The Winter Baby Read online

  Kim snatched back her head. “Are you even thinking about a junior?”

  “I’m not thinking about it—like actively thinking right now. But one day maybe.” I took the drink in her hand and took a sip before saying, “Let’s change the subject.”

  My phone rang and I swiped the screen for the call from Tamar. I knew why she was calling. “I’m on the way right now.”

  “Okay because the weather is supposed to get nasty tonight.”

  “I know and I’m walking out the door.”

  We ended the call. I took the picture and shoved it into the top drawer and exited the bedroom.

  Chapter Four

  Kim

  “What do you have in this luggage?” I struggled to get Tamar’s bag down the garage steps.

  “Sorry, girl. I thought Stephen would be here. I overpack when I don’t fly.”

  “That still doesn’t answer the question about what’s in here.” I parked the bag at the bottom of the steps and climbed up to where Tamar was waiting. “And why do you have to pack at all? You own a house in Pine. Don’t you have a wardrobe there?”

  “I’m a creature of habit,” she replied. “I like what I like.”

  “Well, can you start getting two of what you like. This is ridiculous.” We reentered the house. “You guys need to install an elevator or move to a spot that’s stepless. You’re not going to want to deal with all these steps with a baby.”

  Tamar rubbed her belly. “We’ve already decided to buy another house.”

  I’d only been kidding. “Really?”

  “We’re going to start looking when football season is over.”

  “Can I have this one?” I asked, laughing.

  Tamar looked around. “I think it’s probably a little big for one person.”

  I rolled my neck. “Stephen lived here alone.”

  “You got me there. I don’t know. I’ll have to see what Mr. Pierce wants to do with it.”

  I waved a hand. “Don’t ask on my account. I fully intend for my dollars to multiply, but I’m not even trying to pay rent for a place like this. Besides, I have no interest in living in a three-story townhouse by myself. I’m too scary, but I want to look at the new houses with you. Looking for a mansion has got to be fun.”

  “I know right?”

  “I bet they have good snacks in castles.”

  Tamar chuckled. “They might.”

  I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a few bottles of water. “So is Pete taking us?”

  Tamar shook her head. “I don’t think so. Last I heard he was sick, so there’s no way Stephen asked him.”

  “Limo service then. They should have snacks in back.”

  Tamar cocked her head. “Girl, you don’t know what those people have. Raid the pantry already. I’m going to pee for the fiftieth time today.” She waddled away.

  Raiding her pantry wasn’t fun. All they had was healthy stuff. How in the world did poor Isaiah live here? This commitment to non-GMO, organic, and low salt food was unparalleled. It felt like Whole Foods up in this joint. They did have popcorn, but it was the skinny stuff. Boring. I was going to have to invite Isaiah to visit me more often. He wasn’t living his best life up in here with no Doritos.

  The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” I bounced down the stairs in my new suede boots. I looked through the peephole and rolled my eyes. Frustration rose in my gut. If the driver had been on time, we’d already be gone. I pulled the door open. He looked as excited to see me as I was to see him.

  We exchanged an awkward moment of nothing before he said hello and stepped in.

  “Hello,” I replied. I had nothing else and neither did he.

  Tamar peeked her head around the corner and smiled. “Clyde.” She walked toward us. “What’s up? Stephen’s still in Minnesota.”

  Clyde kissed her on the cheek. “I know. That’s why I’m here. I’m reporting for driver duty.”

  I thought my ears were deceiving me. “What?”

  Clyde pulled his eyes away from Tamar and turned to me. “I’m driving Tamar to Pine.”

  I struggled to unlock my jaw. “That means you’re driving us both. I’m going.”

  I could see he was surprised, but he recovered quickly. Nodding, he said, “Stephen didn’t tell me that, but it’s cool. Let’s get on the road.”

  I rolled my eyes and walked away. Tamar and I gathered our coats and with Clyde in front of us, walked down to the garage level. Clyde loaded the trunk of her SUV and we all climbed in. I followed Tamar into the back seat.

  “You need to get in front,” Tamar said. “I have to put my feet up.”

  I turned my face in her direction and pursed my lips. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “My feet are swollen. I definitely have to put them up.”

  I sighed and backed out of the car. Clyde turned the key to start the ignition as I climbed in and settled in the front seat. The engine didn’t turn over. He tried again. It was still dead.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He cocked his head in my direction. “Your guess is as good as mine.” He popped the hood and climbed out.

  “When was the last time you drove it?” I asked.

  Tamar unlatched her seat belt and inched forward. “About a week ago.”

  “Any warning that something was wrong with it?”

  “No, it was fine.”

  After a few minutes, Clyde closed the hood. “I don’t see anything.”

  “What are we going to do?” Panic rose in Tamar’s voice. “Your sportscar is too small and Stephen’s parents took his SUV to Pine. They needed it to transport the gifts for the toy drive.”

  Clyde took his phone out. “We’re going to take a rental.”

  “You think we can get one in this weather?” Tamar asked.

  Clyde scrolled and tapped for a few minutes. “I reserved another SUV. I’ll get the bags and put them in my car. We’ll go to the rental place and leave my car there.”

  It took an hour to get there in traffic, but we finally arrived at the rental car place. The clerk was apologizing for only having a minivan. “I’m sorry, we barely have anything. The inventory on the website takes a few hours to update, and you’re late for your reservation.”

  “Are you serious? Do I look like I want to drive a soccer mom mobile?” Clyde leaned over the counter like that would change the reservation.

  The clerk cut her eyes to Tamar’s belly.

  “Don’t do that,” Clyde said. “It’s not mine.”

  The clerk looked at me.

  “It’s not mine either.” I cleared my throat. “The van is fine. We’re glad to have something other than a small sedan.” I twisted my head in Clyde’s direction and gave him a dirty look.

  “That’s easy for you to say. I’ve never driven a minivan.”

  “Well, I doubt you’ll see any of the women who know you to drive the chick mobile on the road to Pine.”

  “Chick mobile? Did you actually say something that corny?”

  “Yes, I did and like I was saying, you’re not likely to see any of your exes.”

  “You’re one of my exes. Won’t I be seeing you?”

  Heat rose to my face. I rolled my neck. I was about to let him have it when I felt Tamar’s hand on my arm. She’d grabbed Clyde’s too. “Stop it.” She looked at the clerk. “The van is good. I promise not to let them tear it apart.”

  Tamar directed her attention to Clyde. “Your job is to get me to my dad’s wedding. Focus.”

  Clyde nodded. “You’re right.” He opened his wallet and handed the clerk his credit card.

  Tamar’s eyes widened. “Kim, join me in the restroom.”

  I followed her. Once we were inside, Tamar turned to me. Disapproval was strong in the room. “What was that?”

  “Nothing.”

  “It was fighting.”

  “It was a little heat.”

  “I need you to do better. I don’t want to listen to you two argue. You’ll make my baby�
�s nerves bad.”

  I let my shoulders drop. “I’m sorry I’ve traumatized the baby. I won’t say another word to that manwhore.”

  “Manwhore?”

  “Is there any real doubt that I’m being generous. He was whoring before I met him. I’m sure he’s gone back to what he knows best.”

  Tamar bit her lip. “Don’t assume the worst of him. It’s not fair.”

  “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see him or think about him.”

  “Like you’d actually do that.”

  “I’m over him.”

  “Oh yeah, I can tell.” Tamar hesitated before asking, “Are you sure the breakup wasn’t a mistake?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Tamar wasn’t convinced, but she let her bladder win the war. She turned and entered a stall.

  I hung back for a few minutes before I left, mostly checking my reflection to make sure I looked as fine as I had when I got dressed this morning. I might not be Clyde’s woman anymore, but I wanted him to wish I was.

  The clerk had just handed him the keys. I watched as he emptied the contents of his trunk into the van. Looks weren’t everything. I knew that, but Clyde’s lean athletic build stirred regret. With every movement in and out of the vehicle, his long arms and legs extended in smooth, limber harmony. As an ex-basketball player, he had rhythmic style.

  “I’m tall, but not tall enough for pro-ball, so I do the next best thing. Earn my living off those who can play.”

  Clyde was smarter than me. I liked that, because it was rare, but he would have smarted me right out of my relationship with Jesus. I was weak for him.

  Tamar startled me. This time it was she who looped her arm through mine. “I don’t believe in coincidences. He’s on this trip for a reason. If you’re open to hearing from God, I’m sure he’ll tell you why.”

  I wasn’t convinced, and my not too subtle grunt conveyed it. “I’m always open to hearing from God, but dear friend, this is plain old bad luck because I never should have been with Clyde Stowe in the first place.” We walked to the van.

  Chapter Five

  Clyde

  Traffic was still horrible. The weather deteriorated quickly from sleet to a steady light snow. The trip from Rutherford to the Pennsylvania state border was normally a little over an hour. We’d been trying to get out of New Jersey for over two hours not including the time getting to the rental place.

  Tamar spent half the time video chatting with Stephen. Their mushy talk was enough to drive me crazy, particularly with Kim sitting next to me. I had to admit I’d felt off for the past few weeks. My emotions were raw, and they hit me like a sledgehammer when she opened the door at Stephen’s house. They always did when I was with her, but now it was worse. Missing her got harder every day. Now that I was sitting with her, I wanted to play that game couples played in high school – get back together even though we knew it wouldn’t last just so I could see her smile at me again. So I could feel the warmth of her hands and wrap my arms around her again, take in her perfume and kiss her. Even if it wasn’t going to work, I could have another memory. Maybe one that was better than the episode playing in my mind.

  “Where are you going?”

  Kim stepped into a pair of stilettos and pulled on her coat. “It’s Sunday morning. Church.”

  “I thought we’d have breakfast. I was planning to cook.”

  “You should have made it earlier.”

  “Kim, you don’t even live here. What church are you going to?”

  “The one on the corner.”

  “What one on the corner?”

  “There’s a church on every corner, Clyde. Interesting how you never see them.”

  “Wait. You came up for the weekend to see me and now you’re going to take two hours to go to some church that’s not even yours because it’s Sunday morning.”

  “Yes.” Kim sighed. “I wish you would join me.”

  “And be what? A hypocrite.”

  “You believe in God.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “You do. You don’t realize how much you mention prayer or say thank God.” She stepped closer to me and placed a hand on my arm. “You also have a Bible. It looks pretty well read to me.”

  I moved out of her grasp. “That was my mother’s.”

  “Oh.” She hesitated before asking, “Was she a religious woman?”

  “More spiritual than religious. My mother attended church twice a week, but she always told me – go to church in my heart.” I pointed to my chest. “She loved church, but she wasn’t like you. You’re religious to a fault.”

  She couldn’t hide the hurt in her eyes. She kept her tone even when she replied, “I certainly cannot compete with a deceased mother, but are we hurling insults now?”

  “I’m saying, the church on the corner is not your church.”

  “But the pastor will likely be speaking my language.” Kim planted a fist on her hip. “You don’t get it. This is who I am. Last night when I slept in your guest bedroom – alone – that’s who I am. You have to decide if you can be with me as I am – without insulting me.”

  “What about you, Kim? Can you love me as I am?”

  Kim shook her head, it was not disbelief, but pity. “I already love you. I’m trying to figure out the rest.” She picked up her bag and walked to the door. She did a half turn in my direction. “Since you mentioned it, tell me, when was the last time you went to church in your heart?”

  “Clyde.” I felt her hand on my arm. I looked down. She pulled her hand away. I raised my eyes to meet hers. “Did you hear Tamar?”

  I shook my head. “No, I was thinking about some stuff.”

  Tamar’s plea came from the rear. “I need to use a restroom.”

  I nodded. Checked the sign coming up and exited the highway.

  We all visited the restroom and decided to grab sub sandwiches and chips to take care of our hunger for the rest of the drive.

  We crossed into Pennsylvania and continued on Interstate 80. The snow was really coming down now, but we only had another forty miles. Just when I was getting excited about this ride ending, we came to a stop. It didn’t take long to realize there had been a serious accident involving three tractor trailers and a car. The flashing overhead highway sign advised us to take the detour.

  Chapter Six

  Kim

  “I’ve never seen so much snow.”

  I thought it first and then whispered it. I was from Louisiana, the land where we never saw anything other than rain. It occasionally snowed in Atlanta. I’d even been skiing once in the Tennessee mountains, but this Pennsylvania snow was a different kind. It was coming down in blinding sheets and fighting against the windshield.

  I looked in the back seat at Tamar. She was propped against a set of pillows, napping with a hand on her belly like she didn’t have a care in the world.

  “Are you sure we’re okay to be traveling in this?” I asked.

  Clyde cut his eyes at me and then back to the road. “I know how to drive in snow.”

  “I’m not saying you don’t.”

  “I’m from Connecticut.”

  “I’m aware of that. I’m asking because this isn’t your van.”

  “Well, either you can drive in it or you can’t.” He shifted his eyes back in my direction again and then returned them to the road. “Maybe you should try to nap, like your friend back there.”

  “I can’t.” I reached into my bag for my phone. “I’m too anxious.”

  I swiped the screen, tried to get on social media but failed to connect to a signal. Maybe music would help. I reached back in my bag and then cursed under my breath. My earbuds were in the tote in the trunk.

  “You don’t need to be anxious.” Clyde’s tone softened. “I’m only going thirty miles an hour.”

  My belly filled with that fluttery feeling the smoothness of his voice caused. “Good, but at this rate, will we make the wedding?”

  Clyde chuckled. “At this r
ate, Stephen will catch up with us.”

  My eyes locked on the snow-covered road in front of us. “He can’t speed either.”

  “True, but he might be able to get something bigger to drive at the airport, and he’s coming in the opposite direction because he’s flying into Harrisburg.” He glanced at me and I knew my face showed I had no idea why that mattered, so he clarified. “The storm is traveling east. Stephen’s coming in from the west.”

  I nodded. That wasn’t complex at all, but I was on the edge. Clyde was trying to reassure me, but this trip felt wrong. I glanced back at Tamar again. It was the third time in ten minutes. She was sleeping like she didn’t have a care in the world. I wanted some of that rest to jump on me, but the energy in the front seat was making it impossible for me to relax.

  I swiped my phone again. “It’s three. Do you think we’ll make it by nightfall?”

  “Sure.”

  “It gets dark earlier though.”

  Clyde tapped the steering wheel and looked up at the sky before saying, “Not really. When snow is falling, it doesn’t really get dark.”

  I nodded. “It’s snowed in Atlanta. I’ve never noticed that.”

  Clyde cast a glance in my direction. “Well, it’s true.”

  Silence filled the car again. This small talk was unbearable. Clyde and I weren’t small talk people. All our conversations had been rich and full and fun and passionate until that last one...and now they weren’t. Now we were sitting inches from each other, being civil, talking about weather and when we couldn’t force words, all I could hear was the crunch of snow under the tires and the quiet pelting of ice against the windshield. Those sounds made me nervous.

  “Is it okay if I turn on the radio?” I asked.

  Clyde nodded. I reached for the dash and pushed the button. Careful not to wake Tamar, I lowered the volume before scrolling through the channels in search of a good one. Frustrated, I said, “I thought this thing had satellite radio.”

  “They do, but we’re driving through trees and mountains and the weather can affect it.”

  “Great,” I groaned and turned the system off.