Home For The Holidays

Mom looked confused for a minute, but then dad whispered something in her ear that seemed to calm her down, and I remembered doing that very same thing with Deidre. We used to have our own secret code, something we shared when we were among others. Things our friends used to find cute and adorable when they deemed us the perfect couple.

But wait, why is this guy here? For a second, I felt a sense of relief that he’d come to take Tessa off my hands, though I couldn’t imagine what someone like him would want with her. She isn’t exactly the nicest human being, something I’d come to notice once I came out of the fog. But Sam’s words finally registered. “Fiancée?” My mouth was almost to my chest. Not only was my sister marrying one of the wealthiest men alive, but he was once my soon to be ex’s ex.

Oh yes, I’ve been planning for some time now to end things, but a few things stood in the way. First, there was the guilt I felt for leaving her high and dry since she was totally dependent on me. Though she has a degree, she refuses to work because I pay my ex alimony. Money that Tessa has no idea has never been touched.

I think Deidre might be leaving the money in the account for the girls’ future. That’s something else that had plagued me recently, the fact that if she was the scheming, conniving bitch Tessa made her out to be, that money would’ve been long gone. That and the fact that in all this time, Deidre has never dated anyone else.

The PI is looking for that Troy person who seems quite frankly to have disappeared off the face of the earth. I have a burning need to get to the truth even though I might have to accept that I’ve been totally wrong. The thought of that hurts me more than the betrayal had because it would mean that I’m the one who had betrayed Deidre and my kids. I felt like I was going to pass out.

The more Sam and her fiancée clung to each other, the more agitated Tessa became. I wonder what the hell is wrong with her. Sure the situation is a bit uncomfortable, to say the least, but nothing that should have her in such a panic, unless…

* * *

SAMANTHA

* * *

I change my mind. I absolutely love the fact that Jared has shown up a few days early. The look on Tessa’s face right now is priceless. Tom, to his credit, is redeeming himself more and more in my eyes. The fact that he knew about Jared from someone else other than Tessa spoke volumes as I’m sure Deidre would never have mentioned it to him at this point, so I saved him since he didn’t look like he’d meant for that little nugget to be exposed.

Once the introductions had been made, Jared made his excuses for taking me away, something I was not aware of until that point, and we said our goodbyes. Even though I didn’t want to leave, the look of terror and panic on Tessa’s face was once again priceless. Jared wouldn’t say where we were going, and I knew better than to keep asking because he’s a brick mixed with iron when it comes to sharing something that he’d not ready to.

When we reached the door, I remembered something that I’d forgotten to do, something that was sure to add another nail to Tessa’s already fast closing coffin. I went back and stopped in the doorway to the great room and called out to Tom. “I’m leaving the girls in your care. If that breathing tentacle does anything to them, you’ll both pay. I’ll be back…” I looked over my shoulder at Jared, who’d followed me for confirmation. “About ten in the morning, if that’s alright with you.” He said the last to my parents, who were sitting on the couch taking in the show.

“Sounds fine to me, Christine?” Dad answered, and mom, who was still looking a bit dazed and confused, agreed. I gave my brother one last look and was relieved at his slight nod of acknowledgment. Tessa looked nervous one second and murderous the next. Then there’s the fact that she kept eating Jared up with her eyes.

“Where are we going?” His car was now sitting in front of the house with the driver inside waiting, who got out when he saw us coming to open the doors for us.

“You’ll see when we get there.” I couldn’t figure out what he was up to since he’s never been to my hometown before and didn’t know anyone here as far as I know.

Once we were seated in the back of the luxury car and the driver pulled off, I found myself in his lap being squeezed to death in a hug so tight it left me breathless. “Has she been attacking you like that the whole time you’ve been here?” I snort laughed. Is that what has him in a dither?