He looked at her. “I’d married her with the idea I’d spend the rest of my life with her. How much more attention did she need?”
His heart, Darcy thought, trying not to give in to the sobs rising inside of her. Joe told the story so casually, as if it had all happened to someone else. But she didn’t believe that. She believed he’d been blindsided. Oh, sure, he had a part in the divorce. It took two to screw up a marriage, but for him, this blow would wound deeper than most. Yet one more person had shown him that love wasn’t something to be counted on.
He was trapped-unable to give emotionally because he believed there was no point, and unable to learn otherwise because he wouldn’t give.
She wanted to hold him and somehow convince him everything could be different. All he needed was a step of faith. But he was a powerful, capable man. What did he need with faith?
Which left her where? Falling in love with a man who could never love her back?
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Lauren asked. “I don’t have to come visit.”
Darcy rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “It will be great to have you here,” she said and nearly meant it.
“It’s just you’ve made everyone sound so wonderful, and I’m dying to meet Joe.” She lowered her voice. “You know I’m not going to do anything to get in the way of your relationship, right?”
“Of course. So not your style.”
Besides, Joe was avoiding everyone and since their conversation the previous day, they didn’t seem to have much of a relationship.
“I’ll let Grandma Tessa know that it’s for sure. She’ll be beside herself. The president’s daughters. She’ll be cooking up a storm.”
“Okay. See you Friday afternoon.”
“I’ll be here.”
She hung up, walked out of her room, and headed for the kitchen. Although she’d already asked the Marcellis about Lauren coming for a couple of days, she wanted to let them know that it was for sure. And someone was always in the kitchen.
Grandma Tessa stood by the stove. She smiled when she saw Darcy. “There you are. Are you hungry?”
Darcy laughed. “I can’t wear most of my pants and shorts. I’m barely squeezing into skirts I brought.”
“You’re too skinny.”
Darcy patted her stomach. “Not for long.” She cheered at the thought of Lauren packing on a few pounds. That was the one place where her sister had more of a problem. Then she scolded herself for being so shallow.
“I talked to my sister. She’ll be here Friday afternoon, after the reading of the will.”
Tessa clapped her hands. “Good. Good. We’ll plan a special dinner, eh? I’ll call Mary and have her come help. You can help with the menu. We’ll have wine. Such fun. We can…” She frowned. “You’re not happy, Darcy. Why?”
“It’s nothing. Really. This is great.”
The tiny woman walked over and put her hands on her hips. “I’ve had children in this house nearly all my life and I know when something’s wrong.”
Darcy figured she might be too old to be considered a child, but she was certainly acting like one. She sighed. “It’s just…” She shifted her feet. “This is really stupid.” Even more stupid when the first tear slipped down her cheek.
Tessa led her to the table and motioned to a chair. “Tell me.”
Darcy sank into the seat, then covered her face with her hands. “I love it here,” she said as the tears really let loose. “You’ve all been so good to me, and I really love this family so much. But Lauren is really a much better person. She’s nicer and prettier and more fun to be with. You’re all going to like her better and Joe isn’t talking to me and I’m not going to have anyone and I found you guys first. Which makes me sound like a three-year-old. Plus, you’re still mourning Lorenzo and me talking about something so selfish and stupid is really bad.”
She braced herself for the scolding or at least a disapproving silence. Instead she heard a soft laugh. She looked at Tessa, who grinned at her.
“Is that all?” the elderly woman asked.
“All? It’s a ton.”
“I know. Poor Darcy.” Tessa wiped her tears. “You’re a good girl. You try hard and you give with your whole heart. Of course we’ll like you best. You’re one of us now. Who is this Lauren anyway?”
Darcy sniffed. “She’s really great. Trust me. Everyone adores her.”
“Maybe, but she’s not you, eh?”
Because her life was one entertainment after the other, Joe chose that moment to walk into the kitchen. He took one look at her tear-stained face and started to back out. Tessa stopped him with a glance.
“Joseph. Come here. Darcy is worried about her sister visiting. Tell her that she’ll always be first in our hearts. And you should make up with her. She’s a good girl. You’re lucky to have her. But do you tell her? No.”
Darcy winced. This was so not the way to win Joe’s affections.
“I’m okay,” she said quickly.
Not surprisingly, Joe ducked out without speaking.
“He’s been doing a lot of that lately,” she murmured.
“He’ll come around,” Tessa assured her.
Darcy wanted to believe it was true, but she had her doubts. So far he’d been doing a fabulous imitation of a man doing his best to bolt for freedom.
Paige considered the contents of the refrigerator, but it was really tough to get worked up about cooking when all she had to do was walk up to the main house and collect some of the best leftovers on the planet. She didn’t know the secret ingredient Grandma Tessa and Grammy M put into their meals, but it was worth millions. Paige was willing to give up a large percent of her pension to get daily access to Grammy M’s scones alone. And Tessa’s marinara sauce was worthy of stardom.
There was, however, the calorie issue. She was already five pounds over her normal weight. So a salad for dinner made sense. The fact that there was an entire platter of chicken marsala with a side of grilled potatoes less than a hundred yards away was meaningless. Salad was the far healthier choice.
She closed the refrigerator and looked longingly at the door. Okay, principle over self-indulgence. Which would win? Alex walked into the kitchen. “I’m not leaving,” he announced.
The unexpected statement left her blinking. She banished thoughts of flavorful chicken and considered his words.
“Not leaving here?” she asked.
“Right. I’m on the team. With you.”
“Okay. That begs the question of why. Isn’t there something more important for you to be doing with your day?”
“I’m not always interested in the high-profile cases,” he told her. “I’m not in this for the glory.”
“Agreed, but nobody even knows Darcy’s here. The odds of something happening to her are pretty close to zero. So you’re setting yourself up for some long days when nothing is going to happen. That isn’t exactly your style.”
“Maybe my style is changing.”
Funny how she wanted to believe that. Being around Alex had a way of making her remember the past-their past. But to what end?
“I’m thinking of leaving,” she said.
“This job?”
“The agency. When Darcy returns to D.C. I’m going to resign.”
Nothing about his expression changed. She’d thought he might be disappointed, but she was wrong. He wasn’t anything.
“Why?” he asked, although she wasn’t sure why he bothered.
“We’ve discussed this before. I want a life. I want to belong to something other than my job. I want a personal worldview that doesn’t include daily concerns that someone I care about is going to be shot or kidnapped.”
“So you’re leaving me again?”
She stared at him. “This has nothing to do with you.”
