Chapter Seventeen

Ethan helped Gage carry the skeleton to the coffin lying open on the floor of his best friend’s garage. “Careful you don’t…” Gage began, sighing when the arm came off in Ethan’s hand. Ethan managed to hold on to the arm and the head without dropping the skeleton and lowered it into the black silk-lined coffin.

“Dad’s going to kill me,” Gage said.

“I don’t know why you had to use the real deal. What’s wrong with plastic?”

“It’s Annie’s first Halloween party. She’s never invited the kids from school over before, so we want to make it special.”

“Gotcha. Get me some glue. On second thought, maybe cement will work better.” He caught the doubtful look on Gage’s face, and said, “Don’t worry, your dad won’t know the difference when I get done with this.”

“Yeah, right. Remember Hippocrates?”

Ethan laughed at the memory. He and Gage had been wrestling in the McBrides’ living room and had knocked the bust of Hippocrates from its pedestal, breaking his nose. “We were ten,” he said. “Our orthopedic skills have improved.”

Gage grinned. “We’ve had some good times together. I’m going to miss you, you know. You’re not going to be around as much after the election.”

“You’re assuming I’m going to win,” Ethan said, crouching beside the toolbox with Gage.

“Come on, you’re way ahead in the polls. It’d take a miracle for Bennett to beat you now.”

“Stranger things have been known to happen. But you’re right, it’s looking good.”

“Never doubted it for a second. You’ve been working toward this since we were in sixth grade.”

Ethan laughed. “Not quite that long.”

“Okay, so maybe it was your dad. We didn’t see you for two weeks when he was prepping you for that public speaking competition. I remember being mad at him for pushing you like he did, but I guess he knew what he was doing. You won state, and now you’re going to win the state senate race.” Gage handed him a tube of cement glue. “He’d be proud of you, Eth.”

“Yeah, I know he would.” But sometimes knowing wasn’t enough. He wished his dad were here to celebrate with him. Wished the last call they had hadn’t ended in anger and his dad dying.

“We’re all proud of you. Sawyer’s getting the Penalty Box set up for the big night. He’s bringing in a couple more big screens. Has your signature drink ready for you, too. The Senator.”

“What happened to the Prince Charming?”

“You won the princess.” Gage grinned. “I gotta tell you, I didn’t think you guys would work out. But I’m happy to be proven wrong.”

“For a while there, I wasn’t sure we would, either, but she’s done a complete one eighty. She deserves as much credit as anyone for our surge in the polls.”

“Sounds like you’re in love, buddy.”

“I am.” He fingered the ring box in his jacket pocket. He’d been carrying it around with him for the last week. “How do you feel about being my best man?”

“I kinda was, remember?”

“I know, but that wasn’t real. I want to do it right this time.”

“When were you thinking?”

“I thought I’d propose to her on the night of the election. She’ll probably want to have the wedding before the baby arrives. Maybe sometime around Christmas.”

“Sounds good. If your baby is as reluctant to enter the world as ours, that’ll give you plenty of time.”

“How’s she holding up?” Ethan asked. Madison was two weeks overdue. He hadn’t seen her or the girls yet. Gage had roped him into helping turn the garage into a haunted house as soon as they pulled into the driveway.

“Let’s just say I’m glad Skye’s here to distract her. She was always good at making Madison laugh.” He frowned at Ethan. “What’s up?”

“Kendall. She goes by Kendall now.”

“How come?”

“I’m not sure. Ever since the night of the debate, she’s insisted everyone call her Kendall.” He rimmed the socket with glue, pressing the ball into place. “She’s different, too. More serious.” And God help him, but there were times when he missed his gorgeous fruitcake. Missed her wild hair and the way she drove him crazy.

“Her hair’s different and the way she dresses, but she can’t have changed that much.”

“Spend some time with her and you’ll see.”

“You don’t sound happy about it.”

He sat back on his heels. “Don’t get me wrong, I love her. I think I have from the first day I met her. But sometimes I feel like I don’t know her anymore. She’s like… well, she’s like Claudia.”

“So what you’re saying is she’s turned into the perfect politician’s wife.”

“Yeah. And she is. I’m not kidding when I say she’s the reason for the uptick in support. People love her. She can talk to anyone. Probably helps that she speaks five languages. But I think people can tell she’s genuinely interested in their lives and wants to make a difference.”

“None of that sounds bad to me.”

“It isn’t. It’s just that I worry she’s so consumed with being the woman she thinks I need that she’s losing a part of herself.” The fun part, the happy, easygoing, crazy, off-the-wall woman he’d fallen in love with.

“She’s probably just tired. She’s pregnant, and it can’t be easy being on the road. And don’t take this the wrong way, but it can’t be easy for her to be around Liz and Claudia twenty-four seven. They’re not exactly her biggest fans.”

“She and Mom are doing better. Claudia’s another story, but at least they’re civil to each other. You’re right, though—she’s tired. We both are. I’m glad the campaign’s winding down, and we can afford to take a few days off. We’re going to get started on the baby’s room.” Maybe that was all it was. Maybe he was overreacting. No one else had commented on the changes. It was probably his imagination.

“Madison isn’t herself, either, you know. Gotta be tough on them. All that hormonal crap.”

Ethan laughed. It was good to be around Gage. He had a way of putting things in perspective. He’d miss his best friend if he won the election. “You know, buddy, I think it’d be safer for us not to talk about mood swings and hormones around them. They might take it the wrong way.”

“Good idea. I made the mistake of asking Madison if she’d given any more thought to having a natural delivery. Dr. Evans asked her to consider it at her last appointment. I nearly got my head taken off for suggesting it.”

“Hope she doesn’t mention it to Kendall. She’s all for a natural delivery. She picked up one of those birthing balls the other day.” And now that he thought about their shopping expedition, which had included a stop at a natural health store and an eco-friendly store, he realized he’d been worrying for nothing. She was still the same woman he’d fallen in love with. He tugged on the skeleton’s arm. When it didn’t fall off, he said, “Maybe we should go check on our wives. I’ll tell Kendall to keep her opinion on natural childbirth to herself.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m starving, anyway. Let’s put this out front.” Gage lifted one end of the coffin and Ethan took the other. They carried it outside. Lily and Annie were setting their pumpkins on the front steps as Ethan and Gage lowered the coffin and propped it against the front of the garage. Ethan was about to say hello when he heard Lily say, “I think the Evil Queen stole Auntie Skye’s magic. She’s not fun anymore.”

“Nah,” Annie said, “Uncle Ethan turned her into a Republican.”

* * *

“You sure you don’t want to get dressed up, sweetheart? I bet you’d still fit in your Cake Fairy costume,” Ethan said as Skye buttoned Lily’s hooded black cloak.

“I need my book and wand,” Lily said, and took off for her room. She was going as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books.

Skye accepted Ethan’s hand and came to her feet. “What’s going on? This is the third time you asked me that. We have less than a week until election day. Do you really want a picture of your wife dressed up as a fairy princess on the front page of the paper?”

“What I want is for you to stop worrying about reporters and have fun. Do whatever makes you happy.”

“What’s gotten into you today?” He’d been acting weird since he’d come in with Gage earlier.

“Nothing.” He drew her into his arms, resting his forehead against hers. “I just want you to enjoy yourself. You’ve been working hard these last few weeks.”

“So have you. And I am having fun.” She gave him a reassuring smile and patted his chest. “We’re going to take Lily trick-or-treating, and then we’ll be back to help with the party. Did you and Gage finish the haunted house?”

“Yeah, wanna come check it out?” He waggled his brows. “I can tie you up.”

“Seriously, I don’t know what’s up with you today.” She placed her palm on his forehead. “Do you have a fever?”

“Yeah, I’m hot, for you. We’ll help out at the party for an hour, and then I’m taking you home.”

“It’ll be nice to be in our own bed for a change.”

“Don’t count on sleeping.” He gave her a long, passionate kiss, moving away at the sound of Maddie and Lily heading their way.

“You have a guilty look on your face, Ethan O’Connor. Are you trying to seduce your wife again?” Maddie teased.

“Yeah, and I’m not having much luck.”

“Ah—little ears,” Skye said, nodding at Lily.

“What did you do with my best friend?” Maddie asked. “She’s no fun anymore.”

“Oh, please, don’t tell him that.” Skye looked at Ethan, who was frowning. “I’m having fun, okay? Let’s go, you two,” she said, ushering Lily and Maddie out the door.

“It’s true, and you know it. You used to love Halloween as much as Lily. You always dressed up.”

“I’m twenty-eight and pregnant and married to a man running for the state senate.”

Maddie helped Lily into the Suburban. As she closed the door, her gaze searched Skye’s face. “I’m your best friend. I know when something’s wrong. What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” she said, forcing a smile.

“We are not moving from here until you tell me.”

“It’s the election. I’m just tired. Tired of being Kendall,” she finally admitted. “It’s so hard, and now that there’s no doubt Ethan’s going to win, I have to pretend to be someone I’m not for four years. Four years is a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy he’s going to win. No one deserves to become state senator more than he does. He’ll be amazing. He truly wants to make a difference, and even though I don’t always agree with him on the issues…”

“Take a breath and slow down. You don’t have to sell me on how wonderful Ethan is. I know that. But what I don’t understand is why you think you have to be Kendall. I love you just the way you are and so does Ethan. He married you, not Kendall.”

“He married me because I was pregnant. But Kendall, she’s the woman he needs by his side. And Maddie, Ethan said he loves Kendall, not me. He… he doesn’t even call me cupcake anymore.”

“Anyone with eyes in their head can see that you two are crazy about each other.” Lily honked the horn, and Maddie went to open the driver’s-side door. “Don’t let this come between you. Talk to Ethan, sugar. He’s worried about you, and so am I.”

Maddie didn’t understand, Skye thought, as she got in the Suburban. How could she? Maddie hadn’t grown up with Skye’s parents. She didn’t think she could bear it if Ethan looked at her the way her father had looked at her mother. She loved Ethan too much to hurt his chances, to watch as his pride in her turned to disappointment and frustration. Maybe over time, she’d get used to being Kendall. It was about time she grew up. And there were parts of her new persona she liked. Not the hair or the clothes or watching every word that came out of her mouth or keeping her opinions to herself when they attended a dinner party with a bunch of muckety-mucks who were destroying the environment… Okay, so about the only thing she liked about being Kendall was that her husband loved her. Seeing the admiration and pride in his eyes made the sacrifice worthwhile.

“Let it go,” Skye said to Maddie as she buckled her seat belt.

“Okay, we’ll talk about something else. How’s the blog doing?”

She rolled her eyes and turned to Lily. “How’s school going, sweetie?”

“Good try. She’s listening to her iPod. What don’t you want to tell me?”

“My followers are starting to drop off, and I lost two contracts last week.” She held up a hand. “Once the election is over, I’ll go back to posting what I want, and the numbers will improve, and the advertisers will be back on board.”

“For your sake, I hope that’s the case, Skye. It doesn’t matter that Ethan’s wealthy. You need to be financially independent. It’s important.”

“I am. You know how well I’m doing. You’re looking after my investment portfolio.”

“True. But if your blog tanks, then what are you going to do?”

“It won’t.”

“I hope not,” Maddie said, turning onto Nell’s street. “There’s Grace and little Jack.” She motioned to Lily to take out her earphones. “Look, sweetie, little Jack’s Superman.”

“Can we go trick-or-treating with them?” Lily asked as they pulled into Nell’s driveway.

“Sure, we…” Maddie sighed. Lily was already halfway to Nell’s door.

They both started to laugh when Nell answered wearing a Mrs. Claus costume. “The woman is Christmas obsessed,” Skye said as she got out of the SUV. “Look at her front lawn.” Nell had piled three pumpkins one on top of each other to make a snowman, using sticks for arms with a Santa’s hat on its head.

She frowned when Maddie didn’t move. Skye rounded the SUV to help her out. “Why are…” She trailed off, looking from the wet spot on Maddie’s jeans to her best friend’s panic-stricken face.

* * *

Skye sat beside Ethan in the hospital waiting room filled to capacity with McBride family and friends. “I don’t know why she kicked me out of the room,” Skye grumbled to Ethan. “All I did was tell her that a natural birth is the best thing for the baby. I even offered to get my ball for her.”

Ethan put an arm around her, and kissed the top of her head. “Sorry, sweetheart, I forgot to warn you. She got ticked at Gage, too, so don’t feel bad.”

“Maybe I should try again. Help her with her breathing.”

“How about you just stay with me for a while? Do you want something to drink?”

“No, I’m good, thanks,” she said, looking up when Gage entered the waiting room. “How is she?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I think we’re in for a long night. Nell, would you mind taking the girls home?” He exhaled deeply when his aunt shook her head. Skye wasn’t surprised she wouldn’t leave. Nell loved Maddie like a daughter.

Liz stood up. “I’ll take the girls home and stay with them, Gage. Don’t worry,” she quieted Annie’s and Lily’s protests. “Your dad will call as soon as your brother or sister gets here, and we’ll come right back.”

Paul came into the room, took in the situation, and said, “I’ll go home with Liz and the girls.”

“Perfect,” Skye whispered as Paul left with Liz, Annie, and Lily. “They’ll have the whole night together.” She frowned when Ethan didn’t respond, then heard what he obviously had. A woman who sounded a lot like Maddie, yelling for drugs and moaning in pain. The color drained from Ethan’s face. “Are you okay?” she asked him.

“No. That’s going to be you in a couple months.” He put his hand on her stomach and met her gaze. “I don’t think I’ll be able to do it, listening to you scream like that. Maybe you should reconsider the drugs.”

“You’re sweet to worry about me, but I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.” He winced, his hand tightening on her stomach when a woman, not Maddie, started cursing at her husband for getting her pregnant. “Okay, I’ll take the drugs instead,” Ethan said.

“You’re going to be a fainter, aren’t you?” she said, unable to keep the laughter from her voice.

“I don’t know how you can laugh. This isn’t funny. They sound like they’re dying in there.”

“You’ll feel better once we go to the birthing classes. We’re scheduled—”

“I’m not going. Gage told about the film they showed, and—”

“You’re going. It’s not you who has to push a—”

He covered her mouth with his hand. “I do not need that visual in my head.”

She kissed his palm, then removed his hand. “How about visualizing holding your daughter in your arms for the first time.”

He leaned into her. “For now, I think I’m going to visualize her mother naked in my arms.” His cell pinged. He glanced at his screen and stood up. “I’ve gotta take this. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Five minutes later, he returned to the waiting room. “I have to leave.”

Skye lowered the magazine she’d been reading to search his face. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and he avoided meeting her gaze. “Ethan, what is it?”

“Nothing. I’ll take care of it.”

“But where are you going? What about Maddie and Gage?”

“Look, it can’t be helped. I’m meeting with the team at Mom’s. Claudia’s on her way to pick me up.” He reached in his pocket and handed her his keys.

“Ethan, tell me—”

“I’ve gotta go.”

Without saying good-bye, without kissing her, without looking at her, he strode from the waiting room. A sense of impending doom came over Skye. Something was terribly, terribly wrong.