Page 106 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

A few miles out, Grandpa’s phone began to ring over and over again. I carefully reached for it in my bag and answered.

Ariana’s frantic voice was on the other end of the line. “There you are. I’m desperate and I need help.”

My heart started beating a million times a minute thinking of all the possibilities, everything from sick kids to injured parents. “What’s wrong?”

“Sammy was up all night, and one of my employees called in sick, and I have a huge custom ornament order due. I know you’re busy, but is there any way you can come to the shop and help just for a couple of hours? Please,” she begged.

I looked at the clock on my dash, not knowing why. Of course I would help her. She sounded as if she might cry. I would go to Children to Love right after. “Actually, I’m in Pine Falls; I can be there in five minutes.”

“Bless you. I love you.” She hung up without another word.

No wonder Ariana was thinking about stepping back. I’d never heard her sound so desperate, which was saying something, knowing what she’d been through in her life. I raced over to The District and rushed into the shop, waving a quick hello to Ginger, before heading straight to Ariana’s office, where I assumed she’d be since I didn’t see her at her workbench. I would say it was a good guess since I could hear Sammy’s babbles coming from the back. He had found his voice and loved to use it. It was the best sound ever. I wondered if someday, in the not-too-distant future, I might get my own little babbler. It was obvious Brant saw that for us. I held my stomach—a mixture of butterflies and queasiness swirled inside. The thought of creating a little human with Brant was beautiful, and a painful reminder that he had created a child with my sister. A child they mourned. That was a strong bond between two people. Could Brant and I form an even stronger bond? Could I move on from this and never hold it over either of their heads? I wanted to let go. That had to be a start, right?

Without knocking, I opened Ariana’s office door, and to my surprise, Dani was standing there holding Sammy. Ariana was nearby with a Cheshire grin on her gorgeous face.

Dani nibbled on her lower lip as she faced me. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying. It made my eyes water. I still had no idea what to say, but the one thing I knew was that I loved my sister and I hated to see her hurting.

Ariana looked between us. “I couldn’t stand by any longer and watch the women I love most in the world be torn apart. I can’t imagine how either of you are feeling right now, but this I know—together we are stronger. We’ll get through this,” her voice caught. “After all, we’re the Kramer sisters. We’ve all stared hell down before. We can do it again. Together,” she added, almost pleading.

Being apart from Dani did feel like hell. Dani must have thought the same thing. She handed Sammy off to Ariana and, without a second thought, closed the distance between us and wrapped her arms around me. I fell into her and bawled like a baby. Just like the first night we had been brought to Grandma and Grandpa’s. I’d had no idea how I would survive without my parents in a new place. It was Dani who had given me hope, even though she’d had none of her own. Today, I would be brave and think of her pain above my own, the way she had always done for me. I would offer her the hope she longed for.

“I love you.” I clung to her.

She clung tighter. “I love you. I’m so sorry.”

“I know.” I really did.

“Now that we have that settled. I really do need both of your help.” Ariana tried to hug us both with Sammy in her arms.

We all tearfully laughed and broke apart.

I loved the sound of our collective laughter. It was a special kind of music all on its own. A harmony that required three parts. Always and forever. Over the years, it hadn’t mattered how many times tears were shed; we somehow managed to find the laughter. There was no doubt we wouldn’t let it elude us this time. The Kramer sisters would once again prevail.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I sat at Ariana’s workbench, wrapping a red piece of stained glass with copper tape while Dani loved on Sammy and Ariana soldered some pieces together.

“So, it’s a done deal?” Ariana asked as she skillfully wielded her soldering iron.

“Yeah,” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Carter and Giselle are a thing of the past. I’m pretty sure they’re going to break up too,” I said, probably with way too much glee.

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