Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel)

by Ruth Roberts

  Jessica complied, took two drinks of her soda and set it aside. “I’m done.” She promptly began bouncing up and down again. Diana and Liz shared a smile and rolled their eyes.

  “Are you sure each of us staying in our own place is going to work?” Liz asked.

  “You said yourself you don’t have anything going on for the next week, so you can keep Jessica. The following week when you have to start rehearsing for the fashion show I will adjust my schedule to yours. After that I won’t be working anymore since I’m giving the firm my two weeks’ notice tomorrow. So you see, we have it all planned out.” Diana did not want to stay in Liz’s place, and there was no way Liz would stay with her.

  “If you say so.”

  “I do. Here, try some of this, it’s delicious.” Diana held out her fruit and yogurt parfait to Liz, hoping she would take it, disappointed when she just shook her head and turned away. In the last few days Liz had hardly eaten. It could be the stress and trauma of losing their parents, but from the look of her, this had become an ongoing problem. Against her will, Diana was beginning to worry about her. Maybe moving back the Magnolia Falls was exactly what all the Mathison sisters needed.

  ***

  After refusing the food Diana offered Liz closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. Diana was always eating. It was disgusting. How could a person eat that much food? She felt like she’d eaten a whole cow since being back in Magnolia Falls. She would have to go on a serious diet when she got home to get ready for the fashion show. This could be her last appearance for a while so she needed to look her best.

  Considering she would soon be burying herself in Magnolia Falls she wanted to go out with a bang. Thanks to her parents, this could be her last job ever. She should be angry at them. She even tried to be, but a part of her was grateful. She had been quickly reaching the point where a decision needed to be made, about Steve, about her career, and her life. Somewhere along the way she had lost herself. Maybe going home to stay was the answer.

  A cold wetness landed in her lap, pulling her out of her reverie. Her eyes snapped open to find Jessica had spilled her drink all over her lap.

  “Jessica. I told you if you didn’t sit still you were going to spill your drink. Now Liz is all wet,” Diana scolded.

  “I’m sorry.” Jessica’s little face crumpled, and she started crying. “I didn’t mean to.”

  “It’s okay, squirt. They are just an old pair of pants, and I happen to have another pair in my bag. I’m a model. I never leave home without a change of clothes.” Liz winked at her little sister, picked up the bag, and went to the nearest bathroom to change.

  ***

  After getting Jessica settled in at Liz’s loft, Diana went to her own, small apartment. She looked around the old, dingy place. There were stains on the ceiling where it had leaked. The brown carpet was starting to fray. She had moved in there straight out of law school because it was all she could afford. She’d wanted to be independent and did not accept money from her father. For the last few years she had made enough money to move into something better, but never had the time to look because she was always working. She would not miss the eighty-hour work weeks.

  Setting her luggage down in her room, she decided there was no time like the present to start sorting what she would take with her and what would stay behind. While she did, she thought about Liz. As much as she disliked her they were family, they were all the family each had left. Eating disorders were the norm for models, but many of them died. Once they were back in Magnolia Falls she would have to take steps to get Liz some help. If she had to use Jessica as a guilt tool she would. After what they had been through the last week, Jessica did not need to lose anyone else she was close to.

  ***

  Diana rushed out of her office at five-thirty the next day. It had been a grueling day, the senior partners tried everything to get her to stay. Finally, they had accepted her decision, but they weren’t happy about it. They’d gone so far as to hint strongly she would be making partner soon. That’s what she had been working so hard for, the offer was tempting, but her little sister was more important. Her parents’ will left little room to make her own choices. That still irked her, but she would not be mad at them. They loved all their girls. The choices they made were what they felt was best for them.

  Diana stepped into the elevator and punched in the code Liz had given her the night before to get into the loft. When the doors opened Diana heard Jessica’s laughter coming from the living room and smiled. That was a wonderful sound, one she vowed to hear more often. She could never replace their mother, but she would love and care for Jessica as if she were her own child.

  “You guys are having way too much fun without me,” she said before she saw the man flying Jessica around like an airplane.

  Jessica looked up at her with a wide grin on her face. “Look, Diana. I’m a 747.”

  ‘‘I see that.” She smiled back at her baby sister as she sat down next to Liz on the black leather sofa. “Who’s the launch pad?” She asked. How was it that Liz could even manage to look good in baggy sweats and a t-shirt with her hair pulled up in a ponytail? Diana felt overdressed in her navy pinstripe pantsuit. You’d think she would be used to Liz after all these years, but she still felt like the ugly duckling when around her.

  “That’s my boyfriend, Steve Barnes. He was in Chicago for a gallery show and just got home a few hours ago. He’s an artist.”

  “Really. Is any of this his work?” Diana gestured to the paintings on the walls. She’d noticed them the day before because they didn’t fit with the rest of the decor. She loved Liz’s loft with its walls of windows, the mixture of black leather and plush, purple velvet chaise and armchairs. The white shag rug and rich cherry tables. Ordinarily those furnishings wouldn’t go together, but Liz had made it all work, as much as Diana hated to admit it. The art paintings, on the other hand, were hideous.

  “Yeah, that’s all Steve’s. Aren’t they great?”

  “Umm, yeah. So, what did your agent say when you talked to him today?” Diana hurried to change the subject.

  “It wasn’t good. For one, he got the date of the fashion show wrong. It’s at the end of next week and rehearsals start this week. Second, he’s lined up so much work for me I’m booked solid for the next six months. I promise, Diana, when I called him two days ago I told him to start clearing my schedule. Instead he’s been adding to it.” Liz looked genuinely contrite.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m meeting with him tomorrow after rehearsal. I’ll make sure he understands the situation.” Liz picked up a glass of water from the table and sipped. She poured another one and set it in front of Diana.

  “Okay. What do we do with Jessica tomorrow while I’m at work and you are at rehearsal?” Diana picked up the glass and took a drink.

  “I can watch her,” Steve chimed in, now that Jessica had finally come in for a landing. He sat on the other side of Liz. Jessica ran to Diana and threw her arms around her neck in greeting, almost upending the glass in her hand. “Oh yes, can he please? Uncle Steve is a lot of fun.”

  Diana smoothed back the hair on Jessica’s head. “Uncle Steve just got back from a long, business trip. We need to let him get his rest.” To Steve she said, “Thank you for the offer, but we wouldn’t want to impose. Besides, with everything we’ve been through it would be best if Jessica were with either Liz or me for now.”

  “I understand. I’m very sorry for your loss. Your parents were wonderful people. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to their funeral, this show was planned months ago and could not be changed.”

  “When did you meet my parents?” Diana wondered what her father had thought of Steve.

  “A few months back when they came out to visit, we all went to dinner. I think you had to work that night.” He put his arm across the sofa behind Liz and leaned in closer to her.

  “Probably, too bad I missed it.” There was something about him she did not like at
all. He reminded her of a used car salesman. Pretty on the outside, sleazy on the inside.

  “Funny that we hadn’t met before now, you being Liz’s sister and living in the same city.”

  “That’s the life of an attorney, all work and no play.”

  “I wouldn’t think that having dinner with your own sister once in a while would be considered play.”

  Whoa, who did this guy think he was? With his shoulder-length brown hair, pearly white smile, and piercing brown eyes, he gave Diana a bad feeling. Something in her parents’ letter clicked. Maybe they wanted Liz in Magnolia Falls to get her away from Steve and all the men just like him in the City. Men who wanted nothing more than a pretty girl on their arm who could provide their next meal ticket.

  “What time is your rehearsal tomorrow, Liz?” she asked, ignoring Steve’s comment.

  “Eight in the morning.’’ Liz looked at her, sheepishly. It seemed as if she were embarrassed by Steve’s comments.

  ‘‘I’ll take Jessica with me tonight and work from home tomorrow.” Standing up she took Jessica’s hand, “show me where your stuff is so we can pack up and go to my place.”

  “Does your house have a swimming pool on the roof?” Jessica asked.

  “No, honey, it doesn’t. But the best ice cream in the City is right around the corner. We can stop there on the way home,” Diana said as Jessica led them to Liz’s room.

  “Yay. I love ice cream.”

  “I know.”

  When they were packed and ready to go Liz walked them to the door. Thankfully, Steve was nowhere to be seen.

  “How about we go shopping this weekend, just the three of us, to find you two some dresses for the fashion show. I’d love it if you were both there.”

  “Can we go Diana, please?” Jessica pleaded.

  Diana looked down at Jessica’s adorable face and knew she couldn’t deny her anything right now. Later, she would learn to put her foot down, but there was time for that.

  “Sure. It sounds like fun. Thanks for inviting us.”

  “Of course I want my sisters there.”

  Diana smiled and pressed the button for the elevator door. Before they could step in Liz put a hand on Diana’s arm. “About what Steve said earlier, he didn’t mean to sound rude, he’s just very protective of me.”

  “Don’t worry about it. He’s right. I should have been a better sister.”

  “That makes two of us. I’m sorry for all the things I did when we were kids. I wish I could take it all back and have my sister instead.”

  Touched by her sincerity Diana pulled Liz into her arms and hugged her: “Let’s start over,” she said softly. “Not just for Jessica, but for us, too. I really need my sister now.”

  “Me, too.” They pulled apart and both wiped tears from their eyes.

  “Are we going? I’m getting hungry,” Jessica said. Diana and Liz laughed.

  “Okay, Okay. Let’s go before you starve.”

  “Don’t forget you promised ice cream.”

  “After dinner,” Diana said. She rolled her eyes and shared a smile with Liz as the door closed.

  ***

  As soon as they were gone, Liz stomped into the bedroom she shared with Steve. “What the hell was that all about?” She shouted at him.

  He flicked a look at her and went back to hanging up his clothes. “What are you talking about, Liz?”

  “You attacking my sister for no reason. She didn’t like it, and neither did I.”

  With deliberate slowness he put down his pants and turned to her. They were now eye to eye, her five-foot-eleven height slightly towering over his five-foot-ten stature.

  “I don’t give a damn what ‘Princess Diana’ likes or doesn’t like. As for you, you should be grateful to me for defending you. Or maybe now that you have your sister back in your life you don’t need me anymore. Perhaps it would be best if I pack my things and leave now.”

  “No, don’t do that.’’ She threw herself at him. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I was ungrateful.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. “You know I’m the only one who looks out for you, and I will never let anyone hurt you.”

  “I know, baby. You’re the only one I can count on”

  “That’s right, Lizzie. Don’t forget it.’’ He continued to stroke her hair.

  While he was gone Liz felt strong, as if she didn’t need him anymore. The moment he returned her strength crumbled, and she felt as if she couldn’t survive without him. She didn’t like the control he exerted over her, yet she didn’t know how to break it.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Diana and Jessica donned their new dresses. Liz had excellent taste and had chosen the perfect dresses for them. Jessica looked adorable in her light pink, satin dress, with a layer of sparkly organza over it, peppered with deep pink, silk flowers and her matching hot pink shoes. Diana had managed to style her hair with little pink flowers in it. She looked like a princess.

  Diana’s dress was long, black silk that hugged her curves nicely. Strands of what Diana hoped were rhinestones, but she had a sinking feeling were diamonds, crisscrossed from the top of the bodice, over her shoulders to drape down her back like a necklace. The back itself dipped below her waist. She felt exposed, but Liz had insisted it was perfect. On her feet she wore silver strappy sandals she had borrowed from Liz. The sparkle on these were definitely diamonds, no doubt about it.

  Jessica twirled one last time as she looked in Diana’s full-length mirror. “We look like princesses,” Jessica said.

  “Yes we do.” Diana was stunned. She actually looked pretty. Liz insisted on taking Diana to her own stylist to do her hair and makeup. If only Diana knew she could buy beauty she would have used some of her hard-earned money to do so a long time ago.

  A knock sounded at her door. “That’s our ride. You ready, squirt?”

  “Yes.” Jessica jumped. She had been doing that since putting on her new shoes, ‘to test them out,’ she said.

  Diana picked up her black clutch with one hand and held Jessica’s hand with the other. “Let’s do this,” she said.

  Liz had sent a silver limousine to pick them up. The driver held the car door open for them. Diana had been in a limo before, but the plush seats in this one swallowed her. There was a bar with crystal champagne flutes, a bottle of champagne, and another of sparkling cider were chilled for them.

  “Wow, this is a palace car,” Jessica said. Her eyes were wide with wonder.

  “It’s Cinderella’s carriage, but the horses are under the hood.”

  Jessica chuckled. “There’s an engine under the hood, silly, not horses.”

  “Silly me.” Diana tweaked her nose. “Want a glass of cider?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Diana poured them each a glass. Their drive through the streets of New York was slow. Jessica looked out the window, a look of wonder on her face, as they drove through Times Square. The giant screens on the sides of the buildings lit up the night, making it bright as day. Jessica pointed to one of the screens.

  “There’s The Lion King,” said Jessica. “Can we go see it? Please?”

  “Sure we can. I’ll check the schedule and get us tickets.”

  “For Liz, too?”

  “Yes, for all three of us.”

  Satisfied, Jessica nodded and continued watching the lights as they drove by.

  Before they knew it they were pulling up to their destination. The driver opened the door, and there was a red carpet at their feet. Ropes held back the photographers and reporters. Cameras flashed. Jessica moved closer to Diana and tightened her grip on her hand as they walked up the carpet. It was the longest carpet Diana had ever walked down. She didn’t know how Liz could stand the cameras flashing at her all the time.

  Once inside, an usher took their tickets and led them up to the second row on the right side of the runway. Excellent seats. Liz had outdone herself. Diana felt as wide-eyed as Jessica as they took in the glamorous peop
le. The women in Versace® and Louis Vuitton®, their jewelry flashing. The men were all in tuxedos.

  The stage and runway were set up to look like a Paris street, complete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower in the background. When the lights went on, it looked like Paris at night, with the city lights shining brightly. The music started, and the show began. Each outfit was more outrageous than the last. Jessica and Diana couldn’t help laughing quietly at some of them.

  When it was Liz’s turn they watched in awe. She stopped at the end of the runway to make her quick pose, looked in their direction, and winked.

  “That’s my sister,” Jessica said, softly.

  The man sitting next to her must have heard because he looked at her and asked, “Liz Mathison is your sister?”

  Jessica nodded without taking her eyes off Liz walking back down the runway.

  Once Liz had gone backstage Diana looked over at the man who had spoken to Jessica. He looked handsome and powerful. Fiftyish, with dark hair graying at the temples. He was the type of man Diana’s firm represented, so he did not intimidate her. “Yes, she is our sister.” Diana confirmed.

  His gray eyes darted from her to Jessica. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stare. I’m trying to see the resemblance.”

  Diana had to try hard not to roll her eyes at his rudeness. “I get that a lot.” She turned and continued watching the show. That was one huge reason she hated anyone knowing she was the sister of the beautiful Liz Mathison. People couldn’t help comparing them, and she always came up lacking.

  When the show was over, an usher came to escort Diana and Jessica backstage. The handsome stranger tried speaking to them again. “When are you going to start modeling, little beauty?” He asked Jessica.

  Jessica shrugged and looked at Diana. “She won’t be. If you will excuse us, our sister is waiting.”

  “Of course.” He stepped aside to let them pass.

  Diana did not like the look of that man. Yet another person in Liz’s sphere that gave her a bad feeling. Hopefully, their paths would never cross again, whoever he was.