by D. F. Jones
Her car door opened, and she stepped out, feeling every bit like Dorothy arriving in the land of Oz. Her father exited behind her and offered his arm. She took it, and they made their way up a dozen or so steps. The front door opened and a small, older woman with familiar blue eyes appeared.
“Tillie?” The woman covered her mouth and sobbed.
“Mother, this is your grand-blessing, Matilda. She’s finally home.”
“Thank you, Lord, for bringing our baby girl back.” Her grandmother threw her arms around her. Tillie inhaled. A distant memory of Gran’s lilac perfume hit.
“Gran?”
“Yes. That’s what you called me.” Gran’s hold tightened.
“Let Tillie catch her breath, Mother. I’m sure this has been an exhausting day for her.” He led her inside. Gran followed closely. “Can we get you something to drink?”
The reflections from the crystal chandelier danced across the marble floors of the foyer. “Yes, thank you, Mr. Augustine. Ice water would be nice.”
“Mr. Augustine doesn’t work for me. Please call me Dad.”
Could she call him Dad so soon? Of course, she could. They had twenty years to make up for.
“Thank you… Dad.” Speaking the word made her smile.
They went into her father’s study, and after a short time, Gran stepped out to give them a chance to talk in private.
“How is Mary? I’ve thought about her often over the years.”
Tillie’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “Momma died three weeks ago. Cancer. That’s when I found out about you.” She brushed away tears that had escaped. “She left a letter.”
“I’m truly sorry to hear that. I loved her. Even after she took you away, I couldn’t stop.”
After a few moments in silence, they sat on the couch side by side talking, laughing, and crying for over two hours. He was a great guy. It would be easy to love him.
How could Momma have kept her from him? Like Momma said, drugs and fear drove people to make poor choices.
“Dad, Momma asked me in her letter to tell you how sorry she was. She wanted you to try and forgive her.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I forgave Mary years ago. I knew how much she loved you, and I threatened to never let her see you again. I was so angry and frustrated that she’d risked your life. Her and her damned drugs.”
“I never saw Momma use drugs. She was the best momma ever. At least I thought she was.” Her throat went dry and her chest tightened. She dug inside her purse for a tissue.
“It broke me when I couldn’t find you, but even when I hated her for taking you away, I still loved her.” He played with a cufflink. “I never stopped looking for you. Not even when one of the investigators I’d hired concluded you were both dead.”
“How sad.”
“It was the not knowing that was the hardest. I hired another guy and kept looking. I still have a private investigator looking for you.” Linc moved to his desk and dug in a drawer. He pulled out three full files and handed them to her. “I kept records on every lead.”
Tillie thumbed through the papers. “You really didn’t give up.”
“I’d never give up on my baby girl.”
Between her momma’s bad deed, and his stepdaughter and second wife’s death, he’d been through so much. “I’m sorry about your second wife and daughter. It must’ve been terrible for you.”
“At least I knew what happened to them. It was easier than not knowing. Plus, Jax needed me to stay strong.” Linc took the files from Tillie’s hand and tossed them on the desk. “I can’t wait for you to meet your stepbrother. You’ll love him.”
“I’m sure I will.” In truth, she was jealous that Jax had been able to grow up with her father when she hadn’t.
“You’ll see him at dinner.” Linc stood.
“Dad, Momma also left me a duffle bag with money that I need to return to you.”
“I don’t understand. Why would Mary give me money?”
“She left it to me, but it’s not mine. It’s the cash she took from your home safe when she ran. She used some to get settled but put back every penny.”
“I don’t want that money. It was Mary’s as much as mine. You keep it. Consider it your inheritance from your momma.”
“It’s not mine.”
“Nonsense. Now, let me show you to your room so you can rest and unpack. Jason, our driver, checked you out of your hotel and has returned with your bag and carry-on. They’re in your bedroom.”
“He checked me out of my hotel? How is that possible?”
“Being governor has perks.”
“Oh.” Tillie wasn’t sure she liked someone handling her stuff. Things were happening so fast. “Where did you say my things are?”
“Upstairs in your room. I’ve always kept a room for you… just in case.”
Tillie’s heart melted. “Really?”
“Mother redecorates it every few years. She said it had to be age-appropriate or you’d never stay once we found you.”
“Gran never gave up, either?”
“Never.”
Tillie followed him up the curved staircase to the last room on the right. It was huge and had a sitting area. The bed was king-sized and covered with a beautiful butterfly comforter.
“It’s lovely, Dad.” It was getting easier to call him that. “Are you sure? It’s a lot of space for me.”
“It’s always been your room. You loved butterflies when you were little. Your grandmother thought you might still like them. We can decorate it however you like.”
“No. It’s perfect.” A vision of herself chasing after butterflies with a pink bug net flashed before her. She squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
A glass cabinet to her left held a handful of toys, stuffed animals, and a few photos. Moving to it, she asked, “Are these mine?”
“You remember them?”
“I do.” She opened the cabinet and took out a stuffed puppy. “Stuffy?” More memories rushed over her. She’d cried for Stuffy for weeks.
“That’s right. We found him under the couch cushions a week after you disappeared. The pictures are of our family. We were so happy until the drugs took over Mary’s life.” Linc ran a hand across her shoulders. “I’ve missed you so much, Matilda.”
She hugged him and let the tears she’d been holding back since she’d walked into the room pour down her cheeks.
She was home.
Chapter 3
Tillie held and examined each toy before replacing it back inside the cabinet. Some sparked a memory, some didn’t. She held Stuffy tightly as she ran fingers over a photo of her and her parents. They looked so young and happy. She studied several of her baby pictures taken from birth to age three. She placed what looked like the last family photo on the bedside table. “There we go, Stuffy. Me and my family.”
After unpacking, Tillie soaked in a hot bath until she began nodding off. Needing a nap, she curled into a ball on her bed, hugged Stuffy, and fell asleep. Her dreams were like a tapestry, weaving a way through her life before and after Momma ran with her.
Tillie woke with a start. Happy memories of her father had flooded her dreams. How had Momma convinced her he was bad? She sat up, glanced at the alarm clock, and cringed.
“Great, Stuffy. I’m going to be late for my first family dinner.” She placed Stuffy against her pillow.
Her mind ran wild as she put on her makeup and brushed her hair. Instead of feeling out of place in her father’s home, she felt wanted and happy. Dad made her comfortable. During their talk in his study, he never once bad-mouthed Momma. He had a big heart and had forgiven her.
Tillie wondered what her stepbrother would be like. She’d seen a couple photos of him in the study. One was a family photo with Jax, his mother and sister, and Dad. The four of them made a handsome family. There were school portraits of Jax and a couple of his sister. Jax was beyond good-looking. The photograph of him and her father at his grad-school graduation made her heart
skip a beat. Dad should’ve been at her graduations, too.
They’d missed so many years together. They could never get them back, only move forward. Tillie would start by enjoying her first family dinner. A sudden attack of butterflies in her belly hit. She was part of a family again!
After searching through the few things she’d hung in her new closet, she settled on the plain black dress. She’d brought skinny jeans, black slacks, a couple tees and two nicer shirts. Tossing in the dress was a last-minute decision. One she was glad she’d made.
Tillie slipped on the black heels that seemed a better fit than the sneakers she’d brought. She put on the necklace her mother had given her on her sixteenth birthday. She rarely took it off. She tucked it inside the dress’s neckline, the way it’d been inside her shirt all day.
With a final swipe of lip-gloss, she was ready. Stepping out into the hallway, Tillie paused to get her bearings. She descended the stairs, not quite sure where to go next. She hadn’t had the full-house tour yet.
Muted voices drifted from the study. Tillie held up her hand to knock and paused. Her father was arguing with someone. Etiquette dictated that she should move to one of the foyer chairs and take a seat. Another man mentioned her by name, and she forgot all about propriety and listened, her ear against the door. She held her breath as if that would help her to hear better.
“I’ve already missed twenty years with Matilda. I refuse to miss another day.” She’d just met him, but Dad’s voice was easy to identify.
“Come on, Dad. Give me a couple days to do some research. You need to be sure she’s who she claims to be. God knows the press has given out plenty of information on your missing daughter over the years.”
“Jax, she’s the spitting image of Mary and has my eyes. I love you dearly, but son, sending her back to the hotel until you’re satisfied she’s really Matilda is out of the question.”
“She could be someone who looks enough like Mary to play you for a fool. There’s all kinds of people out there who’d love to get their hands on your money.”
Jax? The other voice was her stepbrother and he didn’t trust her? He hadn’t even met her. That was bullshit.
Tillie didn’t bother to knock. She threw open the door and stepped into the melee. “Don’t bother doing your research, brother dearest. I’m leaving.” She poked his chest with her finger. “I’ve never lied or cheated anyone in my life.”
“Matilda, please. Jax is only trying to protect me, even though he’s wrong. I know in my heart you’re my daughter. I—”
“Mr. Augustine, I appreciate your hospitality, but I’m afraid it’s time for me to go home,” Tillie said.
“Matilda, you belong here.” Linc touched her cheek gently. “I’m your dad.”
Tillie would have loved to stay and be his daughter but wasn’t willing to forfeit her pride to do so. “My home is in Seattle. I won’t stay where I’m not wanted.”
“You’re wanted here, Matilda. I’d like this to be your home.” He turned to Jax. “Fix this, son, and then escort Matilda to the dining room. Gran and I will be waiting.”
“But, Dad—” Jax said and was cut off by her father.
“Fix. This. Now.”
“Yes, sir.” Jax stuck his hands in his pockets.
Linc turned to Tillie. “Please don’t leave. Give us another chance.”
Tillie’s heart said stay. Her brain told her if she did, she’d end up with a broken heart. “I’ll stay for dinner. I won’t promise anything more.”
“Perfect!” Her father kissed her cheek and left.
“So… why are you really here, sister dearest?” Jax sneered once Linc was gone. “You’ve already got my father eating out of your hand.”
“Momma left me a letter after she died explaining why she ran away with me. She wanted me to find my father and get to know him. She’d lied for twenty years about Dad.” Tillie smiled. “It still feels weird to call him that.”
“Don’t get too used to it,” he mumbled. But to Tillie, the words were loud and clear.
“I want to get to know him. Sorry if that’s an inconvenience to you.”
“And I just want to protect him.” Jax’s words were heartfelt. She had no doubt he loved her father. Tillie wanted a chance to love him, too. “You’re not the first woman to show up and claim to be Matilda.”
“Fine. Do your research. I’ve nothing to hide.”
“If you’re who you claim to be, I’m sure you’ve plenty to lie about. Like mother, like daughter, they say.”
“You know nothing about her.” Tillie saw red. She slapped him, the sound reverberating in the quiet room. “Don’t you ever speak about Momma again.”
He rubbed his cheek. “You’re right. I was way out of line and I apologize.”
His gaze held hers. Damn, his deep brown eyes were beautiful. Any woman would love to have his long, dark lashes. She had an urge to run her hands through his dark, unruly hair. The man was probably able to get away with anything. But Tillie wasn’t about to drool, or trip over his good looks. Jax was the enemy… not to mention her brother. Step or not.
“Fine. Apology accepted.” Suddenly embarrassed about her behavior, Tillie backed away. His cheek was already turning red. Sweet baby Jesus, what was she thinking hitting him like that?
“I’m hungry,” Jax said as if she hadn’t just poked him in the chest and slapped the shit out of him. “Shall we go?”
Still stunned, she took the offered arm and went with him to the dining room.
Her father studied them as they greeted him and Gran, then took their seats. His lips turned into a smug grin. “I’m glad to see you worked out your differences. Let’s eat.”
Dad was wrong. They weren’t anywhere close to working out their differences.
Chapter 4
Jax took the seat across from Tillie at the dining room table. The woman was feisty for sure. He rubbed his cheek, still feeling the heat and sting from her slap. He had to admire Tillie for standing up for herself. And if Dad’s first wife, Mary, looked anything like Tillie, it was no wonder he’d worked so hard to save her from the drugs she’d let rule her life. Matilda Augustine was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever laid eyes on.
Even more of a reason not to trust her, he thought as their longtime cook, Claire, served them.
Jax’s ex-fiancée taught him that. Angela had been after Jax’s money. Correction—Angela and her boyfriend had been out for Jax’s money. Fortunately, he’d discovered their plan to murder him after the wedding and claim his money and shares in the company. The police were able to handle things. He’d narrowly dodged the marriage from Hell.
“Sister dearest, tell us what you’ve been up to for… oh, let’s say… for the last twenty years,” Jax said around a mouthful of baked potato.
Linc shot him a cut-the-shit look, and Jax backpedaled. He swallowed. “I mean, Tillie, where have you been living? Do you work?” Or just planning to enjoy Linc’s money. “Are you married or have a significant other? Do you have children? Pets?”
Jax had no idea where the relationship questions had come from. Her marital status was none of his business. Yeah, right. He knew exactly why he’d asked, and he wasn’t about to let a pretty face sway him from what he had to do.
Tillie cut into her steak and paused. She set her knife down but held onto the fork. “I live in Seattle. I just graduated from business school two months ago. Right before I was to start my new job, we found out Momma only had at best, a few weeks left. She needed me, and I chose to stay with her until the end.” Her voice cracked with her last words, tearing away a layer of his need to prove she’s a fake.
“Matilda, you don’t have to answer Jax’s questions,” Linc said.
“I don’t mind. Cancer is painful and dying is scary. I chose to be with Momma over starting a new job.” She pointed her fork at Jax. “I’m not here for your father’s money. I have plenty in my savings account that I earned from summer jobs and Momma’s life insu
rance. My new employer is holding my job and it pays quite well. I’ll be returning to Seattle soon.”
Tears dribbled down her cheeks. Jax had made her cry. Damn, he was a real asshole. Wait a second. Jax wouldn’t fall for Tillie’s tears. His dad was welcome to, but Jax would stay strong for both of them. If Tillie was a fraud, he’d prove it.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not married, I don’t have a boyfriend, and I don’t have children. Or a pet. It was just Momma and me, and her childhood friend, Roger.”
“Roger?” Linc said. “He knew where you and Mary were?”
“Roger said you’d be mad, but he went along with Momma’s wishes. He loved her and was loyal until the end.”
“That son of a bitch.” Linc shook his head. “He lied right to my face when I went to see him.”
“In his defense, he didn’t know where we were when you went to see him. Momma didn’t go to him until a year later. He was afraid she’d run again or turn to drugs if he called you.”
Gran straightened in her seat. “Can we put aside all this talk for now? Claire made us a nice dinner, and I baked Tillie’s favorite chocolate-chip cookies.” Gran took a sip of wine. “You still like cookies, don’t you?”
“Yes, Gran,” Tillie said. “With a glass of chocolate milk.”
A beautiful smile crossed Tillie’s lips. Jax marveled at the way it made her even more stunning. In spite of his determination to prove she wasn’t Linc’s real daughter, he found himself starting to hope he was off base with his accusations. He could see why men might easily fall for her, but thanks to his ex-fiancé, Jax, one of them. Besides, there was probably a rule somewhere about not getting involved with one’s stepsister. Not to mention, he’d already made sure Tillie hated him.
Strained conversations accompanied the rest of the dinner. When Claire brought out the cookies, chatter picked up. Gran, Dad, and Tillie reminisced about the many times Tillie and Gran had baked cookies together. Apparently as a toddler, Tillie preferred to eat the dough and Gran couldn’t turn her back for a second or there’d be no cookies to bake.