“Hey, sis. I get it. And you don’t have to tell me, but I know there’s something more going on. I just want you to know we’re here for you whenever you need us.”
Rachelle lightly touched Bree’s shoulder and tilted her head in agreement with Hank, and Bree knew why she’d moved closer to family.
“When I blow out my candles, I’m going to make a wish,” Hank said. “I have everything I want in my life, so I’m going to snuff out those candles with the wish that you end up happy, whatever that looks like.”
“And I’ve heard that the chance of the wish coming true is proportional to the number of candles, so you stand a really good chance with the amount of fire on Hank’s cake.” Rachelle winked at Hank.
“Yup, everything I want,” he repeated.
“Thanks, Hank.” Bree was pleased for her brother. She’d like to be able to say that too. “I don’t think that you’re supposed to tell us what your wish is.”
Hank smiled. “Blame it on that Gabby gene. Can’t keep my mouth shut.”
That evoked an exchanged look of agreement between her and Rachelle.
“Well, I hate to admit it, but you’re the best older brother I could ask for. Did I mention older?So mucholder.”
TP wandered into the kitchen and meowed loudly as he sideswiped Bree’s lower legs while giving Rachelle the long lingering look of imminent demise due to lack of food.
“The Purrfessor says it’s dinner time,” Rachelle said. “And he’s right. So let me set his food down, you call Gabby to comeback downstairs, and we’ll get this birthday dinner underway.”
It wasn’t everything she wanted, but Bree knew she’d made the right decision when she’d moved closer to family. Then her thoughts drifted back to Hank’s birthday wish. If only it would come true, that she’d end up happy, whatever that looked like. And that Tess would too.
Chapter Nineteen
Tess pulled into Bree’s driveway, killed the engine, then sat and allowed herself a moment of pause. She smoothed her hair back before pulling down the visor to take inventory of her reflection in the mirror. She’d carefully applied makeup this morning, and she was satisfied with the image of an attractive woman with acceptable signs of aging. She didn’t consider herself eye-catching in the same way Bree was, but she thought she passed muster.
Shoulders back, chin up. She recognized that childhood-instilled projection of self-confidence, whether she actually felt it or not, that infiltrated her entire presentation as an adult. It worked well for her professional position but undoubtedly contributed to her off-putting image. The strong desire for approval that had defined her through the years was certainly present now.
Tess focused on her hazel eyes in the reflection. She could see a hint of the anticipation for what the day might hold looking back at her. She also saw the tip of a buried mountain of hope. It had started at Tahoe, suffered a major landslide at Bree’s departure, and then slowly emerged from the rubble as she struggled not to allow it to take over the landscape of her longing for the future as she spent more time with Bree.
She checked her mouth. The minimal glaze of red-hued gloss she’d applied to her lips went well with her crimson sweater. She had no business thinking about how those lips were ready for that kiss they’d never exchanged at the barbecue, the one thather entire body craved, but it had certainly crossed her mind.
Finally, Tess pulled herself from the mirror and her reflections, both real and figurative. She climbed from her seat and headed toward the front door, but she stopped at the porch where she’d held Bree the night of the tire incident. Kissed her too, until the police chief had interrupted them.
As Tess prepared to knock, the front door swung open, and Bree stood there looking as appealing as ever. Tess had to admit that it was seeing Bree and her instant appeal that had always broken down her conviction to try to keep her distance. Today, Bree was in casual formfitting slacks that undoubtedly offered an enticing view from the back. Her white linen blouse was casual too, but classy. Tess had spent her life around well-dressed women and recognized that clothes were just an adornment—it was the essence of Bree that was the real draw. The attraction that Tess couldn’t shake.
“If it isn’t the Honorable Theresa Fairchild standing here on my front porch. Do you have a warrant?”
“Yup,” Tess drawled. “And I wasn’t planning on being very honorable today.” She’d acknowledged it before—there was something about Bree that just sucked the reserve right out of her and lit her desire to flirt on fire. She needed to slow down, though—they had a full day and evening ahead of them.
“In that case, get on in here, and I’ll give you the twenty-five-cent grand tour, and then I’ll grab my purse. I’m only renting the place for the time being.”
Bree led Tess inside. Tess had caught a glimpse of her living room the night of Bree’s flat tires but hadn’t seen more of Bree’s place. The living room stood up to her first impression, that it was homey with a comfortable couch and overstuffed chair. As she walked around, she took in the framed crayon drawing of a sun and a rainbow that hung on the wall withGabbyboldly scrawled across the bottom. Bree must have saved the art fromyears ago. There were photos of Bree with Hank and his family, as well as one of Bree with an older couple. Tess had no such pictures on her walls, and she suspected it was because she’d had a very different upbringing from Bree.
“My parents.” Bree noticed Tess studying the older couple. “Sadly, they’re gone. I really miss them. What about your parents?”
“I lost them both almost a decade ago, a few years apart. Cancer,” Tess replied. She swallowed. Only Flo and Alice knew the full story regarding her relationship with them, but Tess felt compelled to offer Bree a bit more than she’d revealed before. “They’re probably the reason I’m a judge. Not that I don’t love my job, but I spent my younger years chasing what they wanted—that I amount to something so my achievements would reflect well on them. It’s not the kind of childhood I’d wish on any kid. And it’s undoubtedly had an influence on me as an adult. I still haven’t fully shed the worry that I won’t measure up.”
Bree offered a look of understanding. “I’m sorry you had a difficult childhood, but anyone, including me, would say that you’re a success.”
“I never lacked for material things. And my aunt has always been just a phone call away.” Tess knew the smile she gave Bree was strained, but it was the best she could muster.
“I’m glad you had Alice, then,” Bree replied. “Do you have any idea what you would have done if you’d been free to choose a career?”
“Good question. It was never an option, so I never dwelt on it.” Tess stopped to think for a moment. “Professionally, if my mother hadn’t distanced me from them all those years ago, I might have known that kids and cats could be so entertaining before I hit middle age.” They both chuckled. “Maybe I’d have explored a career as a veterinarian or a pediatrician. There are so many options.” Tess shrugged, then considered that she likedbeing a judge. “Luckily, I’m not unhappy in my profession.”
“I’m glad, because you’re good at it. Really good at it.”
