The Wife Stalker(76)
She took the mug, went over to the counter, and put a spoonful of honey in it. “Try it now,” she told him.
He took a tentative sip.
“Better?”
He nodded.
“Drink it all down. It’s good for you.”
Evie took a seat, and Piper opened the laptop. “Take a look . . . I was thinking of Ocean Trail and Flying Mountain Trail.”
“Flying Mountain!” Stelli said. “That sounds scary.”
She looked at Leo. “It’s a very moderate hike.” Turning to Stelli, she continued. “It was named by the Wabanaki Indians because it looked like it flew off a nearby mountain.”
“I’ve done that trail. It’s pretty tame, but before the summit, you do have to walk over some exposed ledges. It might be a bit much for Stelli,” Leo said.
“It’s okay to have fear, but we all need to face our fears and get past them. Let’s sleep on it and see how we all feel once we’re there.” Before anyone could disagree again, she plowed on. “Time for bed, guys. Make sure you brush your teeth, and Daddy will be up to tuck you in.” She was in no mood to read bedtime stories. Leo could do that tonight.
“Do we have to? Can’t we stay up a little longer?” Stelli whined.
“Well . . .” Leo looked at Piper, and she shook her head. “Piper’s right. We have a big day tomorrow. You need to get your sleep.” He rose from his seat. “Let’s go.”
She could have done without his making her look like the bad guy, but she wasn’t going to quibble in front of everyone. After they’d gone upstairs, she studied the website and thought about the kids’ reaction. The way Stelli had been overindulged by his mother had made him anxious and fearful. Evie had seemed to escape the worst of their mother’s neuroses, but Stelli had obviously picked up some of them. It was tragic, really, what some mothers did to their children.
She closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. She thought she’d finally be part of the perfect family when she met Leo and he’d introduced her to the kids. They needed a mother, he said, and he wanted a wife. Evie and Stelli were young. It wouldn’t take long for them to accept her, she’d thought. But lately, Stelli had reminded her more and more of Mia. She hadn’t realized that a child so young could be this manipulative, but Stelli was proving it to her, and just as Matthew had been unable to see through Mia’s subversions, so Leo thought Stelli was completely innocent of any undermining.
This trip had to be a turning point in her marriage—she would make sure that things were going her way sooner rather than later. She focused again on the computer, picked up a pen, and began to list the trails in order of difficulty. Stelli was going to learn his place this week, and Evie? Well, she hoped Evie would stay as sweet as ever.
50
Joanna
The ache in my back and neck grew more intense the closer I got to the Maine state line. I’d stopped only once, for a large cup of coffee, but the caffeine had only made my already-jangling nerves even worse, and that wasn’t good since I knew I needed to stay calm and focused. Ava had called me last night to tell me that she’d been unable to reach Leo on the phone, despite leaving several messages. Piper had to be responsible for that, I felt sure.
After another hour, I pulled into a rest area to use the bathroom, returning to the car with a granola bar and getting back on the road. I was set to reach the house just before dark. I thought of the last time I’d been to the house. By the time we’d arrived, everyone was happy to be there, and I’d cooked us a warm meal, after which we’d roasted marshmallows outside over the fire pit, the sound of crashing waves in the background. Had I known it would be the last time we’d all be there together, I’d have soaked it in even more.
It was dusk when I got there, and as I pulled up the long driveway and the house came into view, it felt as though I could finally expel all my pent-up breath. I killed the engine and got out of the car, breathing in the salty sea air. The wind blew my hair in front of my eyes, and I tucked it behind my ears, hurrying to the front door. I entered the key code and was relieved when the door opened. Walking through the rest of the house, I examined every room, every knickknack. The living room still had the family portrait over the fireplace. A red frame caught my eye, and I walked over to the coffee table to look at the picture it held. It was a picture from last winter of me with Stelli and Evie in front of a snowman we’d made in Connecticut. I thought about how much they’d grown since then, and my heart squeezed almost unbearably. I kissed the picture and put it back down. The sun had gone down now, and the house was dark.
I went to the kitchen and found the key to the guest cottage. I’d sleep there tonight. Even though they weren’t expected until tomorrow, I didn’t want anyone to drive by and see lights on. Getting back in my car, I drove to Mountain Peak Café, one of the few spots that I knew was open year-round. I’d have dinner there, then drive back in the dark and park my car a little farther down the road, where it wouldn’t stand out.
The cottage was pitch-black, and I used my phone’s flashlight to illuminate the way as I pulled down the blackout shades. I’d also bought a small lantern that wouldn’t be seen from the outside with the shades drawn. I knew the woods provided enough camouflage so no one would find me here, but that I, using my binoculars, would be able to see up to the house and watch until the opportunity came to act. I pulled out my iPad and tried to read a novel, but I just couldn’t concentrate. I kept thinking that I should be in the main house, sleeping in the master bedroom, not hiding like a criminal in the guesthouse. I was suddenly filled with a hatred so intense that I could barely contain it. Images of Piper and Leo together taunted me, and I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my skin. Why did it seem that I was always the one left behind?