Turning, Daisy gazed at Jonas and smiled. “More serious each day. Is there something wrong with that?”
“He’s a cop, and you’ve been involved in murder cases. Is he the reason why? Mom almost has a fit every time that happens. She worries.”
This time Daisy was stymied for a response. She took her time before answering. “Yes, Jonas was once a detective. That’s how Jazzi found her birth mother. He helped. Somehow I’ve gotten involved in murder cases, and his expertise is valuable. He even has contacts who are helpful. But he doesn’t drag me into anything. If there is such a person as a knight in shining armor, I’d say Jonas comes pretty close.”
As if she was waiting to jab at Daisy again, Camellia responded, “So you’re forgetting about Ryan?”
“I’ll never forget about Ryan.” Daisy kept her voice quiet but firm. “Not a day goes by that I don’t remember what we shared. I can’t look at Jazzi and Vi without thinking about the times we all had together as a family. But finally my brain can wrap itself around the fact that my life will never be the same again. I’ve started a new life, Camellia, and I don’t know why it bothers you so much.”
“It doesn’t bother me. I’m glad if you’re satisfied with what you have. I just don’t want Mom to worry about you.”
“I’m sure she worries about you too. Are you and Robert serious?”
She gave another shrug. “I don’t know.”
“How long have you been dating?”
“About three months.”
Uh-oh. That was usually Camellia’s time limit for a relationship.
Camellia scowled at her. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“I doubt that,” Daisy said.
“I’m just not sure Robert and I fit together like Mom and Dad do.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I think so.”
“Then you might have to date a man more than three months to find out.”
“You’re supposed to know right away,” Camellia protested.
“Who told you that?”
“Mom did. She and Dad knew right away.”
“Maybe so. But there can be friendship first and then passion, don’t you think? Or you could have sparks at first, but then you have to figure out if you can be friends.”
Camellia considered that idea. “I never looked at it like that.”
Daisy gave a little shrug. “You’ll figure it out.”
“Are you just saying that or do you really believe it?”
Daisy handed Camellia the roasting pan and looked her straight in the eye. “I really believe it.” Camellia was smart enough to figure out anything . . . if she wanted to.
Chapter Fifteen
Wasn’t the dress rehearsal supposed to be exciting?
The day after Thanksgiving, Daisy thought back to her high school days. She could remember a dress rehearsal for a spring play. She’d been hyped on adrenaline, excited, nervous, anxious, and over-the-top raring to get started. It was all fun, from putting on different clothes to acting in character to watching for Tessa in the wings because she was helping with costume changes. She’d also entertained the hope that the credit in her record would help her be accepted at the college of her choice.
Sure, this dress rehearsal was absolutely different from that. Jonas had asked her to come along to watch just for the fun of it. They needed a few people in the audience to applaud at the right places.
But the mood for Christmas in the North Woods was anything but exciting the night before its first performance.
Jonas, of course, would be helping to manipulate the sets into place for scene changes. Jazzi was studying with a friend, so Daisy had invited Tessa along to help applaud. She enjoyed plays and concerts and any artistic production.
Tessa leaned close to Daisy and asked, “Shouldn’t they have started by now?”
“Glenda’s still running around with the script making last-minute changes. That can really throw off amateur actors.”
“What is this play about anyway?” Tessa asked.
“It’s about a family who went away for Christmas to a cabin in the North Woods. They thought they’d be alone to celebrate without all the glitter and distractions of the city. Like most families now, they don’t have much time to be together.”
“I know there’s a but coming,” Tessa said with a smile.
“Oh, there’s a but. Extended family members and friends show up to surprise the family at the cabin, and they all get snowed in together.”
Tessa’s face showed a distasteful expression. “I can’t say it’s a novel premise.”
From the first row, Daisy could clearly see the cast scurrying around. “It doesn’t have to be novel to be satisfying and heartwarming. But the actors and actresses have to dive deep into their parts and make it real. Right now, they’re all running around looking as if they don’t know what they’re doing.”
“I can imagine what you’re thinking,” Tessa said.
“What’s that?” Daisy couldn’t help watching Jonas, the play of his muscles under his flannel shirt and the fit of his jeans as he moved a piece of scenery into place. He was a man worth looking at.
Tessa continued, “You’re thinking that if Margaret were here, she would have whipped everybody into shape. They’d know exactly what they were doing, where they were supposed to be, and how they were supposed to act.”
“I wasn’t thinking exactly that, but you’re right.”
Tessa settled deeper into the cushioned seat. “How’s Vi feeling?”
Daisy relaxed against the seat back. “I think all of our strategies are coming together. Postpartum depression has so many components. I’ve given Vi advice on nutritional supplements. They can build up vitamin deficiencies and help moods too. We’re trying to hit all the angles.”
“It sounds as if having a baby depletes a woman’s body and puts every hormone in a tizzy.”
“It doesn’t do that with all women,” Daisy explained. “But apparently Vi is one of the susceptible ones. Speaking with Vi’s gynecologist, I discovered there’s actually a new drug that’s an infusion treatment for postpartum depression. But it has to be administered in a hospital setting and the woman monitored. You won’t believe the cost.”
“How much?”
“Twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars. What insurance company will pay for that?”
“So only
