“I’ll be fine.” Mia set her cup down and straightened her shoulders. “I wouldn’t have learned a thing today anyhow with all that drama. Some days at school are just about surviving the social scene.”
“That’s sad.” Gabriella wished she could help. “You don’t want to try virtual school? I think you can go full-time and take all your classes online now.”
She had participated in a pioneering program in virtual high schools when she left Heartache. And the fact that she could stay home to take her courses after the attack and suicide attempt had been a saving grace. Thanks to that program, Gabriella received her diploma on time.
“The only thing more depressing than my school life is my home life.” Mia shook her head. “The last thing I want to do is spend more time listening to Pete’s machines beep while he swears about how incompetent his health care workers are.”
She made a dramatic eye roll. Before Gabriella could press the school issue, however, the waitress returned with a three-tiered tray of finger sandwiches, petit fours, mini cupcakes and scones with cream and jam. Gabriella helped herself and urged Mia to do the same. Thankfully the lure of warm scones and homemade raspberry jam were too much for Mia to resist and she dug into the treats.
Was now the time to tell her that Gabriella had just come from Pete’s house?
“Do you get along with your father?” Gabriella had been so concerned with Mia’s dating that she hadn’t asked her much about Pete before. But hearing how much Clayton resented his dad gave her a new perspective.
Besides, how much parental supervision could Mia be receiving if her father’s health had declined to such an extent?
Mia took her time spreading jam on each corner of the scone with the small knife, laying it across her floral china plate when she finished. With the glow of the firelight behind her dark hair, she could have been a model on the cover of any fashion magazine. It made Gabriella sad to think the girl’s beauty—something most of the world coveted and spent small fortunes to achieve—had cost Mia so dearly.
“I’m grateful for Pete,” she said carefully, repositioning the white linen napkin on the lap of her dark-wash jeans. “He gave me a home and freedom from social worker visits, which I do not take for granted.”
Gabriella waited, sensing a whole lot more sentiment beneath that answer. “But?”
“As a sober alcoholic, he’s been in a bad mood every day since I met him. I don’t mind making food and stuff for him, but he gets weaker all the time and I worry every day that he’ll—you know—not wake up.” Retrieving the knife she’d just set down, Mia cut a small corner off the confection and then stabbed it with her fork.
Things were worse than Gabriella thought.
“Do you talk to your mother much?” Gabriella poured herself more tea, wishing she could warm up inside. “Is she any better since she lost custody?”
“Mom is still a train wreck.” Mia lowered her voice. “She brings a lot of guys home, and I don’t trust her to keep them in line. She passes out hard when she goes down.”
So her mother regaining custody once Pete died wasn’t a good option. More than ever, Gabriella needed to hare the news that Mia had more family than she realized, starting with Clayton.
The news hovered on her lips.
“Gabby!” A feminine squeal from the far side of the restaurant caught Gabriella’s attention.
Heather Finley, her brother’s fiancée, rushed toward their table, her arms open wide and her red curls bouncing on the shoulders of a bright green dress half covered by a thick gray cardigan.
Gabriella stood, setting her napkin on her chair to return the greeting. The hug.
“You’re out of court early,” she said. “I thought the trial would go on for another hour or so.” She double-checked her watch.
“I didn’t go in today. My testimony won’t be until later in the week since the prosecution is building the case chronologically. I stayed in Heartache to finish packing my things since Zach and I rented a place in Franklin for the week. I wasn’t sure how draining all this might be for me, so we thought it would be nice to be close to the courthouse. Plus, I didn’t like the idea of being in town with all the break-ins lately.” Heather glanced down at Gabriella’s dining companion. “So sorry to interrupt your tea. I just saw Gabby and had to say hi. I’m Heather.” She extended her hand to Mia.
“I’m Mia. Who’s Gabby?” Mia looked from Gabriella to Heather and back again.
Crap.
Heather peered at her questioningly. Mia’s dark eyes searched Gabriella’s face.
“I’m sorry, Mia. I meant to explain that to you today. I legally changed my name years ago when I was worried that my stalker might look for me.” “Ellie is my legal name, but since I’m from Heartache, everyone here knows me by my birth name. Gabriella Chance.” It seemed strange to have her worlds come together this way, but now that Jeremy Covington was on trial, she didn’t have to be afraid anymore. “My older brother is the mayor and Heather is his fiancée.”
“Gabriella.” Mia nodded thoughtfully, her ponytail sliding along her arm. “So you are Gabby and Ellie both.” Her quick smile came as a relief. “I like it.”
The tension in Gabriella eased as she realized Mia was okay with the name confusion even though Gabriella hadn’t been more up front about it. She’d gotten a free pass this time, but it made her realize she needed to tell Mia about her connection to Clayton sooner rather than later or the girl’s trust could be lost for good.
They spoke easily for a few more minutes when Gabriella mentioned Heather’s connection to Erin, the owner of Last Chance Vintage. Mia raved about Erin’s store and explained her commitment to work there for a few weekends to earn some extra clothes. All the while, Gabriella wondered how to turn the conversation to Clayton. Clay knew Heather, after all. He’d been her bodyguard the week before.
But it didn’t seem fair to learn you had a half brother in front of a virtual stranger.
