Age Before Beauty Read online

  The doorbell sounded again.

  “Hang on a sec,” he shouted. Bottle propped beneath his chin, Eric twisted the door handle and pulled it open. When he saw who stood on the front porch, his jaw went slack. The bottle dropped to the floor, and Joanie let out a shriek.

  Stunned, Eric could only stare.

  3

  Allie sipped from her glass of diet soda, a paper plate covered in cake crumbs balanced on her knees. Sally Jo had interrupted her product demonstrations long enough to allow them to fill a plate, grab a drink, and return to their seats to view the next batch of stuff-no-home-should-be-without.

  Joan leaned sideways. “If you see anything you like, let me know. I still haven’t gotten you a birthday present.”

  Allie awarded her a withering glance. “If you buy me a laundry pen for my birthday, I’ll never speak to you again.”

  Joan laughed as Sally Jo selected an item from the table and made a show of holding it behind her back. She flashed a grin with the manner of one who is about to show them a map to the fountain of youth. “And now we move into my favorite product line. Can anyone guess what that is?”

  Allie turned her head so Joan could read her lips. Tooth care? she mouthed. Beyond Joan, the girl named Brittany noticed and hid a laugh behind her glass.

  “Makeup!” Sally Jo announced, beaming as she whipped out a tube of lipstick and held it before her like a kid taking a turn at show-and-tell. “But actually, it’s so much more than makeup. Varie Cose offers an entire line of skin care products far superior to anything else I’ve ever tried. And believe me, ladies, I’ve tried a lot of them.”

  Judging by the amount of makeup layered on her face, Allie figured she must have tried them all tonight, one on top of the other.

  “Skin care is by far our most popular product line, with the cleaning products coming in a close second. Why, sixty percent of my sales each week are makeup items.”

  “Sixty percent?” Allie glanced at the table in the corner, at all the stuff piled on top of it. “You must sell a lot of makeup.”

  “Trust me,” Sally Jo said, her smile secretive. “I really do.”

  Allie’s ears perked up. How much money did the woman make selling this stuff? Enough to support herself?

  As Sally Jo drew breath to launch into a description of the lipstick she held, Allie interrupted. “Do you have a job, Sally Jo, or do you do this full-time?”

  Around the room, the ladies stopped flipping through the pages of their catalogs to listen to Sally Jo’s answer.

  “Varie Cose is my job, though I only work part-time. In fact . . .” She paused and let a conspiratorial smile sweep the room. “I’ve been so successful, I got my car only four months after I signed on as a consultant, and I moved up three levels in just a year. You may have seen my Lexus in the parking lot.”

  Allie looked closer at the woman. Nice clothes. Expensive shoes. Lexus. The Varie Cose business must be pretty lucrative.

  She sat back in her chair as Sally Jo launched into a detailed description of the amazing staying power of Varie Cose’s lipsticks. Just how lucrative, though? Enough to match her paycheck as a state employee? If she worked part-time as a Varie Cose consultant, she wouldn’t have to take Joanie to daycare at all. Most of the parties would be held in the evening, like this one. Now that Eric was on first shift, he would be at home in the evenings. All the business stuff, the ordering and paperwork and all that, could be done during the day while Joanie napped or played.

  Could Varie Cose be the solution to her problem?

  She set her empty plate on the floor and leaned forward in her chair, ready to pay closer attention to Sally Jo’s demonstration.

  “Listen, honey, why don’t I give you a call tomorrow and we’ll talk more. What’s your number?” Sally Jo held her pen poised above her notepad, an eager glint in her eye as though she had fresh meat in her sights.

  Around the room, partygoers stood in clusters of two or three, comparing their order forms and discussing items in the catalog. Judging from the amount of writing on some of those forms, Allie figured Sally Jo would make a bundle tonight. And Eve would definitely earn her “lovely hostess gift.”

  Allie recited her phone number, aware that beside her, Joan’s eyeballs looked like they were about to explode out of her head. As the consultant moved on to the next group with a satisfied smile on her shiny red lips, Joan shoved her face into Allie’s.

  “What are you doing?” She glanced behind her and lowered her voice. “Rule number one is never give them your phone number. You should have taken her card and offered to call her. That way when you wake up in the morning and realize you were suffering from temporary insanity tonight, you can forget about it. Now she’s going to bug you to death.” “But I want her to call.” Allie kept her gaze fixed on Sally Jo’s back where she stood talking to Eve and her mother, and spoke in a whisper. “If she’s selling enough to earn a Lexus, just imagine how much money she’s making. And if she can do it, I’m sure I can too.”

  Joan tilted her head sideways. “I didn’t know you wanted a Lexus.”

  Allie rolled her eyes. “I don’t want a Lexus. I want a job where I can stay home with my daughter.”

  Joan’s mouth dropped open. “You do? I thought you liked your job at the state.”

  “I like it okay. It’s not that.” Allie let her gaze slide away from her sister, toward the baby carrier sitting safely in a corner, its sweet little occupant snoozing away, totally oblivious to the chattering women in the room. “But I’m having a little trouble at the thought of leaving Joanie with someone else.”

  “What does Eric say?”

  Allie shook her head. “We haven’t talked about it.”

  Joan’s eyelids narrowed. “Don’t you think you should let your husband know you’re considering a career change? Communication is vital in a healthy relationship, you know.”

  Allie aimed a breath at her bangs. Now that Joan was finally enjoying a serious relationship with a guy, she turned into Dear Abby. “If I want marital advice from my single sister,” Allie told her, “I’ll ask for it.”

  Joan threw her hands up, palms facing Allie. “Okay, okay. I’m just saying you should talk to him before you jump into something.”

  From the corner came a whimper. Every woman’s face turned toward the infant carrier. Two little fists waved in the air as the baby stirred.

  “Ooh, he’s waking up!” Eve’s mother turned a wide, baby-hungry smile in the infant’s direction. “Can I hold him?”

  Darcy, seated on the sofa and leaning over her order form on the coffee table, nodded. “Sure, but let me change him first.”

  Allie itched with Empty Arms Syndrome. What time was it, anyway? She glanced at her watch. 8:47. She’d been away from her baby for almost two full hours. Her body, conditioned to supply Joanie’s milk needs, stirred as Darcy’s baby let out a loud cry. If she didn’t leave soon, she’d look like Elsie the Cow had sprung a leak.

  “Hurry up with that form,” she ordered Joan. “I need to get home.”

  When they turned onto Allie’s street, she saw a strange car parked in her driveway.

  “Who drives a white Camry?” Joan asked as she glided to a stop at the curb in front of the house.

  “I have no idea. A friend of Eric’s maybe?” A flash of irritation tightened Allie’s lips. What happened to father-daughter time? How could he give Joanie the attention she needed if he had a friend over?

  “Well, I won’t come in since you have company. Thanks for going with me tonight. I hope you didn’t see what I got you for your birthday.”

  “I didn’t,” Allie told her as she reached for her purse in the backseat. “But I hope it was that salad slicer thingy. Something like that could save me a fortune in Band Aids.”

  Joan grinned. “You’ll just have to wait. It’s only two days, though. Gram’s planning to fix your favorite dinner—fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy.”

  Though Gram lived in an
assisted living facility, she came to the family home and cooked every Sunday and on special occasions. A family celebration wouldn’t be the same without Gram’s home cooking, and especially her homemade yeast rolls.

  “I can hardly wait.” Allie opened the door. “You coming over tomorrow?”

  “Probably not. It’s Wednesday. You want to come with me?”

  Joan attended a Bible study at some church in Lexington on Wednesday nights. She really had embraced the religion stuff in the past couple of months. But at least she wasn’t pushy about it.

  “No, thanks.” Allie got out of the car and leaned over to look back inside. “See you Thursday.”

  “Bye.”

  She slammed the door and stood watching as Joan’s car pulled away from the curb. With a final goodbye wave, she headed toward the house. Eric had better not be ignoring Joanie to talk with his buddy. And whoever-it-was had better take the hint that it was time to leave. It was past nine o’clock. Their nighttime bath ritual was overdue.

  She opened the storm door and swung the wooden one inward. The living room was empty. And what was that smell? Like cheap perfume.

  “Eric? Where are you?”

  “Allie!” Eric stepped into the room from the kitchen, Joanie tucked into the curve of his elbow. “You’re home early. I didn’t expect you until ten or so.”

  He tossed a glance over his shoulder. Why was he acting nervous? Sick fear made her stomach flop. Did he have a woman in there?

  Allie stepped forward, her arms outstretched to take Joanie. She struggled to keep her tone even. “Whose car is in the driveway?”

  He handed the sleeping infant to her, then shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Uh, car?”

  Allie looked sharply at him. She’d definitely caught him at something. A buzzing started in her ears as her face heated. “Unless you bought a new Camry while I was gone, someone must be here.”

  He grabbed her arm and drew her toward the center of the living room, away from the kitchen, then leaned forward and placed his mouth next to her ear. “Don’t get upset, okay? We’ll work it out.”

  She jerked away, and Joanie whimpered in her arms. If he thought another woman wearing cheap perfume was something to “work out,” he’d better think again. “Work what out?”

  “Hello, Allie.”

  Allie whirled, shock coursing up her spine, her mouth hanging open. Then her grip on Joanie tightened. This was no girlfriend, no affair. It was much worse. Staring at her from just inside her kitchen stood the only person in the entire world who hated her guts. And the feeling was definitely mutual.

  Her mother-in-law.

  4

  Seated on the bed, Eric leaned against the headboard and watched his wife stomp back and forth from the bedside table to the closet. At the rate she was going, they’d have to replace the carpet. “You’re acting like this is my fault, like I did something on purpose just to upset you.”

  Allie’s eyes shot blue-green darts across the room. “You can’t expect me to believe she showed up on our doorstep, suitcase in hand, with no warning whatsoever. Nobody is that rude, not even your mother.”

  He clamped his jaw shut. Actually, that’s exactly what had happened, but to admit it would be agreeing that his mother was rude. Maybe she was, but Allie wasn’t exactly exuding generosity and charm at the moment.

  “Honest, Allie, I’m just as shocked as you are.” He allowed a hint of steel to seep into his voice. “But insulting my mother won’t help. She’s having some problems, and she needs some time to work things out. Try to show a little compassion.”

  “Compassion?” Allie clutched Joanie so tightly Eric was surprised the baby didn’t wail in protest. “She came into the bridal room on my wedding day and called me names in front of all my bridesmaids. She said I was self-centered and she didn’t think our marriage would last a year. And I’m supposed to welcome her into my home with open arms when she shows up unannounced?”

  Eric had heard the incident recounted a dozen times in the five years of their marriage. After a few months he grew tired of trying to come up with excuses for his mother’s behavior, and usually just ignored Allie when she brought up the ill-mannered comments on their wedding day. But after the conversation with his mother in the kitchen before Allie got home, he felt like he needed to defend her tonight.

  He folded his arms across his chest and glowered. “Your mother shows up unannounced almost every day, and I welcome her into my home.”

  Allie whirled on him. “That’s different. She stays an hour and leaves. Your mother lives in Detroit, so I assume she’s planning to be here for a few days. And what do you mean, she’s having problems?”

  He couldn’t hold her gaze and let his slide downward toward his feet. He needed to tell her the whole story, but she wasn’t going to like it.

  “Actually, that’s what we were talking about when you came home. Mother doesn’t have any plans at the moment. She . . .” He cleared his throat. “She left Dad. Moved out.”

  He risked a glance at Allie. If her mouth were open any wider, somebody could toss a basketball into it.

  “I know this is a shock,” he went on in a rush. “Trust me, I’m still reeling. I never in a million years thought Mother would leave Dad.”

  Allie sank onto the edge of the bed, looking dazed. “Did she tell you why?”

  “No.” Eric shook his head. “I was trying to get something out of her when you came home, but all she’d say was ‘I need a change.’ ”

  She lowered the sleeping baby to the center of the mattress and arranged a fuzzy pink blanket over her, then turned a stern look on him. “She can change all she wants somewhere else. Your mother is not moving in with us, Eric.”

  He heaved a sigh. “I know. But what was I supposed to do, slam the door in her face?”

  “You could have offered to drive her to a hotel.” Her eyes narrowed. “There are a couple of nice ones just a few miles away.”

  Eric leaned forward and covered her hand with his. “I can’t do that. She is my mother.”

  “And I’m your wife.”

  Allie locked gazes with him, and he had to force himself not to look away from the intense depths of her eyes. “I know that. You are the most important woman in my life.”

  Okay, blatant flattery, but if that’s what it took to restore peace, he’d resort to sweet talk. Besides, it was true. Hopefully Allie sensed his sincerity.

  She must have, for she said, “Well . . .” and gave a sniff. “She can’t stay here indefinitely. I’ll lose my mind if I have to deal with her for more than a few days.”

  Eric didn’t heave a sigh of relief, but his breath came a bit easier. Hopefully a few days would be all it took for Mother to come to her senses and go back home. Besides, he’d never admit it to Allie, but it was actually kind of good to see her. He’d been trying not to feel offended that neither of his parents had made the trip down from Detroit to see their first grandchild, while Allie’s family was here so often they might as well pitch tents in the yard. He looked forward to the opportunity to show his daughter off to his mother.

  He tightened his hand around Allie’s and pulled her toward him. She lost all resistance then and snuggled in his lap. He held her close, breathing deeply to catch the unique scent of her hair, a faint mixture of soap and flowers that always—

  The door opened abruptly, and Mother stuck her head into the bedroom. Allie jerked away from him and leaped off the bed.

  “I hope I’m not intruding.” Mother gave a tight-lipped smile. “I just wondered if you have some clean bed linens. These don’t seem very fresh.”

  A deep flush stained Allie’s face as her eyes grew round. “I’m sure they’re clean, Mother,” Eric hurried to say before Allie could respond. “Nobody has slept in that bed since we moved into the house.”

  Mother’s expression did not change. “So that means you haven’t changed the sheets in how many years?”

  Allie’s arms hung at her si
des, both hands tightening into fists. Her gaze was fixed on the floor in front of her, but Eric knew his wife well enough to know that she was struggling to control her temper. And judging by the blotches that were starting to appear on her neck, she was about to lose the struggle.

  Eric leaped off the bed. “I’ll show you where the linen closet is. I’m sure we have some more sheets to fit that bed.”

  With a single nod, Mother turned away and disappeared from view. Avoiding his wife’s eyes, Eric sidled past her toward the doorway. She grabbed his arm, fingernails biting into his skin, and pulled him roughly toward her.

  “I want a lock on that door tonight,” she hissed.

  In the face of Allie’s fury, Eric judged the wisest course of action was to do whatever it took to pacify his wife.

  “Yes, dear.”

  A solitary trip to Wal-Mart to buy a locking door handle sounded like an excellent idea.

  Allie settled Joanie gently into the crib and flipped on the baby monitor. These predawn feedings were killer. She backed toward the door, staring at the precious little face nestled inside the pink bundle. That crib was so big, and Joanie was so tiny. She would have preferred to keep the baby in the bassinette a few more weeks, but all the books said to let her get used to sleeping in her own bed as soon as possible. Though she didn’t admit it to Eric, she’d slept better herself without straining all night to hear every breath her daughter drew. And with the receiver on her nightstand turned all the way up, she could still hear the softest baby sigh. She tiptoed backward through the doorway and closed the door with a soft click.

  Turning, she came nose to nose with her mother-in-law and nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “Betty, you scared me.” Allie put a hand over her heart and heaved a steadying breath. “I didn’t know you were up.”