The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) (18 page)

Savannah shook her head. “Go wash your face, Mary, and let’s take a ride, shall we? I think I heard Michael pull up. He can feed Lily and put her down for her nap.”

****

Thirty minutes had passed by the time Savannah parked her SUV in front of the Bryant home.

“Do they know we’re coming?” Mary asked.

Savannah nodded. “Your sister does.”

Mary stared at the house for a moment, then eased out of the car, opened the back passenger door, and released the restraints on Crissy’s car seat. She smoothed down the child’s curly brown hair and said, “Well, baby girl, this could be a life-changer.” Mary then took Crissy in her arms and walked slowly behind Savannah toward the house.

Savannah’s knock was answered immediately. “Come in,” Jenna said. When she glanced past Savannah and locked eyes with Mary, she saw herself staring back at her. “Hi,” she said rather breathlessly, as she held the door open for them. “I’m Jenna.”

Neither young woman could keep her eyes off the other. Finally, Jenna burst into tears and rushed to hug Mary. “It really is you…the sister I’ve dreamed about.”

“My God,” Mary said, pulling back from their eager embrace, “I think I’m dreaming now. You look…we look…oh my God, could it be?”

Savannah reached for Crissy. As the two young women embraced, then stepped back to stare at one another again. Both of them crying tears of joy, Mary said, “You’ve highlighted your hair. I like it.”

“Yes,” Jenna said, studying her sister’s hair, “but I was thinking of going darker like you. I like that, too.” She laughed and said, “We have the same cowlick.”

Mary put her hand up to her forehead. “Yes, does it drive you crazy?”

“Uh-huh. Hey, am I the only one who got freckles?” Jenna asked.

“Oh no,” Mary said laughing, “I’m wearing makeup to hide mine.”

The two women hugged again and then Jenna said through her tears. “Come in and meet the folks. They’re waiting for you.” She leaned toward Mary. “Mom’s having a hard time with this—can’t bring herself to believe it. Please don’t be offended if she isn’t…”

Just then, Allan stepped into the doorway. He stared at both women as they walked toward him, their arms looped together, and he couldn’t hold back his emotion. “Ali,” he said, reaching out for her.

Mary hesitated, then moved forward into his embrace.

He pulled back and said. “Seeing you two together again…it’s a miracle.”

“This is our dad,” Jenna said, smiling through happy tears.

Mary looked suspiciously at him. “What did you call me?”

“Ali.” He hesitated, then said, “Your name is Alicia.”

Mary put her hands over her mouth. “That’s right—I saw that in the newspaper article.”

When she began to choke up, she said, “I’m sorry. This is all so…overwhelming.”

“I know,” Allan said, putting his arm tightly around Mary. “Come in, there’s someone else you need to meet.”

As the trio entered the playroom, Savannah hung back with Crissy. She carried the baby to the large box of toys and engaged her in play. In the meantime, the other three walked slowly toward Barbara, who sat on the sofa staring down at her hands.

“Barbara,” Allan said gently, “Ali’s back.”

Barbara shook her head, refusing to look up.

Jenna spoke excitedly. “Mama, this is my sister. I know she is. Look at her, Mama.”

When Barbara still didn’t respond, Mary knelt in front of the older woman. “I’m frightened, too. Please look at me and tell me whether or not it’s true.”

Barbara raised her eyes ever so slowly. When she looked into Mary’s face, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “There’ve been so many disappointments,” she said. “I can’t bear another one.”

Choking up, Mary stood and turned away. She picked up her daughter and held her tightly as Jenna led them to a chair across the room. Jenna sat down next to them. “She’s beautiful,” Jenna said, reaching out and running her hand along Crissy’s face. Suddenly, something caught her eye. She touched the locket hanging around the baby’s neck and her eyes welled up. She looked at Mary and asked quietly, “Where did you get this?”

Mary said, “Uh, Savannah gave it to me this morning. She said…”

When Mary hesitated, Savannah explained, “It was in the envelope with the letter from the man who claimed he…abducted a child.”

“…and I remember it hanging on the frame with one of my baby pictures all throughout my childhood. In fact, I was wearing it in the picture—I think I was around two then. My…father told me he had bought it for me.”

Jenna’s eyes lit up. “Wait here,” she said, disappearing into a hallway. When she returned, she opened her hand, displaying an identical locket. “Mine has a J on it,” she said. “Yours has an A. Did you notice that? The A is for Alicia.” Jenna reached out for Crissy. “May I?” she asked.

Mary nodded.

Jenna carried the baby to her mother and said, “Look Mama, she’s wearing my twin sister’s locket.”

Barbara glanced across the room at Mary, then examined the locket. She then took the baby from Jenna, held her close, and began weeping. “She was wearing it when…” she murmured. She kissed Crissy’s cheek then handed her to Jenna. Standing now, she walked slowly toward Mary, wiping at her eyes. Taking a breath, she held her hands out. Mary promptly stood and Barbara embraced her, saying, “You’re finally home. Oh my God, after all these years, my family is complete again.” She reached out for her husband and he joined them in the hug. Jenna, tears in her eyes as well, joined them with Crissy and fell into the embrace, all of them weeping long-time-coming tears of joy.

When they pulled back from one another, Barbara dabbed at her eyes with her apron and said, “Can I get anyone a cup of tea?” Without waiting for a response, she asked, “Girls would you like to help me?”

Mary looked from Barbara to Jenna and said, “Sure,” as she headed off arm-in-arm with her sister and her mother.

Savannah blotted around her eyes with a tissue, and glanced up at Allan, who was rubbing his palms into his eyes. “Thank you, Savannah,” he said, reaching out and pulling her to him in a big bear hug. “This means the world to our family.”

She shook her head. “I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.”

“I don’t care how you explain it, I’m most grateful.”

“Allan,” Barbara called out as the trio returned with trays of tea and cookies, “Ali…I mean Mary…bakes. She has my baking gene.”

“Cool,” he said, smiling.

“And she has your aversion to flavored teas,” Jenna said, chuckling.

Everyone laughed and Allan said quietly, “We have a lot to learn about each other, don’t we?”

“Maybe you do, but I know my sister inside and out,” Jenna said, sitting down on the sofa. “I can’t wait to share all of those sister things I’ve thought about for all these years.”

“Like piercings and tats?” Allan said, grinning.

Mary, who sat in an over-stuffed chair at Jenna’s left with Crissy on her lap, wrinkled her nose. At the same time, Jenna wrinkled hers. “I hate them,” the two women said in unison, causing an uproarious round of laughter.

“You two even have the same mannerisms,” Savannah said in disbelief. “I didn’t notice that before.”

Almost giddy now, Jenna said, “What about your choice in men?”

“Huh?” Mary asked, a surprised look on her face. She smiled coyly and said, “Well, my hubby is a hunk…tall, built…and good looking.”

“Do you have a picture?” Jenna asked.

Mary nodded and pulled her phone out of her jeans pocket.

Jenna took one look at it and said, “You’re not going to believe this.”

“What?” Mary asked, her eyes dancing.

Jenna walked across the room and dug her phone out of her purse, pushed a few buttons, then turned it toward Mary, saying, “This is Cole, my husband.”

Mary put her hands up to her mouth. “My gosh, they could be…cousins.”

Suddenly, Jenna turned toward the hallway again. “I think that’s Bradley,” she said, quickly heading in that direction. When she returned, she carried a still sleepy-faced little boy. “My son,” she said, walking with him toward Mary. “Honey,” Jenna said, “this is your aunt.” She ran her hand gently over Crissy’s face, “…and your cousin.”

“What a doll,” Mary said.

“I never noticed how much they resemble each other,” Savannah said. “…big brown eyes, lots of curly hair…”

Barbara, who sat quietly taking in all that was happening around her with a huge smile on her face, suddenly stood and left the room. She returned carrying an album. She dusted it off with one hand, then invited, “Girls, come sit with me. Bring my grandchildren.”

When she opened the album, Jenna looked stunned. “Mama, you never showed these to me. It’s both of us. You only showed me pictures of me alone.”

“I know.” Barbara cringed a little. “Some of those pictures of you are actually Ali…I mean Mary.” She turned to Mary. “What are we going to do about your name?”

Mary looked stunned for a moment. “Um, I guess that is something I’ll have to decide. What would you like to use?”

Barbara, Allan, and Jenna looked at one other. Jenna finally said, “I like
Sis
.”

Mary smiled at her sister, then said to Barbara, “You named me Alicia. I like it.” She was quiet for a moment before saying, “In fact, I almost named Crissy
Alicia
. It was at the top of my list of perfect baby names. Now I guess I know why. I must have still carried the memory. Yes, I’d like to be Alicia. After all, my life as Mary was pretty much a lie, wasn’t it?”

Barbara reached her arm around her daughter and hugged her tightly. “Not really, dear. It looks as if you’ve grown up well. Your life as Mary was real to you and those who loved you. There’s nothing to regret. There’s no going back. What was, was. Now it’s a new phase in your life and we’re going to move forward…together.”

Savannah took in a deep breath. “You know, I’d better get home to my little one. She’s probably up from her nap. You left your car at my place, Mar…I mean Alicia,” she said smiling. “Do you think you can get a ride back there when you’re ready to go home?”

Alicia glanced at the others.

“Absolutely,” Allan said. He smiled at his wife and the two girls, then down at the children at play. “Although I don’t know if we can let her out of our sight ever again.”

Alicia rose from the sofa and hugged Savannah. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“You’re most welcome. See you soon?”

“Most definitely,” Alicia said as Savannah left to shouts of, “Thank you so much!”

****

“You’re cheerful tonight,” Michael said as he watched Savannah pull dinner together later that evening.

“I’m flying high. What a day it was.”

“I can just imagine.” He thought about it for a moment and said, “What a life-changing day for that family.” He chuckled. “I have to say, I was skeptical, but you were right on. I’m proud of you, hon.”

“Well, thank you.” She then turned and listened. “Was that the doorbell?”

“I think it was. I’ll get it.”

When Michael returned, he was not alone.

“Hi, Ma…Alicia,” Savannah said, smiling.

“Savannah, Dr….Michael…, I’d like you to meet my husband Mark.”

“Very nice to meet you,” Savannah said, reaching out for his hand. He grinned and pulled her in for a hug. “You get more than a handshake,” he said, “for all you did for my beautiful wife.” He pulled back and peered into her eyes. “Thank you so much.”

Savannah beamed. “I’m just pleased that it worked out.”

“I’ve never seen her so happy. And what a great family she has.”

Alicia bubbled over with excitement. “Yes, we’re moving here to Hammond as soon as we can. Mark’s job is about to end and my…father…Allan knows some people who might hire him here.”

Savannah squeezed Alicia’s arm. “Oh that would be great. I’ll love having you closer.”

“I know!” She bubbled over with excitement. “Oh Savannah, I just can’t get enough of my family. There’s so much catching up to do. Mark came over and we had dinner and talked and laughed. It was wonderful.”

“Yeah,” Mark said, “okay if we leave one of our cars here? I don’t want my wife driving that road at night. We’ll pick it up tomorrow.”

“No problem,” Michael said.

Just then they heard a cell phone. “It’s mine,” Savannah said. “I’ll get it later.”

“Well, we aren’t hanging around. Need to get Crissy home. She had a big day, too—playing with her cousin.” Alicia laughed. “We think both kids are going to be left-handed. Isn’t that a coincidence?”

“Sure is,” Savannah said. “Did you meet your…brother-in-law?”

“Yes. He and Mark really hit it off.”

“Yeah, Cole likes sports and fishing. We’re going dirt-bike riding this weekend,” Mark said.

“And I’m going to have my hair highlighted like yours and my sister’s. I’ve wanted to for a long time,” Alicia said. “Jenna’s taking me to her hair salon.”

Mark smiled at his wife. “Come on honey-bun, let’s let them finish their dinner. We’ll be back soon.”

“Super,” Savannah said. She hugged Alicia. “I’m so happy for you.”

After the couple left and the Iveys had finished dinner, Michael asked, “So did you check to see who called you?”

“Yeah, Auntie. I’d better call her back. I’m sure she wants to hear all the details of my day.”

When she returned from making the call, Michael was dressing Lily for bed. “Was she as excited about the reunion as you are?” he asked. Before she could respond, Michael said, “What was that?”

“Yeah, what’s he so excited about?” Savannah asked, as they watched Rags run from window to window.

Michael stood. “Better check. Could be someone out there.” When he returned, Savannah was cuddling with Lily in the overstuffed chair reading a book to her. “Look what I found,” he said.

When she glanced up, she saw that Michael held a black cat in one arm and a brown-and-white cat in the other. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Oh my, where’d you get them?”

They were wandering around outside. One was on the porch pillows. Do you suppose they belong to your aunt and Max? Did she mention escapees?”

“No, she didn’t. I’ll call her.”

When Savannah ended the call with her aunt, she said, “Yup, the creep struck again and Auntie didn’t know it. She said they were back in the bedroom watching TV, so it must have looked as though they were asleep. When they checked, though, they found another hole in one of the cages and two cats, fitting these guys’ description, were missing. Michael, can you take them over there?”