Whitney took a sip of the steaming liquid and went back over their dinner and conversation. Was there anything she couldn’t remember? Had she said anything untoward or inappropriate? For several moments she kept the cup close to her lips and sipped on it as she reviewed the evening in her mind. Thankfully, nothing was a blur. And while she had definitely relaxed and talked a good deal, she couldn’t think of anything that would be ascertained as unladylike.
Their dessert arrived, and she nibbled on the cake while drinking several cups of coffee. Keeping her mouth full gave Judas the opportunity to fill the silence with talk of his plans for Nome. Which was fine and dandy, but as her mind sobered, deep shame filled her middle.
After she’d finished her fourth cup of coffee, she looked up at Judas. “Forgive me for my behavior this evening.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who offered you the wine.”
She held up a hand. “Please. Allow me to finish.”
“Of course.”
“It was a lovely complement to the meal, but I think I’ve discovered that in the future, I should be careful about how much I drink. You were most gentlemanly by refilling my glass and taking care of my every whim at dinner, but perhaps next time I should limit it to one glass.”
A smile stretched across his face. “Whatever you desire, my dear. I’m simply grateful you have agreed to a next time.”
“Please don’t speak of this to my family.”
He put a hand over his heart. “I promise.”
Setting the coffee cup down, she stood. Things still shifted, but at least she was a bit more clear-headed. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to avail myself of the ladies’ room.”
“Would you like me to get your coat and bring the sleigh around?”
With a hand to her waist, she gave a slight dip of her chin. “I think that would be best.”
“Of course. I will wait for you outside, then.”
After using the facilities, Whitney walked around the outside of the building, hoping that a bit of fresh air would help to completely clear her mind. But as she came around the front of the building, she ran smack-dab into the last man she wanted to see.
Her father.
FOURTEEN
Madysen’s bow screeched across theAstring of her cello, and she cringed at the sound. “Sorry, Havyn.”
“What’s gotten into you today? That’s the fourth sour note in the past few measures, and Baby Roselli doesn’t like it too much.” Her sister laughed and put the hand holding her own bow over her abdomen.
Madysen sighed and shook her head. “I have no idea.” That wasn’t true. She knew exactly what it was. “But let’s try again.”
“All right.” Havyn lifted her violin. “One and two and three and four and...”
The cello rang out with the first note, and then Havyn’s instrument joined in. But there was something missing. No matter what they tried to do, they couldn’t cover it up.
Whitney.
This time, Havyn was the one to play a horrid note, and she moaned as she stopped and let her bow fall to her side. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
She hadn’t wanted to say anything, even thought it best tokeep it to herself, but then tears welled up in her eyes. “I’ve tried to be strong about this whole thing, but I can’t do it anymore. I miss Whitney.”
Havyn set down her violin and bow and walked over to her. She stood behind Madysen’s chair and wrapped her arms around her. “I know what you mean. It’s like even though she’s here ... she’s not reallyhere.”
“Exactly.” Madysen sniffed. With her cello cradled up against her chest and Havyn hugging her from behind, she felt a bit more complete. “I’m worried about her.”
“Me too.” Havyn released her and stepped over to the piano bench and sat down. Pulling a hankie out of her sleeve, she dipped her head and then dabbed at her eyes. “I was so angry when we found that bottle of whiskey. But if Dr. Cameron knows about it, what are we supposed to do? It must be okay ... right?”
“It’s not just that. She hasn’t been herself for months now. I guess I expected Whitney to continue being the strong one for all of us, no matter what we went through. I mean ... that’s what she’s always done. I never thought anything could shake her.”
Havyn’s lips pursed, and tears streamed down her face. “But we were wrong.” She swiped at her face with the hankie. “Maddy ... what if we made it worse by relying on her so much? I thought that was what she wanted, but what if she neededusto help fill the hole that Mama left inherlife?”
