As the Light Fades (ARC)

by Catherine West

  “He hates me.”

  “He doesn’t hate you. He doesn’t know you, Mia.” Her uncle moved up the bed a little, his eyes sad. “You know that things between them and your mom weren’t great. She was . . .” He flashed a grin. “A little hard to handle.”

  “Like me?” Mia crossed her arms.

  “Way worse than you.”

  “Was it just because she got pregnant?” That never made sense to her. Not really. “I mean, kids get pregnant all the time. It’s not that big a deal.” She watched him clench and release his fingers a couple times. He stared at her, like he was trying to come up with the right thing to say.

  “Mia, back when you were born, the friends my parents had, the school we went to . . . kids didn’t get pregnant. Rachel was the first. It was a scandal. People talked. The church—”

  “What church?”

  “The church we attended at the time.” He pushed back on the bed and sighed deep. “It doesn’t matter. Anyway, the thing is, it was hard. They blamed Rachel for the way everyone ostracized them. Blamed her for getting pregnant, for not . . .” He clamped his mouth shut and stared at his hands. When he looked up again, his eyes shone too brightly. “None of it was your fault. You know that, right? She tried to be a good mom to you. I promise you that. At the beginning. She really loved you, kid. She does love you.”

  Mia’s throat burned and she bit down hard on her bottom lip. It was all bull. Moms that really love their kids didn’t run off with drug addicts. Don’t let guys . . . “Uncle Matt?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you know who my father was?”

  The question filled the room with more tension than she knew what to do with. She’d wanted to ask it for months. Almost from the first day he’d taken custody of her. But every time she thought she was ready, she lost her nerve.

  “Do I . . .wow.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and stared at her through wide eyes. “Have you talked to your mom about this?”

  “I tried. A couple times. All she says is that he didn’t care. About her or me. I’m not sure she even knows who he is. Maybe she just slept around with a bunch of guys. I wouldn’t put it past her.”

  “Mia . . .” He laced his fingers together. Shrugged and looked sad. “I’m sorry. I don’t know. I don’t have the answer to your question. That’s the truth.”

  Disappointment pushed her shoulders down but Mia sighed and managed a smile. “That’s okay. I mean, I’m just curious. I don’t actually want to meet him or anything.” In her dreams, she did. In her dreams, he turned out to be the nicest guy in the world. An international businessman who never knew he had a kid. Or a soldier, serving on foreign soil, a hero. In her dreams, the men she conjured up were always kind and funny and smart, and would never in a million years do a thing to hurt her. And they’d kill anyone who tried.

  Kind of like Uncle Matt.

  “Do you think my grandparents know?”

  He flashed her the look she knew pretty well by now. The one that said let it go already.

  “I don’t know, Mia. They might. But—”

  “I know. Don’t ask.”

  “Maybe at some point. When you know each other a little better, huh?”

  “Do you think they’ll ever talk to my mom again?”

  “I’d like to think so. I hope so.”

  “What can I do to make them like me?” She looked away fast. She hadn’t meant to ask that. Ever. Uncle Matt placed a hand on her shoulder and she heard his sigh, long, and deep and filled with a thousand sorrows. Finally, she forced her eyes back to his. “Not that I care.”

  “No.” His smile came and went. “But if you did, I’d say just be yourself. Tell them stuff, share a little. Don’t clam up when they ask you a question. Respect them for who they are and where they’re at right now. But if they say anything, anything that hurts you or confuses you, you come to me, okay? I mean it. I won’t put up with that.”

  She swiped a hand across her eyes. Dang him, why’d he have to be so nice? “Thanks, Uncle Matt.”

  “You gotta have my back too, though,” he put in. “Don’t let them talk crap about me.”

  “Why would they?” Mia laughed a little, couldn’t help it. “You’re like this perfect person. Everybody likes you. You’ve probably never done a thing wrong in your life.”

  “Ha.” He stood and stretched his arms above his head. “I think they’d beg to differ on that one.” He bent to touch the floor and popped back up again. She watched him study the poster of Gray Carlisle she’d taped on the wall earlier in the week. “Where’d you get this?”

  Mia shrugged, tried not to smile, and made like it wasn’t a big deal. “Liz brought it into work. He signed it for me.”

  “So I see.” Uncle Matt turned toward her, his eyes doing that funny crinkly thing they did when he thought too hard. “Elizabeth really brought you that?”

  “I know. I was kinda shocked too. I didn’t think she liked me all that much.”

  “She likes you fine, Mia.”

  “She tell you that?” Mia narrowed her eyes. “When you were in the garage together on Tuesday night?” His face darkened and she gave a snort. “Relax. I wasn’t spying on you. I got up to go to the bathroom and saw the two of you walking out the door. I don’t actually care what you do, you know.”

  “Yeah, you do.” His smile said he saw right through that. “She wanted to ask me about the alarm for the cottage. That’s all.”

  “Uh huh. You still haven’t done that?”

  “Had to reschedule it. Then I forgot. But it’s done now.” Uncle Matt sighed. “So I gotta work tomorrow night. Um, I told Elizabeth. So you can call her if . . . you need someone.”

  Mia swallowed, her stomach clenching. “I don’t need anyone.”

  He nodded slow, shoved his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “Well. If you did, call her. Don’t wake up your grandparents.”

  “As if.”

  “Done your homework?”

  Mia flipped open her laptop with a grin. “Soon as you stop yammering and get outta here, I can finish it.”

  He backed off, his eyes lighting the way they did whenever he tried not to laugh. “Point taken. So. Are we good?”

  “’Suppose so.” She tugged at a strand of hair. “You gonna make us go back to that place again? The old folks’ home?”

  “You want to?”

  “Maybe. It wasn’t terrible.”

  “Good.” He strode to the door and glanced over his shoulder. “Same time next week.”

  Mia groaned loud, rolled her eyes, waited until he shut the door behind him, then smiled wide.

  nineteen

  Liz locked the gallery and walked toward her car on Friday afternoon, more than ready for the weekend. Mia hadn’t been able to come today. Doctor or dentist or something Matthew said. She hadn’t paid that much attention. Her cell phone rang as she unlocked the car door. She slid into her vehicle, scanned the name, and took the call with a grin. “Well, if it isn’t my famous little brother back from the dead.”

  Gray’s gravely chuckle made her smile. “Not dead. Just busy. Studio time. Wedding plans. And a three-year-old who thinks she’s ten. I can’t keep up.”

  Liz leaned against her seat and smiled. “You sound happy, Gray.”

  “Insane people usually do.” He laughed again. “Anyway, I was just calling to check up on you.”

  She gave a short laugh. “There’s a switch.”

  “Right? So? How’s life on the island?”

  “Oh. You know.” She filled him in on her move, the job with Evy, the renovations to Wyldewood, and Dad. “So we’re managing. He’s settled in well. And I guess I’m . . . I’m okay.”

  “Good. No news from the creep then?”

  “No news.” Liz shut her eyes. David had told Gray all about her going to New York alone, and she’d gotten an earful from him as well. She wasn’t sure what her next step would be where Laurence was concerned. But she had to take one. Had to get those pictures
back. “Heard from Lynnie lately?”

  “Actually . . .” He paused, and Liz sat up a little, trepidation tingling. “She’s sitting right beside me.”

  “What?!” Liz jerked up, banging her knee on the steering wheel.

  “Hi, Liz!” Her sister’s voice breezed through the phone, followed by the giggle Liz hadn’t realized how much she’d missed until that moment.

  “Lynette! You’re back in the States? Are you coming home?”

  “Yes, and yes. My flight got in this morning. I’m catching the ferry tomorrow. Nick’s going to meet me.”

  “Why does nobody in this family tell me anything?” Liz grumbled, ignoring her sister’s laughter.

  “I didn’t decide until this week. It just seemed like the right time. Nick’s dad is, well, he’s not doing so great and . . . I need to be there for Nick.”

  “Okay.” Liz breathed in and tried to tick off all the questions in her head. “The house is a mess. I’m not sure there’s a room ready yet.”

  “I know, David told me. I’m going to stay at Nick’s. They’ve got plenty of room. That way I can help with everything too.”

  “Of course.” She made a mental note to call Nick later, offer to, well . . . take them out for dinner or something.

  “I can’t wait to get home,” Lynette rushed on, all enthusiasm and energy. “How’s Dad doing?”

  “He’s good. Seems to have settled well.” Liz hesitated. “He’s losing a lot though. So don’t be surprised if . . .” Somehow she couldn’t say it. She heard Lynnie’s intake of breath and swallowed a lump in her throat.

  “He might not know me, you mean.”

  “He might. He still has some good days.”

  “All right. I’ll be prepared. How are the dogs?”

  Liz laughed and felt a little sorrow slip away. “The dogs are fine. I’m sure they’ll be happy to have you home.”

  “I’ll come see you when I get in. David said you’re renting someone’s coach house?”

  “Yes. Is Ryan with you?”

  “No. He’s going to stay another month. I think they want to come home for Christmas though. And for—” Liz heard Lynnie’s squeak of protest and Gray muttering something about her big mouth.

  “Liz?” Her brother was back on the line.

  “Still here, Gray.”

  “We set a date. For the wedding.”

  “Oh, finally.” Liz studied the roof of her car, counting the mold spots. “So when is it?”

  “We thought New Year’s Eve. Well, Tori thought. I’m just going along with whatever she wants. I would’ve married her months ago in the courthouse, but she wants this girlie wedding. You know, twinkly lights, and flowers, all that fussy stuff. And I think I have to wear a suit.”

  A grin tickled the corners of her mouth. “Good Lord, you might even have to cut your hair.”

  “And shave.”

  “Tragic.” Last time she’d seen her brother, he’d been sporting one of those awful goatee things and one of those awful man buns. It wasn’t his best look. She wouldn’t be sorry to see the back end of either, and neither would Tori by the sounds of it.

  “Well, all right. So where is this momentous event going to take place?”

  “Um . . .” He cleared his throat. “We thought Wyldewood?”

  Laughter tumbled out of her until she wiped her eyes. “Gray. You have no idea what the place looks like right now! There’s no way. Sorry. It’s really not possible. If you want to get married here, there are other options. Why not The Wauwinet or Cliffside? Any number of nice hotels would be more than happy to host your wedding.”

  “We tried a few. They’re either closed for the season or already booked. Some could do other dates, but Tori really has her heart set on New Year’s Eve.”

  “Seriously? Did you tell them it was for Gray Carlisle?”

  “No, Liz.” He gave a small groan. “I didn’t, because we want to keep this quiet. Private. Friends and family only. Which is why the house would be perfect.”

  “Would be if it wasn’t being ripped apart.” Liz sat forward and rubbed her eyes. “Why not New York? Or New Jersey if you must. I’m sure there are at least one or two nice places there.”

  Gray made a growly noise. “We just want a small thing. I don’t want press. Bigger places will be harder to secure. Besides, Wyldewood is home. It’s where we fell in love again.”

  Liz made a gagging sound. “And if it snows? No flights. No ferries. Nobody will be able to get here. You won’t be able to get here.”

  “Ah, there’s my sister, the positive thinker. We’ll come early. It’ll be fine. I’ve already put in my order for clear skies.”

  “Because you’re so tight with the Almighty?”

  “Have a little faith, Liz.”

  “Now you sound like Lynnie.” Liz watched an old man and his dog cross the street. How on earth would they cope with Dad at the wedding? “You seriously think we can hold a wedding at Wyldewood, in less than two months?” She did some quick calculations and shook her head. “Are you on drugs again?”

  “You’re hilarious.” She could feel Gray’s glare through the phone. “Hire more people. Bring in another construction company if you have to. I’ll pay for it. I’m making money again, you know.”

  “So you keep reminding us all.” As much as she wanted to see Gray and Tori tie the knot, what he was proposing was simply impossible. “David will never agree. He hates to be told what to do, and he doesn’t like working under pressure.”

  “He’s already agreed,” Gray said smugly.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Liz muttered under her breath and wondered for the umpteenth time how she’d ended up in a family of lunatics.

  “Come on, Liz, you’re the most organized one out of all of us. I know you planned your fair share of frou-frou events when you were with Broadhurst. Can’t you work a miracle or something? Lynnie can help.”

  “We can do it, Liz!” Lynette yelled in the background. “Everyone will help!”

  “Wait. Are you asking me to plan your wedding?” Liz closed her eyes. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Liz, hi!” Tori was on the phone now. “Look, I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but honestly, we need your help. You know Nantucket. You have connections. Gray and I would be so honored if you’d agree to help plan the wedding.”

  Wonderful. Liz bit her lip and wrestled with her options. “Victoria, I am most certain your fiancé can afford to hire a wedding planner.”

  “But we don’t want a wedding planner. We want you.”

  “Say yes, Elizabeth.” Gray was back on. “I’ll throw in a couple bottles of Cristal for your troubles.”

  “No.”

  “A trip to Bermuda? Hawaii?”

  He was unbelievable. And she knew he wouldn’t stop until she agreed. “This is madness.”

  “Naturally.” Gray laughed. “We’re Carlisles. Did you really expect anything less?”

  ___________

  A little past eleven-thirty that night, Liz sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolled through Pinterest, and munched on popcorn. Back in New York, she’d probably be at some over-priced restaurant sipping on after-dinner drinks and making plans to hit up the newest nightclub. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the peace and quiet of the island until it was all she had.

  A storm had rolled in earlier, thunder and lightning making sleep impossible. Rain pelted the roof at sporadic junctures. After hanging up with Gray, she’d driven straight to Wyldewood and demanded to know what in blue blazes David was thinking, agreeing to have Gray and Tori’s wedding at the house. He hadn’t been able to come up with a good answer and looked completely flummoxed by the entire prospect. Josslyn simply shook her head. Gray had no doubt worked his magic and bamboozled their brother into agreeing before giving him a chance to think about it.

  “Madness.” She slipped an elastic off her wrist, tied her hair up, and took another handful of popcorn. As she glanced across the ro
om, she saw the lights of the upper level of the main house were still on. A figure stood in one of the windows. She knew Matthew was working. Was it Mia? A moment later her cell buzzed with a text.

  Mia. You awake?

  Liz frowned, her heart picking up speed. I am. Stupid storm.

  Me too. Kinda scary, right?

  Oh, boy. Well. She couldn’t argue with that. She typed quickly before she changed her mind. Want some popcorn?

  She waited for a response. Wondered if she’d get one. But then: Be right there.

  A couple minutes later, Liz disarmed her new alarm system, threw open her front door, and found the girl on the front step. Mia was huddled under an umbrella, wearing an oversized Boston Red Sox sweatshirt, checkered pajama pants, and a pair of Uggs. She put her umbrella down and stepped inside while Liz bolted the door shut. “You okay?”

  “I couldn’t sleep and saw your light on.” Mia’s voice trembled a little and she rubbed red-rimmed eyes. “Actually, I was asleep, but I woke up. I hate storms.”

  “Me too.” Liz nodded and pointed to the couch. “Take off your boots and sit. Do you like hot milk and honey?”

  Mia stared. “I don’t know. Never had it.”

  “Really? My mother used to make it for me all the time when I couldn’t sleep. It’s delicious.”

  Mia screwed up her nose. “Sounds disgusting.”

  Liz grinned. “Wait and see. Put the television on if you want. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Later, they sat on the couch, and Mia sipped from an old Harvard mug, licked her lips, and presented Liz with a half-smile. “Not bad.”

  “Told you.” Liz blew on hers, took a small sip, and set it down on the coffee table. “So guess who’s getting married?” She filled Mia in on Gray’s news and watched the girl’s dark eyes widen with every word.

  “So, he’s like, coming here? For his wedding?”

  “That’s the plan.” Liz couldn’t help laughing. “Honestly, I don’t know what you kids see in him. He’s really not that special.”

  Mia’s mouth fell open. “Seriously? He’s . . . he’s . . . oh my gosh.” She gave up the power of speech and simply shook her head.