Page 35 of The Christmas Fix
Cat abandoned her carb concerns for the moment and joined them.
“Cat, this is my mom, Mellody.”
Mellody wiped her hands hastily on a napkin. “It’s really nice to meet you, Cat. I’ve heard a lot about you from my daughter who rarely stops talking.”
Sara grinned, unaffected by the comment.
“It’s great to meet you, Mellody,” Cat said, holding up her dirt-stained hands. “I’d shake but…”
“That’s all right. I’m covered in icing and forbidden carbs that I’m not going to tell my personal trainer or the seamstress about,” Mellody announced.
A kindred spirit in the carb department.
Cat grinned. “Sara’s a pretty cool kid.”
Mellody had rich dark hair like Sara’s and wide brown eyes. Cat could see more of Noah in Sara’s nose and jawline. But she clearly got her pleasantness from her mother. “She is cool if I do say so myself. I hope my ex-husband isn’t giving you a rough time while you’re here.”
“Why would Dad give Cat a hard time?” Sara wanted to know.
Mellody grinned at Cat in commiseration. “Oh, you know your father, sweetie. He likes to have everything a certain way.”
“His?” Cat suggested.
“That’s our Noah,” Mellody laughed. “Don’t let his stubbornness throw you. Deep down, under his crabby exterior, he’s a wonderful man. Isn’t he, Sara?”
“Well, he’s no Drake or Henry,” Sara sighed dreamily, and Cat laughed.
Mellody’s phone rang from the depths of her purse. She dug for it. “Oh, crap. The venue. Please don’t let this be bad news. Hello? Oh, no.”
Sara looked at Cat and whispered. “Mom’s getting remarried. It’s making her anxious.” Sara circled a finger around her ear and then pointed at her mom. Cat bit back a laugh. They listened to Mellody’s side of the conversation, a series of “oh nos” and “what can we do about its?” followed by an “I’ll be right there.”
“Mom,” Sara groaned when Mellody hung up. “We’re supposed to have Girl Day. I don’t want to go wherever you’re freaking out about going.”
“Sorry, kid. I don’t think we have a choice. Your dad is working today, and the venue called. They had some water damage and need me to check out the secondary ceremony site.”
Sara groaned, melting to the table like a dejected pat of butter. “But it’s an hour away!”
“Sara,” Mellody said, going for stern but still sounding panicked. “You know how your dad and I feel about you being home alone by yourself for hours.”
“I’m twelve, not four,” Sara pointed out. “Besides, Dad’s house is full of neighbors.”
Mellody brightened. “Then maybe Kathy can watch you? You can hang out with April.”
“Kathy and April are shopping to replace some of their stuff they lost in the flood. Ugh. This was supposed to be a fun day, Mom.”
“Sara can come hang out with me on set for a bit if she wants—”
“Oh, my God! Yes!” The acceptance was out of Sara’s mouth before Cat could even finish the offer. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
“If it’s okay with your mom?” Cat finished.
“That would be amazing and save me from dragging Pouty MacGee around on a wasted Girls Day,” Mellody said biting her lip. “Are you sure it wouldn’t be any trouble?”
“Well, I’d have to put Sara to work. Getting coffee and donuts, maybe holding the boom for sound? The production assistants have lists a mile long with things that they need help with.”
“Mom, please?” Sara squeezed her hands together under her chin. “This would be the most amazing Girls Day Present ever even though you bailed on me.”
“Sure know how to make a mom feel special,” Mellody groaned, poking Sara in the shoulder.
