Page 47 of Tainted Rose

Scarlett

When I pull up at Xander’s family’s home, I get a case of nerves and have to sit there for a minute or so to talk myself down. This is no big deal. You like his mother and sister. You love Xander.

Oh, shit.When did that happen? I close my eyes and count to ten. They flick back open to find a gray-haired woman standing patiently on the front steps watching me. Waiting for me? I peer at her through the windshield and wave.

She smiles and waves back.

Crap.Now I have to get out or I’ll look like a big weirdo. Gathering my things, I open the door and step down out of Ruth and slam the door shut with a giant creak. I walk quickly up the paved path to the house. The last time I was here, Xander led me in through the side door, directly into the mudroom and kitchen area, but I guess I’m about to get the full effect of Xander’s mansion-like home by going in through the front door.

I huff out a breath. “Hi. I’m Scarlett.” I hold out my hand as I approach the older woman.

“I know who you are.” She gives me a tentative smile and shakes my hand. I get the sense she wants to say more, but she doesn’t, instead introducing herself. “I’m June.”

“Oh! Right. I can’t seem to get it through my head that people live in homes like this.” Peering through the doorway at the foyer, complete with a grand staircase off to the side, I get a real appreciation for how beautiful their home is before my gaze swings back to her. “You’re responsible for the delicious snacks I had the last time I was here.”

“That’s me. Come on in, honey. Xander’s been waiting for you.” She turns and waves over her shoulder that I should follow.

Impressive. No. That’s not a good word for it. Grandiose? Maybe a little. The house is freaking amazing. I don’t know how anyone lives in it, though. It’s massive. A showpiece.

“Why don’t I get you something to drink first?” She cocks her head to the side, eyes scanning the features of my face.

“Oh. Sure, that’d be nice.”

As she leads me down a hallway, she looks over her shoulder at me. “Isabella is upstairs with Xander. She’s trying to convince him that he needs some brain rest.” We walk into the kitchen, where she seems most at home. She grabs bottled waters from the huge refrigerator, and we each sit on a stool at the island. She winces. “I heard you were there this afternoon. At the field?”

I nod, brushing a few rogue strands of hair back behind my ear, my bracelet tinkling as I move. “I was. It was really scary. I didn’t see it happen, but I was there right after.”

“I bet it was terrifying. I’m glad I wasn’t there. I would have had a heart attack, and then they would’ve had to call two ambulances.” She shakes her head, then juts her chin in the direction of my charm bracelet. “That’s awfully pretty,” she murmurs.

“Oh.” I hesitate for a fraction of a second, looking down at it. “Thank you. My mother gave it to me last Christmas, a few months before she passed away. I’ve worn it pretty much every day since.”

“Oh, honey, that’s special. I’m sorry about your mama.”

“Thank you.” I look around the kitchen, trying to think of something else to talk about. “Xander told me you’ve worked here a long time.”

“Right. Since before Xander and Isabella were in the picture, actually. The minute Sebastian had his own home, I started taking care of him again. Stole me right out from under his parents’ noses.” She chuckles, shaking her head. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Sebastian.” She clears her throat. “Anyway, I’ve known Xander since he was twelve or so, and I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d seen him hurt like that.” She presses her lips together before brightening a little. “But he’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it, won’t we?”

I smile and nod.

She keeps eyeing me. Studying me. It’s more than curiosity. It’s knowledge shining in her eyes. I’m sure of it.

It hits me all at once, and my eyes flare wide. Quietly, I ask, “You know, don’t you?”

She nods as she worries her lip with her teeth. “Since the second I laid eyes on you.”

“He’s keeping this huge secret from his wife … and you went along with it?” My heart pounds.

Slowly, she nods confirmation. “I said I’d do anything for him. I meant it. I’ve never told anyone.”

Isabella chooses that moment to breeze into the kitchen, gorgeous even though she’d spent hours with Xander at the hospital, same as I had. In contrast, I feel like I’ve been run over by a herd of stampeding elephants. “Oh, Scarlett, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you’d already arrived. I’d have come down sooner. Xander finally agreed he needs to sleep, so he’s turned in.”

I have so many questions to ask June, but it’ll have to wait for a more appropriate—and more private—time. She gives me an anxious look, and I wonder if she thinks I would blurt out the truth to Isabella.

“No problem, Mrs. Coventry. I’ll go up and see him for a minute, if that’s okay. I was just thanking June for the snacks she made the last time I was here.” I wink in her direction, hoping that serves to pacify her.

“Call me Isabella, please, and go on up.” She grits her teeth apologetically. “Just no hanky-panky. He needs rest.”

I can’t help it. I start to giggle as soon as she says hanky-panky, and my face flushes pink. I cover my mouth with my hand to stop myself.

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