Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

by Susan Mallery

  Not her finest hour, she thought. Telling herself she’d only been fifteen didn’t help. She should have looked out for her baby sister.

  “I was really alone at boarding school,” Olivia said, one shoulder raised. “I hated it and you and Dad.” She held up a hand. “Don’t apologize. That’s not the point. I was there, I was trying to deal. One day I got the idea to get in touch with Mom. You know the rest.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I finally had her back. I finally had something you didn’t. I wasn’t alone. I liked having a secret.” She sighed. “Pick one, pick all of them. When I went to college, you and I had that big fight.”

  Kelly closed her eyes and nodded. She’d been outraged that Olivia wanted to go to the same school as Ryan. It had been ridiculous and a huge waste of money. Their dad had said it was fine. She wondered now how much of his decision had been formed by guilt.

  “When that didn’t work out, Mom suggested I move closer to her so I transferred to ASU. From there, it was easy to get a job with her. I was still mad at you and Dad, so I kept the secret. Eventually I didn’t know how to tell the truth anymore. Not without being the bad guy.”

  “And that spot was reserved for us.”

  Olivia nodded. “I had no idea she was going to show up here. You have to believe that. I’ve been...” Her mouth twisted. “It’s hard to explain. Working with her is complicated. She’s great and then she’s not. Lately there’s been a lot more not. I’ve been thinking about doing something else, but I couldn’t figure out what. Coming here was supposed to give me time to think. You have to believe me. I was trying to get away from her, not lure her back.”

  Kelly didn’t want to believe anything, but she couldn’t help thinking maybe Olivia was telling the truth...about all of it.

  “I’m sorry, too,” she whispered, then couldn’t figure out why she’d said that. Only she meant the words. “About what happened, about how I wasn’t there for you.”

  “It wasn’t us,” her sister told her. “It was our parents. Both of them. They screwed us up big-time.”

  Kelly wanted to come to Jeff’s defense, but knew Olivia was right. The adults in the family had been so focused on what they had going on, their daughters had been left to fend for themselves.

  “I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you about Mom,” Olivia said.

  “I’m sorry I had you sent away.”

  Olivia dropped her chin to her chest. “While it pains me to say this, it wasn’t your decision.” She straightened. “Can we be okay?”

  Kelly thought about all the swirling emotion inside of her—how she’d felt so betrayed. That emotion could only have existed if her sister was starting to matter to her. She didn’t want to lose what they’d had. Not because of something involving Marilee. “I’d like us to be.”

  “Me, too.”

  Kelly shifted from foot to foot. “I’d hug you, but I’m wearing a towel and that would be weird.”

  Olivia laughed. “I agree. But we’re better?”

  “Uh-huh. I’m still mad at Mom, though. You have to be okay with that.”

  “We’ll form a team, get uniforms and a sponsor. How’s that?”

  Kelly laughed. “It’s perfect.”

  22

  “I can’t believe you get paid for this,” Olivia said on Sunday as she watched two five-week-old kittens try to scramble over her legs.

  There were five kittens in all and a mother cat who seemed delighted to have someone take over babysitting, at least for a couple of hours. The family was camped out in Eliza’s small apartment.

  “Technically, today is my day off,” Eliza told her. “It’s Sunday. So I’ve brought my work home with me.”

  “Still.” Olivia picked up a black-and-white kitten and petted her. “It beats having to figure out a quarterly report. Hey, you. Could you be cuter?”

  The kitten looked at her and purred.

  When Eliza had suggested lunch with a little kitten socialization thrown in, Olivia had offered to pick up takeout. Now as she sat on the living room floor, she wondered if she would have been able to make it through vet school.

  “Thanks for coming over,” Eliza said. “The kittens are old enough to be around people now so I need to make sure they’re comfortable with being held so that they can be adopted.”

  “Do you take in a lot of strays?”

  “I try not to. It would be easy to be inundated. The practice works with a local shelter. You’d be surprised how many people simply dump their animals off and run. But it’s kitten season so I offered to be a foster mom.”

  “There’s a season for kittens?”

  “Late spring and summer.” Eliza petted the momma cat. “She was abandoned by her family. She’s very friendly and litter box trained. Once the kittens are ready to find their forever home, she’ll be spayed and adopted out, as well.”

  “Tempted to keep one for yourself?”

  Eliza wrinkled her nose. “I work a lot of hours. I’ll foster again instead.”

  Olivia wondered if she had the right stuff to foster. Cats were pretty independent, which would help. Maybe next year she would be settled enough to try. In the meantime, she would make sure to hold each of the kittens. You know—for the sake of humanity, or in this case, kittendom.

  “I brought my tablet,” she said, reaching for her backpack. “I found a couple of really cool apps you’re going to love. Now smile.”

  Eliza’s expression was more startled than practiced. Olivia snapped a couple of pictures, then opened the app and uploaded them.

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said before, about not looking old enough.” Olivia turned the tablet to show Eliza the picture.

  Her friend groaned. “I look like I’m twelve.”

  “Kind of. You need pet parents to take you seriously.”

  “Or at least not assume I’m some volunteer high school student.”

  “What do you wear at work?” Olivia asked as she entered information into the app. “Scrubs?”

  “Mostly. They’re comfy and practical.”

  “They make you look like a kid in pajamas.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I can guess. You need to wear them for surgery and stuff, but the rest of the time, and believe me I can barely mouth the words, you should be in tailored jeans and a T-shirt.” She shuddered.

  Eliza grinned. “Why is that bad?”

  “Because you’re a professional. Jeans and a T-shirt? But given what you do, it makes sense. Still, I’m not talking about one with the Seahawks logo. I’m talking plain and made out of a high-quality knit. I’ll send you some links. Also, you need a shoe that gives you a little height.” She held up a hand. “I get you won’t be in Jimmy Choos, but there’s no reason you can’t wear a comfortable ankle boot with an inch or so of heel.”

  She turned the tablet so Eliza could see the outfit she’d put together. The mannequin had Eliza’s slightly wide-eyed photo for a head. Olivia had chosen a long-sleeved round neck burgundy T-shirt, dark wash jeans and a cute Lucky Brand ankle boot.

  “Under normal circumstances, I’d throw in a statement necklace, but with you handling animals, I’m guessing that would be bad.” She smiled at her creation. “Put on a white coat and voilà—a professional doctor is born.”

  “I could try it,” Eliza said, sounding doubtful.

  “You will try it and you’ll see I’m right. The fabrics are all machine washable. I know that’s a big deal for you. Like I said—avoid the scrubs if at all possible. You’ll look too young. Now, hair and makeup.”

  “Did I ask for this?”

  “Yes, you did. Besides, I just made over my sister’s wardrobe and I’m on a roll.” She hit several buttons on the tablet, then smiled. “Oh,
yeah, we’re going classic.”

  She showed Eliza the picture. “Shoulder-length bob. It’s simple, it flatters your features and you’ll look older.”

  Eliza studied the image. “I’ve been thinking of cutting my hair. I like the style, but is it hard to manage?”

  “I don’t think so. Your hair is thick, so you could probably let it dry naturally most days and blow it out for special occasions. I’ve been looking around for a good hairstylist. I have a couple of names I’ll email you. A haircut will make a huge difference, but you’re going to have to wear makeup.”

  “That’s not happening. I have to be at work early most days. I don’t have time.”

  “Like you’re the first one to use that excuse. What if I could get you out of the bathroom in five minutes?”

  “You can’t.”

  Olivia set down the tablet and picked up a gray kitten. “Did you hear that total lack of faith?”

  The kitten mewed. Olivia snuggled him close, then stood. “Come on. I’ll prove it.”

  “With what?”

  She grinned and pulled a small bag out of her backpack. “I went shopping. Come on.”

  They went into Eliza’s bathroom. Olivia dumped out the contents of the bag.

  “Liner, mascara, concealer, lip stain,” she said. “Tie your hair back.”

  Eliza did as she was told.

  “You’re wearing sunscreen, right?” Olivia asked as she opened the package of eyeliner. “Even up here it’s important.”

  “Every day,” Eliza told her. “No matter what.”

  “Excellent. Now the trick to liner is to stay as close to the lash line as possible. Don’t try to draw the whole line at once. Use short strokes.”

  Slightly more than five minutes later, Eliza had the makeup on. The concealer covered faint dark circles, while the liner and mascara brought out her big eyes.

  “The lip stain will last most of the day,” Olivia told her. “You don’t have to worry about it wearing off in fifteen minutes. I would say apply it in the morning before you leave your apartment, then again after lunch.”

  Eliza studied herself. “I do look more sophisticated. Okay, I can do this.”

  Olivia pointed to the small bottle they’d yet to open. “Eye makeup remover,” she said. “You’ll need it to get everything off. Then wash your face like you usually do.”

  Eliza beamed at her. “You’re so nice. Why don’t I remember you being this nice in high school?”

  “Because I wasn’t.”

  She’d been more concerned with being popular and capturing Ryan’s fickle attention than making and keeping real friends.

  They returned to the living room and started a rousing game of string with the kittens. It didn’t take long for the little guys to get tired out and head back to their mom. When the cat family was napping, Olivia and Eliza unwrapped sandwiches and chips.

  “Is your sister going out with Griffith?” Eliza asked. “I heard a rumor.”

  “She is. Why?”

  “He’s dreamy.” Eliza grinned. “Not that he’s ever looked at me.”

  “Should I be worried that with your new look, you’ll steal him away?”

  “No. Kelly’s all competent and cool. I could never be like that. But it would be nice to get involved with someone.”

  “No old boyfriend from college?”

  Eliza flushed. “There was this one guy. Nelson. For a while I thought he liked me, but I guess not.”

  “Are you still in touch with him?”

  “We text every couple of days. Talk about what’s going on. He got a job at a practice in Seattle.”

  Olivia opened her bag of chips. “That’s not far. Why don’t you suggest getting together? See what happens.”

  “Wouldn’t he ask me if he were interested?”

  “Is he shy?”

  Eliza smiled. “Yes. Very.”

  “Then go for it. I’m a big believer in going for it.” She almost added that Eliza shouldn’t put out on the first date, then reminded herself not everyone was her. Not that she and Sven were exactly dating. They were—

  She frowned as she realized she had no idea what they were doing. It had pretty much been sex on demand until the last time she’d seen him. Then he’d just taken care of her. Something that rarely happened to her, which made it all the more special.

  “Are you seeing Ryan?” Eliza asked, wrinkling her nose.

  “There’s an expression. Is that face about me, him or there being an us?”

  Eliza’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean anything by it. He’s very handsome.”

  “And?”

  “I don’t know. Baseball? Really? Once it didn’t work out, he didn’t have another plan. He still doesn’t have a plan.” She put her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Ryan has a girlfriend. Autumn.”

  “I don’t think I know her. Either way, you deserve someone special.”

  “I’ve been hanging out with Sven,” she admitted.

  Eliza sighed. “He’s amazing. So strong and quiet. Those blue eyes. My mom would call him a hunk, and I think I’d have to agree.”

  “Okay, first Griffith and now Sven. Eliza, you have a slutty quality I knew nothing about. Go you.”

  Eliza giggled. “It’s all in my head. You don’t have to worry about me acting out.”

  “Too bad. I think you’d be fun acting out.” She took a bite of her sandwich and chewed. “Okay, we’ve socialized kittens, had a mini makeover, discussed your impressively wanton side. I think we should tackle some really important world issue. We seem to be in the zone.”

  “How’s the fund-raiser coming? Are you getting lots of donations?”

  “I am. Sven’s letting me borrow one of his barns and I’m filling it up. There’s so much there that I feel comforted. Even if no one comes to the fund-raiser, I can sell everything on eBay and make enough to replace the roof.” She leaned forward. “What I don’t have is a splashy finish. I have the bars in place for the silent auction, I have the tables for the dinner, the caterer, the tickets, an auctioneer. So we go through the various live auction items and then what? We’re indoors so fireworks are out. I feel like I need... I don’t know what.”

  Dancers? A concert? Semaphore?

  “What about a fashion show?” Eliza suggested. “Only show off what you’re selling at the craft mall.”

  “It’s antiques and tulip crap.”

  “So? Put the furniture on those flat dollies and wheel them across the stage. It will be unexpected and funny. Like a parade or something.”

  “A furniture fashion show. I like it.”

  Olivia raised her hand. Eliza slapped palms with her. Olivia grabbed Eliza’s hand and stared at her nails. “What is it about this town and manicures?”

  Eliza shook her head. “I draw the line at eye makeup,” she said firmly. “No pun intended. I’m not getting a manicure.”

  “Now you sound like my sister.”

  “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  * * *

  Once again the temptation of throwing something crossed Helen’s mind, cleanup be damned. Enough time had passed from when she’d last seen Jeff that she’d cycled through eight or ten thousand emotions, most of them bad. She was angry, hurt, enraged, upset, broken, furious and the list went on. Worse, the moron hadn’t been showing up for breakfast. There’d been zero happy visits before her customers arrived, no flowers, no smiles.

  As she served lunch to her customers, she told herself she should be the adult in the room. Text him and ask him to stop by. Or go to the farm and slash his tires. While the former was more mature, she was confident the latter would be more satisfying. She’d never considered herself a vindictive or violent perso
n before but was beginning to find uncharted depths deep in her soul.

  Shortly before two she saw his truck pull into the parking lot. Her stupid, girlie heart got all warm and mushy. The rest of her glared with the fire of a scorned woman.

  She debated ducking out the back, but realized she wanted to confront him and make him if not suffer, then at least feel really, really bad about himself. Then she would run away.

  She busied herself with cleaning tables, ignoring Jeff as he settled at the counter in his usual seat. She continued to ignore him for twenty more seconds, in part to show him what was what and also because she’d had the horrifying realization that he had a usual seat. If things ended badly, she was going to have to have the stool completely removed. Or at the very least, emotionally cleansed by a shaman. She didn’t know any shaman. Could you look for that sort of thing on Angie’s List?

  She shook off the question, grabbed a menu and walked over to face Jeff. Despite bracing herself, she was unprepared for the power of his full-on smile.

  “Helen.”

  “Jeff.”

  “How are things going? I’ve missed seeing you at breakfast.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “You doing okay? Isaak called about us practicing today at three. Did he get in touch with you?”

  She stared at him. That was it? That was all he was going to say? That he missed her and then they would return to their regularly scheduled lives?

  She slapped down the menu she knew he didn’t need and said, “Excuse me,” before walking to the cash register and taking the money from her last customers.

  A quick glance into the kitchen told her Delja was finishing up. Helen went in to see if she needed anything. Delja smiled at her.

  “Good day,” she said.

  “It was. Thanks for all your hard work.”

  They hugged, then the cook walked out the back door. Helen locked it behind her before returning to the front of the store.

  Jeff studied her. “Are you upset about something?”