Heard it Through the Grapevine

by Lizbeth Lipperman

  He pulled her to him, his hands moving up and down her back, as if comforting a child. “Lainey, honey, tell me.”

  She wanted to stay in the warmth of his arms longer, but she forced herself to draw back and meet his eyes. “My sister was killed in an explosion last night.”

  “Oh, no!” He drew her closer to his body. “Which one?”

  “Tessa.”

  She held her breath as she felt his body stiffen.

  “Tessa?”

  Hearing her name brought a fresh stream of tears. “She was two years older than me. We hated each other growing up. When I left Texas, I cut all ties with her. I haven’t seen or spoken to her in nine years.” Lainey’s voice caught.

  “Why didn’t you tell me about her?”

  She heard the sadness in his voice. She’d been sleeping with him all this time and hadn’t mentioned something as personal as a long-lost sister. He must be wondering what else she’d kept from him.

  “Is that why you’ve never gone back to Texas? Why you meet your sisters in Florida at your mom’s?”

  “Yes.” Lainey was numb, like somehow Tessa’s death was her fault.

  That was absurd! How could she be responsible for an explosion?

  She pulled from his embrace and pushed the intercom. “Shelly, can you book me a flight to Dallas tonight, please?” An inner voice screamed that was too soon. “No, make that tomorrow.”

  “Sure, Lainey,” the receptionist replied. “Any specific time?”

  Lainey glanced at her watch, realizing how ridiculous that was. “Mid-afternoon. Let me know when you get that confirmed. Thanks, Shel.”

  She stroked her forehead like she was rubbing away a migraine, still fighting her emotions. “Can you get Angie to do the show for the next two days, Dan?” She glanced at the calendar on her desk. “Dammit! I really wanted to interview Paula DeMarco.”

  The minute the words left her mouth, she realized how cold they sounded. A quick glance at Dan confirmed he agreed.

  “I’m sure there’ll be another opportunity,” he said, barely able to conceal the disapproval in his voice. “Do you want me to go to Dallas with you?” he asked, softening.

  She couldn’t meet his eyes, knowing she was about to hurt him again, knowing he wanted her to say yes. “I’ll be fine.” She saw the disappointment on his face. “The funeral’s Friday morning. I’ll be on a flight to Savannah by dinner. No sense in both of us missing Paula.”

  Vineyard, Texas

  Lainey shifted uncomfortably on the couch in the far right corner of the funeral parlor. She scanned the crowded room while her aunt droned on about the changes in Vineyard since she’d left. Tessa’s popularity hadn’t diminished one bit over the years. All her life people had gravitated to her. It baffled Lainey, especially since Tessa was rarely nice to anyone unless she wanted something.

  “Have you seen her?”

  Lainey glanced up at her sister Kate and smiled. “No.”

  She and Kate had grown up best friends. Despite their busy schedules, they still were. With Kate working ungodly hours at the hospital, it had been way too long since they’d had one of their two-hour phone conversations.

  Kate had shown up an hour after Lainey settled in at the DFW Conquistador, and it was like all the years apart had never happened. Two years younger, Kate was an obstetrics resident at County General, the biggest teaching hospital in Dallas, and had little time for anything else.

  “Come on. I’ll walk up with you.”

  Lainey shook her head. “You go.”

  Kate leaned down. “Can’t you forgive her even now?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  “I’m trying, but just because she went and died, it doesn’t mean the slate is wiped clean.”

  “I’m not thinking about Tessa, Lainey. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t deal with this before it’s too late.”

  “I’d say it’s already too late.”

  Kate reached for Lainey’s hand and pulled her up from the couch. “I’ll be right beside you. It won’t be as bad as you think. Promise.”

  Lainey knew her younger sister was right. It was too late to heal the relationship, not that she wanted to, but she had to say goodbye. No matter what Tessa had done, she was family. When she’d left Vineyard for good, Lainey swore she would never cry again, but she’d been unable to stop the tears when Maddy called. She had to get closure.

  As the two sisters drew closer to the casket, the mounting volcano in Lainey’s gut threatened to explode. She exhaled slowly and prayed for strength, all the while cursing the scent of the damn gladiolas with their crosses and bright-colored ribbons. She wanted nothing to do with this kind of circus when she died.

  Close enough to see Tessa’s face, Lainey gasped, raising her hand to her mouth to stifle the cry. Tessa was as beautiful as she remembered. She exhaled slowly, praying she’d get through this as Kate squeezed her arm in support.

  After a few seconds, the initial shock wore off, and Lainey leaned in to study Tessa’s face, noticing the bruising despite the thick makeup. Up this close, she saw the fine lines around her mouth and eyes, the only visible sign her sister had aged. Gone were her famous long black curls that had boys from three counties flocking to their house on weekends, replaced by a short, stylish bob. She wondered how long ago Tessa had cut off those curls.

  I hate this whole fucking funeral thing.

  Lainey turned to Kate, surprised at her outburst. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  Kate stared at her, a puzzled look covering her face. “What did you say?”

  You know, for being the smart one, Lainey, sometimes you act like you’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

  Lainey opened her mouth to respond, confused. Kate’s mouth hadn’t moved when she spoke.

  Most of these idiots only showed up to make an appearance.

  Lainey glanced again at Kate, but she had already turned away and was reading the condolence notes on the flower arrangements. Lainey shook her head to clear her mind then felt a light tap on her shoulder. Turning to her left, she looked directly into the eyes of her dead sister.

  Hello, Lainey. Long time no see.

  TWO

  WHEN LAINEY’S SCREAM PIERCED the low-keyed chatter in the room, Kate rushed to her, a horrified look on her face.

  With tears brimming, Kate grasped her sister’s hands in hers and pulled her close. “Lainey, it’s okay. Tessa knew you loved her.”

  That’s a big-ass lie. You never took my calls and returned my letters unopened even after I’d divorced him.

  Lainey turned in the direction of the voice, then back to Kate. “Can you see her?” she whispered, her lips brushing Kate’s ear.

  Kate tightened her hold, massaging the back of Lainey’s neck. “See who, honey?”

  Lainey pulled back far enough to look into Kate’s eyes. “Tessa.”

  A sob escaped the younger woman’s lips. “Oh, Lainey, I had no idea bringing you up here would affect you like this. I’m so sorry.”

  “No,” Lainey said, louder than intended, creating an awkward silence as the crowd watched the exchange between the two sisters in front of the coffin. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes finding Tessa again, now examining her body in the casket.

  You’d think for what this asshole charges, he could get my hair halfway decent.

  Lainey jerked her head toward the body. “Can’t you see her?”

  Kate sighed. “Of course I can.” She smiled through her tears. “They did a great job despite all her injuries.”

  Lainey leaned closer. “Not in the coffin, Kate, in front of it.” She nodded in the direction where Tessa stood, sporting a half grin, obviously enjoying the unfolding drama.

  She can’t see me, Lainey. Tessa walked up to Kate and touched her shoulder. See. You’re the only lucky one. Then she disappeared.

  Lainey pulled away from Kate’s embrace and did a 180, scanning the room. A hand on the small of her back nudged her towa
rd the sofa in the far corner of the room, and she whirled around, expecting to see the dead woman again. Relief pulsed through her as she realized it was Kate.

  “Let’s sit for a minute.” Kate guided her through the crowd, now staring at them like they each had three heads. “You need a cup of coffee.”

  Lainey exhaled noisily, searching the room again. Still no sign of Tessa. She shook her head and smiled, cursing her mind for playing tricks on her, convinced it was payback for her behavior with the psychic yesterday. “Trust me. Coffee isn’t strong enough.”

  _____

  “Your sister was an asset to Vineyard,” Joseph Rogers said, munching on a chicken wing. “Throughout my term as mayor, she was generous with her time and money. I wouldn’t have been reelected without her support.”

  Lainey nodded, pretending to care. The funeral service had been filled with testimonials like this about how wonderful Tessa had been. The stories contradicted her own memories of her sister, yet without exception, everyone agreed she’d been a pillar of the community. She couldn’t believe Tessa would do anything nice unless there was an ulterior motive.

  The church had been standing room only, with local politicians and Chamber of Commerce big wigs all decked out in their Sunday best. Most of them had gathered in her sister Deena’s living room after the service, visiting like it was a social event. She didn’t get it. The Tessa she knew hadn’t earned this kind of sendoff.

  It was the first time Lainey had set foot in a Catholic church since she’d left Vineyard. Not that she was a heathen; she had simply slipped away from anything having to do with her past.

  “Are you planning to stay long, Elaina?”

  “What?” Lainey asked, embarrassed to be caught daydreaming. “Oh, no. My flight back to Savannah leaves this evening.”

  “That’s too bad,” the mayor said between bites of Madelyn’s chocolate cake. “You would have enjoyed seeing all the changes we’ve made with your sister’s help.”

  Lainey’s eyes drifted around the room as the mayor rambled on about how he and Tessa had elevated the small town northwest of Dallas to great things. Every other word was Tessa this, Tessa that. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the woman had been St. Theresa.

  Lainey’s gaze rested on Tessa’s daughter, Gracie. The child was beautiful, a spitting image of her mother. Her big dark eyes would drive the boys crazy one day, just as Tessa’s had done. Only eight, she stood away from the crowd, clinging to her father, even when her Aunt Maddy tried to coax her into eating a piece of cake. The shy gene hadn’t come from her mother.

  Lainey forced herself to look at Gracie’s father, something she’d avoided all afternoon. Colton Winslow was chatting with someone Lainey didn’t recognize, his hand moving protectively up and down his daughter’s back. Other than a touch of gray at his temples, Colt looked exactly like he did when he was scoring the winning touchdowns at Vineyard High. Exactly as Lainey had pictured in her dreams for so many years after she’d left the small town.

  His thick sandy-blond hair still curled at the ends, giving him a just-got-out-of-the-shower appeal. Even from across the room, she could see his eyes crinkling as he laughed at something that was said. Lainey had tried not to keep up with his life, but it hadn’t worked. Besides Tessa, Kate was the only one who’d known she’d been in love with Colt since she was fourteen, and she managed to slip in some tidbit of information about him every time they talked.

  Lainey knew he’d bought the old Keating ranch on the north side of town when the courts awarded him sole custody of Gracie. Knew he’d worked his way up the ladder on the Vineyard police force and was now the chief. Knew he’d never remarried.

  At that moment Colt glanced her way, a slight smile spreading over his face when he caught her looking. A surge of heat crawled up Lainey’s neck. Try as she might, she couldn’t stop her heart from racing while she watched him from across the room. She smiled back.

  With one simple smile, she was transformed into the scrawny teenager with braces who used to peek down the steps whenever he’d shown up at their house with David Rivera, Tessa’s boyfriend. But the star senior running back had no idea Tessa’s shy, bookworm sister had a crush so bad, sometimes she thought she would die watching him with her sister’s best friend.

  Dressed in a navy suit with a light blue shirt and matching tie, he took her breath away, even now. She closed her eyes, picturing him in his uniform, a gun strapped to his hip, and the image nearly sent her over the edge.

  Lainey caught her breath when a man she didn’t recognize tapped his glass with a spoon, startling her. When the room was quiet, he walked to the corner by the bar.

  “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Charles Prescott, Tessa’s lawyer. This may seem like an inappropriate time to talk about Tessa’s will, but she left me explicit instructions. In the event of her demise, she asked that the entire family be present when I read her last testament on the day of her funeral.” He paused to sip from his glass. “Deena has graciously allowed us to use her office. If y’all will follow me there, we can proceed.”

  When no one reacted, he continued, “Colt, you need to be there.” He pointed to Tessa’s second ex-husband. “And Jerry, I’ll need you and your lovely wife to come, too.” He paused to glance around the room. “Where’s Carrie? This concerns her as well.”

  Plastered to the spot, Lainey watched while her family and the others followed the lawyer into Deena’s office off the living room. Impatiently, she glanced at her watch. Six hours before her flight. She’d hoped to spend the time catching up with her family. It had been a year since their annual Florida girl trip.

  “Come on, Lainey. The faster we get in there, the quicker this will be over,” Kate said, appearing at her sister’s side and taking her arm. “I’m curious why Tessa wanted us to be there.”

  Lainey jerked her hand away. “Tessa didn’t consider me family. I’m going to sneak out and head back to the hotel to catch a nap. Call when you’re finished. Maybe the four of us and Mom can meet for a drink before my flight.”

  Kate pursed her lips. “You can’t leave. The guy wants us all in there.” She reached for Lainey’s arm again.

  “Are you Elaina?”

  Both Kate and Lainey turned to face Tessa’s lawyer.

  “Yes,” Lainey said, hesitantly.

  “Tessa specifically requested your presence in the room.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “I think it’ll be clear after you hear her wishes.” He pointed to the study. “Everyone’s waiting.”

  Lainey’s pulse raced. Why had Tessa included her? Was her sister going to take one last shot from the grave?

  “Come on. It won’t take long, I hope,” Kate said with a resigned sigh. “Then we’ll go in search of something to make your flight to Savannah more relaxing.”

  Lainey allowed her younger sister to push her toward the crowded office where everyone was already seated on chairs brought in from the other room. Her older sisters, Madelyn and Deena, were on the far side of the room and motioned for them to come over. After Lainey and Kate were seated, there was a brief pause while Prescott shuffled a stack of papers. Lainey used the time to scan the room.

  Her mom and stepfather sat in the back of the room with Colt, who looked like he wanted to be here as much as Lainey did. She couldn’t help wondering what had gone wrong with his marriage to her sister.

  Her eyes darted to the front of the room where Tessa’s other ex, Jerry Moretti, and his new wife were sitting in silence, anxiety apparent on their faces. Tall and good-looking in a rough sort of way, Jerry kept glancing at his wife as if they shared a secret. When the woman caught Lainey staring, she wrapped her arm protectively through Jerry’s.

  Lainey remembered Jerry from high school. He’d been the rich kid driving a T-Bird convertible, always with a girl huddled next to him. Since Tessa only went for jocks, she hadn’t given Jerry the time of day, although it was obvious he had the hots for her. Apparen
tly, after she and Colt divorced, her tastes changed when she found out Jerry had inherited the family winery.

  Lainey focused on Jerry’s new wife, Roxy, with her big blond hair and enough makeup to keep the cosmetic companies profitable. Roxy’s micro-mini skirt showed off long tanned legs, and the tight sweater left no doubt her oversized girls were store-bought. Kate had mentioned the latest Mrs. Moretti was an actress who had done a few X-rated movies before marrying Jerry less than a month after his divorce from Tessa was finalized.

  Lainey smiled, wishing she had been there when Jerry brought his porn star wife to Vineyard, expecting the small community nestled in the middle of the Bible Belt to embrace her in their social circles. At least Roxy had enough sense to know if you’re going to wear slutty clothes to a funeral, they should be black.

  As the lawyer began reading Tessa’s will, Lainey’s eyes moved from Roxy to Carrie Phillips, Tessa’s best friend since high school. Carrie, Tessa’s personal assistant for the past few years, sat off to the side, occasionally dabbing at her eyes while the boring legal document was read.

  Lainey stole a peek at her wrist again, wishing she was anyplace but here. She was anxious to get back to Savannah and get on with her life. She was more than a little excited about the interview in Florida that had been rescheduled for the following week and she needed time to prepare. Henry said it looked promising, but even if that fell through, she had a few major decisions to make. It was time to go after her dreams, to get out from under the security blanket Dan’s love had provided for the past few years. It was time to move on. Dan deserved that much, and so did she.

  Look at that gold digger up there next to Jerry with her fake tits. Bet she’s thinking about how rich she’ll be now that I’m dead and gone. Someone needs to tell her whatever look she was going for, she missed.

  Lainey gasped and everyone in the room turned to her.

  Go ahead, tell them. They’ll think you’re nuts. They might even have Doctor Kate here give you a sedative. Tessa frowned. I could use one of those myself right about now.