Time to Love Again (20 page)

"Rose." She reached her arms out. "What's wrong?"

Rose leaned down, hugged Louise, and kissed her cheek. George offered coffee and left the room without waiting for an answer. Rose knew Louise sent him a signal. She used to do the same thing with Frank. Just the briefest look, and he knew it meant to leave them alone.

"Here, sit." Louise moved her legs to the hassock and patted the seat next to her. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Rose sat next to her friend and wondered what to say, where to start. Suddenly feeling foolish, she looked at the concern in Louise's eyes. "His old girlfriend showed up this morning. A real looker, too." She didn't need to say who. Louise knew she was falling for Stephen even though she hadn't admitted it.

"How do you know?"

"I saw her, and Sarah told me when I drove her to the bus stop. Sarah said he kissed her. I saw him kiss her, too." Heat crept into her cheeks.

"I'm sure it doesn't mean anything." Louise gave her a reassuring smile. George brought coffee in and made an excuse to leave them alone.

"I was going to ask them to spend Christmas with me." Rose sipped her coffee. "They helped me decorate yesterday. He..."

"You decorated? Rose, that's wonderful. Of course, you should invite them for Christmas. That will be good for all of you."

Rose stood up and paced the room. The elegant Christmas decorations lent a feeling of cheer. "Do you think I should? I mean, yesterday I saw a future for us. I know that's silly but..." She crossed the room and sat next to Louise again. "Oh, Louise, I haven't had these feelings in so long. Stephen awakened something in me that I thought was dead."

"Then why give up? I haven't seen you so relaxed and happy in, well, I can't remember how long. Look at you. You even started wearing make-up again. You've lost some weight. Rose, you look alive for the first time in years."

Rose stood up. "You're right. I'm not going to give up. I have shopping to do. I need the right Christmas gifts for Stephen and Sarah." She picked up her purse from the table. "I'm going shopping."

Louise stood and hugged her goodbye. "George," she called, "Rose needs her coat." She turned back to Rose. "You keep me informed, but I see a relationship here, and I couldn't be happier."

* * *

Rose hurried into the mall and right to The Children's Store. It seemed to take forever but finally, she picked out two outfits for Sarah. The book store was next, where she found two books for her, a fantasy, Queen of Spiders and a cartoon type book, How to Do Homework Without Throwing Up. She'd talk to Stephen later about a possible game.

She found a book called Memories of Cleveland for Stephen. They had joked about the ragman and iceman from their youth, and she thought he'd enjoy the nostalgia.

Stopping at a jewelry counter in the middle of the mall, she found a delicate heart necklace she thought Sarah would like and a pair of small gold hoops to go with it. She couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun shopping. The Disney Store caught her eye and she went in and bought an ornament for Sarah and each of her grandchildren.

Now what else to buy for Stephen? She went to the men's store and picked out a sweater with a turtleneck shirt to go under it. She wondered if Stephen had any hobbies. She'd make a point of talking with Sarah about it. She hurried home, hoping Stephen was alone.

Damn, the car was still there. Rose pulled into her garage and took her purchases inside. Determined not to let it bother her, she wrapped the gifts and put them under the tree. It had been a long time since she had gifts under the tree. Hell, it had been a long time since she had a tree, and she liked the look. She picked up the phone and dialed Stephen's number.

"Stephen, I'm making spaghetti for dinner and wondered if you and Sarah wanted to share it with me." She held her breath for his answer.

"Rose." She heard the hesitation in his voice. "Uh, I'm sorry I can't tonight. Rain check?"

Rose's heart dropped. Who was that woman? What did she mean to Stephen? She hadn't ever noticed her car there before, but then she hadn't noticed too much of anything before now. Maybe they were still an item. After all Stephen had moved out of his home. For all she knew he still visited his old neighborhood and Ms, Whoople all the time.

Now what? She sank down in the chair. All her plans gone, just like that. What made her think she was so special anyway? After all the man did have a life before her. She really knew nothing about him. Sure they spent some time together. So he kissed her a few times. So what? He was probably just being neighborly.

She wiped the tears but couldn't contain them. Just when she let herself go again. She should have known better. Now here she was right back where she started. "Damn!" She banged her hand against the sofa.

"Ah, Rose so you've hit a setback. That's what life is all about. You have to admit you enjoyed it. You aren't going to give up that easy are you?" Emma stood in front of her.

Rose stood and paced the room. She had enjoyed it. Enjoyed the kids and decorating. She liked feeling alive again. But mostly, she enjoyed spending time with Stephen. And those kisses, those weren't just neighborly kisses. "No, damn it. I'm not giving up." She cared about Stephen, wanted the relationship to grow. She picked up the phone again and dialed.

"Stephen, hi, it's me again." Like he didn't know that, oh, well, go for broke. "That rain check, um... how does tomorrow sound?" She held her breath.

"Rose, that sounds great. I look forward to it. I'll bring the wine."

Rose figured either his guest was out of earshot, or he didn't care. She let out the breath she held. She preferred to think he didn't care. "I'll see you about six, okay?"

"That sounds fine. I'll see you then."

May as well make the sauce today, then tomorrow all she'd have to do was heat it up and make the pasta. Rose hummed while she took a pot out of the cupboard for the sauce. She mixed the ingredients, happier than she thought she had a right to be.

Somehow, it felt as if someone lifted a weight off her shoulders. Something told her Frank would approve of Stephen. She smiled at the thought. Yes, Frank and Stephen would have gotten along just fine. Probably would have become good friends.

Once she had the sauce cooking, Rose began unpacking some of the other boxes the kids had brought down from the attic. She passed the rest of the day decorating. She hung wreaths in the windows, put her Santa collection on the mantle and laughed at the crooked candles that had melted in the heat of the attic.

 
Every so often she glanced out the window. The car remained in the drive. Her stomach tightened at the thought of another woman with Stephen. She turned away from the window. Don't think about it. Don't let it bother you, she told herself.

"That's the spirit," Emma said. "Think about tomorrow."

Chapter Thirty-Two

The next morning, Rose looked out the window before she even made her coffee. The car still sat in Stephen's drive, large as life. So, she had stayed the night. But still, Stephen was coming to dinner tonight with her. So at least they didn't have plans for later. Maybe it was nothing. She knew she shouldn't read more into it. Maybe they were friends. Yeah, but what kind of friends?

"Don't start, Rose, you'll only work yourself up. Think about later. Go shopping, keep busy. Don't think about the woman," Emma said.

Rose drank her coffee but couldn't keep her eyes off the driveway next door. What were they doing over there? Did Stephen remember they had a dinner date? He sounded enthusiastic when she called him back. Surely he wouldn't be making a date with her if there was something going on between him and that woman.

 
Rose picked up her purse and car keys. She had to get out of there. She couldn't watch the house next door all day. She grabbed her coat from the closet and ran out to her car. Shopping, that's it, shopping always helped. She drove to the mall and parked her car a distance away from the store. A walk in the brisk air would do her good, clear her mind. Too bad she hadn't remembered to ask Stephen about a game for Sarah. Maybe a hat and scarf. Yes, she'd buy one of those new furry scarves that were all the rage. All the kids loved them. She hurried into the mall and went straight to Penney's.

After a long morning of shopping and buying gifts for her grandchildren, she hurried to the Federal Express office. If she sent them now the clerk promised they'd still get them before Christmas. She didn't remember the last time she enjoyed shopping so much. The kids were certainly going to be surprised. She's sure they had received the money by now. The gifts would be a pleasant surprise.

She drove home in a happier mood then when she left. Her eyes immediately sought out Stephen's drive. Still there, damn. Her heart fell. Would Stephen keep their date? She hoped so.

Later, she put the sauce on to heat. She hummed along with the stereo, trying to ignore the car next door. Stephen would have called if he intended to cancel.

Something told her this was going to be a good Christmas. She made a mental note to call Francis and Melinda after she found out if Stephen accepted her invitation. They'd be delighted of course. Both had been playing cupid from long distance ever since Francis met Stephen. She smiled.

At least her kids would accept Stephen into their lives. She often heard of women and men, whose kids wouldn't accept a new mate. Sad, really. Why should a parent live lonely lives just because their spouse died?

She shook her head. Wasn't that exactly what she had been doing? She didn't need Emma to tell her that. She had curled up and wallowed in self-pity. Such a shame, really, when there was so much life to live. And now she was ready to live it. Looked forward to it. Hopefully with Stephen.

One last box of decorations to go through and her house would be complete. She opened the box and took out the bells she always displayed on the buffet. Something else remained in the box wrapped in newspaper.

She pulled out her grandmother's sugar and cream pitcher and the gold sleigh she used for the centerpiece on the dining room table. What were they doing in there? She always put them in the buffet with her Christmas dishes. She wondered how they happened to be mixed in with the decorations, but glad they had. At least they had survived the destruction from the vandals.

Remembering the Christmas dishes and glasses, Francis made her buy– she took enough place settings out of the buffet for dinner. She washed them, found the red tablecloth and napkins, and set the table in the dining room. After adding her new crystal candleholders with gold candles to the table and the crystal wine glasses, she set the gold sleigh in the center between the candles.

As a little girl, she had always loved the gold sleigh. She remembered the year her grandmother gave it to her. It was the year after Melinda was born. "I know how much you loved this," Grandma had said. "Now it's yours. Enjoy it and pass it down to your granddaughter some day."

She brushed away a tear at the memory. So many memories had surfaced this year. She looked for the red and gold Christmas ornaments that she had found in another box. Now she remembered what they were for. She put them in the sleigh and added touches of green holly leaves from her yard.

"Perfect!" She stood back and admired the room and turned down the lights with the dimmer switch.

 
"See!" Emma danced around her. "Look how excited you are. Doesn't it feel good to be alive?"

"Yes, it does," she answered aloud. "It feels very good." She twirled around the room and laughed, loving the feeling.

 
She went to the kitchen and put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Already the delicious smells of garlic and onions mingled as the sauce heated. She tore lettuce leaves for the salad, still humming with the Christmas music that played in the background.

Tonight she'd ask Stephen to Christmas dinner. She already had the menu planned in her head. A standing rib roast with parsley potatoes, spiced carrots, cranberry relish, a spinach salad and chocolate chiffon pie for dessert.

The doorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts. She wiped her hands, smoothed her hair, and hurried to answer it.

"Sarah, come in. Where's your grandfather?"

"He's coming, but first he has to get rid of Ms, Whoop de do. He told me to come ahead. Maybe he wants to kiss her goodbye."