The Moonglow Sisters - Lori Wilde Page 0,14

sad little noise. Told Shelley about the cancer diagnosis, the nine-hour brain surgery, and the medically induced coma.

Shelley’s heart dropped to the bottom of her Birkenstocks. Grammy had been their lifeline. Ever since the Child Protective Services worker dropped three little orphaned girls off on her front porch twenty years ago.

A grandmother they’d never met. A grandmother they believed long dead. A grandmother who loved them instantly, and soon they loved her right back.

Guilt curled up against Shelley’s heart. She hadn’t spoken to her grandmother in five years. Why had she waited? She’d allowed feelings of remorse and betrayal to keep her isolated. Well, that and Cobalt Soul.

“Is she . . . ?” Shelley couldn’t bring herself to ask more than that.

“She’ll survive the surgery.” The tone in Gia’s voice and the sorrow in her eyes said that cancer was a whole other topic.

“How have you been?” Shelley’s gaze fixed on Gia’s bracelet. She still had the silly thing? Involuntarily, Shelley fingered her own bare wrist.

“Hanging by a thread.” Gia’s voice trembled. “If it hadn’t been for Darynda . . .” She shot the older woman a grateful look and reached over to pat her arm.

That drew Shelley up short. Gia hated to admit her own needs. Or at least that’s how she used to be. So much time had passed, Shelley felt as if she didn’t know her sister anymore. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

“Me too,” whispered Gia. “I missed you so much.”

Shelley couldn’t hold on to the tears. A big fat one trickled down her cheek. She swiped it away with the back of her hand. Sniffled. Hiccuped. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“You’re here now. That’s what matters.” Gia touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. “But where have you been?”

“Costa Rica,” Shelley said, offering as little as possible. She did not want to get into that. She still hadn’t processed it herself. At least not the part about . . . well . . . She shook her head.

“Where is your luggage?”

Shelley patted her backpack.

“That’s all you’ve got?”

“I travel light.” Because she had no choice. Everything she owned was in that backpack.

“How did you get home if you’re so broke?”

Gak! Shelley didn’t answer; instead she asked, “How is Madison holding up?”

Gia looked as if she might push her to elaborate, but let it go. “You saw her. She’s not taking this well.”

“Grammy’s illness? Or me?”

“Both, I guess.”

“I’d hoped she’d mellowed in five years.”

“I think something else is bothering her,” Gia said. “But she’s not talking. It’s been tense ever since she arrived.”

“I’ll say,” Darynda muttered.

“But she’d rather die than admit she’s hurting.” Shelley sighed. “Typical.”

“Never mind Maddie right now.” Gia kept twisting the bracelet at her wrist.

“Back to you.” Shelley placed both hands on Gia’s shoulders. “What’s going on in your world?”

“I’m okay.” Quickly, she filled Shelley in. The art degree, Japan, opening a kite shop.

“Wow, little sister, you’ve blossomed. That’s amazing. Congratulations.” Shelley was truly happy for her.

“It’s been an adventure.”

“When can we see Grammy?”

“The doctor said we can’t see her until they move her to neuro ICU tomorrow morning. We were headed home when you showed up. You can ride with me.”

“Maybe I should stay elsewhere.” Shelley wasn’t sure why she’d said that. She had nowhere else to go and no money for a motel.

“Don’t be silly. It’ll be fine. Maddie can get over herself.”

Define “fine.”

Madison returned, and they took off for the inn. Shelley rode with Gia, Madison with Darynda. On the drive, Gia told Shelley about Madison’s shooting-star success. Her TV show and glamorous life in Manhattan. Well, bully for Maddie, fairy dusted as always.

Petty much, Sanpreet? Shelley clenched her teeth. No. No more Sanpreet. That dog and pony show was over.

At the Moonglow Inn, Darynda didn’t get out of her car.

“Aren’t you coming inside?” Shelley went around to the driver’s window as Madison got out of Darynda’s forest-green Mini Cooper.

“I’m exhausted,” Darynda said. “I need to feed my dogs. Besides, you three should catch up. Alone.”

Yes, the thing Shelley dreaded most. Being alone with her sisters.

Darynda waved and drove away.

Without looking back, Madison grabbed her wheeled luggage and walked up the porch steps to unlock the front door.

Gia and Shelley followed her inside. Madison flicked on lights as she went. It was almost six P.M., but sunset was still over an hour away.

“Are there guests at the inn?” Shelley asked.

“I don’t think so but let me check her calendar.” Gia went to the check-in desk and flipped open the monthly