Page 26 of A Vintage of Regret
She pushed aside the past and braced for emotional impact.
The second she pressed the doorbell, she heard voices hush inside.
Footsteps. A creak of wood.
Then the door swung open, revealing Erin—flawless in a beige wrap dress, blonde hair—obviously from a bottle since Erin was a natural brunette—swept into a loose twist. The transformation had begun when Chad entered the picture, and Erin gradually started lightening her hair until she looked nothing like the sister Riley remembered. Their father had confided once how hard it was to watch Chad reshape Erin into the woman he thought she should be, beginning with the demand that brunettes weren’t sophisticated enough for his social circle.
“Wow, I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, not moving to let Riley in.
Riley smiled without showing any teeth. “Hi, Erin. Good to see you, too.”
Erin inched closer, her arms opening, and she pulled Riley in for a hug. The first one in God only knew how long. “It’s so hard to believe he’s gone.”
“I know.”
Riley leaned into the embrace, feeling every ounce of it. The moment wasn’t full of love. But it was something real. Something she could hold on to and maybe build on.
“We’re in the dining room.” Erin stepped back, gesturing toward the hallway. “I should warn you… Mom’s not handling your return well.”
Riley recoiled, jerking her head back to study her sister. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve tried calling. She hasn’t answered or called me back.”
“I don’t want to fight.” Erin raised her hands. “She’s just being Mom. Acting as if it were her husband who died.” Erin rolled her eyes. “But I suppose she’s thinking about Parker’s cancer. He’s in remission, but it still weighs on her.”
“I’m sure it does.”
“Also, please don’t start in on Chad.” Erin swiped at her cheeks. “Not today of all days. We can talk about all that another time. I’m open to a conversation if you’re going to be in town long enough to have it.” She leaned closer. “Without Chad around,” she whispered.
Riley’s lips parted, and she let out an audible gasp. The memory of Chad’s unwelcome hands when she’d been a teenager came flooding back, along with the pain of Erin not believing her when Riley had tried to warn her. Erin had called Riley a liar. Said she was just trying to sabotage her happiness. But now, hearing the desperation in her sister’s voice, Riley wondered if Erin was finally ready to admit she’d been wrong about him.
“Okay,” was all she could manage.
“Come on.” Her sister looped her arm through Riley’s and tugged her toward the dining room.
The air inside smelled like lemon polish and cinnamon potpourri. Her mother sat at the head of the table, a glass of white wine in hand despite the early hour. Parker, her second husband, stood behind her chair, a hand resting lightly on her shoulder like he was there for show, not support.
“Riley.” Parker quickly made his way around the table and pulled her in for an awkward hug.” It’s good to see you againafter all these years, although I do wish the circumstances were different. I’m so sorry about your father.” He kissed her cheek.
“Thank you. How are you feeling?”
“Still tired but doing much better.” Parker smiled weakly. “I enjoyed all the gift baskets and postcards. That was thoughtful.” He turned and went back to his position where her mom still hadn’t bothered to acknowledge her presence.
Grant and his wife, Kelly, sat on one side of the table, and Erin slipped into a chair on the other side. Chad, Erin’s husband, offered a polite smile but looked away immediately. Riley’s chest tightened. Seeing him again stirred old wounds she’d wished were healed.
“None of us were sure you’d make it,” Elizabeth said, setting down her glass. She rose, smoothing down the front of her black dress. She blew out a strong breath through her nose and approached Riley. “I thought your calls and texts were telling me that you’d decided to stay in whatever country you’ve been living in these days.” Her words were clipped, bitter, and they had a chilling bite to them. “But I’m glad you managed to find time in your busy schedule to come. Your father would be happy for that.” She brushed her bright red lips against Riley’s cheek before sitting back down.
Her mom could always hand out a good sideways compliment while scolding you in the same breath.
“I got in yesterday,” Riley replied. “I wanted to settle in before seeing everyone, though I’ve been in constant contact with Grant and Erin.”
Grant smiled at her. “You look good, little sis.” He reached out, took her hand, and squeezed. “I told you that you could’ve stayed with us. If you change your mind, that offer still stands.” After all the tension, all the stilled conversations and carefully worded texts, this simple gesture felt like a lifeline. Maybe herfather’s death had reminded them both of what really mattered—that broken as they might be, they were family.
“Thanks. But for now, I’m good at the inn.”
“Is that where you’re really staying?” Her mother asked. “Because I heard you were seen with Bryson Boone this morning.” She waved a judgmental finger toward the window. “I saw the Stone Bridge Winery truck pull in the driveway. One can only assume you borrowed it fromthem, which means you’re staying there.”
“They loaned it to me,” Riley said, her jaw clenched. “But I’m not staying there, not that it’s any of your business.”
“It is when you treat your bro?—"
