Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

The café went quiet as everyone looked at him.

“Rumors are flying and I’d like to set the record straight.” He turned to Helen. “I’m not sleeping with my ex-wife. I know her being back in town has been intriguing to many of you and has hurt some of you. I’m sorry about that, Helen. More sorry than I can say.”

She felt herself blushing but couldn’t seem to move from her spot on the floor.

His gaze was steady as he continued. “To be honest, I don’t like her very much. I know what I saw in her all those years ago and it had nothing to do with her character.”

“Tell me about it,” one man yelled.

Jeff didn’t smile. “I married her and I stayed true to her, but I wasn’t sorry when she left. I was relieved. Time went by and I realized our marriage had been a mistake from the beginning. The only good thing to come out of it was our girls. But while I no longer cared about Marilee, I respected that she was their mother and I vowed never to speak ill of her. That was a mistake, because in keeping that vow, I hurt someone I care about very much.”

He continued to hold her gaze. “I didn’t get a hotel room because I couldn’t find one. It’s summer. That’s the only reason I stayed in the house. But I see it was a mistake. I should have moved into the office.”

“You could have stayed with us,” an older man called.

Jeff ignored him and focused on Helen. “That’s the truth but it’s not an excuse. I hurt you, Helen, and I apologize for that. You deserved so much better. You’re wonderful and honest and kind and sexy as hell and I’m an old fool.”

He walked toward her. “Please forgive me and give me another chance. I’m hopelessly, desperately in love with you. I have been for a long time only I was too stupid to see it. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I know you could do better, but I hope you won’t try.”

The room spun. Sound grew louder, then faded to silence. She was confused and shocked and deep, deep inside, trying to believe this was really happening.

Jeff stopped in front of her and took her hands. “Any chance we can give this a go? I mean it, Helen. I love you.”

She stared into his eyes and felt herself starting to melt. Loving Jeff had always been the best part of her. Being with him, even just as friends, had always made her happy. How much better to have his heart, as well.

“It’s time to forgive him, child.” Delja moved into view, then gave her a little push. “Men can be stupid. We know this and we love them anyway.”

Helen laughed, then threw herself at Jeff. He caught her and held her tight.

“I’m never letting go,” he whispered. “Not for a second.”

“Me, either.”

*

Olivia sorted through the items that hadn’t sold at the silent auction. There were a few salvageable things and the rest had been questionable at best. Fortunately she’d thought to have all the donors sign a release so that she could dispose of the leftovers as she saw fit. The good stuff she would donate to a local women’s shelter. The rest was going to be recycled or tossed.

She had the double doors open in Sven’s barn. The day was sunny and warm, which fit her happy mood. All was well in her world. Kelly was okay with her seeing Sven—that was huge. She would have broken up with him for her sister, but was so grateful she didn’t have to.

While she didn’t know all the details, rumor had it her dad had declared himself for Helen, right in the middle of The Parrot Café. She would have given anything to be there for that...or maybe not. She wasn’t sure how she would feel about the happily-ever-after kiss. Helen was cool, but her dad was still her dad and parental heavy kissing was kind of gross to see.

Regardless of the when and where, it was done. They were hanging out at Helen’s until things settled with Marilee, because while everyone wanted her gone, no one had yet gathered the courage to force her out. Kelly had made a run at it and deserved kudos for the effort. Olivia supposed it was going to come down to her doing the deed.

She was pretty much ready. She’d written her letter of resignation, so that part was done. Her plan was to finish up here, then head home, confront her mother, quit her job and celebrate with Eliza and a nice, cold bottle of champagne.

She was already working out a plan for wrapping up her life in Phoenix. She would fly back, rent a moving van and pack what she wanted to bring here. There were her staging supplies and her furniture. She figured she could hire movers for a day to help her load, then drive back herself. It would only take two days. She was hoping she could store everything here, in Sven’s barn, until she figured out her next housing step. If the duplex was still for sale when she got back, she was going to put in an offer and see if she could figure out the financing. Maybe she could talk to her dad about him loaning her the money she needed rather than trying to make it work with a bank. She could pay him a bit above the going rate, give him her down payment and do whatever else was necessary to make it a real loan.

Something to think about, she told herself. She could work out the details on the drive back from Phoenix. There would be time. Maybe she should ask Sven if he would like to come along with her. They could hang out and he would be excellent company on the long trip. His muscles would be helpful for moving, but they were secondary in her mind.

Speak of the devil, she thought happily as the man on her mind walked into the barn. She smiled and moved toward him only to stop when she caught sight of his face. His expression was more stern than she’d ever seen—his blue eyes were glacial, his mouth an angry, straight line.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

He stopped in front of her, close enough that she had to look up to meet his gaze. Had he been anyone else, she would have assumed he was using his size to try to intimidate her.

“So I’m just your fuck buddy?” The harsh words were in keeping with the low, angry growl in his voice.

She supposed she could have stepped back, but while she might be confused, she wasn’t afraid. Not of Sven.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“You and me. This.” He pointed to himself, then her. “I should have seen you were nothing but a whore.”

She flinched, then squared her shoulders. “You don’t get to talk to me like that. Whatever you think I did, I don’t deserve that.” She planted her hands on her hips. “We’ll get to you apologizing later. Right now I want to know what has your panties in a bunch.”

She had to admit, she was a little proud of herself. She was being strong and rational, she was asking questions instead of reacting emotionally. On the inside she was one quivering mass of hurt, terror and confusion. She wasn’t afraid he would hurt her—no, the real fear was that he would leave her. Sven mattered. They mattered. So what had happened?