Daughters of the Bride

by Susan Mallery

  “I agree.” Neil nodded at her. “That’s why Barrels offered so many other ways to play. Video games are fine in their place, but children need to be moving around. There was a lot of concern when I introduced laser tag, but it was successful from the start.” His expression turned wistful. “I always wanted to have a paintball section, but that would have required too big a footprint.”

  Rachel did her best to figure out exactly what Neil was talking about. She knew that Neil had owned some kind of video arcade, but she’d assumed it was a single location. Barrels was a nationwide franchise with a unique business model. The name—Barrels—referred to its dual purpose. Barrels of fun for kids during the day and barrels as in wine and whiskey barrels at night.

  Sienna looked equally confused. “You owned a franchise?”

  “Barrels wasn’t a franchise. The corporation owns every store across the country.”

  Maggie patted her fiancé’s hand. “I thought I’d told you girls. Neil created Barrels. He opened the first one when he was in his twenties and grew it from there. He sold the whole thing last year.”

  Rachel looked at her sister. Sienna’s mouth was hanging open.

  Sienna recovered first. “Um, no, Mom, you didn’t tell us that at all. You said Neil owned a video game arcade.”

  “Did I?” Maggie looked a little smug. “I suppose I didn’t want to brag.”

  “Selling Barrels is a big deal,” Rachel managed to say. “It had to go for millions.” Or billions!

  Neil’s smile was modest. “I was very lucky. As I told you before, I’m going to make sure your mother is taken care of for the rest of her life.”

  “I guess,” Sienna murmured.

  Rachel had never been worried about Maggie’s financial future, but it was nice to know there wasn’t ever going to be a problem. Barrels. Now, that was a shock.

  “You didn’t know?” Greg asked.

  “No. Did you?”

  “Sure. When your mom started dating him, I looked him up online.” He turned to Neil. “No offense.”

  “None taken. I’m delighted to know my fiancée has so many people looking out for her.”

  “You should hit him up for money,” David told Sienna. “For that duplex.”

  Sienna flushed. “I don’t ask my family to participate in any of my projects, David. You know that.”

  She was telling the truth, Rachel thought. When Sienna had started working for the nonprofit, she’d come up with the rule herself. That way she was free to talk about her work without anyone feeling they were being solicited. David should respect that.

  “You can certainly talk to me,” Neil told her. “I’d be happy to help.”

  “You’re very kind. Someone change the subject.”

  “I’m pregnant,” Rachel announced.

  The table went silent as everyone looked at her. Well, everyone but Greg, who only looked amused.

  She picked up her glass and grinned. “Just kidding.” She smiled at her sister. “You owe me.”

  “I do and I’m grateful.”

  “Another baby would be nice,” her mother told her. “I’d like more grandchildren.”

  “Me, too,” Neil added.

  Greg leaned close. “You started this, so it’s your own fault.”

  “Thanks for the support.” She turned back to her mother. “It was a joke. I’m not seeing anyone, so it would be challenging for me to get pregnant.”

  As soon as she said the words, she wondered why she hadn’t mentioned she was long past that. She was in her thirties. Did she want to have more kids now?

  The server appeared with their salads.

  “There’s the annual summer firefighter’s family picnic this weekend,” Greg said. “Want to go?”

  The invitation surprised her. Rachel hadn’t gone to the last one because of the divorce. Still, she’d always enjoyed hanging out with Greg’s coworkers and the other wives.

  “That would be fun. Thank you.”

  He smiled at her. For a second the rest of the world seemed to fade away and it was only the two of them. She found herself wanting to lean toward him, to be in his arms. Not just for sex, although that would be wonderful, but also simply to be held. She’d missed her Greg hugs. Actually, she missed nearly everything about being married to him.

  For the thousandth time, she wished he could have been the way he was now back when they’d been married. She would have been the happiest woman ever.

  27

  SIENNA FORCED HERSELF to take small bites and chew. She was still upset about David’s thoughtless suggestion that she “hit Neil up for money.” What was that? Sure, it was stunning to find out her future stepfather was a multi-multimillionaire, but so what? That didn’t give her the right to demand he fund anything.

  Asking for donations required tact and understanding. It was a delicate dance. Some people mistakenly believed that if you had money, you should just give. It wasn’t always that simple.

  Conversation had resumed around the table. She joined in, hoping no one noticed she was upset. Partway through the salad course, her phone chirped. “Oh, sorry,” she said as she pulled it out of her bag. “I must have forgotten to put it on silent mode.”

  She glanced at the screen and saw a text from Erika.

  My cousin is here. She’s in bad shape and we need help. What do I do?

  Sienna put her napkin on the table and rose. “I’ll be right back.”

  “What is it?” David asked.

  “Work. Excuse me.”

  She walked out into the hotel foyer and dialed Erika.

  “Does she need medical help?” Sienna asked by way of greeting.

  “She says not. She’s banged up but swears she’s okay. I can put her up at my place, but everything I’ve read said that’s a bad idea. What if he comes looking for her here?”

  “You’re right. You don’t want to get involved in this. It won’t go well.” Sienna was already walking toward the front desk. “Give me five minutes and I’ll call you back.”

  She recognized the clerk behind the desk. “Hi, Cliff. I’m checking in for Anna Fields.”

  Cliff, the college-aged kid, looked confused for a moment. “Hey, Sienna. You have a friend coming in?”

  “Kind of. Look for a permanent reservation for Anna Fields.” She smiled. “It will be there.”

  Because Joyce’s commitment to The Helping Store was to hold a small room available. Like Courtney’s room, it wasn’t especially large or desirable, but it was a safe haven until space could be made at one of the regular houses.

  Cliff typed into his computer, then nodded. “I see it. There’s no charge and I’m not supposed to ask questions. I’ve never seen a reservation like that before. What is it?”

  She raised her brows. “Remember the part about not asking questions?”

  “Oh. Sorry. Sure.”

  He made two keys and handed them over.

  “Thank you,” she said and reached for her phone. Two minutes later she hung up. Erika and her cousin were on their way to the hotel.

  Once they arrived, Sienna could assess the situation. If Erika’s cousin seemed okay, Sienna would have one of the volunteer social workers meet with her in the morning. If things were more dire, Sienna would call one in tonight.

  She went upstairs and checked on the room. It was simply furnished with two twin beds. There was a small kitchenette with a tiny refrigerator, a two-burner stove and a microwave. The door had a double lock, to make guests feel more secure.

  She used the notepad by the nightstand lamp to start a list. Food, she thought. Food and other things to get her through the next couple of days.

  She returned to the lobby. David walked out of the dining room and crossed to her. “What’s going on?” he as
ked, sounding annoyed. “You disappeared.”

  “Sorry. There’s been an emergency at work. I was just on my way back to explain. I’m going to be busy for a couple of hours.”

  He looked skeptical. “What could you be doing that couldn’t wait? Someone’s check didn’t clear?”

  The dismissive tone caught her off guard, as did his words. “Excuse me?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Come on, Sienna. Work? Really? You raise money. You don’t actually help with the battered women. It’s not like what you do can’t wait. I’m heading out of town tomorrow for my business trip. This is our last night together for a while and you’re ruining it.”

  She felt as if he’d slapped her. No, as if he’d taken everything important to her and ground it under his heel. “David, startling as it may be to accept, I do help with the battered women when it’s appropriate. I can’t go into detail right now except to say someone needs me and I’m going to help her. I need you to respect that.”

  “Not until you respect me. You can’t just disappear from dinner and expect me to be okay with it.”

  “Why are you being like this? What’s wrong with you? I have a work emergency. When I can tell you more, I will, but right now I need you to trust me.”

  “If you’re not going to stay for dinner, neither am I.”

  He had to be kidding. This all had to be some hideous joke—only, neither of them was laughing.

  “David, please.”

  “Are you coming back to dinner or not?”

  “I’m not.”

  “Then I’m leaving.”

  He turned and walked out of the hotel. Great. Not that she had time to deal with this. Later, she promised herself.

  She hurried back to the dining room and explained there was a problem with work. Her mother, Rachel and Greg nodded in understanding, while Neil looked confused.

  “I’ll explain it in a minute,” Maggie promised him, then looked at her. “Can we help?”

  “I think I have everything under control.” She collected her bag, then kissed her mother on the cheek. “Sorry I have to run.”

  “It’s fine, dear. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Sienna waved and headed back to the lobby to wait for Erika. She spotted Jimmy with a young couple she would guess were clients but didn’t try to catch his eye. Instead, she went out front to wait.

  Less than five minutes later Erika arrived with a petite brunette at her side.

  “This is Jessie,” Erika said. “Jessie, my friend Sienna.”

  “Hi.”

  Jessie’s voice was soft. She wore dark sunglasses and had a sling supporting her broken left arm. She looked tiny and defenseless. Sienna pushed down the anger that bubbled through her. This wasn’t the time.

  “Hi, Jessie. Nice to meet you. Let’s get inside.”

  She got them all upstairs to the room, then handed over the keys and a card with several phone numbers on it.

  “This room is yours for seventy-two hours,” she began. “I can get you medical care, counseling, a job or a ticket home.”

  “I’m never going back,” Jessie said flatly. She pulled off her sunglasses, revealing two black eyes. “He’s hit me before, but never like this. I thought he was going to kill me.” Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away. “I’m done with him. I want help to get away from him. Can you get me a lawyer?”

  “I can.”

  “I’m staying with her,” Erika said. “For as long as she needs me.”

  “Good. What did you bring with you?”

  Jessie grimaced and held up her cast. “I left everything except my driver’s license, some cash and my cell phone. Once I called Erika to tell her I was coming on the bus, I destroyed my phone so he couldn’t track me. After paying for the bus ticket, I have thirty-two dollars.”

  Sienna smiled. “Don’t worry. Everything is replaceable. You’ll be fine.”

  “I can help with the money,” Erika said quickly. “I’ll pay for whatever she needs.” She smiled at her cousin. “You can pay me back whenever. It’s no big deal.”

  “Thanks.”

  Sienna knew having a support system would help Jessie. She hoped Jessie meant what she said about not going back to her abusive relationship. Time would tell.

  “I need to go get you some supplies,” she said. “Erika, can you stay with her until I get back?”

  “Of course,” Erika told her. “Like I said, I’m staying here. With Jessie. I don’t want her to be alone.”

  “Jessie, you okay with that?”

  She nodded. “Thank you. For everything.”

  “I’ll be back in an hour,” Sienna promised, then looked at Erika. “You have my cell number.”

  “I do.”

  Sienna left them and went out into the hall. She paused to write cell phone on her list before heading downstairs. It wasn’t until she reached the lobby that she realized she didn’t have a car. David had driven her to dinner. Well, damn. She was going to have to get her sister or Mom to—

  “Hi, Sienna.”

  She looked up and saw Jimmy walking out of the bar.

  “Hi, yourself. Client meeting?”

  “Yup. We were celebrating the fact that their offer was accepted. What are you doing here?”

  “I was having dinner with my family when something came up. Can you give me a ride home?”

  “Sure.” He pointed to the back of the hotel. “I’m that way.”

  They started walking.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “A work thing.” She braced herself for David-like questions, but he only nodded.

  “You need to go to the office?”

  “Yes, then back here.”

  “I’ll drive you,” he told her. “Why waste time going home and getting your car? I don’t mind.”

  “I might be a while.”

  “I can wait.”

  She was going to tell him that she was fine—she only needed a ride home. But to be honest, she would really like the company.

  He held open the passenger door for her. She slid inside. Once they were on the road, he glanced at her.

  “Is it hard when they leave?”

  “For me or for them?”

  “Both.”

  “Yes. They’re scared and I’m scared for them. Sometimes it’s difficult to see what they’ve been through.” Like Jessie’s broken arm and black eyes. Not that she would tell him that. They could talk only in generalities.

  “You’re a good person,” he told her.

  “Don’t give me too much credit. I’m helping a friend of a friend. Usually a social worker would be handling this.”

  “Why didn’t you call one?”

  “I will if it becomes necessary. But for the basic stuff—like getting her settled—I’m qualified.”

  Jimmy parked in front of her office and went inside with her. Sienna walked to the storeroom, where they kept kits on hand for nights such as this. They were filled with the basics needed for the first few days. Most women leaving walked away with nothing.

  The backpack contained everything from toiletries to socks, slippers and a couple of books. There was also a basic first-aid kit, feminine hygiene supplies and snacks.

  Jimmy took the backpack from her and slung it over one shoulder. From another shelf she got a large tote bag, then filled it with underwear, a nightgown, a few T-shirts and a light brown teddy bear.

  “Nice,” he said. “Everybody needs someone to hug.”

  “Exactly.”

  There were packages with cell phones. She took one of those, along with a grocery bag filled with nonperishables.

  “I need to get a few things from the refrigerator,” she told him.

  “I’ll t
ake all this to my car and meet you out front.”

  “Thank you.”

  In the break room refrigerator were a few staples. Milk, cheese, eggs and lunch meat. Bread and a few frozen dinners from the freezer went in a second bag. She added a couple of candy bars, then turned out the lights and joined Jimmy.

  “Back to the hotel?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  He started the car and eased back onto the road. As they passed under a streetlamp, her engagement ring caught the light. The tiny flash made her think of David. Her fiancé had walked out on her. He hadn’t bothered to consider how she was going to get home or what she might have to do to help someone. All he cared about was himself.

  He’d told her that her doubts were just cold feet. That she was reacting to something in her past rather than to him. Now, as Jimmy drove her back to the hotel, she knew he was wrong. Her heart had been telling her something all along and she simply hadn’t been strong enough to listen.

  * * *

  Quinn and Courtney had decided to take Pacific Coast Highway home to Los Lobos. The drive would be longer, but more scenic. Adding to that, he was in no hurry for their few days together to end.

  She sat next to him in the Bentley, her bare feet up on the dash. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail and she wore sunglasses. They’d stopped for lunch at In-N-Out Burger before heading north.

  They’d had a good time together. He liked how she’d been able to hold her own at the party. She’d admitted to feeling totally out of her element, but she had stood her ground when necessary. Her reaction to the “mean girl” moment still made him chuckle.

  He’d spent a lot of his life with something to prove. Maybe that need had come from the fact that his father hadn’t bothered to stay much past conception or that his mother had also abandoned him. Maybe it was in his DNA. For whatever reasons, he’d given his all to his work and used the parade of beautiful women that followed to satisfy himself.

  He’d been careful to not get involved until a few years ago when he’d started to realize he wanted something more. For a while he’d considered taking things to the next level with Shannon, but when she’d found love with another man, he’d moved on. Until he’d met Courtney.