Having Justin's Baby

She continued to run her fingers along the glass. “It goes back to when my mom died. It’s nothing, really. We get along all right—you’ve seen us together. But we’re never going to be as close as we were before my mom died.”

She was grateful that he didn’t ask why not. There were only two people who knew the root of her problem with her dad—Justin and Kyle—and they had promised her they would never say a word to anyone. Someday she would tell Michael the reason she couldn’t trust her father, but not today.

“It’s okay,” her fiancé said in understanding. “I’m not that close to my parents, either.”

“So you shouldn’t be nervous about meeting the Colliers,” she reasoned.

“I’m just wondering what their son told them about me.”

“Justin wouldn’t say anything negative,” she told him, which produced a harrumph from her fiancé. “He wouldn’t,” she insisted, although she wasn’t completely sure. Both Justin and Kyle were as overprotective as older brothers.

“He doesn’t like me, Paige.”

“Justin doesn’t dislike you,” she declared. “He just hasn’t had time to get to know you. That’s why I want you to come to the Bulldog Reunion with me.”

“About that weekend…” he said, tugging on his right ear. Paige knew it was another sign that he was nervous. “Are you sure you want me there?”

“Of course I want you there! I want you to meet my friends from college.” Her shoulders sagged. “Please don’t tell me that you don’t want to come?” She gave him her most appealing look.

He gazed into her eyes. “It goes without saying that I want to be with you. I’m just worried that the others won’t appreciate having outsiders crash what’s traditionally been a private event.”

That’s what Kyle and Justin had said when she’d suggested they bring guests to their annual retreat at the Cascading Waters Resort. The five friends who made up the Bulldog Reunion had met their senior year before college while working as kitchen and housekeeping staff at the year-round resort on the northern shore of Lake Superior. All five had attended the same college, and this would be their eighth reunion. To bring guests would change the tone and the purpose of their gathering, which was why Justin had warned her it might be the last time they had it.

Paige didn’t believe him. Amber Carlson and Ben Hendricks, who completed their circle of five, were happy with her suggestion and planned to bring guests.

“This isn’t like a regular college reunion, Michael. We’re just five friends who get together to spend a weekend in what has to be the most beautiful part of Minnesota. One thing I should warn you about though. Do not drink Ben’s dandelion wine. He brews it himself and it has quite a kick to it.”

“You know that if you don’t want me to drink, I won’t drink,” he said simply.

That was another thing she loved about him. Paige wasn’t a teetotaler, but she didn’t drink often, and it didn’t bother Michael.

“A penny for your thoughts?” he said.

“I was just thinking how lucky I am.” She glanced out the window at a view she never tired of seeing—the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, the sparkling blue waters. “Moving up here for the summer was the best thing I could have done.”

“Then you don’t mind waiting tables at the Birchwood Room?”

Paige was an elementary-school teacher, but had taken a summer job as a waitress at the Cascading Waters Resort to be closer to Michael. “No, it’s only for the summer. Once school’s back in session I’ll work as a sub until I can find a full-time teaching position in the area.”

“I’m glad you like it here. I was worried you wouldn’t want to call this home once we’re married. I mean, you are a city girl.”

“Yes, but do you know how many vacations I’ve spent on the North Shore?” It was a rhetorical question.

“That’s not quite the same as living here year-round,” he warned her. “I hope you’re as enthusiastic about it come January.” He grinned again and the dimple in his cheek appeared.

“If you’re here, I’ll be happy.”

He squeezed her hand. “That’s what I like to hear.” He glanced past her shoulder and said, “I see a middle-aged couple who look like they’re trying to find somebody. Do the Colliers wear University of Minnesota windbreakers?”

Paige turned and caught sight of her old neighbors, Justin’s parents. She stood and waved, then sat back down, noticing that Michael’s legs were moving even faster than before.

“They won’t bite, I promise,” she said softly.

As Paige expected, Nancy and Elliot Collier treated Michael with a warmth and friendliness that put everyone at ease. That’s why she wasn’t surprised after lunch when Elliot accepted Michael’s offer to show him the golf course at the Cascading Waters Resort.

It also gave Paige an opportunity to sit under the shade of an umbrella on the tiled patio of the resort clubhouse and have an iced tea with her former day-care provider. She wasted no time in asking Nancy, “So what do you think of Michael?”

“I think he’s charming,” she said with a smile. “And he’s very attentive to you.”

“He’s sweet. I know he talks a lot about golf, but that’s because he’s passionate about it.”

“It is his work,” she pointed out. “So tell me about the wedding.”

Paige took a sip of her iced tea. “It’s going to be at the High Falls. That’s always been my favorite spot on the North Shore.”

“Ah, an outdoor wedding…it should be lovely.”

“Did Justin tell you he’s going to be my maid of honor—or maybe I should say man of honor,” she corrected with a grin.

“He did say something to that effect,” Nancy acknowledged.

Paige glanced out across the greens and saw Michael and Elliot riding on a cart. “I’m just grateful he said yes. He’s not very excited about me marrying Michael. Neither is Kyle—but you probably already know that.”

“Actually, neither one has said much about your engagement, but I’m not surprised that they’re giving you a hard time. Ever since you three were kids they’ve put themselves in the role of being your protector.”

“Well, we’re not kids anymore and I don’t need protecting. I know once I’m married my friendship with Kyle and Justin will change, but it doesn’t have to end.” It was a concern that had been on her mind ever since Michael had asked her to marry him.

“I don’t think you have to worry about that happening. Over the years I’ve seen the way you three have handled the growing pains of friendship and I’d say yours has a pretty good foundation. It can probably weather just about anything. Now finish telling me your wedding plans.”

Paige was more than happy to do as she requested. Sitting on the terrace with Nancy talking about flowers and formal wear reminded her of all those times she’d turned to her neighbor after her mother had died when Paige was nine. It was Nancy who had taken her shopping for school clothes and helped her with her homework. It didn’t matter how many kids Nancy had in her day care, she always found time for Paige.

That’s why she was disappointed when the older woman said, “It looks like our guys are back.”

Paige could have sat and talked with her for hours.

“I’m so glad we had this time together,” she said to Paige.

“I am, too. It’s means a lot to me that you’re going to be a part of our wedding celebration.”

“I’m glad that day is going to happen, Paige. You’ve come a long way from the little girl who walked into my day care and announced she was going to hate boys the rest of her life.”

“Doesn’t every nine-year-old girl hate boys?” She tried to dismiss Nancy’s comment with a chuckle, but they both knew what had precipitated the comment. Although Nancy had never pressed her to talk about her mother’s death, Paige was fairly certain that the older woman was aware of the circumstances leading up to the automobile accident.

News of the crash had spread through the neighborhood quickly. Her father and mother had been arguing. Paige had heard them. So had many of the neighbors. What the neighbors hadn’t heard was the reason why. Only Paige knew it was because of a woman her father had met during one of his business trips. That discovery had prompted her mother to pack her bags and drive off in her car. The last words Paige had heard her say to her father were, “I can’t trust you.”

“Paige?”

She realized that she’d been daydreaming and hadn’t heard what Nancy had said. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”