by Linda Warren
“Yes,” Ethan answered without a second thought. He didn’t care who knew. It wasn’t a secret, but it also was nobody’s business—just his and Serena’s.
Travis’s eyes almost bugged out of his head in shock.
“What’s the matter?” Ethan asked. “You don’t think I’m up to that any more? So to speak?”
“No…I mean…hell, it’s you, Ethan. You don’t do things like that.” He obviously realized how that sounded and quickly backpedaled. “What I mean is, you’re not the type of man who picks up women.”
“I didn’t pick her up.”
“Well, then—”
“That’s all I’m telling you,” Ethan cut in, glancing at his watch.
Molly came out at that moment and the conversation ended, but Ethan knew Travis was bursting with questions. Questions he wasn’t going to answer. At least not today. Travis was supposed to join them at the ranch tomorrow, and Ethan hoped he wasn’t planning to start up with that line of inquiry again.
The six-hour drive to Junction Flat was long and tiring. Molly slept most of the way and Ethan was glad. He wasn’t in the mood to talk. He stopped for gas in Austin and she stirred long enough to drink a Coke. The aftereffect of the drug was still with her, as the doctor had predicted. It was ten o’clock when they reached the low, rolling, sandy terrain of Junction Flat. Ethan gently woke her and she smiled.
“Are we home?”
“In a few minutes,” he said. “Thought you might want to freshen up.” He turned on the inside light.
“Oh, yes.” She grabbed her purse, brushed her hair and put on lipstick. “How do I look?”
“Like Molly.”
“Is the bruise noticeable?”
“Yes.” No point lying to her.
“I’ll have to think of something to tell Pop and Cole.”
“How about the truth?”
“Ethan, please don’t make me do that. I feel bad enough without telling my son what a fool his mother is.”
He heard the pain in her voice and didn’t want to cause her any more distress. “Okay, whatever,” he relented.
“Thanks, Ethan.”
As soon as the truck stopped in front of the house, Molly jumped out and ran for the front door. Ethan followed more slowly. The porch light was on and Cole opened the door, caught Molly and swung her around, then set her on her feet. Suddenly he noticed her face.
“Mom, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“But your face, it’s—”
“There was a fight at the club and I got caught in it.” She touched her cheek. “It’ll heal in a few days.”
“You’re home awful early,” Pop said as he came to the door. “Didn’t expect you for a couple weeks or more.”
She hugged Pop. “City life was too wild for me and I missed my son.”
“Ah, Mom.” Cole shuffled his feet.
Molly took his hand and they went inside.
Ethan gave his father a hug, too. “How are things going?”
“Fine,” Pop replied. “But you look a little down.”
No matter how old he got, his father could always read him. “I’m just tired.”
“If you say so.”
That was one of the things Ethan loved about Pop. He never pressured him or asked pointless questions. He respected his privacy. He wished Pop and Travis had the same kind of relationship, but at least things were improving. Travis was coming home for the weekend and they needed family time together—to put Dallas behind them.
LIFE WENT ON, as Serena soon discovered. No one knew her heart was broken and no one suspected anything was wrong, other than the usual worries. Sarah came home with her from the hospital, moving into the room Gran had chosen for her. Serena and Gran worked on it for days, trying to make a special homecoming for Sarah.
When Sarah saw the house, her eyes grew big. “You live here?”
Serena drove into the garage. “Yes, this is where I was raised.”
“It’s so…grand. I’ve never been in a place like this.”
“You are now.” Serena smiled at her. “And will be—as long as we can stay in the house. We’re sisters, and we’ll stay together until one of us gets married.”
“I’m never getting married,” Sarah said quietly. “Greg is dead. He was the love of my life. Now I’m off men completely.”
“Me, too,” Serena replied. If she couldn’t have Ethan, she didn’t want anyone.
Gran met them at the door, embracing them with hugs and kisses. They showed Sarah the house, and she seemed overwhelmed by everything. Serena knew she was still dealing with a lot of emotion, but she intended to help Sarah overcome what had happened to her. In the meantime they both had to adjust to their pasts and accept their lives the way they’d turned out. Placing blame wouldn’t benefit anyone or accomplish anything. They had to move on and make the best of the situation.
Sarah settled into the house with relative ease, and Serena soon learned that even though they looked alike, they were very different in personality. Serena tried to run two miles every morning before breakfast; Sarah hated exercise and didn’t like to get up too early. Sarah was a night person; Serena was not. Serena loved to draw and paint, while Sarah wrote poetry. Serena loved the outdoors; Sarah didn’t. But different though they were, they were forming a strong bond. They spent most nights staying up talking, or at least until Serena fell asleep.
Aurora was also forming a bond with Sarah, and Serena soon realized that her twin sister was a lot like Gran. She loved clothes, jewelry and expensive things, and Gran indulged her with Serena’s wardrobe and her own. Sarah enjoyed dressing up, which pleased Gran. Gran introduced Sarah to her friends. But Serena sensed a latent hostility simmering in Sarah, and she wondered how long Sarah would restrain it.
Sarah talked to Celia regularly, and Serena knew that helped her twin. Celia was Sarah’s past, and although there were still some confused feelings, they cared deeply for each other.
Gran had met with Mr. Wylie and he’d given her an extension on the loan. Serena didn’t know what good that did because the money still had to be paid back and the interest was building. They couldn’t ignore it. Gran was now focused on Sarah, and Serena was once again left with the worry. It had to be resolved soon, but like Gran, she wanted Sarah to have time in the house—at least until their fool’s paradise came to an end.
Serena tried not to think about Ethan. But he was in her every waking thought and all her dreams. Time and distance had not diminished what she felt for him. So often she wanted to call him just to hear his voice, but she resisted, knowing it would only increase the hurt.
She kept Ethan’s check in her purse, although she knew she’d never use it. His mere thoughtfulness gave her the added boost she needed to get through each day. The only solution was to sell the house. She had to talk to Gran about that, and soon.
The district attorney was pushing the trial date forward. Both Daniel and an assistant D.A. had been out to the house several times, briefing Sarah, getting her ready to testify. One day Sarah would be fine with the questions; the next she’d break down and say she couldn’t do it. Sarah’s emotions were teetering on the brink of eruption.
And as close as they were becoming, Serena still wasn’t sure how to help her.
DAYS TURNED into weeks, and life was almost back to normal—except for the big hole in Ethan’s heart. He kept waiting for Serena’s memory to fade, but each day it grew stronger. So he tried to ease his frustration with hard work. That wasn’t the solution, either. His body wanted her that much more. Emotions he’d thought he could control were getting the best of him, and he was turning into an unbearable grouch.
Molly was improving, though. She was cooking and cleaning again, even singing around the house. They didn’t talk about Rudy Boyd. That subject was forever closed. Daniel had called and said Molly wouldn’t have to testify. The D.A. was trying to get a conviction on the murder charge, and if that happened, it would all be over.
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br /> Ethan had been wanting to remodel the house. They needed another bedroom and definitely another bath. He hired a contractor and they considered ways to enlarge the place. Molly became interested in the project and spent many hours going over details with the contractor.
The relationship between Molly and Bruce had improved greatly, and Cole was now talking easily with his father. He’d even visited him a couple of times. Ethan was relieved that Molly’s experience with Boyd hadn’t left her depressed. To the contrary, it seemed to give her a new perspective on life.
Travis was coming home every weekend, making the long trip to spend time with the family. He was even riding a horse again, and he and Pop weren’t snapping at each other with every other breath. They were getting along, adjusting, pulling together as a family. Ethan should be happy, but he wasn’t. Without Serena life didn’t hold much meaning, and that rattled him. He and Beth had been young and in love, but he’d had no problem leaving her for weeks at a time when his job demanded it. So what kind of hold did Serena have on him? Even as he asked himself the question, he knew the answer. He loved her beyond anything he’d ever felt. He’d only known her a short time, but the feeling was real and intense. He realized he couldn’t keep lying to himself; he had to make a decision. Could he ask her to live a life without children—or could he change? He wrestled with that thought for days and he still didn’t know.
SERENA AND SARAH decided to go through their mother’s things in the attic. Serena had been unaware that the stored boxes belonged to Jasmine; she’d always thought they were old things of Gran’s so she’d never investigated. Now she would—with her twin sister, Sarah. Together they sorted through the photos, toys, clothes and memorabilia that had been part of Jasmine’s life. There were baby clothes, kept in plastic, that were almost new, and frilly dresses and Mary Jane shoes. Then there was a box of worn black shirts and pants. Photos also told a story, from a beautiful little girl with pigtails and a big smile to a young teenager with a sullen expression. Rebellion showed on her face, showed that Jasmine was trying to break free from a mother who wanted her to be something she wasn’t—perfect.
They sat on the floor with all Jasmine’s things around them. Sarah picked up a photo and stared at it. “I want to feel some connection to her,” she said in a somber voice, “but it’s hard when you’ve never known someone.”
Serena nodded. “John Welch is a stranger to me, yet he’s my father and I want to like him, feel something for him.”
“Celia talked about him constantly. Of course, I thought he was my grandfather, but he seemed to be a loving person who enjoyed life. He was charming, affable—and had a way with the ladies.”
“I think we’re well aware of that quality,” Serena remarked with a smile.
Still staring at the photo, Sarah answered, “I guess we’ll never know how they really felt.”
“No.”
Sarah fingered the photo with a thoughtful expression. “Were you rebellious as a teenager?”
“No.”
“I wasn’t, either. Celia worked as a waitress and as soon as I could, I started working, too, so I could save money for college. Celia never understood my desire for college, but I had to be more than a waitress. I just thought Celia and I were different, but it was a lot more than that.”
Serena was reluctant to say she’d never worked a day in her life until she’d started teaching school, because she didn’t want Sarah to feel any worse than she already did. They both knew that the difference in the way they were raised was an issue. Serena was hoping it would be minor.
“I wish we could’ve grown up together,” Serena said honestly. “I wish we could’ve had girl talks, pillow fights, discussions about boys and shared our dreams.”
“Me, too,” Sarah replied sadly.
“But we have each other now, and that’s what counts.”
“Yes, it does.”
Serena picked up several framed photos of Jasmine. “Let’s go hang our mother’s pictures in the house where they belong.”
They made their way downstairs. When Aurora saw the photos, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Serena put both arms around her.
“I don’t know how I could’ve done such a thing,” Aurora said miserably. “How could I alienate my own daughter?”
“It’s in the past, Gran,” Serena said. “So try not to dwell on it.”
“How can I not?” Gran choked out. “I let my pain overshadow everything, and I made such bad decisions. I let my granddaughter go when I should’ve fought for her. I should’ve done more.”
Sarah patted her shoulder. “It’s all right, Gran. As Serena said, it’s in the past and we can’t change it.”
There was something in Sarah’s eyes that bothered Serena, but she didn’t know what it was. She just had a feeling that Sarah wasn’t being sincere….
That night the three of them sat on Gran’s bed, going through family albums. There were pictures of Jasmine and Serena from the day they were born to schooldays and beyond. Every year was depicted with holidays and family vacations. Aurora and Serena explained each picture as they went through the albums.
“I should be in these pictures,” Sarah said in a hard voice.
Serena was taken aback by the tone, and before she could say anything, Sarah grabbed the album and threw it on the floor. Pictures scattered everywhere.
Sarah jumped to feet. “I should have been in those pictures,” she repeated, her eyes on Aurora. “But you just forgot about me and went on with your life. You had Serena. You didn’t need me. Why didn’t you pick me? Why did you pick Serena?” Sarah fell to her knees and began to cry, her sobs loud and heartbreaking.
Serena immediately knelt beside her, as did Gran. Serena tried to hug her, but Sarah pushed her away. “Don’t…touch me,” came out on a sob. “Just leave me alone.”
“Listen to me, Sarah.” Gran spoke up strongly. “I didn’t pick Serena, and neither did Henry. When he got to the hospital, Celia had the babies ready to go. They talked, and after they’d made a decision, she handed him one. We didn’t know which baby we had until we looked at the bracelet on her wrist.”
“You…didn’t?” Sarah asked brokenly.
Serena felt like crying herself; she couldn’t stand to see her sister like this. The emotions Sarah had been holding in had finally broken free.
“No, darling.” Gran pushed Sarah’s hair back. “We were grateful just to have one. It didn’t matter if it was you or Serena. Over the years I had to force myself not to think about you, but Celia had legal rights, as we told you, and Henry and I didn’t want to rock the boat. We were afraid Celia would take Serena from us. We just couldn’t lose another child.” Gran wiped tears from Sarah’s face. “I have you now, darling, and you will be in every picture from here on—just like you’re in my heart.”
“Oh, Gran.” Sarah hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry. I’m just—”
“I know, darling. I know.”
Serena put her arms around both of them. “I wish I could’ve changed places with you.”
Sarah drew away and looked at her with tear-filled eyes. “You mean that, don’t you.”
“Absolutely. You’re more like Gran than I am. She hates it when I wear jeans and sneakers. She prefers me in heels and tailored suits.”
“Yes,” Sarah hiccupped. She smiled, then hugged Serena. “I just lost it there for a minute. I don’t know what came over me, but I don’t blame you for what happened. I don’t blame anyone. It’s just…”
“Hard to accept,” Serena finished for her.
They laughed and stood up, hand in hand.
“I think someone’s going to have to help me,” Gran said from the floor. Serena and Sarah quickly lifted her to her feet.
Gran put an arm around each of their waists. “No matter what happens in the future, we’ll be together,” she vowed.
“Together,” they chorused.
After that, Sarah bounced back with vigor. The depress
ed look was gone from her eyes and she smiled a lot. Serena was relieved and knew that Sarah was well on her way to recovery. Life was promising and full of delight, except for the problems that hung over them—their financial situation and the trial.
During the day, Serena was busy drawing cards and painting and trying to raise everyone’s spirits. At night she held her pillow, wishing for Ethan and his strength and love. She needed him, but he didn’t need her.
How long could she go on without him?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THE TRIAL WAS SCHEDULED for the first week in September, and the D.A.’s office had Sarah ready to testify. As the day drew near, Sarah was nervous, but Serena was certain she’d be fine.
Serena had returned to her teaching job and was gone most of the day. Sarah was adjusting to life with them; she planned to resume her college classes the following term.
One Sunday morning Serena opened the door to find Daniel on the doorstep.
“Can I speak to you alone, please?” he asked. Sarah would be testifying on Monday, and Serena wondered if plans had changed.
She led him into the living room. Sarah and Gran were still sleeping. “What is it?”
He glanced around. “Where’s Sarah?”
“She’s upstairs. Why? Do you need to talk to her?”
“No, I need to talk to you.”
“Oh.” She sat on the sofa and he took a seat in a straight-back chair.
“You’re making me nervous,” she murmured when he said nothing else.
He clasped his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m trying to think of a way to say this without having you go ballistic on me.”
Oh, God. Something’s happened to Ethan. Her skin grew clammy and her stomach churned.
“Is this about Ethan?” she asked.
“Ethan?” Surprise showed on his face. “No, why would you think that?”
“Then Ethan’s okay?”
“As far as I’m aware.” He shot her a knowing glance. “You and Ethan have… I’m not sure how to word this.”
“Me, neither,” she replied frankly. “But Ethan and I became very close and I…”