Sisters by Choice

by Susan Mallery

  He looked at Mrs. Bennet. “Probably something with cats, for starters. Maybe a local women’s shelter. Then leave a little extra for when the cute kids come by selling wrapping paper. Tell the organizations who ask to submit a proposal. Let your new office manager—”

  “Tina,” she said.

  “Tell Tina it’s one of her responsibilities. She listens to the pitches, writes up a report and presents it all to you in a single meeting. Then you decide.”

  She pushed away from him. “Oh. That’s a really good idea.”

  “I’ve got a million of them.”

  “I never thought of delegating the charity stuff.”

  “You never think of delegating anything.”

  She ignored that. “I’m going to talk to her in the morning.”

  “Excellent. Are you really not going to sleep with me?”

  “I can’t. I know too much.”

  “I figured. Want to go get some dinner instead?”

  She smiled. “Sure, but you’re the rich one in the relationship so you can buy.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kristine had tried to figure out how to admit the truth, but despite lying awake for much of the night, she hadn’t come up with a single explanation that didn’t sound awful. Jaxsen wasn’t kidding about staying with his folks until she, as he put it, came to her senses. Her husband wanted to break her.

  For the first few days she’d accepted that Jaxsen was still mad at her and wanted to punish her. As this wasn’t the first time he’d gone to his parents’ to sulk, the kids weren’t upset. She’d gone about her business, determined to wait him out. She’d cashed Ruth’s check, had met with Stacey to see the property one more time, but she hadn’t moved beyond that. She really wanted to talk to Jaxsen before she signed the lease. No, she wanted him to admit he’d been wrong and for him to support her. Only that didn’t seem to be happening.

  Knowing she needed to talk to someone she trusted, she texted Sophie, saying she had a problem. Sophie texted she was on her way. A gratifying response that had her crying. She was still fighting tears when her cousin showed up at her house eight minutes later.

  “What?” Sophie asked, bursting inside and grabbing her. “Tell me and I’ll fix it. Are you sick? Is one of the boys sick? Do you need me to give you a kidney?”

  Kristine started laughing. “No kidney.”

  Sophie stared at her. “Then why are you crying? Tell me.”

  Kristine led the way into the kitchen. She poured them each coffee, then motioned to the stools at the island.

  “Jaxsen moved to his folks’ house.”

  Sophie had barely sat down. She immediately sprang to her feet. “What? That asshole. Is he cheating? I’ll have him beat up. I bet Bear knows someone who could beat the crap out of him. Let’s see how the young chickie likes him when he’s got two broken legs and some facial scarring.”

  Kristine patted the stool. “While I love you so much, he’s not cheating. He’s being a jerk, but there isn’t another woman.”

  Sophie sat down. “Should I start hating him?”

  “Please.”

  “Done. So what has your weasel husband been up to that’s bad enough to make you cry?”

  “You remember the business plan I showed you?”

  “Of course. It was brilliant. You’re doing it, aren’t you? You’re going to lease the space and open the bakery.” Her eyes widened. “Is Jaxsen telling you not to?”

  Kristine felt her shoulders slump. “He’s been difficult about it.”

  She told Sophie about the fight and Jaxsen leaving and the money from Ruth and how Kristine just wanted him to understand.

  “Now I feel trapped,” she admitted. “He’s done this before—gone to his folks’ to punish me. But this is different. He wants me to bend, and I won’t. I miss him, but I’m not going to be the one to go talk to him.”

  “Of course not. I can’t believe he said all that crap about you being a stay-at-home mom. You always wanted to do more and he was the one who stood in the way of that.” She squeezed Kristine’s arm. “You’ve been going through all this and didn’t tell me? I knew you were distracted before but I couldn’t guess why. You should have told me. I would have been here.”

  Kristine ducked her head. “I was embarrassed about what he said. Plus, I thought he’d be back in like five minutes. By the time I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I didn’t know what to do.” The tears threatened again. “He’s being so awful. Has he always been like this and I didn’t notice?”

  “Jaxsen’s an old-fashioned kind of guy,” Sophie told her. “He’s also really selfish. You take good care of him and the boys. You make it seem so effortless that he doesn’t understand all the time it takes. I’m sure he’s just as upset as you are, but he’s trying to wait you out.”

  “That’s what I think, too. Which means what? He expects me to give in? This is my dream, Sophie. Don’t I get to have that?” She bit her lip before verbalizing her greatest fear. “Is it going to come down to whether I get to keep my marriage or have the career I want? Is it an either-or?”

  “No.” Sophie’s tone was firm. “Jaxsen is acting like a total moron right now, but he loves you. He’ll come around.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “Yes, and if he doesn’t, we’ll talk to Bear. A couple of broken legs will humble him right up.”

  “I think this violent streak is new.”

  Sophie flashed her a grin. “Nope. It’s always been there. I just keep it hidden until there’s an emergency.” Her humor faded. “I can’t believe he’s acting the way he is, either, but you have to stay strong. You’re not wrong. All you want to do is have a chance to do something you’ve been planning forever.” Her gaze turned pointed. “Notice the use of the word planning. Not dreaming. This isn’t a dream. This is a well-thought-out business plan that will be successful. All you need from him is a little support. You’ve always been there for him. Now it’s his turn to be there for you. You’re the mother of his children and the woman he claimed he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He needs to man up and act like all that matters.”

  The pep talk was exactly what she needed to hear. Bracing words delivered with love.

  “I never thought he’d treat me this way,” she admitted.

  “Me, either. Even when you guys are back together, it’s going to be really hard not to hit him in the arm the first time I see him.”

  “As long as it’s not the balls. I still like having sex with him.”

  “Fine. I’ll sock him in the arm and let it go.” Sophie picked up her coffee. “So how can I help? Do you want me to talk to him?”

  “No. I want him to figure it out on his own. I want him to come home.”

  She wanted him to understand why it was important for him to support her.

  She looked at Sophie. “What if that never happens? What if he doesn’t get it? What if I really have to choose between my business and my marriage?”

  “You won’t.”

  “What if I do?”

  Sophie sighed. “I don’t know. You’re the only one who can answer that. Part of me wants to say if Jaxsen really is the kind of man who would leave you over this, then your marriage has bigger problems than we thought.”

  Not what Kristine wanted to hear, but still very much the truth.

  “Do you want to go talk to a therapist?” Sophie asked.

  “No. Not yet. Jaxsen’s going to come back.” She made her voice strong as if she was sure. Only she wasn’t—not at all. About anything.

  * * *

  “Heather Sitterly?”

  Heather stared at the well-dressed, dark-haired woman standing on the front porch of the house. It was just after seven in the evening.

  “Yes. May I help you?”

  The woman handed her a
business card. “I’m Stacey Creasey. I spoke to your mother on the phone yesterday.”

  As Heather continued to stare at her blankly, Stacey added, “I’m the real estate agent your grandmother hired to sell the house.” She frowned. “I really did speak to Amber yesterday.”

  Something her mother had never bothered to mention, Heather thought, automatically stepping back to let in the other woman.

  So much time had passed since her grandmother’s announcement about selling that Heather had managed to put the impending disaster out of her mind. She’d thought maybe it wasn’t going to happen, but apparently, she’d been wrong.

  “Who is it?” Amber called from the kitchen.

  “The real estate agent Grandma’s using. You never mentioned she called.”

  Amber stepped out into the living room. “I didn’t think she meant it.” She glared at Stacey. “Why are you here?”

  Stacey didn’t seem fazed by Amber’s hostility. “Your mother wants me to get going on the listing. As I told you yesterday, I want to take a look around and see what kind of shape the house is in. I have a budget to spruce things up a bit. Once I tour the property, I’ll come up with a list of what I want to do and a timeline.” She smiled. “I’ll get both of you a copy of that and we’ll be moving forward. Are you planning to live in the house while it’s listed?”

  Heather couldn’t seem to catch her breath. It was happening—it was really happening. They were going to lose their home and there was nothing she could do about it.

  She’d been thinking about her talk with Elliot. She’d started doing research on colleges and grants and scholarships. There was more money available than she’d realized. She desperately wanted to get away but if they were thrown out of the house, where would they go? How could she help Amber find a home without trapping herself on the island?

  She realized Stacey was looking at her as if waiting for an answer to a question.

  “What? Oh, yes, we’ll be living in the house while it’s listed,” she managed.

  “I see. That’s not the ideal situation but we can make it work. Now, if you would please show me the house.”

  Heather waited for Amber to take charge but her mother only folded her arms across her chest. Heather sighed.

  “This is the living room,” she said, wondering if she looked as shocked as she felt. “The kitchen is through here.”

  She moved toward it. Amber was in the way and didn’t move. Heather looked at her. “Mom, please.”

  Amber stepped to the side.

  The kitchen was a mess. Dishes were piled in the sink and the floor was dirty. Heather hadn’t had time to clean things up—she’d been so busy with work. As she looked around, she saw what Stacey must. Old, faded wallpaper. A scratched and battered stove, mail piled on the table.

  Stacey nodded, then moved toward the laundry room off the kitchen. Heather winced as she thought about the pile of clothes on the floor. Amber didn’t do laundry until she had to and it had been several weeks since she’d bothered.

  “The bedrooms are this way,” Heather said, motioning to the hall.

  The craft room was a disaster, with yarn and fabric and bins piled haphazardly. Next came the hall bathroom that Heather used. It was old but tidy and clean. The same with her bedroom. She picked up after herself and always made her bed.

  Amber’s room was a jumble of clothes on the floor, an unmade bed and books piled on the nightstand. The small attached bathroom was messy and both the sink and the toilet needed a good scrubbing.

  Stacey took it all in without saying a word. They returned to the living room.

  “I’ll be sending over one of my gardeners to do some work on the front yard. It won’t take much to get it looking nice. As for the house...” She looked around. “Well, as I said before, I’ll send over a list and a timetable. Between now and then, it would be really helpful if you’d pick up and put things away. Maybe give the house a deep cleaning.”

  Amber’s face tightened with anger. “You can’t tell me what to do in my own home. I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  Stacey stood her ground. “Ms. Sitterly, according to the deed, this is your mother’s home, not yours. My job is to get the property in the best shape possible, given the budget I have, and that is what I intend to do. She said you are welcome to stay here until we close escrow, but if you don’t cooperate with me, she will have no choice but to evict you.”

  Heather felt her world start to collapse. Evict? Would she really? Amber’s face reddened.

  “Don’t think you can threaten me and get away with it.” She marched to the front door and held it open. “Get out now, or I’m calling the police.”

  Stacey offered her a neutral smile. “Of course. I’ll be in touch. As will your mother.”

  With that, she left.

  Amber had barely slammed the front door behind her before she started ranting.

  “What a bitch. We don’t even know if she was really hired. She could be part of a scam. I’m going to call your grandmother right now and give her what for. How dare she do this to us. I can’t believe that woman threatened us. I’m going to insist your grandmother give us this house. It’s the only fair thing to do. I should sue her. Maybe that’s a better idea. I could call a lawyer and—”

  “Mom, stop!” Heather tried to control her breathing, but she wasn’t sure she could. A sense of panic seemed to take up residence inside her chest. It grew and grew until she found it difficult to think about anything else. If only she could catch her breath.

  “What?” her mother demanded. She rolled her eyes. “Let me guess. You’re going to take everyone’s side but mine. You always do. You’re just like your grandmother.”

  “I hope so,” Heather said, her voice unnaturally loud. “I hope I’m like her or Sophie or Kristine. I hope I’m like anyone but you.”

  She gasped for air, feeling herself starting to shake. What was going to happen to them? Where were they going to go? How was she supposed to get her mother settled somewhere and then get away?

  “You ungrateful brat.” Amber glared at her. “How dare you?”

  “I dare because this is what you always do. You blame everyone but yourself. You never take responsibility for anything. Why don’t you have to earn your way like the rest of the world? What makes you think you’re so much more deserving? Why can’t you take care of yourself? Why is it always my job or Grandma’s job or Sophie’s job but never your job? You complain about your life but what about mine? What about the fact that you keep me trapped here? I don’t want to take care of you anymore. I don’t!”

  The last few sentences were delivered at a scream. The shaking got worse. Heather didn’t know if she was going to pass out or throw up. Either way, she had to get out of here. She raced for the door and out onto the small front porch, then hurried toward her bike.

  Anywhere but here, she told herself as she began to pedal. Anywhere but here.

  * * *

  It was well after eight when Sophie finally sat down at her desk to clear out some email. She was tired but happy. Maggie and her family had arrived on Blackberry Island and she would be starting work on Monday. Elliot had hired a digital marketing guru who earned more than should be legal but who was already making terrific changes to their digital marketing plan. Sales were up, the warehouse was running smoothly and—

  She spotted an email from Bear. The warehouse manager rarely bothered to email—he was more the type to walk directly into her office and complain. Even before she opened the message, she felt a sinking sensation in her gut.

  “But we’re all doing so well,” she murmured, reading the short message.

  I thought you should know. Time stamp 18:07.

  She clicked the link that took her to CK Industries’ security footage. The newly installed security camera showed the back area of the warehouse. She watche
d the time count up from 18:06. Precisely at 18:07, Amber walked into view. She glanced over her shoulder several times before grabbing a couple of cat beds and two canister sets. She hurried over to a side door, unlocked it and placed the items outside, then locked the door and walked out of view.

  “Dammit, Amber.”

  Sophie closed the email program and logged in to the security system. She opened the camera views and searched for the ones that covered the outside of the warehouse. She could see the main entrances, the loading dock and the back of the building. But that side door didn’t show up anywhere. They had a blind spot.

  She returned to her email and sent a note to Tina to contact the security company and have their rep get his ass out here to fix the blind spot and to check if there were any others. Then she wrote Bear and told him she would talk to Amber but he needed to change the lock on that side door and make sure the key was more secure. Then she shut down her computer and walked out to her car.

  Once she was home, she walked directly into the cat room and stretched out on the floor. Lily and Mrs. Bennet immediately came over to greet her. Lily’s kittens were nearly four weeks old and while they were curious about her, they were still too young to find her all that interesting.

  “How was your day?” she asked, petting both the cats. “Mine was great until about an hour ago. My cousin Amber is stealing. She always talks about family and she’s stealing from me. What does that even mean?”

  She already knew the answer to that. Amber was who she always had been—a professional victim. If confronted, she wouldn’t see what she’d done as anything but taking care of herself when Sophie hadn’t bothered.

  Under any other circumstances, Sophie would totally fire her in a heartbeat, only Amber was her cousin. Plus, there was Heather to think about. Firing Amber would affect her and Sophie didn’t want that.