Three Sisters

She blinked and realized Wade was staring at her. “Hmm?”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine. A little punchy from my nights with a bat.”

“A challenge for anyone.” He rose. “Come on. I’ll show you where I was thinking we should put the kitchen.”

Sadly, that was the most exciting invitation she’d had in recent memory.

* * *

Sunday morning, Deanna paused at the top of the stairs. She could hear the laughter and conversation coming from the kitchen. It was always this way. No matter his work schedule, Colin made sure he was home on Sunday. He got up early and made breakfast for the whole family. Sometimes it was omelets and other times pancakes. Once he’d made scones from scratch.

The girls joined him, sitting at the stools by the counter, talking about their weeks. Madison and Lucy helped with the preparation, and Audrey kept track of the twins.

Deanna had never been a fan of the Sunday ritual. She didn’t like Colin cooking. He always made such a mess. The man used every pot and pan they owned. There were splatters and spills, dishes piled in the sink. But what she disliked most was the way the morning felt like all of them against her. Despite the fact that she was the mother and the one who cooked every other meal, she’d never felt comfortable in her own kitchen on Sunday morning.

Now she hovered, not sure whether to join them or not. She and Colin had been avoiding each other for the past two days. He’d slept on the couch, a fact that annoyed her. She’d so wanted to be the one to kick him out of their bedroom, but he hadn’t given her the chance. Now he was acting as if nothing else had changed.

She supposed for him it hadn’t. He’d delivered his ultimatum and then had walked away, abandoning her.

She rubbed her fingers together, aware of her dry skin, the cracked knuckles. She was washing her hands too much. Worse, it wasn’t helping. The familiar ritual provided no comfort at all.

Shame crawled over her. Shame for being weak, shame for not being in control of her family and her husband. If people knew, they would laugh at her. She wouldn’t belong anywhere.

That wasn’t going to happen, she told herself. She was strong and determined. She’d survived more difficult circumstances than this. Somehow she and Colin would come to terms. They always had in the past. He was in one of his moods. He would get over it. As for the girls, she was their mother and nothing would change that.

She raised her chin and started down the stairs. As she approached the kitchen, the voices got louder. There was a burst of laughter. Deanna faked a smile, then walked in through the wide doorway.

Colin stood at the stove. The twins and Audrey were at the counter. Lucy was pouring juice and Madison stood by her dad.

As one they all turned to look at her. The three younger girls’ happy faces took on an expression of guilt. Lucy looked as if she wanted to crawl into a cupboard while Madison glared at her. Colin was impossible to read.

Silence pushed out the laughter. Deanna glanced from one daughter to the other, not seeing any sign of welcome. Her fingers curled into her palms as she told herself to stand her ground. Colin turned his attention back to the stove and flipped several pancakes.

“These are almost done,” he said.

“I’ll get the syrup,” Madison told him.

Deanna stood in the doorway, invisible and unwanted, as memories of previous Sunday mornings crowded her vision. It was always like this, she thought, shocked by the realization. The silence when she walked into the room. The obvious signs that she should simply go away. That she didn’t belong.

Tears burned. She blinked them away, turned on her heel and walked out. In the hallway, she paused, not sure where she should go. Her chest tightened and she hurried up the stairs. Once in her bedroom, she carefully closed and locked the door, then retreated to the bathroom, where she turned on the hot water and reached for the soap.

* * *

Sunday afternoon Andi sat on her battered and slightly dangerous front porch. She was careful to avoid loose boards and splinters, but the day was too beautiful to stay inside. Plus, she’d run out of things to do in her tiny living space. She was unpacked, bat-free and waiting until she started work in the morning.

Boston rounded the corner of her house, saw her and waved. Andi waved back.

“How’s it going?” Boston asked, her hair flashing with purple highlights in the sun.

“Good.” Andi stood and walked down the stairs. “I’m settled. Construction starts tomorrow.”

Boston shook her head. “Enjoy this last day of normal, then. I know demolition is important, but it’s hard to watch.”

“Fortunately I’ll be gone most of the day. I’m working with Dr. Harrington temporarily. It gives me a chance to meet potential patients.”

“He won’t mind you poaching from his practice?”

Andi grinned. “Not at all. He’s told me he’s pleased to have a pediatrician in the area.” She glanced around and then lowered her voice. “I think he’s tired of dealing with the little kids and babies. They tend to have more emergencies. Ear infections, that sort of thing.”

Boston nodded, even as her gaze slid away. “Right.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Wade mentioned something about a bat. Is it gone?”

“It seems to be.” Andi studied her neighbor. She would swear something had just happened, but she had no idea what. Before she could figure out a way to ask, the front door of the house on the other side opened and an attractive blond woman stepped out onto her porch.

“Your other neighbor,” Boston murmured. “Deanna Phillips. She’s the one with five girls. I should probably introduce you.”

Andi was about to agree when Deanna raised her hand to her cheek and swiped her skin. They were too far away to see actual tears, but the movement was unmistakable.

“Another time might be better,” Andi said, turning away.

Boston nodded, her eyebrows drawing together. “Deanna’s always so together. I can’t imagine her crying. That would require a break in her perfect facade.” She grimaced. “Sorry. That came out bitchier than I meant it to.”

“No problem,” Andi said, realizing life on their little street might not be as calm and simple as she’d first imagined.

Chapter Five

MONDAY MORNING ANDI parked behind the low one-story building and got out of her car. Deep in her stomach, butterflies flew in formation. She knew that physiologically she could detail an explanation of synapses and adrenaline, along with other chemicals brought on by anticipation of a potentially uncomfortable event, but butterflies were a better visual.

She’d dressed carefully for her first day of work. A tailored blouse tucked into black trousers. Low-heeled, comfortable shoes. She’d pulled her long, curly hair back into a braid and added a light touch of mascara. She’d debated over lip gloss, but that had seemed too fancy for a workday, so she’d settled on a clear lip balm and had called herself presentable.

She collected her purse, medical bag and the white coat with “Dr. Andi” stenciled on the pocket. Some of her patients found the white coat intimidating, so she’d had a bright pink caterpillar embroidered on the pocket, as well. The combination of the nearly fluorescent color and purple high-heeled shoes on the bug had the desired effect. She went from scary to funny in a glance. A relaxed patient usually made for a better outcome, and Andi was all about helping her kids.

She walked around to the main entrance and went inside.

The waiting area had been done in a soft beige. There were plenty of sofas and chairs, lots of magazines and a view of the strip mall across the street. Typical medical office, she thought, crossing to the reception desk.

The woman sitting there was in her mid-fifties, with flame-red hair. She was tall, even sitting down, with flashy rings on several fingers and the longest lashes Andi had ever seen. She doubted they were any more natural than her hair color. But her smile was warm and Andi remembered her being friendly.

“Hi, Laura,” Andi said.

The other woman looked up and then jumped to her feet. “You’re here. We’re all so excited you’re starting today. You already have appointments, if you can believe it. When word got out a pediatrician was moving to the island, we started getting calls. Families are so excited.”

Laura motioned for her to come back. Andi walked through the door in the reception area and found herself in a long hallway.

The medical offices had once been a sprawling private residence. Bedrooms had been converted to examination rooms and offices.

“Everyone should be here already, so you can meet the staff. Dr. Harrington said he wanted to spend a few minutes with you before you get started.”