House Of Secrets (20 page)

“I will go with you if you want me to,” Judith agreed. “I will even help you find the right people to see.”

“Thank you,” Piper said. She wiped her face with a napkin and looked back to me. “Please don’t be angry.”

Her expression was so full of pain. “I’m not angry,” I told her. At least that much was true.

“It’s not because I don’t love you,” she added. “It’s not really about you at all. I just need someone who can be . . . well . . . I guess . . .” She stammered for the right word.

“Objective?” I asked with new understanding. I was too close—too connected to the problem. Piper needed a neutral third party, although I knew Judith was anything but neutral toward her new stepdaughter.

“Yes,” Piper said. “Objective.”

“I think that’s very wise.” I reached for the coffee and poured myself a cup. This was how the healing would start, I thought. Perhaps we would one day look back on this moment and realize that God had begun to knit us back together as a family. Not because of my abilities or my desires, but because of His.

M
ark still hadn’t joined us by the time breakfast was over, so Geena and I went ahead and cleared the table. Dad and Judith took Piper for a walk on the beach so they could talk, and the time afforded Geena and I an opportunity to do likewise.

“I was surprised when Piper asked Judith to accompany her to the doctor,” Geena began, “so I figure you must have been pretty hurt by it.”

There was no sense in lying. I put a bowl in the dishwasher and straightened. “It did hurt, but I think I’m seeing the good of it. Judith truly can be more objective than any of us. I’m not Piper’s mother, and in trying to take on so much responsibility with her and with you, it’s robbed me of the rightful position I had to just be your sister and friend.”

Geena looked at me with such intensity that I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like her next comment. “Do you think Piper is schizophrenic?”

Hadn’t I already asked myself that question a hundred times? I shrugged. “I don’t know, and frankly, I’m not even going to try to guess. I’ve spent my entire adulthood doing that. At least she’s willing to seek professional help. Now I don’t have to be the one to second-guess her actions.”

“But surely you have an opinion. I mean, you know more about this than I do. You remember Mom better than I can. Did Mom act like Piper?”

“I don’t know, Geena. I can’t remember when Mom first started getting sick. I know Mom was sad much of the time. I guess learning about Noah explains a lot. Dealing with her demons couldn’t have been easy.”

“And maybe Piper is having the same struggle with her demons. Maybe the truth has been staring us in the eye for years.”

“The truth is supposed to set us free,” I said, considering all that had happened. “Even with all that’s been revealed, however, I feel like there’s just more work—more to confront.”

“Like searching out the details for a case,” Geena agreed.

“Exactly. And I can’t help but feel there is something else I’m here to do—to understand. I don’t know what it is, but I’m not ready to leave until I figure it out.”

Geena looked at me for a moment. “So stay. Just because they’re going back doesn’t mean you can’t stick around. Maybe I can even stay an extra few days.”

“I suppose you’re right. We could stay up at the cottage and let the rentals start up here at the house. I wouldn’t want Dad to lose all of his summer income.” I smiled.

“Especially now.”

“What do you mean?”

Geena leaned closer, although there was really no need. “I think Dad is planning to retire early. He didn’t say so, but there were just little things I heard him comment on to Judith.”

“Well, I certainly hadn’t considered that possibility.” Dad’s work had seemed to be his life for so long. “Do you really think he would quit?”

“I don’t know why not. He built up the business, but I know he prides himself on having trained a good team. My guess is he’ll sell out his interest in it and be done.”

“Then what?” I couldn’t imagine him sitting at home doing nothing.

“That’s where one of those comments comes in. I think he and Judith would like to travel a bit—see the world.”

“He’s seen the world many times over,” I said, putting detergent into the dishwasher.

“Yes, but only from a business perspective, and always alone,” Geena replied. “Having someone to share it with would make for a completely new adventure.”

“Anybody at home?” Mark called from the front of the house.

“We’re in the kitchen.” I set the cycle on the machine and turned my attention to the plate we’d kept for Mark. “We saved you breakfast,” I told him as he popped around the corner.

“Wonderful. I’m starved.” He was wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. I’d never seen him looking so casual.

He grinned at me with such enthusiasm I couldn’t help but return the smile. “Your meeting must have gone very well.”

Shaking his head, Mark took the plate Geena offered. “Not at all. In fact, I have to fly back to New York immediately.”

I felt a deep sense of disappointment. “Oh. Well, it’s just that you seemed so cheerful.” I turned away, hoping he wouldn’t see my frown. I wiped the counter and tried to think of something else to say.

“I’m going upstairs to clean the bathroom,” Geena said. “It’s my turn. Mark, if you want to pop that in the microwave, it’s there just over the stove.”

“Thanks.”

I heard Mark cross behind me, but I kept my focus on several coffee rings that had stained the counter. The microwave hummed to life and I remembered that we still had coffee in the pot.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“I would. Why don’t you pour two and come sit with me while I eat.”

My feelings were back under control, so I smiled and turned around. “Of course.”

He was still grinning like he’d just won the lottery or a trip to Hawaii. I cocked my head. “For someone who had a horrible meeting, you certainly seem delighted.”

Laughing, he stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. I looked up without thinking and found his mouth only a fraction of an inch away from mine. “Your dad told me about your decision.”

It all became clear and I pulled back just a bit. “This is about my talk with God? You’re smiling like an idiot because I made sense of the voice I’d been hearing?”

“It makes me very happy,” he declared.

I looked at him oddly. “And just why would it make you so happy?”

“Because it eliminates any obstacle in my way to putting my plans in motion.”

“Your plans? And exactly what plans are you talking about?”

“Let me show you phase one,” he said in a low, intriguing tone. He touched his lips to mine, and I felt my body melt against him.

It was like I had no will of my own. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave in to my emotions. I stopped worrying about my sisters and our potential risk of mental illness. I put aside my insecurities and wounded feelings about having done my best to hold the family together. I even let go of my deepest fear that something was still unresolved, and passionately returned Mark’s kiss.

He trailed his mouth from my lips and showered my face with kisses so tender and enticing that I thought I might very well stop breathing. Was this what it was to be in love—to know true love?

My heart was pounding hard, and I pulled away, rather embarrassed by my own desire. “Wow,” I said, trying to gather my thoughts. “Phase one certainly packs a punch.”

He laughed and pulled me toward him again. “Just wait until you hear about phase two.”

I put my hands between us and pushed on his chest ever so slightly. “I think we need to spend some time considering this phase before we move on.”

His grin didn’t fade. “I thought phase one was pretty self-explanatory, but perhaps I should reiterate my point.” His blue eyes twinkled, and I couldn’t help but feel his joy permeate my defenses.

I quickly broke his hold and moved to put the kitchen island between us. Just then the microwave chimed and I pointed. “Your breakfast is ready.”

Mark chuckled and went to pop open the door and retrieve his plate. “I thought you said there was coffee.”

Steadying myself against the island, I nodded. “I’ll bring it to the table. The clouds are starting to build in the sky, but I think we’re safe from rain if you want to eat on the deck.”

“Sounds good.” He headed across the room to the sliding door.

I let out a breath and went to the cupboard for a couple of mugs. I wasn’t at all sure I had the strength to explore what phase two might involve. With a shaky hand, I poured the coffee and headed to the deck. Was it acceptable to pray that God might keep me from jumping into the arms of a man who could kiss so thoroughly that I forgot my name?

Mark sat at the table with the chair pushed out. He patted his lap. “I saved you a seat.”

I handed him his coffee and moved quickly to the other side. “I’ll just sit over here.”

He laughed and gave me a wink. “Chicken?”

“Absolutely.”

That only made him laugh harder. He put the coffee on the table and scooted up. He bowed his head. “Father, thank you for this day and this meal. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you for this woman and thank you for what you’re going to do. Amen.”

I looked at him over the rim of my coffee cup. There was no way I was going to ask him what he meant by that last part. Instead, I hurried to ask him about work.

“So what has happened at the publishing house?”

“There’s conflict with two different authors over two entirely different issues. Their agents are causing all sorts of problems and Dad wants me to handle it. Push all of the proverbial pieces into place, so to speak. He also wants to know if I’ve convinced you to move to New York and join our office.”

After everything that had happened that morning, I wasn’t sure exactly what my answer would be. If Piper proved to have schizophrenia, I couldn’t help but wonder what my responsibility might be. I chided myself silently. I just didn’t seem to get it. Piper wasn’t my responsibility.

“You have to take care of your sisters or bad things will happen.”
My mother’s voice echoed in my head. I frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Mark asked.

I looked at him, not really even seeing him for a moment. In my mind I was in a dark room and my mother was trying to hide me. The image was fleeting and Mark’s face came into focus.

“My sister Piper is having trouble. She’s worried that she’s going crazy—schizophrenic.”

“And do you think that’s the case?”

“I used to think that I’d know if my sisters were showing signs of mental illness.”

“But not now?” He took a bite of food and reached for the salt.

“No. I don’t think I’m at all qualified. I’m an editor. I know books.”

He nodded. “Indeed you do. Which is all the more reason to say yes to our offer. We need you. We need your expertise.”

I heard my dad’s voice in conversation. “Sounds like Dad and Judith are coming back. They went for a walk with Piper to talk about getting her help. She’s agreed to see a doctor and she wants Judith to go with her.”

“Not you?”

I bit my lower lip for a moment. “No. And really, that’s all right. I haven’t had much time to process it, but I think once I really consider it, I’m going to be happy. Judith is a loving woman.”

“She certainly seems to be. Let your sister know that I have a good friend practicing psychiatry in the Boston area. He’s quite trustworthy—and a Christian.”

Just then I could see Dad and Piper top the stairs below. Judith was right behind them. I saw Dad put his arm around Piper’s shoulder and hug her close. She seemed calm—even happy. I noticed Judith catch sight of us. She waved and said something to Dad. He looked up and gave me a nod.

Piper saw me and smiled. I felt a sense of relief. Maybe it would be all right for me to linger here once they had gone. Maybe it would work out for me to take the job in New York City.

“Guess I’ll have to wait to share phase two with you until later,” Mark murmured.

Piper was the first one on the deck. She greeted Mark, then looked at me. “Thanks for what you said to me this morning.”

I was surprised by her comment. “You’re welcome.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I know I wasn’t very nice to you, and I’m sorry.” She leaned down and hugged me. “I love you, and I know you just wanted to help.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “I do want to help. I love you.”

Piper straightened and looked at Dad and Judith. “I’m going to go take a shower.”

She left without another word and I looked to Dad. He and Judith took a seat at the table between Mark and me.

“We’re going to fly back day after tomorrow,” he explained.

“Mark has to head back to New York immediately,” I said.

“Yeah, I called and have a flight out this afternoon,” he told them.

I hadn’t realized this, but just nodded. “Geena and I might stick around a day or two,” I said, toying with my now empty coffee cup. “At least I might. I guess I shouldn’t speak for Geena.”

“Sounds fine,” Dad said. “Just let us know when you leave and we’ll start up the rentals.”

“If you like, we can stay at the cottage so that you can at least rent out the house.”

Dad nodded. “That would be fine. I’ll let the caretakers know.” He reached out to Mark and touched his shoulder. “I suppose Bailee will be taking you back to Seattle?”

“I hadn’t asked her yet, but I’m hoping so. I’d like the extra time. I’m still trying to convince her to take the job in New York.” He looked at me and grinned. “I also have to clarify some information regarding several phases of a project she’s a part of.”

I felt my face flush and quickly jumped to my feet. “Well, if I’m going to drive you to SeaTac, I’d better change my clothes.” It was a poor excuse, as I was dressed perfectly for the trip. Mark chuckled and I ignored him. “I’ll only be a minute.”