Page 28 of The Best of Friends

He’d brought her into his room, told her to go to sleep and that they would figure it out in the morning. They had. He’d gotten her a job at the diamond mine, then stuck around for a couple of months to make sure she would be all right on her own.

“Whywereyou so nice to me?” she asked, pushing the bread more to his side of the table.

“You’re my sister.”

“And?”

“And what? That’s it.”

“You’re an incredibly simple person.”

“That’s not a bad thing.”

The waiter appeared with the salads, offered ground pepper, and left. Rebecca sniffed the dressing on the side but didn’t actually put any on her lettuce.

“Why here?” she asked. “I know a lot of great restaurants on the west side.”

“I’m sure you do, but I was in the mood for a good steak, and as I did the asking—”

“What is it with men and meat?”

“It’s a primal force you’ll never understand.”

“Have you seen Mom?”

“I’m living at the house. It’s hard to avoid her.” He scooped up more lettuce and a chunk of blue cheese.

“Well, how is she?”

“You could go see for yourself,” he said.

“No, thanks. Have you told her you’re back permanently?”

“Uh-huh.”

She stared at him.

“What?” he asked.

“How did that go?”

“She was happy.”

“I’ll bet. You’re making a huge mistake.”

“No, I’m not.” He put down his fork. “I’ve seen the world a dozen times over. I don’t need to keep traveling just to prove a point. I’m ready for a change.”

“Most people have to move away to get a change.”

“I’m moving back. You know how I like to swim against the tide. It’s more interesting that way.”

“You’d better be careful,” she told him. “She’ll try to run your life.”

“You’ve been trying for years and it hasn’t worked.”

She stabbed a piece of lettuce. “I’m an amateur when compared to her. Besides, you’re the young prince. She’ll want to keep you in line.”

He knew he could handle Elizabeth. If only Rebecca could just accept her for what she was and let the rest of it go. But his sister was complicated and angry. She’d never forgiven her mother for not wanting her.