DEADLY REFLECTIONS (BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: FAMILY SECRETS Book 4)

by Regan Black

Paige caught her hand before either one of them could ring the bell. “Carter got a call from his assistant,” she told Jayne. “Virginia, Yost’s secretary, is also singing like a bird. Apparently she kept documentation all these years so she wouldn’t go down alone if he tried to blame her. He’ll be in prison for the rest of his life.”

  “Good.” Jayne stared up at the big oak door. “I’ll be your sister no matter what happens in there,” she promised.

  “Same,” Paige replied. Though she was counting on her parents to make Jayne welcome. “And we’re never letting her dress us in the same clothes, right?”

  As she’d hoped, Jayne laughed in that rusty way she had. “Definitely not.”

  Carter pressed the doorbell, then stepped back and took hold of Paige’s free hand. “Both of you should take a breath.”

  Paige didn’t know if Jayne managed it, but her breath stalled out when her dad answered the door. In his typical casual polo shirt and pressed khaki slacks, he tried to smile, but his eyes were full of guilt as he looked at Jayne.

  She reminded herself of what Carter had said: Jack hadn’t known Jayne existed on the day he’d brought Paige home.

  But when her dad looked at Jayne now, the bolt of grief in his blue eyes was so intense Paige felt it like a vise around her heart.

  “Come in,” he rasped. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Come on in.” He stepped back and they paused in the bright light of the foyer. “Oh my...” His voice trailed off as he studied his daughters standing side by side. “Y-you two. My word. I mean I saw it on the surveillance footage. But the resemblance is uncanny. You truly are identical.”

  Jayne stuck out her hand. “Jayne Salter. I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Coker.”

  He held her hand in both of his for a moment, as if letting her go was a struggle. “Did you ever have someone to call dad?” Jack asked.

  Jayne pressed her lips together. “No, sir.”

  “Well let me extend that invitation right now. If it ever feels right to you, I’d be honored.”

  Jayne shot a look at Paige. “You don’t even know me,” Jayne pointed out.

  “I know Paige and she clearly loves you already,” he said. “That’s enough of an endorsement for me. Come on back. Cora will have my head if I keep you all to myself any longer.”

  Paige watched Jayne’s eyes as she took in the house Paige had grown up in. The differences had to be astronomical and Paige fought off a wave of her own guilt. As Carter kept reminding her, she had no control over where she’d been raised, only where she wanted to go with this relationship.

  Jack led them to the sitting room where her first conversation with Carter a few days ago had ended with her storming out in flurry of impotent grief. Too much had changed in just over a week.

  Cora stood, staring first at Paige then Jayne. Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t let them spill. Instead her mouth firmed and she set her shoulders. “I promised Jack I wouldn’t cry,” she said.

  Carter held Paige’s hand tightly as she braced to protect her sister. None of this was Jayne’s fault and Paige would not allow her mother to imply anything of the kind.

  “Easy, tiger,” he whispered at her ear.

  “Mrs. Coker, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jayne extended her hand once more.

  “Oh, you’re a sight!” Cora exclaimed. Ignoring the polite gesture, she gathered Jayne in a tight hug.

  The bands of tension lifted from Paige’s shoulders and Carter’s grip relaxed as well. They were over the first hurdle.

  Cora released a shell-shocked Jayne and held her at arm’s length, her expression stern. “Forgive me for leading with this, but if your mother weren’t already gone, I fear what I might do to her. Jack told me what happened, and I want you to hear this if nothing else. If we had any inkling about what Yost and that woman were up to, we would have moved heaven and earth for you.”

  “T-Thank you,” Jayne stammered. “That means a great deal.”

  Paige’s knees wobbled as relief surged through her system. “Why don’t we sit down?” she suggested.

  “Yes,” Jack agreed.

  The refreshments on the sideboard included a pitcher of iced water with lemon slices, a carafe of coffee, and another carafe of hot tea.

  “What would you like, Jayne?” Carter asked.

  “Tea would be great, thanks.” She chose a chair across from Cora, separated by the coffee table and apart from the others in the room.

  Paige chose the end of the loveseat closest to her sister, making sure she wouldn’t feel alone. Jack and Cora were seated together on the couch. It was a cozy and friendly atmosphere and Paige tried to be grateful in the moment even as she regretted the time lost.

  Carter filled a cup with tea and brought the caddy with milk and sugar to the coffee table. Paige watched, shamelessly curious about how Jayne drank her tea.

  Her sister added a splash of milk, just like Paige did, and she couldn’t suppress her delight.

  Jayne raised her eyebrows. “Something funny?”

  “That’s the same way Paige takes her tea,” Cora answered before Paige could reply.

  Carter went back and fixed a cup of coffee for himself, Cora, and Jack. Paige opted for a glass of water. She didn’t need the jolt of caffeine and now it felt weird to have tea, as if she needed to prove they were alike.

  “I’m not sure what Jack and Paige have told you about me, Jayne, but I am pleased to meet you. Thrilled! I’ve had issues in the past with depression and changes and frankly, I do my best to avoid thinking about unpleasant things. But this,” she shot Paige a speaking look, “will not wreck me. I won’t let it. No one needs to worry about me. There’s too much to celebrate.”

  “Celebrate?” Jayne echoed, turning to look at Paige.

  Paige gave a small shrug. “Don’t look at me. I have no idea how any of this is supposed to work. But I want us to figure it out. I’d like to be a family, if that’s possible.”

  “I’d like the same thing,” Cora said. “We talked about it and I decided you should hear the worst from me.” She reached for Jack, clutched his hand. “We had dreadful challenges when we tried to start a family,” she began. Her gaze turned wistful and sadness tugged at her lips. “We both made mistakes. When the doctors told me pregnancy was impossible and we should plan on adoption, I resisted the truth. Felt like a complete failure as a woman and a wife. Jack tried, but I wouldn’t be pulled out of my misery.

  “I attempted suicide.” She leaned in just a little as Jack slid his arm around her shoulders. “It was a dumb, selfish act and destroyed our chances of a normal, legal adoption. Thankfully, no one told me that at the time.”

  “You were hurting,” Jack said, his voice low.

  “We were both hurting and I left you to cope without any support.”

  Paige’s vision blurred. She’d never seen her parents like this, so open and raw. It was beautiful. All this time she’d thought her father did all the heavy lifting in the relationship, but she was seeing a new side of her mother tonight.

  “Broke my heart that I couldn’t fix it.” Jack’s gaze was locked on his coffee cup. “Then I went out and made my own mistakes. Overwhelmed and confused, I let myself be distracted by a woman who thought she could replace my wife.”

  “Turns out you made the best mistake for all of us,” Cora said. “Right or wrong, without that momentary lapse in judgment we wouldn’t have Paige. Or this chance to know Jayne.”

  Jack fidgeted. “We’ve been over this,” he grumbled. “I didn’t do anything heroic. I was unfaithful to you. Every day I’m still surprised you found a way to forgive me.”

  “Jack, stop. You brought your daughter home for us to be a family. All I wanted was to be the mother of your children and you made it happen. How it happened doesn’t really matter now.” She faced Jayne again. “And now, we have two daughters. If you’d like to get to know us better. It’s your choice.”

  Jack shifted again. “I’m sorry I didn’t real
ize what Yost and Yvette were up to. We didn’t willingly leave you with her.”

  “This is a lot to process,” Jayne said. She shot a furtive glance at Paige.

  “You know how I feel about it,” Paige said. “We’re sisters. The rest is bonus.”

  “This is way more than I expected when I started looking for my father,” Jayne cradled her tea in her hands. “I want to be clear on this point. I’m not here for a handout or to make any kind of claim.”

  “No one thought that,” Paige said.

  “I had to consider it,” Carter admitted with a wry smile. “But the theory fell apart pretty fast.”

  Jack leaned forward. “You don’t need to give us an answer tonight. We just wanted you to have the facts, from both of us. I hope in time you can find a way to forgive us.” His gaze locked onto Paige. “Both of you.”

  Paige looked away. A piece of her heart was still angry about the lies and that her dad had been unfaithful in the first place, but the bitterness was fading after her mom’s revelations. If her parents could get past this, she should be able to follow that example.

  “I would like to know you both better,” Jayne said, breaking the silence. “I didn’t have the best upbringing. My mother didn’t share your longing for motherhood,” she said to Cora. “Life is ridiculously unfair that way. I’m so sorry you struggled.”

  “Jack and Paige have pampered me for years, with good reason, but I’m aware I’ve been a burden along the way. I’ll be a burden again, I’m sure. But with good doctors and loads of love, I’m trying to become a healthier, better person.”

  “Mom.” Paige wanted to hold her tight, but it would have to wait. “We’re careful because we love you.”

  “And I’m grateful, sweetheart. We never told you about the adoption because you were mine from the moment I laid eyes on you. I didn’t give birth, but you were mine.”

  “Ours.” Jack cleared his throat and caught Paige’s eye. “Like your mom said, from the first moment you were in my arms, the ‘how’ didn’t matter anymore. Frankly, I forgot all about Yvette once I saw the way Cora lit up at the sight of you.”

  As awkward as this was, her focus dropped to her parents’ joined hands. Paige longed for a partnership like theirs, dreamed of the man she could love and cherish and rely on through the good days and bad. She didn’t dare look at Carter. He read her too easily and she didn’t want to scare him off. They’d barely met and he’d seen her though some intense challenges. What if he blamed her feelings on some kind of misplaced gratitude or rescuer infatuation?

  No, that didn’t make sense when she factored in the way the earth shifted under her feet when they kissed. She believed him that he didn’t get personal with clients, that this connection between them was unique. Unique enough to seek more?

  Technically, the case was over. Yost was in custody and the threat to her was contained. Yet he stayed, his knee touching hers, his presence a distinct comfort during this sensitive family discussion.

  “How did you explain a sudden baby in the house?” Jayne asked.

  “It was easy to claim Cora had given birth,” Jack answered. “After the miscarriages, people accepted that we were afraid to share news of another pregnancy. Because of the depression, she wasn’t too active socially before you were born. To be frank, Paige resembled my side of the family so strongly that our friends just assumed what we wanted them to believe. Only my sisters knew about the private adoption.”

  “He told me the whole story about Yvette when you were about a year old,” Cora continued. “We were debating when and if we might tell you about being adopted and he couldn’t go on without giving me all the facts. You were ours, Yvette was out of the picture, so it all worked out,” she finished.

  “Except you were out there,” Paige said to Jayne, “stuck with her.”

  “I caught a few breaks,” Jayne said. “She died early and Yost kept making those deposits.”

  “If you need financial advice, I know a guy,” Carter said.

  They all stared at him and after a beat, laughter filled the room.

  Carter was more than a little surprised things had gone so well with the family. All the background on Cora along with Paige’s concerns had put him on high alert. He’d expected an outburst of some kind, either temper or sorrow. None of the scenarios he’d imagined included Jack and Cora being so clearly united throughout the conversation or taking ownership of their part in the debacle that had separated the girls.

  Then again, they’d had nearly thirty years to come to terms with the facts and most of the details.

  Cora had been gracious and caring and completely sincere when she’d met Jayne. It blew his mind. “Your mom handled that much better than I expected,” Carter said as they walked to his car.

  “It was awesome,” Paige gushed. “I feel like I could dance all night.”

  He wouldn’t mind joining her in that kind of celebration. She was practically glowing with joy. “You sure you don’t want to stay over, too?”

  “No.” Paige slid into the car when he opened the door for her. “Let them have some time.”

  Jayne hadn’t just decided to stay in town and give Jack and Cora a chance to get to know her. She’d actually agreed to stay at the house, in one of the guest rooms. Cora wanted to spoil her a little and frankly Carter was as pleased as Paige that Jayne was open to it.

  He settled behind the wheel and started the car but didn’t drive off immediately. “What about you?” he asked. “Are you still angry with your dad?” Maybe he shouldn’t press on that sore spot, but her joy for Jayne shouldn’t take precedence over her own feelings.

  “Yes and no,” she admitted. “Hearing the whole story, watching them share it as a team smoothed me out quite a bit. Obviously, I wouldn’t be here without him.” Her brow puckered as she gave it some thought. “Still, who wants to learn their dad has secrets like that? Then I think about Mom hugging Jayne and I don’t care.”

  He pulled out of the driveway. “Sounds like the kind of joy they felt when they brought you home as a baby.”

  “I guess so.” She sighed, abruptly subdued, and he almost wished he hadn’t brought it up. “What happens now?”

  “Case is closed,” he said. “We can safely move you back into your place and you’ll be closer to everyone.”

  “Is that the only option? Wait.” She swiveled to look at him. “Does that mean you’re done with me? Done with the case, I mean.”

  He smothered a smile. Maybe she was as interested as he was in exploring a relationship. “That’s up to you. The case is closed at the agency, but we don’t have to vacate the safe house tonight.”

  “It is closer to the retirement party venue.”

  “It is,” he agreed, keeping his tone neutral. In a normal case, he’d already be headed back home or planning his next trip out on the boat. This was different. Paige was different. He’d called the office, asking to be taken off the schedule. He needed a few personal days so he could take some time, hopefully with Paige once her dad’s big event was over.

  If he used those days right, he might just get the woman of his dreams to agree to keep him around.

  “And you had your suit delivered so you’d be prepared for tomorrow night.”

  “Also true.”

  She eased back into her seat. “Then please, let’s just go back and get some rest. I promise to be all packed up before we have to leave for the party.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.” He reached over and touched her hand. “We can even sit outside on the beach tonight and watch the stars.” It was a risk he couldn’t allow when they’d first arrived at the safe house.

  She lifted his hand to her lips. “That’s a good plan. If you promise to keep me warm.”

  “Count on it.”

  For the longest time, the hum of the engine and the tires on the road were the only sounds. Then he heard the sniffle.

  “Paige, are you okay?” He reached over for her hand, inordinately relieved w
hen she curled her fingers around his.

  “Sure. It’s the relief,” Paige said on a sigh. “The worst is over. Mom isn’t an emotional wreck, Dad didn’t disown me, and I’m not in jail. Plus, I have a sister who wants to take this family thing for a test drive.”

  “Incredible changes,” he said. On his side of the equation, he’d found a woman he wanted to keep, to love and cherish forever, but this was hardly the time to force her to think about one more person, one more situation.

  “I’m so glad Jayne found us,” Paige continued. “But the rest of it? It’s hard to believe it’s finally over.” She dropped her head back to rest on the seat. “These last few days have been intense. I couldn’t have come through it without you. Thank you, Carter.”

  He tried to be glad everything was settled. He definitely didn’t want Paige to ever be in danger again, but he wanted to stay in her life. As her friend and preferably as her lifelong partner. He wanted a future with her. She was the most remarkable woman he’d ever met.

  And yet how likely was that to work out? She was Charleston elite. He was gainfully employed but hardly stable. The work he enjoyed and excelled at would take him away from her periodically.

  What could he offer her if he didn’t have that fulfilling work?

  He could quit or change things up, maybe start his own charter fishing service. Would she be any more comfortable with that option? Whatever happened, he wanted to decide together. He refused to take advantage of her and live off her name and money.

  Every assignment taught him something. This time, he’d learned he couldn’t live without Paige.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The night of her dad’s retirement party was clear and crisp, perfect December weather in the Lowcountry. After one last night in the safe house, Paige and Carter had dressed there and gone straight to the venue, joining Gloria, the event staff, and Melissa’s catering team for the final setup. Everything was lovely and sparkling in cream and cranberry colors, framed with fresh evergreens. The porch overlooking the marsh and creek glowed with candles in lanterns and winding white lights along the railing.