Charlene Sands - Vegas Vows, Texas Nights

“It is good,” she said, concerned over her mother’s health.

Diana Rodgers had tired eyes that told of sacrifice and lack of energy. Her body was a bit broken from ill health. At the age of fifty-eight, she’d suffered a minor heart attack that had taken her away from the teaching job she’d loved. Taking an early retirement had never been in her plans. She’d been a single mother most of her life, working hard at the grammar school with special needs kids. But the job was stressful, and Diana often took her work home with her, a habit her cardiologist couldn’t condone.

“So why aren’t you joining me in a cup?”

“I will a little later. Right now, I just want to hear how you’re feeling.”

“You’ve only been gone three days, hon. I appreciate you coming over as soon as you got home, but I’m the same as I was before you left.” Her mom waved her hand. “Enough about me, how was your trip?”

“It was…nice.” Katie had trouble mustering up any enthusiasm. Oh, and one little detail I forgot to mention… I married Lucas Boone. “Drea and Mason enjoyed it very much. I think everyone did.”

Her mother moved around in her seat a bit and her mouth twisted as it did every time the Boone name was mentioned. “Too bad Drea had to fall in love with him .”

“Mom, Mason’s a nice guy.”

“He’s rich and feels entitled, just like all the Boones.”

She meant Luke.

That sick feeling in Katie’s stomach acted up again. “Drea’s happy and that’s all that matters.”

Her mother sipped her tea. “So, what did all you gals do at the bachelorette party?”

Katie shrugged. “The usual things. We saw the sights, ate like there was no tomorrow, had a spa day, went to a concert, and then on the last night the entire group got together for a party at a nightclub.”

There. She’d given a short, encapsulated version of her long weekend. Enough said.

“You had to deal with Luke?”

Before she could answer, Shelly walked into the house, dropping her shoulder bag on the edge of the sofa. “What about loser Luke?”

Katie’s heart started pounding. Shelly was still bitter. “Hi, sis. What are you doing here?”

“Checking in with Mom, just like you.” Her sister, dressed in nurse’s white, walked over to give her mother a kiss on the cheek. “Hi, Mom. How are you today?”

“Feeling pretty good. Your sister made me some tea. Would you like a cup, sweetheart?”

“Thanks, but I’m fine. Just thought I’d stop by here first, before heading home and changing clothes. Dr. Moore asked me and a few colleagues to attend his seminar tonight. I have to leave soon. So, what about Luke?”

“Nothing,” Katie said.

“Your sister had to plan Drea’s bachelorette party with him.”

“We didn’t plan the bachelorette party together. He was in charge of entertaining the groomsmen. All we did was coordinate the party at the end of the weekend together.”

“Ugh,” Shelly said. “Poor you.”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

“I feel sorry for any woman who gets involved with him,” Shelly said flatly. “I should’ve known better.”

“He wasn’t ready for marriage,” Katie said. God, they’d had this conversation for years. It was truly beginning to grate on her nerves. Shelly never was one for letting go. She’d never forgiven their dad for divorcing their mother. She’d never accepted their father’s new wife. Clearly, a broken engagement, even if it was three days before the ceremony, was much better than a divorce later on.

“Why are you defending him?” Shelly asked.

“Maybe I just want you to move on with your life, Shel. Maybe I’m not defending him so much as I’m looking out for you.”

Shelly sighed. “Okay, got it. Easier said than done.”

“It’s so nice to have both of my girls here with me today,” her mother said softly.

“I wish I could stay longer,” Shelly said. “But I’m meeting everyone at the hospital in an hour.”

“That’s fine, honey. You go on to the seminar. I’m proud of the way you girls are so conscientious about your work. That means you, too, Katie.”

“I know, Mama.” Her mother had always told her how proud she was of what she’d accomplished at the bakery. Her business was on solid ground now but it hadn’t always been that way. Her mom had faith in her, had always given her support. “I’ll stay and visit with you a bit longer.”

“Wonderful.” Shelly gave her a rare smile.

Her sister had had a rough time facing her friends after the marriage debacle and then to have her “almost” groom leave town for years, leaving her with no hope, no way to reconcile her sadness, no way to rant and rave at him. That was probably the greatest injustice. Shelly had never gotten the closure she’d needed.

After Shelly left, Diana got up to take her teacup to the kitchen. “I made soup, your favorite, chicken and dumplings. Will you stay and have some with me?”

“Sure, that sounds yummy.”

Katie was beat, tired and nervous, but having comfort food and her mother’s company would distract her from the giant mistake she’d made in Las Vegas last night.

Katie raced down the stairs, stubbing her toe on the last step. “Ow, damn it.” As she entered the bakery, not even the soothing scents of all things sweet helped lighten her mood this morning. She’d overslept by an hour and now she was totally behind schedule. Gosh, she’d had so much on her mind, sleep had eluded her, and when she’d finally fallen asleep, it had been deep and heavy. She’d dreamed that a faceless beast was chasing her and she’d kept running and running until she’d woken up in a sweat.

Was that dream trying to tell her something?

She flipped on the light, tied on her lavender Katie’s Kupcakes and Bakery apron and got to work, gathering up her ingredients, prepping her cupcake tins.

The Monday morning special was always a carrot zucchini cupcake infused with a light apricot filling. She called it her Start Smart Special, a healthier alternative to a sugary treat. It was a fan favorite for those guilty of indulging over the weekend.

Her assistant, Lori, knocked on the back door. Katie opened it to her smiling face.

“Hey, good to see you. How was your trip?” Lori asked, as she walked past her and took off her sweater.

“Uh, it was okay.”

“That so? Just okay?” Lori sounded as if she had her doubts. They’d worked closely together for six years and knew each other pretty well. Now Lori was putting herself through college at night aiming for a degree in business, so the bakery hours were perfect for her. The shop closed at two in the afternoon. “Sounds like it wasn’t fun. Did something happen?”

“No. Nothing. I’m just tired. I overslept.”

“You never oversleep. Maybe you had too much fun in Vegas.” Lori winked. If she only knew. “You’re gonna have to give me deets. I’ve been cramming all weekend, stuck at my place, fantasizing about your fun weekend.”

“There are no details.” Katie shrugged. “We had a good time. Saw a show. Got massages, did some dancing. Usual stuff.”

“You were excited about it when you left here. I thought for sure you’d have some good Vegas stories to entertain me with this morning.”

Lori put on her apron and they began measuring out ingredients. She started on chocolate ganache cupcakes with marshmallow filling while Katie worked on the special. They had their routine down to a science and being behind schedule meant one or two cupcakes would have to get the boot.

“Sorry, Lori. Nothing much to report,” she fibbed. “How about we eliminate anything pumpkin, since the fall season has been over for a while,” she said, changing the subject.