And the Chandlers deserved better. From Charlotte who ran her own business, to Raina who had class and morals and a heart condition that couldn’t handle stress, to Rick, whose reputation as a good cop was unsurpassed and untarnished. Until he’d hooked up with Kendall.
She shook her head and walked to the windowsill, looking out at the dew-soaked grass. For the first time in her adult life she’d let herself believe in possibilities. She’d wondered if she should stay, if she could become a part of Rick’s town, Rick’s family. Rick’s life. Last night she’d been given her answer. Shown it in living color and those possibilities had been taken away from her. Just as she’d been taught as a child, she’d learned again last night, family and stability existed for other people, not her.
Thank God Hannah had missed the display. Kendall would have to break the news to her before Hannah heard it from someone else. Nothing would be more embarrassing to a teenager and Kendall wished she could spare her sister completely, but she couldn’t. The most she could do now was soften the blow when Kendall explained that she had been a poster girl at the town’s historical display.
Then she and Hannah would move west, away from this town before either one of them got any more attached—or suffered any more disappointment.
“Morning, Kendall.” The young girls bounced into the kitchen with all the exuberance of teenagers facing a new day.
Kendall wanted only to crawl back into bed, but she forced a smile. “Good morning, girls. Can I get you something to eat?”
“Nah. We can make cereal,” Hannah said.
“How was the slide show? We were so busy with Happy last night I forgot to ask.” Jeannie patted the dog’s head. “My mom usually goes but she’s so sick of the same old building pictures year after year that she said we’d see a movie instead.”
Kendall had no intention of filling Hannah in while her friend looked on. “It was . . . interesting. So what’s on today’s agenda?”
Kendall’s cell phone rang and prevented the girls from answering. “I gave the number to my friends so I’ve got it,” Hannah said as she dove for the phone on the counter. “Hello?”
Kendall waited, hoping Rick wouldn’t decide to call her first thing this morning.
“Who’s this?”
“Who is this please?” Kendall mouthed, then stifled a groan. Hannah would learn manners or Kendall would die trying, she thought wryly.
“No. No. No! This house is not for sale and it’s not going to be for sale. No you can’t speak to the lady of the house because I’m going to speak to her myself.” Hannah clicked off the cell phone and turned to glare at Kendall. “How could you?”
Oh, she didn’t need this now. “I didn’t list the house, Hannah.”
“Not yet. I heard that Tina Roberts lady on the phone. You’re gonna list and sell. And then what? I go to another boarding school? How could you?” she wailed again, sniffed, and brushed her hand beneath her now smudged eyes.
Kendall’s heart clenched with her sister’s pain. She knew all too well what it was like to feel abandoned and unwanted and those were emotions that Kendall was determined to protect Hannah from ever experiencing again.
Jeannie looked from Kendall to Hannah, absorbed by the family argument. Nothing Kendall could do about it. She certainly couldn’t hold her sister off until they were alone this time.
Stepping forward, Kendall put her hand firmly on her sister’s arm. “I’m not sending you to boarding school.”
“You’re not?” Hannah glanced up at her, wide-eyed and hopeful.
Kendall shook her head. “Definitely not.” There wasn’t much Kendall was certain of in this life, but after a few weeks with her sister, she couldn’t, wouldn’t send her away again. “I’m going to contact Mom and Dad about becoming your legal guardian so I can look after you and make the right decisions on your behalf.”
“I knew it,” Hannah squealed in delight.
Then she threw her arms around Kendall’s neck and held on tight, her arms feeling so good against Kendall’s skin.
“I knew you wouldn’t send me away,” Hannah said in her ear.
How quickly a teenager changed her mind. A woman’s prerogative, certainly, but more a teenager’s whim. Hannah stepped back, looking at Kendall with all the love and warmth she had in her heart. A lump rose to Kendall’s throat, that feeling of being needed threatening to choke her. She didn’t want to get into a bawling fest with her sister nor did she want to let the fear of somehow losing Hannah consume her. As blood relatives and as the older sibling, Kendall had more control of the situation.
It wasn’t like Rick or Yorkshire Falls, both places she’d be putting her faith in. This time it was Hannah who was putting her faith in Kendall and she was determined not to let her down. “I’m not sending you anywhere, Hannah. I’m keeping you with me wherever I go. We’re a team, you and I.” She shot her sister a smile, glad they had each other at least.
“What do you mean, wherever you go?” Hannah pushed back, crossing her arms over her chest. “I thought we’d stay here. I’ve made friends. I like it here. You like it here and Rick loves you.”
I love you, Kendall. He’d said as much last night and then that damn picture had flashed across the screen. And she’d been so wrapped up in her shock and misery, in her determination to believe she didn’t belong, she hadn’t given his words another thought. He loved her but how he felt after the repercussions of that photo hit was anyone’s guess.
She turned to her sister who stared at her, betrayal replacing the love and gratitude in her flashing green eyes. “What makes you think Rick loves me?” After all, Hannah hadn’t been with them last night.
“It’s obvious to anyone who looks at him. Just as it’s obvious to me you don’t care about anyone but yourself.” She stomped toward Jeannie who still stood staring, openmouthed. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” Jeannie asked.
“To town. To your house. I don’t care as long as I get out of here,” Hannah said.
Kendall sighed. “Hannah, don’t. We aren’t finished.”
“Oh, yes we are. I’d rather be in boarding school than live with you. At least there people don’t pretend to care when they really don’t. I’m outta here.” And as if to prove her point, Hannah grabbed Jeannie’s hand and pulled her out of the kitchen. Seconds later the front door slammed behind her.
The sound coincided with the churning in Kendall’s stomach as her sister stormed out of her life.
Chapter Thirteen
Rick’s mouth tasted like cotton, his head pounded hard, and he still felt a hell of a lot better than he had watching Kendall withdraw from him last night.
“Rise and shine.” Charlotte’s too-cheery voice carried to him from across the house.
After getting him drunk and not making him talk, Roman had brought him back to his town house to sleep it off. Rick was still pissed at his brother, but as drinking buddies went, Roman had done his duty.
“Get up, sleepyhead.” Charlotte walked into the room and opened the shutters on the family-room windows.