Page 24 of Leon
A smile touched his lips and astounded her with the gentleness of it. "Undoubtedly."
She stared at her brother in shock. "Well." Taking a sip of her wine, she used it to compose herself. It was strange seeing that look on his face. He was obviously smitten. "I want to meet her."
"I can't--"
"I feel the need to pick up a few titles. I think I will drop by the bookstore tomorrow."
He eyed her for a moment, wondering what she was up to. She had that impish look on her face that said she was up to no good. "What are you planning?"
She simply shrugged, a smile playing around her lips. "I just want to take the opportunity to meet my sister-in-law and pick up a few light readings. And take the time to see if she's good enough for my only sibling." She slid him a glance. "I happen to be very fond of you. And she must be an exceptional woman to have you all out of sorts this way."
"She's one of a kind," he muttered.
"I can see that." She gave him a thoughtful look. "And you're hooked."
"All the way." He scooted toward the edge of the chair. "Now let's talk about you."
"Why?" She gestured with her glass. "When your story is so much more intriguing."
"It's not a story. It's my life, and it feels as if it's spinning out of orbit." He swallowed the wine. "Dad is coming home tomorrow."
She grimaced. "My reprieve is almost at an end. So let's not talk about it."
*****
She convinced herself that she was feeling much better. The session with Grace had mollified her somewhat. They had fallen asleep sprawled over the edge of her bed, with the empty bottles strewn on the hardwood floor of her bedroom. She had awoken this morning with a pounding headache but a lighter spirit. And had checked her phone for any missed calls. There were none.
She was also trying to tell herself that he deserved some quality time with his sister, whom he hadn't seen in months.
She wasn't going to call him either, she decided as she stacked the shelves with the new arrivals. It was almost Thanksgiving, and she had so much to do. Her dad was feeling much better and had eaten a hearty breakfast. She had just managed to choke down a boiled egg and gallons of coffee.
Grace had slipped out in the early hours of the morning, no doubt to avoid an encounter with her dad. Kadian wished the two of them would try and get along, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She had her own issues to deal with.
There was a book signing scheduled for this afternoon and the hot chocolate hour she had planned for the children. It had generated a lot of interest and excitement among the parents.
"There's someone here asking to see you." Marge was staring at her curiously, an avid look of interest on her face.
"Who?"
"Some fancy lady. Says she's a doctor and you have someone in common, something like that. Bring her around?"
"Of course. I just have to finish the stacking. See to it that the children's corner is set up. We should already have the pastries and sandwiches." She turned back to the shelves, wondering briefly who could be asking for her.
"Here she is."
Pasting a smile on her lips, she rose and turned, going still as she stared at the achingly familiar face. The resemblance was so uncanny, she felt her knees buckling and had to steady herself against the shelf.
"I get that a lot." Lisa extended a hand, studying the woman quickly from head to toe. And could see why her brother was so besotted. Even wearing a simple charcoal sweater over slim-line ash gray pants, she managed to look stunning. And the skin tone was so flawless, Lisa felt the pang of envy coursing through her.
"Lisa-Ann Whitlock-Day. I just had to see for myself what the fuss was all about. Now I can see it clearly. You're stunning."
"Thanks." She gripped the woman's delicate yet strong hand automatically. "Is my-- is he okay?"
Lisa's lips curved softly and got another conviction of the woman's commitment to her brother.
"He's fine. I told him I wanted to meet you."
"Oh." Kadian had no idea what to say to that, and then it suddenly occurred to her that her dad might be nearby. Listening.
