House Of Secrets

by Tracie Peterson

  She shrugged. “I have no idea. But I do have my own news.”

  “Good news I hope?” I said, noticing her smile.

  Nodding, Piper glanced over her shoulder at Geena and Mark. “I think so.”

  Mom had prepared a feast and I breathed in deeply. “What is that delightful smell?” I asked, straining to see what she was bringing to the table.

  “Stuffed green peppers,” she replied. “Oh, and Piper put together a nice Caesar salad for us.”

  “And homemade Parmesan biscuits,” Piper added. “It’s a new recipe I got from one of my friends.” She started to take her seat and added, “And just wait until you see what Judith made for dessert.”

  I let Mark help me with my chair and waited for the others to be seated. After Dad offered a blessing for the meal, we all began to pass the food.

  “This is really great,” Dad said, putting a couple of biscuits on his plate. “I wasn’t sure you’d get a chance to join us at this late notice.”

  “So what’s going on that you want to share with us?” I asked.

  “Well, Piper has news first,” Dad said. “Go ahead, Piper.”

  She nodded and put down her fork. “My thyroid tests are back and the medications are balancing out my blood levels. The doctor feels confident that we’ve finally got the right dosages and types of medications.”

  “That’s wonderful news,” I said. Piper had learned some months earlier that her thyroid levels were desperately low. Her fatigue, depression, weight issues, and inability to concentrate at times were all symptoms of hypothyroidism and not clinical depression or schizophrenia.

  “I feel like a completely different person,” Piper declared. “I have energy and ambition, and I don’t feel like walking off a long pier anymore.”

  “Thank God,” I said. “It’s amazing to me that something like that could cause so many problems.”

  “The doctor said I may have had these problems all of my life. They probably led to my struggle with my weight, which caused me to binge and purge.”

  “And now that is under control as well?” Geena asked.

  Piper nodded. “Very much so. I’m getting counseling about it and seeing a dietitian. I’ve had to realize a lot of my thoughts and beliefs about food are just plain wrong. I guess a lifetime of battling to stay as thin as your sisters or friends has caused me to really look at food in all the wrong ways.”

  “I think that’s easy enough to do for most folks,” Mom interjected. “Having a healthy attitude toward food isn’t something that people have been encouraged to understand until recently. Food, however, isn’t the enemy. It’s nothing more than fuel. It’s the importance we place on it and how we allow it to control us that matters.”

  “Funny we should be having this conversation at the dinner table,” Dad said. “Especially given that I saw your flourless chocolate cake and toffee sauce sitting on the counter awaiting our attention.”

  Everyone laughed at this, but Judith held up her hand. “It’s made with all the best and most health-conscious ingredients possible, and a little bit won’t hurt anyone.”

  “But who wants just a little bit?” Dad said with a teasing wink.

  I was so relieved to hear Piper’s news that I’d almost forgotten that Mom and Dad had something to tell us. “So what’s your big news?” I asked, looking to Dad.

  Geena leaned forward. “Please don’t say you’re going to have a baby. I don’t think I could handle another sister. These two keep me busy enough.”

  Mom laughed. “Bite your tongue. I have no desire to have a baby at my age. Besides, I’m much too selfish. I want your dad all to myself.”

  “Which is why we’re going to take an extended trip,” Dad told them. “We’re going to leave shortly after Christmas and be gone for most of the year.”

  “That’s some vacation,” I said, looking at Mark.

  “Well, not exactly a vacation,” Dad replied.

  This brought my attention back to him. “Then what?”

  “We’re going to work with a missions agency to help start business ventures in third world nations. We’re starting in Burundi, Africa, and will move around the continent with the organization.”

  I was stunned. I had never imagined my father doing something like this. “Does this mean you’re getting out of your business here in the States?”

  “Not just yet. I’m arranging for new management. Judith and I are training a team of men and women to handle the company while we’re gone. This missions venture is just a test run to see if we truly feel God would have us in this kind of work. We figure if it goes well, we can expand. See, the attitude of this company is to help native peoples be able to grow their own business and meet the needs of their people. It’s a sister project to go alongside the spiritual missions work.”

  “I think it’s brilliant,” Piper said, smiling. “I think it’s far more important to teach a man to take care of his own needs rather than encourage government handouts.”

  “Well, in most of the places we’ll be, there isn’t much in the way of government help either.” Dad’s expression seemed thoughtful, yet his enthusiasm and excitement were evident.

  A thought came to mind, however. What about Geena and Piper? I’d be moving to New York City after the first of the year. As if reading my mind, Dad continued.

  “That brings me to the next announcement. We’ve already discussed this with Piper and Geena, so it will come as no surprise to them, but we’re selling this house.”

  “What?” I was stunned. “When did you decide to do this?”

  “When I told them that I was going to take the job in London,” Piper said matter-of-factly.

  “You what?” This was really a night for surprises. “I thought you lost that opportunity last summer.”

  “I thought so too.” Piper pushed back her hair and shrugged. “The person who ended up taking the position didn’t like living abroad. They called me three weeks ago and asked me to reconsider the position.”

  “But you said nothing,” I countered, trying to get used to the idea of my baby sister moving to England.

  “I talked to Dad about it, and my therapist.” She grinned. “I figured the rest of you could wait.”

  Mark gave a chuckle. “You know your big sister. She still thinks she should be the first to hear any news when it comes to you two.”

  I elbowed him. “That’s not true. I’m not that bad. I’m just surprised.” I looked to Geena. “What about you? Are you moving off as well?”

  “No. I’m taking your condo. That way when Piper comes home, she’ll have a place in either Boston or New York City to visit.”

  Dad got back in on the conversation at this point. “That’s right. I figured to keep the condo and sell the house. There was no sense in this place just sitting empty. I have no way of knowing for sure how this project is going to work out for us, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one. If that’s the case, we might even end up getting an apartment in London.”

  “A flat,” Piper interjected. “Not an apartment.”

  Dad grinned. “See there, she’s already made the move in her mind.”

  The rest of dinner passed quickly with discussions about how soon everyone would act upon these new life decisions. Piper was to leave within the next couple of weeks, so most of the discussion focused on her. By the end of the evening, Mark was ready to head back into the city and stay at my place. I was anxious to head up to bed.

  “I have plans for us in the morning,” he said as we stood at the door saying good-night. “In fact, plans for the entire day.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  I looked at him oddly. “What should I wear?”

  “Hmmm, I’d recommend clothes.” He grinned.

  “What type? Casual? Dressy? Warm?”

  “Casual and warm is fine. I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  “That early, eh?” I checked my watch and found tha
t it was nearly eleven. “All right. I’ll be ready. Are you renting a car?”

  “No. Your dad is loaning me his.”

  Now I was really intrigued. Mark had definitely put some thought and planning into this. “All right. I’ll be ready.”

  At seven-thirty the next morning I was dressed in jeans and a sweater and ready to head off to the great unknown. I found Judith in the kitchen making coffee.

  “I see you’re already up and running.”

  She turned around to beam me a smile. I swear the woman was always happy. She made a good mother for this family, I decided. We had been too long without cheerful people.

  “Your father and I plan to take the T into the city and spend the day at the Marketplace. Should be a lot of fun.”

  “Do you know where Mark is taking me?”

  She shook her head. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. It’s a surprise. I don’t think your father even knows.”

  I nodded. I was sure Mark had kept this entire adventure to himself. He loved to plan surprises for me, and while such things used to strike me with terror, I was starting to kind of enjoy them. When he knocked on the door a few minutes later, I was more than ready and waiting for our adventure.

  “So where are we going?” I asked.

  “I told you it was a surprise,” Mark replied.

  “Yes, but now we’re actually participating in the surprise.”

  “It doesn’t work that way,” he said, helping me into the car. He hurried around to the driver’s side as I secured my seatbelt. Once he was in the car and ready to go, he threw me a grin. “Just be patient. I think you’re going to like this.”

  We headed out and away from Boston. I could see that we weren’t going to be driving to the coast, so that eliminated a few ideas from mind. By the time an hour had passed, I was fairly certain we were heading to Connecticut, but I had no idea as to why. When we took the ramp for Hartford, I fixed Mark with a curious look.

  “This is definitely holding my interest.”

  “Good. I’m happy to say that we’ve very nearly arrived. Just enjoy the fall colors. You know tourists pay good money to come here just to see what’s in your backyard.”

  I laughed, but he was right. The scenery was incredible, and the rich tapestry of golds, oranges, reds, and browns made autumn clearly one of the most beautiful times of year for this area of the country.

  It was only a short time later that we arrived at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. “Surprise!” Mark exclaimed. He brought us to a stop in the parking area and turned the car off. “I figured because we’re book people we should take advantage of all the book-related places in our corner of the world.”

  “I agree.” It wasn’t at all what I had thought we might do. I had envisioned a walk on the beach or picking apples or some other wonderful outdoor activity, but coming here was even more delightful. I loved the thoughtfulness of the plan. “This is perfect,” I said.

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  We toured the facilities and talked about the woman who’d written Uncle Tom’s Cabin so long ago. I marveled at how impressive it was that one piece of literature could have such an impact on society.

  The leaves crunched beneath our feet as we passed the area where Harriet had once gardened. “ ‘A garden is a healing place for the soul,’ ” I murmured, quoting Harriet’s own words. Her gardens had been a passion of hers.

  “I can see why,” Mark said, taking hold of my hand. “There is a certain anticipation of new life, working with the soil and seeds.”

  “I think I’d like to have a garden someday. Of course, I’d have to learn how. I kill my houseplants, so I can only imagine what I might do to an entire yard full of flowers.”

  “You can always learn. I’m sure Harriet wasn’t born with all her gardening knowledge.”

  “I don’t know. She was a phenomenal woman,” I said. “I’m so glad you thought of coming here.”

  “You’re quite phenomenal yourself.” Mark raised my hand to his lips.

  I smiled. “Thank you. You always make me feel that I am.”

  “It’s true, though.” He tucked my arm close against him.

  Walking for several moments in the autumn air, the swirl of colorful leaves beneath our feet, the temperature chilling our cheeks, I found I’d never been happier. I stopped all at once and turned to him.

  “I love you,” I told him. My heart beat faster. “I honestly and truly love you.”

  He looked at me intently for a moment, then grinned in that self-assured way of his. “I know that.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed me soundly on the mouth. “But I’m glad you finally got around to saying it,” he whispered against my lips. “Makes what I want to say so much better.”

  He let me go and reached into his pocket. Dropping to one knee right there in the middle of the sidewalk, Mark opened the box and held it before me. “Will you marry me?”

  I could hardly believe he’d just proposed in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s yard. I looked at him and then to the ring sparkling inside the box. He wanted to marry me—to spend the rest of his life with me.

  “Well?” he asked.

  The things that had once haunted me no longer seemed a barrier to a future filled with love and companionship. “I will,” I said, fighting back tears.

  He got up and pulled me into his arms once again. “I’m so glad you said yes. My knee was freezing on that pavement.”

  I giggled. “Is that the only reason you’re glad?”

  Shaking his head, he took the beautiful antique ring and slipped it on my finger. “No, silly. I’m also glad because now we can move ahead to finish out phase two and go right into phase three.”

  “And exactly what might that entail?” I raised a brow.

  His blue eyes twinkled. “A wedding will complete phase two quite nicely. I suggest a lovely Christmastime wedding. I know it’s short notice, but I have friends and we can pull strings if you need some exotic designer gown and special location for the ceremony.”

  I shook my head. “I only need you.” I could scarcely believe this was happening. Six months ago I was mired in the past. Now I felt almost as though I could fly.

  He kissed me again, and I leaned into the solid strength of him. Weak in the knees, I finally pulled away. “And phase three?”

  “Ah,” he said in a low husky voice. “The honeymoon.”

  “Hmm.” I imagined a warm location with long days spent in each other’s company. “I think I shall very much enjoy working with you through that phase . . . and all the others.”

  Laughing, he put his arm around me and we headed for the car. “I think, Miss Cooper, that this will be the first of many successful projects together.”

  Chapter 25

  We set the wedding for two days after Christmas. Piper had already journeyed to London but arranged to be back for the celebration. She and Geena agreed to be my dual maids of honor and dressed beautifully in black and white and red; they made a striking addition to the church decorations.

  Mom had helped me to arrange the décor. She teased that since Mark and I were both in publishing we should have everything done in black and white, but that was a little too stark for me, and we added red in honor of the holidays. The church, already dressed for Christmas, needed very few additional touches. We’d decked the sides of the pews with pine garlands trimmed with red bows earlier in the month as a donation from the Cooper family for the holidays. That not only worked well with the season, but also with our plans for the wedding. Several artfully designed arrangements of red roses and calla lilies, as well as beautiful brass stands of candles, rounded off the setting. I was quite pleased with the way it had turned out. It looked tasteful and elegant without being pretentious.

  I wanted a simple wedding and so did Mark. In fact, he suggested more than once that we elope and put an end to the festivities. I held my ground that a girl only married once, hopefully, and that I wanted to have this moment to remember. He understo
od, as I knew he would. We decided against having lengthy sermons or singing. A short exchange of vows along with the recitation of Scripture that had become very important to us would keep the focus on what was most important—our covenant with God and each other.

  “You doing all right?” Dad asked before he escorted me to the altar.

  I smoothed down the lines of my strapless white silk gown and nodded. He reached over to touch my cheek. “You’re so very beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Dad. May I say that you’re quite dashing in that tuxedo.”

  He smiled and pulled at the lapels. “So your stepmom already told me.”

  I laughed. “I’m sure she did.”

  Geena and Piper popped into the alcove and hugged me. I couldn’t help but remember all the times we’d huddled together as children. Those had been dark days, but now we were sharing a moment of light.

  “I’m so excited for you,” Geena whispered against my ear.

  Piper leaned in to do likewise. “I hope you’ll always be happy.”

  “With God’s help,” I said, holding tight to them for a moment, “I pray we’ll all be happy.”

  My sisters nodded and pulled away. Geena stepped toward Dad and straightened his bow tie, while Piper adjusted her sash and glanced at the wall clock.

  “It’s time,” Piper said. “Do we look all right?”

  Piper gave a turn in her sleek strapless black dress. A sash of white, overlaid with a smaller one of red, trimmed her waist and accented the flowers she held. Her bobbed hair only served to accent her elfish face. Geena had left her hair to cascade down her back. I thought they both looked incredible. “You look stunning. You both do.”

  “You too.” They both smiled and Geena cocked her head to the door. “Come on.”

  I drew a deep breath and looked at Dad. “I guess it’s time to give me away.”

  “Mark’s a good man, and I know I can trust him to do right by you. You’re going to have a good life, Bailee. I just feel God’s hand is upon you and this marriage.”

  His encouragement brought tears to my eyes. “Don’t make me cry,” I said, hugging him one more time.