Serendipity (28 page)

Lanie opened her mouth to reply, and Faith jumped back in before she could. “And don't give me that nonsense about him being misunderstood. He pleaded guilty. The feds took everything and sold it at auction. He knew what he was doing.”

Her mother pursed her lips together. Lanie's version of
I don't like this conversation; therefore, I'm not having it.

Everything in Faith wanted to reach out and touch her mother on the shoulder. She didn't, unsure of what she was more afraid of—Lanie shattering or rejecting her daughter's offer of comfort.

“Look, Mom, can't you understand that our lives have changed?” she asked, her tone more gentle. “That times have changed? And we need to change with it. Both of us.”

When her mother didn't reply, Faith backed off. “Well, I appreciate you answering the phones and figuring out when the delivery would work.”

Her mother's posture relaxed at the change of subject. “Yes, well, you might not remember, but I held quite a few dinner parties in my day and I became a pro at scheduling.”

Faith smiled. “I remember.”

Lanie rose from her seat and walked around the store, her fingers trailing over things as she moved, her walk graceful, serene. Still very much the lady of the nonexistent manor, but Faith knew now there were chinks in her armor. Lanie Harrington was more fragile than she wanted to admit. She was holding on to the illusion of grandeur so tightly that with only a little push she'd fall apart.

“Would you mind if I rearranged some things?” Her mother surprised Faith by asking.

“Suit yourself.”

Tess, noting the fun conversation was over, had plugged back into her iPod.

Faith settled back into her desk while her mother seemed content to shift things around. “Mom, Caroline tells me she's tried to reach out to you, but you're shutting yourself up in your own house.”

“Shh.” Lanie pointed to Tess. “Little ears,” she said.

“I'm not little. And I don't know anyone in town to repeat shit—” Her mouth opened in horror and she said a silent
I'm sorry
to Faith. “I mean . . . I don't know anyone in town to repeat stuff to. You can talk in front of me.”

Faith laughed. Apparently the kid had turned down the volume just in case.

“Yes, you can speak in front of Tess,” Faith agreed. “Everyone in this small town knows what Dad did. You didn't know while it was happening. There's no shame in starting over.”

Lanie kept her back to Faith.

“And there's no reason to turn your back on the one person who has been a real friend to you, or tried to,” Faith said.

Just like there was no reason to turn her back on her own daughter. But
that
wasn't a conversation Faith wanted to have in front of Tess . . . Maybe not ever. It was too painful to think about how her mother had treated her with disdain over the years, angry with her for the sole reason that her father paid attention to his daughter.

She'd told Tess that Lanie was selfish.
Narcissistic
was probably a better word.

“Did you know that Caroline's husband lost his job?” her mother finally asked with an exaggerated shudder. “True, they have her family's money, but how humiliating!”

“And this affects you or your friendship how?” Faith asked. “Your husband bilked people for millions. Caroline could probably use a friend who understands what it's like to have problems. I'd think you could use the same thing,” Faith pointed out.

“I don't need anyone!” Lanie's voice was shrill.

“Well, then that's your loss.” Faith turned to a now wide-eyed Tess. “Come on. It's time to go shopping.”

She glanced at her mother, hoping to see a flicker of emotion in her expression. Anger, frustration, sadness,
something
.

Her face was a frozen mask.

But Faith knew enough had been said here today to make an impact—should her mother choose to listen.

“I'll see myself out,” Lanie said frostily. She rose and headed for the door and walked out without another word.

“Chilly!” Tess said. “Like, brrr.”

“Yeah. Try growing up with that.” Needing a minute, Faith lowered herself into the chair her mother had just occupied.

She glanced down and noticed her mother had rearranged her desk, making it more organized. A glance out at her shop told her Lanie's touches had actually improved the display and appearance. Her mother had the ability to do more with her life than judge others, Faith thought. It was a pity she lacked the desire.

 

 

Faith spent the entire day with Tess, who was on her best behavior. Faith thought she might actually be seeing who the teenager really was. Faith wondered if her own life might have turned out differently if
she'd
had a sister, someone to share her thoughts and feelings with instead of always feeling as if she were treading water alone. She'd definitely enjoyed the day, and Tess had made out like a bandit. Faith had bought her an entire new end-of-summer–into-fall wardrobe, knowing Ethan wouldn't care one bit.

After a delicious dinner cooked by Rosalita, they sat together on Tess's bed, exhausted from a girl day of shopping and makeup. Using her own makeup, Faith had taught Tess the fine points of using a light touch when applying eye shadow and liner. She promised to take the teen to buy her own supplies one day soon.

Right now, they'd both collapsed on Tess's mattress, full and tired.

“Have you heard from Ethan?” Tess asked.

“As a matter of fact, I have.” And she'd been waiting for the right time to talk to Tess. “He was busy in and out of meetings all day, but he called to tell me something.”

“Yeah, what's that?”

“He's been looking into special art classes for you.” She eyed the teenager, gauging her reaction.

“Already? I just showed him my stuff last night!” She sounded pleased, not pissed off.

“He liked what he saw.” Enough that he had already called Kate and asked her about classes.

Kate had done some research and made a few phone calls. There was an opportunity for Tess at the Birchwood Academy private school, but Ethan would have to move fast because the deadline for admission had passed. Kate had also heard whispers of financial troubles, so maybe a hefty donation would help get Tess into the school. But before they moved forward with their plan, they needed Tess on board.

“So you'd be interested?” Faith asked.

Twenty-four hours ago, she would have laid odds Tess would have made light of the idea, using a few choice words to boot. But now . . .

“Yeah, I'd like that.” She scooted back against the pillows, eyes wide. “I can't believe he looked into that for me. So fast and everything.”

“He's a great guy.” Faith smiled.

“Who knew?” Tess asked, grinning.

Faith propped herself up on her elbow. “You miss him, don't you?”

“Nah. He's a pain in the butt.” But the young girl's widening grin belied her words.

There was no doubt she'd hit the jackpot in brothers, Faith thought. She was even determined to find some good in Nash, the brother she found the most difficult.

The ringing doorbell interrupted her thoughts. “Who could that be?”

Tess shrugged.

“Rosalita left, so I'll go see.” Faith rose to her feet and headed downstairs.

Tess padded along behind her.

Faith glanced out the side window and saw Nash standing at the door. Not the brother she'd choose to deal with, Faith drew a deep breath and swung the front door wide.

“Hi,” she said in greeting.

He seemed surprised to see her and didn't reply right away. Nothing like Ethan in appearance, Nash, with his lighter hair and carefully matched khaki pants and polo shirt, reminded her too much of her ex-husband.

“Would you like to come in?” she invited.

He stepped inside. “Hi, Tess.”

Faith wasn't sure if he was ignoring her on purpose or just focused on his new sister and reserved judgment.

“Hey,” Tess said, in a stiff, wary tone Faith hadn't heard her use all day. But she sure recognized it now.

“You ready to go?” Nash asked the teen.

Faith's guard went up. “Go where?”

Nash met her gaze with a cool one of his own. “Tess and I have plans to go to the sidewalk fair in town tonight.”
Not that it's your business.

Faith heard the words Nash didn't say. His expression made it clear what he thought of her interference.

“The hell we do,” Tess said, her angry belligerence back.

Apparently the thaw didn't extend to Nash just yet. And though Faith didn't blame the teenager for her distrust of a man she didn't yet know, he was the girl's brother.

“Tess, do me a favor? Go upstairs and start putting away the clothes you bought today, okay?”

She narrowed her gaze. “Rosalita said she'd do it tomorrow.”

“Well, it won't hurt you to do it yourself. That way you know where your own things are.” Faith caught Tess's gaze. “Go. Your brother and I need to talk.”

“Where's Ethan?” Nash asked.

“He had to go to Washington, D.C., on business,” Tess said.

“Upstairs!” Faith pointed to the long circular staircase.

Tess let out a put-upon sigh. “I'm going,” she muttered, and stomped to the stairs, proceeding to take the steps slowly, one at a time, a loud thud accompanying each one.

Faith waited until she was alone with Nash, though she was sure Tess was doing her best to listen.

“What the hell did she mean, he went to D.C.?” Nash asked.

“I think it's self-explanatory. He had a business emergency.”

“And of course it was more important than Tess, so he up and abandoned her. It's what he does best.” Nash came to his own biased conclusion.

“That's not how it was.” Faith set her jaw.

He folded his arms across his chest. “No? Who's watching Tess?”

Faith straightened her shoulders, and though the answer was obvious, she replied anyway. “That would be me.”

The other man let out a harsh laugh. “He left her with a stranger instead of calling me or Dare? Why am I not surprised?”

Faith placed a hand on the wall beside her for support. “Excuse me for pointing this out, but I'm less of a stranger to her than you are.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Let me guess. Ethan didn't remember to tell you Tess and I had plans.”

Faith shook her head. “Like I said, he had a business emergency and left in a hurry.”

“Well, it's only seven and the fair goes until ten, so I'll take her into town.”

That will be Tess's choice,
Faith thought, though she'd try to encourage the teenager to go with her brother. But before she could voice her thoughts, Tess's voice rang from the top of the stairs. “I'm not going with him!”

Faith met Nash's frustrated glare. “I'm going to give you some unsolicited advice. That girl upstairs is sensitive. She knows exactly how you feel about your brother.”

“Your point?”

“Like it or not, she's bonded with Ethan. Unless you soften up a bit, you won't make any headway with her.”

Nash bristled at her words, his posture becoming impossibly straighter, his glare more angry. “Not only is this none of your business, but you can't possibly understand what
he
did to our family.”

Faith walked up to Nash, standing toe-to-toe with him. “It must be nice.”

“What is?”

She tipped her head to one side, appraising him and definitely finding him lacking. “Being such a perfect human being that you never need anyone else's forgiveness or understanding.” She clenched and unclenched her fists at her side.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Are you telling me you've forgiven your old man?”

Bull's-eye,
Faith thought, but she refused to let him get to her. “Are you telling me you're finally separating me from what my father did? Because if so, there's no reason for you to be so damned hostile!” she yelled at him, losing her temper for the first time.

“I think the lady has a point.” Ethan appeared out of nowhere, walking into the house and joining them in the entryway.

His entrance surprised everyone. He placed his suitcase down on the marble floor and folded his arms across his chest, looking from Nash to Faith. It didn't matter that his brother thought he was dirt, Ethan looked like the imposing, impressive man Faith knew him to be.

And she was, despite herself, so happy to see him. “What are you doing back?”

“I wrapped things up as quickly as I could.”
And from the looks of things, not a minute too soon.
“What's going on?” he asked.

“You took off, left Tess with her instead of one of her brothers, and oh yeah—you forgot to tell her I was supposed to take Tess into town tonight.” Nash pointed a finger at Faith.

Ethan winced. “Yeah, I forgot. And I'm sorry. Tess!” he called out.

“I'm right here!”

He looked up at the top of the steps, where Tess sat watching the adults below her. “I screwed up, but you're supposed to go with Nash overnight,” he said to her.

“No!”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Yes. He's your brother and you two need to get to know each other. Go get ready,” he directed her. “Unless you don't want to go to the beach when I pick you up tomorrow!”

Tess paused and Faith wondered if Ethan was in for an argument. Even Nash seemed to hold his breath.