“I wanted to tell you a little more about Eliana,” she said. After Asher had interrupted their meeting, they’d all gotten a little spooked and had dismissed early.
“Can you speak up, dear?” Polly shouted.
Winnie put her mouth closer to the phone’s mic, knowing it brought her face uncomfortably close to the screen.
“Eliana was married five years ago to a man who turned out to be a frog.”
“A frog?” Walt bellowed.
“Like the princess and the frog, Walt. Keep up,” Rosa said. She was making dinner, and Winnie could almost smell sautéing onions and garlic through the screen. Her mouth watered.
“But didn’t the frog turn into a prince?” Walt asked.
“Not this one,” Winnie said grimly. “None of us were sad when she left him.”
“Did he abuse her?” Don set his weight down, though his muscle remained flexed. She had no doubt that if she asked, Don would hunt Eliana’s ex down and make him pay.
“Mentally and emotionally. He killed her self-confidence. Played into her insecurities that she has to be perfect to be loved. And since no one is perfect …”
“It’s better to not be loved,” Walt finished quietly.
Winnie nodded. “She’s writing a book calledHappily Single. And if I believed she was actually happy, then I would support her fully and help her live her best life.”
“But she’s not happy,” Polly yelled.
“Exactly.”
Don moved closer to the phone. “Let me summarize. We need to convince Eliana that she’s not happily single.”
That wasn’t right, either. “I want to show her what it looks like to be happily in love. It’s something she doesn’t believe is possible for herself. And unless she can let her guard down, she’s never going to let anyone in.”
“Especially Asher,” Rosa said with a sigh. “Why would he tow her car? It’s so unlike him.”
Don cleared his throat. “I may have had something to do with it.”
“Don,” Walt groaned.
“I didn’t realize it was her car. Winnie, you need to teach her not to park in reserved spots.”
Winnie closed her eyes for patience.
“Not helpful, Don!” Polly yelled. “Remember step one is proximity. I’ve got to go, but I’ll brainstorm some ideas.”
When Polly hung up, she somehow ended the call for everyone. Winnie needed another distraction. She tapped out Eliana’s number. Maybe hearing her granddaughter’s voice could dispel this overwhelming silence.
“Eliana, what are you up to?”
“Trying to record content for my channel.”
“Oh good.” She breathed out in relief. “You have some time then.”
Was it her imagination, or did Eliana huff?
“I need you to try on your sister’s dress for me.” And she’d start dropping hints about how happy she and Horace were in their relationship while she was at it. Plant the seeds, and they’d start to grow.
Chapter 4
“I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.” —Louisa May Alcott
