Such a Beautiful Family: A Thriller(60)

“Your mom is probably relieved to finally have the chance to get it all out.”

“I think you’re right, because I’m feeling the same way. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.”

“It’s okay, Nora.” He reached for her hand and clasped it within his. “I’m just sorry you’ve had to deal with it all.”

They both sat quietly for a moment, David no doubt trying to take it all in, and Nora feeling better about telling him everything, getting it off her chest. But the warm, fuzzy feeling didn’t last long. How could she go about her daily business if someone had it out for her?

Was the writing literally on the wall?

If her house wasn’t vandalized by a group of bored teens, then who was targeting her and what did they want?





CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The next day, two days before Christmas, determined to get the kids and her husband away from their computers and iPhones, Nora made a hearty breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, and sausages. When they were all done eating, she said, “Now that you’re all fed, I have a surprise.”

Hailey groaned.

“We’re going to Disneyland, and we all need to pack,” Trevor said in a way she knew was only trying to annoy his sister.

“Very funny,” Hailey said.

Nora clapped her hands together. “I went online, got a permit, and we’re good to go!”

Hailey did not look pleased. “What does that even mean?”

“We’re all going to put on some warm clothes, lots of layers, and take a drive up the hill to cut down our very own Christmas tree.”

“Really?” Trevor asked, his eyes bright.

“Why?” Hailey groaned. “Let’s just go to Betty’s Christmas tree lot down the road. I saw tons of great trees when we drove by.”

“I used to help my dad cut down a tree every year. This will be a lot of fun.” Nora glanced at her watch. “We’ll leave in thirty minutes. Make sure to bring a hat and gloves.”

Nora had already told David, but he pretended to be both surprised and excited. “I’ll get dressed, then grab the saw and warm up the car,” he said.

“Can I bring Tank?” Trevor asked.

“Of course,” Nora said.

Trevor jumped from his chair and hurried upstairs to his room to get ready.

Three and a half hours later, they were home, everyone exhausted, cold, yet happy. It had been a perfect day. The sort of day Nora had been daydreaming about. Spending time with her family.

Everyone piled out of the SUV. David went to untie the tree from the top of the car, while the rest of them gathered their belongings.

“Who’s going to help me get this tree in the house?” David asked.

“I’m not touching that thing.” Hailey feigned a shiver. “There could be snakes and squirrels and all kinds of critters crawling around inside those branches.”

“I’ll help,” Trevor said.

Nora draped an arm around Hailey. “You have to admit that was fun, wasn’t it?”

“It was okay.”

Nora laughed. “Come on. Let’s go inside and get the fire going. After that, I’ll go to the cottage to check on Mom and Dad, and then I think it’s time for hot cocoa, charades, and a puzzle. Wait until you see—”

Nora stopped talking when the front door came open. Her mom stood there, looking sorrowful.

“Mom,” Nora said. “What’s going on?”

Before Nora’s mom could answer, Jane stepped into view. The glittering red minidress she wore hugged her curves. Her flawless cleavage was half-covered by the shiny blonde waves that fell over one shoulder. The woman was breathtaking, no doubt about it. But even before Nora drew any closer, she noticed that Jane had been crying. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her nose was a blotchy red. When Nora reached the door, Jane fell into her arms, her shoulders trembling as she began to sob.

Mom stood behind them, shaking her head. “She came to the cottage looking for you, so I brought her here to wait.”

Nora nodded. She wondered how Jane knew where to find the cottage but kept her worries to herself.

“I’m going to go check on your dad.” Mom patted one of Jane’s shoulders. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Nora said. Hailey ran off to catch up to Grandma and walk with her to the cottage. Nora glanced toward David. He looked bewildered but in no way put off by Jane’s appearance.

A million thoughts zipped through Nora’s head as she ushered Jane back into the house, which wasn’t easy, considering Jane’s height and the fact that half her body was draped over Nora’s shoulder. Once she settled Jane on the couch, she gently tucked a throw blanket over her lap. “I’m going to make us both some cocoa and then start a fire and warm this place up, okay?”

Jane grabbed hold of her hand before she could walk away. “Richard called off our engagement.”

Stunned, Nora plopped down onto the couch next to her. “Why?”

“He told me he doesn’t feel any fire in his heart for me.”

Nora wrinkled her nose, since she couldn’t imagine Richard saying such a thing. “He said that?”

“He said more”—she sniffled—“but I don’t remember a thing after he said he wasn’t in love with me. We were having lunch at a nice restaurant. After he broke the news to me, I went to the restroom, called a taxi, and came straight here.” She looked into Nora’s eyes. “I needed to be with my friend—my only friend.”