Ring Out the Old (Twelves Months of Romance - January) Read online

  Jen didn't count Mom and Dad. They were her parents and loved her and the kids, but they had a life to live, too. Dad would be retiring in a few years, and they should be able to enjoy their freedom. She couldn't let them sacrifice the life they'd worked so hard for to devote themselves to her.

  If willpower had anything to do with it, and she knew darned well it didn't, she'd get her health back and take care of her family on her own. But she could do some things to reduce her stress levels which might help prevent flare-ups.

  There had never been time to take care of herself. David had been a loving husband and father, but was useless when it came to the day-to-day practicalities of living. Cooking, cleaning, homework, discipline had all fallen to her, and though she knew she should take time to exercise or even just relax, the demands of her family took all her time and energy.

  Now she had Nat to think of, too. Nat's stress had to be as great as her own. And wouldn't it be fun if she and the girls took a yoga class together? A girl's night out once a week might be just the ticket. Davey could stay at her parents’ house for a couple of hours. That wouldn't be an imposition at all, and Davey would love the chance to have his doting grandparents all to himself.

  In the meantime, she had to concentrate on anything but the gnawing hunger pangs in her stomach. Jen fixed her attention back on the plant. It really was rather soothing, and she did love plants. She'd brought a few from home, but had given away the majority of them to friends and neighbors. This would be her first new plant in her new life, from her first friend and neighbor in that new life.

  Now that she was thinking of Billy, she wondered why such a nice man wasn't married. He wasn't drop-dead gorgeous, but he was certainly attractive. It could be that he'd always moved from house to house and just didn't want to settle down. Some men were like that, but she didn't think that was the case here. Just looking at the care and thought that went into designing her little bungalow, she knew that would be his way with whatever or whoever he touched.

  That was a thought. Did she want him to touch her? Jen dismissed that errant thought as soon as it entered her mind. David was barely gone, and who knew if he would stay gone. He was too used to her taking care of everything. Unless …

  Jen sat bolt upright in bed as gut-deep pain speared through her belly. Unless he'd taken someone with him to California. Did he have the second Mrs. Prescott all lined up and living the good life with him in The Golden State? He could have been planning this for months; at least since Nat got sick.

  So much for controlling her stress. Jen flopped back on the pillows, feeling really defeated for the first time since David had announced his departure. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she fought back the despair.

  Had she really been naïve enough to think, deep down, that someday David would come back to her and they could be a family again? And why would she even want that when he'd done little more than bring home a paycheck? It was probably the only adult thing he'd ever done in his life.

  Yes, he'd taken care of the kids when she'd had a flare-up, but had he really? Jen always had several meals ahead in the big freezer they kept out in the garage. All he had to do was defrost and microwave.

  He loved to give the kids their baths because that was playtime for him. Jen always came home to mildewed towels stuffed wet into the hamper, a tub filled with soap scum and a sink stained with toothpaste.

  And the kitchen! Jen shuddered when she remembered the mess she always came home to. David had always told her mother that she wasn't needed. He could handle things for the couple of days Jen was in the hospital. But he hadn't. It was his chance to be the fun guy in the kids’ eyes.

  Was that what she wanted in her life again? And what kind of example was that for Davey? What kind of father would he be with only David for an example? Jen shuddered again, realizing for the first time that she was looking at her ex with eyes wide-open.

  Could love die this quickly? Probably not. She would always have feelings for David. Had to. He was her husband of fifteen years and the father of her children.

  He'd also been her lover, and though she'd always enjoyed his lovemaking, there always seemed to be a part of him that was detached; a part she couldn't reach.

  Funny that he'd continued to make love to her right up until the time he'd told her he was leaving. Jen wondered if the girlfriend knew that. She snuggled down into the covers with a little snort of pleasure at the thought.

  Jen really needed a more pleasant thought to keep her mind off her growling stomach. It would be nearly dinner time in the hospital, but not for her. Not even Jello until sometime tomorrow.

  Just as she was despairing of ever eating again, twin faces popped around the curtain.

  “Hi, Mom!” they chorused.

  “Girls!” she beamed, holding out her arms despite the double IV's.

  Nat and Nic would have loved nothing more than to jump on the bed to cuddle with their mother, despite the growing sophistication of their twelve years, but they knew better. They moved, one to each side of the bed, to hold their mother's hand and kiss her cheeks. They could see the tear tracks and glanced at each other, helpless to do more to ease their mother's pain.

  “Hi, Mom.” Jen saw the distressed look on her mother's face and knew she must look a sight. Pale face, matted curls, red eyes. She knew how her mother felt now, having seen her own daughter lying in a hospital bed fighting this nasty disease.

  “How'd it go with Dr. Haskett?” she asked, hoping to distract Joanna.

  “Just fine, honey. You know how I enjoy talking to people.”

  “I know, Mom, and I appreciate it. But you have your own business to run.”

  “The pleasure of running a home-based business is that I can take off when I want to.”

  “Yes, but you just got back from your cruise and ...”

  “Enough, Jennifer,” Joanna told her firmly. The only thing I can do for you is fill in with Dr. Haskett so you can keep your job, and it's a lot less than I would like to be doing.”

  “I know, Mom, but ...”

  “No more buts, young lady. You just wait until your kids grow up and need help. If I know you, you'll be the first one there to lend a hand or even two.”

  “Okay, Mom. I give up,” Jen laughed. “Where's Davey?”

  “Downstairs with your father. As soon as we leave here, we're going over to your place to pack up a few things for you and the kids.”

  “Oh,” Jen said, remembering. “I think I left my purse and keys inside the house.”

  “Sorry, Mom,” Nic told her, chewing on her lip. “I didn't think. I mean, Mr. Easton just picked you right up and carried you out and none of us thought about it.”

  “He did?” Joanna asked, eyebrows arched at her daughter.

  “Don't go reading anything into that,” Jen warned her mother, blushing at the thought. She really didn't remember much of anything, but she did remember feeling warm and secure as the Easton Express carried her out the door.

  “I'm sure he'll let us in,” Joanna told Jen. And that'll give me a chance to size up this guy who has my daughter turning pink.

  * * *

  Billy turned into his driveway, his take-out dinner already growing cold. It had been a long night and a frustrating day.

  He'd gone house hunting, already thinking ahead to his next project, but he couldn't keep his mind on his work. Nothing looked right to him, and by now he should have been planning at least two remodels in his head. Unfortunately, his head seemed to be filled with the slight figure of his tenant in a cheap hospital nightgown.

  Clouded blue eyes seemed to float in front of him as he mentally tried to tear out kitchen cabinets and rip up moldy old carpet. Now all he wanted to do was throw his Chinese dinner into the microwave and flop in front of the TV with his meal and a beer. Maybe some mindless drivel on the boob tube would clear his head.

  But what did he get when he got home? Jen's family piled out of the car parked beside the bungalow. He was in no
mood to give them a guided tour. Billy heaved himself out of his truck, a large bag of food in his arms, and pasted a smile on his face.

  Neil approached him first.

  “Sorry to bother you, Billy, but Jennifer left her purse inside the house. We need to get some clothes and things for the kids.”

  “No problem,” he nodded. He shifted the bag in his arms and dug in his pocket for the keys. “Sorry,” he grinned sheepishly, “guess I left them in the ignition.”

  Why do I keep acting like an idiot in front of this guy? Billy thought as he stomped back to his truck.

  “He seems like a nice enough man,” Neil whispered to his wife, “but kind of confused and disorganized.”

  “Be nice, Neil,” Joanna admonished him. “Look how he helped Jennifer. He's probably just shy around strangers.

  “He is nice, Grandpa,” Nicole whispered, Natalie nodding her agreement.

  Neil watched as Billy banged his elbow on the steering wheel, then knocked his hat off his head when he pulled himself back out of the truck. He rolled his eyes at his wife then turned to Billy with a smile.

  “Sorry to put you to so much trouble,” Neil apologized.

  “No trouble at all,” Billy grimaced, trying not to rub his elbow. At least he'd managed to unlock the door without doing anything stupid.

  It didn't take Joanna long to find Jennifer's purse and keys on the chest-of-drawers in her bedroom. That's where she always kept them.

  “I found the keys, Neil,” she called from the room. Knowing that her daughter liked to keep things neat and tidy, Joanna quickly smoothed the covers and plumped the pillows on both beds. Jennifer didn't need the stress of a messy house when she came home.

  When Joanna went back into the living room, she saw Billy standing in the middle of the room, his paper bag held awkwardly in front of him. Poor man. He looked so lost.

  “I've got the keys,” Joanna told him. “Why don't you go home and eat your dinner? I'm sure it's ice cold by now.”

  “Yes, Ma'am,” Billy replied.

  Joanna wasn't sure how to react to this big stranger taking up half the living space. According to the girls, he was friendly and outgoing. He'd given Jennifer a lot of help with the move, and even arranged a sort of housewarming party for them. And last night, he'd certainly taken charge when Jennifer had her flare-up. So, why was he acting like this now?

  “Joanna, please.”

  “Sorry, yeah, Joanna. I'll be on my way now.” Billy tucked the bag under his arm but made no effort to move.

  “Why don't you give us your phone number and we'll call you when Jennifer gets out of the hospital?”

  “Thanks,” Billy breathed, relieved. He really wanted to know how Jen was, but this family had already had more than their share of tragedies, and he didn't want to intrude. He remembered how it was when Willie was sick, how he and Kay and Willie had formed their own little world, having only time and energy for each other.

  Neil took out his phone and punched in the number Billy gave him, and Joanna did the same with hers.

  “Hopefully, she'll be out by tomorrow night or the next morning at the latest,” Neil assured him.

  “Okay, thanks. Tell Jen I'll keep an eye on the place for her.” At least that was something he could do without making a nuisance of himself … or a blithering idiot.

  * * *

  Jen was thrilled to be out of the hospital the next night. She'd eaten all her Jello with no problems, and then managed to keep down the scrambled eggs Dr. Haskett had ordered for dinner. But twenty-four hours of pampering at her parents' house was more than enough. She needed to get her own little family back to their own home. The sooner they started thinking of the bungalow that way, the better.

  The Stanleys were surprised to see that Billy's truck wasn't in the driveway when they got there. Neil had called and told him they were leaving to bring Jennifer home.

  When Jennifer unlocked the door and they all trooped inside, they understood why Billy had chosen not to be at home. Apparently, dinner for this special occasion was to be provided by the landlord. Flowers, candles (unlit, of course), a rotisserie chicken that smelled divine and an apple crumb pie for dessert were all set out temptingly on the breakfast bar.

  Davey was the first to move, climbing onto his stool to reach the pie. Before any of them could stop him, he'd picked several fat crumbs off the top.

  “Davey!” Nicole yelled. “Get off there this instant!”

  Jen watched her daughter take charge and realized she'd have to do something about Nicole turning into the family caretaker before it was too late. The child shouldn't have to grow up so fast.

  But for now, Jen just wanted to enjoy the fact that Billy had provided this feast for them. He was really very sweet, and she'd been lucky to find this place … and him.

  “We'll be going now, Jennifer,” Neil said, giving her a hug.

  “You call us if you need anything, sweetie,” Joanna added, hugging her daughter as well.

  They kissed their grandchildren goodbye and were gone before Jen knew it.

  “I'm hungry!” Davey yelled, pulling her back to earth.

  “Are you, baby?” she laughed. “Me, too.”

  Natalie and Nicole grinned at each other. It was the first genuine laugh they'd heard from their mother in a very long time.

  The feast was demolished, the children bathed and put to bed, and Jen sat down for the first time in her new home with nothing to do.

  Cleaning this place would be a breeze compared to that four-bedroom monstrosity she'd had to take care of. That house had been filled with all kinds of dust collectors brought home from David's flea market and garage sale ‘adventures’, as he liked to call them. He hadn't even bothered to take that junk with him, she thought, disgusted that he'd left the disposal of everything to her.

  She couldn't watch television with the kids asleep so close by. There was only room for one bookcase in the everything room, and she'd already read all the books on the shelves. All she'd brought along were her old favorites: Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Susan Howatch, Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux. But none of them appealed to her tonight.

  Which left her with nothing to do but think. Was this the way it was going to be night after night? Only a few chores to do and no one to talk to when the chores were done?

  Maybe in the spring, Billy would let her put in a garden. That would be something nice for them to do as a family. But by the spring, the house will probably have been sold and Billy moved on. She'd have a new landlord who would, no doubt, raise the rent to something she couldn't afford.

  This little bungalow was a gem, and its rental added to the value of the house. That's probably why Billy rented it out so cheap, so the buyer would have a ready-made tenant.

  One thing she could do, at least, was do right by this place. The girls had Davey's bunk beds with his dinosaur sheets. They'd had to give up their twin beds for her and Davey and deserved something nice. She'd let Davey pick out new sheets, too, and the heck with the cost. Drapes, throw rugs, the works, as soon as she got the money from the house.

  She'd have to ask Billy about putting up curtain rods and pictures. She was sure he'd say yes and even offer to install everything himself. She'd ask him as soon as he got home tonight.

  Well, maybe not tonight. Tonight, she needed to thank him for everything he'd done for them. He'd gone well beyond being a good landlord and a good neighbor when he'd brought in dinner.

  It was getting late. The clock had already chimed ten and now it was half past. What was he doing out so late on a Sunday night? He seemed very sociable, but she hadn't pegged him for the going-out-with-the-guys type. Guys didn't hang out on Sunday, did they?

  A girlfriend! Billy had a girlfriend. A nice, good-looking man like that was bound to have someone, and Jen was happy for him. She hated the thought of him being alone. Then why this queasy feeling? This crawling sensation in her gut? Must just be the aftermath of the flare-up.

  Jen did some
deep breathing to help her relax and get rid of that uncomfortable pang, but it didn't help. She needed to make a conscious effort to think happy thoughts, like decorating her new home.

  Mentally, she picked out colors and fabrics, but with only two rooms to do (the girls would do their own), that didn't take long. The clock was chiming eleven when Jen gave up and decided to go to bed.

  She'd just switched off the lamp when the headlights from Billy's truck swept across the room. Jen grabbed her coat and shoved her feet into her snow boots, anxious to catch him before he went inside.

  She opened the door and ran out without her hat or gloves, clutching her coat around her middle.

  “Billy!” Jen called, nearly slipping on an icy patch.

  “Jen! What are you doing? Here, let me help you.” He held on to her arm and steered her back to the house where the door still stood wide open. “Dammit, woman, what are you thinking? Coming out on a freezing night like this, half-dressed? And you just out of the hospital.”

  Billy wouldn't let Jen say a word until he had her safely in the house and tucked up on the couch under a fleece throw. Then he took off his own jacket and boots and went into the kitchen, banging open cabinets until he found the hot chocolate.

  “What are you doing?” Jen asked, exasperated that he'd taken over her kitchen. “Can you stop banging around like that? You'll wake up the kids.”

  “Sorry. Guess I'm a little upset with you right now,” Billy replied, filling the kettle with water. And more with himself than with her. He felt like he hadn't said sorry so much in all his life as he had in the last two days.

  “With me?” she squeaked, not believing he'd said that.

  “Yeah,” he replied, dumping the packets of powdered chocolate into two mugs.

  “Why?”

  “The hell of it is, I don't know,” he replied, running his hand through his hair. “You scared me, I guess. The way you came running out there. I thought something was wrong. Something had happened to you or the kids.”

  “We're fine.”