Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel) (2 page)

“Dinner is ready, Mr. Mathison,” said Cat, their housekeeper and cook, who had just walked into the room. She also took care of Diana when Jesse was out of town.

“Thank you, Cat,” he said. “Shall we call Liz down?” He asked his wife.

“No, we’ll let the dear rest.” She went to Diana and linked their arms. “This way I have more time to get to know my new daughter.”

Diana let her guard down slightly. After her encounter with Liz she was afraid her stepmother would be the same and was pleasantly surprised she didn’t seem to be.

The following day was a Saturday. Hopefully, after a good night’s rest Liz would be in a better mood. Diana couldn’t wait to show off their town. Magnolia Falls was small and everyone did know everyone else’s business, but what made it such a great place were the people. They actually cared about each other.

She had their whole day planned out. They would start at Ray’s Diner for a cup of hot chocolate. She’d already asked Ray to pick out a mug for Liz and paint her name on it, but he said he had to meet the person before he could choose a mug for him or her. Then she would take her for a walk around the town square and visit all the shops so Liz could meet everyone. They were all anxious to meet her. Finally, they would end the morning with lunch at the Firefly Inn. Their chef was amazing. Even better than Cat, but Diana would never tell her. Maybe, if Liz wasn’t tired, they could get some ice cream and sit in the white gazebo right in the middle of the square and watch people. That was one of Diana’s favorite things to do.

When Liz still hadn’t come out of her room by eleven in the morning Diana got worried and went to knock on her door. “Liz, it’s Diana. Are you ok?”

The door swung open. “What is your problem? Don’t you know what closed doors mean? It means people on the other side want to be left alone.”

“What is
your
problem? I’m trying to be nice to you and make you feel welcome, and you are acting like a spoiled brat.”

“Right now you are my problem. Get out of my face!” Liz shouted as she slammed the door.

That girl was a piece of work. Diana went into town by herself that day and every day after that. Liz was not the sister Diana dreamed of having.

Still, over the next few months Diana tried everything she could think of to get close to Liz. She introduced her to all her friends at school. But Liz wasn’t very nice to them and made her own friends when she made the cheerleading squad. Diana planned shopping days and spa days for all of them, but Liz usually found a way to exclude Diana from those excursions.

High school was difficult for most teenage girls. It was worse when your evil stepsister was the most beautiful girl in school. Diana didn’t mind Liz got all the boyfriends and all the girlfriends. She and not Liz, had Jillian, who was the absolute best friend in the world.

And then there was Zack, Jillian’s twin. Zack was the one boy Liz didn’t seem to have any control over. For that reason, Diana loved him. Well, maybe she loved him for more than that. Either way, she had been in love with Zachary since she was twelve. It was a dream come true when he had agreed to go to prom with her. He didn’t ask her of his own free will. She knew Jillian had coerced him, but she didn’t care. She would be there with him.

The big night finally arrived. Zack, Diana, Jillian and her date walked into the high school gymnasium which had been transformed into a white, fairytale land. White tulle inter-twined with small twinkling lights was draped from the ceilings. The twinkling lights continued from the fake orange trees to the stage where the band was set up. Huge arrangements of white flowers stood tall along the perimeter of the room—gladiolas, roses, hydrangeas—all dusted with gold glitter. A gold glitter ball hung overhead casting shimmering lights over the couples dancing beneath it.

Diana looked at Zack and smiled. He squeezed her hand and smiled back then led her onto the dance floor. She laid her head on his shoulder as they swayed to the music. Tonight was going to be magical. Diana even felt pretty in her new gown. It was pink chiffon. Slim swaths of chiffon over her shoulders led to a princess neckline. The skirt dropped from an empire waist and flowed around her softly when she moved. She felt like a fairytale princess who had finally gotten her prince.

Everything was perfect. Until the end of the night.

Zack had gone to get them some punch and was taking longer than she expected. She decided to go looking for him. She quickly found him, kissing her stepsister. She must have made a startled sound because Zack turned to look at her, and the color drained from his face. “It’s not what you think, Diana,” he said.

She didn’t wait to hear anymore. She lifted her dress and ran away from him as fast as she could. The last thing she saw was the satisfied grin on Liz’s face. Her perfect night had ended in heartache.

A voice came over the train speakers and brought her back to the present. She had arrived at her stop. Diana took a deep breath, picked up her bag and got off the train. All of that had happened years ago. A lot had changed since that day, except her relationship with her stepsister. They were polite strangers, and now they were all Jessica had. Diana wondered how the three of them would ever find a way to go on without their parents to hold them together.  

CHAPTER TWO

Magnolia Falls never changed. It was the one constant in Diana Mathison’s life, the place where all the people she could count on were. Leaving ten years ago when she was barely eighteen, to go to college had been gut-wrenching. She remembered the feeling of despair, as if she were losing her family, not only her father and stepmother, but also the townspeople. They had been her family from the day her mother had walked out on them when Diana was only ten. The townspeople stepped in to care for a poor little girl whose father was too stunned after his wife left him to take care of her, from Mr. Adams who owned the book store, to Ray from Ray’s Diner, and Mrs. Betty, the local dance teacher.

They were there for her now, just like when she was ten. Seeing their solemn faces brought her comfort as the two, black lacquered coffins were lowered into the ground. Today she was saying goodbye to her father, Jesse Mathison and the only mother who had ever cared for her, her stepmother, Corine Mathison. Now she truly was an orphan. Beside her Jessica was crying quietly. Diana reached for her, and Jessica climbed into her lap. Jessica’s tears quickly began to soak the shoulder of Diana’s jacket.

***

After the funeral everyone went back to the Mathison mansion. Diana stood in the family room at the back of the house, looking out the window as the voices of friends and neighbors floated around her. Despite the fact it was a bright and sunny summer day there was a light rain falling, making the trees and rose bushes in the backyard glisten. Corine would have called it liquid sunshine. She remembered when her stepmother planted the rose garden. She had made both her and Liz help. It was the year after her father and Corine had married. Liz complained the entire day about having to work in the “dirty dirt.” Diana loved it. She didn’t particularly enjoy yard work, but she loved spending time with Corine. She was the mother Diana had always dreamed of having.

The memory brought tears to her eyes. A single tear rolled down Diana’s cheek. She wiped it away.

“How are you holding up?” Jillian asked Diana.

“I’m not sure yet. None of this seems real. I keep hoping I’ll wake up from the nightmare I’ve been in since the phone call.” Diana was so glad Jillian was there. They had been best friends since they were children and had seen each other through many a problem. This was by far the worst tragedy they had experienced.

Jillian draped her arm around Diana. “Give it time. And you know I’m here for you.”

“Thanks. You’re a good friend, better than I’ve been to you this last year.”

“You’ve been exactly what I needed when I was going through the divorce. Who answered the phone when I called at two in the morning? And who flew to Boston to hold my hand and pass me tissues while I cried after I found my rat dog, scumbag, jerk husband in bed with my sister?” Jillian pointed at her. “That was you, my friend.”

“But I’ve hardly been around since then.”

“You are a big shot city attorney. You’re a busy lady. I understand and so did your parents.”

“How do you always know what I’m thinking before I say it?” Diana shook her head. “I should have come home more often, spent more time with them. It’s a two-hour train ride from the city to come home. Why did I keep postponing my trip?” Diana didn’t think she would ever forgive herself for not spending more time with them. Now she would never get the chance to have dinner with them again or tell them what wonderful parents they had always been. She couldn’t even remember ever saying that to them. She must have at some point, but she couldn’t remember a single time.

“Hey, stop beating yourself up. Your parents were proud of you. Your dad bragged about all those big cases you were winning. Besides, it’s not as if you didn’t see them often. Didn’t they go up to see you and Liz once a month?”

“Yeah, they did. But there were times I barely made time to have lunch with them. It wasn’t enough.” She had been the worst daughter ever.

“You and your parents had one of the best relationships I’ve ever seen. Definitely better than mine with my parents. Focus on what you had, not on what you missed.” Jillian’s reassurance helped slightly.

“You’re right. It just hurts so much to know they’re gone.”

Jillian reached for Diana’s hand and squeezed. “I know, honey.”

Zack approached them. Without a word he pulled Diana into his arms and held her tightly. “Saying ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t enough. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

Diana wanted to hold on much longer than she did. Being in his arms felt so right, as if that was the only place her pain could be eased. “Thank you,” she said, feeling the loss when he released her. “You don’t know how much it means to have you both here.” She reached for his and Jillian’s hands. What she really wanted was for Zack to pick her up and carry her away to a place where the pain couldn’t reach her.

“Of course we are here. You are my best friend,” Jillian said.

Diana looked at Zack. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but was holding back.

“And being your best friend obligates your brother to be here as well?” Diana asked.

“I’m here, not because of obligation, but because I couldn’t let you go through this day without me.”

Diana felt more tears spring to her eyes. “Thanks, Zack,” she barely managed to say in a whisper before the tears began falling again.

“Take her somewhere. I’ll take care of things here,” Jillian said to her brother.

Diana shook her head. “I’m fine. Really. Besides, I can’t leave because Jessica might need me.”

“Let’s at least go outside so you can get some fresh air for a few moments,” Zack said.

“That’s a great idea.” Jillian agreed with her brother.

Outnumbered, Diana didn’t have the strength to argue. Truth be told, she wanted to be with Zack. She wasn’t strong enough to handle today on her own, so she let him lead her out the door and into the backyard. They sat on the double swing on the back porch. He pushed them gently and didn’t try to talk to her. He just gave her time to compose herself, for which she was grateful. Even after ten years of distance between them, she still felt comfortable in Zack’s company.

After several minutes of much-needed silence Diana was feeling better. She looked at Zack. He was watching her. “You ready to go back in?” He asked.

She shook her head. “Not quite yet.”

He nodded. “You are the strongest person I’ve ever known. You are going to get through this, and you will be happy again one day. I promise.”

She smiled and scooted closer to him. She lay her head on his shoulder. “Stop being so nice to me. I don’t deserve it.”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “You deserve so much more,” he said softly and kissed the top of her head.

***

Later, Diana walked from room to room downstairs looking for Jessica. The aroma of all the different foods people had brought filled the air. The chatter of friends telling stories and recounting memories of her parents was touching. She heard snatches of conversations, some stories she’d heard before, others that had happened in the ten years since she’d been gone were new. She had missed so much. She had kept telling herself to go home more often. Holidays weren’t enough. But once she started working at the firm in New York City, there never seemed to be enough time. Now it was too late.

She found Jessica in the front parlor, sitting on the window seat, looking out the window. It wasn’t right for a little girl her age to look so sad. Diana sat next to her and ran a hand down Jessica’s blonde curls. “What are you doing here all alone, squirt?” Diana looked into sad, emerald green eyes, an exact replica of her own, they had both inherited from their father. Diana’s hair was dark brown, but Jessica had gotten her blonde locks from her mother, just as Liz had.

“I’m not alone. There’s lots of people in here,” Jessica said.

“Yes, but why are you sitting all by yourself?”

Jessica shrugged and hugged her stuffed dog tighter.

Diana picked her up. “Come on, squirt. Let’s go find Liz.”

They found her in the family room, sitting amidst a group of people who were talking, yet she stared straight ahead, as if she wasn’t hearing a word they said. Diana was struck again by how thin and frail she was. Liz had always been thin, especially so since she started modeling at the age of sixteen, but now she looked unhealthy. Eating disorders weren’t uncommon for models. Diana didn’t want to care, had made it a point not to care about her mean-spirited stepsister since they were children. Still, she wondered if their parents knew what was going on, and now they were gone would it be her responsibility to do something about it. She was the oldest, by six months. She would just have to deal with it later. She deposited Jessica into Mrs. Betty’s arms and said, “Liz and I have a meeting in Daddy’s study. Stay with Mrs. Betty, we won’t be long.” Jessica nodded and laid her head on Mrs. Betty’s shoulder. The woman stroked her hair. Satisfied her baby sister was in good hands, Diana touched Liz on the shoulder and motioned with her head. Liz stood and followed her into the study.

Tears sprang to Diana’s eyes when she walked in. Her father’s things were just as he left them, ready for him to come back and use them. But he never would. Mr. John Wilcox, their father’s friend and the attorney handling the estate was already seated in one of the four armchairs in front of the window. “Ladies. Please come join me, and we can get started.”

Diana and Liz complied. Once seated, they waited for him to begin reading the will. By the time he finished they were both stunned. Diana was the first to speak. “They want us both to move back here, to Magnolia Falls?”

“Yes.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Liz said. “Diana and I both have careers and homes in New York City. We can just as easily take care of Jessica there.”

“If either of you do not comply with all the stipulations in the will, then your Aunt Maggie will get custody of Jessica as well as ownership of this house, its contents, and the massive acreage,” John said, sympathetically.

“Aunt Maggie is my father’s aunt. She is almost ninety years old. She can’t take care of a child. Her deadbeat son would probably move in with her, and there is no way I would allow him anywhere near Jessica,” Diana said.

“He is creepy,” Liz added.

“Nevertheless, those are the provisions of the will. You both have to move in here immediately. The house and its grounds will belong to the three of you jointly. Your father’s law firm is yours, Diana.” He handed each of them an envelope. “They wrote you each a letter. There is one for Jessica as well which I will give to her when she turns eighteen.” He snapped his briefcase shut and stood. “Your father and I had been friends for many years, since before you were born, Diana. I will miss him dearly. If either of you ever need anything, please come to me.” He gave them each a hug before leaving.

Liz was turning the envelope over and over. Diana stared at hers which was laying across her lap.

“Should we read them now, or would you rather read yours in private?” She asked Liz.

“Might as well read them now. I have a feeling it will help us decide what to do.”

“As if we have a choice.” Diana realized these were the absolute last words she would ever have from her parents.

They each pulled out their letter and read quietly. When they finished they put both letters on the table in front of them.

“Apparently my career meant nothing to them. At least you got the law firm and can continue practicing law. How am I supposed to model while living in Magnolia Falls? It’s not even on the map, for crying out loud.”

Diana bit back an angry retort. Liz hadn’t changed. She was still selfish, thinking only of herself. “You managed to launch your career while you were living here. If I remember correctly you stayed pretty busy for those few years. Why can’t you do that again?”

“It’s not that easy, Diana. You don’t get it.”

“You’re right, I don’t get it. I don’t get why you would even consider leaving our little sister in the custody of a ninety-year-old woman and her creepy son. Jessica is what matters now. We have no choice, but to move back here to take care of her.”

“You’re right.” Liz sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Of course we will. I was blowing off steam. It’s been a long week, and I haven’t been sleeping very well at all.”

Diana hadn’t expected Liz to acquiesce so quickly. This was new. Liz hated being told what to do.

“Fine. I’m sure we can at least take a week to go pack up our places in the city. School doesn’t start for another month so we’ll take Jessica with us.”

Liz nodded. “I need to go up to my room and try to get some sleep. Will you be okay with all of this?” She asked with a wave of her arm.

“Yeah. You go on up and get some rest.” In a totally uncharacteristic move Liz went to Diana and hugged her. She awkwardly returned the hug. They’d never hugged before, unless it was for a family portrait.

“Thank you, Diana.”

She had no idea what she was being thanked for, but she heard herself saying, “you’re welcome,” anyway.