’t know where to begin.”

“Admitting there’s a problem is always the first step,” Patience said, putting an arm around her. “Now, let’s go to your office and get this festival going.”

* * *

AT SIX, FELICIA made her way through the corridors of city hall. She’d phoned ahead and had an appointment with the mayor. She’d already printed out and signed her letter of resignation, which she couldn’t bring herself to think about. Every time she did, her stomach hurt and she thought she might throw up.

She loved Fool’s Gold more than any place she’d ever lived, and she’d let down the town. She’d messed up her job, and she was only in month two. She honestly wasn’t sure which was more surprising—her shock at forgetting or how devastated she felt for having forgotten. She hadn’t known she was capable of feeling so much guilt and remorse.