The Parker Women

by Kay Correll

  Donna took a sip of her tea, set it down, and turned to her sister. “Okay, now talk to me. The girls told me you’re taking a full-time job at the cafe. And you took the job with The Cabot coordinating their gala. I want to know why.”

  “Because—” Evelyn stared out at the water for a few moments. “Well, I enjoyed the work on the gala. And found I liked getting paid for the work. I love to bake. Why not bake for the cafe and help out?”

  “Nice try. What are you not telling me?” She pinned her sister with a look that she hoped showed she wasn’t leaving until she had an answer. A real answer.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Evelyn’s face held a carefully crafted innocent expression.

  “Evie, come on. Talk to me.” She was certain her sister was not telling her everything.

  Slowly Evelyn set down her glass, and Donna swore there were tears forming in her sister’s eyes. She hadn’t seen her sister cry in years. Probably since they were young girls. Her sister just… didn’t cry. Not at happy events, not at funerals, not at sad movies. Never.

  “I— I’m in a bit of a mess right now,” Evelyn finally said.

  She reached out and took her sister’s hand. “What kind of a mess?”

  “I have no money. None.”

  “What do you mean you have no money?” She frowned. This was the last thing she thought she’d hear from her sister. She and Darren had tons of money. Didn’t they?

  “It seems like Darren—” Evelyn closed her eyes for a moment, then they fluttered open again. “Darren left me.”

  “He what?”

  “He left me. And when we got married I signed all these papers. Didn’t really know what they said, but I trusted Darren. It seems though, in the event of a divorce, I’m left with… nothing. Only what I earned during the marriage. And you know that Darren never wanted me to work…”

  “That can’t be right.” Donna squeezed her hand. “We’ll talk to a lawyer.”

  “I have, actually. Two of them. Both of them said the paper was ironclad and that I should never have signed without having a lawyer look at it. But, of course, I did. I was young and foolish.” Evelyn stood and walked to the edge of the patio. “So, I’m boxing up some things that were gifts and a dealer is coming to get them. I’m hoping to get some money from them. I’ve been boxing up my personal items. I have thirty days to move out of the house.”

  “No.” She jumped up and went to her sister’s side.

  “Yes. I mean, I can’t afford the house, obviously.”

  “This isn’t right.”

  “But it is what’s happening. He’s moving back in with… someone new.”

  “Oh, Evie. I’m sorry.” She’d never liked Darren. At all. But even this was low for him.

  “After all those years and everything I did for him… I was such a fool.” Evelyn took a deep breath, her eyes filled with regret. “Anyway, I need a place to live and a job. I need to learn to support myself.”

  “You can move in with me,” Donna offered.

  “Oh, I couldn’t impose on you like that.”

  “You’re not imposing. You’re my sister. Of course, you’ll move in.”

  “You sure you don’t mind? It will just be until I can find a place I can afford.”

  “For as long as you need.”

  “Thanks, Donna.” Evelyn sighed. Her usually composed sister looked almost… defeated. “There’s so much to deal with. I’ve packed up my personal things. I’ve already sold some of the jewelry Darren gave me. I don’t really have anything to call my own in this house. My kitchen things that I bought are about all I’m taking. I’ve sent a lot of my fancy clothes to the resale shop. I won’t be needing those for fancy country club events anymore. I was wondering why they didn’t ask me to help at the last fundraiser at the club. I guess the men at the club knew about this and told their wives…”

  “Evelyn, I’m so, so sorry.” She hugged her sister even though her sister wasn’t a hugging person. She figured Evelyn could use the hug whether she knew she needed it or not.

  Evelyn actually returned the embrace and clung to her for a moment, then she pulled away, straightened up. “Let’s go sit back down and finish our tea.”

  “So, what can I do to help?” Donna asked as they settled back in their chairs.

  “Giving me a place to live for a bit will help. It helps a lot.”

  “If you need money—”

  “No, I’m fine for now. I’ll sell some of my things. I still have some jewelry to sell. At least Darren showered me with expensive jewelry and original artwork. I want none of it now. None. So it makes it easy to sell off.”

  “Oh, Evie.” Her heart was breaking for her sister. For Darren’s betrayal. For her financial situation. She wondered how her sister would weather all this. Evelyn had always had it easy her whole life. She’d been taken care of. Given every luxury.

  And now… she had nothing.

  No, that wasn’t right. Evelyn had her family. And Donna was determined they’d all help her through this.

  Chapter 19

  The next evening after work, Donna started cleaning out a closet in a guest room for Evelyn. She also needed to clear out the garage. Somehow, over the years with just her one car—not that she drove it often—half the garage had managed to fill up with boxes. She needed space for Evelyn, her car, and her things, and wanted her sister to feel welcome.

  She got out bags to donate some of the clothing in the closet, unsure why she had kept some of the outfits. Probably because it had been easier to move them into an extra closet than deal with getting rid of them. Well, the thrift shop in town was going to get a haul soon.

  She cleaned and dusted the room, putting fresh linens on the bed. She wasn’t sure exactly when Evelyn would move in, but she wanted the room ready and waiting for her.

  “Mom, you here?” Olivia’s voice drifted up from downstairs.

  “Up here.”

  Olivia clattered up the stairs and poked her head in the room. “What are you doing? Weird time of day for a cleaning spree.”

  “I’m—” She paused. It wasn’t her place to tell Olivia what was going on in Evelyn’s life. But she’d know sooner or later when she saw Evelyn moved in. “I’m cleaning the guest room.”

  “Obviously. You getting ready to have company?”

  “No. I mean, yes.” She sighed.

  “Mom, what aren’t you telling me?” Olivia stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips.

  Might as well tell her now. The truth would be out soon. “Evelyn is moving in with me.”

  “She’s what? Why? That doesn’t make any sense. Is her house getting treated for bugs or something?” Olivia’s forehead creased as she tried to sort out what she’d heard.

  “No, she’s moving in here to live. At least for a while.”

  “She have a fight with Darren?”

  “No… not a fight.” Donna sank onto the bed. “Darren is divorcing her.”

  “He isn’t.” Olivia shook his head. “I never saw that coming. I didn’t think he’d give up the woman who made his life easy, planned his parties, and charmed his business contacts.”

  “It appears he’s found someone new.”

  “The jerk. Aunt Evelyn is way too good for him anyway. But why is she moving out of her house?”

  “Ah… that. A bit of legal trouble. Well, a lot actually. She was so young when she married Darren. She signed papers he told her to sign. And now… she has hardly anything to her name, and it looks like Darren doesn’t have to split anything with her.”

  “That’s not right.”

  “I know. She helped him get where he is today. And he never wanted her to work. He wanted her there whenever he wanted her to do anything.”

  “She needs to talk to a lawyer.” Olivia sank onto the bed next to her.

  “She has. Two, she said. It doesn’t look hopeful.”

  “So that’s why she took the job as the baker at the cafe. She needs money.”

&
nbsp; “And why she took the job planning the gala.”

  “Poor Aunt Evelyn.” Olivia shook her head then paused. “Does Heather know?”

  “I’m not sure. She hasn’t said anything to you?”

  “Not a word. And I’m sure she would.”

  “It’s not our place to tell Heather. That’s up to Evelyn.”

  “That’s going to be almost impossible. Heather always knows if I’m hiding something.”

  “You’ll have to be careful, then. It’s not ours to tell.”

  Olivia sighed. “I know, but still, it will be hard. She’s going to be so mad. She’s going to be furious with her dad.”

  “I’m sure she will be. They don’t get along very well in the best of times.”

  “That’s because he’s a big jerk.”

  “Olivia, don’t call your uncle names.” But Olivia was right. Darren was a jerk.

  “Heather is going to explode when she finds out.”

  “Maybe. But you need to let her work things out with her father. She still has the right to have some kind of relationship with her dad, even if her parents divorce.”

  “I know you always encouraged me to have a relationship with Dad, but that never really worked out, did it?”

  “I never stood between you and him.”

  Olivia frowned. “No, you didn’t. He just wasn’t very interested in having a relationship with me.”

  “And I’m sorry for that. He missed a lot with you.” Donna couldn’t understand why her ex-husband, Charlie, made so little effort to see Olivia or Emily. But that was his choice, not her interference.

  “Well, I’m going to head home. And try to avoid Heather until she comes to me and rants about what Uncle Darren is doing to Aunt Evelyn.”

  “Okay, good night, sweetie.”

  Olivia got off the bed to leave.

  “Oh, why did you stop in?” Donna asked.

  “Right, that.” Olivia laughed. “Wanted to borrow your blender. Ours broke and Emily is on a smoothie kick. I ordered another one but it won’t come for a few days.”

  “Sure, just grab it on your way out.”

  “Thanks, Mom. See you tomorrow.”

  Donna turned back to the project at hand, boxing up clothes to give away and clearing out the dresser. It was going to take longer than she thought to conquer this room.

  Chapter 20

  The next evening Donna closed up Parker’s, touched the sign by the door, and turned to make her way home.

  “Hey, Donna. Wait up.” Barry came jogging up to her. “I was hoping I’d get here before you closed up so we could walk home together.”

  “Looks like you’re just in time.” She smiled, glad to have the company. She’d been worrying about Evelyn all day, and problem after problem kept cropping up at the store. She couldn’t wait to get home and kick off her shoes.

  They headed out toward Sandpiper Court, walking side by side.

  “You look tired,” Barry said, then laughed. “I guess that’s not really something you want to hear, is it?”

  “I am tired. Long day.”

  “Want to unwind with a drink when we get home?”

  “That sounds lovely. Can you give me about fifteen minutes to change clothes and meet me out on the point? Just come around back in the pool cage.”

  “Sounds perfect. Don’t mind if I slip on shorts and a t-shirt myself. It’s warmed up a bit since I first got here. The nights aren’t chilly anymore.”

  They got to their houses and Donna changed into casual clothes, opened a bottle of red wine, and reached for the glasses.

  She heard a knock at the slider between the pool cage and the kitchen and motioned for Barry to come in.

  “Red wine okay? Or there’s beer in the fridge.”

  “Red wine is perfect.” He nodded toward the doorway to the garage. “What’s with all the boxes?”

  “Ah, that.” She sighed. “Let’s go outside and I’ll explain.”

  They went out to the point and settled into the chairs. She poured the wine and took a sip. A hint of a light breeze ruffled the palm fronds and stars glistened in the sky. A perfect coastal night.

  The solar twinkle lights in the mason jars cast a mellow yellow light on the small table. A round ceramic ball with cutout star shapes glowed at the very end of the point. Whoever came up with solar lighting was a genius as far as she was concerned.

  She leaned back in her chair and relaxed, then turned toward Barry. “So Evelyn is going to move in here with me for a while.”

  “Really?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “She needs a place to stay for a time.”

  “I thought she was married and had a big house on the harbor.” He grinned sheepishly. “Emily was chatting with me about her.”

  “She was… is… married. Though, she soon won’t be. Her husband is divorcing her.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. He’s… well, he’s not a very nice man. Super controlling of her. And a snake. He had her sign a paper before she married him, and let’s just say she didn’t know what she was signing and now she’s walking away from a long marriage with almost nothing.”

  “That doesn’t seem right.” He frowned.

  “It’s not, but evidently the papers are legal. She was young and didn’t know better.”

  “I’m sorry for her troubles.”

  “That’s why she took the job planning the gala for the hotel. And after that gala next week, she’s going to start working at the cafe when it opens. She’s a talented baker and… well, I hope it works out for everyone. Olivia needs a baker. Evelyn needs a job.”

  “She’s never let it show that she’s going through all that. She’s worked long hours pulling off the gala for the opening. She never even looks stressed with juggling all the details.”

  “That’s Evelyn. She’s rarely ruffled over anything. Can juggle a million things at once. But this… it’s hit her hard and I want to do anything I can to help her.”

  “If I can do anything—anything at all—you’ll ask me, right?”

  “I doubt if there’s much any of us can do. I already offered to help her financially, but she said no. She wants to do this on her own. At least she accepted my offer to live here while she sorts things out.”

  “You’re a good sister.” He smiled.

  “Anyone would do that for family.” She shrugged off the compliment.

  “Maybe. Maybe, not.”

  The more Barry learned about Donna, the more he was…

  He was what?

  Attracted to her? He admitted that. He considered her his friend now after all the time he’d been in Moonbeam and all the time they’d spent together. It was comfortable being with her. Fun. Familiar.

  And yet there was something between them. An undercurrent. A pull. He was certain.

  Well, fairly certain.

  “So, I heard from Emily that you got the final go-ahead permit-wise on opening The Cabot.”

  Her remark pulled him from his thoughts. “We did. Delbert has moved in through the opening, helping with the last-minute things. And, of course, Evelyn has everything almost ready for the gala. I’m hoping everything goes smoothly.”

  “I’m sure it will.”

  They sipped their wine until he saw Donna smother a yawn. He took his last sip and stood. “I should go and let you get some sleep.”

  “I’ll walk you out.” She stood and grabbed the wine bottle and her glass.

  He followed her into the kitchen and reached around her to set his glass on the counter. She stood just a foot from him and slowly turned, looking up at him.

  He should back up. Give her some space. He should.

  He stared at her, at her warm hazel eyes and the somewhat questioning look on her face. He took a quick breath and reached out a hand—

  “Grams? You here?” The front door banged opened and he recognized Emily’s voice.

  He quickly took a step back and Donna sidestepped away from him.


  “In the kitchen, Ems,” Donna called out.

  Emily rushed into the kitchen. “Sorry to bother you. Oh, hi, Barry.”

  “Hi.” He nodded, still trying to collect himself after the tumultuous interruption.

  “So, Mom borrowed the blender yesterday, but didn’t bring the blade or that rubber gasket thingie for it and our new one still hasn’t come. Miss my smoothies in the mornings.”

  “Oh, it’s probably still in the drawer.” Donna pointed.

  “Great, thanks.”

  “I should go.” He nodded at Donna. “I’ll let you two find the parts and pieces you need.”

  “I’ll walk you out.” Donna led the way to the door.

  He turned back as he slipped through the door. Donna gave him a questioning look and a weak smile. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow night? Drinks again?”

  “Yes, that sounds nice.”

  He turned and walked over to his rental. Just his luck to have Emily come crashing in right when he’d worked up the nerve to kiss Donna. He sighed, hoping that he’d soon have another chance. Like maybe when he saw her tomorrow night. Maybe they’d be alone…

  Chapter 21

  Olivia did her best to avoid Heather.

  That lasted two days.

  Her cousin had called and begged her to meet at Brewster’s this morning. She tried to beg off with the fact she was so busy at work, but Heather wasn’t having it.

  Maybe Heather knew about her mom and dad and that’s why she wanted to meet her? But it was unlike Heather to not just blurt out what was happening.

  She sighed as she reached the wharf and started walking down the pier to Brewster’s. Halfway there, she spied Jackie and Jillian. She quickly glanced left and right, but there was no way to escape. They waved cheerfully and hurried up to her.

  “Oh, Olivia. It’s so good to see you,” Jackie or Jillian said.

  “Good to see you… but I’m kind of in a hurry. Meeting Heather.”

  “Oh, look, there she is. Right down the pier a ways.” The other twin waved madly. “Yoo-hoo! Heather. Over here.” This twin turned to the other one. “Look, now we have two Parker girls to talk too.”