Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(117)

“Wh-what are you going to do?” she asked softly.

Amber glared at her. “Like you care.”

“Mom, that’s not fair. Of course I care. But I can’t stay here just because you didn’t get to go to college. That’s not right and you know it.”

“Don’t you tell me what’s right. Don’t you tell me anything. I deserve to have opportunities, not you. I deserve a better life. But I won’t be getting one, will I? I’ll be stuck here, on this island, living in squalor. You’re just like your grandmother. Selfish to the core. Well, good riddance.”

“Is that what you really think? Is that how little I mean to you?”

Heather waited, knowing her mother’s response could go either way. For a second Amber’s expression softened. Heather took a step toward her only to stop when Amber spoke.

“Get what you came for and leave.”

Heather thought about what was left in her room and decided she didn’t need any of it. She was going to walk away and never look back.

She squared her shoulders. “I never had a choice. I was born into this family and made the best of a difficult situation. I’ve taken care of you since I was sixteen and you’ve never once thanked me. You could have decided to make things better, but you didn’t. You see darkness instead of light and you can’t imagine a point of view beyond your own. The only suffering you care about is your own. I’m leaving on Saturday, Mom. Don’t feel you have to come see me off. This is the perfect goodbye.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the house. She drove back to Sophie’s and let herself inside. Sophie wasn’t home, so she sent her a quick text. She found Lily and Mrs. Bennet sunning on the sofa. Heather curled up next to them and gave in to tears. She cried for what she’d lost and what she’d never had.

After a few minutes she felt both cats crawl onto her lap and rub against her, their warm, purring bodies offering comfort and the knowledge that, at least for the moment, she wasn’t alone.

  “Bryce is taking both the cat trees and the quilts,” Maggie said. “I hate repeating myself, Sophie, but I get the feeling you’re not listening.”

Sophie sighed. “I heard you. It’s great. I’m thrilled.”

“You could try showing it a little more. This is great news. We’ll be in upscale boutiques across the country before the holidays. This is just the beginning for us. That market has incredible margins and we’re going to get a piece of it.”

“I’m really happy,” Sophie told her, trying to inject enthusiasm into her voice. She was happy. Thrilled, even. The company was doing well. Elliot’s campaigns were performing above expectation. The packages were sailing out at record rates. The CK bank balance was happily huge. She should be delighted. And she was. Sort of.

“I’m unsettled,” she admitted.

Maggie raised her eyebrows. “Are you going to talk about your personal life, because that is not anywhere I want to go. No offense.”

Sophie grinned. “None taken. Thank you for a job well-done. I appreciate all the hard work. You have lived up to your reputation.”

“Yes, well, it was fun.” Maggie shuffled her papers, then looked at Sophie. “We bought a house.”

“Really?”

“The kids love it here and Nelson has found a great job and it seemed like the right thing to do.” Her mouth twisted. “I can’t believe I’m two hours from the airport. It’s ridiculous. But here we are.”

Sophie knew better than to gush—Maggie wasn’t the type to appreciate that. “Check out Payne Field in Everett. They’re getting more and more commercial flights and it will save you the drive down to Sea-Tac. And congratulations on the house.”

“Thank you.”

Maggie excused herself and left. Sophie turned back to her computer screen but even the happy numbers there couldn’t capture her attention.

She told herself things were good. Kristine and Jaxsen had figured things out and were back together. Kristine’s store was opening in a few days. Heather was heading off to college on Saturday. And speaking of Heather...

Sophie walked down the hall and into Heather’s tiny office. Heather was busy, typing away, looking intense as she paused to study her notes.

“When’s your last day?” Sophie asked.

Heather jumped, then laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t see you. I’m trying to wrap up a few things before the end of the week. I want to work as much as I can. You know, for the money.”

Which was very much like Heather. Sophie looked at her. “You need to take a couple of days to get ready. I’ll pay you through the end of the week, regardless.”

“No, I’d rather work. If I’m at home, I’ll just start obsessing about things.”

Sophie took the only other chair in the room and sat down. “You were in bed when I got home last night. How did it go with your mom?”

Heather’s expression tightened. “It was fine.”

“You don’t look like it was fine.” Sophie’s stomach tightened. “Did she say anything mean? Was she the least bit friendly? Was she upset you were leaving?”

“Why all the questions?”

Too late Sophie realized she’d given too much away. “Um, no reason. Just wondering if your mom is ever going to change.”