Tessa. There’s no way I’m ever forgiving Jeff.”
Their grandmother clucked her tongue, then pulled her ever-present rosary from her pocket and kissed the cross. “Don’t say such things. You weren’t raised to be so cruel. Your husband will come around. I think you two need to talk about having babies. That will makes things right between you.”
Katie felt her grandmother’s advice was poorly timed, at best. Not to mention overly optimistic. Her mother didn’t take it so well.
“Mama Tessa,” Colleen said, glaring at her mother-in-law. “For once leave babies out of this.”
“But
Grammy M pulled her granddaughter close. “Ah, my poor darlin’. The pains of the world seem bigger than usual today, don’t they?”
Brenna clung to her. “You don’t understand,” she said harshly. “There aren’t going to be any babies. There isn’t going to be any marriage. Jeff told me he already filed for divorce, and when it’s final, he’s getting married. To the bimbo.”
A fresh storm of sobs overtook her. Katie rubbed her temples, fighting a sudden headache. Even Mia was subdued for once. This couldn’t be happening. Not to Brenna. Not to the family. Francesca was right. Jeff had betrayed them all. She wanted to kill him.
Brenna raised her head and looked right at Katie. Anger glittered in her eyes. “I want you to call Zach.”
Katie stiffened. “What?”
“I need a lawyer and I want a good one. You said he’s a shark. That’s what I want. I want Jeff to suffer.”
Grandma Tessa winced. “Brenna, please. Do you have to be so hasty?”
Brenna ignored her grandmother. “I mean it, Katie. Will you help me?”
Katie’s first thought was to protest. Zach was ruthless. He was a take-no-prisoners man who would stop at nothing to win. Not to mention she wasn’t ready to face him after that kiss. Then she thought about her sister and her pain. Ruthless sounded about right.
“I’ll call him right now.”
“Good. Tell him I need to see him as soon as possible.”
Manna from heaven, Zach thought when he hung up the phone. So much for Katie’s promise that Marcelli marriages never fell apart.
He buzzed Dora, his assistant, and had her clear his calendar for the afternoon. Right after his eleven o’clock partners meeting, he would head north.
It was nearly one when he finally drove onto the freeway and close to three when he exited. Tidy rows of grapevines stretched for as far as the eye could see in every direction. A fancy sign at a T-intersection directed tourists to the public buildings of the winery and indicated that the facility was open for tasting seven days a week, even in winter.
Zach turned the opposite direction and soon found himself driving under the massive arch over the road that led to the main house.
The three-story, pale yellow hacienda stood on the crest of a small hill. His first visit had been at night, when he’d been unable to appreciate the vivid colors of the main structure and the surrounding buildings. Flower boxes hung from several windows. The red and orange blossoms matched the tile roof. Wrought iron provided counterpoint, the gleaming black metal scrolled and swirled in intricate patterns forming balcony railings and lampposts on the driveway.
He pulled up to the side of the house and parked. Katie must have been watching for him because she was on the front porch even before he’d closed his car door. Her expression was both sad and wary. No doubt she thought he was going to say “I told you so.”
Zach didn’t believe in wasting breath on the obvious.
“Thanks so much for coming,” she said by way of greeting. She hurried down the front steps and crossed to stand in front of him.
“I won’t say it’s my pleasure to be here,” he told her, taking in the troubled expression darkening her eyes and the way she bit on her lower lip. Her lashes were damp and spiked. She’d been crying.
“It all really sucks,” she admitted. “Everybody liked Jeff. I know Brenna’s the one he’s divorcing, but we all feel kicked in the gut.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, and realized he meant it. “This is never easy on anyone.”
“You would know.”
He put his arm around her. “I know it’s a cliche, but time heals. It’s going to get worse before it gets better, but it
She glanced at him. “Promise?”
He thought of her promise that Marcelli marriages lasted forever, but didn’t mention it. “Absolutely.”
She looked like a grown-up version of Alice, after her journey to Wonderland. A headband held her long, wavy hair away from her face. She wore a simple cotton dress, matching cardigan, and sandals.
“Staying calm is important,” he said. “Brenna needs that. She’s in shock and it’s going to be a few days until she fully comprehends what’s happening.”
Katie shook her head. “Brenna’s not the only one in shock.” She glanced up at the house. “We should probably go in.”
She led the way into the house. All the Marcelli women huddled together in the living room, not saying much as they sewed. Only Brenna stood separate from the group, her back to the room as she gazed out the window.
Zach watched the flash of needles through lace. Nearly invisible thread hooked beads, securing them in place. Light caught the iridescent pearls, glinting off them like sunlight off dew on a spiderweb. He stiffened slightly, seeing these women as spiders, weaving a trap to snare his son.
Mia glanced up and saw him. “Zach! You’re here.”
She rose and hurried toward him. The grandmothers rose as well, but stayed in place, as did Francesca. Colleen moved across the room.
“Zach, thank you for coming.” She touched his arm. “We appreciate you driving all this way to help.”
Zach wasn’t sure that representing Brenna as she divorced her husband technically qualified as help, but he didn’t dispute Colleen’s description. He was here because he wanted the family to owe him. He planned to build up a damn big credit. When the time came, he would cash it in, take David, and escape.
Brenna was the last one to turn toward him. He recognized the stunned disbelief in her eyes. She was a woman who felt as if she’d just walked through a war zone. It was his job to tell her all she’d survived was the opening salvo of the very first battle. The war was far from over.
“You hungry?” Grandma Tessa asked. “There’s pasta.”
He had a feeling there was always pasta in her house. “I’m fine.”
“Some tea?” Grammy M asked. “Fixin’ it is no trouble a’tall.”
Brenna walked toward him. “Let’s not drown Zach in food or drink,” she said. As she got closer, he could see that her eyes were red, and her mouth trembled when she spoke.
“I appreciate the hospitality, but it’s not necessary.”
Brenna swallowed. “You got here pretty fast. After Katie called, I realized I probably shouldn’t have asked you to come all this way.”
“In my business, house calls aren’t all that uncommon.” Actually they were for him, but she didn’t have to know that. He might be taking advantage of a miserable situation to find a way to keep his son from screwing up his life, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to give Brenna his best.
“There’s something wrong when divorce lawyers make house calls but doctors don’t,” Brenna said. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Sure.”
She glanced around at her family, then pointed down the hall. “There’s a library just over there. Second door on the left. I think that would be the best place.”
Colleen moved to intercept her. “Do you want one of us with you? Me or Francesca or Katie?”
“No. It’s going to be ugly enough without witnesses.” She gave her mother a very shaky smile. “I’m fine.”
Grandma Tessa pulled out a string of rosary beads and began speaking softly under her breath. Colleen hugged her daughter. “Call if you need anything.”
“I will.”
