Such a Beautiful Family: A Thriller(49)

“Oh, stop,” Jane said. She looked from Nora to David. “He knew exactly what my answer would be.”

Richard’s raised brow said otherwise, but nobody questioned it.

“Mind if I run inside and tell the kids?” Jane asked.

Nora gestured toward the open door. “By all means.”

“Auntie Jane! What are you doing here?” Nora heard Hailey shout from the doorway.

Nora watched the two of them on the front stoop—Jane flashing her ring and Hailey jumping up and down, asking if she would be in the wedding.

“Of course!” Jane said before they disappeared inside the house, assumably to share the news with Trevor.

Nora tamped down all the bitterness she felt toward Jane and swallowed it whole. And yet a ball of worry formed inside her gut: Would they ever be free of Jane? How far would Nora have to move to be rid of her?

Nora was just beginning to worry what Jane was up to when she reappeared.

“Boys,” she said, her voice dripping with superficial friendliness, “mind if I take Nora aside for a minute to talk in private?”

“Should we go inside?” Nora asked.

“No need.” She had a grasp on Nora’s upper arm and nudged her along with her as she walked across the asphalt toward the garage.

When Jane finally stopped, she kept twisting her engagement ring. If Nora didn’t know better, she’d say Jane was nervous.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about everything that happened between you and me,” Jane said, her gaze set on her feet. “Looking back, I wish I had handled things differently.” She returned her gaze to Nora’s. “I realized you were right. I’ve been selfish, and I’m sorry.”

Nora shook her head. “You don’t need to—”

“Let me finish,” Jane pleaded. “I need to get it all out.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“I’m not trying to give excuses, but I had a difficult childhood. I was raised by my aunt and uncle. They were abusive.” She took a breath, started working the ring on her finger once again. “Being around you and David and the kids made me feel as if I was a part of a family. I hadn’t felt that way since I was twelve.” Jane pushed air through her teeth, making a whistling noise. “I got carried away . . . I never should have put David in such an awkward position by asking him to escort me to that event. And your kids. I wish I could take it all back. I never should have bought Hailey those clothes or taken her to have her hair dyed. That was wrong of me, and I don’t know why I couldn’t see that clearly at the time. I’m truly, truly sorry for everything.”

Nora was dumbstruck, mostly because Jane appeared genuine in her regret. But still, she felt certain it was an act. Jane was beginning to sound like a broken record, the needle in the same scratchy groove going round and round. “I appreciate you telling me. You’ve hinted at your past before, but I wish you had found a way to open up to me earlier.”

“I do, too,” Jane said. “I’ve never liked talking about my past. I’ve always struggled to maintain friendships, and I think you can see why. It’s so much easier for me to keep things surface level . . . unless, of course, I’ve had too much to drink. Then all bets are off.”

Nora forced a smile.

“No matter how fleeting,” Jane said, “we were friends, and I took advantage of that friendship.”

“It’s okay. I said some things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, too.”

Nora caught a glimpse of her daughter watching from her bedroom window upstairs. Hailey was still angry with Nora, but that was okay. It would pass. “I believe everything happens for a reason. It might be difficult to see it now, but it was all for the best.”

Jane studied her with interest. “How so?”

“I’m getting a chance to get reacquainted with my family.”

“Like I’ve said before, you’re a lucky woman.”

“Thank you.” No matter how Nora felt about Jane, she couldn’t deny that their chat had taken a load off Nora’s shoulders. It would be nice to let bygones be bygones. Nora had a lot to do and was eager to get back to packing, but Jane’s body language told her she had more to say.

“I know you’re busy right now with moving and everything . . . but I thought it would be nice if we could go to lunch together, just the two of us.”

Nora appreciated the apology. She hoped Jane’s visit and her engagement would give them both a chance at new beginnings, and yet she still didn’t trust Jane. She had been looking forward to ending this chapter of her life, taking a moment to breathe, and getting a fresh start with her family. Going to lunch with Jane was too much, too soon. She wasn’t ready. She might never be ready.

“I know,” Jane said, placing her hand on Nora’s arm, “what you’re probably thinking . . . that whatever chance at friendship we had is over and it’s time to move on. But”—she looked away, her eyes watering as if she might cry—“I can’t stand the thought of not being a part of your family, Nora.” She looked at her then. “I simply can’t bear it.”

Nora felt her insides bend, then fold in an uncomfortable manner. She was a weakling. She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t handle watching Jane break down. If she turned Jane away, simply kicked her to the curb, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself. Without thinking about it, Nora put her arms around Jane. She felt weightless, fragile. “As soon as we get moved in,” Nora said, stepping away, “we’ll go to lunch. Just you and me, okay?” The minute the words were out of her mouth, a twinge of regret shot through her.