Page 12 of Nothing to Beat

“You do like to adopt orphans.”

Still holding her hand, Alice stroked her hair with the other.“You will always be my first daughter, Sequoia.”

“Sure whoever Breck ends up with won’t appreciate that,” Roxie said.

“That will never be a concern,” Alice said at peace with the situation.“I fully expect my eldest will never marry or have children.”

“Don’t say that, Alice,” she said on an almost groan.“I wish only happiness for him.I want him to have everything he wants in life.”

“And he’s set his mind to what he wants, whether he can have it or not.You can set a man free, but you can’t make him bolt.Together or not, his love for you endures.”

“And I won’t force him to endure what being with me would entail.I’d be unhappy.We’d both be unhappy.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“Idon’t know,” Roxie said.“Whatever’s keeping you apart—”

“This isn’t the best party conversation.”Having only just met the woman, Sequoia wouldn’t dump her whole sad history onto her.Savanna too.These were women in the prime of their lives and at the height of their love.“Tell me about you and Zairn.”

“Our whole history’s available on video in stereo sound,” Roxie said, crossing her legs and propping an elbow on her knee, mouth wide to take in a deep breath.“But that won’t stop me telling it.Have you ever heard ofTalk at Sunset?”

“The TV show?”

“It all started there on a dark August night.Settle in, ladies, this might take a while…”

SIX

IF ALICE AND SAVANNA had heard Roxie’s tale of love already, they were polite enough not to let on.

Pizza came, and, man, did it hit the spot.Deep dish, there was no better pizza.How long had it been…?A taste of home; one of the few that comforted her.

On a subtle stretch, she stood up.“Thank you, ladies.I’ve had an amazing time.”

Getting to know Roxie and Savanna reminded her just how optimistic love could be.Savvy was good for Darroch.She’d never considered he needed to settle down in a hurry, not until his match came along.

“You can stay longer,” Roxie said, leaping up.“We can go upstairs.You can spend the night.Plenty of room.”

“I should be heading home too,” Alice said, rising at her side.“I can drive you home, Sequoia.”

“Thank you.”

Alice Breckenridge was a woman like no other.If she wasn’t as inherently gentle as she was, Sequoia might worry about getting the third degree on the homeward journey.Though Alice said “drive,” the woman wouldn’t be behind the wheel.Breckenridge money led to all kinds of luxuries that the family sometimes, unintentionally, took for granted.Language was different, words had other meanings, when that kind of legitimate means cushioned your life.Illegitimate wasn’t the same.She should know.

Turning, intending to find her coat, a rush of heat flooded her head.And that was it, the last thing until opening her eyes to Alice and Savanna looming over her and she was… on the floor.Why was she on the floor?

Alice’s hand was tight around hers.“Sweetheart, are you with us?Sequoia?”

“I…” When she tried to sit up, nausea put her down again.“Oh…”

Roxie crouched by Alice.“You passed out, honey.Are you hurt?”

“No, I—”

“She may have hit her head.”

“Should I call an ambulance?”

“God, don’t do that.”Still woozy, she forced herself to sit up, closing her eyes for a little more stability.“I didn’t eat anything today, I should’ve—”

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