Callie picked up her brandy glass and twisted it in her fingers. “It must have been quite a shock to them. I mean, they had to be in their forties or something, right?”
“I think Rebecca was thirty nine when Sophie was born, if my mental arithmetic is right.” Trish scrunched up her nose and her brow furrowed. “Oh well, I was never very good with maths, but I think that’s about right. You are correct when you say it was a shock. They hadn’t planned on further kids after they had Sandra.”
“Didn’t they want Sophie?” Callie stared into her glass, watching the firelight sparkle in the amber liquid. She couldn’t imagine anyone not loving the beautiful child she’d been privileged enough to meet, but this was the Fullers.
“I don’t think they did, to be honest. Rebecca never had much energy for a young, enthusiastic child. Sophie arrived too late in life for them.” Trish sat forward. “Sandra was the one who cared for Sophie. They were very close. Inseparable. In some ways, Sandra was more of a mother to Sophie than Rebecca was.”
Callie’s heart twisted in her chest and her fingers tightened around the brandy glass in her hand. She diverted her gaze to a painting that graced the opposite wall, afraid her feelings would show in her eyes.
She squelched down the needle of jealousy that burned deep inside. She didn’t want to feel that way about a girl that was long dead, but she did. It wasn’t right. The child she’d seen was sweet and loving. Sophie obviously wanted to help her and that made her guilt that much worse.
“Is something wrong, dear. You seem a little peaky all of a sudden. Perhaps a sip of brandy would help?” Callie could hear the concern in Trish’s voice, but she had no desire to spill her disgraceful thoughts. What could she say to explain her strange reaction to Trish’s words?
“It’s only natural that you’d feel a bit jealous.” The soft words came from beside her. She turned to stare at Jason with absolute horror. Her mouth hung open. How had he known? Had it showed in her expression that much?
“I…..It’s not that.” She sounded like a complete moron. He’d rumbled her and she was just making things worse. “It was just a stupid, split second. I don’t know why it even came up.” She stared at the floor, too ashamed to look him in the eyes.
“Don’t feel bad about it.” He gently grasped her face with his warm hand and forced her gaze to his. He smiled, understanding reflected in his deep brown eyes. “I always felt like that about my brother, even after he died. He received all my mother’s love and adoration. Nobody else could compete. Even if he’d been the most incredible guy on the planet, I’d still have been madly jealous. It’s normal.”
He released her face with a slight caress across her cheek. Callie’s heart constricted and flipped over. His words danced in her brain. She clasped a hand to her chest and tears filled her eyes.
“I didn’t know you had a brother. It must have been awful to lose him. I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“I hope we’re not bringing back painful memories, dear.” Trish dabbed at her teary eyes with a tissue.
Jason shrugged and dropped his gaze to the floor. “It was a long time ago now. I only mention it because I know how Callie feels. I loved my brother, despite his faults, but he was the apple of my mother’s eye. She lived for him. The rest of us barely existed in her life and there were times I hated him for it.”
Callie rubbed his arm. She tried to offer him some of the comfort he’d so generously given to her. He covered her hand and squeezed her fingers gently. His throat worked hard and she realised how difficult it must have been to share what he had with them. Her heart filled with gratitude that he would do so to make her feel better.
“It must be hard to hear that your mother gave her love so freely to her younger sister, and not to you.” Jason stared deeply into her eyes. His complete understanding of her simply amazed her. “Am I wrong?”
“No. I couldn’t have said it better in my own words.” Callie’s vision blurred and her voice broke. “It’s hard to hear that Sandra was capable of being a mother……….just not to me. I had thought she had no mothering instinct, but it seems I was wrong.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, dear.” Trish reached a hand towards Callie. “It’s the last thing I would want to do.”
“It’s fine. It isn’t your fault. I came here for the truth and am grateful you’re telling it to me.” Callie smiled reassuringly. “Please continue with the story.”
“If you’re sure?” Trish sounded doubtful.
“I am.” Callie refused to stop now. She had to know everything, even if it hurt like hell. At least she had Jason to help her through it.
“Okay.” Trish sighed and bowed her head slightly. She bit her lip and frowned. “Now where was I?”
“You were saying how Sandra was more of a mother to Sophie than Rebecca,” Jason reminded her.
Callie faced Trish once more, keeping her hand on Jason’s arm. She wasn’t sure which one of them needed the comfort more, but she couldn’t let the contact go. She was relieved when he didn’t pull away from her. Instead, he drew her hand back into his and laced his fingers through hers.
“Oh, yes. Well, as I was saying, I met Max when Sophie was about three years old. She was a sweet girl, always singing and dancing around the room. A little ray of sunshine is how Sandra always described her.” Trish paused and threw back a large gulp of brandy. She swallowed and grimaced, a slight shudder wracking through her thin frame.
“She was five when she died. I can still remember that dreadful day.” Her eyes glazed over as if she’d travelled back in time and could see it all before her. “It was summer. Rebecca had arranged the annual family picnic at the nature reserve they own. It was a tradition at the time. I couldn’t attend because I was stuck at work, but I waved them all off at the start of the day. I can still recall Sophie wearing the new dress that Rebecca had just bought for her. Beautiful it was, with small flowers all over it.”
Callie’s heart leapt. She knew the dress Trish spoke of. She’d seen it on Sophie every time the child had visited her. For some reason, it made her intensely sad.
“Sandra was pregnant with you at the time. I think she had about two months left to go.” Trish’s voice softened, her face wracked with grief. “Max was distraught when he came home that night. He cried like a child in my arms. I’d never seen him like that before.”
“What happened?” Callie whispered, her limbs shaking from the intense pain she could feel emanating from Trish.
Trish jerked and glanced up at Callie, as if only just remembering she was there. “According to Max, Sophie had spent a great deal of the afternoon begging to go exploring round the nature reserve. Rebecca was too tired and of course Sandra was rather large by this time, so she wasn’t able to take the child either. Sophie wandered off by herself when no one was watching.”
Trish gulped another dose of brandy. She gripped the glass in her hand tightly and swallowed hard. “By the time they found her, she was dead. There is a large pond, more like a mini lake really, on the property. Nobody knows what happened for sure, but somehow Sophie fell in and drowned.”
Callie gasped and covered her mouth with one hand. Her heart filled with grief at the loss of such a young, vibrant life. Her mind filled with the image of the child that she’d seen on so many occasions. The small face, so full of love. Tears slipped down her cheeks and splashed onto her lap.
Callie swallowed a large gulp of brandy and let the burning liquid warm her suddenly cold insides. She pressed her wrist to her mouth, her throat thick with emotions.
“Sandra never got over it. She blamed herself for not taking the child when she’d asked. I think she felt that she personally had failed to keep Sophie safe.” Trish sucked in a breath and snapped her fingers. “Maybe that’s why she decided not to keep you, Callie. Perhaps she thought she’d let down one child and couldn’t bear to take responsibility for another one.”
Callie jerked and her heart skipped several beats. “Do y
ou think so?”
“I think Trish is right. It would make sense.” Jason rubbed the sensitive skin on her wrist. She shivered. “Sandra does care about you. I’ve seen it. She just seems to work hard to ignore it.”
“She was eaten up with grief and pain over Sophie, when she gave birth to you,” Trish explained. “She couldn’t have been thinking straight. I think things became mixed up in her mind. I mean, why else would she tell her entire family that you were stillborn?”
Callie gasped and her jaw dropped. “What?”
Trish jerked as if she’d been struck. “I thought you knew.” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “Oh dear. Have I put my foot in it?”
Callie shook her head, sure she had to have heard wrong. “Everyone thought I was dead?”
“Yes, dear. Your mother said you were stillborn. There is even a grave for you at the cemetery in the church in town. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
Callie’s world spun. She stared sightlessly before her. She could vaguely feel Jason rubbing her back and calling her name. A sharp odour stung her nose and she coughed. Callie clamped a hand over her face.
“I didn’t realise you’d brought that with you.” She glared at Jason and the bottle of smelling salts he insisted on wafting at her.
“Just a precaution. It’s a good thing I did, judging by your complexion.” He grinned and shoved them in her hand. “Two more deep breaths should do it.”
Callie sighed and cautiously did as he’d instructed. She really hated the sharp scent, but she had to admit that it did clear her head.
“I’m so sorry.” Trish stood beside her, wringing her hands. Callie hadn’t even been aware of the woman leaving her seat. “I thought you knew. I should never have sprung that on you.”
“It’s not your fault.” Callie set down her brandy glass and reached out to squeeze Trish’s hand. “I can’t believe she did that. Why would she do something so awful?”
“I don’t know. It was a dreadful shock to the whole family when they found out that you were still alive. It’s the reason Mitch is so angry with you. There were several massive arguments after you turned up. Rebecca nearly had a fit.” Trish patted Callie’s hand. “You were dead as far as everyone was concerned, then suddenly Mitch hears about you at the garage and comes home asking us if Sandra had ever had a child. It put the cat among the pigeons, I can tell you.”
“Just a minute,” Callie frowned and clutched her head, “it makes no sense. I thought Uncle Max knew I’d been adopted, didn’t he?” The conversation she’d had with him ran through her head. He’d told her he’d seen her before Sandra had given her away. It had meant so much to her when he’d said it that she’d never forget the words.
“I beg your pardon?” Trish stared at Callie, the expression frozen on her face as if someone had plunged her into a deep freeze with no warning.
“When he came to see me, Uncle Max mentioned that he’d been there when Sandra handed me over to be adopted.” Callie glanced at Jason. She begged him with her eyes to help her out of the awkward position she’d just landed herself in. He shrugged, clearly unsure what to say.
Trish frowned. “He knew? Why in the world wouldn’t he tell me?”
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m the one who’s put my foot in it now.” Callie bit her lip and wished she could transport herself somewhere else.
“Don’t be silly, dear. It’s not your fault. I just don’t get why he wouldn’t have said anything to me.” Callie could see the hurt in Trish’s eyes and she felt dreadful for having been the one to put it there. “I’ll have to chat with Max about it when he gets home. It really isn’t your problem, dear. Don’t worry about it.”
“We should get going.” Jason climbed to his feet. “We’ve kept you long enough and it’s getting late. Thanks for your time, Trish.”
“Yes, thank you for being so kind.” Callie allowed Jason to help her to her feet, relieved he’d brought the visit to an end. “I can’t express how grateful I am that you told me about Sophie.”
“You’re welcome, dear. I’m just sorry that we both had a bit of a shock this evening.” Trish gathered their brandy glasses in her hands, still seeming rather flustered.
Callie slowly walked behind the woman as they headed back to the hall. She slipped her shoes and coat on before stepping out of the front door. The icy cold air nipped instantly at her nose, but Callie was too happy to be back outside to care.
“Don’t be strangers. Do visit again. I’ve enjoyed your company, despite our topic of conversation.” Trish smiled, but her lips wobbled slightly.
Callie promised to visit again. She and Jason headed back towards his van.
“That was a strange old evening,” Jason commented. He jammed his hands into his pockets.
“What do you make of it?” Callie asked him. “Do you really think Sandra told everyone I was dead?”
“I see no reason why Trish would lie about something like that.” Jason unlocked his van and they both climbed in.
“Nothing about this makes any sense.” Callie scrubbed at her face with one hand, her mind awhirl with the information she’d heard. “Why would my long dead aunt visit me from beyond the grave? Why would my own mother tell her family I was born dead, except for Uncle Max? He knew about my adoption. Unless he was lying.”
“Why would he?” Jason frowned.
“I don’t know. Maybe he only told me that to make me feel better or perhaps it was something else. There is a mystery here and I have no idea what it is or how to solve it.” Callie propped her arm up against the window. She’d ended up with more questions than answers.
“I think we should start with what we can verify.” Jason clipped his seatbelt into place and started the engine. He drove slowly out onto the road. “We can check out the cemetery. Trish said there was a grave stone for you there, so it should be easy to find. We can at least then ascertain that she was speaking the truth about Sandra claiming you’d died.”
Callie shivered. “I’m not sure I’m brave enough to face that. It’s too close for comfort.”
“I can do it for you, if you like.” Jason flicked on his indicator and slowed the van down. He turned neatly onto the main road.
“Would you? I would be so grateful.” Callie blew out a relieved breath. “After that photo I received, I think seeing my own gravestone would be a step too far.”
“I’ll go tomorrow and call you with what I find.”
“What then?” Callie was at a loss. “Even if we find the grave, what does it mean?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out.” Jason flicked a reassuring grin in her direction before turning his eyes back onto the road.
Callie’s heart flipped in her chest. Every glance, every smile, and every caress that Jason gave her, left her wanting more. The kiss they’d shared earlier rose up in her memory once again and her body heated. He was so incredible in every way. She’d never dreamed he would be such a support to her. Callie knew she’d told him she wanted to be friends, but her whole being cried out for his love.
Callie glanced away from him. It hurt to be this close to him and yet be so far apart. In that moment, she knew without any doubt that she’d fallen helplessly in love with him. Her vision blurred. No matter how she felt, Jason wasn’t ready for another relationship. Lucinda had seen to that.
Callie gazed out the window at the stars twinkling in the sky and gulped back her tears. What the hell was she to do now?
Chapter Twenty Two
Jason stared at the TV screen, but he saw nothing. The past few days had been a drain. It had taken everything in his arsenal to prevent Sandra from severely punishing his sister over the album incident. His dad had been set to back Sandra up until Jason had informed him of what she’d said to Fay. World war three had broken out after that.
Fay had stayed with him for a couple of days until things calmed down between Doug and Sandra. Jason had half thought they’d split up, but somehow they’d reached a compromise. Sandra wo
uldn’t punish Fay if Doug forgave her outburst. Peace had been restored, although he wondered for how long.
Jason rubbed his tired eyes and pointed the remote at the set. He pressed the power button and the TV went blank. What was the point of attempting to follow a programme when his mind was elsewhere? Jason sighed and glanced at his phone. He re-read the text Callie had sent him. She was picking her car up tomorrow and that was the real reason for his inability to focus on anything else.
Although it made no difference, Jason still wished he hadn’t been able to fix her car so quickly. She couldn’t leave town anyway, he reassured himself. Cunningham had seen to that. Jason wasn’t sure why he still worried that she’d disappear on him, but he did. It was stupid and it made no sense. She was just a friend. It shouldn’t matter.
Jason climbed to his feet. He picked up his nearly empty mug and wandered into the kitchen. Jason tossed the remains in the sink and washed the mug out. It had been four days since they’d been to Trish’s house together and he realised he’d missed Callie’s company. What did that mean? He was afraid to dig too deeply into that question, unsure he was ready to answer it.
Jason sighed and shoved his mug back on the rack by the kettle. Guilt ate at his insides as he thought about the second half of her text to him. She’d wanted to know if he’d been to the cemetery yet. He’d been so snowed under at work that he hadn’t found any time to check it out as he’d promised.
Jason glanced at his keys where they sat on the kitchen table. Although it was late, a promise was a promise. He’d have no time tomorrow and now was as good a time as any. It would give him a reason to spend longer with Callie when she picked her car up. He laughed at himself and shook his head. What the hell was wrong with him?
Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past) Page 18
