Midnight Promises, page 14
“Good heavens, I hope not!” Karen said. “We want the time to ourselves to work things out before they turn into real problems.”
Relief washed over Mrs. Cruz’s face as she sketched a cross over her chest. “It would break my heart for my son—or any of my children,” she added pointedly, “to be divorced.”
She held Karen’s gaze. “You knew our beliefs when you married Elliott. I expect you to do whatever it takes to make your marriage work.”
Karen frowned. “Why is that only my responsibility? Have you said the same to Elliott?” She was a little too tempted to toss Adelia’s name out there, too, but she owed her sister-in-law some discretion. Her mother-in-law might have alluded to Adelia’s problems just now, but she hadn’t brought the subject into the open. Karen wouldn’t, either.
“Not yet, but I will,” his mother said. “I wanted to speak with you first. It is always a woman’s place to smooth the waters, to keep peace.”
“I don’t see it that way,” Karen argued, determined to stand up for her own beliefs. “Men are just as responsible for the state of a relationship as the woman is.” She regarded her mother-in-law curiously. “How did you deal with it when Mr. Cruz bossed you around or treated you condescendingly? I know he did, because your daughters have mentioned it. You don’t strike me as a woman who would accept such treatment.”
A secretive smile crossed the older woman’s face. “I had my ways. Diego was never harsh or unyielding. He was a kind man, who’d grown up to believe men behaved in certain ways. I like to think I showed him that he could get better results another way.”
“But you argued?”
She shrugged. “Of course. We both had tempers and strong views. But no matter how vehemently we disagreed, we always ended the day with a kiss.”
“Did he recognize what a strong, capable woman you are?”
“In his way,” she said with a shrug, as if it were unimportant. “But unlike you or my daughters, I was content to run this household, to put my family above all else. I had no need of another career. Only Adelia has followed in my footsteps, though she’s involved in so many activities, she might as well have a full-time job.”
They’d had this conversation before, so Karen refused to take offense. “There are different ways to put your family first,” she said quietly. “Being responsible, working to give my children the life they deserve, is one way. Yours was another.”
“Agreed,” Mrs. Cruz said with a smile. “See, I’ve learned something from you, niña. Perhaps if you listen closely, you will learn something from me from time to time.”
Karen laughed. “No question about it. Your secret recipes alone have kept my husband very happy.”
“Marriage is about more than keeping a man’s belly full of his favorite food,” Mrs. Cruz chided. “But you know that, don’t you?”
“I still have a lot of lessons to learn,” Karen agreed. “And I’ll always hear your advice with an open mind. Anyone who raised such a wonderful man has to be very wise.”
“Now you are just flattering me so that I will tell you how to make that special mole sauce that Elliott adores,” she teased. “I believe I will keep that one in reserve for when I have a very big favor I need in return.”
Karen laughed. “Elliott told me I was never going to get that recipe out of you. He says even his sisters know only that it contains a variety of peppers and maybe a hint of chocolate?” she said, hoping for a confirmation of that much at least.
“A very clever try,” Mrs. Cruz praised. “But I believe I will keep that one to myself a while longer. I have to have some reason for my children to keep coming home.”
“I don’t think they come for the mole sauce,” Karen told her with total sincerity as she hugged her goodbye. “They come for the love.”
Mrs. Cruz kissed her enthusiastically on both cheeks. “And that is why you are my favorite daughter-in-law.”
“I’m your only daughter-in-law,” Karen said. And, despite this awkward conversation, it was a role in which she was slowly becoming comfortable. She wished it were as easy as being with Frances, but maybe, with time, that would happen.
She was on her way to her car when Adelia pulled up in front of the house. She frowned when she spotted Karen, jumped out of her car and crossed the lawn.
“Why were you here? Were you talking to Mama about me and Ernesto?” she demanded, alarm written all over her face.
“Absolutely not,” Karen said soothingly. “Why would I do that? Your marriage is private, Adelia. You’ve not said a word to me about what’s going on, and even if you had, I would never tell your mother.”
Relief washed over Adelia’s face. “Sorry. My nerves are shot. I was summoned over here by Mama, so I’m already on the defensive.”
Karen chuckled.
“You find that amusing?” Adelia asked, frowning.
“I was summoned, as well. Today must be your mother’s day for solving the family marital issues.”
Adelia’s scowl slowly faded, and she, too, began to chuckle. “You, too?”
“Yep.”
“How’d it go?”
“I think I managed to reassure her.”
Adelia’s momentary good humor disappeared. “I’m not sure I’m a talented enough actress to pull that off.” She squared her shoulders. “But I am certainly going to try. Things are difficult enough without getting Mama worked into a frenzy.”
“Good luck,” Karen said, then watched Adelia walk into the house. She didn’t envy her the likely interrogation that lay ahead.
* * *
Adelia would have given anything to flee her mother’s house right behind Karen. She’d tried to put her mother off by claiming several meetings today, but Mama had been insistent. When Maria Cruz spoke to her children in a certain tone, they all understood that there was no room left for argument.
“Good morning, Mama,” she said, forcing a cheerful note into her voice as she entered the kitchen. She made sure that her smile was bright, as well.
“Adelia,” her mother said, her own expression solemn. “Would you like coffee?”
“I’ll get it,” Adelia said, trying to buy time. “And the pastries smell wonderful. Guava is my favorite. Mine never turn out as well as yours do.”
Her mother simply lifted a brow at the comment. “Enough small talk,” she said firmly. “We have important matters to discuss. You left this house last Sunday without a word to anyone. That was inexcusable. Nor have you called to apologize. You were not raised to behave in such a way. And then your daughter announced to all of us that Ernesto has left home. What is the meaning of that?”
“Ernesto’s back home,” Adelia said quickly, hoping that would be enough to cut off further questioning.
“Why did he go in the first place? You know it is your job to keep your husband content at home.”
Though she’d been hearing the same tired admonition her entire life, Adelia was suddenly sick of it. “Mama, it takes two people to make a marriage work. I can’t fix things alone.”
“Then I will speak to Ernesto myself,” her mother said at once. “Or I will have Elliott have a word with him.”
“Absolutely not,” Adelia snapped. “I don’t want the entire family involved in my marriage. It will only make things worse.”
To be honest, though, she wasn’t sure they could get any worse. Ernesto might be living back home, but he was sleeping in a guest room because she’d refused to allow him back in her bed straight from his mistress’s. His presence was a matter of appearances only and not a first step toward reconciliation. They both recognized that. She had no idea how long they could continue to live the lie.
“You know I just want to help,” her mother said gently.
Adelia released a sigh. “I know you do, but the best way is to leave us alone, Mama. I’ve told my sisters and Elliott the same thing.”
“You’re isolating yourself from the family,” her mother accused.
“For now, maybe it’s necessary,” Adelia said. “Sometimes all the hovering is more than I can handle.”
“And what about your children? Do you not want us to be there for them, either?”
“Only if you can be supportive without making comments about their father or our marriage. It’s confusing enough for them, as it is.”
“All the more reason to settle this quickly and get things back on track,” her mother said decisively. “You owe that to your children.”
Adelia nodded agreement, because there was little choice. She wondered, though, what she owed herself.
* * *
“You’re looking a little shell-shocked,” Erik noted when Karen walked into the kitchen at Sullivan’s. “Rough morning?”
“A duty call with Maria Cruz,” she said.
He grinned. “Have you been mistreating her precious son?”
Karen lifted a brow. “Not that it would be any of your business, but no. And we had a perfectly lovely visit.” Well, they had, she thought, more or less. At least it had ended on an upbeat note.
She glanced around the kitchen. “Where’s Dana Sue? I didn’t see her in the office when I came in.”
“She went with Ronnie to look at the space we’re thinking of buying for the gym. Maddie went with them, too.”
Karen frowned. “You decided to buy space? I thought you were planning to lease.”
“The numbers make more sense if we own, according to Maddie and Helen.”
“Has Elliott gone with them?”
“I’m sure he has. He and Maddie are the ones with the real understanding of the kind of space needed.”
“Is it here in town, on Main Street?”
Erik shook his head. “It’s in town, but over on Palmetto, not far from The Corner Spa, as a matter of fact. Everyone seemed to think that would be another advantage, especially for Elliott, since he needs to get back and forth between the two places.”
Karen hesitated for a minute. “Erik, do you need me right this second? Could I take a run over there? Fifteen, twenty minutes, no more.”
He frowned at the request. “I haven’t stirred up another hornet’s nest between the two of you, have I?”
She shook her head, managing a weak smile. “Not this time. In fact, I was thinking maybe if I went over there, I could show my support. I’ve been so negative, I think Elliott might appreciate the fact that I’ve almost accepted this.”
“Almost?”
“I still have reservations. I can’t deny that, but I’m trying, Erik. I really want to be behind my husband a hundred percent. I’m not there yet, but I am trying.”
“Then go,” he said at once, giving her the address. “Hurry back, though. There’s still a lot of lunch prep to do.”
“I’m sure if I linger too long, Dana Sue will drag me back with her,” Karen told him, taking off the apron she’d just donned and heading out, not bothering to grab her purse before she left.
She spotted Mary Vaughn’s fancy Mercedes a block down from The Corner Spa. Since no one was outside, she guessed they were still viewing the inside of the property, another large Victorian on a street that was becoming a mix of residential and commercial. Other than The Corner Spa, most of the commercial uses were for offices for insurance agents and Realtors. Helen had moved her law practice into one of the smaller houses a few months ago, as well.
When Karen stepped inside what looked to her like a home that had been seriously neglected for a very long time, Elliott flashed a welcoming smile, which quickly faded to a look of concern.
“Everything okay?” he asked, stepping away from the others.
“Erik told me you all were looking at property,” she told him. “I thought I’d come check it out for myself.”
He seemed uncertain whether to take her words at face value. “That’s it?”
“If this gym is going to happen, I need to find a way to accept that and show you my support. I do have questions, though.”
He smiled. “Of course you do,” he teased. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t have a million and one questions. How about I answer all of them tonight? Frances is eager to babysit again. We could go to Rosalina’s.”
“It’s a date,” she said.
He gestured around as the others wandered off to another room. “What do you think?”
“It looks very sad to me,” she said candidly. “Is there money to fix it up?”
He nodded. “Mary Vaughn says it’s a steal, and Helen and Ronnie think in the end, even with the improvements needed, this makes more sense financially than the lease we were originally looking into. Ronnie will give us a deal on supplies for renovations and help with the work. He thinks we can do a lot of it ourselves, though we’ll have to bring in Mitch Franklin and his electrical and plumbing contractors, like they did at the spa.”
“It sounds expensive.”
“Like I said, I have to trust Helen and Ronnie on this. They say the numbers work in our favor. I’ll tell you all about it tonight.”
She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’d better get back to Sullivan’s. I left Erik on his own.”
“I’ll pick Frances up on my way home,” he said. “See you around seven.”
When she would have taken off, he pulled her back and into his arms for another kiss. “Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to me.”
She could see in his eyes that it truly did. “I should have gotten on board sooner, for your sake.”
“No more doubts?” he asked.
She sighed. “I never said that, but I’m going to work on keeping them in check.”
“That’s a start then,” he said, looking relieved. “And I’ll try to make sure to reassure you, so you have no reason to worry.”
She nodded. It was one of the better deals she’d struck today.
* * *
Helen and Ronnie had prepared a comparison of all the figures for buying the house on Palmetto versus leasing space on Main Street. Elliott took those with him to dinner with Karen. Her appearance today at the walk-through had given him hope that they could move forward without it causing further dissension in his marriage.
Sitting close to her in the booth at Rosalina’s, though, he was having a hard time keeping his mind on numbers. He was far more intrigued by the scent Karen wore and the heat radiating from her thigh pressed against his. She, however, seemed totally focused on the pages he’d spread out on the table. He heard her gasp and knew she’d reached the bottom line.
“Elliott, that’s huge,” she said, her expression shocked.
“I’m not investing all of that,” he reminded her. “There are partners, remember?”
“I know, but even with six of you, there’s a lot of money that won’t be paid off for years. You won’t be operating in the black right away, businesses never do. What if you have to keep investing more and more just to keep the doors open? Where is it going to come from? We don’t have it.”
He could see the panic rising in her eyes again and knew that his determination to move forward with full disclosure at every stage had probably been a mistake. He’d been lulled into a false sense of complacency by her earlier reaction to the property the group wanted to buy. Still, he also knew he’d had no choice but to reveal everything.
“There will be enough capital for a year from the initial investments,” he said confidently.
“And then?”
“We’re all convinced from our projections that we can be in the black by then.”
“What if you’re not?”
“We will be,” he said impatiently. “Our estimates have been very conservative, and we have The Corner Spa’s history to guide us.”
She closed her eyes, clearly trying to fight down the panic. “You’re sure?” she pressed eventually.
“I am,” he said. “More importantly, Helen, Maddie and the others are. We’re not going into this lightly, Karen. We all have a stake in its success.”
“But you stand to lose more. The others have successful businesses of their own. They probably have savings to fall back on. We’re just starting out.” She met his gaze. “And what about a baby? How long are you willing to postpone that? I thought it was something you really wanted, for us to have a child of our own.”
“I want it more than anything,” he said sincerely. “You know that.”
“More than this?” she asked, challenging him.
“Does it have to be an either/or thing?”
“For now, yes,” she said.
“But even if you were pregnant tomorrow, it would be nine months before the baby arrives.”
“Do you have any idea how naive that is?” she said wearily. “There are doctor visits, pregnancy vitamins and other expenses. What if things don’t go smoothly and I have to go on bed rest?”
“You didn’t with either Daisy or Mack,” he reminded her, determined to remain logical in the face of her dismay.
She scowled at him. “I was younger then. Everyone knows that risks can increase with age. What then, Elliott? We couldn’t manage without my income, not with everything else tied up in this business.”
He sighed and relented. “Okay, you’re right. But I’ve told you that there will be more income. I’ll have more private clients than ever.” Of course, what he had yet to explain was that some of that money was committed to paying back his partners for fronting him the additional investment.
Though his reminder seemed to silence her, he could tell she wasn’t totally convinced. “What?” he prodded. “Let’s get it all on the table.”
“You told me that you weren’t going to consider tapping into the house equity,” she began, holding his gaze.
