Page 83

“They’re very much alive. In Florida.”
“It’s so weird that you know that.”
I shrugged. “It came up in the search. I’m assuming she’s also no contact with her brothers?”
“You assume correctly. She actually went no contact with all of them and kept it like that for years. Until one of her sisters reached out. I can’t recall which one it was. There’s three, right, the twins and the one that’s with what’s his name?”
“Liza. Married to Hank.”
“Hank. Yeah, that’s right. She’s the oldest sister and apparently knew the most about what was going on. At the time, shethought her parents did the right thing, but once she got older, she figured out some of the extra stuff. And she missed her baby sister, so she reached out. Now none of the daughters talk to their parents. All of that family drama, because of little old me. I wonder if her parents think it was worth it.”
“Yeah, I wonder that too.”
Before Scarlet could say anymore, Laura walked in, a quiet smile on her face. “I figured you two might have gotten lost back here.”
“No, we’re doing just fine,” I assured her. “Just taking a little breather before heading back out there.”
“I get it. Take as long as you need. I’m just so glad you’re both here.”
“We were actually just…” Scarlett gestured to the photo she’d been holding.
Laura’s gaze softened. “That picture means the world to me, you know. I used to look at it every single day, just wishing I could know how you were doing.”
“I can’t believe you kept it all this time.”
“Of course I did,” Laura said, reaching out to give Scarlett’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You were - youaremy daughter. Nothing could ever change that.”
Scarlett’s voice was thick with emotion when she said, “That means a lot to me.”
And then she did the most unScarlett like thing. She stepped forward and hugged Laura. I’d seen her, for weeks, almost visibly squirming as this warm and loving family tried to showerher with affection. It made her so uncomfortable. But here she was, initiating it for the first time ever.
Laura didn’t hesitate to return the hug, enveloping Scarlett in her arms and holding her close. I could see the tears glistening in Laura’s eyes as she murmured soothing words, gently stroking Scarlett’s hair. Yeah, I’ll admit, I had a lump in my throat. And an ache in my heart. For everything Scarlett had been through and was still going through.
After what felt like an eternity, Scarlett slowly pulled back, hastily wiping her eyes. Laura cupped her face tenderly, her own tears spilling over. “My beautiful girl,” she whispered. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Scarlett nodded, managing a watery smile. “Me too,” she breathed. “I’m so glad I found you.”
The drive back to Scarlett’s place was dead silent. I glanced over at her a few times, but she just stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Whatever those thoughts were, they were bringing her no comfort. I wanted to ask for more details, but really didn’t want to push her.
Not much else had happened at dinner. There had been lots of chatting and laughing. Everyone raved about the pecan pie.
Except at least twice, when no one heard but me, Scarlett’s phone pinged. I’d seen the way her face fell when she checked and saw who the texts were from, and the way her shoulders hunched as she read the messages. It didn’t take a genius to guess that Veronica was the sender, or what she had said. Herwords had obviously upset Scarlett. A lot. But it was also clear that she was trying very hard to hide it, putting on a brave face for the rest of the Parkers.
But now, alone in the car, that tough exterior had crumbled. Scarlett just seemed small and vulnerable; her arms wrapped tightly around herself. I wished I could do or say something to make her feel better.
As I pulled into her driveway, Scarlett finally spoke up. “You coming in for coffee?”
“Sure. If you want me to.”
“You may as well.”
Inside, Scarlett moved around the kitchen in a daze, mechanically going through the motions of making coffee. I watched her silently, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts. But fuck, the air was thick with tension as she waited for the pot to percolate.
Leaning against the counter, she rested her hands on it, her eyes roving over me. “Come over here.”
I raised an eyebrow. There was something about her tone that made me hesitate.
“Please.”