Page 9 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

“My hair and makeup are good to go. All I have to do is slip into my gown,” Mom said. “Where’s Lara, I wonder?”

At that moment, Lara appeared, dressed in her typical goth.

Mom continued to remain calm, glancing at Lara’s spiked black hair along with the dog collar around her neck. It was just a phase, Mom had reassured Dad. It was best not to be negative but give her their support. Ben had given the situation some thought, and it was his belief that for some reason, Lara was pretty insecure. More than likely, it was because she had both a mom and an older sister who were incredibly successful, so she didn’t feel like she fit in.

Apparently, Mom had been in an awful lot of trouble as a teenager, so she could relate. But as Mom liked to remind Dad, there was no room for regrets from the past. Without the difficulties she’d overcome, she would have never given birth to Eve.

“What?” Lara looked at Ben as if she was ready to fight. Ben was usually the only one who had something negative to say about the way she dressed.

When Mom and Dad had both asked him to ease up a little, he’d been sheepish but accepting, listening to what Mom had to say.

Mom frowned. “Have you eaten, dear? I don’t remember you having any breakfast.”

Lara sighed, looking at the bowl near the stove. “Is that potato soup?”

“It is,” Mom answered, smiling. “I made sure to scoop some up for you since I know it’s one of your favorites. It might need a quick zap in the microwave.”

“I guess I could eat,” Lara said, unaware of Mom’s sigh of relief.

“I think we’re going to head back over to the Inn,” Mom said.

“Okay,” Lara answered. “I’ll eat first and walk over once I’m finished eating.”

Mom hesitated. Ben knew that she was worried about Lara’s eating habits. Even though Mom was attempting to be subtle, Ben had noticed how she’d begun keeping food around that she knew that his little sister was fond of, worried that Lara might have an eating disorder. It was better that she ate something rather than nothing.

Supposedly, Mom had also had those kinds of issues as a teenager herself.

“I’ll wait for Lara,” Ben said. “You and Dad can head over now if you’d like. It’s not like I’ve got anything specific to do while I’m there.”

Dad patted his hand, obviously aware of what Ben was doing.

“Okay. Sounds good.” Mom smiled, rushing toward the staircase to make her way to the master bedroom.

Lara stood, heading toward the bowl of soup resting on the counter. Picking it up, she slipped the bowl into the microwave, heating it.

Once she’d settled at the island with her soup, she slowly began eating. Ben was relieved to see that her pace picked up after a few spoonfuls.

Mom walked downstairs looking Christmasy wearing an icy blue formal gown with shiny snowflake shaped jewelry.

“You look pretty, Mom,” Ben said, grinning.

“Thank you, Ben,” Mom answered.

Dad winked at Ben, yanking Mom’s arm and pulling her towards him, kissing her deeply on the mouth.

Looking flustered, Mom smiled. “Now I’ll have to fix my lip gloss.”

“But it was worth it, right?” Dad asked gently.

“Always,” Mom replied in a breathless voice.

Much to Ben’s surprise, he noticed a look of yearning in Lara’s eyes as she paused with spoon in hand.

Ben suddenly wondered if something had happened to Lara at school that he’d never heard about. At one time they’d been pretty close, and maybe the fact that they weren’t anymore had a lot more to do with him than it did with her. Sports, friends and work kept him busy, so he was rarely home. Since he’d be leaving home soon, he should probably try to remedy the fact that they’d grown apart, Ben decided as Mom and Dad put on their coats.

Once Mom and Dad had headed through the doorway to the car, Ben grabbed some water from the fridge.

“Want any coffee, Lara? I’d better shut off the coffeemaker.”

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