Sisters in White

by Melissa Foster

  Join me in making us.

  I love you with every piece of my soul.

  To the island—

  Blake

  Danica wiped her tears and held the letter against her heart. Never before had she felt so cherished. She ached from the comfort of his words and from the fear that if she allowed her parents’ nightmare of a divorce to take over her mind, she might run away from the one man she adored.

  “Are you okay?” Lacy asked.

  Danica had forgotten she was there. She tucked the letter back into the envelope and set it on the counter. She used a tissue to dab the wetness from her eyes, then turned to Lacy with a lump blocking her words. She did the only thing her mind and body could agree on. She reached for Lacy’s hand.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The elevator doors opened and Max stepped off. “Wait here while I make sure the guys aren’t in the lobby.”

  “They wouldn’t dare,” Helen said.

  Danica was still thinking about the card. Blake had swept her off her feet again. He was her knight on the white horse, except he had arrived in a little blue envelope. She looked at her mother, smiling behind Kaylie, positively glowing, and she wondered if her father had ever made the same promises to her. Had he written her a letter? Had he said such intimate, loving things to her?

  She looked at Lacy and thought of Madeline. Her stomach clenched, and she knew she should push the painful thoughts from her mind like she would a rabid animal from her leg, but she was powerless against them. Had her father spent those years when he was hiding his second family telling Madeline the same things he told her mother? The same promises in the dark? Did he sneak away from Madeline and Lacy to call her mother? Was he even there when Lacy was born?

  She dropped her eyes, trying her damnedest to keep the hateful thoughts away, but images and memories swirled like a hurricane in her mind.

  Her mother and father beneath the palm tree.

  Lacy standing alone in the dark, watching them.

  Her mother’s shattered voice on the phone. Daddy and I have separated.

  The girls’ voices seemed far away.

  Kaylie’s anger at her mother for those painful years after the separation and subsequent divorce filled her ears like a balloon. She’s weak. She’s pathetic. She should have left.

  Danica reached for the wall to brace herself against her failing legs.

  She pictured Blake’s face looking down at her while they made love, his eyes never leaving hers. Love so thick between them she could taste it in the air.

  Had her father looked at her mother that way?

  Had her mother believed him?

  Blake was a player.

  Was she missing something? Was it all a farce? Did she have blinders on?

  She gasped a breath.

  No. No, that’s not right.

  Her head spun in circles.

  The elevator was moving beneath her feet. She heard voices calling her name. She clawed at the wall, but she was falling. Falling. Falling. Into the darkness, until everything fell away.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The harsh smell of ammonia shocked Danica’s brain into submission. Her eyes fluttered open, but the lights were too bright, and they slammed closed once again. Just let me sleep.

  “Danica? Babe? Open your eyes, baby. It’s me. Open your eyes.”

  Blake’s voice hovered somewhere above her. She reached for him, but her arms were too heavy. Her arms weren’t moving, were they? Sleep. She needed to sleep.

  “Danica?”

  Who is that? Where’s Blake?

  “Danica?”

  A man’s voice. Where am I? She needed Blake. Blake? She opened her eyes, blinking away the haze and the heaviness that threatened to close them again.

  Blake.

  There he was, right above her. His beautiful green eyes were looking right at her. He looks so sad. She wanted to touch his face. She couldn’t move her hand. This wasn’t real. She must be dreaming. Her eyes fluttered closed again.

  “Danica!”

  There’s that voice again. Who the hell is that? Leave me alone.

  Someone squeezed her hand. She felt it. She wasn’t sleeping. What is wrong with me? She opened her eyes again and blinked. Stay awake!

  “That’s my girl.”

  Blake? Where are you? His head came into view. There. Right there. There you are.

  Blake’s head moved out of view and someone else’s came into focus. Chaz? No, that’s not Chaz.

  “Danica? It’s Weston. Dr. Crew, Chaz’s brother.”

  Weston. Weston? Oh, right, Weston. She nodded. She was sure she did because a pain pinched in the back of her head.

  “You passed out in the elevator and hit your head. Can you hear me?” he asked.

  Danica blinked. I need to speak. She forced her mouth to work. “Yes.”

  “Okay, good.”

  She tried to push herself up.

  He gently held her down. “Not just yet. You need to rest a bit. You hit your head pretty hard. Can you tell me where you are?”

  Danica squinted, thinking. “Hotel,” she said.

  “Yes, good. Do you know what year it is?”

  “Two thousand thirteen. My wedding day.”

  “I think she’s okay,” he said, obviously not to her.

  Blake’s face came into view again. He took her hand and held it against his cheek as he leaned over her. “Sweet girl. You scared me to death. You’re okay?”

  Danica nodded, wincing at the pain.

  “Don’t move. Just rest.”

  “Our wedding?” she managed.

  “It’s fine. The wedding can wait.”

  Everything came rushing back—her mother and father, Lacy, the elevator. “Where’s Kaylie?”

  “She’s in Scarlet’s office. She’s fine. Don’t worry. Lacy’s with her.”

  Lacy? Lacy! Oh God, I have to get her away from Kaylie. “No, no. I have to get up. It’s her wedding too.” She blinked the last of the confusion away and pushed herself up, wincing again but pushing through it. The room spun and she closed her eyes until the sensation passed.

  “You really need to rest for a bit,” Weston said.

  “I have plenty of time to rest. I need to talk to Kaylie. And Lacy,” she added.

  “I’ll get them,” Blake said.

  Weston held her shoulders as she wobbled from side to side. She sat on what felt like a massage table, but it couldn’t be. The office was lined with bookshelves, and there was a big wooden desk. Something was off. She was in an office with a massage table?

  “Danica, no sudden movements. You might have a concussion. You really knocked your noggin pretty hard.”

  She looked around again. “Where are we?”

  “Treat’s office.”

  “With a massage table?” she asked. She touched her dress, gathered and bunched around her middle.

  “I guess when you own the place, the masseuse comes to you.” He smiled, warm and friendly.

  “Danica?”

  Kaylie.

  There she was, her little Wedding Barbie sister. Kaylie took a step forward, and Lacy came into view. A push of adrenaline soared through Danica. She gripped the edges of the table, searching Kaylie’s eyes for some sort of indication that Lacy had revealed their parents’ infidelity.

  Kaylie hugged her tight. “I was so worried. What happened? Why did you pass out?”

  Because of all the crazy shit in our family. “Lacy didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?” Kaylie turned to Lacy, who shook her head.

  Thank goodness. “I...I’m just exhausted, that’s all. I didn’t sleep last night, and I guess sleeping during our spa visit wasn’t enough. I’m so sorry.”

  “No, no, don’t apologize,” Kaylie said. “I was afraid something was really wrong. I was so scared.”

  Danica took her hand, feeling more like herself but with the added benefit of a raging headache. “Everything’s fine, and I’m sorry I ruine
d...How long have I been out?”

  “Not long—less than a minute or something like that,” Kaylie answered.

  “Wow, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Maybe we should delay the wedding. Those reports of a storm are still coming in.”

  She remembered Blake’s letter. “No. I’m doing this today. We’re doing this today. I’m fine.”

  Weston stepped forward. “Danica, I don’t think—”

  “I’m fine, really. I have a killer headache, but other than that, I’m really fine. Can’t you just give me Tylenol or something?”

  “Yes, of course. Blake, can you watch her closely for the next few hours? As long as she’s awake and functioning, not having areas of weakness or numbness, she should be okay,” Weston said.

  “It’s our wedding night. I’ll be sure to keep her up,” Blake teased.

  The door opened and her mother flew into the room. Danica’s heart stalled.

  “You’re okay. Thank goodness. What happened? Are you pregnant?” her mother asked.

  “What did I hear about pregnant?” Blake asked.

  “I’m not pregnant. At least not that I know of. I’m on the pill. I’m sure it’s not that, Mom. I’m just exhausted.” Danica’s eyes drifted from Blake to Lacy and held a silent plea for her to keep the parental issues out of the room.

  “Since you’ve already seen me, can we go over on the boat together?” Danica managed a smile.

  “You can bet I’m not leaving your side. But are you sure you’re okay to go on a boat? All that movement might make you sick. I’m sure Treat can arrange to hold the ceremony here on the beach.”

  Blake held her hand so tight that it gave her strength. “No. This is Kaylie’s dream, and we’re gonna make it come true. I’ll be fine. I just need a minute to pull myself together. My hair must be a mess.”

  “Not a hair out of place,” Blake said. He touched her dress. “And your dress looks gorgeous.”

  “You’re lying, but I love you for it.”

  A half hour later, the Tylenol had taken the edge off the headache, and Danica felt much better. They crossed the lobby again toward the entrance, a pack of formally dressed people all watching Danica like she was a porcelain doll.

  “Something blue!” Chelsea yelled. She turned frantically to Camille. “Where are the garters? Did anyone bring them? Oh God, they’ll have nothing blue!”

  “The garters?” Max asked; then her eyes grew wide. “Oh! I know where they are! I’ll go get them.”

  “Need me to come along?” Chelsea asked.

  “No, they’re just in Treat’s office. I’ll grab them.” Max hurried toward his office.

  “I completely forgot. Let’s see,” Kaylie said, looking down at her dress. “Something borrowed?” She held up her wrist and then grabbed Danica’s and held it up, too. “Camille’s bracelets. Check. Something new?”

  “Wedding gowns!” Danica said, mimicking Chelsea’s excitement. “And we look awesome, I might add.”

  “Prettiest brides around!” Kaylie said with a grin.

  “Something old?” Chelsea asked.

  They both lifted their gowns, showing the heels they’d owned for years.

  Max came around the corner waving the garters above her head. “I’ve got them,” she called out.

  Danica caught sight of Treat heading down another corridor toward them. Dressed in another handsome suit, his white shirt contrasted sharply against his olive skin. His eyes scanned the group as he approached, landing on Max.

  Max lowered her hand and stopped in her tracks.

  “What’s that all about?” Kaylie whispered.

  Danica shook her head, although her instincts told her that they were witnessing chemistry too hot to touch.

  “Well, come on now,” Chelsea said, taking the garters from Max’s hand.

  “Max.” Treat’s voice was husky, with a cool edge that confused Danica. Maybe she’d misinterpreted their attraction.

  Max fumbled with her day planner. Her fingers moved up and down the page. “I think we’re all set. Thank you for everything,” she said in a nervous voice.

  He nodded, holding her gaze a breath too long. Throwing Danica off once again.

  Danica broke the odd interaction that held all of the wedding parties’ eyes captive. “So, we’re off to the island.”

  “There have never been two more beautiful brides. I never believed that brides really passed out before the wedding,” Treat teased. “You’ve proven me wrong.”

  He threw an arm over Blake’s shoulder. “I have to catch a plane. I’m really sorry to miss the ceremony, but you know I love you.”

  He spoke so openly about his feelings, it took Danica by surprise.

  “We appreciate everything you’ve done, Treat,” Blake said.

  “Family, man. Listen, there are murmurs of rain heading our way by nightfall. You should have a few hours before it hits.” He checked his watch. “You should be fine. I have to run, but Blake”—Treat put a hand on his cousin’s shoulder—“let’s make sure we see each other more often. Family should never go this long without connecting.”

  Family.

  Connecting.

  Mom and Dad. Oh no.

  “Dane had to leave early this morning, but he wanted me to give you his best and...” He scanned the group, then walked over to Lacy. “Lacy, he asked that I tell you he’s sorry that he missed you.”

  Lacy cringed with embarrassment. “That’s okay. We didn’t have any plans or anything.”

  The right side of Treat’s lips lifted into a coy smile. “He wanted you to know.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  If one more person blushed, Danica thought she might just scream. There were enough hormones circling that she worried they’d all get pregnant by osmosis. Thinking of hormones brought her mind to Michelle and the other teenagers, whom she hadn’t seen since dinner the evening before.

  “Does anyone know where Michelle and the others are?” she asked.

  “Yeah, they took the kids to the beach to run around,” Chaz said.

  “The beach? They’ll get all sandy and wet in their nice clothes,” Kaylie said with a glare.

  “They were getting antsy.”

  Danica put a hand on her sister’s arm. “Whatever happens, happens, remember? It’s all okay.”

  Kaylie drew in a deep breath, pushing her hands out in front of her as she blew it out. “Right. It’s fine.”

  Danica and Kaylie stood on the ramp, in awe of the two awaiting yachts. Pink, white, and gold streamers blew from their tethers at the rear of each one.

  “Wow,” Kaylie said.

  “Wow is right. Treat must be überrich.” Danica reached for Kaylie’s hand. “Can you believe this didn’t cost us a penny?”

  “No. I still can’t believe he’s the same guy I saw at that party.”

  “We don’t need two boats,” Danica said.

  “He said he arranged for the smaller one last night so we and our grooms could go over separately and a little while apart. He totally understood about us not seeing the grooms before the wedding. Why don’t we still use it, just the four of us?”

  Hand in hand, they took one last, long look at each other, smiled until their cheeks ached, and then looked over their shoulders at their family and friends. Then they each cupped their hands, held them in the air, and twisted them at the wrist like the Queen of England.

  The people on the beach turned to watch. Danica watched them clap and whistle. She swallowed past a lump in her throat. They’re doing that for us. She reached for Kaylie’s hand as children they didn’t know ran toward the two beautiful brides in their long white gowns and parents struggled to catch up across the warm, deep sand.

  The wind picked up and blew their trains around their feet. Danica and Kaylie scrambled to bundle their dresses. Chaz and Blake came to their aid as the onlookers hooted and hollered, cheering them on when the dresses were finally under control.

  “I feel lik
e a princess,” Kaylie said.

  “Forget princess. I feel like a queen.”

  “Queen? Wait, I want to be the queen,” Kaylie complained.

  Danica rolled her eyes. “Fine, we’ll both be queens!”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The wind picked up halfway to the private island. The boat rocked as it cut through the increasing swells.

  “Should we worry?” Danica asked.

  “No. They wouldn’t take us if they were worried,” Kaylie answered.

  They went belowdecks to preserve their carefully coiffed hairstyles.

  “Ladies, I’m Bradford, and I’ll be your host this afternoon. What may I offer you on your beautiful wedding day?” Complete with a white napkin layered over his arm, black slacks, and a traditional white button-down shirt, the mild-mannered fortysomething attendant was every bit the gentleman.

  “Thank you,” Kaylie said, bringing her hand to her heart.

  Danica could tell she wanted to jump up and down and yell, Oh my God! We have an attendant!

  “Might I interest you and your fine men in champagne?” he asked.

  “Oh yes, thank you.” Kaylie arched a brow and mouthed, Wow!

  Danica grinned at her excited sister. Her passing out episode completely forgotten, she went to the steps to retrieve Blake and Chaz.

  “Oh no, madam. I will request them.” Bradford opened a cabinet, picked up something that resembled a large telephone receiver, and spoke into it. Two minutes later Blake and Chaz descended the stairs.

  Kaylie grabbed Danica’s hand and dragged her behind the cover of the men. “OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod!” she said, and before Danica knew what was happening, she was doing a little dance alongside her sister, like two foolish teenagers. They emerged a minute later, completely composed, and Danica couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt so carefree. Thank you, Kaylie.

  “A toast,” Blake said, holding up his champagne. “To a world of happiness.”

  They clinked glasses and drank their champagne.

  “This really is a dream come true, Blake. I feel badly that neither Treat nor Dane was able to stay.” Danica kissed him, then closed her eyes to soak in the moment.