Sisters - By Patricia MacDonald Page 0,57

she asked.

‘I can’t stay long,’ he said. ‘I have to pack.’

Alex shrugged. ‘Beer?’

Seth nodded and followed her into the kitchen. Remus, his nails clacking on the floor, brought up the rear.

Alex got them each a drink and they sat down at the kitchen table.

‘Nice party at the Colsons, eh?’ he asked.

She laughed in spite of herself. ‘That was horrible. Poor Dory.’

‘She brings it on herself,’ he said.

‘Maybe,’ Alex admitted. ‘But her mother just won’t cut her any slack.’

‘There’s worse things than losing your mother, I guess,’ he said.

Alex raised her glass and clinked it with his beer bottle. ‘True,’ she said.

They sat in silence for a moment, each contemplating their own losses. Then Alex said, ‘So, is it Friday you’re leaving?’

‘Actually, I’m leaving tonight,’ he said.

‘Tonight?’

‘Yeah, I’m not flying. I’m going to drive out. Obviously it’s going to take a lot longer to get out there, so I’ll just do five or six hours tonight and then I’ll stop somewhere and pick it up tomorrow.’

‘Guess you’re in a hurry to get going,’ she said.

‘The sooner I go, the sooner I get back.’

Alex looked up at him and frowned. ‘Get back?’

‘I’m going back to resign from my position. I’m driving the SUV so that I can clear out my place and bring back my stuff.’

Alex felt her heart leap in her chest. ‘What are you talking about? You’re coming back here?’

Seth nodded. ‘This thing with my dad was kind of a wake-up call. You know, I’m pretty fond of that old guy, and I can see that his health isn’t all that it might be. And he’s the only parent I’ve got left. I guess talking to you made me hyper-aware of that this vacation. And there’s Janet and the kids. They’re my family. It’s important to be around them. I’m tired of living so far away.’

‘So you’re just quitting your job and moving home?’

‘You make me sound like a slacker,’ he teased her.

Alex blushed.

‘No. Remember the other day on the train when I told you I was having lunch with my old advisor? He’s been trying to get me to come back and teach in his department at the university for several years now. This time I told him I was ready to do it. It’s semester break so I figured I better make the leap before the new semester started.’

Alex stared at him. ‘You’re really moving back here?’

‘Yep,’ he said. He was quiet for a moment. ‘What do you think?’

Alex could not meet his gaze. ‘I’m . . . really glad,’ she said.

‘Good.’ Seth smiled, then extended his hand across the table. ‘Because my family isn’t the only reason I want to come back here,’ he said.

Alex could feel the warmth of his gaze on her. She hesitated before reaching out and putting her hand in his. She felt as if her hand was going to burst into flame. ‘It isn’t?’

Seth shook his head. ‘Nope.’

They sat like that for a moment, both tongue-tied. Then Seth let go of her hand and stood up. ‘So as much as I’d like to stay here and discuss this with you, I’ve got to get a move on. It’s a long drive.’

Alex stood up, smiling, and walked with him to the front door. ‘I’m so happy you’re coming back,’ she said.

Seth leaned towards her, as he had on Christmas Day, but this time he kissed her on the lips. Alex almost gasped from the surprise. She answered the question in his kiss with her own, and they were soon entwined in each other’s arms.

Alex could have stood that way all night, reveling in the reality of what she had only imagined – holding him, and being held, but suddenly Remus began to bark and the front door opened. Alex and Seth reluctantly surfaced from their kisses and turned, feeling intoxicated, still clinging to one another, and looked in the doorway.

Dory stood there, staring at them. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘What a surprise.’

Alex pulled away from Seth and tugged down on her suit jacket. ‘Dory. Hi.’

‘What do you know?’ she said, pushing past them in the vestibule. ‘Don’t let me interrupt. I just came to get my things like you asked me.’ She started up the stairs, every step heavy.

‘I think I better go,’ Seth whispered.

Alex nodded and they kissed again, quickly. ‘Have a safe trip,’ she said. ‘Drive carefully. Hurry back.’ She followed him to the doorway.

‘’Bye, Dory,’ he called out from the foot of the stairs. There was no reply.

Out in front of