He started to laugh. ‘I suspect that’d be something to see.’ He sobered. ‘But, Jo, isn’t the necklace just the object of something that goes deeper between them?’
She slumped into a chair. ‘I guess.’
‘Tell me about them.’
So she did. She told him about Great-Aunt Edith first. ‘I mean I know she loves me. And she’s the one I most physically resemble. So it’s odd—I can’t understand why she’s been on my case since, like, forever. I shouldn’t wear this and I shouldn’t say that, and I shouldn’t act like this and I shouldn’t draw attention to myself like that, and I shouldn’t wear my hair like this. On and on and on.’
It wore her out just thinking about it.
‘It made me rebel in every dreadful way when I was a teenager. I wore tight pants and even tighter tops—things that didn’t suit me. I’m afraid she was right on that subject.’
‘And your grandmother?’
‘My grandmother is the opposite. She’s pretty, petite, and oh-so ladylike. She’s stuck up for me forever, declaring I should wear, say and do whatever I damn well please—always telling me that I look gorgeous and pretty regardless of my get-up.’ She glanced at Mac. ‘And I’m afraid that’s not always been the best advice to be given.’
It was her grandmother’s vision that she’d never really been able to live up to.
He leaned back. ‘They love each other, you say?’
‘Oh, yes.’ There wasn’t a single doubt about that. ‘But after one particularly vehement argument twelve months ago Great-Aunt Edith moved out.’ Which was crazy. Her grandmother and aunt belonged together.
‘Is it possible your great-aunt feels like you do—overshadowed by the petite women who surround her and made to feel she’s never measured up?’
As far as Jo could tell, her great-aunt was indestructible.
Or was that just the attitude she assumed?
She sat up straighter.
‘That attitude—it’s wrong. You’re a beautiful woman, Jo, which means your great-aunt must’ve been a great beauty too. But if she didn’t believe herself beautiful, can you imagine how she must’ve felt, growing up with a sister who fitted into society’s “classically beautiful” mould?’
Jo’s throat tightened.
‘If they love each other, as you say...’
‘They do.’ She might not be certain of much, but she was certain of that.
‘Could it be that your grandmother is showing her love and acceptance for your great-aunt through you? If your great-aunt has felt overshadowed all these years then your grandmother treating you—the child who looks so like her much-loved sister—with adoration and such disregard for what the world thinks... Well, that’s powerful stuff.’
Wow.
Things started to fall into place.
Holy Cow! ‘I don’t know what to say.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘You’re not going to cry, are you?’
She tipped up her chin. ‘Most certainly not.’
And that was when she noticed that he was whisking her egg whites. A fist tightened about her heart even as she noticed that his technique was way better than hers. Keep it casual.
‘Wouldn’t it be easier to use an electric beater?’
He glared and she raised her hands. ‘Sorry—is that some weird food purist thing?’
Humour lit his eyes although it didn’t touch his lips. ‘It would be easier.’
‘But?’
‘But this kitchen doesn’t happen to be stocked with that kind of equipment.’
Oh, that sealed it. She was going out and buying an electric mixer first thing tomorrow.
‘Here—you try.’
She took the bowl and tried to mimic his whisking action.
He didn’t grimace, but she suspected he wanted to. ‘It just takes a bit of practice,’ he assured her.
She wished she felt reassured.
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Jo!’ he exploded a moment later. ‘That whisk isn’t a hammer. You’re trying to whisk air into those egg whites.’
She held the bowl out to him. He didn’t shrink back, but she could see what was going through his mind.
She snapped, ‘This isn’t real cooking. It’s just some stupid egg whites and a rotten whisk.’
He ground his teeth together, snatching the bowl from her. ‘You have an attitude problem when it comes to the kitchen.’
Wasn’t that the truth?
‘Look—this is how you’re meant to be doing it.’
He demonstrated what he meant. He looked so at home with a whisk—kind of commanding and...right. She could watch him do this all day.