“We’ve already phoned Doug’s grandmother and explained,” Vicki said. “Please, Reba, it’s a small thing. I want you to be home for Christmas.”
“I appreciate the effort, but as I said I’ve already made other plans.” Her sister must have noticed the way Reba’s gaze fell on the sleeping child. The photographs that filled her parents’ house didn’t do the little girl justice. Reba’s heart felt tight, as though a vise were constricting her chest. She didn’t want to feel anything for Vicki’s daughter, but she couldn’t help herself. The desire to hold little Ellen herself was overwhelming. Forcefully she moved her gaze elsewhere.
“Ellen’s a lot like you,” Vicki said, “I don’t know if Mom told you…”
Reba shook her head, not able to bear hearing it. She was about to turn away when Vicki’s husband stopped her.
“Reba,” Doug said sharply. Her sister’s husband looked at Seth and appeared to be asking for a few moments’ indulgence. “I know what happened with Vicki and John. It’s in the past—everyone makes mistakes. I have. You have. Wouldn’t it make life less complicated if you could forgive your sister and get on with your life?”
Reba laughed, the scratchy sound as full of sarcasm as she could make it. “No way. If she’s miserable with the way matters are between us, all the better. It’s what she deserves.”
“Doug, I told you it wouldn’t do any good.” Vicki reached out and touched her husband’s arm. A look of hopelessness came over her face, and she was about to turn away when she stopped and raised her gaze to meet Seth’s.
Reba bristled. Her sister had already stolen one man from her, she’d be damned if she’d let her take another. She was about to say something ugly when Vicki spoke, only this time her comment was directed to Seth.
“Make her happy,” she whispered. “Make her forget.” With tears glistening in her eyes, she walked away.
Doug remained a moment longer. “You’re a fool,” he said.
Again Reba was forced to restrain herself from reminding her brother-in-law that he’d married a woman who was as likely to betray him as she had her own flesh and blood. If he wanted to talk about fools, perhaps he should take a close look at his own life.
Not until her sister and family were out of sight did Reba lower her guard. The starch went out of her then, and all at once her knees felt like mush. She exhaled slowly and lowered her head, struggling to regain her composure.
“Are you all right?” Seth asked.
She lied and nodded. Her fingers tightened about his arms, cutting into his flesh. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For not saying anything, for standing at my side.” If she’d had the strength and the wherewithal, she would have turned and walked away the instant Vicki had spoken to her. Even now she couldn’t explain why she hadn’t. She’d stood and talked to her sister the way some people linger, fascinated, with the morbid.
Seth’s arm tightened about her as if he’d instinctively recognized her need. He kissed the top of her head and whispered something she couldn’t hear. Something about sincerity. That was when the trembling started, so badly that she was sure others could hear her knees knocking.
“Maybe we should find someplace to sit down,” he suggested.
She nodded, barely conscious of what she’d agreed to. “That might be a good idea.”
By luck the toy store had a small snack bar and a few tables. Seth found her a seat, left her momentarily, and returned with a cup of hot, steaming coffee. “Can I get you anything else?”
“I’m fine.” She refused to allow her sister to ruin this special time Christmas shopping with Seth. Every minute they could squeeze out of their already tight schedules to be together was precious.
Seth stood behind her and rubbed her tired, tense shoulder muscles. “Are you going over to your parents’ on Christmas?” he asked.
“No,” she stated emphatically, stunned that he would ask. Despite Vicki’s assurances, she didn’t trust her sister, couldn’t. Vicki had proved exactly how untrustworthy she could be. “I’m spending the day with you, remember?” she added, turning to smile up at him.
“I’d enjoy meeting your family.” The suggestion was made in gentle tones, as though he feared upsetting her.
He wasn’t making this easy. “Another time.”
“Okay,” he agreed softly.