“Until I get back on my feet.” She returned to the mirror, fluffing her hair. “Helping Mom out at the shop while I sort life out. She helps watch the kids when I have them.”
She still calledmymother Mom. I never once called her father Dad, even though he treated me kindly. Often better than my own blood.
“Ted and I are negotiating shared custody. The kids are with him this week. I’m itching to get out and really enjoy all that Steele Valley has to offer.”
My mother beamed at her as if she’d birthed her and she were the golden child. “Bree’s starting fresh. Doesn’t she look stunning?”
Heaviness settled in my stomach.Starting freshin my mother’s world translated tofinding a new rich man quickly.It had been the same since I was sixteen and she’d first tutored me on the importance of dating and marrying well. How did I survive—unless I took after my father, a man I never knew?
“You two are unbelievable,” I said, gaping between them. “Still scheming.”
“Don’t be unkind,” Mom scolded. “Life’s been hard on your sister.”
“She’s not my sister,” I shot back, before I could clamp my teeth. “And she’s not your charity case. Not even related to us—you’re under no obligation to help her.”
Mom’s face cooled a degree. “No matter. She’ll always be family. I support family.”
“You support herlies,” I said, voice shaking now that the box was open. “You always have.”
Brianne—Bree—brushed invisible lint from her skirt. “I think we should all take a step back and put a pin in this conversation for now.”
I snorted. “Unbelievable. I’m leaving.”
I headed for the door. A knock startled me.
“That’ll be Bree’s date,” Mom sang out like she could feel triumphant in their plan already.
Who the hell would be stupid enough…? I flung the door open.
“Holden?” My voice cracked between disbelief and dread.
Gone was the casual, flannel-wearing guy from earlier today. He stood on the stoop in a blue suit, with a bouquet of pink roses in one hand, snow freckling his hair.
“Penny? Small world. Are you a friend of Bree’s?”
I opened my mouth, a hundred warnings tangling for the exit, but Brianne slid by like a snake.
“Stepsister.” She looped her arm through his and whisked him away. “Are those roses for me? Pink is my favorite. I’m starving. Where are you taking me?”
He glanced back at me once, bemused, and soon they were off in his Lincoln Navigator.
I turned slowly to my mother. Speechless.
Her hands pressed to her chest. “Oh, but he’s charming, isn’t he? And anine.Loaded. We researched his background after they met yesterday at the grocery store when he asked her how to tell a ripe melon. Brianne deserves a nine. Leave it to Steele Valley to provide.”
I found my voice. “How could you let her back in after all the drama she caused in our family, not to mention in your marriage with her father?”
Near the end of it, Brianne had played on her father’s emotions, begging him to reconcile with her mother for the sake of her children, so they’d know and see their grandparents together.
Mom’s face pulled taut in a familiar way. “I forgave her. She was young, going through so much because of Archer. People change.”
I couldn’t breathe another minute in her presence. I stepped out and slammed the door behind me before I said something I’d regret.
Tears sprang to my eyes as I drove back to the resort. I tried calling Brier on the way, but she didn’t answer. I knew Westley was visiting again this weekend. They were probably out.
The only other person I could think of talking to was Archer.
What about Mom’s version of Brianne and Archer’s story through? Intended or not, she’d planted a seed of doubt. I questioned what I thought I knew. Could I trust what she insinuated? Could I trust him?
