Blushing, Alison said, “Thanks.”
Holly offered coffee, but Alison asked for water instead.
“I’ve had too much coffee today already. It makes me jumpy,” she said as she looked outside Holly’s kitchen window where wildflowers competed for room as they raced to face the warm sun. Holly had a green thumb and her garden thrived.
In a quiet voice, Alison said, “I don’t blame you for wanting to live here.”
Astounded Holly did a double take. Her sister laughed, “Just because Daddy can’t accept your decision, doesn’t mean that I’m incapable of coming around to your way of thinking.”
Avery said, “Well good for you, Alison. We might get you up here more often.”
Smiling shyly, Alison looked meaningfully at Holly and said, “I’d like that.”
Feeling uncomfortable around her sister’s rare show of shyness, Holly returned her smile. On impulse, she hugged her tightly and said, “I’d love it too. I have a spare bedroom. You should come up for a few weeks this summer. It’s summer in Ontario and Muskoka is the place to be.”
“One step at a time.” She pulled back and looked into Holly’s eyes. “At least this time I thought to bring my bathing suit.”
Avery said, “Well, that clinches it. You have to stay the day and have dinner with us. The kids would love to have company for dinner.”
“Thank you,” Alison said. “Just a sec.” She put up an index finger and with the other hand pulled out her Blackberry. After punching an endless number of characters with her thumbs, she stopped and proudly pronounced, “There, I’m scot-free for the day. It’s been ages since I’ve seen your children.” As she walked back to the front door she said, “Holly, I’ve got stuff for you in my trunk.”
Together the three women unloaded Alison’s car. She’d brought a new supply of prepared dinners.
Looking at the offerings, Avery said, “Hey, maybe I won’t have to cook tonight.”
Alison shook her head. “Holly tells me that everything you cook tastes better and I’d love to test that out, but if you don’t want to cook, I could whip something up for all of us. We don’t have to deplete Holly’s stash.”
Avery shook her head. “Just kidding. I have something up my sleeve for dinner tonight.” Deliberately, she turned to Holly with a teasing smirk. “What about Stryker? Think he’ll want to have dinner with us tonight and even up the numbers?”
Alison looked at her sister with narrowed eyes. She said, “I take it this, what’s his name, Strider, is the new man in your life?”
Holly corrected her. “Stryker.” She wrinkled her nose at Avery playfully and said, “Yes, I’ve just started seeing him.”
Alison smiled. “Well, then this is a celebration. I’ll go in to town and get us some champagne! Maybe pick up something decadent for dessert too. Just give me directions.”
Holly and Avery laughed at her enthusiasm and Holly said, “We’ll go with you. I’d like to show you a little of Muskoka. I love it. It’s so different than the city, but I fit in here.”
Alison frowned and touched her sister’s arm. “I’m sorry you didn’t feel you fit in at home. Daddy loves you very much.”
“I know and I love him too, we’re just different people. He’s not good at having his plans thwarted.”
Alison laughed deeply. “You can say that again. I’ve never had your courage.”
Surprised at her sister’s response Holly said, “I didn’t realize you ever wanted to take a different path from the one Father laid out for you.”
Tilting her head to the side, with a shrug, she confessed, “It’s a good thing I listened to him. He knew what was best for me and it’s worked out well so far.”
“I always thought it did for both you and Matthew,” Holly said.
Waving a careless hand she said, “Oh, Matt is proving to be a brilliant business man. He’s diversified quite a bit and made some very shrewd moves. He’s gaining a reputation that rivals Daddy’s.”
Shocked Holly said, “I can’t believe it.”
“Yeah, everything he touches turns to gold…no that’s the wrong way to put it. Everything he touches turns green. Our big brother has turned his genius to environmental sustainability. He’s proven that we don’t have to plunder the earth to make a profit.” Alison smiled proudly.
Avery said, “Wow, I wonder what all your father’s oil buddies are saying about that.”
Alison assumed the conspiratorial expression of the small town gossip when she linked arms with Holly and Avery and said, “Well, let me tell you…”
They showed Alison around the charming town of Bracebridge. She seemed impressed with Holly’s home base as she said, “It suits you.”
Holly nodded. “I guess it does.”
“Now tell me about this man you’re seeing.”
Holly slid Avery an exaggerated dark look and said, “Avery has a big mouth.”
“Oh no! I’m so glad she told me! Don’t be mad at her. This is exciting! I can’t wait to meet him.”
Avery and Holly laughed. Avery said, “Don’t worry, she’s not ticked. I’d have to do a hell of a lot more than that to make her mad. She’s dying to talk about him.” She scowled and pointed at her friend. “Don’t you dare deny it.”
Chapter 24
Avery was right. Holly did want to talk about Stryker. Their relationship was so new there wasn’t much to say and of course there were obvious aspects of his character she couldn’t tell her sister, but it felt good to confide in Alison for a change.
After their visit to Bracebridge, the three of them drove back to Avery’s for a swim. Holly’s jaw almost dropped when her sister appeared in a cream colored bathing suit almost the same shade as her skin. At first glance she looked naked, but that impression was dispelled as the sun caught the bead work and sent prisms of light dancing around her.
“Wow, that’s some suit, Alison. Are you sure you want to wear it swimming in our lake. It’s a lake…you know…the kind with fish and weeds?” Avery cautioned.
Alison waved a hand at her. “Who cares? It’s just material.”
Holly scoffed. “Yeah, material made from Marilyn Monroe’s Happy Birthday, Mr. President outfit.”
“That’s it!” Avery said. “I knew there was something familiar about it.”
Alison grinned and struck a pose. “It’s just us girls. I promise not to sing.”
They laughed as they strolled the pathway that led down to the water. It was an easy walk, the earth packed firm by hundreds of trips to the lake and back made it easier for Alison to navigate in her espadrilles.
Alison was the first in the water but she didn’t stay in the lake for long. She dropped her towel over one of the Muskoka chairs on the spacious dock and dove into the lake. She executed a technically perfect front crawl and headed back, using the ladder attached to the dock to pull herself out.
“That was quick,” Avery said.
Alison nodded and looked at Holly. “I don’t have Holly’s skin. Mine burns badly. I keep sun block handy at all times.” And she proceeded to smear her delicate flesh with thick white lotion.
Happy she didn’t have to be so vigilant, Holly dove in the lake. Avery followed. Surfacing mere inches from one another, they exchanged a look. Sound carried over water so they dared not talk about anything they didn’t want Alison to hear, but they had the kind of friendship that often didn’t need words.
Avery’s look told Holly that she was happy Alison was making an effort. They both longed to talk about Stryker’s people and the man himself, but they had to settle for pointed glances shared occasionally throughout the afternoon.
“Yippppeeee!!!”
“Sweet!”
“Mommy! Holly!!”
The kids were home. As usual when they didn’t find their mother in the house, they sought her out. The fact they had found her on the dock with Holly and a beautiful blonde in an invisible bikini just made the scene that much sweeter.
Their childish vo
ices and laughter broke the silence but complemented the scene. The warm summer sunshine and cool lake water welcomed them as if waiting all day for their attention. The day took on a luster that promised to be remembered long after the sun went down.
Avery managed to grab Aaron’s arm before he jumped off the end of the dock.
She said, “Come on, you. We have a guest I’d like you to meet.”
Holly made the introductions and was pleased to see that the little tutorial Avery had given them on firm handshakes and steady eye contact, had taken root. Alison greeted each child sweetly and when Connor stood there in awe, his hand still gripping hers, she laughed and kissed his forehead.
Avery said, “I think you’ve made yet another conquest there, Alison.”
Connor snapped out of it and said, “Ahhh, Mom.” He blushed, turning his tanned cheeks ruddy. “She looks like The Lady of The lake. You know, from my book?”
Avery and Holly looked at Alison speculatively. Holly was the first to respond.
“You’re right, sweetie. She does look like The Lady of the Lake from your King Arthur book.”
Connor smiled. “She even sparkles.” His voice held a sense of awe and all three women smiled. Holly couldn’t help herself. She had to grit her teeth to keep from squeezing him too tightly as she gave him a huge hug.
The words, “Watch me, Alison!” joined the ever ringing, “Watch, Mom!” and “Holly, watch me!” as the kids played on the water trampoline.
Tears welled up in Holly’s eyes. It was an unexpected treat to have her families together and she was grateful for that rare moment.
* * * *
The magic didn’t last into the evening though. Holly was disappointed that Stryker was unable to join them for dinner. She understood of course, figuring that in his position he would have endless responsibilities. Alison tried to make her feel better.
She put a cool hand on Holly’s forearm and said, “Don’t worry. There will be plenty of time for me to meet him.”
“Of course, you’re right.” She pointed at her sister for emphasis and said, “You have to promise to come again soon and stay longer.”
“Yes…please! You just have to!” Connor added his own encouragement. He’d insisted on sitting next to Alison throughout dinner. Periodically, he’d look up at her, his grey eyes shining with wonder. She was good with the kids. Holly felt a little guilty for being surprised, but she had never seen her sister interact with children. Maybe she had more in common with Alison than either of them had ever known.
Gently, Alison smiled at Connor then at Aaron and Jessica.
“Oh you’ll see me again. I promise.” She stroked Connor’s hair and Holly saw him shiver at the contact. He’d always been a sensitive boy.
* * * *
Holly and Alison walked back to Holly’s house after helping Avery and Stephen put the kids to bed. Alison had read to them from Connor’s book about King Arthur. It seemed fitting.
Her night vision kicked in and made Holly even more surefooted than usual. Alison commented on it.
“Wow, you’re pretty familiar with this path, eh?”
“I should be. I take it often enough.”
“It’s so dark though. I can barely see my hand in front of my face.”
“I could walk this path blindfolded,” Holly insisted. There was no way she was prepared to talk to her sister about her enhanced senses.
“Well, you’re sure walking it blindfolded tonight.” She put her hand on Holly’s back and let her lead the way.
In Holly’s kitchen Alison accepted the offer of coffee.
She said, “I’d love a coffee. I have a long drive ahead of me. I don’t want to doze off.”
“You could stay the night if you want.”
Alison shook her head regretfully. “No. After taking today off, I’ve got to get to work early tomorrow, but thank you.”
“Well, you have a standing invitation,” Holly said as she started to make the coffee. While they waited, Holly sat across from her sister at the kitchen table. She felt closer to Alison than she had for many years.
She plucked up the courage and asked. “Do you remember much about our mother?”
Alison looked shocked and took a second before replying.
“I was young when she died, but I have a few vague memories. You know what I mean? She would kiss my boo boos, read bedtime stories and I remember her voice. Low and husky, just like yours.” Her eyes were sad when they met Holly’s.
“Did she have any friends? She had no family left. Surely she had a close girlfriend,” Holly ventured.
Alison laughed without humor. “Not everyone has a best friend like you do, Holly. Friendship like that is rare. I should know.” She nodded to the coffee and said, “I think that may be just about done.”
Holly looked over her shoulder and stood up. She wasn’t ready to drop the subject of their mother yet though and as she poured Alison a cup of coffee she persisted.
“So you don’t remember a single friend of Mom’s?”
Alison said, “I barely remember her, Holly.”
Holly looked disappointed and Alison sighed with what sounded like impatience.
“I recall the name Carrie because Matt had a hard time pronouncing her name and called her, “Care-we”.”
Holly was excited. “What about a last name? Anything else?”
Alison gave Holly’s question some thought. Finally she said, “I remember it was a color. I was coloring and she commented on the fact that I was using my left hand, just like Mom. I think I connected one of the crayons with Mom’s friend Carrie. It made sense at the time.”
Holly stayed silent giving her sister all the time she needed to work it through.
“Black? Brown? White? Green?...No, what was it? How many colors are there?...Blue!!!!” She snapped her fingers and smiled triumphantly. “Carrie Blue. That was her name! Wow, it’s been forever since I thought of her.”
“Was she married?”
“You mean is Blue her married name?”
“Yes.”
Alison said, “I can’t remember ever seeing a man with her or anything, but I guess that’s not a sure thing.”
“That’s great! It’s a place to start. Thanks, Alison.”
“What’s brought on this sudden interest in Mother’s friends?” Alison looked unsure of herself.
Holly answered as honestly as she could. “I have no memories of her. Though vague, at least you have something, and I imagine Matt does too, but I have nothing. All Father will tell me is that I’m very much like her and he loved her beyond reason.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that too.” Alison looked a little uncomfortable.
“You’ve given me the first new information I’ve had in years,” Holly said with enthusiasm.
She frowned. “What can you do with that information?”
“Nothing probably, but if I can find someone who knew her, they might be able to help her take shape for me.”
Alison shook her head. “You should go to Daddy with this.”
“Trust me, Alison, I’ve tried.”
“But if he knew you were going to this much trouble, maybe he’d feel obliged to tell you more.”
Holly rolled her eyes, “We’re talking about the same father right? That is Alan G. Seaton? Our father?”
Alison grinned reluctantly. “Yes, silly. I think he deserves one more chance.”
“That’s fine by me. Feel free to tell him what I’m doing. Tell him if he has anything he’d like to tell me, he has my address.”
“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”
Holly shook her head. “Not harsh, just realistic. I’ve decided not to live under a cloud anymore. I want to know it all. As Helene Seaton’s children, we deserve to know what kind of a woman she was. Don’t you think?”
Visibly reluctant, Alison said, “I guess so, but you don’t have to hurt Daddy’s feelings in the process.”
Surprised, Holly said, “W
hy would it hurt him?”
Alison shrugged. “I don’t know. I just think it should be your father who tells you about your mother, not some stranger.”
“I understand your point of view and you make perfect sense, but my position still stands. Tell him, if he wants to tell me, I’d be happy to listen…and forget all that stuff about him knowing where I live. If he’s prepared to share with me, trust me, I’d make the trip into Toronto.” Even as she said the words, Holly knew she would not hear from her father on the subject.
No further discussion was possible as the phone rang. Holly barely had the receiver against her ear when she heard Avery’s voice.
“Arnie’s been taken to emergency. His mother isn’t sure what’s wrong, but apparently he’d been expecting this new girl to come to the house last night and she never showed. I knew something was wrong when I talked to him this morning. Damn it, I should have taken the time to talk to him then.”
Holly did her best to comfort her friend. “You couldn’t have known. What happened? How’d he end up at the hospital?”
“According to his mother, he grew more and more agitated as the day wore on until this afternoon he had some kind of seizure and was rushed to the hospital.”
“What’s his condition now?”
“He’s in a coma.”
* * * *
“It’s your decision.” Declan said. “You’re the best person to judge whether we should pull out.”
“A lot of help you are,” Stryker said. “What’s the point of having your brother be your fearless leader if he’s not prepared to be fearless and make the tough decisions?”
Declan knew the question was rhetorical. “What you’re doing there is important. It’s the first settlement in Canada, a vast country, sparsely populated, but rich in natural resources, resources that must be preserved if we’re to make any inroads in saving this planet. Canada is key. Your position right now is pivotal.”
Stryker knew everything his brother said was true but it was proving almost impossible for him to rein in his own rage. He’d stood on that cliff and tasted the bloodstalker’s pleasure in the kill. Stryker longed to lash out. He wasn’t so evolved that he didn’t long for revenge. A biblical eye for an eye felt right to him at the moment. The people he’d brought with him to Canada were the most committed people he’d ever known and now they’d lost a child, one of their own. He couldn’t pull out without at least trying to fight back. If they gave up, their enemies would win.
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