“Fine, you’ve proven your point,” Shawn said softly, tears welling in her eyes. “You know me better. Are you happy now? Or do you really need to stick around and win the pissing contest?”
“Trust me when I tell you that happy is not how to describe what I’m feeling at this moment,” Faith said in a hollow tone. She finally began to adjust her clothing to a more appropriate state. They exchanged a cold stare before Faith stormed across the room and yanked the door open. Shawn looked on in horror as her present lover gaped at her glowering ex-lover. Faith released a throaty growl that made Shawn shiver fearfully.
“She hates James Joyce,” Faith hissed, pushing her way past a stunned-looking Deb and almost toppling her as she marched out of the room.
“That woman is amazing,” Deb said, watching Faith storm down the hallway.
“That’s Faith Charles,” Shawn said dryly.
Her senses were reeling from the utter absurdity of the situation. Deb looked completely embarrassed by her reaction to Faith. Finally, she turned her attention towards Shawn.
“That’s the woman you work with?”
Faith heard the hint of jealousy in her tone. “Yes.”
“You never said how stunning she is,” Deb said in an accusing tone. When Shawn failed to take the bait, Deb held out the delicately wrapped package.
“Happy birthday.” Deb froze for a moment. Her head spun around, and she looked towards the still open door and then back at Shawn. “How did—”
“I knew,” Shawn interrupted in a miserable tone. “Deb, we have to talk.”
And talk they did. During the conversation, Shawn learned some things about her girlfriend that she had obviously ignored in the past few months. Deb was manipulative, as evidenced by her gift for Shawn; Deb wanted the book, and giving it to Shawn was a way to justify buying it. Deb seemed to be under the impression that it would only be a short matter of time before Shawn moved into her apartment.
Another thing Shawn realized was that she was using Deb for a sense of stability. They argued bitterly. Shawn tried to convince Deb that they didn’t belong together. Deb didn’t agree with Shawn’s assessment of their relationship. Finally, Shawn did the only thing she could think of.
“Faith is my ex-lover,” she blurted out.
She hated slamming Deb, but she had run out of options. Deb just didn’t seem to think that there was anything amiss in their relationship.
“Huh?” Deb’s face turned a deep shade of scarlet as she gaped at Shawn.
“Faith is my ex-lover,” Shawn repeated in a slow, careful tone, knowing that she was being cruel.
“Why was she in your hotel room?”
“This is her room as well,” Shawn said.
“You’re cheating on me?” Deb asked in an incredulous tone.
“I’m sorry.” Shawn exhaled in relief, knowing that the accusation wasn’t exactly the truth. Then again, it would have been if Deb’s timing didn’t completely suck.
“You bitch,” Deb screamed.
“I’m sorry,” Shawn repeated, truly feeling awful about what she had done to Deb. A wave of relief washed over her when Deb stormed out of the room, clutching her precious book to her chest.
“That was a shitty thing to do,” Shawn admonished herself.
She scrubbed her face furiously with her hands. Then she stepped out of the room and locked the door. Allowing her instincts to guide her, she went searching for Faith. She found a very somber-looking Faith sitting at the hotel bar. Tracy, one of the very young production assistants, was hanging on Faith’s shoulder. Shawn’s chest tightened painfully, and she felt sick as she watched the couple stumble out of the bar arm in arm.
Chapter 24
Stewart, Massachusetts
1912
Anna’s body was trembling. She clung tightly to the wall of Catherine’s bedroom.
“You amaze me,” she whispered. She still tingled as Catherine held her while the passion ebbed from her. Catherine’s hand caressed her bottom, and Anna struggled to regain her breath.
The captain had gone into town, and Richard was playing in his room. Once the staff retreated for the day, Anna and Catherine had sneaked up to Catherine’s room and stolen a few quiet moments. Catherine didn’t waste a single second. She had pressed Anna against the wall, raised the hem of her dress up to her waist, and begun caressing her.
Noises drew Anna’s gaze to the window, and her heart clenched when she spied the carriage careening up the path, followed by an automobile. “He’s back,” she said grimly. “He’s brought a companion.”
“Another would-be suitor,” Catherine groaned with disgust. “Will he never stop trying to marry me off?”
“No.” Anna sighed deeply, watching the vehicles approach. She adjusted her dress before turning in Catherine’s embrace. “We need to hurry down to the kitchen.”
“Wait,” Catherine halted Anna’s movements. “There’s something I wish to give you.”
“My dear, you give me so much,” Anna replied with a sly look and a smoldering gaze that made Catherine shiver.
“Oh, what you do to me.” Catherine trembled while fumbling to retrieve the box she had hidden in her dresser. She studied the contents for a moment before returning her gaze to Anna. She reached out and took Anna’s hand. Anna looked up at her with curiosity. Catherine slipped a bracelet onto her slender wrist.
“I bought this the day I was leaving Paris. Spent the last of my money on it. At the time, I had no idea why I did it. Now I know. I was meant to bestow it upon the one who would capture my heart.”
Anna smiled and studied the silver bracelet. She raised Catherine’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “Thank you, my love,” she said, holding her in a lingering gaze. “It will never leave my wrist. Now, we must hurry.”
They used the hidden passageway and made their way to the kitchen before Horatio could enter the house.
“Why swans?” Anna asked as they set about preparing the evening meal. She listened carefully for the sounds of her husband hurrying up to her bedchambers. He did not disappoint. His thunderous footsteps echoed through the mansion. The sound of her bedroom door being slammed shut reverberated immediately afterward.
“Swans mate for life,” Catherine whispered hotly in Anna’s ear. She was so accustomed to her brother’s boorish behavior that she simply ignored his stomping about.
“Wife!” he demanded with a fierce howl.
“Yes, Husband,” Anna greeted him calmly as she stepped out of the kitchen. She was thankful that he expected her to gaze down at the floor. In doing so, she could hide the blush that she knew was covering her delicate features. The memories of Catherine’s touch kept her balanced.
* * *
For Catherine, the evening meal was pure torture. Collin Ryan appeared to be a pompous blowhard who prattled on and on about himself. His main objective seemed to be to impress her brother. The only thing that she enjoyed about the meal was her nephew’s constant eye-rolling. Apparently, Richard found Mr. Ryan about as entertaining as she did.
One thing about Mr. Ryan intrigued her, and she couldn’t help but wonder whether it was true. Still, she amused herself by stealing silly smiles with Richard. “Boy!” the captain boomed just as the meal was coming to an end.
Richard’s smile vanished, and his gaze darted down to his plate.
“He’s restless,” Anna said. Catherine cringed when Horatio glared over at his wife. Much to her surprise and pleasure, Anna didn’t flinch from his hostile glare or from the way he curled his hand into a fist.
“I was much the same at that age,” Collin said merrily, and that was when Catherine realized that, for the moment, Anna had nothing to fear. Horatio would never strike his wife in front of witnesses. Collin Ryan was seated just high enough in polite society to ruin Horatio’s reputation.
“I bet you were a rascal,” Catherine said in an effort to further irritate her brother. As Horatio glared at her, she wondered if he was aware of the way she and
Anna played him.
“Perhaps you could share some of your tales with my sister?” Horatio trumped her. “A walk in the gardens would be nice.”
Anna met her horrified gaze. Collin seemed to turn pale, his reaction further confirming Catherine’s suspicions.
“Brother, I do have my chores to tend to,” Catherine pointed out in a cocky manner.
“See, she’ll make a fine bride,” Horatio said.
Catherine’s lips curled as Collin pulled out her chair for her. She shivered at the hateful look Anna cast upon the unfortunate man.
As they stepped outside, Catherine nodded towards the man standing by the motor car. “And who would that be?” she asked.
“My driver, Branford,” Collin said as Catherine guided him towards the garden.
“He’s very pretty.” Catherine smirked.
“Pretty?” Collin’s voice squeaked as Catherine turned towards the nervous young man.
“Just as I thought.” She smiled as his jaw dropped. “Don’t bother denying it, my friend.”
He snorted out a soft laugh and rolled his eyes. “I had a feeling as well.” He smirked. “Shall I manufacture the customary excuses?”
“Not just yet,” Catherine said. “Lurk about every now and then. Hopefully that will keep my brother content.”
“It would please my father as well,” Collin said. “He’s very eager to do business with your brother. Forgive me, but I can’t say that I really care for your brother.”
“Nor do I.” Catherine linked her arm in his. “Now, while we’re pretending to hit it off, tell me how you met Branford.”
“It was glorious.” He practically squealed like a schoolgirl.
* * *
Later that evening, as Catherine and Anna sat in Anna’s room working on needlepoint, Anna was beside herself.
“Where’s Horatio?” Catherine asked.
“In his study,” Anna replied curtly. “He’ll be drunk within the hour. If we’re lucky, he’ll pass out.”
“I pray that he does.” Catherine snorted. “Is something troubling you, Sister?”
“Nothing,” Anna snapped, almost stabbing herself while working with her needle. “You and Mr. Ryan seemed cozy.”
Catherine smirked at Anna’s tone. “Yes.” Catherine played along. “He’s quite charming. It’s no wonder Branford finds him so endearing.”
“Branford?”
“Yes, his driver,” Catherine said merrily. “Surely you saw the pretty man waiting by the motor car.”
“Pretty?” Anna shook her head and then a brilliant smile graced her features. “Oh?”
“Yes,” Catherine said. “A kindred spirit, dear. I hope you won’t object to Mr. Ryan calling upon me again?”
“Now that I know he won’t be touching you, I have no objections,” Anna whispered hotly in her ear. Catherine shivered as her lover’s words caressed her flesh.
“And would you like to touch me?” Catherine asked, clasping Anna by the wrist. Catherine guided Anna’s tiny hand to her lap.
“Yes.” Anna’s eyes were burning with need as her hand slipped under Catherine’s nightgown. Catherine licked her lips while parting her thighs. She inhaled sharply when she felt Anna’s touch greeting her desire. They sat there, pretending to work on their sewing as Anna slowly stroked her.
The following afternoon, Catherine would reconfirm their love by pleasuring Anna in the safe confines of the garden. Later, she began to worry whether they were becoming careless. Still, no one seemed to notice what they were doing. Perhaps the heavens were finally smiling down upon them, granting them this small slice of paradise.
Chapter 25
Stewart, Massachusetts
1935
Richard Stratton watched as his elderly father, Horatio, huffed and puffed, once more trying to dig up the garden. It had bloomed overnight, again.
“She’ll never let you have it!” Richard called out with malicious glee. “My mother will never give you her garden.” He laughed as Horatio tossed the flowers about. “Give it to her,” Richard taunted him. “How many times have you dug it up? Plowed it over? Salted the soil? And still she tends to it.”
“Silence!” Horatio demanded as he barreled over towards his son.
“Or what, old man?” Richard stood his ground defiantly. He had stopped fearing his father long ago. Now, he wanted only one thing. He wanted to put his mother and beloved aunt to rest. He would never forget the smug look on his father’s face the day Richard returned from school and went in search for them. Their rooms were empty, and all of their possessions gone. No sign remained of his mother or of Catherine. He would remember forever the cold look in his father’s eyes as he told Richard, “The bitches are gone.” The man cackled at the stunned boy. Richard knew in his heart that neither of them would abandon him.
When grown, he rarely returned to Whispering Pines. The only reason he went to his father’s home at all was to get answers.
“Why are you here?” Horatio sneered. “I heard that you finally claimed your land just beyond the trees.”
“Yes,” Richard replied coldly. “I want to be near them.”
“I also heard you married,” Horatio said in an accusing tone. “Why wasn’t I informed?”
“Why would I tell you anything?” Richard almost laughed at the suggestion. “Why would I invite a murderer to my wedding?”
“Why are you here?” the captain repeated.
“For the same reason I always come here,” Richard said. “Where are they?”
The captain snorted, seemingly amused by the question.
“Let me put them to rest,” Richard demanded as his father walked away. “What happened to my mother?”
The captain halted his movement and snickered before turning to his son. The cold, dark eyes made Richard flinch. “Your mother was a whore,” Horatio said with an evil smile.
For the first and only time in his life, Richard Stratton gave into the anger and hatred he felt for this man. He crossed the distance between them, and before he realized what was happening, he struck his father down. It wasn’t hard to knock the elderly man off of his feet. Richard felt ashamed for giving in to the violence his father had taught him.
Horatio was laughing like a madman when Richard turned, walked back to his car, and drove away. The captain’s laughter was still ringing in his ears when he returned to his own home, just beyond the trees of Whispering Pines.
“Oh, Richard.” Vera, his wife, sighed heavily when he entered the foyer. “I can always tell when you’ve been to see him.”
“I hit him,” Richard said in a miserable tone. “I finally sank to his level.” He was unable to calm himself, even as he felt his wife’s arms encircling his waist.
“You are not him,” she said. She stood behind him, comforting him.
Richard clasped his hands over Vera’s and allowed his eyes to flutter shut.
“I can still remember that last day I had with them,” he said sadly, finally relaxing into Vera’s tender embrace. “We had a picnic by the ocean and then walked around town. Then Aunt Catherine treated us to the photography studio at the far end of town. They gave me the picture of the three of us together. I took it with me when I went back to school. Mother said that if I kept it with me, then she and Catherine would always be watching over me.
“He didn’t even let me say good-bye to either of them that last morning. When I came home for Christmas, they were gone. All of their belongings were missing. I learned later that he burned their beds and clothing. Then he sold off the rest of their possessions.”
“How could someone as kind and gentle as you, my dear husband, come from that cold-hearted, forgive my language, bastard?” Vera leaned against her husband’s back.
“Everything good in me came from Mother and Aunt Catherine,” Richard said with tenderness. “They were the only two people who showed me what love was. Until I met you, of course.”
“Happiest day of my life,” Vera said. “He�
��ll never tell you what you want to know,” she told Richard, not for the first time. “He may be mean and old, but he isn’t a fool. The sheriff has never stopped watching him. He knows he’ll go to prison if anyone ever discovers the truth.”
“I have to find them and put them to rest,” Richard vowed in a weary tone.
Chapter 26
Danvers, Massachusetts
2005
Shawn’s head was ready to explode even before the unnecessary wake-up call came. She had sat up all night crying and staring at the empty bed across from her own. She felt numb as she showered and dressed. When she met the crew down at the van, she noticed that Faith looked even worse than she did. She felt a pang of guilt until a certain production assistant slid up next to Faith. Shawn couldn’t stop her scowl when she climbed into the opposite side of the van. She looked back at Faith, who had put on her sunglasses and leaned her head against the window.
Althea rushed around trying to wrap up the shoot. “Ten minutes,” she finally called out, visibly frustrated by what was going on. “Someone do something about Charles’s hangover,” she shouted. Faith winced. “Dr. Williams, a moment of your time,” she said, linking her arm in Shawn’s and dragging her out back to the gardens.
Shawn rested on a bench and took a moment to inhale the sweet fragrance of flowers mixed with the ocean breeze.
“She was right.” She sighed, recalling the promise she had made to take time out to enjoy the gardens.
Althea paced nervously. “I have a busy schedule this year,” she said in a cold tone. “These shows are hot right now, and so are you. With any luck, we can wrap up Salem, Edinburgh, Fall River, and New York, and have everything packaged before the fall conferences.”
“Should be a good year for Sunny Hill Productions,” Shawn said absently, still drinking in her surroundings.
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