Beach House Reunion (Beach House #5)(76)

“And you got a job.”

“I did. There are more ways to learn than in school. ‘Experience is the best of schoolmasters.’ I think Thomas Carlyle said that. It’s true. I figured if I couldn’t go to school to learn, I’d get a job in the area I wanted to learn. I started as a receptionist in an advertising agency, but I always asked questions about the job and worked late. People noticed. I learned so much on the job, but I also went to night school, got my degree, and earned several promotions along the way. All in all, I did quite well for myself. And there’s no small degree of satisfaction in knowing that I did it all on my own.” She sighed and placed her palms on her thighs. “Then I got laid off. I came running home and my life changed in ways I never anticipated. Or wanted. I never expected to fall in love.” She lifted her shoulders and took a sip of the wine. “The rest you know.”

Linnea admired Cara’s resilience. And more, her independence. She’d thumbed her nose at her father and taken off for Chicago. She was a role model. Someone Linnea could always count on to be honest.

“I want an adventure like that.”

“Hardly an adventure.”

“Well, to test myself, then. Sometimes I lie on my back and think, where would I go if I could go anywhere?” She laughed self-consciously. “Of course, at first I come up with ideas of Paris or San Francisco . . .” She paused, thinking of John.

Cara caught the reference and arched a brow. “San Francisco?”

Linnea nodded. “There’s a job possibility there.”

“Really? That’s exciting. Hallelujah!”

“I don’t know. There’s a lot to consider.”

“Like what? Frankly, my dear, you don’t have a lot of other offers.”

“But what will Daddy say? And . . . it’s not a good time to leave home.”

Cara paused, looking at her askance. “Excuse me. But didn’t you just tell me you admired me for leaving home at eighteen? You’re twenty-two. What are you afraid of? Certainly not my brother . . .”

Linnea shook her head. “Aunt Cara, I haven’t been completely open with you.”

Her gaze sharpened. “About what?”

“About Daddy. Cooper. Mama.” She closed her eyes to collect herself. “They’re all one hot mess. I’m afraid for them.”

Cara sat up and set her glass on the table. Linnea felt a new tension in the room as Cara set her razor-sharp focus on her.

“I know your father’s been drinking more than usual.”

Linnea snorted derisively. “A lot more. Every night he gets drunk. Cooper said living at home was hell.”

Cara swallowed hard and her brows knitted. “I see. And Cooper?”

“He’s the one I’m most worried about. He was supposed to come here last weekend. He promised.” She shrugged. “But he didn’t. He’s dodging me. He’s drinking too. I think . . . no, I feel sure he’s doing drugs.”

Cara inhaled sharply. She thought for a moment, then asked, “What kind of drugs? Marijuana?”

“I don’t know, but it’s more than pot. I tried to talk to him about it, but he denies it. He’s so unhappy, Cara. He feels trapped, and I think drugs help him escape.”

“What’s he feeling trapped about?”

“Everything. He doesn’t want to go to the Citadel. That’s a biggie. Mostly he doesn’t want to disappoint Daddy. Which means he’ll be trapped in the family business.” She laughed harshly. “He might not have to worry about that.”

“What’s that?” Cara’s voice was sharp.

“According to my mother, they’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”

Cara’s face registered shock. “Good God!” she exclaimed. “The family’s gone to hell in a handbasket, and I’m only just hearing about it?”

“The Rutledges are very good at covering up.”

“No,” Cara snapped. “We’re very good at lying. There’s a difference.” She rose and began pacing the room, her fingers tapping her crossed arms. She stopped before Linnea, her dark eyes flashing.

“First, I have to tell you I’m hurt you didn’t come to me with this sooner. I thought we had a stronger relationship.”

Linnea felt crushed by the criticism. “I’m sorry.”

“I’ll go see my brother. Try to talk some sense into him.” She stopped and exhaled. “But you know him. He holds his feelings in like Fort Knox. And with good reason. In all fairness, when I left home all those years ago, I left him to deal with the mess at home. You may think that I’m the brave one, but I say it was your father. He held the family together and dealt with our father. He’s the one you should admire. Palmer is not a bad man, Linnea. I fear if what you say is true, he’s simply lost.”

Linnea had never heard her aunt speak like this before. And she’d never thought of her father in this light.

Cara came to stand in front of Linnea. “Regardless of what Palmer does or says, regardless of what happens with your brother, Linnea, you have to make your own decisions for your own life. You’re not a child any longer. Nor are you your brother’s keeper.”

“But you just called my father a hero for staying.”