Baby Doll(49)

VERY IMPORTANT. CALL ME ASAP.

She hit ignore and switched off her phone. No way she was going to talk to him after what he’d done. She leaned in to Mom. “If Wes calls, don’t answer. I mean it.”

“Seriously, Abby? Stop acting like a child. He’s concerned.”

“We’re having a nice day. He’ll just screw it up.”

“He’s not the enemy here.”

“That’s one opinion.”

“I heard what you said. You can’t threaten him about the baby, Abby. It’s his child too.”

“I’ll take relationship advice from you when you tell me who you were entertaining when Lily came back.”

Her mom grew quiet, a deep blush washing across her face, but she switched her phone off. Abby felt victorious. Mom hadn’t exactly been Mother Teresa since Lily was taken. She knew her mother had started screwing Sheriff Rogers after Lily disappeared. Abby had come home early from searching for Lily and she’d heard them kissing. She’d gone over to Wes’s before she was forced to hear anything else. She was pissed about it at first, and considered telling her dad, but then he died, and none of it mattered. She didn’t really care what Mom did. She just wanted her to drop the Wes business.

An hour later, when Trisha turned Lily around, Abby gaped, amazed at how a hairstyle could transform someone. Lily was breathtaking. The deep shade of red offset her pale skin, making her appear ethereal and lovely instead of gaunt and washed out. The bob was cut in a way that softened Lily’s features and highlighted them all at the same time. Her eyes were deep pools of green that almost sparkled when she smiled. She was so pretty and so thin. A surge of irrational jealousy coursed through Abby. Like so many teenage girls, they’d both been obsessed with their weight in high school. But when you have an identical twin, it’s magnified tenfold. Abby fought the rush of envy, reminding herself this was a special moment.

Lily was staring at her image as if she was seeing herself for the first time.

“What do you think, Abby?”

“I think you’re the most radiant person I’ve ever seen.” Abby leaned in and wrapped her arms around her sister. They stayed like that, Lily staring at her reflection, Abby’s arms draped around her neck. They weren’t identical yet, but the resemblance was still uncanny. Anyone could tell that they were twins. Trisha grabbed her iPhone.

“I’ve got to get a picture of you two.”

They posed but before Trisha could take the picture, Abby pulled away.

“Wait… that’s not my good side.”

Lily burst out laughing. This was their thing growing up. Abby always complained about her good side, and taking pictures always took forever. But she allowed Abby to readjust, and Trisha snapped a series of photos.

Sky’s makeover was complete as well, her dark ringlets pulled up high into a ponytail, a pink bow topping it off.

“What do you think, Chicken? How do we look?”

“We’re so pretty, Mommy.”

“Yes, we are.”

Abby clapped her hands.

“Who’s ready for some shopping?”

Lily picked up Sky and twirled her around.

“Princess Sky and I are ready to go.”

After hugging Trisha good-bye, they left the salon. Lily led them to Macy’s and JCPenney and GapKids. Mom took out her Amex and bought an entire wardrobe for Lily and Sky. Who knew shopping could be so fulfilling? Abby sat outside the dressing room and watched as Lily modeled an endless array of jeans and Tshirts, sweaters and boots. Sky paraded around in her new clothes, giggling as she watched Lily strike a pose. The smile on Lily’s face was infectious. Once they’d spent a small fortune and were loaded down with bags, they headed out. They were on their way back to the house when Lily announced, “It’s chips and salsa time.”

Mom smiled and made a U-turn at the next light. “Lily’s wish is my command.”

They dined at El Rodeo, Lily and Abby’s favorite Mexican restaurant, the four of them tucking into a back booth. The doctors had warned Lily to be mindful about her diet, to ease herself into different foods, but Lily wanted real food; she wanted her favorite things she’d been denied. They ordered a feast, Lily letting Sky sample bits of everything, from the homemade tortillas to the cheesy enchiladas to sizzling fajitas. The meal was filled with laughter and great food. Abby thought they’d avoided being recognized until the owner appeared, promising that their entire meal was on the house. He clutched Lily’s hand tightly. “Your courage, young lady, is remarkable. Anytime you want to eat at my restaurant, it’s on the house.”

“Thank you so much,” Lily said gratefully.

He walked away. Lily dug into a heaping bowl of guacamole, giggling as she stuffed her mouth. “You think he knows what he’s getting himself into?” she asked.

Abby laughed. “Not even close. Poor man’s going to go bankrupt.”

It was a perfect evening until they heard Sky, her voice shaky and excited.

“Mommy, that’s us! We’re on the TV! That’s you and me and Daddy Rick!”

Abby spotted the television in the corner. That photo of Lily, Rick, and Sky was plastered on the screen, a news story that continued to dominate headlines. Why did every goddamn restaurant have to have a TV? It was a f*cking Mexican restaurant! Lily grew perfectly still. She didn’t make eye contact with Abby or Mom. Instead she focused her attention on Sky.