Capture Me Page 5

  The old-fashioned bells jingled at Ashley’s exit, her sister’s words echoing in her mind. Was she tense? In the last twenty-four hours, she hunted for a dog that dug his way into her heart, was reminded of her childhood cancer, and found a photo of a possible long-lost relative. Pain gripped her neck and shoulders. She rubbed her hand across her tight muscles.

  Most of all, she wanted to spend more time with Bryan, the man she wanted to marry. If only he’d ask.

  Doubt about her life, past and future, jabbed at her. Was Tori right? Had Bryan chosen his family over proposing? Impossible. She brought the candle to her nose once more. A relaxing bath was exactly what she needed to release her tension and set her heart right.

  By now, her handsome boyfriend would be finished taking care of his lawn, a chore he did every Saturday, and would be ready to make plans for the evening. She could picture it now. She’d wear the cute top she’d bought at the thrift store and slip into her favorite jeans, the ones Bryan said complimented her figure. She’d gather ingredients for pasta, or maybe stir-fry, to cook dinner at Bryan’s house. It would be a romantic evening, just the two of them.

  And when his stomach was satisfied and they were cuddling on the couch, maybe then if he truly loved her, he would propose. Ashley leaned against her car, pulled out her cell phone, and punched in Bryan’s number to finalize the date.

  7

  Within the first few minutes of Ashley’s conversation with Bryan, her plans for the evening floated away like dandelion fluff in the wind. She leaned against her car in the parking lot of Petals and Gifts and kicked a stone by her feet. “Madi is going to move in with you?” Her voice wavered.

  “I know. Crazy, huh?” Bryan’s tone sounded as if he wasn’t totally convinced of his decision.

  “You sure this is what you want?”

  “No, but at this point Susan feels like she doesn’t have another option—”

  “How about a friend? Or your parents?” Panic rose in her throat. Was she being selfish?

  “Susan and I talked about it, but my parents wouldn’t understand. They’d make Susan feel worse about her situation—”

  “And you feel you’re the only one left to help?” Ashley narrowed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

  “I’m family. We stick by each other.”

  She didn’t dare bring up the possibility of Madi staying with a friend for the second time. Didn’t Bryan understand his decision affected her as much as it did him? She’d see even less of him than she did now. Between their conflicting work schedules, time alone was difficult to come by. And a proposal? Forget it.

  Plus, she didn’t know Madi very well. The girl always hung out in her room or was away whenever Bryan’s family would get together. And when they did see her, Madi barely said two words. From what Susan had said the last time they saw her, the teenager had issues. “Do you think you can handle someone like Madi? After all …” Did she dare say it? “You’re … a guy.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You know exactly what I mean. How’re you going to talk with her about girl stuff?”

  “I do have a sister, you know. It’s not like I’m totally in the dark.”

  Lately, Ashley could argue that point. She’d been serious about getting married for the past year and he was obviously clueless to her feelings. “I’m just saying—”

  “Madi’s home. Gotta go. I’ll call you later tonight. Love you!”

  The second they hung up, irritation wormed its way inside. Bryan never asked her opinion before making the decision. He did it on his own—without considering her feelings. He’d broken their date to Shadowbrook, and once again, Madi was put first in his life. True, Susan needed someone to help her get her daughter under control, but did it have to be Bryan? Ashley hadn’t even had a chance to tell him about the photo.

  She tossed her cell phone in her purse, opened the car door, and sat in the driver’s seat, leaning her head back against the headrest. Instead of being supportive of Bryan’s decision to care for his niece, she’d made him feel less than adequate. It was a big responsibility to care for someone’s wayward child. And yet, how could she not feel sorry for herself?

  She’d be abandoned again tonight—and possibly many more evenings to come.

  What would it take for Madi to get rid of the scowl on her face? Bryan had tried every bribery trick in the book, even promising to take her to Palapas, one of the best Mexican restaurants in Aptos, but she continued to slouch in the passenger seat of his truck, not saying a word.

  He pulled to a stop in front of his small home.

  “Will you please drop me off at Kristin’s?” Her brows arched, and the hard line of her mouth softened.

  “Sorry, Magpie. You’re stuck with me until your mom decides—”

  Madi shot him a look, got out of the truck, and slammed the door. She grabbed her pillow and her duffle bag filled with who-knows-what from the truck bed, and marched to the front door like a toddler not getting her way.

  How long could he make her stand there before she’d hurl her things across the yard? A chuckle escaped. He couldn’t believe he was laughing at a time like this, but what else could he do? She was acting like a spoiled child.

  A brat of a child.

  A child abandoned by her father.

  Poor girl.

  His heart softened, and the laughter stopped. In a way, Paul abandoned him, too. They had been friends for a decade since the star athlete dated his sister in college. He and Paul were more than acquaintances. They were brothers. Bryan had looked up to him for years, asking him for prayer or advice. Besides his pastor, Paul had been the godliest man Bryan had known until Paul left his family for the younger woman at the gym.

  Several months ago Bryan caught Paul talking on his cell phone in a secretive manner. His brother-in-law dodged questions when Bryan asked him who had called. Why didn’t Bryan press for an answer? Too late now. The damage was done.

  Madi made a show of dropping her bag by the front door and crossing her arms, jolting him back to the situation at hand.

  He grabbed her sleeping bag from the backseat and slid out of the truck. “Ready to see your room?” He kept his tone light. “We may need to straighten it up a bit. I didn’t expect a guest when I left the house earlier. Oh, and don’t worry. I’ll move my bike out to the shed and whatever else might be in your way.”

  Madi rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

  “Hey, be glad the room has a bed. You could be sleeping on the floor.” He inserted the key in the lock and opened the door. “After you.”

  Madi picked up her pillow and duffle bag from the small patio and went into the house. She turned toward him, shook her head in disgust, and curled her upper lip. “Did your house shrink or something? I don’t remember it being so tiny.”

  Why he cared what Madi thought was beyond him, but he did. Her opinion confirmed his earlier thought. He’d have to sell this place and buy a bigger house if he married Ashley and started a family. The problem was, he couldn’t afford to move. And this was home.

  “Makes cleaning it a lot easier. You’ll be glad it’s small.” He grinned, his meaning clear.

  Madi huffed and stormed off, slamming the door to the eight-foot by ten-foot room she’d call her own until Susan could either handle her again or ask their parents for support, a promise she’d made to him before he brought the teenager home.

  Please, God, let it be soon.

  He wouldn’t be able to stand the girl’s attitude for long. But a promise was a promise. And he’d make the best of it even when it rocked everything in his world.

  8

  Ashley paced back and forth in her parents’ living room, waiting for Bryan and Madi to arrive. This afternoon, he’d promised they’d come to the weekly Sunday night dinner after missing church. Ashley tried not to let her feelings get in the way of what Bryan was doing for his family, but she couldn’t help the root of resentment growing inside.

 
Lauren walked into the room, moved the curtain aside, and peeked out. Whatever announcement her sister was going to make had her rattled.

  “They’ll arrive soon. Bryan promised.” Ashley came up beside her. “Do you think Mom minds that Madi’s coming?”

  “Oh no, not at all.” Lauren waved a hand in the air. “You know Mom. She makes enough to feed the entire neighborhood. Plus, we all pitch in with cleanup. What are a few more plates?”

  “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem jumpy.”

  Lauren rubbed her hands together and then dropped them to her sides. “I’m fine. Just waiting for everyone to arrive.”

  Sean, Lauren’s stocky husband, came up behind her and wrapped his muscular arms around her shoulders. “Come on, baby. Mom needs your help in the kitchen.”

  Lauren glanced up at him and grabbed his hand. A silent message passed between them. They walked away toward the kitchen.

  If only Ashley were privy to what was going on, but she’d know soon enough. Once Bryan and Madi arrived.

  A thought jarred her. Her sister had said, “a few more plates.” How odd. Bryan came every week. And adding Madi would only make it two. Was Lauren expecting someone else?

  Parked against the curb several houses down, Kayla Witherspoon stared at the two-story clapboard house from her new Audi, a recent purchase and birthday gift from her parents. A knot twisted her insides. Why did she think this was a good idea? Ever since she talked with Lauren on the phone, she questioned her decision to meet her biological sister. Frankly, Kayla never knew Ashley existed until Lauren hunted her down and told her she had to meet her redheaded blood relative. Kayla had gotten along fine as an only child without Ashley for twenty-two years. What made her think she needed a sibling now—after all this time?

  A pickup truck pulled to a stop in front of the house, and a handsome dark-haired man stepped out. A person sat in the passenger’s seat, but Kayla couldn’t quite see who it was.

  After a few minutes of trying to coax the person out of the car, a woman came out of the house and rushed to the man’s side. She planted a kiss on his cheek and hugged him around the waist. Was that Ashley? Her sister?

  Heat rushed up Kayla’s neck and settled in her cheeks. She could see the resemblance between them. They shared the same pale skin and slim body. Their hair was the same auburn color, although hers was straight compared to Ashley’s curls. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she slunk in her seat, trying to catch her breath.

  A few seconds later, curiosity won out, and she scooted back up a notch to peek over the dashboard. Ashley waved to the person in Bryan’s truck, motioning him or her to come out. It took a few more seconds before a teenager slid out of the passenger’s seat. Ashley said something to her and rested a hand on the girl’s shoulder. The teen nodded and followed Ashley inside the house. The man held back. Once the teenager and woman went inside, the man reached into the glove compartment of his truck and tucked something into his pocket before going inside.

  Kayla thought about her conversation with Lauren. She had said something about Sunday night dinners—how the whole family would get together every week to share a meal and have a good time. Over the phone, Lauren had also given Kayla a list of everyone’s names and how they were connected. Must be nice to be a part of such a big loving family. The man must be Ashley’s boyfriend.

  Lauren had never mentioned a teenaged girl.

  Didn’t matter.

  Kayla wasn’t going to barge in to find out.

  Her mind took a new direction. Maybe there was a reason her adoptive parents cut off all ties and raised her alone. Being successful doctors, they had enough money to raise a dozen kids or more, but they’d told her countless times how they only wanted one child. One perfect child to become a doctor, like them.

  Didn’t her parents know how far from perfect she was? How she’d rather become anything but a doctor? How she’d rather be part of a big, loving family than have the pressure of being an only child? What if she failed? If her grades were any indication, she was headed for failure now.

  Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes, and she swiped them away with cold fingers. No. Meeting Ashley was a horrible idea. Kayla didn’t need to be reminded about the type of family she dreamed about and the one she didn’t have. She dug in her purse for her car key.

  Back home, her friends would set her straight. They’d remind her that she was a Witherspoon—someone with money, power, and prestige.

  But is that what truly mattered?

  Witherspoons had small, perfect families and became successful doctors. They didn’t have time for trite things such as family dinners or reuniting with long-lost sisters. They didn’t do what their hearts wanted most. They followed what was expected.

  Then why had she come?

  The front door opened again. This time a brunette stepped out onto the front porch, an expectant look on her face. Must be Lauren, the woman who called her, insisting she make the drive.

  A queasy sensation gripped Kayla’s stomach.

  She couldn’t talk with Lauren. Couldn’t meet the family. And definitely couldn’t start a relationship with Ashley.

  Kayla started the car and drove away without looking back.

  9

  Ashley settled on the couch next to her mom with a cup of herbal tea in hand. The sweet smell of orange and spice filled her senses. “Too bad Lauren’s guest didn’t show. What was the big deal anyway?”

  Her dad had left halfway through the meal after receiving a call about someone’s pipe bursting, a frequent occurrence during his thirty-plus years as a plumber. Her siblings and their families had gone home. Bryan and Madi, too.

  “She didn’t say anything to me. You’d think she would have since I’m the one hosting.” Mom sipped her tea.

  Now that it was the two of them, the time had come. Ashley reached into her back pocket and produced the photo. “Have you seen this picture before?”

  Mom studied it. “Where did you get this?”

  “I found the photo in a box in Grandma’s trunk. Do you know who she is?”

  Mom shook her head, her brows knitted together. She handed the picture back to Ashley and stood. “I need a warm-up. Can I get you anything? I have cookies. Would you like one?” Her voice shook.

  Was her mom upset? “Mom, I’m sorry. I should’ve showed it to Grandma first, but Tori mentioned I should ask you—”

  “You showed the picture to Tori?” Mom’s tone rose a notch. She hadn’t intended to rile her mother.

  “I’d like to find her. I thought she might’ve remembered who she was …” Ashley let her words dangle.

  Mom poured hot water into her cup and swirled the tea bag around. “Honestly, Ashley, if we knew who the girl was, don’t you think we’d have told you about her?”

  Ashley hadn’t considered her mom’s reaction to the photo. Better let it go before either one said something they’d regret. “Mom, forget it, okay? It’s just an old picture.” She stuck the photo back in her purse, feeling the need to change the line of conversation. “Hey, where are those cookies you mentioned?”

  “Right here.” Mom’s facial features relaxed some, but her tone remained stiff. She dug in the big blue jar and pulled out a couple of sugar cookies and set them on a plate.

  Ashley snatched one, dipped it in her tea, and bit off a piece. The soft, buttery cookie melted in her mouth. No one made sugar cookies like her mom. “I should get going soon. I have to work in the morning.”

  “Ash, about the photo …”

  “Mom, really. It’s no big deal.” She stretched the truth and stuffed the rest of the cookie in her mouth.

  “I’ve never seen that little girl before. I promise.”

  She touched her mom’s hand, wanting to ease her fears. “I believe you. We don’t even know who she is, so don’t worry about it, okay?”

  Over the years, whenever Ashley had mentioned wanting to find someone in her birth family, her mom clammed up so Ashley never pursu
ed it. Hurting her adoptive family wasn’t an option then, and it wasn’t an option now.

  Mom set the lid on the cookie jar with a clank and put the honey away in the cabinet. She wiped the cookie crumbs off the counter with a rag and dried the wet spot with a towel. “I want to talk with Grandma. Find out where she got the photo—”

  “Please, Mom, let me do it, okay? I’ll tell you what she says. I promise.” Why had she listened to Tori? Ashley grabbed her purse off the counter. “Thanks for dinner. Your fried chicken is the best.”

  “I’m surprised Bryan took Madi in. I can tell that girl is a handful.”

  “I’m as surprised as you are.” Ashley squelched her frustration, kissed her mom on the cheek, and made her way to the door. “See you next Sunday.”

  “Or before.” Mom chased after her. “Did you see how low Tori’s carrying that child? She may have her baby this week. She’s going to call us when she goes into labor.”

  Mom never liked good-byes.

  “Shouldn’t be long now. Gotta run. Bye, Mom.” Ashley clicked the door shut, cutting off any more talk of old photos, unruly teens, or upcoming babies. On the short ride home, she replayed the conversation in her head. Not once had Mom asked her what she thought about the photo or how discovering it made her feel.

  “Where were you?” the female on the other end of the line asked.

  Kayla shouldn’t have answered the call. How would she explain to Lauren her reason for not showing up? Better to set things straight than dance around the subject. “I changed my mind, simple as that.”

  Lauren sighed. “There’s a chance Ashley hasn’t seen the photo, but if she has, she’s bound to come looking for you.”

  “Can’t you just get the picture?”

  “I can try, but that’s not the answer. Are you sure you don’t want to meet?”

  Kayla dropped her keys on the side table of her plush San Francisco apartment and sank down on the white chaise. The lights of the skyline below provided her with a million-dollar view. “I have a life, too, and there’s no room for building a relationship with a stranger—”