“I’ll be in touch,” Thomas called out to Clara’s retreating back, her long dark hair blowing in the wind.
Edward fought her the entire way to the drugstore on the corner.
Jason inserted himself into his father’s space. “What the
hell was that all about? I thought I told you your brother isn’t up to that kind of pushing.”
Thomas blinked, his expression pained. “I want my brother back.” He stared in the direction the other couple had disappeared.
“Then stay away from Clara!”
Thomas shook his head. “Did you notice how Edward accused me of poaching his woman? After denying they were a couple? I’m on the right track,” he insisted.
Jason glanced at Lauren, who clearly was keeping out of a Corwin family argument. “Dad, please.”
“I’m a grown man, son. Stay out of it.” Thomas straightened his collar.
The determination in his expression, along with the warning in his voice, told Jason the Corwin family was in for a rocky ride.
DESPITE THE DOCTOR’S recommendation otherwise, Lauren needed to see her sister. When she’d told Jason she was taking the afternoon off to drive to the Bricksville prison, he said he’d understood, but his tone and his movements had been cold and brittle. Clearly her sister’s criminal actions colored the way Jason viewed her. Something Lauren truly did understand, especially since her relatives had been directly or indirectly responsible for so much of his family’s pain.
She knew now that with so much history between them, there was no way they could ever have more than this short time together. She’d treasure it forever, but this was all there could be. Blood was thicker than water, and he’d support his family while she’d do the same for hers. And in her heart, Lauren believed Beth needed to know someone cared about her despite everything.
So she made the trip to the prison and sat by her sister’s bedside. When Lauren arrived, Beth was awake, staring straight ahead.
Lauren brushed her hair off her face, held her hand and talked to her.
“The house is coming along great.” Lauren fudged the truth. “I hired a reasonably priced contractor who’s patching the holes in the walls and repainting.” She forced an enthusiasm and sense of normalcy she didn’t feel into her voice as she told her sister things she hoped would soothe her. She deliberately omitted the fact that her contractor and her lover was Jason Corwin.
And she didn’t mention that Beth’s lawyer needed more money or that Lauren was running short on funds. She only told Beth positive things.
“The contractor is also negotiating good prices with the subs, like the electrician and the plumber,” she said cheerfully. “The water heater broke but I managed to have it replaced. And my contractor is checking the estimates the plumber gave him before letting him do any more work on the pipes. But we’re getting there.”
Beth’s eyelids fluttered up and down.
Lauren sighed. “What is it, Beth? Do you want to talk to me?” She squeezed her sister’s hand.
“Don’t upset yourself,” the nurse said from the corner of the room.
Lauren had almost forgotten they weren’t alone.
“I have to try and reach her,” Lauren said. “Someone has to try!” But even as she spoke, she knew the blinking was just a reflexive response, as the nurse constantly reminded her.
“I do have some good news for both of you,” the nurse said as she strode to the barred window and looked outside.
“What is it?” Lauren asked.
“The work on the new wing is almost complete. Pretty soon your sister will have the quiet she needs. They’re phasing out the construction crews, and as soon as the inspection’s finished, no more workers, no more noise.”
A low gurgle sounded from the bed.
Lauren glanced over but her sister remained staring into space. Lauren turned back to the nurse. “That is good news,” she said. “I’m in the middle of a construction project myself.”
“So I hear,” she said, smiling.
Lauren thought of her monologues to her sister and nodded.
“How is it going?” the nurse asked.