Page 25 of Tangled Up

Stepping back, he glances down at the red brick pavement. “I’ll see you in a few days, then.”

My lips part, and I want to say something. I want to talk, but my words are a jumble in my head.

“Drive safely.” Is the best I can do.

He climbs into his vehicle, and I step away, giving him a small wave before jogging up the ramp into my aunt’s home.

It’s dark when I get inside, and only a few dim night lights illuminate the path to my bedroom. Stopping at the bookcase, I dig behind a stack of books, looking for something I haven’t seen in years.

I take out a picture frame hidden away. It holds a portrait of me in an ivory satin dress with a veil on my head. I’m standing on a staircase with a smile on my face, but I can see the doubt in my eyes. Still, it was too late to stop the barreling freight train of RSVPs and flowers and cake and all of it.

Love grew with time, I told myself. The longer we were together, the more we would share, the more affection we would have. Only, I felt like we should have more passion starting out. We should ache for each other if we were going to go the distance.Right?

Where would I be now if he hadn’t died six months later? What would my life be like? Would I be happy? I can’t even begin to guess.

Shoving the old photograph behind the books again, I continue down the hall to my room.

* * *

“What the heck’s going on around here?” My brother sits at my aunt’s table holding a coffee mug that readsDogs, because people suck.

Aunt Viv left a plate of homemade raspberry scones for us before she left for the church to collect her knitting supplies and patterns. I assume my brother stopped by on his way to his vet clinic.

“What do you mean?” I fill my own mug with coffee and sit across from him at the small table.

I haven’t stopped thinking about Beck since he left, and while my heart and stomach are in knots, the ache between my thighs is soothed and happy.

“You’re here. Jessica said Beck Munroe was in town this weekend. What the hell? Is it some kind of reunion I don’t know about?”

Henry is tall and slim with light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He looks more like our dad, and even has his calm demeanor, whereas I have more of our mother’s Italian complexion and fiery disposition.

“No reunion. Just the universe has a twisted sense of humor.” I put my foot in my chair, sipping out of my Dolly Parton mug.

“So let me in on the joke. You didn’t know he was going to be here? Or are you two back together?”

“First, are you kidding me? I haven’t spoken to Beck Munroe in… I don’t even remember when. I had some time off work, and I figured I’d use it to come see all of you.” Reaching out, I give his arm a push. “You didn’t even tell me Aunt Viv had an accident.”

He takes a bite of scone and shrugs. “Nothing to tell.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing. She had this entire ramp built. Jessica said everyone in town was talking about it.”

“Not much happens in Eden, Carls. Urgent care did a scan and found no signs of brain injury. You know Aunt Viv. I’d say the fact she ordered that ramp means she’s perfectly normal.”

I reluctantly agree with him. “Still, you should have told me. I have a right to know.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He kisses the side of my head as he stands. “If you’re not doing anything, I could use some extra hands at the clinic today. Mondays are always wild.”

Glancing around the empty house, I don’t feel like sitting here alone, waiting for something to happen. “Okay.”

He grabs the keys, and I follow him out the door and down to the sandy path behind the houses. His clinic is a few blocks away in a strip mall between a souvenir store and a seafood shack. Several cars are parked out front, and an old lady scurries out of her car holding a small pink poodle as soon as she spots my brother.

“Dr. Dennison! Oh, Dr. Dennison!” She waves a handkerchief over her head.

“It’s going to be a long day.” He fishes a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocks the front door. “Mrs. Smith.”

“Oh, thank goodness, doctor! I thought you’d never get back.” The older woman has light pink hair and a matching pink suit, long nails, and tinkling jewelry.

She’s hot on our heels as we push through the door. “Snookums has been simplylanguishingall weekend. She’d walk a few steps, then fall out on the couch and gaze forlornly out the window. She wouldn’t even get up for her favorite bacon bits.”

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