Mason stepped into the house, taking charge. “I’ll go get the kids to settle down and make sure they’re dressed.”
Amy stood immobile by the front door like she couldn’t make a decision about what to do next.
The only way to get her sister back on track was to put things back to the way she liked them. Sierra tried to be normal and keep things light. “Morning, Rex. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
Rex turned and stared over his shoulder but he didn’t look at her; instead, he locked eyes with Amy. “Sure. That would be great.”
Sierra went into the kitchen, got a mug from the cupboard, poured him a cup, added a dollop of milk like she remembered he liked it, took it to him in the living room, then went back to the kitchen.
Yep. Definitely taking the kids out.
With that settled, she put the kitchen to rights, tucking the food back in the fridge, then loading the dishwasher. She found some plastic wrap in a drawer, covered the bowl of pancake batter, and set it in the fridge for later.
“You can have breakfast for dinner. The kids will love that.”
Amy hadn’t moved from the entry. She stood there like a zombie staring at Rex’s back like she could will him to fix this.
Clearly, they needed to talk.
Sierra could only imagine what was going on in her sister’s mind knowing she and Mason walked in on this mess.
Sierra had never cleaned so fast in her life, but at her sister’s look of pure appreciation when she finally did take her eyes off Rex and glanced at the kitchen, Sierra felt she’d helped. At least a little bit.
Mason appeared in the hallway entry, four kids lined up behind him. “Everyone is dressed, teeth brushed, hands washed. All the toys have been put away, sleeping bags rolled up, beds made. Let’s go eat.” He led the kids to the front door. Amy kissed her kids on the forehead as they passed and accepted the thank-yous from Danny and Oliver as they followed Mason and their cousins out to the car.
Rex set his coffee mug on the cluttered table, rose, and walked out the front door in his black dress socks without a word or glance for Amy.
Sierra went to her sister and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. Rex put the kids’ booster seats in her SUV, kissed each of his kids, and got them settled in the back. He closed the door and stood with Mason, chatting. Their voices didn’t carry, but they both looked serious.
“Do you think he’s asking Mason to represent him in the divorce?”
Stunned by her sister’s words, Sierra gasped and turned to face Amy. “Did he ask you for a divorce?”
“Not yet. But it’s coming.” Amy’s forehead wrinkled with worry.
“Are you sure? Can’t you guys work whatever this is out?”
Amy folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not sure it can be fixed. I’ve put everything I am into this family.” Amy’s sad gaze met hers. “I don’t have anything left. I do everything I can to make them all happy.”
But Amy wasn’t happy. Not anymore.
She acted like she’d tapped all her resources and had nothing left.
“Oh, Amy. I feel that same way, too, sometimes. I don’t want to wipe one more nose, solve one more problem, make one more school lunch, let alone give my husband the attention and affection he wants and needs. But it will pass.”
Amy looked unconvinced.
Work, children, life could really take it all out of you.
But those frustrations were temporary.
Because then you’d have those moments where life filled you up. Your child did something that touched your heart. Your husband washed the dinner dishes, and damn, that was sexy as hell. A song on the radio reminded you of something from your past. Your first date. A dance at your wedding. A long drive you took, just the two of you. The kids made you something special at school and were so proud and excited to present it to you.
Their exuberant laugh made you laugh with them and wish that they laughed like that every day for the rest of their lives.
Your husband kissed you like it was the first time he realized he loved you all over again.
Amy got lost in the storm of life. She just needed to ride it out and find the calm.
Every relationship had ups and downs. They’d work this out and find their way back up to the peak again.
“You and Rex need to take a breath and talk this out.”
“We talk at each other constantly. Nothing changes.”
Sierra took Amy by the shoulders. “Then tell him how you really feel. Tell him you’re unhappy. Tell him what you really want him to know. He can’t read your mind.” Sierra remembered all too well how she wished David would see everything roiling inside her when she needed him to, but he didn’t. She wished she’d spoken up. This time, with Mason, she’d do better. She’d make their relationship a priority. “Rex knows you, but you can’t expect him to know exactly what’s going on in your head. You need to tell him.”
Amy’s hands came up, dropped, and slapped her thighs. “I don’t know what I want.” Amy sighed and hugged herself. “I’m tired.” She glared at Rex. “I’d like to see him do everything I do for this family. Then he’d know how hard I work, how little time I have for myself.”
“Great. Take a day off. Rex is home today. Let him take care of the kids. Go to the spa. I’m sure Heather can fit you in. Get a massage. Have a mani-pedi. Indulge in doing nothing but letting others pamper you.”
Amy didn’t answer.
“I’ll take the kids to breakfast and have them back in about an hour and half.”
Amy nodded, turned, and walked down the hall toward her bedroom.
Sierra walked out onto the porch and met Rex on his way back to the house.
“How bad is it?”
She didn’t really know. “You two need to talk.”
“I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face. She doesn’t hear me. She wants everything her way. I get she likes things a certain way, but I’m asking for some compromise and she won’t budge.” He raked his fingers through his disheveled hair. “I want more time with my family. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
“I’m not sure your sleeping on the couch says you want more time with her.”
“Yeah, well, when I got home last night, she had Emma sprawled in bed with her. I could have put Emma back in her bed, but what was the point. Amy’s so exhausted, the last thing she wants to do is work things out with me. In her mind, everything will be fine once the kids are older. I can tell you, things haven’t been fine in years. I’m tired of it.”
“I said this to her, now I’m saying it to you. Tell her how you feel and what you want. Don’t expect each other to know.”
“Your sister has her whole life scheduled. I’ll see if I can get an appointment.” With that snarky comment, he walked into the house and slammed the door.
Sierra didn’t take offense. His anger wasn’t directed at her. She understood that his frustration got the better of him.
“Hey, sweetheart, you okay?”
She stared up at Mason, so completely taken by his sincerity and that gorgeous face. “I’m great.” She touched her hand to his chest and smiled up at him. “I’m feeling a little smug for being this happy and guilty about it because my sister and Rex are having trouble connecting.”