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5
I call home while rifling in the suitcase for something to put on after showering.
Mom answers with, “Glad you got there okay.”
“How is it?” Dad asks. It seems they have me on speaker. “How’s my sister? Reid?”
“Is he excited to have his cousin back?” Mom throws in.
Their questions remind me of Reid’s refusal to hug me, and I scratch my head while thinking more about the encounter. “Aunt Helena is fine. She left for work, so we didn’t have a good chat. Um, Reid’s different. A teen guy who wants to act cool, I guess.”
Mom chuckles. “Well, it’s been seven years, honey.”
“It sure has.”
“Give it some time,” Dad adds. “He’ll come around. But if you hate it there, we’ll have you on the next flight, okay?”
I hope it doesn’t come to that. I want to spend time with Reid. We might not have the chance again for a while.
“Okay,” I tell them. “Well, just letting you know I’m here. I’m going to shower and eat.”
“All right. Love you, Cassie.”
“Love you both.”
A familiar old tune reaches my ears as I approach the kitchen. I pause in the doorway, watching the long-time housekeeper sing to herself while preparing salads. She whirls around when I begin humming the song.
“Cassie!” Laughter sputters from her. “My god!”
“Hey, Gen.” I quicken over to give her a loving embrace.
Genevieve squeezes me back affectionately. “Oh, honey. You’re here. It’s been so long.” She eases me away and holds my hands, glancing over my appearance. “Look at you. My, you’ve blossomed into a beautiful young lady.”
“Thank you.” Her compliment prompts a shy smile. Then I take in her full head of gray hair and aged features, noting the creases around her warm blue eyes and on her forehead. Even her palms feel more calloused, and faint spots are on her arms, neck, and face.
“I know, I’m old,” she jokes.
My brows shoot up. “No, it’s just so strange being here after many years. Guess it’s because my memories of this place and everyone were frozen.”
She chuckles. “Have you seen Reid? He’s a giant.”
“Yeah.” I drop my head. “He seems different.”
“He’s living up to his mother’s expectations.”
I bob, understanding. “So, tell me about you. How’s Mr. Sinclair and your daughter?”
Unmistakable sorrow mists her eyes. “He passed four years ago. My girl moved to France after eloping a year after. She calls me now and then.”
“Oh.” My stomach plunges at the sad news. “I’m so sorry about Mr. Sinclair. I had no idea.”
“It’s all right, honey.” Genevieve gives me loving pats on my arm. “It was his time.”
Awash in a wave of guilt, I run my thumb along the edge of the island’s marble surface. “I should have asked my parents to find out about you.”
“But not me?” rumbles a few feet behind.
I swivel to look at Reid, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.
