Finding Eva (Highland Creek Series) Read online

  “Eva! I knew your mom invited you, but we weren’t sure you would come.” He cocked his head as he studied her.

  She squirmed like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “What?”

  “How are you?”

  She rubbed her fingers over her forehead, looking everywhere but her father, hoping to avoid this conversation. “What do you mean?”

  He continued to stare patiently until she looked at him. Hazel eyes stared sympathetically, lips turned up slightly. “You know what I mean. I know that finding out about your mother was a shock, but you stormed out before your mother and I could talk to you. I know I have made some mistakes …” He clenched his jaw and swallowed loudly before continuing, “… but I tried to be a good father. Your stepmother and I only did what we felt was best at the time, whether we agreed with the decision or not.”

  She shook her head forcefully, stepping back for some much needed space. “It was too much of a shock. Maybe I shouldn’t have stormed out like that, but I didn’t want to see you after I knew you lied.” She huffed, feeling her body heat in anger when she considered that he kept her mother’s secret for years.

  He moved closer, putting his hand on her arm as he spoke softly, “I respect that, but there are a lot of things your mother and I need to talk to you about if you would let us tonight. Now is not the best time to get into those things, but after dinner we would love to talk to you.” He continued stroking her arm until he felt her relax underneath his gentle ministrations. Her father hated confrontations, hence the reason he calmed Eva down before they went back to dinner.

  “Ok …” Eva reluctantly agreed, her body still buzzing with left over irritation from the whole situation. She couldn’t do anything about it now, and at least her father threw her a bone by saying he would talk about it later.

  “Now let’s make the most of tonight.” She accepted his arm when he offered it, smiling at him when his face split into a grin. It was hard to stay mad at her dad very long, even knowing what she did about her biological mother. They walked arm and arm into the house as the chatter from the kitchen spilled into the living room, reminding Eva of all the things she enjoyed about her parents’ home.

  “… Dad go?”

  “He’s out front with your sister.”

  “Eva!” All of a sudden a brown-haired rocket shot from the kitchen as she ran into Eva’s arms. Katie was just as you would expect a newly graduated sorority girl to be: bubbly, excited, and ready to take on the world.

  Eva hugged Katie tightly and inhaled her familiar scent. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

  “I’ve missed you,” both said simultaneously and pulled back with a laugh. She stared at Katie, brown hair falling to her elbows in her typical summer outfit of a tank top and shorts.

  “You first.” Her sister smiled, green eyes shining. “Tell me everything! What will you do with school out?”

  They walked toward the rest of the family, her father having already gone ahead. “Well, I decided to go settle this mess with the house tomorrow.”

  “What house mess?” she asked as they reached the entrance to the kitchen, and Eva didn’t miss the wary expression on her stepmother’s face as she realized what she had just said.

  “Oh, I guess you two don’t know,” she said as she hugged Brad and her stepmother, “but I recently inherited a house from my late mother.”

  “The one that died years ago? Isn’t it a long time to just be finding out about this?” Brad pushed his shaggy brown hair from his face.

  She reached for a glass to fill it with water, kicking herself for starting this conversation before dinner. “Normally it would be, but I found out that my mother has only been dead about a month.”

  He scrunched his face in confusion when he realized what she said. “Huh?”

  She drank the water, staring out the window, before she turned to answer him. “My mother, the one who I thought was dead, was very much alive and living about two hours away up until about a month ago when she really did die. I don’t know what she died from, or why she wanted me to believe she was dead. All I know is that she left me a house and some money.”

  The twins turned their heads simultaneously toward their parents and started in on them.

  Katie looked on in disbelief. Never wanting to think anything bad of someone, she tried to give her parents an out when she asked, “Did you know?” Her parents looked at each other with wide eyes, her father rubbing the back of his neck before they turned back to the twins.

  “Could she have faked her own death?” Brad asked before they answered Katie’s question.

  Eva drowned out the sounds as she looked around her parents’ kitchen, the place that always used to provide her comfort. From the apple wallpaper to the white cabinets with apple-red trim, she always loved sitting in the kitchen with her family. She tuned back in for the last part of the conversation.

  “…none of your business. You need to ask your sister if she would like to share with you,” her father stated firmly, his tone suggesting that he was not going to discuss it anymore.

  “I don’t,” Eva piped in and hoped to ward off the argument, but judging by the indignant huff her sister gave, that wasn’t going to happen. “Until I have talked to mom and dad and seen what is going on, I don’t want to get into it with you. You are one of my best friends, so I would never try to keep this from you, but understand this is something I need to do on my own.” She kissed her sister on the cheek to smooth the scowl on her face.

  “I love you and told you all I know. My intention was not to disrupt our celebration dinner, but I wanted to give you a heads-up about where I was heading. Nothing will be settled tonight, so I think we should sit down and enjoy dinner.” As though right on cue, the timer rang, signaling dinner was done.

  Normally dinner with her family was a delicious, boisterous affair, her mother’s cooking legendary among their extended family. Her mother had cooked an amazing dinner complete with steaks, sweet potatoes, and a salad, but with everything going on with Eva, dinner was more subdued this evening. Her mother and father were still uncomfortable from the earlier conversation; if they weren’t fidgeting in their seats, they were sneaking glances at each other or Eva. Eva didn’t know what to make of them. They hadn’t settled anything so she wasn’t talking as much as she normally would, and she had to bite her tongue so she wouldn’t ask them to stop staring at her.

  Because the situation with Eva was off limits for the evening, the conversation focused around everything going on with the twins. Although Brad maxed out on his credits, he still had another semester of classes before he could finish his architecture degree. He had switched from business to architecture and was happy with the decision even with the additional time it took to get his degree. He had always been in love with constructing buildings with his Legos and used to take apart her doll houses; it was no surprise when he decided to switch to his true passion. With his surfer boy good looks and chocolate brown eyes, his intelligence only added to his appeal. He tried to not be a total man-whore, but Eva knew he wasn’t as celibate as he claimed to be. No sister wanted to think about her brother having sex with random girls, but she always saw women hanging around. She was just thankful she didn’t have to hear her brother continually talk about his latest conquest.

  As usual, despite the accomplishments of her brother and the uncertainty of her current situation, her baby sister was the star of the show. The younger twin by five minutes, she was always the one with a joke, quick smile, and a twinkle in her eye. Her recent internship at the television station where the twins’ attended university was amazing, but with no open job available she came back to her parents’ house and looked for jobs. She entertained them and kept the conversation going throughout dinner, for which Eva was extremely thankful.

  All too soon dinner was done and Eva sat down with her parents to discuss the situation rationally, something she failed to do previously in her emotional rage. The twins discret
ely excused themselves after the kitchen was clean, but she knew that it would only be a matter of time before they expected her to let them know what was said.

  They sat at the kitchen table staring at each other, Eva on one side with her parents on the other. She mentally rolled her eyes when no one said anything; her stepmother clutched her necklace while her father fidgeted in his seat. Clearly she wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to have this conversation, but someone had to start the ball rolling.“Ok, let’s talk. And please don’t lie to me.”

  Her stepmother gently nodded at her father, who took a deep breath before he started. “Your mother had always been troubled…” her father rubbed his hands together, deep in thought “…and although I loved her, and you, she never seemed to be able to settle. I didn’t want the divorce at first, and when she told me to tell you she was dead I was devastated. What mother does that? I said no, that it wasn’t fair to you, but she said she wouldn’t see you or talk to you regardless of what I did. I finally agreed, and when I met your stepmother and told her about it, we went to see your mother one last time.”

  Her stepmother put her hand on her father’s, whether to comfort him or herself Eva did not know, but she didn’t miss when her father turned his hand over and laced their fingers together. They were always together, an amazing unit that never failed to remind Eva that abiding, everlasting love could happen.

  Eva leaned back in her chair and blew out a long breath. “What did she say?”

  Her father shrugged, looking unsure and told her, “She would hear nothing of it. She felt as though you had already moved on; you had attached yourself to Linda and started calling her mom. Elizabeth thought any disruption would only hurt you psychologically in the long run, although we didn’t agree.”

  It didn’t make sense. Eva didn’t understand how a mother could just abandon her child. “Why did she do it in the first place?”

  Her parents looked at each other, indecisive about whether to tell her. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, hurt because they weren’t helping her understand the situation. “Please tell me.”

  “I wish I could, honey…” her father shook his head “…but that is her story to tell. I can only hope that she sheds light on her decision and why she did it in some of the stuff she left for you.”

  Eva bit her lip as she got up to leave, wanting to say more but knowing she would get no more information from her parents, she only hoped her mom left her some answers. “Thank you for telling me what you did. It should make going down there easier.”

  She hugged them, squeezing extra tight, and bid them goodbye with promises to call them when she got to Highland Creek. With a clearer heard and a semi-lighter heart, she headed home, ready to finish packing and leave for her mother’s place.

  The blinding sun didn’t match Eva’s mood as she walked to the car the next morning, set to make her way to her mom’s house. All her bags were in her car and there was nothing holding her back except her own fears. Despite her statement that this would be a quick trip, she knew this would fundamentally change her life. Too late to dwell now, she thought as she looked ahead and drove toward Highland Creek and answers about her past.

  Aaron Sawyer stopped playing Barbies with his four-year-old niece Kelly to answer his ringing phone. Aaron loved his niece without questions, so if she wanted to play Barbies on a Saturday afternoon he was more than willing to oblige, regardless of potential insults about his manhood. He glanced down at the screen and was surprised to see the call was from his paralegal.

  “Hey, Mary,” he answered with a smile, holding up one finger at Kelly when her blonde hair popped up from where she was playing.

  “Hey, Aaron, where are you?”

  “At Bryan’s. I was playing with Kelly. What’s up?”

  “You asked me to let you know when Eva Matthews called about the house keys. I just got off the phone with her and she told me to expect her in about two hours. Would you like me to meet her with the keys or do you want to bring them?”

  He glanced at his watch, noting the time. “I could bring her the keys. I’m supposed to eat dinner with my parents tonight, so I could give her the keys on my way to their house.” He had always been close to his parents and his newly single status meant he had Saturday night free.

  “You’re a good boy.”

  “Whatever,” he answered good naturedly. Mary was his mother’s friend, and she always treated him like he was her son even though he signed her paychecks. “Was there anything else you need?”

  “Yeah, how would you like to handle the paperwork?”

  “Tell her she will be brought the keys today and that she can sign the paperwork Monday at the office.”

  “I’ll pass along the message.”

  “Thanks, girl. You’re a doll.”

  “Aren’t you a charmer? See you Monday.”

  He hung up with a smile. He was very fortunate to have Mary as his paralegal. Never failing to impress him, she had a quiet efficiency and the ability to anticipate his needs.

  “That Mary?” His older brother Bryan walked in from the kitchen with a glass of juice he brought for Kelly. Looking at Bryan was like looking in the mirror; both of them had dark brown hair they kept cut short and dark brown eyes.

  “Yeah, she was calling about Elizabeth’s house. The prodigal daughter has returned just in time to collect the house and the money.”

  “That was a little harsh,” he admonished as he sat near Kelly to hand her the glass.

  “Not really. Who would neglect a woman as great as Elizabeth? She would have to be a real bitch to do that.”

  “Uncle A said a bad word!” Kelly told her father as she snuggled into his lap with her glass of juice. Aaron winced, having forgotten that his niece was there.

  “Nice, dude…” his brother shook his head “…now all I need is for her to repeat that when she goes to daycare next week.”

  Aaron knelt down to where she was sitting on Bryan’s lap. “Sorry, I forgot. Don’t repeat Uncle Aaron’s bad word, sweetie.”

  She nodded, brown eyes wide.

  Bryan laughed at her innocent expression but talked to Aaron. “It happens. I forgot the other day and she dropped the F-bomb at the playground. That was a real pleasant conversation. I felt like I was the one who said it.”

  Aaron chuckled as he thought of his brother squirming in the day care director’s chair.

  “But what I was going to say before the tape recorder…” Bryan ruffled Kelly’s hair as she giggled “…interrupted was that you don’t know the girl’s circumstances. We have known Elizabeth for over ten years, but I always thought it was weird her daughter never came. Maybe there was more to the story that we don’t know, especially since Elizabeth never talked about her. All she had were the pictures.”

  Aaron stared at Bryan in disbelief from his spot on the floor; he couldn’t believe Bryan was defending this girl. “I don’t need the whole story. She neglected her mom.”

  “Speaking of moms, could I talk to you for a minute in the kitchen?” Bryan glanced at Kelly, silently letting Aaron know he wanted to speak of his soon to be ex-wife.

  “Sure.” Aaron picked himself off the floor, something that wasn’t easy to do since he topped six feet, to follow his brother into the kitchen.

  “We’ll be right back, pumpkin.” Bryan kissed the top of her head before setting her in front of her pile of Barbies and taking the empty glass of juice.

  “Ok, Daddy.”

  “What’s up?” Aaron asked as they walked into the kitchen. “Something new with the divorce?”

  Although he wasn’t a divorce lawyer by trade, when you worked in a small town you were familiar with all types of law. He wouldn’t handle his brother’s case, their relationship too close for him to be objective, but he knew his brother’s lawyer should get Bryan a good settlement.

  Bryan shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong if that’s what you mean. It is almost too good. Ashley won’t protest anything, doesn’t want
alimony or child support. She told her lawyer all she wants is her life back. Yesterday my lawyer called and told me she is willing to sever her parental rights to Kel.”

  Aaron’s brown eyes widened in disbelief. “Wow.” He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms and shaking his head. “Un-fucking-believable.”

  “I know.” Bryan rubbed his hands down his face, two days’ worth of growth under his normally clean-shaven face. His brown eyes looked tired, the shit with his wife taking their toll. “I knew she wasn’t happy, but how could she deny herself that beautiful little girl? I love my daughter and couldn’t imagine not having her in my life. I have already decided what I want, but I wanted to get your opinion before I told my lawyer. Everything else I am good with, but the fact that she would deny Kelly fucking hurts. It is like I never knew her at all.”

  Aaron didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t imagine being put in that situation. “Are you going to take her up on it?”

  Bryan scratched his mini beard, looking thoughtful. “I hate to say this, but I think I am. I wouldn’t want to do that to my child, but if she wants to sever her rights, I’ll let her do it. The last thing I want is Ashley to come back later and demand custody of Kelly, or do something else crazy. The first time around was hard enough for us both, and I don’t want Ashley to continue to jerk her around.”

  “I agree. I would hate it for Kel, but it may be better long term.”

  “Thanks. I needed to talk that through with someone that’s rational. I tried to talk to mom and dad about it last night.” He shuddered, recalling the conversation.

  Aaron laughed; his mother was a momma bear when it came to her children. “Didn’t go well?”

  “That’s an understatement. Mom left the room crying and Dad got so pissed he followed her out.”

  Aaron gritted his teeth. “Yikes.”

  Bryan leaned against the kitchen counter, crossing one foot over the other. “I know. It was a bit awkward. I was left in the living room while they collected themselves.”