Sunday dawned with the temperature already pushing toward eighty. Winter in Florida was always short. Tracey spent the night, nuzzled on Faith's right while Selby had draped her left. After Valerie Driscoll left, Faith had remained quiet in a numb aftershock. The others hadn't forced her to communicate, and when she did speak, it was to vent about her mother's audacity at blaming her for Cherish sleeping with Edwin. Faith never had to do anything for her mother to paint her out as the bad guy. What she ever did to earn her mother's scorn, she would never understand. And now....Now, Faith didn't care. She was through being pushed around and made to feel inferior by her family. She didn't feel bad about standing up to her mother. However, Faith didn't feel good, either.She felt lost. Separated. The gulf that had been there between her mother and her was now a chasm, and Faith doubted it would ever be different. Cherish was the one who had screwed up her life, and yet, it was Faith who
Selby watched his wife climb the stairs, arms still folded across her chest. He motioned for Tracey to follow and keep an eye on her while he turned and faced his sister-in-law. Cherish watched Faith's departure, and when she turned around, it visibly startled her that he still stood there.With a sheepish look, she ducked her head. When she spoke, her voice was a bare whisper against the ocean breeze. "I'm sorry. I'll get out of your hair.""Not yet." He stepped in front of her, blocking her from walking way. His patience with the Driscoll family was at an end. "I have tried to keep my mouth shut, but you and your mother have pushed too far. I don't know where either of you get off blaming Faith for you cheating on Glen, but it's total bullshit.""My mother blamed Faith? When?""Last night. She was here when we got home. Seems none of you know to call first." Selby stood with his hands on his hips. "Faith never did a damn thing to you or your mother to deserve the abuse you both give
She felt his legs press against her thighs as his arms wrapped around her chest, his breath warm and steady against her cheek. She fell back against him and willed some of his strength into the coldness of her heart.Faith knew what her husband thought, that she took her family's words as proof she did something wrong. He had watched her practically grovel at her mother's feet all these years for just an inkling of acceptance from the woman. Faith had tolerated her sister's harshness to be close to her mother, afraid that angering Cherish would anger her mother and cause Valerie to push her away even further. Faith didn't doubt at all the course of his thoughts. The sad thing was, a few days ago he would have been absolutely right.But not that night. Not then. Not ever again. When her mother stood there the previous night accusing her for Cherish's indiscretion, a switch inside of Faith flipped. Her mother accepting her no longer worried her, because at that moment, Faith realized sh
The offices of Rutherford Construction were quiet, almost in a funeral home sort of way. Even the ever-perky Ashlynn seemed to sense the underlying mood and reined in her bubbliness. Faith waved at the buxom blond as she passed her and received a limp wave back. Something must have happened before Faith made it to work. She wasn't sure if it had to do with her or not. How far had Cherish taken her accusations?As she stepped into the hall behind the front lobby, purse and lunch box dangling from her fingers, she noticed Morgan talking in hushed whispers with Jed Jorrell. She gave Morgan a curious glance when he looked her way, giving her a quick nod in greeting. He shouldn't be there. Something was definitely off. She said good morning to both and then passed by into the Girls' Den. Nessa was already there, but Cherish wasn't. Actually, as Faith took a closer look, nothing of her sister's was there. Her desk had been completely cleared off. That could explain why Morgan was there. Thi
Selby hung up the phone with a feeling of pride for his wife. She deserved the promotion. Faith had always been a hard worker, throwing herself into whatever anyone asked of her. He understood the conflict going on within her, however, an inner sense of betrayal to Cherish for stepping in where her sister had stepped out. Yet, Faith deserved the new position and the pay raise. She deserved the recognition. The morning had been slow at the bookstore. Only one visitor had graced his door, and they had only purchased a small paperback for fifty cents. He hoped his entire day wouldn't follow the same track. Soft jazz played in the background as Selby sat and stared at the picture of Faith in Key West that he kept at his crowded desk. He gave her permission to keep seeing Edwin if she wanted, but the truth was he wanted the relationship to end. It had already wreaked havoc within their family as well as Rutherford Construction. He wasn't sure where the damage would end or how Glen and Che
Selby called Faith during lunch and filled her in on all his visitors. It surprised her Cherish showed up and shocked Faith even more Cherish apologized to him. However, she knew it would be a cold day in Hell before her sister ever apologized to her. She didn't care. She didn't need it. She had made her decision about her family, and nothing they could do would ever bother her again. She would stay in touch with her father, but the rest could go to Hell.Her heart broke when Selby told her about Tracey, however. The fact the other woman thought they could so easily dismiss her from their lives and turn their backs on her caused Faith to pause and consider how deep the three of them had grown together. Edwin had been a game, but Tracey became intertwined in their daily lives. Faith immediately called the redhead and gave her the same assurances Selby had. "Nothing going on has anything to do with you," Faith told her. "If anything, I am leaning on you just as much as I am Selby. I nee
The hot spray of the shower jet beat down on her upturned face and stretched neck as she stood with her hands on the blue tile wall in front of her. Steam billowed up around her, the water massaging her into wakefulness. Four-thirty came early, but Jacqui Karston had been waking that early for the past two years, losing herself in the projects of The Karston Foundation ever since her family died in a plane crash without her. She was up late every night, as well. She had to be. There was still so much to do to rebuild Biloxi after Katrina devastated the coast ten years ago. The city had already did quite a bit, of course, but it was not enough. It would never be enough in Jacqui's eyes, not as long as there were vacant lots and partially demolished buildings scattered everywhere, and, if she were honest with herself, she needed the distraction.After blow drying her hair, she brushed it into long, blond walls, framing her narrow face, keeping her closed off and uninviting. It also added
Lily handed her a manila folder as she set a cup of steaming coffee on Jacqui's desk, the travel mug replaced with a ceramic one with a skyline of Biloxi wrapped around it. "This is the information you wanted on Rutherford Construction," the small brunette said. Lily was another one they pulled from the wreckage of Katrina. She had been attending the local college when the hurricane barreled through and reduced her apartment to rubble. Marc found her sitting on the curb, just staring at what was once her home. The college would keep going, but even at nineteen, Lily was ready to call it quits. He put the young woman in his car and took her home where they were already housing several refugees. Marc wasn't giving anyone a chance to give up, and Jacqui loved him all the more for his compassion and generosity. She was determined to carry on his legacy."Anything in the file you should warn me about?" Opening the folder, Jacqui leaned back in her chair. "Any reason I should go with these g