Evening Stars

by Susan Mallery

  Averil paused, wondering if that was really where she wanted to start her story. Then she told herself it didn’t matter. At this point it was all about getting the pages down. Or in her case, page.

  Tracy Galloway rolled her eyes. It was a threat she’d heard a thousand times before.

  “I know you’re not happy about Bryce,” she told her father. “But seriously Daddy, you can’t cut me off. What will your friends say?”

  Averil paused to read what she’d written. She carefully deleted everything after the first line. For a second, she thought about tossing her computer across the room, but stopped herself. She said she was going to write a novel, and by God, she was going to do it. Word by word, if necessary. Word by frigging word.

  Chapter Sixteen

  ANDI LOOKED AT the vacation spreadsheet. “I feel bad about making everyone take time off while I’m giving birth,” she said.

  “It makes sense.” Nina flipped to the second page. “You’re only going to be home a month. We’ll take the first two weeks and then come back and get things going.” There was plenty to keep everyone busy, even if they didn’t have as many patients as usual.

  Andi had been careful to let everyone know about her pregnancy and when she would be taking off to have the baby. Most parents were getting their well visits done before then. While the office was closed, Dr. Harrington would pick up the slack. Then a contract doctor would come in for a month—two weeks while Andi was still home and for her first couple of weeks back.

  “You’ve helped me organize all of this,” Andi said with a sigh. “I’m not sure I could have done it without you.”

  “You would have been fine,” Nina told her.

  “I like to think so, but I’m not sure. How are you doing? You look tired.”

  Nina tried to take the comment in the spirit she was sure Andi meant it. “There’s been a lot going on. Bertie and my mom are back. They’re fun but exhausting. Averil’s here, too.” Then there was the painting, but she wasn’t going to mention that. Even if Boston and Deanna had talked about their meeting, she hadn’t been very specific with them, beyond her need for an art expert.

  “Dealing with my family is like herding cats,” she continued, thinking Kyle was a bright spot. He was good for easy conversation and better sex. He’d been on one of his task force ops and away for a few days, but he was due back anytime now. She had to admit that she and her girl parts were looking forward to spending time with him.

  Andi smiled. “Family is tough. I know mine makes me crazy, so you’re in good company. We do what we have to and we love them anyway.”

  “Mostly because we don’t know any better.”

  Her boss laughed.

  “Bertie helps,” Nina admitted. “She’s great. I wish she would just take charge, but she doesn’t want to step on any toes. I keep telling her to step away. I won’t mind.”

  “You take on too much,” Andi said. “God knows I let you run my life. But it’s not healthy. Who takes care of you?”

  “I’m like the cats. I’m very self-sufficient.”

  Andi raised her eyebrows. “Will we be seeing more of Dylan?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “You’re not dating him?”

  “We’re friends. He came by the other day to talk to me about a few things.”

  “He’s very handsome.”

  He was, Nina thought. And dependable. Sometimes, the latter was a whole lot more appealing.

  Andi nodded slowly. “Okay, your silence on the subject is very clear. I won’t meddle. I’m just pointing out that he’s a great guy.”

  “Thanks for the update.”

  * * *

  Nina threw herself onto a sofa, then coughed as dust billowed out from the tufted piece.

  “Bad day?” Averil asked. While Nina did show up in the store from time to time, it wasn’t usually at three in the afternoon.

  “No worse than any of the others. Mom called.”

  Averil sat on a stool and waited. She had a feeling she knew what her sister was going to say.

  “She wants to wait to move the painting to Seattle,” Nina told her. “She’s not ready to sever the connection.” Nina’s eyes closed as her mouth twisted. “It’s a painting, not an umbilical cord. Sever the connection? Why can’t I have a normal mom? They have to exist, right?”

  Averil had spoken to Bonnie earlier and had the same conversation. Bonnie claimed to have been dreaming about the painting, and she felt she had a spiritual connection with the work. Until she understood what it wanted from them, she couldn’t allow it to be moved.

  “Have you talked to Bertie?” Averil asked. “She can reason with Mom.”

  “She can, but she usually won’t.” Nina opened her eyes. “I can’t blame her. She doesn’t want to always be fighting, so she picks her battles. But still. I have no idea what message is going to come from that painting. I only know it’s going to be a pain in my ass.”

  Averil was pretty sure Nina was right. If there was a mess that needed cleaning, it generally fell on Nina.

  No one had ever expected much from her, she thought. Nina took care of things, including her baby sister. Averil had just been along for the ride. She’d been able to go hang out with her friends, to have free time and not have to worry about things like getting food in the house or keeping the lights on.

  “Remember when we used to play dress-up?” she asked. “That was always fun.”

  Nina looked around the store. “Some of my best memories are in this store. We did have a good time.”

  “You told me what to do,” Averil mused. “What to wear and what my lines were.”

  Nina, still dressed in her scrubs, shuddered. “Okay, I’ll admit it. Today is not a day when I can deal with everything I did wrong back then.”

  Averil stared at her. “No,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean it that way. You always took charge, so all I had to do was have fun. It was nice.”

  Nina didn’t look convinced. “Yeah, right. Bossy older sisters. Everyone wants one.”

  “You took care of me, Nina. When Mom was off doing whatever, disappearing to buy stuff for the store, you were here. I knew you wouldn’t leave me. I depended on you.”

  Nina relaxed. “Okay. Thanks. Sorry to be so sensitive. I didn’t take the call very well. I’d just gotten out of a meeting with Andi when she phoned to explain why we had to keep the painting here.” She touched the side of her head. “I’m still throbbing. Apparently I got shrill and pale. Andi told me to take the afternoon off.”

  Averil was surprised. Nina didn’t usually let herself be managed by other people. “You’re tired,” she said, taking in the dark circles under her sister’s eyes.

  “My boss said that. I need to start wearing concealer. Or any makeup.” Nina smiled ruefully. “You, on the other hand, are as beautiful as ever.”

  Averil shook her head. “I’m not, but thank you.” She stood and crossed to a small box on the counter. “Cindy and I found these yesterday.”

  “Where is Cindy?” Nina asked, taking the offered box.

  “Taking her mother-in-law to the doctor. It’s the gynecologist. Apparently not a place her son can take her.”

  Nina shook her head. “Cindy deserves a medal for dealing with that woman.”

  “I think they have come to an understanding. At least I hope so.”

  Nina opened the box and stared down at the brooches. “Where did you find these?”

  “In the back on a shelf. I thought you’d want them.”

  The collection was made up of brightly colored bugs. Butterflies and ladybugs, dragonflies and bumble bees. Their grandmother had worn them with everything.

  “After she died, I tried to find them,” Nina admitted, turning a butterfly over in her hand. “I couldn’t. I was afraid Mom had thrown them out, but when I asked she swore she hadn’t.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Grandma said I could have them when she was gone. How silly. They’re worthless, but I wanted them so much.�
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  Averil smiled at her. “Now you have them.”

  She didn’t remember much about the older woman. She’d only been seven when their grandmother had died. But the other woman had been a much larger presence in Nina’s life. A stable force who’d kept Bonnie’s waywardness in check.

  One thing Averil remembered clearly was her grandmother’s final days. She’d been hovering in the hall, not sure what was happening, but knowing it wasn’t good. Nina hadn’t been afraid. She’d gone right into the bedroom.

  You know I’m dying, don’t you? their grandmother had asked. Averil hadn’t heard Nina’s reply.

  It’s all going to be up to you, now. Take care of your mother and sister.

  Again, Nina’s words had been too quiet for Averil to hear. At the time she’d been relieved to know that little about her life would change. Nina was the one who took care of things and that would go on. Now, looking back, she realized what a burden that must have been for an eleven-year-old girl. Bonnie should have been the one to deal with her mother’s passing. But she hadn’t.

  “You did a good job raising me,” she said impulsively.

  Nina looked at her. “I can’t take credit for that. Not really. We raised ourselves. I say we did a decent job.” Nina stroked Penny as she walked by. “I wish Mom had found Bertie about ten years earlier. That would have helped.”

  Averil bent over to rub Penny’s ears. “We would have been the only ‘two mom’ family in our school.”

  “It would have been worth it.”

  Averil was sure Nina could have used the help. “Remember when Mom decided there was too much inventory and she priced everything at a nickel?”

  Nina closed the box with the brooches and groaned. “It was horrible. I couldn’t begin to figure out how much money we lost. People kept leaving more money because they felt bad, but going from a nickel to a quarter on something worth twenty dollars isn’t much help.” She looked around the store. “I’m amazed we made it. There were days I expected Social Services to show up and take us away.”

  “Really?” Averil asked, surprised that would have been a worry.

  “Sure. Mom would disappear for weeks at a time on her buying trips.”

  “She always came back.”

  Nina’s hands fluttered over the box. “We were twelve and eight. You’re not supposed to abandon your kids while you drive around the country buying junk.”

  Averil realized her perspective was different. Life had gone on pretty much the same whether or not Bonnie had been in town. But it hadn’t been like that for her sister.

  “Was it easier or harder when Bonnie was gone?” she asked.

  “Both. There was less to worry about and more to do. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter now.”

  Averil wasn’t sure she agreed. It might matter a lot. Nina had been the one who’d wanted to leave Blackberry Island. She’d been the one with dreams.

  “Am I the reason you didn’t go away?” she asked. “So you could look after me?”

  Nina rose. “You can’t think about that,” she said firmly. “I made my choices for a lot of reasons.” She crossed to Averil and hugged her. “You’re worrying about nothing.”

  Averil nodded, because she wasn’t sure what to say. That she was sorry her sister had to take care of her? She was for Nina’s sake, but not her own. She’d always known her sister loved her and would be there for her. But at what cost to Nina?

  * * *

  Nina left the store and drove down to the marina. She parked and started walking along the boardwalk. It was a beautiful sunny day. Not hot, but warm enough that she didn’t need a jacket. She supposed she should have gone home and gotten changed. Her scrubs meant she stood out from the few tourists on the island on a weekday in mid-May. Not that she cared. She needed to think.

  Or maybe not, she thought as she strolled. What was there to consider? She’d made her decisions a long time ago. Had lived with the consequences. There was nothing to be done about the past now.

  “Nina!”

  She turned and saw Dylan walking toward her. She paused and smiled. “Shouldn’t you be at work? Playing hooky already? That can’t be good.”

  “I had a furniture delivery. I took off to let the guys in. Then my last two appointments canceled, so here I am. What about you?”

  “A rare afternoon off. I came down here to walk by the water.”

  “Come on,” he said, motioning to a small restaurant across the street. “Their bar is open. I’ll buy you a drink.”

  Five minutes later they were seated on the deck, in a warm, sunny spot. She sipped her glass of chardonnay.

  “I could get used to this,” she admitted. “Sitting around in the afternoon with nothing to do.”

  He smiled at her over his beer. “You’re lying. You hate being bored.”

  “I know, but it’s nice to pretend.”

  “I doubt you go on vacation without a plan.”

  “Hey, don’t be critical.”

  “I’m not. I’m stating the obvious. There’s nothing wrong with a plan.”

  She thought about her mother. “Some people thrive on being spontaneous.”

  “Let ’em. You enjoy your rules.”

  He was telling the truth, but... “That makes me sound boring. And old.”

  “You’re neither. You’re solid and trustworthy.”

  “Ah, like a faithful dog. A large dog. Like a Lab or a Saint Bernard.”

  He leaned toward her, placing both forearms on the table. “You’re determined to make me the bad guy in this.”

  “No, I’m not. Sorry. I’m in a mood. I was supposed to drive to Seattle tomorrow with the painting. I’ve found a bank where we can keep it while Mom and Bertie figure out the next step.”

  “And?”

  “And my mother is having a spiritual moment. She feels we should keep the painting around until she understands what she’s supposed to do with it.”

  Dylan’s green eyes flashed with surprise. “The painting is speaking to her?”

  “Apparently.”

  “They have medication for that. Have her come in and I’ll write a prescription.”

  “Very funny.” She sipped her wine.

  “I’m a funny guy.” His humor faded. “You’re worried.”

  “I have no idea what she’s going to do, but the odds of it being sensible seem small. I’m terrified she’s going to tell someone she shouldn’t.”

  He touched her arm. “You know I’m not going to say anything.”

  “I do. Thanks. To be honest I never thought to call and tell you to keep quiet. I knew you would.” Which was unexpected, she thought. When things were complicated, she’d always been able to trust Dylan. Except with her heart.

  “Thanks. Do you have any idea which direction her spiritual connection is going to take?”

  “No. She’s mentioned everything from opening a museum to display the painting to burning it so it would return to the artist.”

  He grimaced. “I hope she decides against burning it.”

  “Me, too. I’m pretty sure Bertie will keep her at least close to normal.” She wondered if banging her head against the table would make her feel better. “I was really hoping for a calm summer.”

  “It could happen.”

  She smiled. “Unlikely. Okay, let’s talk about something else. How are you enjoying working with your dad? Is it still boring?”

  “Hey, I never said it was boring.”

  “You implied it was less than satisfying.” She tilted her head as she studied him. “Sorry you came back?”

  “It’s more difficult to adjust than I thought it would be. Everyone deserves to have access to health care. Both here and there.”

  She knew him well enough to be able to complete the thought. “But there you make a more tangible difference. Here they can simply drive to the mainland and see another doctor.”

  “Thanks for making me feel special.”

  “Sorry. You know what I mean.”<
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  “I do.” His gaze settled on her face.

  There was something about the way he looked at her. It reminded her of his kiss—the one she’d nearly forgotten about because of the painting. Something else her mother had to answer for, she thought humorously. Not that she planned to go around kissing Dylan. It had been nice and all, but they were friends.

  “Is leaving an option?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I promised my dad.”

  “He’d want you to be happy.”

  “I’m pretty sure he thinks I can be happy here.”

  “Maybe if you were to settle down,” she said. “Get married and all that.”

  “Proposing?” His voice was teasing.

  “That would freak out your parents. They worked so hard to break us up.”

  “They were wrong.”

  She studied him for a second. When he didn’t speak, didn’t add the obvious “And so was I,” she drew in a breath.

  “You really do think it’s my fault we broke up.”

  “No,” he said easily. “It was both of us. You had your family. I knew that. I kept thinking that you’d walk away from them, but how could you? You were the one holding it all together. I was angry because I thought you were changing plans without discussing it with me. You were angry because I, from your perspective, wouldn’t understand.”

  When he put it like that... “We were doomed?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I thought we’d get married,” she admitted. “I thought we were going to be together always.”

  “Me, too.”

  So, what did their joint admission mean, she wondered. Maybe that they could stay friends for a long time.

  She had to admit he was right. She had changed the rules in their relationship.

  She touched his hand. “It was literally a decade ago. What do you say we release the topic into the cosmos? Maybe it will meet up with Emilion Stoicasescu and tell him we have his painting.”

  He turned his wrist so their fingers were laced together. “I wish you’d managed to get away.”

  She was so caught in the unexpected feel of his skin on hers that she nearly missed his words.

  “From the island?”

  He nodded. “Not that I don’t like hanging out with you, but...”