AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sage pulled Carolina off the steps. “Let’s get this done.”
He set his hand on her back, guiding her into the street.
Carolina wanted to trust him. She really did. But he’d broken her heart once. She’d rather live alone than let him break it again.
* * *
CAROLINA’S STOMACH LET out a grumble.
“Let’s feed that beast,” Sage said, rubbing her shoulders.
The work crew headed through the courtyard to the kitchen, kicking off their muddy shoes and boots. Everyone was talking, even laughing, and they were including her. Sage barely left her side.
Sage had whispered one more time that he’d changed. Could she let her guard down and let happiness in?
Sandwich makings filled one of the kitchen counters. Everyone filed in, stripping off gloves and safety glasses and headed to wash their hands.
“You all smell like freshly cut wood,” Abby said.
“Isn’t that a pity?” Dolley washed her hands.
“I should check on my mother.” Carolina headed around the counter.
“She’s having lunch in the library.” Abby pointed to the food. “Why don’t you eat first?”
“You’re sure she’s all right?” Carolina wrung her hands and looked at the swinging door.
Abby dragged her to the food counter. “Yes. Eat.”
Everyone created their own salads and sandwiches.
As people finished, they put their dishes in the sink. “Do you want me to scrub these up?” Carolina asked Abby.
“I’ve got it. And Amy’s here,” Abby said. “She’s helping in the dining room.”
Sage touched Carolina’s hand. “I’ll head out with the guys.”
“I’ll be back out after I check on Mamá.” Carolina pushed through the swinging door.
Mamá was with Lila and Lila’s husband, playing cards.
“How are you feeling?” Carolina brushed a kiss on her mother’s hair.
“I’m good. And I’m ahead!” Mamá pointed at a small pile of pennies.
“Can I get you anything?” Carolina asked.
Mamá shook her head, her focus on her cards.
Lila winked at Carolina. “We’re having fun.”
“I’m glad.”
Carolina was smiling as she left the library. Then she noticed the Fitzgerald sisters hovering around the coffee table in the front parlor.
Dolley spotted her and guilt crossed her face. She stood and slid the parlor’s pocket door closed, shutting Carolina out.
Pain ripped through her chest. Nothing had changed. She’d been a fool to think anything could.
* * *
CAROLINA GOT THROUGH the afternoon and helped clear the downed trees. Then they pulled out all the restaurant chairs and tables that she’d put away a few days ago.
“You’re exhausted.” Sage handed her a towel as they washed their hands in the Fitzgerald House kitchen.
“I am.” But it wasn’t just physical exhaustion. Not trusting Sage and having her sisters shut her out after lunch had gutted her. “I’m going to find Mamá.”
Her mother was in the library. Only now, it was lit by candles and the fire. “Mamá, how are you doing?”
“I’m meeting such nice people.” Mamá sipped her wine.
“Do you want to go back to the apartment?” Carolina did.
“The power isn’t back on yet. I’m going to eat with…” Her mother’s face went blank.
“It’s Lila. And we already planned to eat dinner with her.”
“Yes.” Mamá’s smile was bright. She looked tired but happy. “Lila.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me,” Carolina said.
Sage waited outside the library. He’d hardly left her side all day.
“Everything good with your mother?” he asked.
“She’s happy,” Carolina said.
She headed back to the kitchen, but stopped. “What happened? Why did you decide what I’d done wasn’t as horrible as you said it was?”
Sage blinked and didn’t answer.
“Something changed your mind,” she prompted.
“My mother.”
She waited.
He took her hand and led her to the dimly lit front parlor. The same one where Abby had interviewed her and where Dolley had shut the door in her face.
“I barely remember my father,” he began after they sat down. “He died when I was five.”
She nodded.
“My family told me stories about him. About his bravery. I’ve used his life as my guidepost. What would my father do? How can I live up to his honorable life?”
“That’s wonderful.” It’s too bad her father hadn’t led an honorable life. But if he had, she wouldn’t have been born.
