The Vineyard at Painted Moon - Susan Mallery Page 0,36
owner of a late-model Jeep. After parking her work truck in its place by the offices, she took a golf cart to her house only to realize she wasn’t sure who could give her a ride back to the car lot to pick up her Jeep. She and Stephanie weren’t exactly speaking and Rhys was working. She didn’t have any friends outside of the Barcellona family—something she was going to have to deal with, just not now.
She considered her options for a second before crossing the courtyard to Four’s house. As she circled to the rear, she passed wind chimes and a miniature stone circle. The back steps were covered in hand-painted tiles. Mackenzie knocked once, then let herself inside.
“Four, it’s me,” she called.
“In the kitchen.”
She walked through the mudroom and found her sister-in-law collecting flour and sugar. Several empty muffin pans stood on the counter, along with bowls overflowing with fresh blueberries.
Four smiled. “The first of the season. It will be a few more days until they’re at peak ripeness, but these ones are good for baking. I’ll bring by muffins later.”
“Thank you.” Mackenzie glanced around the kitchen. “I need a favor. Are you already into this, or can you take a break for about an hour?”
“I haven’t started yet, so I’m available. What’s up?”
Four wore a pretty summer dress. The pale flowy fabric was covered in rainbows and unicorns. She’d pulled her long hair back in a ponytail and had on dangling earrings shaped like green beans.
She was the youngest of the siblings, the most artistic and the one who made Barbara insane. Mackenzie had always liked her, and she admired Four’s willingness to be exactly who she was, consequences be damned. While Stephanie was her best friend, Mackenzie and Four were also close. Mackenzie was godmother to her three children. She showed up for school plays and birthday parties. On the first day of school, she walked the kids to the bus stop.
What if all that was lost? What if she wasn’t around for Galaxy to show her a new hair ribbon or to see Zeus’s latest frog find? What if there were no more art projects or nights spent lying on a blanket to look at stars?
Four’s breath caught, then she rushed forward and pulled Mackenzie into a bruising hug.
“Breathe,” her sister-in-law told her. “Breathe deeply. Pull in the essence of the universe and exhale the broken pieces.”
Mackenzie managed to laugh. “I appreciate the hug if not the advice. What are you talking about?”
“Whatever’s bothering you. Tell me what happened.”
“Rhys and I are getting a divorce.”
She braced herself for judgment or anger or for Four to step away. Instead her friend just held on, offering comfort and warmth.
“I’m sorry,” Four said at last.
“Me, too.”
Four stepped back and sighed. “I’m not surprised, but I’m sorry.”
“Why aren’t you surprised?”
“Neither of you has been happy for a long time. There’s no connection between you. You don’t fight because that would require a level of passion you don’t have anymore.”
Mackenzie stared at her. “You didn’t want to share any of these insights with me a year ago?”
“Would you have listened?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
Four smiled. “You make your choices in your own time. We all do.” Her smile faded. “You’re not just leaving him, though, are you? I’m going to miss you so much.”
Mackenzie fought tears. “I don’t want to leave, but I don’t know if I have a choice.”
“You don’t. Bel Après isn’t right for you. My mother has spent the last eighteen years using your talent while trying to control your spirit. That was never going to work. You deserve so much more.” Four reached for her hands. “Know that whatever happens, I’m your sister and I love you. I’ll always be there for you and I know you’ll always be there for me and my family. I trust you completely.”
The words were comforting and welcome. For these few minutes, Mackenzie felt nurtured and loved. If a part of her wished Stephanie had responded the same way, well, she was going to have to get over that.
“Thank you,” Mackenzie said, drawing in a full breath for the first time in days.
“You’re welcome. Now how can I help?”
Mackenzie laughed. “At the risk of sounding like one of your kids, I need a ride.”
* * *
Stephanie wondered if she felt as bad as she looked. She hadn’t showered in two days, she’d barely left her bedroom. Now as she sat in her kitchen, sipping coffee just after seven in the morning,