Hot to the Touch

What still hurt was Sean’s betrayal. That he’d taken a job with Raoul wasn’t so terrible. Each man for himself, and poaching employees went on in the restaurant business all the time.

But did he have to take her recipes with him?

Apparently. Raoul undoubtedly offered a nice bonus if Sean came to work with menu in hand. Saved Raoul having to provide anything like talent or originality. Which he wouldn’t get from Sean, either, her only satisfaction. Once they went through her files, they’d have to change strategies.

But okay, enough brooding. It was a beautiful day, and as Troy had pointed out, there was nothing she could do about the situation but forge on with her own work as best as she could.

On her way to open the last window in her bedroom, the phone rang.

“Darcy, it’s Brit.”

Darcy closed her eyes. She hadn’t called her mother. Brit would be annoyed. “Hi, there.”

“Mom hasn’t heard from you.”

“No.”

Her sister made a sound of exasperation. “The situation is becoming ridiculous.”

“The situation has always been ridiculous.”

“You need to talk to her. Dad won’t drop the charges until she at least apologizes.”

Darcy walked over to her bed and sat down. Something was really bugging her about this situation, and she needed time to examine it. “Really.”

“They’re in a total stand-off. Acting like children.”

Darcy frowned up at the picture she had framed on her dresser. Mom and Dad, smiling, arms around each other and around Darcy and Brit. They’d used the picture as a Christmas card probably twelve or thirteen years ago. A photographer’s pose, with show-our-family’s-love smiles. Fake love. How long did her parents hold out before they gave up on loving each other?

“Don’t you think it’s time they acted like adults?”

“Yeah? Hey, good idea, Darcy.” Brit’s voice dripped sarcasm. “Why don’t you suggest that?”

“I’m not going to suggest anything.” She rose from the bed, breathing in the earthy, rich scents of summer, feeling powerful and free. Troy had been right. This issue had nothing to do with her. “They own the problem. They need to fix it. We’re not helping them if we keep stepping in. Let them deal with it.”

“Darcy! Mom could go to jail. You want her to go on trial?”

“She and Dad divorced years ago. Why should you and I keep being punished for this?”

“I can’t believe you’re not going to help.”

“Why should I?”

“Because it’s what people who love each other do.”

Tears rose in Darcy’s eyes. No. Not always. “Sometimes you have to let them help themselves. This is one of those cases. They loved each other deeply enough to get married all those years ago. Just because that love didn’t last—”

“Huh?” Her sister sounded taken aback. “They never loved each other deeply.”

Darcy blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t know? Mom married Dad to get away from home. You know about Grandpa’s drinking. She didn’t take long to figure out she’d gotten out of the fireplace into the fire. She said she stood at the altar and recited her vows feeling panicky and sick to her stomach.”

Darcy sat back down on the bed, stunned. “Did Dad love her?”

“They barely knew each other, Darcy. I can’t believe no one told you this.” Brit’s voice gentled. “I assumed you knew. Mom was pregnant, so they had to get married fast. She lost the baby a month later.”

Darcy put a hand to her head. “Why did she tell you this and not me?”

“She told me when I got married. She wanted me to be absolutely sure about Jason.”

“Were you?” Darcy held her breath. Her sister’s answer mattered hugely.

“Absolutely. I had no doubts at all.” Brit spoke with total confidence. “Everything about being with Jason felt different from any boyfriend I’d had before, and not just because I was sober. I was a better, stronger person around him. I could tell him anything, and trust me, there was a lot of bad stuff to tell. He took it all in stride. Even though we fought, and still do, I know he has me at the top of his list all the time.”