Page 8 of The Wish List
Beth glanced at Greer. His mouth thinned. “We can discuss that later.”
Why the hell would Freya want to talk to the boyfriend aboutA Woman’s Odyssey, her mother’s long-ago bestseller? What did it have to do with her other than fielding more annoying questions at her paid appearances?
But she didn’t have a chance to argue because the door opened again. Trinity rushed in, breathing hard like she’d just summited a mountain.
A wave of love for her little sister spilled over Freya. She and Trin didn’t see each other often, but they kept in touch via text and social media.
At least they had until Trinity called a few months ago to say she was deleting her online accounts and ditching her cell. Focusing on what matters was how she’d described the change, and Freya had worked not to take offense that she wasn’t part of what mattered to her sister.
Trinity’s wavy blond hair was fashioned into two braids that fell over her shoulders. Her summer sky blue eyes looked tired, her ordinarily rosy complexion a little wan. It made sense, Freya figured. Driving cross-country would tire out anyone.
Then her gaze dropped lower and she gasped, darting a glance toward Beth, who was also staring in disbelief at their baby sister’s stomach. Trinity was the shortest of the three of them, barely grazing five foot four in shoes. She had their mother’s delicate bone structure, so the baggy sweatshirt couldn’t quite hide the bump.
The baby of the family was having a baby.
“Sorry it took me so long to get here,” Trinity said, tugging on the hem of her sweatshirt. Freya noticed that Beth didn’t offer Trin a hug either.
In fact, it was difficult to say which one of her sisters looked more uncomfortable at the moment.
She knew Beth had tried for years to have a baby, and she could only imagine the shock of seeing Trinity...well...for lack of a better phrase...looking like she was ready to pop.
“I’m Christopher Greer,” the boy-toy said, stepping forward to offer Trinity a hand. “Your mom’s literary agent. My friends call me Greer. You must be tired. Can I get you water or something to eat?”
Literary agent? Why did May have photos tacked up of her literary agent like they were friends? Why did she even employ an agent at this point?
Freya had an agent in California, an older man specializing in deals for reality stars. But they weren’t friends of any sort.
“I’m fine,” Trinity said quietly. She looked between Beth and Freya before tracking to May, still peacefully sleeping. “How’s Mom? I found those gross caramel cream candies she likes at a gas station in Kentucky, so I bought a few packs.” She dug through the tote bag on her shoulder. “I must have left them in the car. I can get them and—”
“When are you due?” Beth asked, taking Trinity’s hand. “You look...”
“Like a beached whale?” Trinity gave a nervous laugh. “I’m seven and a half months along. January baby.” She smiled at Beth. “Just like you.”
“Are you having twins?” Freya blurted as she stood, still reeling at her sister’s condition and the fact that Trinity hadn’t bothered to share it with her.
The question earned a snort from Beth and a raised brow from May’s too-handsome agent.
“Congratulations,” Beth said, finally wrapping Trinity in the hug their sister clearly needed. Trin sagged against Beth. “You are going to be an amazing mother.”
With a glance toward May, Freya moved across the small room, ignoring the weight of Christopher Greer’s gaze, and joined Beth and Trinity in the hug.
“Super sister power activate,” Trinity said, her voice muffled in Beth’s jacket. It was a game they used to play when they were young, before their dad left the family and May became famous for putting her own happiness above anyone else’s. When they’d just been the Carlyle sisters, spending long weekends lost in their imaginations and the simple joy of being together.
Freya didn’t know if they could recapture any of that. So much had happened to drive them apart. But this moment felt oddly right, even with a virtual stranger as a witness and the uncertainty of their mother’s condition.
Some bonds could bend and twist in layers of knots but still never break.
A noise from the bed caused them to separate with a start. They turned in unison toward their mother. Her eyes were open and her gaze focused on the three of them.
“Mom?” Beth moved toward the head of the bed with Freya and Trinity following.
“Do you want me to call a nurse?” Greer asked, and Freya noticed that he stepped back to give the sisters center stage.
“I am a nurse,” Beth said as she took May’s hand. “Mom, can you hear me? Trinity is here now, too. We’re all home.”
“Ho,” their mother said slowly, like it was difficult to form the syllable.
“That’s right,” Freya confirmed. “We’re all here, and we’re going to bring Thanksgiving dinner to you tomorrow. I bet you still use double the whipped cream on your pumpkin pie.”
