Eyes of a Stanger

by Rachel Ann Nunes

  Tawnia lifted her eyes to BervaDee’s. “Thank you so much for giving us this letter.”

  Not until BervaDee relaxed in her chair did Tawnia notice how tense the woman had been as she awaited their reactions. “I knew Kendall fairly well,” BervaDee said, “and now that you’ve found each other, I think the only thing she would want is that you stay close and be happy.”

  They talked for a while longer, asking questions and sipping lemonade. Then, after promising to visit again, Tawnia and Autumn took their leave. BervaDee stood in the doorway, holding the screen open as they walked to the car.

  Tawnia drove a block before pulling over to the curb.

  “I don’t know how to take this all in.” She looked at Autumn. “I mean, there are so many things we don’t know about Kendall, her life, who our father is. How had Dr. Loveridge come to such a decision? What happened to Kendall’s mother?” She swallowed hard. “Being your twin is the best thing that ever happened to me, but the questions—I’m afraid they’ll eat me alive.”

  “Everything doesn’t have to be put in a little labeled box,” Autumn said, rubbing her thumb over the back of Tawnia’s hand. “Life isn’t like that. So what if we don’t know what happened? Life isn’t going to stop. I feel so incredibly blessed because I’ve been given a second chance at a family—and my first was great to begin with. Let the questions go, Tawnia. Please. Let’s just enjoy being sisters.” She held out her arms for a hug, and Tawnia held her tightly.

  “Okay,” Tawnia whispered. She would do everything in her power to fulfill Autumn’s wish. “There’s just one thing I have to do,” she added, pulling away. “I need to call my mom.”

  “Go ahead. I can wait.”

  Tawnia punched in the number. “Hello?” came the voice at the other end.

  “Mom?”

  “Tawnia? Are you okay? Do you need something?”

  “No, I’m fine.” Her words belied the tears on her cheeks and in her voice.

  “Something’s wrong. Are you crying? Sweetie, tell me!”

  “Everything’s perfect, Mom. I just wanted to call and tell you that I’m so glad you’re my mom. And Dad, too. I know I haven’t always told you, and sometimes I’ve acted like a spoiled brat, but I love you so much. You gave me a wonderful life. I love you for everything you are and everything you’ve given me. For everything you’ve helped me become.”

  Her mother started crying, too, but that was okay, because it was happy crying.

  When she hung up at last, having told her mother what she’d learned from BervaDee, Tawnia felt cleansed. She grinned at Autumn. “They’ll be coming soon to meet you. And she invited us both for Christmas.”

  Autumn smiled. “I hope they like me.”

  “It’s the tofu they won’t like. But you’ll get by. We have lots of health food stores in Kansas.”

  They were nearly to the bungalow when Tawnia’s cell phone began ringing. She looked at the caller ID and tossed it to Autumn. “It’s Bret. You tell him. I still need to get us home.”

  “Hello?” Autumn said. “No, it’s Autumn.” A long pause and then a gasp.

  Tawnia glanced over and saw that Autumn looked visibly ill. Her hand shot out for the phone. “This is Tawnia. What is it, Bret?”

  “It’s Winter. They’ve found him.”

  Chapter 25

  Tawnia tried to follow Bret’s directions to the medical examiner’s office so Autumn could make an identification, but she ended up having to stop four times to ask people how to find the place. Autumn was little help, having withdrawn into her grief. She had wanted to go to the river to see Winter, but Bret had convinced Tawnia to talk her out of that. “I’m down here now, and he looks pretty bad,” he told Tawnia. “He’s bloated, missing some flesh, and the smell . . . well, let’s just say Autumn shouldn’t be in the same room with him until someone works some magic. They can barely touch him without hair and skin falling off. Most of his fingernails are gone.” He gave an audible shudder. “I hope she’ll be okay after this. It’s not going to be easy for her.”

  “She’ll be all right. She has me.” Tawnia didn’t tell him about their discovery. There would be time for that later.

  Autumn gripped her hand tightly as they walked up to the doors of the building, where Bret was waiting outside. “I’ll show you where to go.” In silence they made their way through the halls, one of them on each side of Autumn.

  They hadn’t gone far when they were stopped by a man. “Hello, I’m Dr. Brady. We’re not quite ready. If you’ll wait here.” He indicated some chairs in the hallway. Bret and Tawnia sat, but Autumn, pale and silent, began to pace. Tawnia watched her, searching for signs that Autumn needed her.

  “So, how’d it go?” Bret asked.

  Tawnia didn’t look at him. “How’d what go?”

  “At the adoption worker’s house.”

  “Oh.” She tore her eyes from Autumn and met his gaze. “You won’t believe it. We are sisters. Twins.”

  “Incredible.” His eyes roamed her face. “Or maybe not so incredible, given your resemblance. I’m glad for you. But how did you get separated?”

  “The doctor who delivered us made the decision. He didn’t think it would hurt anyone.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Tawnia shook her head. “No, Bret. Nothing to be sorry for. This is the best day of my life.” As she repeated the words Autumn had said earlier, it occurred to her that today both she and Autumn had lost a parent and gained a sister. She wished Autumn’s loss didn’t have to be so fresh. Her eyes went back to her sister.

  Sister.

  Silence fell, and the minutes seemed to tick by slowly. Bret’s leg was touching hers, and at one time that would have driven Tawnia to distraction, but now she only worried about Autumn.

  “Look,” Bret said. “There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  “Yes?”

  Bret leaned forward, moving partially in front of her face to get her attention. She looked into his blue eyes, feeling at last that little tingle his presence had always brought to her heart. With a nod, she indicated that she was listening, not trusting her voice to speak.

  “About before, what happened between us in Las Vegas.” He paused, and she felt her heart sinking. This was when he told her he was in love with Autumn and asked if she could live with that. Well, she’d have to, wouldn’t she? She wouldn’t give up her sister for any man or any amount of pain.

  “What I’m trying to say is that I’ve been an idiot.”

  Her eyes widened, and she wasn’t sure if her heart was still beating. Was he saying what she hoped he was saying? And was she still naive enough to hope for such a thing?

  The door next to them opened. “We’re ready.”

  Tawnia jumped to her feet. “I’ll get Autumn.”

  • • •

  “It’s time.”

  Autumn whirled around to see Tawnia behind her. Funny how she hadn’t heard her step. Tawnia put an arm around her as they walked back to Bret and Dr. Brady.

  “Which one of you is the daughter?” Dr. Brady asked, his eyes behind his glasses going from one to the other in apparent surprise.

  “I am.” Autumn stepped away from Tawnia’s arm.

  “But I’m her sister, and we’re going in together,” Tawnia said.

  Autumn felt a rush of love for her. They’d known each other for less than a week, but acting like sisters of a lifetime seemed to come naturally.

  “You can all go in. That’s fine.” If he thought it odd that two sisters who looked so much alike didn’t share the same father, the doctor didn’t comment. Nor did he comment on Autumn’s bare feet, though he studied them briefly.

  Autumn had expected to be in the same room with her father, but instead there was a window between her and the sheet-covered figure lying on the metal cart.

  “You have to understand,” Dr. Brady said. “He’s been in the water a long time. Because of the debris covering him and the coolness of the water
, there’s less damage than there might have been, but water has its own challenges.” He hesitated, as though unwilling to say more, and Autumn nodded to signal she was ready.

  A woman on the other side of the glass pulled down the sheet to reveal the face. Despite her mental preparation, Autumn jerked at the sight. His face was a mottled blue, the skin bloated and torn away in spots. Bunches of the white hair on his head and in his beard were missing. But it was Winter, no doubt about that, and for all the horror of his appearance, there was a peace in his closed eyes and in the stillness of his face. This body is only a shell, Autumn thought. Somewhere out there he’s with Summer, and they’re happy.

  She put her hand against the cold glass. Winter, she told him, I found my sister. I’m not alone. Don’t worry about me.

  The doctor cleared his throat, and Autumn nodded. “It’s him. It’s my father, Winter Rain.” Tears rolled down her face, unbidden, but welcome for the release they gave her aching heart.

  Tawnia’s arms went around her. “I’m so sorry.”

  Autumn clung to her as they left the room, the doctor saying something to Bret about an autopsy and funeral arrangements. Would they let her have a home funeral as they had with Summer or had state laws been changed to forbid it? Well, now wasn’t the time to worry about the funeral. Autumn would face that battle in a few days. For now, she had to concentrate on not being swallowed by her grief.

  At least she knew for sure what had happened to Winter. Despite what she had told Tawnia earlier about not dwelling on the unknown in their past, this was one box she needed closed.

  They were leaving the building, when Bret groaned. “Don’t look now, but we’ve got company.”

  “Orion!” Tawnia gasped. They stopped, frozen on the sidewalk as he approached.

  His eyes went first to Tawnia and then to Autumn, whose face was streaked with tears. “I heard on the news,” he said. “I came to see if I could help, but it’s obvious that I’m not needed.” He uttered a muffled curse. “Can anyone here tell me what’s going on?” He looked at Autumn, gesturing to the brace on her arm. “I assume you’re Autumn, but who are you?” His stare challenged Tawnia.

  “I—I meant to tell you,” Tawnia stuttered. “I started to tell you Friday night.”

  “You were my date Friday?” When she nodded, he looked at Autumn. “But it’s you I’ve been talking to in the store and at the river.”

  “Mostly,” Autumn admitted.

  He shook his head in disgust. “I can see I’m the brunt of this joke.” He turned on his heel and started walking away.

  “No!” Tawnia took several quick steps toward him. “It’s not a joke! Please, Orion, let me explain!”

  Orion paused. “Okay, talk.” He glanced at Bret and Autumn. “Better yet, let’s go somewhere without an audience.”

  “Good idea,” Autumn said. “Honestly, Tawnia, I’ll be okay. Bret will stay with me.” When Tawnia looked torn, she added, “We owe Orion that much. Bret and I will go back to your place. We’ll meet you there. I’m okay, really. I promise.” She did feel much steadier now that the shock was fading. She’d known for over a week that Winter was gone; today had only confirmed that knowledge.

  “I’m not sure this is a good idea now.” Bret clenched his fists at his sides. If the day hadn’t turned so grim, Autumn would have been tempted to laugh.

  Autumn arched her brow at Bret. “You mean you can’t stay with me?”

  “Sure, but—”

  “Go ahead,” Autumn told Tawnia. “I’m going to take a nap, and by then you’ll be home.”

  “All right. I’ll see you in an hour. But here, take my phone in case I need to call you.”

  Accepting the phone, Autumn turned to Orion, who had been watching the scene silently. “Orion, much of this is my fault,” she said. “Tawnia wanted to tell you right away, but I made her wait.”

  Orion didn’t respond. He turned on his heel and started briskly toward the parking lot.

  “See you in a few.” Tawnia hurried after him.

  Bret watched them go, an unreadable expression on his face.

  Autumn bumped him with her arm. “Please,” she said, “let’s get out of here.”

  “I’m sorry. Yes. Come on.” But as he opened his car door for her, she saw that he was still looking in the direction Tawnia had gone.

  “She’ll be back,” Autumn said confidently.

  “I hope so.”

  She knew what he meant. If Tawnia’s heart was lost to Orion, part of her would never return to Bret.

  They drove to Tawnia’s in silence. There, Bret turned on the TV and then paced back and forth between the kitchen and the living room. Autumn sat on the couch, her legs curled up under her. She was trying to think of nothing at all and certainly not the figure under the sheet. She began to feel sleepy.

  “You hungry?” Bret asked.

  “No.” It might be days before she got her appetite back.

  “Shouldn’t she be here by now?”

  “It’s only been half an hour.”

  The phone in Bret’s pocket rang. “Hello? This is he.” For long moments he listened to the person on the other end. “What? You’re kidding!” He sank to the couch, the color seeping from his face. “Who? Oh, no. That can’t be. My friend’s with him now. If this is true, she could be in danger.” Another pause. “Okay, thanks.”

  “What is it?” Autumn felt frightened at the way he pulled on his hair and how close he looked to tears.

  “They’ve found evidence linking Orion to the bridge bombing.”

  Autumn gasped. “What link?”

  “He bought a ticket to Mexico in Sheree’s name. But it wasn’t used. They think she’s dead. They also found some communication with a company in Mexico that sells explosives.”

  Autumn shut her eyes in agony. And she’d practically made Tawnia go with Orion. This was her fault. “We can’t call her. I’ve got her phone.”

  “Come on.” Bret started for the door. “We’re going there. Now. The police will be there, too, but I have to know if

  she’s . . .” He didn’t finish.

  Autumn knew exactly how he felt. “I’ll call Jake on the way and have him find Orion’s address.”

  Chapter 26

  Tawnia hated leaving Autumn. They should be together on a day like this one, a day with so much joy and tragedy. The logical part of her knew they had the rest of their lives to share and that an hour explaining things to Orion wouldn’t damage their sisterhood, but the emotional part of her refused to be comforted at leaving her sister.

  Sister. Again, the surge of wonder and joy.

  Orion had reached his vehicle and was opening the shiny black door with his key. A Jeep, she saw, reading the make. Not new but obviously but well taken care of. On the seat was a bouquet of flowers and take-out from Smokey’s.

  Tawnia’s heart sank. Not only had he come to see her, but he’d come bearing gifts that he knew she’d like—that both she and Autumn would like.

  He rolled down his window. “Would have had the top off, but it’s not very private that way.” He gave a dry chuckle. “Besides, I didn’t want the flowers stolen.”

  “Orion, I’m really sorry.” Something about his words bothered her, but she wasn’t sure why. Now that they were away from the others, he was being awfully nice about her deception.

  “So who did I ask out?” he asked, putting the Jeep into gear.

  “Well, you asked Autumn out, but it was Autumn pretending to be me. You see, I met you at the river the time they found that body, and something . . . well, when you took me for Autumn, I didn’t know what to do. We were getting along so well, and then later, since she knew I liked you—” She broke off with a sigh. “There’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have done it. I was just afraid you wouldn’t understand and call it quits before we had a chance.”

  He didn’t look at her, but was she imagining the softening of his jaw? “I wasn’t aware Autumn had a sister.” His voice was still stif
f.

  “She doesn’t—didn’t. We met through Bret by accident. He called me when she was sick because he didn’t know what to do and because we looked so much alike. We’re both adopted. It was only today that we learned we’re twins. Somehow we ended up being given to different adoptive families.”

  “I didn’t think they did that, even thirty years ago.”

  “Not in the open.” Tawnia studied the side of his face. “With Winter gone, I’m all she has left.”

  “Not all.” His jaw worked. “She has her store. I thought she had me. But now I find the woman I thought I was falling in love with is actually two people.”

  I’ve blown it, Tawnia thought. He’s a nice man, and I blew it. Aloud, she said. “I’m really sorry, Orion. I know it wasn’t a nice thing to do, but for what it’s worth, I loved our date. Being with you was . . . magical.”

  He actually smiled at that, making the dimple in his cheek noticeable. “I’m glad, Tawnia. It is Tawnia, isn’t it? I thought I heard Autumn call you that.”

  “Yes. Tawnia McKnight.”

  “So who are you exactly, Tawnia McKnight?”

  The question embarrassed her, but she answered, anyway. “Well, just me. I guess. I work as a creative director at an advertising firm. I like art.”

  “Well, you are creative, I’ll give you that.” Again the softening in his jaw. “No antiques or herbs?”

  She shook her head. “And I hate tofu.”

  “I take it that means Autumn loves it.”

  “Yes. And anything organic.”

  He snorted. “What does that mean? Everything we eat is organic.”

  “Well, yeah, I guess. But she means as close to a natural state as possible. It’s supposed to be more healthful. I’m sure she’s right, but it’s too much effort for me to think about at the moment.”

  He nodded in agreement.

  They had arrived at an apartment building with an underground parking facility. “Where are we?” she asked.

  “My place.”

  He gathered the food and the flowers, and Tawnia wondered if she should offer to carry something, but if she did, he might think she was presumptuous. He wouldn’t likely be inclined to give her the flowers after her deceit. They went up several floors in the elevator in an awkward silence before arriving at his apartment. Inside was a modern designer’s dream—a white carpet with black-and-white throws, white couches, black tables, black and white vases, and black-and-white abstract art hangings. Only the occasional flash of red broke through the black and white decor, making what would have been tedious display into a work of art.