to live on easy street. So he courted Fern, and when she said she wouldn’t have him, you were his fallback plan.”
Vi must have looked horrified, because her mother was up and off the couch in a flash. “It’s all right, sweetheart. There’s no way you could’ve known he was after our family’s money. You were so young.”
“And stupid.” Her parents might be willing to let her off the hook, but she wasn’t. “If I hadn’t been so competitive, so jealous of Fern, I would’ve seen that there was no way he could prefer me to her.”
“Violet Louise, that’s enough!”
Vi’s gaze jerked up to meet her father’s. The love she saw there stole her breath.
“You were fifteen,” he said firmly. “Of course you were jealous of Fern. All younger siblings are at some point, because the older sibling has what the younger one wants: greater freedom. If anyone is at fault, it’s your mother and me, for not noticing that Robert was seducing you.”
“He told me not to tell anyone.” Her lips felt numb.
Her father’s jaw tightened. “Of course he did. Because he knew what he was doing was wrong.”
Vi’s view of her past shifted, and then reassembled, and then shifted again.
“Did you have the baby, Vi?” The mix of emotions in her mother’s voice twisted through Vi’s aching heart.
“I did. But I gave him up for adoption. He lives in Chicago with his new family, and—oh, Mama—he’s healthy and gorgeous and has the sweetest smile.”
Her mother bit her lip and was silent a moment, moisture gathering in her eyes. Then she gave a watery smile. “Well, I’m glad my grandbaby is safe. You did all right. And you’ll have more, someday, that I’ll be able to spoil.”
Vi winced under a fresh stab of pain. “Actually, I won’t. The doctor said I can’t have any more children.”
Might as well put that truth out there, too.
Both her parents stared at her.
Vi tried to laugh so they wouldn’t look so stricken. “It’s all right. I’ve gotten used to the idea. And I’ve got a niece to spoil, right?”
“I’m so sorry,” her mother said finally. “I didn’t mean to bring up—”
“It’s fine.” This time her smile was more genuine. “I’m glad to have the truth out between us. It feels . . . good.”
“You’ll still need to talk to Fern,” her father said. “She’s got a right to know, and she’ll take it better from you. She blamed herself for your disappearance.”
Vi’s stomach dropped at the thought of that challenging conversation. But she was committed to making things right between her and Fern. “I definitely want to talk to her. But perhaps I could rest first? The chair here is fine. It was a long train trip.”
Her mother’s eyebrows rose. “Wouldn’t you rather lie down? The bed in your old room is all made up.”
Vi’s heart thumped unevenly. “I don’t want to be any bother.”
“Violet Louise, this is your home until you don’t need it anymore. You’ve been gone five years, child. It’ll take a month of Sundays, at least, until I get caught up on your life! Until then, don’t even think you might be a bother.”
Five years of guilt and grief shifted on her shoulders, crushing the breath out of her. “But—”
“No buts. You’re home, Vi.” Her mother pulled her into a fierce hug, and Vi lost the battle with her emotions. She sobbed onto her mother’s shoulder as the trials and fears of the intervening years slid free.
It had been a long, difficult journey, but her mother was right: she was finally home.
And it was wonderful.
Chapter 38
Telling Fern the truth about Robert was the hardest thing Vi had ever done. She had fully expected her sister to spit in her eye and tell her to never speak to her again.
Fern surprised her, though.
Her sister, having gone through a pregnancy herself, understood how scary and overwhelming it must have been. She had cried and hugged Vi tight when Vi explained why she couldn’t have any more children. Yes, she wished she had known what a rat Robert was before she married him. But if she hadn’t been through that awful experience, she likely wouldn’t have appreciated what a stand-up guy her Joe was.
Fern had even suspected Vi had a crush on Robert, which was why she had always blamed herself for Vi’s disappearance. She had thought Vi’s heart had been broken by the engagement announcement, and that’s why Vi had run away. It came as almost a relief, then, to know