Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(71)

“No.” Sophie’s tone was firm. “Jaxsen is acting like a total moron right now, but he loves you. He’ll come around.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“Yes, and if he doesn’t, we’ll talk to Bear. A couple of broken legs will humble him right up.”

“I think this violent streak is new.”

Sophie flashed her a grin. “Nope. It’s always been there. I just keep it hidden until there’s an emergency.” Her humor faded. “I can’t believe he’s acting the way he is, either, but you have to stay strong. You’re not wrong. All you want to do is have a chance to do something you’ve been planning forever.” Her gaze turned pointed. “Notice the use of the word planning. Not dreaming. This isn’t a dream. This is a well-thought-out business plan that will be successful. All you need from him is a little support. You’ve always been there for him. Now it’s his turn to be there for you. You’re the mother of his children and the woman he claimed he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He needs to man up and act like all that matters.”

The pep talk was exactly what she needed to hear. Bracing words delivered with love.

“I never thought he’d treat me this way,” she admitted.

“Me, either. Even when you guys are back together, it’s going to be really hard not to hit him in the arm the first time I see him.”

“As long as it’s not the balls. I still like having sex with him.”

“Fine. I’ll sock him in the arm and let it go.” Sophie picked up her coffee. “So how can I help? Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No. I want him to figure it out on his own. I want him to come home.”

She wanted him to understand why it was important for him to support her.

She looked at Sophie. “What if that never happens? What if he doesn’t get it? What if I really have to choose between my business and my marriage?”

“You won’t.”

“What if I do?”

Sophie sighed. “I don’t know. You’re the only one who can answer that. Part of me wants to say if Jaxsen really is the kind of man who would leave you over this, then your marriage has bigger problems than we thought.”

Not what Kristine wanted to hear, but still very much the truth.

“Do you want to go talk to a therapist?” Sophie asked.

“No. Not yet. Jaxsen’s going to come back.” She made her voice strong as if she was sure. Only she wasn’t—not at all. About anything.

  “Heather Sitterly?”

Heather stared at the well-dressed, dark-haired woman standing on the front porch of the house. It was just after seven in the evening.

“Yes. May I help you?”

The woman handed her a business card. “I’m Stacey Creasey. I spoke to your mother on the phone yesterday.”

As Heather continued to stare at her blankly, Stacey added, “I’m the real estate agent your grandmother hired to sell the house.” She frowned. “I really did speak to Amber yesterday.”

Something her mother had never bothered to mention, Heather thought, automatically stepping back to let in the other woman.

So much time had passed since her grandmother’s announcement about selling that Heather had managed to put the impending disaster out of her mind. She’d thought maybe it wasn’t going to happen, but apparently, she’d been wrong.

“Who is it?” Amber called from the kitchen.

“The real estate agent Grandma’s using. You never mentioned she called.”

Amber stepped out into the living room. “I didn’t think she meant it.” She glared at Stacey. “Why are you here?”

Stacey didn’t seem fazed by Amber’s hostility. “Your mother wants me to get going on the listing. As I told you yesterday, I want to take a look around and see what kind of shape the house is in. I have a budget to spruce things up a bit. Once I tour the property, I’ll come up with a list of what I want to do and a timeline.” She smiled. “I’ll get both of you a copy of that and we’ll be moving forward. Are you planning to live in the house while it’s listed?”

Heather couldn’t seem to catch her breath. It was happening—it was really happening. They were going to lose their home and there was nothing she could do about it.

She’d been thinking about her talk with Elliot. She’d started doing research on colleges and grants and scholarships. There was more money available than she’d realized. She desperately wanted to get away but if they were thrown out of the house, where would they go? How could she help Amber find a home without trapping herself on the island?

She realized Stacey was looking at her as if waiting for an answer to a question.

“What? Oh, yes, we’ll be living in the house while it’s listed,” she managed.

“I see. That’s not the ideal situation but we can make it work. Now, if you would please show me the house.”

Heather waited for Amber to take charge but her mother only folded her arms across her chest. Heather sighed.

“This is the living room,” she said, wondering if she looked as shocked as she felt. “The kitchen is through here.”

She moved toward it. Amber was in the way and didn’t move. Heather looked at her. “Mom, please.”