Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

She smiled at the thought, then rinsed off the cutting board. A quick glance at the clock on the wall told her that dinner would be ready at six. She was halfway to her dad’s study to tell him when the front door opened and a semi-familiar voice called, “Hi, Dad. It’s me. I’m home.”

Had Kelly been holding more than a dish towel, she would have dropped it for sure, because standing right there in the living room was her sister, Olivia. The same Olivia who had left at fifteen and never returned.

Okay—that wasn’t fair—Olivia had been sent away. As for not coming home, at first she’d refused to come back for holidays and summer vacation. Kelly remembered that. What she couldn’t recall was if or when she and her father had stopped asking her to come home.

Kelly took in the stylish, beachy, wavy hair, the perfect makeup, the casual-yet-elegant tunic over leggings and the brightly colored athletic shoes that were obviously all about style rather than sports. She was acutely aware of her own battered cargo pants and faded University of Washington sweatshirt.

On the surface, she and Olivia looked a lot alike. They were the same height, with brown hair and eyes. At least they’d started out that way. Today Olivia’s hair was more golden than brown and her eyes had a distinct hazel cast to them. Kelly realized she wasn’t the before picture so much as the cautionary tale.

Her sister stared at her. “Kelly? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question.”

“I came to see Dad.”

Just like that? As if she hadn’t been gone over a decade? Because although Jeff made regular pilgrimages to see his daughter and Kelly had tagged along more than once, Olivia had, to the best of Kelly’s knowledge, not been back to Tulpen Crossing in over a decade.

“I’m making dinner,” Kelly said.

Olivia frowned as she glanced around the kitchen. Her expression cleared and she laughed. “Oh, that’s right. Dad told me you were still living at home.”

Jeff walked into the kitchen. “I heard someone...” He stared at his youngest daughter. His eyes widened and his mouth formed a happy grin. “Olivia! When did you get here?”

“Just now. Hi, Dad.”

Jeff held open his arms. Olivia rushed into his embrace. Kelly fought against a sense of resentment and foreboding.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Jeff said as he held her tight. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

They stepped back and smiled at each other. Jeff pulled out a chair and they both sat at the kitchen table. Kelly stood awkwardly by the island, not sure what she was supposed to do. Join them? Bolt? She settled on hovering.

“Tell me,” her dad said. “Why are you here?”

“I thought it was time for me to visit,” Olivia said with a brilliantly white smile. “Phoenix gets so hot in the summer and the real estate market pretty much dies. I had some vacation time, so here I am. I hope it’s okay.”

“Of course it is. Better than okay.”

Kelly reminded herself to smile when Olivia glanced at her. She was trying to remember the last time she’d seen her sister. Five years ago? Six? They rarely had any contact at all. The occasional birthday text or an awkward phone call, but that was it. Jeff and Olivia visited more regularly, but still not that often. Jeff had gone to Olivia’s college graduation. Kelly had been sick and stayed home.

“You’re selling real estate?” she asked.

“No, I work in marketing. I design the brochures and handle the advertising for the individual houses and the company. I’ve also recently started a staging business. I help people set up their homes so they’re more appealing to buyers. It’s fun.”

“That sounds great,” Jeff told her.

“I like it. It’s amazing what you can do when you rearrange furniture and add some accessories.” The bright smile returned. “I’ve been working a lot so I’m looking forward to taking a couple of months off.”

A couple of months? Kelly held in a groan, then reminded herself that Olivia was her sister. It would be nice for them to get to know each other again. They weren’t teenagers anymore. They were adults and would get along fine just like they had when they were little. Although the entire situation made no sense at all. Olivia had never liked being a small-town girl.

“This will be fun,” Jeff said. “My two girls under the same roof.”

“I know.” Olivia smiled again. “I can’t wait to get together with my friends. Everyone’s going to be so excited. I was texting with Ryan and—”

Kelly groaned. “You have got to be kidding me,” she said before she could stop herself. “You came back for your high school boyfriend?”

Her sister’s mouth formed a prim, straight line. “Of course not. You’re being ridiculous. I want to see all my friends. Ryan is just one of them.”

“Sure.”

Kelly wondered whose idea the visit had been—Olivia’s or Ryan’s. Last she’d heard Griffith’s younger brother was going hot and heavy with someone else.

Olivia stood and moved to the counter. “I mean it, Kelly. I’ve moved on. Started a career.” She picked up her sister’s hand and shook her head as she studied Kelly’s short, ragged nails. “Gotten a manicure. You’re the one still living with Dad.”

Kelly told herself to ignore the dig, but that didn’t stop heat from flaring on her cheeks.

“Girls,” Jeff said mildly. “I know you haven’t lived together in a while, but come on. We’re family.”

Kelly snatched back her hand and nodded. “Of course. It’s so nice to have Olivia back.”

Her sister winked at her. “I know. It’s great, isn’t it?” She turned to Jeff. “Daddy, do you mind if I stay here?”

“Of course not.” The man couldn’t have looked happier. “Your old room is just as you left it. Kelly will show you where the clean sheets and towels are. Stay as long as you’d like. I’m sorry I won’t be able to visit with you after dinner, but I have a gig tonight.”

Olivia laughed. “What does that mean?”

“I’m in a band.” He chuckled. “Okay, not a real band. I work with a music school that helps people learn to play instruments and then perform.”

“He’s the ringer,” Kelly added. “Dad and my friend Helen are the professional musicians who help. They perform in showcases every few weeks.”

“That’s fun.” Olivia wrinkled her nose. “I think I remember you playing guitar when I was little. It was nice.”

“Come with me. We can talk between sets.”

“Thanks, but I’m meeting friends later.”

“Next time, then.” Jeff hugged Olivia and Kelly. “My two girls back at home. Who would have thought?”

Yes, who, Kelly thought to herself. Certainly not her.

*

For reasons not clear to Griffith, the sign at the craft mall/community center had been changed. When he’d shown up for the book club, it had been called Petal Pushers. Now there was a new sign: The Dutch Bunch. He figured it was an homage to the tulips they grew in the area, but still. Kind of strange for the Pacific Northwest where Native American names gave visitors tongue-twisting trouble.