Last One Home

  Jake took a big bite of his sandwich before he nodded. “It looks like she’s mended fences with Karen, though.”

  “Not really.” Nichole was following Karen’s lead when it came to Cassie. “But I think this is a move in the right direction.”

  Jake frowned and reached for his spoon. “Was Cassie looking for money again?”

  “No, no, nothing like that. Cassie reached out to come and collect the leftover things from my parents’ house.”

  “What did I tell you?” Jake said, wagging his index finger at her.

  Nichole frowned, not remembering. “What did you tell me?” Jake looked so sexy when he thought he was right about something. Those three little lines at the bridge of his nose would crinkle up with that “you know I’m right” look she adored. His eyes were the most incredible blue-gray, and thankfully, their son had inherited them.

  “I told you,” Jake reminded her, “that if you put a time limit on how long the family would hold all that stuff, then your sister would magically find a way to collect it.”

  Actually, Nichole didn’t remember her husband saying that. She was the one who’d mentioned it to Karen over the phone, suggesting she give their sister two months and no more. It sounded a bit dictatorial now, and she regretted being so harsh.

  “Cassie’s driving over to Spokane today with a friend. It’ll be the first time Karen and Cassie have seen each other since their big fight right before Cassie married Duke.” Nichole had been in the room at the time and put a pillow around her head so she couldn’t hear.

  Jake grew thoughtful. “Karen must be nervous?”

  “Really nervous. She hardly sounded like herself.” After talking to her oldest sister, Nichole almost wished she could be in Spokane with her. She’d enjoy seeing Cassie again, too, she thought, then took a breath, realizing the desire had caught her unaware. Cassie had been out of her life for so long Nichole hadn’t thought there was any emotional attachment left. Well, other than the guilt she felt for the role she’d played in Cassie’s disappearance.

  “We used to fight all the time.”

  “You and Cassie?”

  “All three of us. When Karen was a senior she felt like she should have her own bedroom. Karen and Cassie were constantly fighting over clothes and boys and everything in between. Dad took Cassie’s side. She was his favorite and we could tell. Mom championed Karen. After one big shouting match, Dad decided Cassie would share my bedroom.”

  “You had your own room?” Jake arched his eyebrows playfully.

  Nichole rushed to explain. “I was so much younger than Karen and Cassie. It only made sense for me to have my own room and have them share, since they were close in age. But I wasn’t happy about this new arrangement. To make matters even worse, Cassie was bossy and she kept the light on all night reading. She told our mother it was homework but it wasn’t. She was reading romance novels. I took one of her ‘textbooks’ to Mom and then it was all-out war between me and Cassie.” She smiled at the memory of some of the antics they’d pulled on each other. Nichole had switched out Cassie’s expensive shampoo for salad dressing, and in retaliation Cassie had destroyed Nichole’s homework.

  Jake continued eating his lunch and didn’t seem to notice she wasn’t eating, which was fine. She didn’t want to make a point of the starvation diet she was on. Nichole was determined to lose the baby weight she’d gained with Owen. It was as if Jake read her thoughts, because he looked over at her empty place mat and frowned.

  “Where’s your lunch?”

  “I’m not eating.”

  “Why not?”

  Nichole leaned slightly forward. “You haven’t said anything about my weight, and honey, I want you to know I’m grateful. I’ve gained a few pounds since the baby.”

  Once more her husband’s eyebrows shot up. “You have? Where?”

  “Mostly my hips. When Laurie and I went shopping, I had to buy my new jeans in a larger size. Laurie tried to comfort me. She says it’s what happens after we have children, but I got on the scale and while those few pounds might not be much, I feel them.”

  “Honey, stop.” His look was intent and full of love. “I haven’t noticed a single pound, and it wouldn’t matter to me what you weigh. I love you, and in my eyes you’re beautiful just the way you are.”

  He was saying exactly what she needed to hear, what she had hoped to hear.

  “Now eat. I don’t like the idea of you starving yourself. It isn’t necessary. You’re perfect.”

  “Jake.” She felt like crying. How was it she was so fortunate to have married such a wonderful man? “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’d feel better about myself if I was able to shed this weight.”

  Jake set his lunch aside and grew thoughtful. “Do you want to join one of those diet centers?”

  “I don’t know …” Nichole wasn’t sure what to do. She’d considered joining a weight-loss program, but it would be difficult with Owen in tow.

  “What about one of those weight-loss spas,” Jake suggested, his eyes brightening with the idea. “You could go away for three or four days, lose the few pounds that are bothering you, and be done with it. Like I said, you’re perfect just the way you are, but if the excess weight is causing you concern, then do something about it.”

  Nichole couldn’t believe her husband would suggest anything this … drastic. She couldn’t go off on spa vacations—it wasn’t like they were rich. Yes, there was her inheritance, but that was to be invested for the future, not squandered on unnecessary expenses. “I’ve read about those spas,” she said, sighing. “Jake, they’re ungodly expensive.”

  “Are they?” He seemed surprised. “Let’s check it out.” He left the table long enough to retrieve his briefcase. He set it on the table and brought out his impossibly small laptop, lifting it open and turning it on.

  While the idea of a spa was extravagant, she couldn’t help being curious. Scooting her chair next to her husband, she watched as he typed in a few pertinent words for an Internet search. Within seconds they had a list of weight-loss health spas from one end of the country to the other.

  Jack scrolled down the list. “What about this one in Arizona?”

  Nichole looked at the price. “Jake, this is too much.”

  Her husband shook his head. “Is there a price tag on what brings my wife happiness?”

  “I couldn’t spend that kind of money!” While it was more than generous and loving of her husband, Nichole, in good conscience, couldn’t do this.

  “Yes, we can,” Jake insisted. “I’ll call the spa and get all the details, then we can decide.”

  Still, Nichole wasn’t sure. “I wouldn’t want to go alone, and Jake, just look at those golf courses.” The greens were lush and verdant. Jake would be in golfer’s heaven.

  Her husband released a regretful sigh. “Oh honey, I wish I could, but there’s no way I could take that amount of time off work. The spring release has been announced and this is our busy season.”

  “You’re always busy, Jake.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry, I truly am, but all these extra hours go with the territory. I’m in sales and I have to be available to my accounts. You understand, don’t you?”

  Nichole did understand. It didn’t make her life easy for him to be away so many hours of the day, but that was the price she had to pay to be a stay-at-home mom for Owen.

  Their son was nearly asleep in his high chair. It was already past his nap time, so Nichole collected him in her arms. He fussed a little, then nestled in and closed his eyes.

  “Why don’t you take Laurie with you?” Jake suggested.

  It was a great idea, but Laurie would never be able to afford this. Nichole wasn’t sure they could, either, at least not without digging into her inheritance.

  “Let me see if I can work a deal with the manager,” Jake said, smiling broadly. “It’s what I do all day, sweetheart.”

  Still she hesitated. “What about Owen?” It wasn’t like she c
ould take their son with her.

  For the first time Jake hesitated and then said, “I can manage Owen. I mean, really, how much trouble could one toddler be?”

  Nichole squelched a laugh.

  “My mother and I will work something out,” he added. His eyes grew soft as he looked toward Nichole, holding their son in her arms.

  Nichole’s head was spinning. While Jake insisted those few pounds didn’t matter to him, she had a sneaky feeling they mattered a lot, otherwise he wouldn’t have suggested a fancy spa. Still, she wasn’t sure this was what she should be doing.

  Nichole bit into her lip again as she weighed out the pros and cons. A part of her was leaping up and down, excited. Her more practical half couldn’t stop calculating the price tag.

  After a few moments, she said, “Let me talk to Laurie.”

  “Of course.” Jake brightened with enthusiasm. “I’ll call now and find out what kind of deal I can get for you.”

  Again she paused. “Okay. I’ll put Owen down for his nap.”

  She wasn’t away more than ten minutes. When she returned she heard Jake on the phone.

  “Three days would probably be better,” Jake glanced up, saw her, and then gave her a thumbs-up sign.

  This was happening so fast, but Jake was like that. When he had an idea, he didn’t hesitate. As soon as he was off the phone with the spa people, he announced, “I called my mother and she said she’d be happy to take care of Owen during the day. At night I would have quality time with my son.”

  “You could manage?”

  “Of course I could.”

  “This is the deal,” Jake said excitedly. “Five days. One day to fly in. Three days at the spa and then one day to fly home. Five days in total.”

  Nichole didn’t know what to say. “Five days. What can I say? You’re the most wonderful husband in the entire universe. Thank you for this, Jake. thank you so much.” Now all she had to do was find a friend to accompany her. Preferably Laurie.

  “I think this spa trip will do us both a world of good,” he said, smiling.

  Nichole wrapped her arms around her husband and they shared a long, deep kiss.

  Chapter 18

  By the time Steve parked the truck in front of Cassie’s sister’s house, she was shaking. Her fingers had lost all feeling from the tight grip, her hands were clenched so hard. Her breathing was shallow and her heart beat at the speed of a racehorse. For just an instant she was afraid she was about to pass out.

  “Cassie?”

  Steve’s voice came at her as if he was shouting from the bottom of a well. “You okay?”

  She shook her head.

  “You can do this.”

  Easy for him to say. Emotions swirled around her.

  “Cassie?”

  “Let’s leave right now. I can’t … I can’t.”

  Steve hesitated and seemed ready to do as she asked, when the front door to the house opened and her sister stepped outside. Karen stood at the top of the porch steps, watching, waiting.

  “Is that your sister?” Steve asked.

  Cassie’s eyes connected with Karen’s. She hadn’t been sure what to expect. Unresolved anger? Judgment? Disgust? What she hadn’t anticipated was the same hesitation and doubt she was experiencing herself.

  It took her a moment to realize Karen was just as tentative and just as unsure as Cassie was. Steve had said as much, but she’d discounted his words, convinced he was wrong. Karen was the one who had her life together; she was married to a great husband and financially secure, with two terrific children. From the time Karen was young, she’d done everything right: graduated from college, been a good daughter. She’d been the one who had taken care of their parents when they were ill and had even been the executor of their estate.

  “Cassie?”

  Once more Steve broke into her thoughts. She turned back to look at him and saw the question in his eyes.

  “What would you like me to do?”

  The shaking hadn’t subsided. “Stay close to me, okay?”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  “Please,” she whispered, finding it difficult to speak. It demanded more courage than she knew she possessed to open the passenger door. It was up there with leaving Duke, with nothing but her daughter and the clothes on their backs.

  Steve hopped out of the truck cab and came around, offering Cassie his hand.

  The gesture surprised her until she realized she’d been sitting frozen in the truck with the door open. Cassie stared at his hand for a long time before she placed her own in his. He gave it a gentle squeeze as if to remind her she was stronger than she realized. At the moment, that fact was in serious question. Once she stepped out of the truck, she feared her knees wouldn’t support her.

  “Cassie.” Karen stepped down from the small porch and slowly approached her.

  “Hello, Karen.”

  They stood about three feet apart.

  “You’ve changed,” Cassie whispered, as if surprised her sister was no longer twenty. She’d matured into a woman.

  “You’ve changed, too.”

  Cassie smiled and nodded. True to his word, Steve remained close to her side.

  “I barely recognized you. If I’d seen you on the street I might have walked right past.”

  Cassie had to wonder if the years had changed her that much. “It’s me,” she whispered, having a hard time getting the words past the tightness that gripped her throat.

  “You look …”

  “Different,” she supplied. And she was. The girl who’d fled in the middle of the night shared little with the woman Cassie was now. And those differences were much deeper than what showed on the surface.

  “You look great.” Karen was beautiful. Her thick, dark hair was cut short, and it set off her cheekbones. Nichole was the dirty blonde of the family, and even when she was in her preteens, she’d pleaded to bleach it.

  For the first time, Karen tore her gaze away from Cassie and looked at Steve.

  Cassie realized Karen was waiting for an introduction. “Steve Brody, this is my sister, Karen.”

  Karen broke eye contact with Cassie long enough to shake Steve’s hand. “Thank you for driving my sister home.”

  Home.

  The word echoed in Cassie’s mind. Spokane had been her home at one time, but that had been a lifetime ago. She’d left as an innocent teenager, convinced she was doing the right thing by marrying the father of her baby. How incredibly naïve she’d been.

  “Come in,” Karen said, as if suddenly remembering her manners. She led the way into the house. Garth stood just inside the front door, watching and waiting. He introduced himself to Steve and the two men exchanged hearty handshakes.

  “I wasn’t sure what time you’d arrive,” Karen said, and rubbed her palms together with what looked like nervous agitation, “but Garth and I held off on lunch.”

  “You fixed lunch for us?” Cassie looked to Steve and offered him an apologetic smile. It was well past one o’clock and she hadn’t given a single thought to lunch. He must be half starved by now, and yet he hadn’t said a word. Nervous as she was, embroiled in dread and fear, she hadn’t once considered that he might be hungry.

  “Actually,” Garth explained, “I’ve got the barbecue going and I thought we’d rustle up a few hamburgers.”

  Steve nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds fantastic. Need any help?”

  “Sure.” Garth headed through the kitchen and toward the sliding glass door that led to the backyard.

  Cassie’s gaze was drawn to the photographs on the fireplace mantel. The picture of Lily must be recent—it showed a young girl in braces, doing her best to smile with her mouth full of wires. Buddy had bright freckles floating across the bridge of his nose. Of the two children, Buddy resembled his father’s side of the family. Cassie knew how excited her father must have been to finally have a boy, a grandson. She imagined that Buddy and his grandpa had been tight.

  “I’m sorr
y the kids aren’t here to meet you,” Karen said. Then she added, as if she felt she needed an excuse, “Lily’s with the church group, doing volunteer work at a low-income housing project, and Buddy’s attending a Boy Scout function with his troop. The kids are constantly on the run. Was it like this when we were young?” Karen asked.

  “I doubt it,” Cassie said, thinking of those long hours running around the neighborhood.

  “Me, too. You had piano lessons, and otherwise we were freerange kids and that was about it.” Then she added, “Do you still play piano?”

  The question was almost worthy of a laugh. “No.” A piano was well beyond her means. At one time Cassie had loved playing for her father when he got off work. He’d said hearing her play the old church hymns helped him relax. Cassie half suspected it’d been a lie meant to encourage her to practice, but she’d enjoyed those special times with her dad.

  “We saved the piano for you,” Karen commented, as she led the way into the kitchen.

  “You saved it for me?” Cassie could barely believe what her sister was saying.

  “Well, yes. You were the only one who played. The music gene completely skipped over Nichole and me. The piano is in the storage unit with the rest of the furniture. Unfortunately, it will probably need to be tuned—”

  Cassie’s hand flew to her mouth and she choked back a sob. It’d been years since she last played, years since she’d even thought about playing the piano.

  “Cassie?” Karen gave her an odd look. “Is that okay? I thought you’d probably want the piano.”

  “Yes, yes,” she rushed to tell her sister. “I just didn’t expect that you’d keep it …”

  “Of course we would.”

  In an effort to cover the intensity of her reaction, Cassie asked, “What else is in the storage unit?”

  Karen took a plate of sliced tomatoes, onions, and dill pickles out of the refrigerator and set it on the kitchen countertop. “It’s been months since we cleared out the house and I really don’t remember all that’s in there. There’s the sofa and matching chair, but those are relatively new, so you won’t recognize them. A couple lamps …” She paused as though trying to remember what else was inside the storage unit.