by Gun Brooke
“Good for you. I mean it.” Sabrina’s voice sounded softer.
Deciding she’d been hiding long enough, Darcy joined the siblings in the guest room. “Amazing bathroom, Daniel. I love it.”
“Dan, please.” He extended his hand. “We’re not always this impolite. Welcome to our place. Please know you can use anything you want around here, and if you’re hungry and a meal isn’t quite ready yet, feel free to help yourself in the kitchen.” He had a charming smile, and Darcy returned it as she shook his hand.
“Thanks. I’ll remember that.”
“So you aren’t a couple?” Dan asked, making Sabrina growl. “Just kidding, sis. We’re thrilled that you brought Darcy to the barbecue. It’s been a while, and since you’ve never actually introduced us to one of your—ow!” He rubbed his bicep, where Sabrina had landed a strong fist. “I bruise easily.” He winked at Darcy.
“Sure.” Sabrina ushered him out the door. “I’m going to change, so shoo.”
“All right, all right. You can find us in the family room later. The boys have a present for you, and so do we.” He ducked out and closed the door behind him.
“They’re very nice,” Darcy said when once again the silence seemed to stretch on and on.
“They are.” Sabrina took off her cardigan and hung it in one of the closets. “And unfiltered to the umpteenth degree.”
“I noticed.” Darcy stowed her now-empty bag in the bottom of the closet. “So, about this girlfriend business. Care to share why they might have jumped to that conclusion?” Darcy knew she was ribbing Sabrina, because what other answer than Sabrina being out to her brother and sister-in-law could there be?
“I suppose I should have reciprocated when you told me you’re a lesbian.” Sabrina unzipped her bag.
“No. You have no obligation to do that. None. I suppose I shouldn’t have asked, but your sister-in-law has kind of let the cat out of the closet already, as it were.”
“She did. I’ve known I’m gay since high school.” Sabrina’s tone was definitive. It was rather obvious that she wasn’t going to allow any more questions, but Darcy still had a few.
“Are you going to be all right sharing this room tonight?” She studied her feet for a moment before raising her gaze. “I’m sure we can make other arrangements.”
Sabrina turned around after putting a few pieces of garments into her side of the dresser. “Like what?” She actually sounded curious.
“It wouldn’t be the first time I slept in the Silverado.”
Sabrina gaped for a fraction of a second. “I couldn’t have you sleep in the truck! Are you crazy?”
“No. It would be one option if you don’t—”
“But I do! I mean, I don’t mind at all. Don’t be silly.” Sabrina grabbed a hanger with jerky movements and hung a dress on it.
“All right. We’re both fine sharing, and clearly, we both anticipated we might have to dress up a bit. That’s a gorgeous dress. So, it’s appropriate for tomorrow’s lunch?”
“Hmm.” Sabrina tilted her head as she squinted at Darcy. “You’re a clever woman for sure. You’ve figured out that I suspected my parents might pull a stunt like this, not to mention the wool over my brother’s eyes.”
“Not until now, when I saw the dress. A tad too spiffy for a barbecue.”
“I’ll say. I think I’ll change into a pair of jeans.” Sabrina motioned toward the bathroom. “I recommend you do too. Unless Ethan and Kevin are being sedated as we speak, we’re in for a treat this afternoon.”
“Gotcha.” Darcy pulled out her jeans and the white shirt from the closet. “Better suit up accordingly then.”
As Sabrina gathered her jeans and a top, Darcy sighed inwardly. She was so screwed. When Darcy had only watched Sabrina from afar, she’d taken for granted that Sabrina was straight and was dating some handsome stockbroker back home. Hiding her attraction had been difficult enough then, but now, when she knew the truth about Sabrina’s sexual orientation, it would be a hundred times harder. To cool herself off, Darcy reminded herself of Sabrina’s indifferent expression when she’d admitted to Darcy that she was gay. Darcy hadn’t detected a single sign that Sabrina found her appealing.
So, yes. She was screwed.
Chapter Nine
Two pairs of eyes followed every single one of Sabrina’s movements as she began to unwrap her belated birthday present. Not wanting to disappoint Ethan and Kevin, she pretended to struggle with the ribbon and the tape holding the pretty pink wrapping paper together.
“Did you have to use the entire roll of tape?” she groused and gave the boys a mock glare, which made them giggle. “And so much wrapping paper. I mean, it’s pretty and everything, but this is like trying to dig for gold.” Eventually she pulled out a plain cardboard box, eyeing it carefully. She shook it, and it made a muted thumping sound. “And it’s really heavy. What can it possibly be?”
“Open it and see!” Kevin bounced and inspired his brother to do the same. “Open it, Aunt Sabrina.”
“All right, all right.” Smiling broadly, Sabrina glanced around the coffee table, and for a moment she locked her gaze on Darcy. As Darcy looked unwaveringly at her, they both blinked. Sabrina felt caught and returned her focus hurriedly to the boys’ gift.
When she began pulling out one plaster animal after another, clearly painted by the boys, she ooh’d and ah’d, and it wasn’t just to please the kids. The animals were meticulously painted by two skilled sets of hands, and she flushed with pride.
“These are amazing,” Sabrina said seriously and looked at each animal carefully. “I can tell you’ve put a lot of work into painting these.”
“They really did paint them all themselves. I just had to help them with the plaster molds.” Lorna’s proud-parent look was timeless. A tiny sting erupted in Sabrina’s belly. She doubted she would ever have children. Not that she didn’t want kids, but not as a single mother—and for her to let her guard down enough to open her heart to someone…not likely.
“I think we have two budding artists in the family,” Sabrina said. “Thank you so much, guys. I’ll put them on my mantel in the beach…house.” If anyone other than Darcy noticed her faltering voice, they didn’t say anything.
“We have something for you as well, sis.” Dan stood and fetched a large, flat box, also wrapped in the glittery pink paper. Sabrina estimated the size of the present as two by three feet and maybe three inches thick. “Should I shake it?” she asked her brother mildly.
Dan snorted. “You can try.”
Shaking her head, Sabrina turned to Darcy. “What do you think? A toolbox?”
“Could be a chainsaw,” Darcy deadpanned.
“Or a waffle iron.”
The twins gaped. “You aren’t good at guessing,” Ethan said and shook his head. “That’s not a chainsaw. Daddy’s chainsaw’s in the garage. He cut down a dead tree once. It almost fell on the house.”
“What?” Lorna turned to Dan. “Is that true?”
“Exaggerations,” Dan murmured and motioned to Sabrina. “Open it now before my wife becomes a detective and goes into the yard to look for evidence.”
“Hmm.” Sabrina carefully unwrapped the present, though not as slowly as she’d done with the boys’ gift. As the last bit of silky paper fell off, she found herself staring at something she never would have expected. “Oh, my God.” She could hardly breathe. The beauty of the painting hit her just below her breastbone, making her unable to breathe for a moment. “Oh, Dan. Lorna. How?” She gripped the simple black frame and just stared at the painting, clearly done by a great landscape artist. Slightly off center in the painting, her beloved beach house sat bathing in the setting sun. The dunes around it appeared pristine, as if no summer guest had ever made any footprints on them. Every single detail appeared so lifelike, it was as if she could smell the salty air and hear the sound of shrieking seagulls. “Who painted this?” Looking down at the right lower corner, Sabrina gaped. “No way?”
�
��Yes, way,” Dan said, beaming now. “Surprise!”
“Who?” Darcy asked and scooted closer to Sabrina on the couch, gazing over her shoulder. “Hayden Rowe? The Hayden Rowe? Even I, who know nothing about art whatsoever, have heard of her.”
“She doesn’t usually paint on commission, but she and Lorna have mutual friends. They spoke about this beach of yours and how special it is, and apparently, she was intrigued.”
“But…it must’ve cost a fortune. I don’t mean to be rude, but you just renovated the house…” Sabrina quieted when Lorna just shook her head.
“Sabrina. You just turned thirty-five, and we know your business is very successful. You’re ticking off one goal after another on that list of yours, and even if you never would touch a cent of your trust fund, and nor would Dan, normally—well, we thought, what better use of that money than to give you something truly special. You deserve it, honey. You truly do.” Lorna blew Sabrina a kiss.
“I hate that money, but I could never refuse such a gift.” Sabrina drew a trembling breath. “For you to come up with something like this and manage to persuade this amazing, elusive woman to paint it for me. I hope I get to thank her too one day.”
“That’s kind of the second part of this present. We invited her and her partner, Greer Landon, to our notorious Christmas party this year. Another brilliant idea of mine. That means you have to show up.” Lorna laughed and high-fived her husband.
Tears burned just inside Sabrina’s eyes, and she fought to keep them there, but one dislodged and ran down her cheek. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Both Ethan and Kevin’s present and yours were more than I ever could have thought to wish for.”
A gentle hand briefly touched Sabrina’s leg just above her knee. She turned to Darcy, who gave her an encouraging smile as she repeated what Sabrina had to surmise was a caress. At least it felt like it, and the sensation sent tiny sparkles through her system, which made her recoil since she couldn’t remember when she’d felt that last.
Darcy removed her hand and pushed her shoulders back. Sabrina wasn’t the best body-language reader in the world, but even she could interpret that Darcy felt rejected. Sabrina forced herself to focus on her brother and his family. She couldn’t afford to allow the business arrangement with Darcy to even hint at becoming anything else. Darcy was a pro at what she did. No doubt she had babysat other people and knew it was by no means a personal thing. In fact, it was beyond presumptuous of Sabrina to think Darcy meant anything but a friendly gesture between two human beings.
“How old are you, Darcy?” Kevin asked, making Sabrina shift from complete awkwardness to a chuckle.
“Kevin, young man. That’s not a polite question.” Daniel shook his head. “My apologies, Darcy.”
“That’s a valid question.” Darcy laughed. “Twenty-nine in December.”
“We’ll be six in January. On the fifth. Auntie Sabrina and you should come to our birthday party.” Ethan nodded enthusiastically. “Unless you’re scared of clowns. Some grownups are scared of them. Our best friend, Suzy, her mom is afraid of clowns.” He looked amazed at this mystery.
Darcy looked as if she wasn’t sure how to respond to any of that. Sabrina thought fast, not wanting to either lie to the boys or disappoint them. “You know what, guys? Unless Darcy has to work, she’ll come with me. If she can’t, then you’ll have to settle for your old aunt.”
“You’re not old!” The boys looked surprised. “You’re pretty.”
Sabrina managed to relax and found she was enjoying herself much more than she’d ever anticipated. Was it because she felt safe, finally, with her family and Darcy to help her feel…well, normal?
The rest of the afternoon held more laughter and some outdoor play. The September day turned out to be warm and perfect for a barbecue. Dan proudly showed off his new grill and all its features, something that apparently interested Darcy. After Lorna came over to join Sabrina on the low brick wall that ran along the perimeter of the flagstone patio, they both watched Darcy and Dan gesture emphatically over the rotisserie.
“She seems very nice, your friend,” Lorna said quietly. “Whether she’s your girlfriend or not.”
“Lorna. You know I don’t date. I gave up on that a long time ago. It isn’t worth it.” Sabrina sighed. “But yes, Darcy is a good person.”
“She looks at you. A lot.” Lorna placed a gentle hand on Sabrina’s shoulder.
“What?” Startled, Sabrina glanced back and forth between her sister-in-law and Darcy. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Calm down. It doesn’t have to mean anything. You know me. I’m observant. And I’ve seen Darcy look at you and not just briefly, but the long, contemplating kind. I’m not saying she has the hots for you, but she seems to truly care.”
But of course. Darcy studied Sabrina and kept an eye on the surroundings. Even if she was engrossed in a conversation with Dan, Sabrina had noticed how Darcy furtively let her gaze run along the road, the fields to the south of the house, and the woods in the north. A few times, she’d frowned, but Sabrina recognized this as a sign of concentration rather than concern.
“She is quite caring.”
“What does she do at the business center?” Lorna bent and pulled up some dry weeds by the wall. “Somehow she doesn’t strike me as someone who’d enjoy office life.”
“True. She works security.”
“Security?” Gaping, Lorna glanced back and forth between Sabrina and Darcy. “Well, now that you mention it, she has that certain…you know, poise? Like she could explode into action when needed.”
“Now you’re just making things up.” Sabrina didn’t disagree, even if she’d never tell Lorna that. Darcy moved with grace, and her wiry, muscular frame did give an impression of power. Then, of course, she was still curvy and feminine. And very pretty. Sabrina groaned inwardly. She couldn’t think of Darcy as pretty, or she’d open a Pandora’s Box that had been nailed shut with great success for so long.
“I’m not making anything up. She’s gorgeous and seems very strong. Did you see her hoist both the boys earlier? One under each arm. Even Dan struggles with that after a while, but Darcy just kept running with them as if they were footballs.”
It was true. The twins had squealed and laughed as Darcy ran fast, but in a very controlled way, with them across the lawn where the maples had dropped a few yellowing leaves. She seemed to really like kids, and the boys were infatuated by now. Sabrina wasn’t jealous, as she didn’t begrudge the boys the fun time playing with someone who was strong enough to wrestle with them. She could barely lift them anymore, even if she considered herself fit.
“Hey, you lazy chicks over there,” Dan hollered. “Come and get some, or you’ll miss out.” He motioned at the grill, and Sabrina saw Darcy carrying something in a big bowl from the house.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Lorna gushed and hurried toward Darcy. “You’re the guest, after all.”
“I don’t mind pitching in. I think I gave Dan here one barbecue tip too many, so he sent me in to the fridge for the salad and condiments.” Darcy pointed toward a tray at the rustic table with benches on each side.
“You’re a gem,” Lorna said and squeezed Darcy’s shoulders. “I’ll just pop in and get the beverages. Any special requests?”
“Do you have any nonalcoholic beer?” Sabrina asked as she received her steak, medium-rare, from Dan.
“Sure do. We know what you like. Darcy?” Lorna tilted her head.
“That’s what I like also, please.” Darcy winked at Sabrina, who felt her cheeks warm.
“Perfect.” Lorna strode inside and returned momentarily with their beverages of choice. Dan drank what he called real beer, and Lorna had poured herself some red wine. As any type of wine gave Sabrina migraines, she wasn’t even tempted.
After her freshman year in college, she hadn’t had any alcohol whatsoever for years. If she entertained, she sometimes masked her preference by drinking nonalcoholic wine th
at looked like the real deal, but these days it wasn’t such a stigma to say no to alcohol as it had been when she was younger. During her senior year in high school, some of her peers had ridiculed her mercilessly when she declined a drink. They called her a nerd, a bore, a party-pooper, a drag, and generally no fun to be with. However, that was nothing compared to what she had been called as a freshman and sophomore before she transferred to another college. Nowadays she indulged in some luxurious single-malt whiskey every now and then, but that was it.
Sabrina forced the unwanted associations out of her mind and focused on the food and the company. Soon, she and Dan were swapping stories about each other, and everyone was laughing at the Hawk siblings’ antics. After being able to relax even further, Sabrina realized just how tightly wound she’d been earlier. Now she could let go a bit of her notorious control and be silly to please the twins. The fact that she saw glitter and mirth in Darcy’s multicolored eyes only added to her pleasure. If she hadn’t known better, she would’ve sworn Darcy didn’t take her eyes off her for the rest of the meal and later when they sat down to watch a film with the boys. As some animated Lego characters careened across the sixty-inch flat-screen TV, Darcy kept looking at Sabrina on and off.
Sabrina tried to act casual, but the glances were like the gentle touch of fingertips against paper-thin crystal glassware. Nothing about this attention felt intrusive, which was very odd. Normally it only took brushing against someone in a corridor or elevator for Sabrina to feel crowded.
All in all, it was a very strange experience.
Chapter Ten
Darcy couldn’t sleep. Something had woken her an hour after midnight, and now she lay curled up on her left side, facing the door to the guest room. Behind her in the other twin bed, she could hear light breathing coming from Sabrina.
Going to bed next to each other had been less awkward than Darcy feared. Sabrina had stayed so long in the bathroom taking a bath that Darcy was almost asleep when she returned. Still, when Sabrina had passed Darcy’s bed, leaving a scent so sweet and fresh, she had become wide awake. When she finally went to sleep, strange dreams tormented her, bringing old ghosts together with new ones. Officer Ivers’s voice, from when she worked on the same shift with him, roared three words over and over. “It was her. It was her!”
