Page 63 of Cherished Lands

Above me, there was another creak.

Neither of us was going to get much sleep tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Two

ELLIOT

The roast chickensat between us like a peace offering, but Tessa hadn't looked at me once. She'd spent the afternoon helping Mom organize the root cellar while I checked the frost protection systems in the orchard, both of us now experts at avoiding each other. My hands were so red and stiff from working in the cold that it was awkward to cut my meat.

"So, Charlie," I said, desperate to break the silence. "Last semester coming up. Any thoughts about after graduation?"

Charlie pushed her green beans around her plate. "I don't know yet."

"You've got that marketing internship," Mom prompted. "That could lead somewhere."

"Maybe." Charlie lifted her shoulder in a half-shrug. "I'm just not sure corporate life is for me."

"Well, you should start thinking about it," I said, reaching for more potatoes. "The job market's competitive. You need a plan?—"

Chase's fork clattered against his plate. "Jesus Christ, Elliot."

"What?"

"Not everyone has their whole life mapped out in a checklist like you do." Chase's words had that mean edge that only came out when he was drunk. "Some of us actually want to figure out who we are before deciding who we're supposed to be."

"I'm just saying?—"

Chase laughed bitterly. "We know what you're saying. Same thing you've been saying since you were twelve. Work hard, follow the rules, be the perfect son." His eyes flicked to Tessa. "Get the perfect wife."

Mom set down her glass. "Chase?—"

"No, really. Tell us, El. How's that master plan working out for you?"

Tessa finally looked at me. But I wished she hadn't.

The silence stretched tight as a wire.

"Charlie," Tessa's voice was gentle but firm. "Would you mind helping your mom with dessert?"

Mom caught on quickly. "Yes, the pie needs?—"

Charlie half rose, but Chase put a hand out. "Stay put, kiddo. Wouldn't want you to miss the show." His smile was all teeth as he leaned back in his chair.

"Chase." Dad's warning tone used to send us both scrambling.

But we weren't twelve anymore.

"What? I'm just asking my dear twin how his perfect life is going. You know, since he's such an expert on planning futures." He turned that sharp smile on me. "How's the construction site, by the way? Everything running smoothly?"

My hands clenched under the table. "You want to do this now?"

"When better? We're all here. One big happy family." He raised his water glass in a mock toast. "Well, almost all family."

Tessa went very still across from me.

"That's enough." Dad stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "Chase, a word. Outside."

"Why?" Chase's eyes never left my face. It was like looking in a warped mirror. "Because Elliot can't handle the truth? Because heaven forbid anyone question the choices of the twin who has it all figured out?"