“The energy of children,” Penny said with a laugh.
“I know.” Isabel smiled after her granddaughter, who slammed the study door shut with such a bang that she jumped. “And they think a door is only closed if it’s banged shut.”
They all laughed before Darius turned serious as he eyed his sister worriedly. “But, really, Bella, how are you feeling today?”
“Better. I’m glad that I let you and Penny persuade me to join that grief group, as it has really helped.” Isabel shrugged lightly as she lowered herself into the chair beside Penny.
“I’m glad it’s helping,” Penny said.
“Yes, at first I thought it would be awkward and uncomfortable having to share and try to put into words what I was feeling,” Isabel admitted. “But the women there… they understand without having to put words to it.” Her eyes went distant for a while. “They’ve all been through something similar.”
Darius felt a familiar ache in his chest. He had watched his once-vibrant sister slowly fade after the losses in such a short space of time. Without Emma, he sometimes feared Isabel would have simply slipped away, lost in the grief that had swallowed her whole.
“I went to group therapy for a while after my parents died,” Penny told her. “I went back after my divorce, and it really helped me to channel my hurt and anger.”
“And how are you holding up now that your divorce is finally through? After how long was it again?” Isabel asked Penny, compassion filling her eyes.
“It’s been two years now.” Penny sat back and blew out a breath. “And I still go through bouts of anger and humiliation, but the pain is completely gone now. It just stings a little, but I think that’s just the leftover humiliation.”
“You do know he didn’t want to divorce you,” Darius pointed out gently.
“Then he should’ve thought about that before taking another woman on a luxury holiday using my credit card,” Penny replied, her tone dry. “Some mistakes can’t be forgiven with flowers and apologies.”
“Fair point. I’m just glad it’s behind you now.” Darius nodded. He knew how it had cut Penny up.
“He didn’t deserve you, Penny,” Isabel said softly. “You’ll find someone new.”
“Oh, goodness, no,” Penny said with a little snort. “Honey, I’m sixty now and really do not understand the modern-day dating scene.” She smiled. “I’m at the stage where I’ve made my peace with buying a few dogs, maybe a cat, and a parrot.”
“A parrot?” Darius asked in surprise. “I thought birds freaked you out. Something about the feathers gave you the creeps.”
“Yes, I remember when those pigeons surrounded us at the park where we took Emma to see the ducks,” Isabel reminisced. “You had a small freak out when one came too close to you.”
“I once lifted a hurt bird and the feeling of the feathers…” Penny shuddered. “Just gave me the creeps. But I had to hold it until we got to the animal clinic, and since then…”
“Yes, I must admit they do feel weird,” Isabel agreed. “But a parrot?” She smiled. “They have sharp beaks and bite.”
“They can talk too,” Penny pointed out. “So I thought it could be a good companion for a crazy pet lady.”
That made them all laugh, and in that moment, Darius made up his mind they were all going on vacation. He glanced at his wristwatch. They would leave in two hours, giving them all the time to pack and for his assistant to rearrange any meetings he might have and change the important ones into video conferences.
The conversation flowed easily for a few minutes, and Darius watched them, feeling the familiar pull of family that had become more important to him in the last few years than any business deal.
“How would the two of you and Emma feel about getting away for a real summer vacation this year?” Darius dropped it into the conversation, drawing his sister’s and Penny’s attention.
“Is this another work thing? Because we know how that goes. We go with you, then we never see you, and we end up doing everything on our own.” Isabel’s eyebrows rose immediately as she eyed him suspiciously.
“No,” Darius said, the small white lie slipping out smoothly. “This time it will be different. Beach walks every morning, great restaurants, an entire summer beach festival with music and fireworks, and local markets. It’s going to be wonderful where I’m taking us.”
“Where?” Penny and Isabel asked at once, suspicion coloring their voices.
Darius smiled, letting the moment stretch just a little. “Sweet Blossom Bay on Sanibel Island. We’re going to have a great family summer vacation.”
The study door had swung open as Darius announced the destination, and Emma’s eyes lit up like the Fourth of July as she stepped into the room.
“Sanibel Island?” Emma breathed, staring at Darius. “Where you took us just after Grandpa died?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” Darius confirmed, glad at least one of his family members looked excited.
