My Sister's Husband

by Marsh, Nicola

  This is crazy, chasing ghosts from the past. But I’m here and I want to give Aunt Alice some peace if I can, so I’m doing this.

  As I get closer to the front step, Amy’s eyes widen. “Wow, you look a lot like your dad.” She blinks several times rapidly and I hope she’s not going to cry. “You have his eyes.”

  My throat tightens with emotion. I’ve only seen the one picture of my parents, the one I’ve kept all these years. When Aunt Alice first showed me, she’d wanted to keep it hidden away because she didn’t want Freya and me to feel sad over what we’d lost. I’d thought it odd at the time but had demanded I have the photo. She wouldn’t give it to me, not until much later, and I’d been seven at the time, grateful to have a mom like Alice, and terrified something would happen to her too and we’d be left alone.

  “Thanks for meeting me.” I hold out my hand and she shakes it, before clasping it between both of hers, her welcoming smile making me relax.

  “Come in. Hubby has taken the boys to the baseball so we’ve got the place to ourselves.”

  “How many children do you have?”

  “Two boys, eleven and fifteen.” She grimaces. “I started very late, not like your mom.”

  Hearing Amy mention my mom makes my chest ache, like I’m stifling a sob. In that moment, standing in the hallway with my mom’s best friend, I feel a tenuous connection to the mother I never knew and I’m happy.

  “I can’t wait to hear all about her.”

  “Well, I’m not sure I’ll be able to tell you anything you won’t already know.”

  “I don’t know much, to be honest.”

  Amy’s eyebrows rise. “Doesn’t Alice talk about her?”

  “Not much,” I admit, hating how that might make Aunt Alice sound and feeling obliged to defend her. “I haven’t been around for the last eleven years and before that we didn’t reminisce because I didn’t want to remind her of everything she lost.”

  Amy nods but I see an odd expression cross her face. “Your aunt always was a strange one.”

  Before I can ask what she means, she ushers me into a sunroom. “Herbal tea? Coffee? Wine?”

  I’m still hyped from my earlier coffees so I settle for herbal tea. Amy asks about my drive and how long I’m in town for and whether I have any food allergies, before placing a plate of peanut butter brownies in front of us alongside a steaming pot of peppermint tea.

  I wait until she pours us both a cup before launching into my spiel. “Returning home after so long has got me thinking about my past, how much I’ve missed out on, that kind of thing, and I realized I barely know anything about my parents. Aunt Alice did an amazing job raising us but she has early onset dementia now so I can’t ask her and—”

  “That’s awful.” Amy places her teacup carefully in its saucer, the brew forgotten. “Is she okay?”

  “Not really and her prognosis isn’t good. She’s rambling a lot, and it’s repetitive, and she becomes quite distressed so that’s why I’m here. I’m hoping you can shed some light on my parents, particularly my mom, as she seems like the focus of Alice’s anxiety and I want to reassure her.”

  “You’re a good person for wanting to do that but I’ll be honest, you may not like what you hear.”

  Foreboding grips my gut and twists. “What do you mean?”

  “Your mom and Alice were close in age, but that’s where the similarities ended. Everyone adored Diana and your mom loved Alice but she was wary, because your aunt tended to be jealous.”

  “Of?”

  The tension bracketing Amy’s mouth softened. “Your mom was stunning in every way. Bold and vivacious and the life of every party. All the boys were after her, but the moment she met your dad they only had eyes for each other.” Amy smiled. “Love at first sight with those two.”

  “So was Aunt Alice jealous because Mom had a boyfriend and she didn’t?”

  Amy hesitates for a second, a worried frown denting her brows, before she nods. “Alice was envious because she wanted everything Diana had, and I think that included her husband.”

  Twenty-Nine

  Freya

  Brooke lied to me.

  I don’t know what she’s up to today but she’s certainly not going to San Francisco. Even when we were kids I could spot her lies a mile off. Not that she lied often but when she did I could tell. Small fibs usually, like telling me she’d be studying in the library when she’d be sneaking off with her friends to the mall. Or saying she had an extra study period after school when she was loitering around the gym locker room waiting for the jocks to flirt with. Or insisting I couldn’t accompany her to a school fair because one of her friends had five younger siblings and didn’t want siblings tagging along, when I knew Brooke was the one who wanted to ditch me.

  She’d lied to me the night Eli died too. We were at the party and she told me she was organizing a surprise for him and if he came looking for her to keep him busy. But, like late last night when she told me about her San Fran trip, she couldn’t look me in the eyes and a tiny vein pulsed near her temple.

  The thing was, I couldn’t find Eli that night until much later and by then Brooke had broken up with him, so I never had to lie for her. She may have been comfortable with hiding the truth, but it never sits well with me.

  A lot has happened since that night and I’ve strived hard to build the life I want. Having my sister back shouldn’t disrupt that but I can’t shake the feeling she’s up to something and I don’t like it. She’s probably off on a wild goose chase searching for information about our parents. What that will prove I have no idea. But she’s been asking me a lot of questions about Aunt Alice and thankfully my aunt can’t answer any of them.

  I don’t want to disappoint Hope otherwise I would’ve called off our shopping adventure and tried to distract Brooke. The wedding is only a few weeks away though and while it’s low-key, Hope does need a special dress.

  “Mom, how do I look?”

  I turn as Hope emerges from behind a plush purple curtain shielding the dressing room in Martino Bay’s sole bridal boutique and my breath catches.

  “Oh, sweetie, you look incredible.” I cross the room to take her hand and lift it overhead. “Do a twirl so I can see the full effect.”

  Hope obliges, doing several spins so the silk flares and shows a peep of tulle petticoat underneath. “I feel like a princess,” she says, squealing in delight when I tickle her with my free hand.

  “You look like one.” I release her hand to squat so we’re eye level. “You are the most beautiful girl in the world.”

  “I love you, Mom.” She flings herself at me and as I slide my arms around her and cuddle her close, I know everything I’ve done is worth it.

  I blink back tears but as we disengage Hope spots my shiny eyes. “Are you crying?”

  “I’m happy, sweetheart, so it’s all good.”

  She studies me a moment longer before nodding and turning to face the floor-to-ceiling mirror across one wall. “I love this dress.” She gives a giggle and a little bow. “Princess Hope.”

  I smile, glad such a simple thing can bring her so much joy. I’ve never been a girly girl so don’t take Hope shopping very often. When I do it’s for practicality rather than frivolity. I should rectify that. Besides, as she hits the tween years and beyond, the closer I keep our bond the better. Can’t have her getting into the same kind of trouble her aunt and I did.

  Having children young has its advantages but it takes its toll too. When I could’ve been out partying I was changing diapers and waking up for night feeds. When classmates in my year at school were at college I was stuck at home reading up on the terrible twos before I was twenty. Aunt Alice helped but she made it clear early on that Hope was my child and I had to be a present parent, not fobbing off duties onto her because we lived together.

  I’ve been a good mom and as I see my daughter doing another proud twirl in her pale apricot silk dress with a cream satin sash tied at her waist, I know all the sacrifices
have been worth it.

  “What about you, Mom? Where’s your dress?”

  “I want it to be a surprise.”

  And it will be, particularly for Brooke. I wonder if she’ll recognize the style and the significance? It’s a replica of the one she wore the night of the party but longer, and ivory, rather than midnight blue. It’s a statement dress. One I’d coveted but Brooke had seen it first online so of course she’d got it.

  But since then, I’ve never forgotten what that dress represents to me: not being second best ever again.

  I’ve had the dress designed to my specifications and the dressmaker has done a superb job replicating what I want. It’s a beautiful boho style, with ivory chiffon draped over a rose satin slip underneath. The neckline is scalloped with fine lace, the bodice is fitted and the skirt brushes the floor with a gentle swish. It’s modern and graceful and I feel amazing in it.

  I can’t wait for Riker to see me walk down the aisle.

  I can’t wait to see Brooke’s reaction.

  I love my sister but for once, in the dress I should’ve had first time around, marrying an amazing guy, I’m going to be the Stuart sister people take notice of.

  Thirty

  Alice

  THEN

  I’m never impulsive, unlike Diana. I’ve weighed decisions carefully my whole life. Choosing to stay in Verdant after I finished school. Saving every cent from the first day I started working. Mentally rehearsing what I’d say to Cam when I revealed my feelings. It’s the latter thought that makes me want to do something rash and extend my coffee date with Toby. I’m having fun for the first time in years. I like feeling this carefree and I want to make it last, so I call Marie.

  “Can you watch the girls a little longer?” I murmur into my cell, watching the restroom door so I know when Toby reappears.

  “Sorry, Alice, I can’t. I need to leave in an hour at the latest because I have book club tonight.”

  Disappointment makes my shoulders sag. I’ve never asked Marie to stay longer with the kids and because she’d been so encouraging when I’d called earlier to tell her I was catching up with a friend for coffee after grocery shopping, I thought she might be accommodating. But she leads a busy life, with a host of hobbies since her girls left for college, and I can’t begrudge her.

  “Okay, I’ll be home by then.” I hang up, resentment at the girls simmering. But that’s unfair. I took on the burden. I need to live with my decision. But being on my own, even for a short time, is liberating and I want to prolong it.

  Besides, being with Toby for the last forty-five minutes makes me wonder if this is what it would’ve been like if I’d ever been out with Cam. Having him really look at me while listening, the intensity of his stare like there’s nowhere else he’d rather be, the slight upturning at the corners of his mouth hinting at a smile. Having Toby solely focused on me, the ever-present pressure in my chest since those two police officers delivered their devastating news has eased.

  I watch him wend his way between the tables. His loping stride is reminiscent of Cam. Or maybe I’m projecting onto Toby because he’s the first guy who’s ever shown any real interest in me? Physically, he only bears a vague resemblance to Cam and perhaps I’m seeing things in his mannerisms that aren’t there, a case of wishful thinking?

  When he reaches me, Toby touches my shoulder and a sizzle shoots through my body at the warmth of his touch. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  I can’t answer honestly—I’m so pathetic I’m still pining for my first love and besotted by a stranger who loosely reminds me of him—so I settle for, “My sitter can’t stay so I have to head home.”

  “That’s okay. We can catch up another time.”

  My heart sinks. I know how this plays out. Another time means never. Once our coffee date finishes he’ll have time to ruminate all the reasons why he shouldn’t date a woman with three kids and that’ll be the end of it.

  Logically, it makes sense. What do I envisage happening? I have the girls to take care of and I can’t flit around on dates like other women my age. I should thank him and walk away. But I can’t. Because for the first time in forever I feel… free, like a woman who can command the attention of a cute guy, like a woman who is unencumbered, like a woman paying attention to her own needs rather than those of others.

  I’d cared for my mother, I cared for my sister’s kids, why can’t I be impulsive for once? I’ve never been bold in my life and look where it’s got me. Nowhere.

  “You could come back to my place and I’ll cook you dinner?”

  His eyebrows rise and I instantly second-guess my forward invitation.

  “I mean, only if you want to. It’s going to be noisy and messy, because I’ll need to feed the girls and put them to bed and it’s chaotic—”

  “I don’t mind. I’m used to my nieces and nephews running wild when I visit my sisters. Kids are great.”

  He leans over and places his lips on mine, a gentle, tender kiss that has me sighing. He pulls away too soon, which is just as well considering we’re in a café and I’m the oldest virgin in California and would probably jump him if he kissed me properly. The type of long, hot, open-mouthed kiss I crave. The type of kiss I imagined having with Cam and never did.

  “Okay, let’s have dinner at my place,” I murmur against the corner of his mouth and I sense his smile.

  We ease apart and I see my excitement reflected in his eyes.

  “Let’s go.” He takes hold of my hand, and as I glance at our joined hands, a sliver of unease pierces my euphoria.

  What am I doing, inviting a stranger into my home? I’m not this woman, ready to throw caution away for the sake of a cute guy. And I shouldn’t have let him kiss me, no matter how much I wanted it. This is insane.

  Sensing my prevarication, he squeezes my hand. “It’s only dinner, and I’m fine if you want to do it another time.”

  I still hesitate, second-guessing the wisdom of having a guy I barely know around my girls. It’s my duty to protect them. It’s what Cam would’ve wanted.

  It’s the thought of Cam that settles it. Hanging back in the past got me nowhere and resulted in Diana stealing my man.

  This time I won’t make the same mistake.

  “It’s okay, come over and have dinner tonight.”

  I want to spend more time with Toby.

  Starting now.

  Thirty-One

  Brooke

  I’m stunned as Amy reveals more about Aunt Alice and my father. How Amy spotted Aunt Alice staring longingly across a room at him sometimes, how Aunt Alice never dated, how she’d seek out my dad to chat at every opportunity. It sounds like a crush to me. My aunt was single. Who knows, she may have felt out of place with my parents being so insular in their relationship and besotted with each other? Maybe Aunt Alice had just been lonely?

  “Do you think Alice was in love with my father?”

  “It was obvious to everyone.” Amy smiles. “Then again, most girls were back then. Your dad had this way about him, of commanding attention yet being approachable. He was nice to everybody.” She taps her temple. “Smart too. He could’ve been anything if he left town to attend college, but he chose to stay.” Amy’s expression softens. “I think that had a lot to do with your mom. He was smitten from the minute he laid eyes on her and even when she went away to have the baby he didn’t date anyone else. Then when she came back, they picked up where they left off. She got pregnant again, they married and you probably know the rest.”

  I don’t but I’m still trying to process why Diana would go away to have me?

  But before I can ask Amy continues. “As for Alice, she tried to be Cam’s friend when Di went away. She was always hanging around him, usually in a group, but there nonetheless. I was on the fringes as they were older than me but I saw what went on.” She grimaces. “I felt sorry for her. She hung around Cam like a puppy grateful for whatever scraps of attention he threw her way. To his credit, he remained loyal to Di and only ev
er saw Alice as a friend, though I often wonder if he had any clue how obsessed she was with him.”

  I’m more confused than ever. Did my parents break up after Diana fell pregnant with me, only to reunite and have Freya?

  “You’ve said how great Alice has been raising you and I’m happy to hear it, because when your parents died some of us had our concerns.” She glances out the window, lost in thought. “Alice took the news of their deaths hard, really hard, but only those closest to Di, like me, knew she mourned the loss of Cam more than her sister. And she didn’t stay around long. She put Cam’s house and hers on the market, sold quickly, and moved away. No one knew where.”

  If anyone understands the need for a fresh start I do but learning about this obsessive side to my aunt is unsettling. She’s never been anything other than devoted to me, Freya and Lizzie and I’m not sure having confirmation of her crush on my dad has solved anything.

  “I have to say, taking on three kids at her age was admirable.” Amy shakes her head. “I couldn’t do it.”

  I nod. “Yeah, being responsible for Freya and me along with her own daughter must’ve been tough.”

  Confusion clouds Amy’s eyes. “What are you talking about? Alice never had a child.”

  “But… yes, she did. Lizzie is my cousin.”

  Shock makes Amy gape for a moment before she shakes her head. “Only Alice and me knew when Di went away, it was to have a baby and give it up for adoption. After your parents died, Alice gained custody.”

  Realization hits me like a kick to the guts as Amy says, “Lizzie isn’t your cousin. She’s your sister.”

  Thirty-Two

  Freya

  When Hope and I get home from dress shopping, Lizzie is waiting for me in the kitchen and she doesn’t look happy.