Return To Us (Sand & Fog Series Book 6)

by Susan Ward

  “What if I’m intruding on something? If I wreck everything by doing the wrong move at the wrong time. What do I do if I go there and it’s not good?”

  “You fix it and then make it good.”

  “And how do I do that?”

  Her green eyes bore into me. “By wanting to. It’s amazing what you can do if it’s something you want to and just get the courage to do it.”

  Smiling, she grabs her plate and takes it to the sink. I slowly shovel the food in my mouth and watch her wash the dishes.

  “I don’t even know where they live. Not exactly,” I point out.

  Whirling around, she leans back against the counter and gives me an exasperated look. “Tell Eric tonight when he calls you that you’re coming down there and need the address. I don’t think you have to worry he’s not going to give it to you. Didn’t he tell you he’d drop to his knees and kiss your feet if you changed your mind about being there? That’s so sweet and romantic. Why are you still here?”

  I exhale slowly. “Yes, he did say that. But what if he doesn’t mean it anymore?”

  “You’re just full of doom and gloom, sis. I’ve never known you to be so cowardly. What’s wrong with you?”

  Inner me says, for God’s sake, don’t tell, Jade.

  “The entire family is still there. Every time he calls the house is full of laughter and talking. He sounds happy the way things are. Like he’s perfectly fine with us in separate cities.”

  Jade gapes. “That’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said. You’re afraid to go to him because he’s happy.”

  I grimace. She’s right—technically—but it’s more complicated than that.

  “Then don’t tell him you’re coming. Just do it. Go ask what’s his name on the porch to take you there. Isn’t that why he’s here?”

  I glare. “Don’t pretend you don’t know his name. I hear you lording it over your friends on the phone how I now have security. It’s so embarrassing, Jade, and you know damn well his name is Jamal.”

  “If you won’t do it, I will, Willow.”

  Jade marches toward the door.

  “Stop! What are you doing, Jade?”

  “I’m going out on that porch and telling Jamal he finally has something to do. That he needs to make arrangements to take you to Santa Barbara tomorrow. I’m done with you moping around here. And I’m past ready to find out what happens next. Aren’t you ready just to know what happens next in your life?”

  I shake my head. “Not if it means I have to go there to find out.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Malarkey. You’re leaving even if I have to push you out the door.”

  I LIE ON THE bed as Jade grabs things and shoves them into my suitcase. “I can’t go. I don’t have the right clothes. I don’t own anything that would be right for Santa Barbara. It’s a trendy beach town.”

  Jade laughs. “Since when did you give a fig about that? The wardrobe we bought is just fine. And what you don’t have I’m lending to you.”

  She yanks from a drawer something wrapped in pink tissue and rips out a sheer black scrap of nightwear and holds it up to her. “This will help you make things good if they’re not. I’ve been saving it for if Gary ever gets mad at me.”

  “Put that away. I’m not taking that. It’s such an obvious look.”

  She lifts her chin in triumph and I stare, wondering why. Then I realize I said I’m not taking that instead of I’m not going. Damn it.

  She tucks it neatly in the Brunello Cucinelli suitcase she lent me. I almost fainted when she told me what it cost, but she refused to let me show up on their doorstep with my sturdy old rolling case I bought at Target when I was married to Dean.

  “Purses.” She makes a little bounce before she rushes into her massive closet. Her voice floats out to me. “I think something practical. A cute cross-body. You don’t carry a lot of stuff in your bag and this one is functional. Not too small but not gigantic. You can take off the strap and use it as a carry if you go somewhere fancy.”

  She drops it in my lap.

  Yep, Hermès.

  Groaning, I flop back on the bed. “This is ridiculous. This isn’t even close to me. There’s nothing wrong with the purse I carry.”

  “Nice things are for every woman. If you can afford them.”

  “But I can’t.”

  “But I can. So you’re taking it. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman. Dress shabbily and they remember the dress. Coco Chanel.” She crinkles her nose. “You don’t want them to remember that thing you call a purse you carry every day, do you?”

  “Eric doesn’t notice things like that. He loves me how I am.”

  Jade beams. “That’s my, Willow. Now you’ve spunk back in your veins. Besides, all this stuff isn’t for him. He has three sisters and a mother and a grandmother, right?”

  Oh God, in the furor of packing I forgot about them.

  I nod.

  “Trust me, they’ll notice everything.”

  “Maybe they’re not like that.”

  “Maybe they are.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “I’m your older sister. I’m supposed to protect you.”

  “With overpriced luggage, stripper lingerie, and status-symbol bags?” I groan. “How about giving me a hug and telling me it’s going to work out?”

  Jade pouts and wraps her arms around me, squeezing tightly as she gives me shakes. “It’s going to work out. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Eric knows that. Going there is just the start of your wonderful new life. I’m certain of that.”

  I can tell she means that.

  “Thank you, Jade.”

  She pushes away from me. “But you’re borrowing my stuff anyway.” And Jade closes my suitcase.

  THE NEXT DAY JADE stands beside me, examining my reflection in the mirror with satisfaction. I’ve got to hand it to my sister. She does know how to select clothes. This is exactly the right look, put together but not overdressed. It’s a stylish from plane to dinner type of outfit. A black sleeveless vest-cut top with matching flowing pants finished with strappy low heels and Fendi sunglasses.

  I run a finger along the fabric. “What kind of linen is this? It feels incredible.”

  “Even better, it won’t wrinkle on the plane. I bought it in Italy. Italians know linen. It’s so damn humid there.” Her hand gently strokes my back. “You look beautiful, Willow.”

  How happy my sister is over all she’s done for me makes me ashamed I was so difficult about this. “Thanks, Jade, for helping me and giving me a pep talk to go.”

  Her head tilts into mine and she stares in the mirror at me. “We all need a little push sometimes, Willow.”

  Jade does have my best interests at heart, always. She wouldn’t tell me to go to Eric if it was the wrong move. Knowing that quiets some of the butterflies in my stomach considering I’m flying down there without warning, hoping to surprise him, and desperately hoping I don’t get the surprise. Like him not being happy I did this. Like his family…

  The doorbell rings, and I jump and shut down my thoughts.

  “That must be Jamal,” Jade announces, wrapping her arm around me and guiding me out of the bedroom. “He’s very interesting, don’t you think?”

  “How so?”

  “He doesn’t talk. He’s out there pretty much 24/7. I’m not sure when and where he sleeps. But I told him to book you a trip to Santa Barbara and he got it all arranged in under five minutes. He’s more efficient than Gary’s executive assistant.”

  I laugh. “Maybe he’s excited about getting out of Seattle and back home to California. We can’t be any fun for him. We’re not interesting.”

  “Speak for yourself. I’m very interesting.”

  I laugh, and my sister opens the door. She points at the suitcase. “Just one bag, Jamal. Don’t let anything happen to my sister.”

  “Never, Mrs. Howard.” He takes my bag and heads for the door.
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  Jade gives me a firm hug. “Have fun. Call me when you get there. Don’t leave me hanging, OK?”

  “I won’t.” I squeeze her back.

  I take my purse from the console table and head out the door to the black SUV waiting for me.

  I STARE OUT THE window, fretful I’ll miss my flight. The street I’m on doesn’t look right. Nothing is familiar.

  Jamal makes a turn into a gated entry.

  I lean forward, curling my fingers over the top of the passenger seat and look through the windshield. “Excuse me. Where are we?”

  “The airport, ma’am.”

  Airport?

  No, this doesn’t look right.

  And ma’am. That’s gotta stop.

  The gate slowly opens and Jamal drives us onto the tarmac, and I realize it is Sea-Tac but not an entrance I’ve ever seen before. He pulls around to where a sleek Learjet is waiting.

  My door is opened. “This way, ma’am.”

  I cautiously climb from the back seat, my eyes wide as I wait for Jamal to collect my bag. He motions me toward the waiting jet and my jaw drops.

  “Where did this come from?”

  Nothing changes on his face, but I can tell he’s smiling. “It’s been here since I arrived. Waiting on you, ma’am.”

  Waiting on me? “You mean this is Eric’s plane?”

  “No, the family’s.” He hands off my suitcase to one of the flight crew and somehow without touching me maneuvers me to the steps. “Why don’t you board while I move the car?”

  “You could have parked first. I could have walked.”

  His smile breaks through this time. “I’m sure you could have, Miss Birch. But door to door. That’s Black Star policy.”

  Door to door. Whatever that means.

  Inside the elegant cabin it’s empty, but there’s an attendant waiting. She’s tall, an extremely beautiful blonde, and smiling at me. I glance inside the cockpit. There’s a full flight crew.

  “Please take a seat, miss,” the attendant murmurs. “Would you like a drink?”

  I shake my head, move down the aisle, and sink into a seat. It’s the most comfortable and spacious I’ve ever had on a plane.

  I watch the activity around me, not sure what to do.

  Jade flies this way. I never have.

  As I wait to take off, I slyly snap some pictures and send them to Jade. A few minutes later my phone trills.

  Jade: Bet you’re glad you borrowed my Hermès now?

  Laughing, I decide not to text her back. We’re in the air when my phone dings again.

  Jade: