Chapter 26
After a long day at the studio and an even longer drive, Ryan pulled her car next to the curb in a middle-class subdivision of Los Angeles. She absently hummed along with Sister Sledge as they sang of family and sisters. With the engine running, she sat outside Helen's two-story town house. Lights blazed from the house's interior. Her sister's Chrysler Pacifica sat in the driveway.
I don't want to have this conversation,
Ryan thought.
Maybe I shouldn't go in. All of my life Helen has cared for and protected me. How do I tell her she doesn't have to do it anymore? It's time for her to stop. I'm capable of taking care of myself.
Sighing, Ryan mentally searched for the proper strategy to deal with her sister. She loved her older sibling and wanted to make things right between them. Unfortunately, there were times when Helen acted as bullheaded as any two-year-old toddler. Helen stood her ground and refused to budge, which helped explain her success as a middle school teacher. Students never got the best of Helen. She always ran the show, or the classroom, in this case.
Sitting in the car wouldn't solve the problem. Ryan switched off the engine, grabbed her purse, pushed open the driver's door, and got out of the car. She ran up the walkway to the tiny porch and rang the buzzer. A welcoming wreath of white and pink dried flowers hung from a hook on the door. Baskets of flowers decorated the tiny porch.
From the house's interior, she heard approaching footsteps. A tall, athletically built teenager answered the door.
Andre, Ryan's nephew, greeted her. “Hey, Aunt Ryan.” The young man stepped onto the mini-porch and gathered her in a bear hug. She hugged him back and added a kiss to his cheek.
“Hi.” Ryan entered the house. Although she had noticed the car in the drive, she still asked, “Is your mother home?”
“Yeah. Mom's cooking dinner. Come on in.” He shut the door and then led her into the living room.
Helen loved to cook. Working full time didn't dampen her desire to prepare a home-cooked meal for her family. “You can go on in there if you want,” added Andre.
Apprehensive regarding the coming confrontation, Ryan lingered in the living room with Andre. “Where's your dad and sister?”
Andre jumped over the back of the sofa and then dropped onto one of the cushions, picking up the remote and clicking on the fifty-inch television/DVD combo. “Gee's at basketball practice. Dad went to pick her up.”
Good.
She had a little time before they would be disturbed. Nodding, Ryan started for the door. “Check you later. I'm going to talk to your mother.”
Andre waved a hand in the air and concentrated on swaying to Kanye West's latest rap video. Ryan made her way down the short hallway, passed the dining room and Helen's office, and entered the kitchen. Her sister stood at the counter, fussing over the George Foreman grill. She lifted the lid and poked at the skinless chicken breasts with a three-prong fork before returning the lid to its previous position.
Ryan cleared her throat and said, “Hey.”
Helen turned. Surprise flashed in her brown eyes, and then her body went stiff. “What are you doing here?”
Moving farther into the room, Ryan responded, “I came to see you.”
“Where's your friend?”
“Which friend? I have lots of friends.” Ryan decided to play dumb.
Helen scoffed at her sister's comment. “Keir.”
“I don't know. Probably with his kids or at work.”
Helen crossed the tile floor. She stopped at the range, stuck her hand inside an oven mitt, and lifted the lid of a steamer. Steam rose from the lid, warming the room. The aroma of broccoli and carrots mingled with chicken and garlic, permeating the room. “Are you here for dinner?”
“That depends on you.”
Brows knitted into a frown, Helen asked, “What does that mean?”
Agitated, Ryan blew out a hot puff of air and moved closer to her sister. “The last time we were together, you gave me the impression that you didn't want to see me again.”
“Nooooo.” Helen shook her head. “I think you've forgotten or just plain left out a few facts. Ry, you were the one with the new family. Not me. Boyfriend, kids, cozy dinner at home. I was the intruder.”
“That's part of what I want to discuss.”
Laughing, Helen crossed the room and opened the refrigerator. She rummaged through the crisper and removed a bag of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. At the sink she turned on the faucet and washed the vegetables. “Interesting. A week ago you were too wrapped up in your friend and his kids to talk to me. Now you have time.” Glancing at Ryan over her shoulder, she asked, “What happened?”
“Nothing. Me, Keir, and the kids are fine.” Ryan strolled across the room and placed her purse on the blue, yellow, and white ceramic tile table and then turned to her sister. “But, you and I aren't. That's why I'm here.”
Unmoved, Helen continued the preparations for dinner. She chopped and dropped bite-size portions of tomatoes and cucumbers into a bowl. “What do you want me to say?”
“Please listen. You are my only sister, and I don't want you to be upset over Keir.”
Helen snorted. “You're a little late on that one.”
“Okay. This is going to be difficult no matter what. So I'm just going to say my piece. You're my sister. And I love you. I know you feel that you need to protect me.”
Ryan paused, waiting for some form of response from Helen. None came. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, giving herself a few seconds to decide how to proceed. “I need you to be my sister, my friend. Not my keeper or protector.”
Helen whipped around to face Ryan, with a knife in her hand. “I've never done that. Whenever you needed me, I've tried to help. I promised Mom I'd watch over you, and that's exactly what I've done.”
Stunned into silence, Ryan stared at her sister. She'd never suspected. Looking back at their lives, Helen's need to watch over her suddenly made perfect sense. “Ma told you to keep an eye on me?”
“Yeah. Before she died. Mommy wanted to make sure that you'd be okay.”
The sense of responsibility Helen felt needed to be put to bed. They deserved a new and better relationship.
“I know our mother is resting better because you've kept your promise,” said Ryan. “I thank you for being so caring. What I need now is different.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don't be my mother. Be my friend and my sister. And be happy for me and Keir. I need someone to share things with. We're too old to hide from one another. Stop being my substitute mother, and be my confidante. Listen to me, and offer advice that a sister would give. I'm not Gee. Can you do that? Is there too wide an age gap for us to bridge?”
“I only wanted to protect you. Help you after Galen died.”
Ryan hurried to her sister and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “I know and thank you for that. I was a mess back then. There were times when I didn't think I'd recover. You helped me over that dark period. I'll always be grateful. Like with most things, time dulls the pain, and I've gotten on with my life. Whatever happens, Keir is my future. Galen is now part of my past. Can you understand that?”
“Yes, I can. When I walked into your house, I felt as if you didn't need me anymore. You had your life, and I wasn't a part of it anymore. I guess you could say it was the empty-nest syndrome.” Her voice quivered. “It felt as if I was losing part of myself.”
“No. No, you weren't. You'll never lose me. Things change. That's all.”
“I don't want to lose my sister. And I'm worried that Keir may hurt you.”
Smiling, Ryan replied, “That might happen. Galen hurt me. He didn't mean to, but he did when he died and left me alone. Keir taught me that you have to risk your heart to get the happiness you want. Sometimes there's pain. We hope for love. I'm risking my heart again. It's both exciting and frightening. Helen, be happy for me, please? I didn't believe I'd find someone to love.”
Helen wrapped her arms around Ryan and held her close and leaned her forehead against Ryan's. “I am, sweetheart. I am. You deserve to be happy. And I want that for you.”
“I'll always need you in my life. You help anchor me and provide the support I need when life gets too hard. Ma would be proud of you.”
“I can do that. But I have to tell you one thing. Sometimes the people who love you can see things clearer than you can. That's my job. One more thing. I'm never going to stop caring about you.”
Grinning, Ryan said, “I wouldn't have it any other way.”
“Sometimes when people get into new relationships, they forget their family. Their thoughts are on the new person in their life. Please don't let Keir separate us.”
“I won't.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“We're going to get him involved with our family.”
Waving a hand in the air, Helen said, “Honey, be real. He's a big-time Hollywood director and producer. Do you really expect him to have time for our little family?”
Ryan held her sister's gaze. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well, there's only one way to find out. Invite us to dinner next Sunday. If he doesn't show up and doesn't have a good excuse, then you'll know. And so will I.”
“True.”
“Are we good?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah. I think we are.” Helen returned to the counter and unplugged the grill. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“Everything smells really good. Do you have enough?”
“Sure. I always make more than enough.”
“I don't know.” Ryan grinned. “Who was that man who opened the door? If that's Andre, you need to stop feeding him. What are you putting in his food? That boy has grown a foot in the last month. Are you sure you have enough to feed us both?”
Laughing, Helen answered, “Tell me about it. You should see our grocery bill. Don't worry about it. There's always room for you.”
“Then, yeah, feed me.”
“Set the table.”
Ryan burst out laughing. This friendly banter reminded her of so many times when she was a child and Ma would have them set the table while she finished preparing dinner. For the first time in a long time, she felt as if she had made Helen see her as an adult. Ryan went to the cupboard and removed plates and cutlery.
As they worked, a huge shadow fell over the women. “Hi, sweetie.”
Helen and Ryan turned in time to see Larry, Helen's husband, enter the kitchen. He strolled purposefully over to his wife and took her in his arms and then kissed her passionately. Coming up for air, he waved. “Hello, Ryan.”
“Hi, Larry,” said Ryan.
“Are you here for dinner?” asked Larry.
“Looks like it,” Ryan replied.
“Good,” Larry said as he set his wife on her feet and hurried to the refrigerator. “It's been a while since you've been over. I want to hear all the details about this new man in your life.”
Ryan rolled her eyes. She should have known. Helen always confided in her bear of a husband. Larry was like a second father.
“Where's Gee?” Helen asked, switching off the stove.
“Upstairs. She needed a shower,” replied Larry.
“That I don't doubt,” said Helen. “Ryan, let's get this meal on the table.” Helen took a platter from the cupboard and placed grilled chicken breasts on it and then returned to the range for the vegetables. She stepped to the doorway and yelled, “Okay, folks. Dinner's ready. Wash your hands, and get to the table.”
Chapter 27
Normally, Keir and Ryan shared their days off together. They relaxed and enjoyed each other's company in the privacy of the home of their choice. After a late morning brunch, Ryan stretched out on the sofa in Keir's entertainment room, watching a program on annual and perennial flowers presented by the Discovery Home Channel.
Humming softly to a Prince tune, Keir entered the room, plucked the remote from her hands, and switched off the flat-panel television.
“Hey! I was watching that,” Ryan said as she stood, reaching for the remote.
Avoiding her eager hands, Keir placed the remote on the coffee table. “Not anymore.” He wiggled his fingers and smiled encouragingly. “Come on.”
Trustingly placing her hand in his, she allowed Keir to tug her along behind him. “Where are we going?”
“You'll see,” Keir said suspiciously, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he steered her through the house to the garage.
What the hell?
Ryan thought philosophically. As she settled into the passenger seat of the Jaguar, she realized it didn't matter where they were headed as long as they were together.
Keir pulled into a parking space outside a store in Santa Ana. After he parked the Jag, Ryan glanced at Keir and asked, “What are we doing here?”
“It's time for me to put some furniture in the great room. You and the kids keep making cracks about my empty great room. Today is the day I'm going to finish off the house.”
Stunned, Ryan stared. “You're kidding, right?”
“Does this look like a joke?” He pointed a finger at his face and the solemn expression he wore.
Pensively, she studied his expression. It was true she teased him about the furnitureless room. Normally Keir ignored her. It had never bothered him before. Why now? What was going on in his head?
“No. But why today? I mean it's been what?” She tossed her hand in the air. “You've been in that house three years, and today you need furniture. It doesn't make sense. It's odd.”
Shrugging, he glanced out the car window before answering. “I've got plans for a big event later this year, and I want the place to look great before I invite people in. Is that a good enough answer for you, Mrs. Mitchell?”
Grinning, Ryan replied, “Absolutely, Mr. Southhall.”
Hand in hand, the couple entered Jo Del Creations Inc. Designer Showroom. They halted inside the entrance, taking a moment to adjust to the soft lighting after the harshness of the bright afternoon sun.
A gentleman dressed in an elegant navy double-breasted suit, pale blue shirt with a white collar, and a multicolored tie with geometric designs approached them, stepping into their path. “Hello. How are you folks?”
“Fine,” Ryan answered.
Scowling, Keir remained silent at her side.
Flashing a smooth smile of confidence, the man asked, “Is there anything I can help you with? Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“Actually,” Ryan began, looking at Keir for confirmation, “we want to look around. If you don't mind?”
“Help yourself,” replied the salesman.
“We'll call you if we need anything,” Ryan added.
“Certainly,” said the salesman as he gave them a tiny bow. “My name is Blair. Ask for me when you're ready for some help.”
Keir dragged Ryan past the salesman to a living room display. “Come on,” said Keir.
Ryan sighed dramatically. “If we must.”
Confused, Keir turned to Ryan and touched her arm, asking, “What's wrong? A minute ago, you were gung ho.”
“Nothing.”
He tilted her head up to face him. “Something.”
“I haven't done any furniture shopping since Galen died,” she admitted.
“Maybe it's time to make new memories. I promise it will be painless. In an hour, we'll be on our way.”
Perching on the arm of a sofa, Ryan laced her fingers with Keir's and let their linked hands swing between them. “I'll hold you to that promise, Mr. Southhall.” Standing, she glanced around the display and asked, “Have you thought about what you want in the room?”
Grunting, he shook his head.
“I think you should stick with contemporary furniture. The room is large and airy. A sofa, couple of chairs, and some accent pieces would do the trick.”
“Sounds nice.”
Ryan ran a caressing finger along his arm. “Let's look at the upside of this situation.” She moved closer, brushing her breast against his side. “We need to check the furniture thoroughly. Make sure it's comfortable and safe for everyone. That will take time together in close quarters, testing to be certain it's right for you.”
His eyes lit up as he wrapped an arm around her waist, lightly dusting her lips with his kiss. “I can do that.”
“I thought so.”
For the next hour, they tested furniture, laughed, snuggled, and kissed on the different couches. What started as a chore turned into an afternoon filled with fun and love.
With his arms wrapped around her, Keir held her against him while kissing the side of her neck.
“Is this the Keir Southhall I know?” said a voice out of the blue.
Keir stiffened against Ryan. Turning, Ryan studied his face. An intense expression of dislike glared from his green eyes. Keir's arms dropped away from her and hung loosely at his sides as he faced the intruder. “Lakeisha,” he said.
The woman sauntered up to them, with an outstretched hand. Keir ignored her hand, and eventually, it dropped to her side. Lakeisha gave Ryan approximately three seconds of her time before dismissing her, focusing on Keir.
Ryan got her first good look at the intruder. Tall, with the build of a model, the woman stood in front of them, with a hand on her hip. Hair the color of midnight, she tilted her head to the right, allowing the long tresses to fall over one bare shoulder.
“I haven't seen you since I moved. How's your family?” Keir asked politely.
“Good. Malcolm is twelve. He's in Little League with Adam. And my daughter just turned seventeen. Passion wants to be an actress.” Lakeisha moved close to Keir, softly rubbing against his side.
Ryan's blood pressure shot up a notch. Who did this woman think she was? Ryan inserted herself between the two.
Ignoring Ryan, Lakeisha added, “If you need an extra on one of your shows, give us a call.”
Lakeisha's blatant plug for a job for her daughter made Keir clench his jaw. He stepped closer to Ryan and placed an arm around her shoulders. “What about your husband? What's Derek doing these days?” he asked.
“Still at the post office. I swear that man has been there for a million years. He's the district manager for the Orange County area.”
“I never see you when I pick up the kids. Do you and Shannon still hang out?” asked Keir.
“Some,” Lakeisha answered, studying Ryan.
“I'm sorry,” Keir said and turned to Ryan. “When I lived in Malibu, Lakeisha and Derek were our neighbors. Lakeisha Foster, Ryan Mitchell.”
Lakeisha nodded at Ryan and then refocused on her true prey. “Where are you living now?”
“I bought a house close to the studio,” he answered evasively.
“How's that little Emily? She was always such a character,” Lakeisha said as she flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder.
“Still is. Are you and Derek still in the same house?” said Keir.
“Yeah,” replied Lakeisha.
Keir nodded and then cupped Ryan's elbow. “Well, we have our day planned, so we'll be moving on. Tell Derek I said hello. Take care.”
“You, too,” said Lakeisha. She took Keir's hand as they passed her and kissed his cheek, following that gesture with a seductive stroke of her hand on his arm. “See you soon.”
“Not if I see you first,” he muttered.
“That was interesting,” Ryan stated, watching the retreating figure. “Care to add in the backstory? Bring me up to date.”
“Next-door neighbors when Shannon and I moved into the house. The woman wouldn't take no for an answer. Royal pain in the ass most of the time.” His voice had a bitter edge.
“I gathered that.”
“I'd come home from work, and she'd be sitting in the kitchen with Shannon. We didn't have a moment's peace. Lakeisha always flirted with me.” His face scrunched up as he spoke of this awful time in his life. “Came to the house in revealing clothes and hung around when Shannon wasn't there. When I mentioned it, Shannon didn't see it. She thought I wanted to isolate her, to keep her from having any friends.”
“My poor baby.”
“Hopefully, we won't see her at Adam's games. I'm not in the mood for a game of dodge her busy hands.”
Taking pity on him, she asked, “How would you feel about my hands spending some quality time in new and interesting places on your body?”
“Anytime. Anyplace.”
“Well, not anyplace. Certainly, not here. But, I can think of a few locations that'll work for me.”
Keir pulled her into a loose embrace and hugged her. “I love you. You know that, don't you?”
“You've mentioned it a couple of times. But, it's always good to hear it again.”
Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he guided her back to the living room displays. “Come on. Let's finish shopping and go home.”
“Sounds good to me.”