Home > The Stepsisters(16)

The Stepsisters(16)
Author: Susan Mallery

   The living room of the suite could stay the same, she thought, studying the comfortable sofa and the chaise. When Cassidy was more mobile, she might appreciate being able to get out of bed, but still stay in her own quarters.

   The large bedroom was at the back corner of the house, with windows on two walls. Even with a king-size bed and large nightstands and a dresser, there was still plenty of room for any other equipment Cassidy might need.

   She checked out the bathroom. There was a tub and a separate walk-in shower. The long vanity had double sinks, and a cabinet provided extra storage. Her sister should be happy here—or at least as happy as she could be, stuck in Daisy’s house.

   Daisy ignored the sense of dread that took up residence in her stomach. She and Cassidy were both adults now. There was no reason to think her sister would be anything but reasonable. Okay, there were lots of reasons, but she was going to ignore them.

   She left the guest suite and made her way to her home office. It was a bit of a walk from one end of the house to the other. She remembered how shocked she’d been the first time she’d seen where Sage and Joanne had gone to live after the divorce. Now Daisy knew it was a perfectly nice home in a quiet neighborhood, but all those years ago, she’d been surprised by how small it was. The whole of it was about the size of her and Sage’s bedrooms and playroom back here.

   All of her friends had lived in houses much like her own. This one had been in her family since the 1950s. It had been built by her maternal grandfather and passed on to his daughter and then to her. She hadn’t known the rest of the world wasn’t so blessed and the discovery had unsettled her for days.

   And speaking of Sage, she thought, sitting behind her ornately carved, Victorian desk. She was going to have to let her know about the accident. Her father would be sure to follow up on his request.

   She sent a quick text to Jordan, telling him about Cassidy’s injuries and that she would be moving in. When he didn’t respond in five minutes, she debated whether to text or call Sage. She knew which option she preferred, but suspected her father would point out that the spirit of his request required that she let Sage know personally.

   Holding in a sigh, she pushed the call button and waited.

   “Hello?”

   “Sage, it’s Daisy.”

   There was a long pause, followed by a surprised-sounding, “Did you mean to call me?”

   “I did. I wasn’t sure if you’d spoken to your mother yet or not.”

   “I haven’t seen her since I got home from work.”

   Work? As in a job? Why would Sage have a job? Wasn’t she well off from settlements from her divorces?

   Daisy shook off the questions and got to the point. “My father wanted me to let you know that Cassidy’s been in an accident.”

   She explained about the fall and Wallace airlifting Cassidy to Los Angeles. “She’s going to be staying here until she’s feeling better. I’m sure she’ll want to see you and your mom.”

   A truth Daisy had been avoiding, but ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away.

   “Unless you’re going back to Italy soon,” she added, trying not to sound too hopeful.

   “I’m staying here,” Sage said.

   Darn and double darn. Her father had been right. “She’ll be excited to hear that.”

   “I’m surprised I didn’t hear from her after the accident.”

   “Dad said she’s in pretty bad shape, so I’m not sure she could have called.”

   Daisy told herself to stop talking. Why was she defending Cassidy of all people?

   “He said Desean was with her.”

   “Desean?”

   “The boyfriend?”

   “Cassidy doesn’t have a boyfriend. She doesn’t do boyfriends.”

   Daisy frowned. “He was with her in Patagonia. That’s all I know.”

   If Cassidy was traveling with a guy, shouldn’t Sage know? Weren’t they as close as they had been? When Sage had helped her and Krissa the day her daughter had gotten sick, Daisy had been under the impression they were. Was that wrong?

   Daisy told herself it wasn’t her business and having the information wouldn’t change anything. Relationships were complicated—she knew that firsthand. Her nonspeaking one with Jordan was plenty of proof.

   “Okay, well, I’ll text you with the flight info.”

   “Thanks. Bye.”

   Sage hung up, leaving Daisy staring at her phone and wishing just once she could have the last word.

 

* * *

 

   Daisy traded shifts so she could be home when Cassidy arrived. It was the right thing to do, even if she would rather have been wrangling snakes on some snake ranch. Okay, maybe not snakes, but some unpleasant animal-slash-creature. Anything that would keep her away from home for a couple of weeks. Not exactly the mature response, she admitted as she paced by the front door, waiting for the private ambulance to pull up. But an honest one.

   “She’ll have nurses,” Esmerelda reassured her. “You won’t have to deal with her.”

   “She’s my sister. There’s no escaping her.” Daisy shook her head. “I didn’t mean that. She’s family and I’m glad we’re able to take care of her when she’s been injured.”

   While she admitted privately that “glad” was a little strong, she was pleased she’d been able to make the statement without a lightning bolt reducing her to a pile of dust.

   She heard a vehicle pull up in the courtyard and walked to the front door. Esmerelda got there first.

   “I’m here,” the other woman said sincerely. “Always.”

   Daisy hugged her. “I know you are and I really appreciate your support.” She stepped back and squared her shoulders. “All right, let’s do this.”

   They went outside and saw two men carefully unloading a gurney from the back of the ambulance. Daisy had skimmed the medical records her dad had sent her. Cassidy had a broken leg and arm, along with several fractured ribs, multiple contusions and a severe concussion. Daisy had seen plenty of car accident victims, but was still unprepared to see her sister looking so battered and helpless.

   Daisy walked toward her.

   “Hey, you,” she said gently, taking in the cuts and bruises on her sister’s face and the casts on her right leg and left arm. Her blond hair was dirty, and except for the vivid color from the cuts and bruises, her skin was practically gray. Gone was the vibrant, energetic woman Daisy remembered. In her place was a seriously injured patient.

   Cassidy turned her head and opened her eyes. She blinked several times, as if trying to focus, then physically shrank away.

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