“I’ve been a witness to that, but from what I’ve seen I think your dad is just as guilty of that as your grandmother.”
“Maybe so. Mama certainly seems to think so.”
“You have a nice family, Nora. I envy you the siblings. I always wanted brothers.”
“Not sisters?”
He chuckled. “Um, no.”
Nora emitted a giggle.
Maddy frowned at the doorway. She’d never in all her life heard that sound come from Nora. She edged closer to the door, peeking in carefully. She saw Nora’s legs—she was stretched out on her stomach on the bed, directly across from where Jonathan usually worked at his desk. The singer continued warbling the melody.
The conversation had moved on to their parents, and Nora was talking. “They argue sometimes—mostly about Daddy’s traveling. I wish Mama would just accept it. I mean, we miss him when he’s gone, but when he’s here, he’s really here, you know? She could do a lot worse.”
“Emma said she harps on him a lot. But at least they’re still together.” There was a warmth in Jonathan’s voice that she’d only heard when he talked to Emma.
Maddy’s stomach twisted. It didn’t sound as if Jonathan was working at all. And it didn’t seem right that Nora was alone with him in his bedroom, on his bed no less. On the other hand, he and Emma were obviously in love, and Nora would soon be his sister-in-law.
The subject soon changed to books, and Maddy listened a few minutes longer until Jonathan mentioned he was getting hungry. At the squeak of the mattress, Maddy turned and padded quickly down the stairs, not wanting to get caught spying.
“What on earth took you so long?” Emma asked as soon as Maddy had sunk into the bucket seat beside her.
Maddy reached for her seat belt and stretched it across her body, clicking it into place. “I, um, couldn’t find it at first.”
But as Emma put the car in gear and pulled away from the beach cottage, Maddy had a terrible feeling she’d found a lot more than she’d been looking for.
Chapter 17
Present day
Maddy slipped through the back door and stepped out onto the deck. She squinted against the sun, which glared blindingly on the water.
Emma was already on the deck basking in its light, her short hair springing in all directions. She wore a white V-necked T-shirt and pink pajama shorts that were scattered with little cupcakes.
She tossed a fond smile over her shoulder, her eyes going to half-moons. “Happy birthday, little sis!”
“Let a girl wake up before you hit her with all that energy.” Maddy took a sip of hot coffee before sinking into the chair next to Emma’s and adjusting the robe over her bare legs.
“How’s it feel to be another year older?” Emma said.
Thirty-two. How had that happened? “Not altogether wonderful, if I’m honest.”
Especially if she took stock of the current state of her professional and personal lives. But for some reason her thoughts slid instead to Connor and the nice conversation they’d had the day before.
“You’re a virtual baby,” Emma scoffed. “Still young and fresh, no signs of aging. Still turning heads. Talk to me again after you hit the big 4-O, turn invisible, and have to diet for a month to lose a single pound.”
Maddy gave her a wan smile. The only signs of aging Maddy could see on her sister were laugh lines. Those didn’t even count.
“You’re still gorgeous, Emma. I’ll bet you turn heads all the time.”
“Well, I was all but invisible to Ethan, I know that much.” Emma waved away her own words. “Enough about me. It’s your birthday! What are we doing to celebrate today?”
The door creaked open, and Nora slipped out onto the deck, already made up. She’d paired her white shorts with a bright purple top that complemented her auburn hair and fair skin.
Pippy stood, her tag jingling as she shook, then she approached Nora.
“Good morning,” Nora said, stooping to sweep Pippy into her arms. “Happy birthday, Maddy.”
