Ties That Bind (12 page)

His crudeness made her go on the attack. “Admit it. You only wanted another child so I’d have a harder time handling a judgeship.”

It was at that moment, standing in the living room, that Reese realized she was right. Oh, sure, he’d always planned on having another kid. Vaguely though, without the importance he attached to it when she got closer to the brass ring. And once he realized that was the kind of person he’d turned into, that’s what their wonderful, exciting glamorous marriage had become, he’d said the words that he knew would cause the permanent split—and had.

“You’re right, Kate. I pushed hard for another baby because I didn’t want you going for this appointment. For the first time in our lives together, I didn’t wish you well.”

Since that said it all, he’d left the next morning and filed for divorce.

SOFIE TRUNDLED DOWN the staircase in her father’s house, wearing a black skirt and a striped blouse. She’d taken off the T-shirt she first put on that read, I don’t know who you are and I don’t care because she knew her father would make her change. He was tougher than her mother, who Sofie could bulldoze with her outrage. Besides, he’d be hurt and she hated to make him feel bad. Judge Judy had done enough of that. But especially today, after he’d driven up to school to get her yesterday and put on this party for her, she wanted to be nice.

Off to the right of the steps, the family room had been decorated with balloons and crepe paper—compliments of the bimbo—and a big sign that read, Happy Birthday, Sofie. Sweet Sixteen.

There was nothing sweet about being sixteen in Sofie’s world.

From the archway, her gaze fell upon a photo album that had been set out on the coffee table. She didn’t want to look at it because she knew what it contained—baby pictures of her. When they were a family, the album got dragged out every year on her birthday. Her mother would insist they go through it together, and both parents would get all misty-eyed. Sofie had loved looking at the album with them. Now, the pictures just reminded her of all she’d lost, so she left it untouched.

A stack of presents filled the corner and she crossed to them. Some from her dad, three from her aunts on her mother’s side who were out west. Judge Judy was close to them, and they’d visited Arizona often; and every time her mother talked to them on the phone, they’d want to speak to Sofie. But she hadn’t seen the Renado sisters in a long time. Hell, she barely saw her mother, who’d wigged out big time when Sofie told her she was staying with her dad for this weekend.

“Hey, no peeking,” she heard from behind her.

Turning, she saw the bimbo had come into the room. Christ, the woman looked about Sofie’s age with her long blond hair streaming down her back, tight tan jeans, pretty white top, and perfect makeup. Trying to sound bored, Sofie said, “I don’t care enough to peek.”

Dray frowned. She came to stand before Sofie. “Your father went to a lot of trouble for this party today. He’s excited that your grandfather, aunt and cousins are coming to Westwood. Even if you’re determined not to enjoy it, please don’t spoil it for him.”

Sofie’s heart ached, but she’d be damned if she let this chick see it. “Chill, lady. I won’t spoil anything.”

Dray lifted her chin. “Can I ask you something?”

“Knock yourself out.”

“Why do you dislike me so much?”

“Start with the fact that you’re closer to my age than my dad’s. “

“That’s not true. I’m thirty-two. You know that.”

“Still too young for him.”

“Would you feel differently if I was older?”

Sofie shrugged. The answer to that was no, so she kept her mouth shut.

“I didn’t think so.” Dray folded her arms across her big boobs. “I’m in love with your father. I want to marry him.”

“He had a wife. Didn’t work out. I wouldn’t count on a happily-ever-after if I were you.”

“Are you hoping he’ll go back with your mother?”

Yes. “Nope. Judge Judy’s too busy for Pops. And me.”

“Five years is a long time to be so bitter.”

“So sue me. No wait. You’re the jock, dad’s the lawyer.”

Dray touched Sofie’s arm and squeezed it. “I’m sorry you feel this way about your life. But please, don’t take it out on your dad, at least today.”

Was she for real? When Sofie’s conscience forced her to admit the woman was being genuine, and she herself was being a shit, she felt bad. “Sure, okay. I won’t.” She’d go after her mother instead.

From the doorway, Reese took a bead on the two women in his life, hoping they could get along, at least for today. “What’s going on in here? You aren’t peeking at presents, are you?”

“Sofie tells me she doesn’t peek,” Dray told him, with a phony smile.

“Ah. She used to. When she was little, she’d sneak around every holiday or birthday and try to find presents. Once, she climbed into our closet and accidentally locked herself in. Cried bloody murder till we got her out.”

Sofie smiled at the memory.

“Well, that’s nice to see.”

Dray headed out. “I’m going to check on the food.” She touched Reese’s arm as she swept by him. Some pretty perfume followed in her wake.

Reese crossed to his daughter. He brushed back her strawlike hair, wishing like hell he’d find a way to reach her. “Happy about today?”

“Sure. Especially since I get to see Grandpa, Aunt Emily and the boys. What time are they getting here?”

“Any minute. You haven’t seen them in a while.”

She shook her head, her hand creeping to her hair. “Grandpa won’t like this.”

“No, he won’t.” He cocked his head. “Why’d you do that to yourself, Sof?”

Because my hair looked too much like Mom’s. “For a change.”

He waited a beat. “Do me a favor, princess?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Be nice to your mother today. She’s going through a lot, and it still stings that you wouldn’t stay there this weekend.”

“You’re having the party.”

“I know. Just be nice to her.”

“Why do you care, Daddy?”

“Because it hurts you as much as it does her when you go on the attack. Or worse, when you ignore her.”

“Give me a break. Nothing penetrates Judge Judy’s armor.”

“It does. In any case, humor me.”

Sofie nodded. “Whatever.” The doorbell sounded, and Reese said, “That’s probably my family.” He held out his hand. “Let’s go, birthday girl.”

She leaned into her dad, and he slid an arm around her shoulders. “Thanks for the party, Daddy. I love you.”

“Ah, I like hearing that.” His daughter had no idea how much he meant that. Those words, which used to come naturally and often from her, had been absent from her vocabulary for months. He kissed her hair. “I love you, too.”

“I’m gonna hit the bathroom before I go out there.” She nodded to the foyer.

He squeezed her fingers and watched her head down the hall, then he walked into the foyer in time to see his dad, sister and nephews step inside and greet Dray.

In a few seconds, towheaded Jason caught sight of him. “Uncle Reese!” he shouted and flew across the tile.

Reese barely caught the boy before another ball of fire hurled himself after Jason. He hugged both guys. Jimmy wailed, “Uncle Reese. It’s been forever.”

Reese chuckled. He’d seen them just last month.

“Hey, how are my best guys?” He’d fallen for Emily’s kids hook, line and sinker when they were born. Since her divorce, and the death of her ex, Reese had tried to spend as much time with them as he could.

Standing, with a boy hanging on to each leg, he said, “Hi, Pa.”

At sixty-eight, Bill Bishop was still a strapping man. His shoulders were as wide as Reese’s and his height the same. Always demonstrative, he hugged Reese. Drawing back, he ran a hand through his still thick head of white hair. “Good to see you, Son.”

Emily came closer. Her face was lined with fatigue. “Hey, big Brother, how are you?”

“Great.” What a lie. He hadn’t told his family about Anna Bingham. He’d been hoping the case would be solved before he had to fill them in. Hugging Emily, he noticed she felt thinner than just a month ago. And her jeans and blouse hung on her. “How’s my favorite sister?”

“Great.” She was lying, too, of course.

“We’ll talk later,” he whispered to her. With Kate out of the picture, Emily was the one person he confided in, especially in recent years since things had gone badly for both of them.

“You betcha.”

“Where’s the birthday girl?” his dad asked.

“Right here.” Sofie came up behind him.

Reese had to give his family credit. Both his dad and Emily only missed a beat before they said, “Hey, girl, give Grandpa a hug,” and “There she is. Come to your aunt.”

However, the boys were not so circumspect. “Holy cow,” Jason blurted out, “What happened to your hair?”

Jimmy followed up with, “It looks like straw.”

Sofie scowled and Reese prayed she didn’t blow. After a moment’s hesitation, she bent down, hugged each boy and ruffled their blond heads. “I’m trying to look like my only cousins,” she said, smiling.

“Cool,” Jason told her.

“Yeah, cool,” Jimmy parroted.

Way cool, Reese thought. Letting out a breath, he caught Sofie’s gaze and got a glimpse of the little girl that once in a while peeked out from behind the sullen teenager. Maybe today would go well after all.

o0o

KATE GRIPPED TYLER’S hand as they took the brick walkway to Reese’s backyard. It had warmed up for mid-April and she could hear voices coming from the behind the house. They must have set up outside for the party. The party she’d had no part of. Her baby was turning sixteen and not only wasn’t Sofie staying with Kate, but she hadn’t helped plan the event. When Dray Merrill had called to ask if she wanted input, Kate had curtly refused. She’d regretted it later.

“Looking forward to this?” Tyler asked, leaning into her.

“Sure.”

“Liar. You’re dreading it.”

“I’m dreading whatever new kind of torture Sofie’s conjured up for me.”

“She’s really been out of line lately,” he said as they rounded the house.

Reese’s property was lovely. A half acre of spring-green grass, big oak trees, a two-level deck, a couple of umbrella tables, strategically placed. Though Kate doubted he picked out the mauve-and-blue theme. Little Mary Sunshine probably did the decorating. They’d crossed to the deck when his family saw them.

Immediately Bill Bishop stood and Kate braced herself. Though she spent some time with Emily and the boys, she’d had little contact with Reese’s father since the divorce. “Well, there she is. Come here, Kate, my girl. I want a hug after all this time.”

And just like it was yesterday, she walked into the older man’s arms. The smell of Old Spice and the hint of tobacco catapulted her back to the past…My boy loves you and now I know why. Thank you for my grandchild, honey. She’s as beautiful as her mom…Oh, no, Kate, my girl, you gotta work out these problems with Reese.

“Hi, Pa,” she whispered, holding on tightly.

His hug was lumberjack strong and Kate reveled in it. Her father had died five years after she and Reese were married, and Reese’s dad had neatly stepped in to fill that void. When Bill drew back, his eyes were moist. Unlike Reese, he’d always worn his emotions on his sleeve. “You look like a million bucks, honey.”

She tossed back her hair, which she’d let hang loose today, and smoothed down her red polka dot capris and blouse. “Thanks. You always were good for my ego.” When Tyler moved beside her, she said, “I don’t think you’ve met my friend, Tyler Sloan.”

It was brief. Just a flash of disapproval in Pa’s eyes, which were a shade darker than Reese’s. “Tyler.” Pa held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too, sir.”

Over Bill Bishop’s shoulder, Kate saw Emily emerge from the house through the French doors. Reese’s sister looked much older than her thirty-nine years. Her hair was limp, her eyes dulled with fatigue; her posture spoke of weariness. When she saw Kate, though, her whole face perked up. “Hey, Kate.”

Crossing to Emily, Kate hugged her warmly. “Hi, honey. How are you?”

Reese’s sister returned the embrace. “It’s so good to see you.”

Kate closed her eyes, remembering Emily’s total acceptance of her. I always wanted a sister…You’re so cool, Kate, you’re the only one good enough for Reese…And she’d cried when she called Kate after Reese told them about the impending divorce.

“You okay?” Kate asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I—” Just then, Sofie appeared in the doorway, looking almost normal in a nice outfit and no makeup. With her were Jason and Jimmy.

“Aunt Ka-te,” they said in unison as they flung themselves at her.

Bending down she grasped onto the little boys, basking in the feel and smell of their sturdy little bodies. “How are my guys?”

“We’re big. I’m fifty-one inches and Jay’s forty-nine.”

“Almost fifty,” Jay said, burying his face in her shoulder. “You smell good, Aunt Kate. Want to push me on the swings?”

“Sure. Let me say hi to Sofie first.”

Her daughter, who’d been leaning against the door, straightened when Kate came toward her. “Happy Birthday, sweetie,” Kate said. She reached out, despite the fact that she knew Sofie could embarrass her in front of everybody. But she’d be damned if she’d not hug her child on her birthday.

Sofie went into her arms almost willingly. Kate enveloped her, breathed in her scent. She remembered the feel of her child exactly sixteen years ago today, how she’d clutched the naked, wet newborn to her chest, and stared down at the miracle she’d created. Later, she’d done the clichéd thing of unwrapping her infant, counting her fingers and toes, marveling at how small and beautiful she was.

As if Sofie sensed something, too, she held on longer. “Thanks, Mama.”

It was such a little thing, the warmth. But it meant more to Kate than winning a Supreme Court judgeship.

“Come on, Sof,” Jason said, now tugging at his cousin’s hands. “You said you’d play croquet with us.”

“Okay.” Pulling back from her mother, she didn’t meet Kate’s gaze as she skipped away with the boys.

Kate took the opportunity to slip into the house to compose herself. She crossed the tiled area where she’d sat with Reese just yesterday and went into the family room. She spotted the photo album lying on the coffee table, and couldn’t resist picking it up.