Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,48
with Katri and Dominic’s.” Except that’s how they’d met. Except that a hiccup for their kids meant a hiccup for their parents.
“Puh-leeze. Don’t you see the pressure you’ve put on Katri? She already knew what I just said. It’s impossible to have a family and a career and do a good job of both. You just keep reminding her of that.”
“I do?” He turned to Katri. “Is that what the problem is? Because I totally believe the opposite, even though I didn’t live it when you two were little. In fact, you taught me when you pointed me to faith in Jesus. If we put God first, the other pieces align.”
“Now he’s spouting religion?” came Kyle’s incredulous voice.
Charlie could ignore the guy.
“I know, Dad.” Katri’s voice was quiet. “But Evie’s partly right, too. Knowing you’re dating Dom’s mom did put a little stress on our relationship. It’s just... weird.”
“Is she pretty, Charlie?” Julia shifted to stand beside him, her slim eyebrows peaked in disdain. “I thought you’d become a monk, but apparently not.”
“She’s pretty. But more than that, she’s nice. She’s fun. She’s authentic.”
“Sounds practically perfect.”
“And she shares my faith. The faith Katri brought to my attention a few years ago.”
“So why aren’t you all cuddled up with her right now?”
He could deny that sort of relationship, but Julia was just digging. Trying to hurt him. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. “Because my baby girl is more important. I’ve grown up, Julia.” He glanced at the pretty boy then looked back to his ex. “I’ve realized life isn’t all about me. It’s about what I can do for others. My daughters’ needs come first.”
“Ooh, are you poking at me, Charlie? Because that’s not very nice. But listen, if your God thinks divorce is a sin and you should get back together with me, let Him know I don’t care, okay? I’m better off without you.”
She was definitely better off than she’d have been without the years of alimony and child support he’d paid, but he wouldn’t go there.
Katri straightened. “Mom, don’t.”
“Oh, darling. Don’t you see your dad is just trying to get between you and me?”
Charlie held his breath as Katri met his gaze for a long moment. Then she looked back at her mother. “Dad and I are headed back to my place now. I’ll call you soon, okay?” She kissed Julia’s cheek and swept past.
Julia glared at Charlie. “You think you’ve won, but you haven’t.”
“It’s not a competition. Our daughters can love both of us, you know. It’s healthier that way.” He turned to Evie. “I love you, sweetie. Merry Christmas. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”
And then he followed Katri out the door, finally daring to breathe.
What should she do? Winnie felt like a tiny butterfly buffeted by winds from all angles. Powerless. At the whim of others.
She hadn’t heard from Charlie since his brief text yesterday morning. She hadn’t responded. What was there to say? Any reply would only sound pious — and she wasn’t — or needy. Which she was.
Dominic had been home for a day and a half, and he’d made sure she couldn’t catch him alone for two seconds. Now he and his brothers had gone to the basketball court to play some three-on-three with their cousins in the only scrap of sunlight they’d seen today.
“Hey, Aunt Winnie. Join us for cards?” Ava, Brittany’s cousin, best friend, and roommate, beckoned Winnie toward the table.
“You just need a fourth.”
“We do.” Ava tossed her a saucy grin. “But you look like you need a reason to smile. Trouncing Britt ought to do it.”
“Hey!” protested Brittany. “Just because you cheated last time—”
“Did not. Don’t blame me you sat in front of a dark window with all your cards reflecting back at me. It was impossible not to win when I could see everything you had.”
Brittany huffed, rounded the table, and pulled the drapes closed, even though it was daylight. “I still say that’s cheating.”
Gabriella snickered as she shuffled the deck.
“Blackout?” Winnie slid into a chair. “I’m in.” Playing the odds in cards was way easier than playing the odds in life. “By the way, Ava, you girls did a great job on the mime for the Christmas concert. You’re so talented.”
“What about Dixie and me?” Brittany took the opposite seat. “What are we, bumbling klutzes?”
“Mmm, klutzes...” Gabby dealt out the cards.
“You all did well, but I happen to know Ava did the choreography as well as dancing in it. How’s teaching going?” The girls spent