Home Fires

by Luanne Rice

  “Here it is,” Gabrielle was saying.

  “Here what is?” Anne asked, looking everywhere but at Gabrielle. How long would Anne be able to keep herself together? It was obvious that Gabrielle was just trying to “cover up” for Maggie, to make up for Maggie’s revelation about the dice earrings by pointing Anne in a different direction. And while Anne appreciated the gesture, she no longer had the graciousness simply to weather it politely.

  Cobwebs draped from the rafters, and the smell of smoke was surprisingly strong. Where Steve had replaced floorboards and roofing, there was an alarmingly bright section of golden pine. But Gabrielle led Anne to the opposite end of the attic, the part that they had played in as children.

  The first raindrops grazed the fanlight window. Then more, and then they were pelting the roof. The drops rattled the uninsulated eaves like machine-gun fire. The tension in Anne’s chest built until she thought she would explode.

  “Gabrielle,” Anne said. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Try to make me feel better. I don’t know what you have in mind, but just let it be. I love Karen. Maggie was just telling the truth. It doesn’t change the way I feel about the picture.”

  “Anne, sweetheart,” Gabrielle said, holding Anne’s hand and gazing into her eyes with a crinkled, bittersweet smile. “Sit down.” With the heel of her hand, she gently pushed her sister down onto an ancient crate containing strips of fabric their mother had saved to weave into braided rugs.

  “Gabrielle,” Anne said, passing a hand across her eyes, as if she didn’t think she could stand more of this.

  “Anne?” Gabrielle said in a strong, steady voice. “Remember when you went back to New York last summer, to see Matt? And left Karen with us?”

  “Of course!”

  “Well, one morning when Maggie was off with her friends, Karen and I were alone together. We went to the beach, and then we came up to the house for lunch. She was a little excited, because you were coming back to the island that afternoon.”

  “I remember,” Anne said, spinning her memories back one year.

  “Somehow I got the idea to come up here, to the attic, and let her poke around our old toys and things. To calm her down.”

  “Didn’t we love to play up here?” Anne asked. “It was one regret I had, living in an apartment—no attic for Karen to play in.”

  “We sure did,” Gabrielle said, her smile widening. “So did Karen. I showed her these.”

  Anne watched as Gabrielle reached into an old armoire and withdrew two small dress boxes. While the cardboard had once been glossy and white, it had mottled with age. The corners had broken down, and gray dots of age and mildew speckled the boxes’ surfaces. Anne hadn’t seen these boxes in many years, but recognizing them from Karen’s drawing; she felt her heart start to pound.

  Gabrielle was watching for Anne’s reaction. Seeing that Anne had made the connection, she kissed Anne’s cheek.

  Gently, so as to not further damage the frail box lids, Gabrielle removed them. Inside each box, wrapped in fragile tissue paper, was a white lace christening gown. One had been Gabrielle’s, and the other had been Anne’s. Years later, when the sister had had daughters of their own, each had dressed her baby girl in a gown for her own baptism at the island church.

  “You showed them to Karen?” Anne said, picturing the scene.

  “I did,” Gabrielle said. “I told her the happiest day of your life was the day she was born. That you held her in your arms and couldn’t believe how lucky you were. Just the way I felt about Maggie. And how, at different times but in the same church, we dressed our little girls in these beautiful gowns, and we knew we had found paradise.”

  “Thank you,” Anne said, holding Karen’s dress, her cheeks damp. “For telling me. I needed to hear that.”

  “Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me,” Gabrielle said, leaning over to kiss Anne’s head, wrap her in a sisterly embrace. “I believe we would have lost her if it wasn’t for you.”

  Anne’s hand found Gabrielle’s, and they stayed there, huddled together in the dark end of the attic, while rain pounded the roof. Her eyes closed, Anne was holding on to a strong sense of Karen. Karen had been here, in this very spot, barely a year ago. If she strained to hear, if she mixed in the sound of the rain, Anne could almost hear Karen’s voice ringing in the eaves.

  “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” came Thomas’s voice. “Maggie told me I might find Anne up here. Hi, Gabrielle.”

  “Hi, Thomas,” Gabrielle said, giving Anne a final pat before letting go.

  Anne blinked, bringing herself back from the sweet sensation of Karen. The feeling was gone now, taken by a gust of wind, the blink of an eye, the crack of a lightning bolt.

  Holding out her hand, Anne let Thomas pull her up. Her arm around his waist, she walked with him to the stairs. The feeling might be gone, she thought, but it wasn’t lost. She could always get it back, because she knew where to look. Making collages of heaven had brought her closer to Karen, and she knew that Karen would understand why she had finally let herself include Thomas’s house in the series.

  Not everyone glimpses paradise during their lifetime. Only the lucky ones.

  About the Author

  LUANNE RICE is the author of eighteen novels, most recently Silver Bells, Beach Girls, Dance With Me, The Perfect Summer, and The Secret Hour. She lives in New York City and Old Lyme, Connecticut.

  Visit the author’s official website at www.luannerice.com.

  also by

  LUANNE RICE

  Silver Bells

  Beach Girls

  Dance With Me

  The Perfect Summer

  The Secret Hour

  True Blue

  Safe Harbor

  Summer Light

  Firefly Beach

  Dream Country

  Follow the Stars Home

  Cloud Nine

  Blue Moon

  Secrets of Paris

  Stone Heart

  Crazy in Love

  Angels All Over Town

  “Rice’s trademarks are fine writing, a good eye for small detail, and an uncanny way of conveying the mysterious glue that holds families together.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

  PRAISE FOR THE TRANSCENDENT NOVELS OF LUANNE RICE

  HOME FIRES

  “Good domestic drama is Rice’s chosen field, and she knows every acre of it… . Rice’s home fires burn brighter than most, and leave more than a few smoldering moments to remember.” —Kirkus Reviews

  “A good read. Take it along on a beach trip and give yourself over to this summer romance.” —Hartford Courant

  “Patented Luanne Rice.” —Entertainment Weekly

  SILVER BELLS

  “Lost souls, found again … Lyrical and lovely: a standout Christmas story.” —Kirkus Reviews

  “Rice’s romanticized vision of Manhattan is sharpened by local detail, and her heartwarming Christmas story will please readers who like a nice dose of pathos with their holiday fare.” —Publishers Weekly

  “Ms. Rice never fails to deliver a beautiful tale full of emotion … destined to become an enchanting Christmas classic for future generations to enjoy for years to come. Stirring and poignant, it is full of hope and love both lost and found … speaks to the reader of magic, miracles and pursuing your dreams, no matter what the cost. Pick up this book and let its magic work wonders as it enlivens your soul.” —The Best Reviews

  DANCE WITH ME

  “A return to what the author does best: heartfelt family drama, gracefully written and poignant.” —Kirkus Reviews

  “Once again, Rice captures the wonder of life, warts and all, and puts in a bid for hope. Dance With Me is a stellar example of why Rice continues to gain popularity.” —Booklist

  “Heartbreak gives way to love and reconciliation in this poignant tale. Rice’s sympathetic protagonists and impressive secondary characters keep her readers e
ngaged.” —Publishers Weekly

  “In Dance With Me, Luanne Rice once again shows her ability to craft characters readers can relate to, both in their good and bad times.” —Orlando Sentinel

  “Luanne Rice pens another novel sure to please legions of fans. Dance With Me is a good read that sensitively deals with issues like secrets and their impact, aging and loss.” —Chattanooga Times Free Press

  “Rice, always skilled at drafting complex stories, again reveals her special strength in character development—including all the ancillary personae who round out this tale of love, loss and hope.” —Newark Sunday Star-Ledger

  “Readers should … appreciate the strong message about families working earnestly to heal past wounds.” —BookPage

  “I remember Luanne Rice’s first novel, Crazy In Love, and how struck I was by its honesty; I see that same honesty in Dance With Me.” —bookreporter.com

  “Rice’s honest, salt-of-the-earth characters quickly bring the reader into their lives and hearts.” —Romantic Times

  BEACH GIRLS

  “Like a milder Northern cousin of Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, Rice’s latest celebrates the near mystical persistence of female bonds… . Gorgeous descriptions and sensitive characterizations … Few writers evoke summer’s translucent days so effortlessly, or better capture the bittersweet ties of family love. Those who can’t get to the beach will feel transported there upon opening this book, which will likely be a seaside essential for many readers.” —Publishers Weekly

  “[A] beautiful and tender love story set against an idyllic backdrop of sand and surf and dealing with many facets of love. Another winner for Rice, who breathes life into poignant tales not only about love but also about forgiveness.” —Booklist

  THE PERFECT SUMMER

  “A beautifully crafted novel … Rice’s ability to evoke the lyricism of the seaside lifestyle without over-sentimentalizing contemporary issues like adultery, anorexia or white-collar crime is just one of the many gifts that make this a perfect summer read.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  “A loving look at family and the issues that must be faced when a crisis threatens its cohesion.” —Booklist

  “Rice has done it again. The Perfect Summer is hard to put down until the last page is turned.” —Sunday Oklahoman

  “If you’re into stories that explore human emotions, that delve into different psyches and extol those who manage to triumph over some of life’s tragedies, then you’ll enjoy The Perfect Summer.” —Detroit News & Free Press

  THE SECRET HOUR

  “Familiar Rice themes of sisterhood, loss and the healing power of love are spotlighted, but Rice’s interest in the human psyche has its dark side as well… . The shore scenes, including a cinematic climax … [are] among the novel’s strongest. Rice’s heartfelt personal tone and the novel’s cunningly deranged villain make this a smooth-flowing and fast-paced effort, with justice served all around at the satisfying … conclusion.” —Publishers Weekly

  “Salt-of-the-earth characters form the life-breathing force in this emotionally charged novel… . Suspenseful … possibly Rice’s best work to date.” —Romantic Times

  “Rice’s lyrical style humanizes the dilemma of justice by the book versus justice for victims.” —Booklist

  “Luanne Rice is one of the most mesmerizing storytellers. Her books are always deeply emotional, [with] wonderful characters.” —Somerset (PA) Daily American

  “A beautiful book … the reader is drawn in from the first word. It’s a tense, driven, sometimes harsh and sometimes very gentle love story.” —Old Book Barn Gazette

  “Intense and emotional, The Secret Hour has everything [readers] have come to expect and enjoy in novels by Luanne Rice … infinitely appealing characters … a sense of family that is rich and satisfying. Beyond these familiar elements is the underlying current of the unsolved mystery—the suspense is spine tingling and well developed. This added dimension in The Secret Hour elevates the novel to more than just a deep, meaningful novel of family relationships, and makes it one of Ms. Rice’s best yet—A Perfect Ten.” —Romance Reviews Today

  TRUE BLUE

  “With its graceful prose, full-bodied characters and atmospheric setting, this uplifting and enchanting tale is likely to become a beachside staple.” —Publishers Weekly

  “Rice, as always, provides her readers with a delightful love story filled with the subtle nuances of the human heart.” —Booklist

  SAFE HARBOR

  “Luanne Rice has a talent for navigating the emotions that range through familial bonds, from love and respect to anger… . A beautiful blend of love and humor, with a little bit of magic thrown in, Safe Harbor is Rice’s best work to date.” —Denver Post

  “Irresistible … fast-paced … moving … Through Rice’s vivid storytelling, readers can almost smell the sea air. Rice has a gift for creating realistic characters, and the pages fly by as those characters explore the bonds of family while unraveling the mystery.” —Orlando Sentinel “Heartwarming and convincing … a meditation on the importance of family ties … buoyed by Rice’s evocative prose and her ability to craft intelligent, three-dimensional characters.” —Publishers Weekly

  “Luanne Rice’s exploration of the difficult emotional balance between professional success, personal fulfillment and family ties is pure gold. Evocative descriptions add interest to an already compelling tale. Equal parts romance, mystery, and character study … Readers beware: don’t start this book at bedtime; you may not sleep at all!” —Library Journal

  “A story for romantics who have never forgotten their first love.” —Columbia (SC) State

  FIREFLY BEACH

  “A beautifully textured summertime read.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  “Rice does a masterful job of telling this powerful story of love and reconciliation.” —Booklist

  SUMMER LIGHT

  “Few … authors are able to portray the complex and contradictory emotions that bind family members as effortlessly as Rice… . This poignant tale of love, loss and reconciliation will have readers hitting the bookstores.” —Publishers Weekly

  “The prolific Rice skillfully blends romance with magic.” —Booklist

  “Luanne Rice awakens in the reader the excitement of summer and love at first sight in this enjoyable novel.” —Abilene Reporter-News

  DREAM COUNTRY

  “A moving story of love and reunion … an absolute joy to read … I finally put Dream Country down at 2 a.m. and almost called in sick the next day to finish it.” —Denver Post

  “Superb … stunning.” —Houston Chronicle

  “Captivating … Dream Country will cast a spell on readers.” —Orlando Sentinel

  “A transcendent story about the power of hope and family love … A compelling plot and nuanced character portrayals contribute to the emotional impact… . Rice creates believable dramatic tension.” —Publishers Weekly

  “Engaging … a taut thriller … Rice’s descriptive gifts are impressive.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune

  “Highly readable … moving … a well-paced plot … Rice pulls off some clever surprises.” —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

  FOLLOW THE STARS HOME

  “Addictive … irresistible.” —People

  “Involving, moving … stays with the reader long after the last page is turned.” —Denver Post

  “Uplifting … The novel’s theme—love’s miraculous ability to heal—has the ingredients to warm readers’ hearts.” —Publishers Weekly

  “A moving romance that also illuminates the tangled resentments, ties and allegiances of family life … Rice spins a web of three families intertwined by affection and conflict… . [She] is a gifted storyteller with a keen sense of both the possibilities and contingencies of life.” —Brunswick (ME) Times Record

  “Powerhouse author Luanne Rice returns with a novel guaranteed to wrench your emotional heartstrings. Deeply moving and rich with emotion, Fo
llow the Stars Home is another of Ms. Rice’s classics.” —Romantic Times

  CLOUD NINE

  “A tightly paced story that is hard to put down … Rice’s message remains a powerful one: the strength of precious family ties can ultimately set things right.” —Publishers Weekly

  “One of those rare reading experiences that we always hope for when cracking the cover of a book … A joy.” —Library Journal

  “Elegant … Rice hooks the reader on the first page.” —Hartford Courant

  “A celebration of family and the healing power of love. Poignant and powerful … One of those rare books that refresh and renew the landscape of women’s fiction for a new generation of readers.” —Jayne Ann Krentz, author of Sharp Edges

  BLUE MOON

  “Brilliant.” —Entertainment Weekly

  “A rare combination of realism and romance.” —New York Times Book Review

  “Eloquent … A moving and complete tale of the complicated phenomenon we call family.” —People

  “An affectionate and suspenseful tale.” —San Francisco Chronicle

  “Ideal beach reading.” —Hartford Courant

  STONE HEART

  “A highly suspenseful, multilayered [novel] about the complex subtleties that lie beneath the surface of a family.” —San Francisco Chronicle

  “A joy to read. Luanne Rice has hit her stride as a novelist. The sense of foreboding is almost overpowering.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution

  “Deserves a place among the best fiction of its kind, alongside Judith Guest’s Ordinary People and Sue Miller’s The Good Mother.” —Eileen Goudge

  “Powerful … electrifying … The contrast between romance and reality is what gives this novel its wonderful, terrifying, always compelling tension.” —Kirkus Reviews

  “Absorbing.” —Woman Magazine

  More Critical Acclaim for LUANNE RICE

  “What a lovely writer Luanne Rice is.” —Dominick Dunne

  “Ms. Rice shares Anne Tyler’s ability to portray offbeat, fey characters winningly.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution

  “Luanne Rice handles with marvelous insight and sensitivity the complex chemistry of a family that might be the one next door.” —Eileen Goudge