“It started when Ma had that panic attack. You know how much she worries about every little thing, and she had a huge fight with Sadie, who wanted to leave all the boys with Ma while she and her husband took a vacation. I think the thought of it was overwhelming to Ma—it would be to me. Sadie’s teenage boys fight a lot.”
“Tougher than five-year-olds?” Blue asked.
“My little ones are sweet,” Elyse replied. “Anyway, I was there with Ma in the doctor’s office when her lab results came back. That woman could live to be a hundred. She has better bloodwork than I do.”
“I’m glad to know that,” Blue said, relieved. He narrowed his eyes. “There’s something else you’re not saying, isn’t there?”
“You could always read me.” Elyse lowered her voice. “This whole scheme about Athena was all Sadie’s doing. You know how close they’ve always been.”
Blue nodded. Sadie was the one who’d introduced her best friend to Charles.
“Somehow, Sadie heard that Athena was interested in someone else. She went crazy over it, saying we’d never see Athena again. I can understand, because she’s like a sister to us. But Sadie wouldn’t ask Athena if what she heard was true.”
Blue put a hand on her arm. “I had coffee with Athena earlier. It’s true. She’s in love with a man who teaches at another school. She’s always had good judgment, so I wouldn’t worry. You should be happy for her. Talk to her. I promised to tell you and Sadie and Ma because she was concerned about that.”
Elyse touched her lips and smiled. “I’m so happy to hear that. I think Sadie has feared losing her friendship—either now, or in the future. As if it was inevitable that Athena would dump her if she remarried. I know how that sounds, but she loves Athena and wants to see her happy with a man.”
Blue tapped his chest. “And she thought that was me?” He could hardly believe what he was hearing. Still, he knew his sister.
Elyse nodded. “I should have warned you. Sadie told Athena that you were interested in her and that it would be great if you two got together. Then she talked Ma into this, who called Ty, and it all got out of hand. Next thing I knew, Ma was fake coughing with you on the phone, and she convinced Ty that you wanted to move back to take care of her and the family. She’s been shuffling around since you’ve been here, but she’ll be out playing pickleball and mahjong with her friends as soon as you leave. Ma isn’t going anywhere for a long, long time, and we have plenty of family around here.”
Blue put a hand to his chin and shook his head. “Wow, this is Sadie’s wildest scheme yet. And Ma…”
“Trust me, she’s always been manipulative,” Elyse said, rolling her eyes. “But in a weird way, I think Sadie thought she was doing what was best for you, too. She thought Athena was perfect for you. Since you’re not married, she figured she’d be doing you a favor by bringing you back into the family.”
Blue chuckled at that. “I’ve always been part of the family. I just didn’t live in the same neighborhood. And you all met Jo,” he added.
“I know, and Sadie and Ma should have been nicer,” Elyse said, holding up her hands. “I guess I wasn’t sure how attached I should get to her. But I liked her, Blue. I thought she was good for you.”
“Thanks for telling me all this,” Blue said, putting his arm around his sister. “I could always count on you.”
Elyse looked up at him. “Are you going to tell Sadie? She’d be furious with me if she knew I told you.”
“I don’t think I need to. Something wasn’t adding up for me, and now I know why.”
Elyse hugged him. “Thanks, brother. I live with them, you know. But I’ll get my courage up and tell Sadie that Athena has found a good man.”
He ruffled her hair. “You can do it. And come see me anytime, alone or with your family. I don’t have any vacation time left, so you might not see me otherwise.”
“We can video chat,” Elyse said, beaming. She told him how much she loved him, then slipped out the door.
Blue let out a long sigh. Family, he thought. They were something else.
Still sitting on his old narrow bed, he pulled out his phone and looked at Ty’s last message again. He thought for a moment, then tapped a reply.
It was good to see you, Ty. I’m honored you want me back, and you made me a good offer. But my answer is no. I’m going home where I belong.
He hit send before he could rethink it. The reply came quickly.
Understood. I tried. You have a good life out there. Stay safe.
Blue nodded at that, then opened his travel app and booked the first flight to San Diego he could get.
He debated calling Jo, who probably wouldn’t be happy to see him again. But he had to take that chance.
18
The lunch rush had wound down to a comfortable hum, so Jo checked the crowdfunding campaign again. It was still climbing, a little every day. She pressed a hand to her cheek, thrilled with the progress.
