Three Sisters

by Susan Mallery

  They finished the meal and put away leftovers. The girls quickly cleared the table, and Deanna loaded the dishwasher.

  “Maybe we can have Chinese for breakfast,” Audrey joked.

  Deanna laughed. “I think that would be very interesting.”

  The five of them walked into the family room. Madison stood by the stairs.

  “I want to go up to my room,” she announced.

  “That’s fine,” Deanna said, and sat on the sofa.

  Lucy reached for the TV remote and turned on the television. It was already set on the local PBS station.

  “Tonight we’ll learn how trash makes its way from your kitchen container to landfills across America.”

  Savannah and Sydney exchanged a look but didn’t say anything. Audrey sighed. Lucy took a seat without saying anything.

  Because there were rules, Deanna thought. Only PBS on weeknights. And only for an hour. Then the girls had to play games or read before bed. Movies and commercial television were a weekend treat.

  Observe, she told herself. No judgments. Not even of herself. Because she’d established the rules with the best of intentions. Although at that moment, they seemed dictatorial and harsh.

  Impulsively, she picked up the remote. “I’m not in the mood to see how trash gets into landfills,” she said. “What else is on?”

  She activated the guide and scrolled through the channels. One of the stations was having a Family Ties marathon.

  “My aunt loved this show,” she said, turning to the channel. “I used to watch it when I was growing up.”

  “What’s it about?” Sydney asked, sitting next to her on the sofa.

  “A family with two girls and a boy. The parents used to be hippies.”

  “What’s a hippie?” Savannah asked, sitting on Deanna’s other side.

  “That’s kind of hard to explain. Let’s watch the show and you can see if it makes sense to you.”

  The familiar theme began and Alex P. Keaton walked into the family kitchen. Within a couple of minutes, all four girls were laughing. Lucy and Audrey had joined the twins on the sofa. By the end of the episode, Sydney and Savannah were snuggled next to her and the two older girls had inched closer.

  Deanna had a thousand things she needed to be doing. Email and bills and a few lists. But instead of excusing herself, she stayed where she was—surrounded by her girls. Tears threatened, but she fought them back. Crying now would be too hard to explain.

  This had been a good night, she realized. No fights, no orders, no “you have to.” Just an evening enjoying time with her children. And for once, them enjoying time with her.

  * * *

  Wade’s truck wasn’t in front of her house when Andi arrived home from work, but she didn’t think anything of that. He would show up later, or see her tomorrow. They didn’t go more than two days without him bringing her up-to-date on what was happening with the house. But when she stepped inside, she found Zeke walking around with a clipboard.

  “Hey, Andi,” he said. “How’s it going?”

  Except for socially, she hadn’t seen Zeke since before the job began. “I’m good. What’s up?”

  “Nothing. I thought I’d show you what we’ve accomplished today.”

  Andi shook her head. “I don’t understand. Where’s Wade?”

  Zeke glanced down at his notes. “He’s, uh, at another job.” He mumbled something else that she couldn’t hear, but it didn’t matter what.

  “No way,” she said, glaring at Zeke. “You are not telling me that he didn’t have the balls to show up.”

  Zeke winced. “Kind of. Look, Andi, I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but I want you to know that I’m going to make sure you’re happy with the work we do.”

  “Uh-huh.” She squeezed her car keys in her hand. “Where is he?”

  “Wade?”

  “Yes. Give me an address. We’re going to have this out today.”

  Zeke only hesitated a second, then wrote down an address and handed it to her.

  “Smart man,” she said as she walked out.

  “Don’t hurt him,” Zeke called after her.

  “I’m not promising anything.”

  * * *

  Andi found the address easily. Wade’s truck was parked in front of a two-story apartment building. From the number of other vehicles in the driveway, she would guess the building was undergoing a major renovation. Nice to know she could find him easily if she decided she needed to attack him with a fork.

  She followed the sound of demolition and found him talking to a couple of his guys. When he saw her, he excused himself and walked over.

  Neither of them spoke as he led her out of the lobby and around the side of the building. She ignored the sight of his butt or anything else she might find appealing and instead focused on the fact that he’d chosen to disappear rather than face her. Shades of Matt all over again.

  “Really?” she asked when he turned to her. “Really? You didn’t show up? That was your solution? Not a conversation? Even an email? On Sex and the City Berger at least broke up with a Post-it.”

  “Who?”

  “Never mind.” She poked him in his very impressive chest. “So it’s over?”

  “I don’t know,” he admitted.

  “You decided we weren’t going anywhere,” she told him. “That’s what happened. But instead of delivering the message yourself, you let your daughter tell me. That’s pretty crappy.”

  She held on to her anger because feeling anything else would mean crying, and he didn’t deserve to know she cared enough to cry.

  “Now you’re disappearing. I never thought you were that guy. I guess I was wrong.”

  “I’m not the one sleeping with a handsome blue-collar guy. How convenient for you that I also do remodeling. Sort of a two-for.”

  Andi took a step back. “You heard.”

  Wade’s gaze turned icy. “Every word. And you didn’t disagree.”

  Andi flushed. “I’m sorry that upset you. But I wasn’t going to go into detail about us with my mother.”

  He shook his head. “Yeah, why would you tell your family? I’m not the one who decided this wasn’t going anywhere, Andi. That was you.”

  “No. That’s not what I meant. I didn’t want to say more because my mother has a way of twisting things around. If you heard that, then you heard her defending the guy who left me standing at the altar. She’s not someone I trust with anything that matters to me.” She touched his arm. “Is that what this has been about?”

  He pulled free. “I get it. You’re having your fun while you get settled in town. Now you’re pissed because I’m ending things before you’re ready.”

  “You’re not listening, Wade. What I said or didn’t say to my mother has nothing to do with how I feel about us. I like you a lot. I want us to be together. Because of Matt I’m a little stressed about you holding back, but I’m working on that. Don’t end things because of my mother. You have to believe me.”

  His dark gaze was unforgiving. “No, I don’t.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Carrie’s mother didn’t like what I did, either. She wanted more than this life here. Than the island. She was always pushing me to be more. Well, I like what I do and I like who I am. I don’t want to be different.”

  “I’m not asking you to change.”

  “You’d be happier with someone more like you,” he said flatly. “And I’d prefer som
eone I could trust.”

  She felt that slap and took a step back. “So that’s it? We’re done?”

  “I am.”

  She turned to walk away, then spun back. “You’re wrong about me, Wade. And you’re letting pride get in the way of something that could have been great.”

  “A chance I’m willing to take.”

  She wanted to tell him that he was letting his past define him, just as she let what had happened with Matt make her a little crazy. She wanted to point out that Carrie liked her and didn’t every parent want his kid to marry a doctor? But what was the point? He’d already made up his mind. And she vowed that as long as she lived, she would never again beg a man to love her.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  DEANNA ALWAYS CONSIDERED Crock-Pot cooking a form of cheating. As if by not doing all the work, it didn’t count. But she was trying to change, and as Darrelyn had pointed out, some rules existed simply because they’d never been questioned. Her assignment this week was to test one rule a day. On Friday, Deanna decided it was time to challenge her relationship with her Crock-Pot.

  Colin had texted that he would be home at four. She picked up the girls from their various camps and returned to the house a few minutes after. His car was already in the driveway.

  “Daddy’s here, Daddy’s here,” the twins shouted. They barely waited for the minivan to come to a stop before scrambling out. Audrey and Lucy quickly followed. Madison was going home with Carrie and wouldn’t be back until the morning.

  Deanna got out more slowly, both anxious to see Colin and terrified that this would be the day he announced he was leaving. She went inside, careful to avoid him. Something she’d gotten good at. A few weeks ago, she’d done it because she was trying to show him she didn’t care. Now it was because she did. More than she’d realized. Only she didn’t know how to tell him...mostly because she was pretty sure it would be too little too late.

  She checked on the pot roast, then collected berries she’d bought at the stand by the bridge. She would use them to make dessert.

  She’d just finished rinsing the strawberries when Colin walked into the kitchen.

  “Hello, Deanna.”

  She braced herself, then turned and smiled at him. “Hi. It’s nice to have you back.”

  He studied her as he moved toward her, then leaned against the counter, his arms crossed in front of his chest. “You’re using the Crock-Pot.”

  “Pot roast. It’s cool and rainy, which seemed like Crock-Pot weather.”

  “You hate the Crock-Pot.”

  “We’ve had a troubled relationship until now, but we talked it out and I think we’re going to be able to stay friends.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Interesting.”

  “We agreed we’d been quick to make judgments about each other. The pot roast is going to be a test. I can report back on things tomorrow, if you’d like.”

  “Sure. How was your week?”

  “Good. Yours?”

  “Successful.”

  She waited. This was the point where he usually walked away. They didn’t talk anymore. They hadn’t talked in weeks. Before that they’d fought and before that...well, it hadn’t been good.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked. “You seem different.”

  “I’m fine. I’ve been busy with the girls. I’ve been thinking about what you said, about us needing more income, so I’ve been polishing my résumé. I took an online class. It was free, but helpful.”

  His blue eyes flashed with surprise. “You really like working at the craft store.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t pay much. I need to take on more financial responsibilities. Besides, the twins will be in first grade, so they’ll be gone all day. I should be working more. You’re right, you’re gone too much. The girls need you here.”

  I need you here.

  The words lodged in her throat and her heart. The truth of them nearly drove her to her knees. She missed Colin. Not the cold stranger she’d created, but the man he’d been before. He’d adored her and she had loved him and they’d been happy. Why had she wanted that to change?

  She cleared her throat. “I’m, uh, seeing someone.”

  He stiffened. His arms dropped to his sides as his mouth straightened. “Who is he?”

  She frowned. “What are you— Oh, no. I’m—” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure they were alone, then lowered her voice. “I meant I’ve started seeing a therapist. About the hand-washing and the other stuff you and I talked about. She’s very helpful. I’m making progress. There’s nothing for you to do, I just wanted to tell you so when it came through on our insurance, you’d know what it was about.”

  He relaxed. “That’s a big step.”

  “A necessary one. Given my past, I suppose it’s not unexpected that I have issues. I want to make sure I’m not passing them on to my children. Break the cycle and all that.”

  She felt sort of tingly and hopeful inside. If Colin was jealous at the thought of her being with someone, that had to be good, didn’t it? She didn’t want to read too much into his actions, but maybe this was a start.

  “How can I help?” he asked.

  Hope fluttered a little bigger and brighter. “So far, all the assignments are mine, but if that changes, I’ll let you know.”

  He glanced at the Crock-Pot and grinned. “Was that one of them?”

  She laughed. “Technically I have not used my time in therapy to work on my Crock-Pot issues, but yes, using it does address my homework for the week.”

  “I can’t wait to see what’s next. An immersion blender?”

  “Or a deep fryer. You never know.”

  * * *

  “It’s beautiful, don’t you think?” Andi asked as she stood in the doorway to one of her exam rooms.

  The painting was done, the examination table was in place, as was the counter and small sink. Boston had sketched in the happy monkey for the wall and would paint it over the next few days.

  “I think everything is coming together nicely. I’ll be able to open a couple of weeks early, which is very unexpected.” She cleared her throat. “Dr. Harrington okayed Nina coming to work for me and we’re holding interviews next week. She’s been an amazing help.”

  Andi paused as she had to swallow back the need to burst into tears. “So, as you can see, I’m really getting it together.”

  Pickles shifted in her arms, as if pointing out he’d been very patient for a long time but this was getting ridiculous.

  “You’re right,” she said, putting him down. “I’m sorry. You have a family to get home to. I’ve been at loose ends this weekend, but I shouldn’t take that out on you.”

  Pickles rubbed against the side of her bare leg, then headed for the open front door. Andi watched him go, aware of the emptiness of her house and the long evening that stretched in front of her.

  Lucy and her sisters hadn’t been by in a while now. Andi knew it was because Lucy had a new best friend and was busy with her. Which was how it was supposed to be. The other girls had always only trailed after Lucy to visit.

  As for herself, Andi knew she’d done well in the few short months she’d been on the island. She had her work friends and her Pilates friends and her beautiful house. She loved her work and found it fulfilling. If she’d accidentally fallen for a complete asshole boyfriend, well, that happened, right? Maybe it really was time for her to give up on relationships.

  “
Knock, knock. It’s me.”

  She walked toward the front of the house and found Boston standing in the waiting room of her office. Her neighbor glanced around and grinned. “Do I do good work or what?”

  “You’re gifted.”

  “Thanks.” Boston shrugged. “I’m in hell.”

  “Me, too.”

  They hugged briefly, and then Boston grabbed her hand. “Come on. We’re meeting next door. Colin is taking the girls out to the movies, and Deanna went to Arnie’s to get us pulled-pork sandwiches. I have wine and we’re going to make a night of it.”

  “Thank God,” Andi said, following her. “I was going crazy in there. I can keep busy during the week, but the weekends are endless and Sundays are the worst.”

  “For me, too. Now.”

  Andi didn’t know the details of what had happened, but was under the impression Boston didn’t expect Zeke to be coming back anytime soon.

  “Still no word?” she asked as they crossed the lawn and up the front stairs.

  “Nothing. He said I don’t need him and I’m thinking maybe he’s right.”

  Andi shook her head as they entered the kitchen. “I don’t accept that. You love him. You’re wonderful together. Losing a baby is very stressful. You have to give it time.”

  “It’s been nine months, Andi. Three months longer than we had him. At some point we have to heal and move on. I’m trying, but it’s not enough for Zeke. He needs me to be over it on his schedule, in his way. He can’t accept we’re different and he blames me for disappointing him.”

  “You sound so rational,” Andi said, not sure that was a good thing.

  “Don’t overrate being rational,” Deanna said, coming in with bags of food. “I’m paying a lot of money to at least fake rational.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with you,” Boston told her.

  Deanna smiled. “All OCD aside?”

  “Everyone has quirks.”

  She passed out the food while Boston opened the wine. Andi arranged the stools around the breakfast bar so they could see each other and set out plenty of napkins.