Page 54

Julia

Julia was at a loss for words. She had found her voice with Christian and David and needed to do it again, right here, right now, with Taylor.

But she had a layer cake of crises to tackle, with the frosting of a teen pregnancy covering a looming divorce, potential financial ruin, and a murder investigation involving her longtime friend.

It was the unwritten rule of motherhood to always know the right thing to say and precisely how to say it, so Julia would find a way.

To an outside observer, the scene inside her home would have appeared perfectly normal.

Izzy was in the living room watching a video with the kids.

To his credit, David hadn’t protested when she told Izzy to bring them over.

He must have realized it was the right decision, but he would probably blow a gasket when his ex-wife Debbie came to collect them.

Julia had taken it upon herself to see that Becca and Brody departed the lake as soon as possible.

At least not all of her rational mind had gone out the window.

If things got heated between David and his ex, she figured Detective Baker would be on-site shortly to run interference. She could keep that pot from boiling over.

Baker was getting a search warrant. With the discovery of a bloody shirt, she was confident it would happen quickly.

Brody and Becca didn’t need to see the police ransacking their home and likely carting their father off in handcuffs.

Izzy would keep them occupied until their mother arrived—which might be some hours from now, depending on New York traffic.

But who was going to help Julia?

Erika had pulled a vanishing act when Rick and Lucas pulled down the drive, back from their college tour. She had left to update her family on the disturbing new developments. Julia was on her own.

She decided to think less and feel more. Tamping down her anxiety, she let go of parental judgment and simply opened her heart to her daughter’s plight.

“Sweetheart, how are you managing with all this? And I have to ask, who is the father?” Julia could guess the answer, but she couldn’t be sure. But still, pieces of a puzzle finally snapped into place. Julia gave Taylor’s hand a supportive squeeze.

“It’s Lucas,” she said softly.

Julia didn’t mean to gasp, but couldn’t stop herself. It was just as she suspected, but hearing it confirmed tilted her world.

Taylor’s face twisted. She looked as though she could drown in the worry brimming in her eyes.

Once her daughter began talking, it was as though a dam broke, the words pouring out of her in rapid succession. Her story came so fast it was difficult for Julia to follow. She heard everything, but couldn’t process it in real time, absorbing it all through a filter of shock and confusion.

“Erika got two rooms, one for us and the other for Lucas. But we stayed up late working on a song together. He’s a great guy.

I’ve always known that, but he’s really grown up a lot.

I just started to see him differently, you know?

He loves my poetry, and it was magical how he put it to music.

I found out I actually have a decent singing voice.

And he told me that he’s had a crush on me for a long time.

Honestly, I always knew, but he hadn’t said it out loud.

He was so caring, so vulnerable. Anyway, one thing led to another and I don’t regret it, except for, well…

here we are. I love him, Mom, I really do, and I know he feels the same way.

I realize I’ve treated him terribly this summer.

He doesn’t know yet. I just couldn’t handle it all. ”

“I’m not surprised.” Julia squeezed her daughter’s hand again.

“That’s why I hoped he wasn’t coming to the lake.

I wasn’t ready to tell him. I can’t manage my own emotions, let alone his.

I needed time and space to sort it out. And then the whole Fiona fiasco happened, and when I found out he kissed her…

I guess I got scared. I wondered if I really knew him.

I thought maybe I was wrong about everything.

I started to question my own judgment. I even feared he could somehow be involved in Fiona’s disappearance.

I know that sounds crazy, but I’ve been a wreck.

He’s upset with me because I’ve been ignoring him, and he has no idea why. ”

“That’s why you asked Izzy to investigate Lucas? You needed to know for sure?”

Taylor confirmed with a nod.

“I understand.” Julia’s voice shook. “Can I ask, how far along are you?”

“About two months, but I only found out a few weeks ago.”

Taylor’s tears revealed that her heart overflowed with concerns for the baby, Lucas, and her future. Julia moved her chair next to Taylor’s, wrapping her arms around her daughter.

“I’m confused,” she said. “You’re on the pill.” Julia was careful to keep her voice inflection neutral. She didn’t want Taylor to interpret her inquiry as chastising.

“I accidentally left them at home. I didn’t think a few days would make that much of a difference…

” Taylor broke into full sobbing. Julia could tell she was trying to keep it as quiet as possible so she wouldn’t call attention to herself.

“I don’t know what to say to Dad. He’s going to be so disappointed in me.

” Thoughts of her father were enough to pull the damper off the volume control.

“Your father is in no position to judge anybody, especially his daughter. It’s going to be okay,” Julia said. “We’ll figure it out—together.”

She fell quiet, allowing her daughter to release all her pent-up emotions with a cleansing cry.

“Do you think he’d make a good father?” asked Taylor, her voice shaky, her breathing shallow.

“He has a big heart, but he’s a little ungrounded, a big dreamer—I mean, he’s a musician.

” She made it sound like a one-way ticket to poverty.

“In my heart, I know he cares about me, and he’s kind and loyal, but being a father is a totally different thing. ”

“I don’t know if he’ll be a good father,” said Julia, who wasn’t surprised that Taylor was contemplating having the baby.

Also unsurprising was Taylor using the same descriptors for Lucas that Julia would have selected: ungrounded, a dreamer…

but kind and loyal . Like so many of life’s problems, Taylor’s question had no clear answer.

She could see why her daughter had kept everyone in the dark.

Christian especially would have struggled with the news.

He had an outdated way of thinking when it came to relationships and marriage.

He wanted his daughter to find the kind of guy who would take care of her, even if that sent Taylor the wrong message about relationships and her ability to be self-reliant.

And now there was a baby on the way that was half wannabe rock star. Julia wasn’t ready to hear Christian’s reaction to this news, so she had no plans to call him just yet.

“I’m glad you told me,” Julia said, trying to be as reassuring as possible. “And we don’t have to solve it all right now. But we will, I promise. This won’t be easy, but you’re strong and you’ll figure it out, with lots of people by your side who love you unconditionally.”

Taylor managed a weak smile.

And everything Julia had said was true. They couldn’t address it all that instant. There were other matters to contend with, namely Detective Baker and her team of police officers, who had just arrived on the premises.

After another quick hug, Taylor headed upstairs, understandably needing time to regroup. She took Nutmeg with her for company and comfort. Julia didn’t kid herself into thinking her assurances had eased her daughter’s heavy heart.

Setting her worries aside, Julia stepped outside into a muggy, overcast afternoon to see what was happening. David stood in front of the glass house, his hands locked on his hips, squaring off against Baker, who looked imposing in her suit and sunglasses.

Debbie was still en route, so Izzy would have to do the yeoman’s work of keeping the twins distracted until she arrived.

That girl was a true gem. She might not have any nannying experience, but she more than made up for it with qualities that mattered most in childcare—an open heart and common sense.

And common sense told her that David wasn’t going to easily sidestep the consequences of his actions. Innocent until proven guilty, my ass, thought Julia. How was this her friend? How was any of this possible? Julia couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

Erika, Rick, and Lucas showed up, all three looking equally shocked, and for good reason. Five police cars were parked in front of David’s house, all flashing strobe lights.

David braved Rick’s disdain as the two locked eyes.

Rick shook his head, giving his beard a tug with one hand. “It’s just unbelievable,” said Rick.

Julia directed her attention to Lucas. “Yes, it is,” she said in a low tone, passing him a glance.

Erika took notice. “What’s that all about?” she whispered to Julia.

“You and I need to talk later,” Julia said somberly. “And you’re going to need every last bit of your mindfulness training… But first things first. Do you have the shirt for Baker?”

“Yeah, it’s in a plastic bag in my kitchen.”

Julia returned a subtle nod while, from a distance, she watched David study what she presumed was the search warrant. What could he do but step aside and let Baker’s crew in?

They entered his home, carrying boxes and bags for gathering evidence. Julia noticed that they all wore purple latex gloves to preserve the integrity of what was now a possible crime scene.

David marched over to Julia and Erika, his eyes simmering. Baker came up on his heels, anticipating trouble.

“I heard from Deb. Thanks for calling my ex without telling me. You’ve both shown what kind of friends you really are.”