Page 108 of The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street
Jayne poured my coffee, heaping in all the sugar and cream that she knew I liked, then filled a plate with a tiramisu doughnut and three of Mrs. Houlihan’s cookies.
“Thank you,” I said, then took a sip of the coffee and barely tasted it.
Veronica looked at the red pillow I’d placed on the coffee table. “Is that Adrienne’s?”
I nodded. “It hit me in the head right before the doorbell rang.”
The three of them exchanged glances. “Perfect,” Rebecca said. I almost did a double take. She wasn’t wearing pink, but a subtle shade of mauve. She caught me looking and said, “I felt the bright pink next to Marc’s new white hair was too startling, so I’ve toned it down a notch. Plus, I think I’ll save the brighter shades of pink for after our daughter is born.”
“A daughter?” I took another sip of my coffee.
“I had a dream,” she said, looking around at the other two women. “Before I was pregnant and got blocked.” A small V appeared between her brows. “Around the same time, I had another dream.” She paused.
“Go on,” Jayne said gently.
Rebecca nodded. “I dreamed that the three of us were at Veronica’s house.” She swallowed. “Adrienne was there, too, pointing at something around her neck. And there was someone else—someone in the attic. And the house...”
“The house was on fire,” Veronica finished.
“So we thought...” Jayne started.
Rebecca continued. “That it meant we’re all supposed to pool our resources and help Veronica find out what happened to Adrienne. To stop the fire, even. You did promise to help her, Melanie.” Rebecca gave me the same look I usually reserved for the twins when they didn’t eat their vegetables.
“How is this supposed to help me get Jack back?” I sounded as pathetic as I felt.
“Melanie,” Jayne said softly. “Helping others is the best way to take our own worries away. And while you’re thinking about something else is usually when the solution to your own problems starts untangling in your head. It’s a win-win.” She smiled at me, and I was ashamed of all the times I’d felt envious of, well, everything about her.
I looked up at the ceiling to stem the new flood of tears before turning back to her. “I’m glad you’re my sister, Jayne. I can’t tell you how much. And you have my permission to slap me if I ever forget that.”
She laughed. “Well, if you could have seen the bruise on Anthony’s face, you might change your mind. And, no, I haven’t seen him—I have no interest in seeing him ever again—but Rebecca sent me a picture from her phone. I might have missed my calling. Be a prizefighter instead of a nanny.”
“Although,” Rebecca said, “I think you can call it even now. He hired security for the cemetery until he could find someone to dig up the peacocks’ graves. He didn’t even try to keep the rubies for himself.”
Jayne sniffed. “Because that was the right thing to do. But I still never want to see him again as long as I live.”
Veronica pinched a bite from a doughnut, leaving the rest on her plate. “I hope you have those rubies in a secure place, Melanie. Especially after all you’ve been through to get them.”
“They’re in a safe-deposit box at our bank until Jack and I decide what we’re going to do with them.” I’d refused to make any decisions regarding our windfall. I’d wait as long as it took to get Jack back, and then we’d decide together.
Jayne’s eyes were warm as she took my hand. “But in the meantime, I want you to think about using your gift. There is so much good we can do. Even after we help Veronica and Adrienne. Thomas has files and files of unsolved cases. And let’s not forget that flapper at the Francis Marion Hotel.”
Rebecca leaned forward in her chair. “Since my gift is on hiatus for the next six months, I can put all my skills of attracting men to help you win Jack back.”
“But...” I stopped, thinking about her own marital issues but not wanting to sound rude.
“I know. Marc and I have had our problems. But ever since the... incident... in the cemetery, he’s been quite attentive. He barely leaves my side. I don’t know if it’s because he’s decided he really wants to be with me and embrace impending fatherhood, or if he’s just scared witless and doesn’t want to be alone. Regardless, I do know a few tricks to keep a man interested and I’m willing to share everything I know with you.”
I frowned at her. “What I’d really like you to do is talk Marc out of filming in my house. Then I’ll believe he’s changed.”
Rebecca’s large blue eyes watered as she regarded me. “It’s not him, Melanie—it’s that Harvey person. He won’t be talked out of it. And because you and Jack signed the contract, you can’t back out. I’m sorry.”
I had to blink, feeling my eyes begin to water again.
Veronica turned to me. “You and Jack are the most perfect couple, Melanie. Anybody can see the love you have for each other and your children. This is a rough patch, but all good marriages have them, and they’re stronger on the other side because of it. You will work this out—I’m sure of it. And you’ve got friends and family to help and support you. You know that, right?”
I nodded, unable to speak, as I’d started to cry again. We all ended up in a group hug, sobbing and laughing together, none of us really surprised when the red pillow flew up in the air and landed in Veronica’s lap.
EPILOGUE
