House of Cry

by Linda Bleser

  Somehow I knew my mother would approve.

  20

  One Year Later

  Sunshine streamed through the kitchen window, carrying the promise of spring in the air. Jenna sat at the table enjoying a second cup of coffee and a few moments of peace and quiet. It was hard to believe how far she’d come in one short year. It wasn’t that long ago that she had sought out solitude. Now it was a rare commodity. She preferred it that way.

  Cassie stumbled out of her bedroom and sniffed the air. “Something smells fabulous.”

  “Roast duck. It’s my new favorite meal.”

  “If it tastes as good as it smells,” Cassie said, peeking into the oven, “it’ll be my new favorite, too.”

  “Then I’ll make one for your birthday as well.”

  Cassie frowned, then glanced around the kitchen. “Where did you get a duck?”

  “At the market this morning.” Jenna raised one eyebrow pointedly. “Some of us manage to climb out of bed before noon.”

  Cassie crossed the room and gave her sister a hug. “And some of us look forward to being able to sleep in on the weekend.”

  Jenna lifted her cup and pointed it at the counter. “There’s more coffee in the pot.”

  Cassie rubbed her eyes, stretched, and yawned. She trudged to the counter, poured herself a cup of coffee, and joined Jenna at the table. “Why are you so chipper this morning?”

  “Just feeling good.” Jenna took a deep breath. She had so much to be thankful for. “It’s going to be a great day.”

  “Sure is.” Cassie said. She reached out and brushed her fingers through Jenna’s hair. “I’m glad you decided to go back to your natural color. It makes you look younger. Softer.”

  After all this time, it still felt good to have her sister’s approval. Jenna knew it wasn’t just her hair, though. Looking back at pictures from a year ago, she almost didn’t recognize the woman looking back. She was thinner then, almost gaunt, as if she didn’t deserve the comfort of food. And a deep reservoir of sadness cast shadows in her eyes.

  Cassie snapped her fingers. “Speaking of birthdays …” She snatched her purse from across the table, reached inside, then pulled out a wrapped box. “I thought I’d give you my gift before everyone else arrives.”

  Jenna opened the package slowly. She already knew what she’d find inside the box. When the final bit of wrapping paper and ribbon fell to the floor, she unwound the tissue paper to find a brand-new, bright and shiny porcelain Dorothy figurine.

  She shot Cassie a puzzled glance. “What happened to the old one?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Don’t know. I couldn’t find it and figured maybe it was time for a replacement. New Dorothy, new year, new beginnings.”

  Yes, Jenna thought. New beginnings.

  She placed the figurine in the center of the table, where she’d see it all day. “There’s no place like home,” she murmured. As she said the words, ghostly fingers walked up and down her spine.

  “Speaking of home, ” Cassie said. “I suppose you’ll be moving out soon, huh?”

  Jenna nodded. “Yes, but luckily my fiancé is a realtor. He has his eye on a great place to start that bed-and-breakfast he’s always wanted.”

  Cassie gave her a hug. “I’m gonna miss you, Sis. This past year has seen a lot of changes, but the best has been living here with you.”

  “It has,” Jenna agreed. “But like you said, new beginnings, right?”

  “That’s right. Now I’d better get dressed before people start arriving.

  Cassie pranced away, leaving Jenna alone to reminisce about how much things had changed since her last birthday.

  There was so much to be thankful for, not the least of which was her sister’s love and support. She was surrounded by friends and family and about to begin a new chapter in her life with the man she loved.

  As if conjured by her thoughts, Jenna heard the familiar sound of Bob’s car pulling into the driveway and rushed to the door to greet him. He stepped out of the car holding a single pink carnation. The sight of him still made her knees weak. How did she ever get so lucky?

  Bob met her at the doorway. He wrapped one arm around her waist and tugged her tight against his body. Their lips touched in a soft, sweet kiss. They lingered over it, knowing there’d be time to turn up the heat later.

  “Just what I needed,” Bob said, still holding her close. He raised one eyebrow and gave her a suggestive wink. Its wolfish appeal was lost behind the nerdy Clark Kent glasses. “Now if you’ll reach into my pocket,” he said, “you’ll find your birthday gift.”

  “Oh, that again?”

  He chuckled. “Stop, I’m trying to be adorable.”

  “You don’t have to try very hard,” she said, reaching into his pocket. She grasped a small box with a single ribbon tied around it. It couldn’t be a ring. He’d given her an engagement ring for Christmas. So what … ?

  “Go ahead, open it,” he said. “I can’t wait.”

  She untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a key. An ordinary house key.

  “Is this … ?”

  “Yep, the key to our new home. It’s going to need a lot of hard work and elbow grease, not to mention a small fortune in repairs, but soon it’ll be …”—he lowered his voice dramatically—“the Mourningkill Bed-and-Breakfast, with your hosts Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hartwood.”

  Jenna squealed and jumped into his waiting arms. “This is the best gift ever. The start of our new life together.” She buried her face alongside his neck, overflowing with happiness.

  “And the best part is, we’ll be able to move in right after the wedding,” he said.

  Wedding. The word still caught her by surprise, sending her emotions whirling with joy. “Perfect.”

  Bob set her down, and they walked inside, arms linked around each other’s waists. Jenna reached in a cabinet for the bud vase that was always close by, filled it with water, and added the pink carnation. She set the vase on the table alongside the Dorothy figurine and placed the key beside it. The key to their new life. So far this was turning out to be her best birthday ever.

  “Hey, what’s all the noise in here?” Cassie came into the kitchen and gave Bob a peck on the cheek.

  “We have the house,” Jenna cried, pointing to the key on the table. “We can move in right after the wedding.”

  Cassie made a mock frown. “So, you’re actually going through with it, huh?”

  Bob put her in a gentle, brotherly head lock. “Yep, I’m taking her off your hands. You can have this house all to yourself now.”

  “Thank God,” Cassie said, wrenching easily out of his grasp. “I thought she’d never leave.”

  Jenna looked at her and smiled. “I won’t be far away,” she said. “You know I’ll never leave you all alonely.”

  Cassie reached out and took her sister’s hand. “I know that.”

  A knock on the door distracted all three of them. “I’ll get it, ” Cassie said. “It’s my door now. The two of you can have your own doorway to …”—she waved a hand in the air—“to wherever.”

  “Everwhen,” Jenna murmured.

  “I like that,” Bob said. “Maybe we’ll put that on a sign over the entrance. Doorway to Everwhen. It has a nice ring to it.”

  Jenna was only half listening. She watched as Cassie opened the door to a gray-haired woman who looked vaguely familiar.

  “Hello, I’m your new neighbor,” the woman said. “Maya is my name.” She handed Cassie a foil-wrapped loaf. “Banana bread,” she said. “I just made it this morning.”

  “Thank you,” Cassie said. “Would you like to come inside? I’m Cassie, by the way.”

  “No, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I’ll stop by another time when it’s more convenient.”

  Jenna stepped closer. “I’m Jenna,” she said. “Do I know you?”

  The woman’s eyes twinkled. “Perhaps we’ve seen each other around town?”

  “Maybe,” Jenna said, not
entirely convinced that was the case. Before she could question their new neighbor, however, Maya turned to leave. Jenna watched as she leaned close and whispered to Cassie, “If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

  Cassie returned the smile. “I will,” she said.

  Jenna frowned. Warning bells went off at the edge of her consciousness. There and then gone. She watched as Cassie closed the door behind the woman.

  Something … something she should remember.

  And just like that the thought disappeared. Jenna shrugged and walked to the oven to check on the duck. She filled the baster and coated the duck with drippings. It was coming along nicely.

  While Cassie peeled potatoes, Jenna prepared a salad. It wasn’t long before more guests came to the door. Diane walked in holding her toddler’s hand. Dean followed behind carrying bags and bottles and baby equipment.

  “Look who’s walking like a big girl!” Jenna cried. “And don’t you look adorable, Emily.”

  Emily wore a flowered headband to match her pink and white frilly dress, along with shiny black patent-leather shoes.

  “Show Auntie Jenna what you have, honey,” Diane coaxed.

  Auntie Jenna. This was one of the most important things that had happened this past year: the gift of friendship. Diane had truly forgiven her, and now this precious child was a part of her life. She didn’t deserve the title “Auntie,” but hearing it filled her heart with love and pride.

  Emily held out a gift. “Happy birdday,” she said, holding out a black and white stuffed dog with a red ribbon for a collar.

  “She picked it out herself,” Diane explained.

  “Oh, thank you, sweetie.” Jenna bent down on one knee and held out her arms. “Come to auntie, Em.” She scooped the baby into her arms and nuzzled her neck, making Emily giggle.

  Diane smiled at Jenna as if to say, “Aren’t we the lucky ones.” Jenna couldn’t agree more.

  “When do we eat?” Dean asked. “I burn more calories lugging half our household around for the baby than I did playing football in college.” He dropped dramatically into a kitchen chair. “I have to keep up my energy.

  “Soon,” Jenna said with a laugh. “We’re just waiting for Parker.”

  “Parker, huh? Did he change his name?”

  “No,” Jenna replied. “He still goes by his adopted name professionally. But when he finally found his birth certificate and saw that Mom named him Parker … well, it just felt natural for us to call him by his given name.”

  Both Jenna and Cassie were still getting used to the idea of having a big brother. For so long it had just been the two of them. Once they’d found Parker, however, they’d embraced him with open arms. He and Cassie had fallen into good-natured bickering as if they’d grown up together. The truth was, they could barely remember a time when he wasn’t there, teasing them and offering “older brother” advice whether they wanted it or not.

  Bob glanced out the window. “Speaking of the devil,” he said.

  Cassie greeted Parker at the door. “Well, if it isn’t the prodigal brother.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That’s not even an accurate analogy.”

  He turned to Jenna and handed her a small jewelry box. “Happy birthday. Maybe this will make up for all the birthdays we’ve missed over the years.”

  Jenna opened the box and gasped with delight at the sculpted gold pendant. “Oh, Parker, it’s lovely.”

  “The guy at the jewelry store called it the Tree of Life. It reminded me of you.”

  “Suck-up,” Cassie murmured under her breath.

  “Look,” Parker said, ignoring Cassie. “I had him place our birthstones on the branches—me, you, and pain-in-the-ass over there.”

  “I love it,” Jenna said, lifting the necklace over her head. “It’s perfect.” She was truly touched. As she brushed her fingers over the sculpted metal, a strong sense of déjà vu washed over her. She shivered, then turned away.

  “I have a birthday coming up soon, too, you know,” Cassie said. “I prefer silver and turquoise.”

  “Duly noted,” Parker said with a wink.

  Just then the kitchen timer sounded, and everyone rushed into action. Jenna took the duck out of the oven, while Bob found a knife to start carving. Cassie mashed the potatoes, Parker put the finishing touch on the salad, Dean set up the baby’s booster seat, and Diane set the table.

  Soon they were all gathered around, laughing and complimenting Jenna on the wonderful meal. It wasn’t a Norman Rockwell painting, but it was perfect as far as Jenna was concerned. She couldn’t imagine being any happier.

  After dinner Cassie lit the candles on Jenna’s birthday cake, and they all sang “Happy Birthday.” Out of tune.

  “Make a wish,” Cassie said.

  Jenna blew out the candles but didn’t bother making a wish. Looking around the table at her friends and family, she knew with certainty that all of her wishes had already been granted. The words that came to mind couldn’t be more true.

  There really was no place like home.

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  To the Sisters of the Lake, Christine Wenger, Patricia Otto, Jo Piraneo, Sue Peterson, Barbara Parella, Joan Dermatis, Dorice Nelson, and Dar Scalera, who were there in the beginning.

  To my TARA sisters for support and guidance along the way.

  To my first readers, Geneva Brock and Denise Madigan, who boosted my confidence when it sagged.

  To my fantastic agent, Linda Scalissi of 3 Seas Literary Agency, who believed in this book from the beginning, and Anna Paustenbach of HarperLegend, who gave it a home.

  Thank you all. I couldn’t have done it without you!

  About the Author

  LINDA BLESER is an author of traditional women’s fiction with the twist of a what-if in each story. She started her career writing short stories for women’s literary magazines and is the author of numerous women’s fiction, romance, and thriller novels. Linda lives near Tampa, Florida. Visit her at lindableser.com.

  Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  house of cry. Copyright © 2017 by Linda Bleser. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  Digital Edition APRIL 2017 ISBN: 9780062677341

  About the Publisher

  Australia

  HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.

  Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street

  Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

  www.harpercollins.com.au

  Canada

  HarperCollins Canada

  2 Bloor Street East - 20th Floor

  Toronto, ON M4W 1A8, Canada

  www.harpercollins.ca

  New Zealand

  HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand

  Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive

  Rosedale 0632

  Auckland, New Zealand

  www.harpercollins.co.nz

  United Kingdom

  HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

  1 London Bridge Street

  London SE1 9GF, UK

  www.harpercollins.co.uk

  United States

  HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

  195 Broadway

  New York, NY 10007

  www
.harpercollins.com