Until Then (Cape Harbor #2) - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,44
for their lost time. They would spend Christmas together, he promised her, waking up in her apartment and opening gifts before heading up to Cape Harbor for a few days and finally traveling north to Canada. Four nights in Whistler, complete with snowcapped mountains, endless skiing, spa treatments, and hot toddies by the fireplace. Theo was the skier, more so than Rennie. She would venture out for an hour or two and do a couple of the low-level runs with him, but she looked forward to some good old-fashioned relaxation. She’d already booked a manicure and pedicure, as well as a mud bath. And couple’s massage and quiet dinners by candlelight for them to share. She wanted their getaway to be perfect, magical. When she told Brooklyn of her New Year’s plans, Brooklyn teased, saying Theo was going to propose. Rennie brushed her off but secretly wanted Theo to slip a diamond onto her ring finger.
Rennie had held her hand out and waited for the smile to come. It hadn’t. Lately, she felt a disconnect with Theo and wondered if they wanted the same things out of life. An engagement seemed to be in their future, their next step, but Rennie wasn’t sure if she wanted it now. In the past few months, her emotions had been all over the place. Pure excitement from seeing Graham again after all those years. Joy and happiness from spending weekends in Cape Harbor, although Theo wouldn’t accompany her, to contentment when she snuggled on the couch with Theo, alone in her apartment. Contentment wasn’t previously in her vocabulary, and the thought made her feel old.
Her intercom buzzed, and she walked over to her phone, pressing the button. “Yes, Ester?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Ms. Wallace, but your mother is holding for you.”
My mother?
“Thanks, I’ll take her call,” she said, mentally calculating the time difference and wondering if something was wrong. They texted on Thanksgiving, and her mother hadn’t indicated anything was amiss.
“Hello, Mom. Is everything okay?”
“Renee, we’re going to have a white Christmas.”
She looked over her shoulder and made a face even though her mom couldn’t see it. “I doubt it. The snow is barely sticking.”
“Not you—your father and I.”
Rennie rolled her eyes and sat down at her desk, wiggled the mouse to bring her computer to life, and followed the path to start a solitaire game. It was mindless and helped her pass the time through her mother’s idle chitchat.
“How so?” she asked. She learned a long time ago not to count on having her parents around, especially for the holidays.
“Your father wants to go to Alaska. We’ll be there until after New Year’s.”
Alaska is close to home, Rennie thought. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“What do you mean?” her mother asked.
Of course. Rennie closed her eyes for a moment before turning her attention back to her card game. She moved cards back and forth, purposely making her mother wait. When her board cleared, she pumped her fisted hand and clicked to start a new game.
“Nothing. I just thought you’d come home to visit if you were in Alaska.”
Her mother sighed. “I’ll look at the calendar and see if we have time. We’re heading out on a monthlong cruise to the Mexican Riviera afterward.”
“No worries, Mom. I love how you and Dad are enjoying your retirement.”
“You should join us on our cruise.” The suggestion, while nice, was impossible.
“Maybe next time,” she replied. “Listen, Mom. I gotta run.”
“Oh, Renee, you work too hard. You need to take a break.”
She hated the name Renee. Her parents, Theo, and her coworkers all referred to her by her given name, but she preferred Rennie. Yet, it only ever stuck with the Cape Harbor crew and college friends.
“Theo and I are going away for New Year’s. Up to the mountains.”
“But you hate skiing. I don’t understand why you’d take a vacation if you don’t love the destination. Relationships are about compromise.”
“I don’t mind it. It’s just not my favorite activity. Besides, Theo loves to ski. I’m happy being in the spa all day.”
“All right, dear. I have to go. I’m tired, and your father and I have a big day planned. We’ll talk soon. Love you.” Before Rennie could respond, her mother hung up.
Rennie sat back in her chair and swiveled to look out the window. She replayed her mother’s words in her mind. She couldn’t recall a time when her parents fought or even had a disagreement. To her, they were always even keeled and happy.