Miracles in the Making Page 8

She always enjoyed a good challenge, no matter how grueling the climb. Marie settled on the deep maroon carpet covering the floor at the foot of her bed. While she sat, she pondered the intricate task that lay before her and her sister, casually whistling an airy tune. Right now easy was about the last word in her register, but, as was often the case, that didn’t seem to have much effect. Plucking a slinky orange tank from a hanger, she tossed it into her case, busily preparing for her upcoming trip to the lodge. Why not resolve two matters at once? As for that rogue of a man, she didn’t have the first whim where to begin. If any luck would grace her sister would have a better grasp. A good many hours before that, on their way from Candy’s, Lacy threatened to happen by. That ought to be any time. Already the clock read four in the afternoon. Work only ran another hour or two.

That was the days that Lacy had it, owner of some pretty little flower arrangement store. Everyone knew well enough that she loved it. It allowed her to do what she wanted. At the same time, she never failed to spend time with that partner of hers. She’d loved Markus more than life itself.

The man may not have been much; opting to fly out as soon as the best opportunity rose, but boy did he manage to make her happy. No one could really say what exactly had been the official cause of all that disorder. Anyone would say the pair had been right for each other. As for herself, the clothing store she worked for suited her just fine. She could be close to what she wanted on the days that work called her and yet retain the freedom she liked on those days it did not. Giving her watch a brisk tap with one finger, she grew increasingly anxious of the passing time. Nearly five and no sign of her sister—a sudden thump on her bedroom door forced her to vault.

“Damnit!” she complained to the walls around her seconds before Lacy sauntered in.

“Evening to you,” Lacy greeted, her spritely smile adding to her customary cheer.

Marie unconsciously tapped her red suitcase. “If you were going to knock, you could have done so on the outer door. Perhaps then you might not have about killed me.”

“Had I done so, would you ‘ave heard me?” Lacy’s lips widened, revealing perfect white teeth.

Rolling her eyes at the friendly jibe, Marie pointed to the dramatic carpet. “Sit down if you like. I could use a hand.”

“That looks to me like you have everything under control, but if you say so.” As Lacy sank to the floor, her miles of auburn waves, free of any restraint, dusted her pearl-colored winter sweater. The natural blonde and brown highlights that streaked through perfectly harmonized with the other color. She was like a scene from a fairy story. Once in a while, Marie felt a little jealous, but those occasions were rare. Giving the lid to her first case an inadvertently strong snap, she sent it soaring into one corner. “That thing wasn’t the issue,” she explained, getting down to business. “You recall our little visit?”

Lacy furrowed her brow. “That depends—which one did you have in mind?”

“Last night, our evening with Candy. Today I was thinking that over as I was packing. I hoped you could give me a hand.”

“I know about as much as you do,” Lacy flatly replied.

Both girls fell into silence, neither one sure how to react. After a frustrated huff, Lacy indicated, “It’d help if we knew where to start. Good Lord knows we don’t know where to find that friend of hers. Unless you have some idea I’d say we’re at a complete loss.”

“Well,” Marie told her, her expression growing spry. “I did have some notion of where the man might be. It was the rest that little predicament of hers that had me fishing.”

Lacy’s mouth fell open. “You’re a hell of a lot luckier than I am. How on Earth could you have the first clue? This place is big as an ocean! I wasn’t about to admit it at the time, seeing as depressed as the girl was to begin with. Our sis, bless her, was right about that though.”

Marie off-handedly shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose that’s true enough, but if you want to mull it over, luck was the bigger factor. It was the other day as I was working, I saw the man happen by down the walk. Speaking with some business owner or another, he has a store along the same strand. It was clear he was looking for work and didn’t care what so long as he got it. Said he’d be back around. Now, I just have to cross my fingers. Anyway, I was thinking if I can get his attention, maybe I can get him to see where I’m coming from.”

“That’s if,” Lacy noted without a hitch.

“Yes, that’s true enough. All the reason I could use a hand. I don’t know if the man will want to listen. You have anything in mind? By some chance, maybe you’ll talk to him. Boys never shy from a conversation with you, probably because you’re the prettier of us. It’s no joke; that’s always been the case.” Marie waited for her sister to object, holding her breath for the result.

Instead, Lacy sniggered as she mulled over the concept. This did nothing for Marie’s raw nerves, but it was much better than a direct no. Suddenly Lacy choked back her laughter, forcing herself in line. “The whole idea is foolish. We are a foolish for thinking it over, but it’s also about the last chance we have. What were you thinking?”

Her fingers unconsciously tapping her leg as if it were an aging piano, Marie came to a jarring halt. As she did, her hand slapped at her skin. Forcing from her a startled screech, the blunder momentarily shook her balance.

“That was your own fault,” Lacy observed. “For another thing, you’ve yet to answer me about that little exchange.”

“It’d help if I could speak, that hurt like the devil! Spare me some time will you!”

Now Lacy’s fingers began an untidy beat against her skin. “How much time was on your mind? If you hadn’t noticed, a good hour has already passed. I would like dinner at some point in time.”

“If that’s your chief concern, I’ll feed you!” With a hearty snap of her fingers, Marie darted her thumb towards the undersized kitchen located near the front of her house.

On the verge of accepting the offer, Lacy settled back into place. “That doesn’t afford me an answer.”

“You know more about the male mind then I ever will. If you must know however, were it me, I’d start by explaining your lack of intent to bite.”

“I don’t see what good that’ll do, but if you insist.”

“I told you, you wouldn’t care for my opinion.” Using the bed for leverage, Marie pitched herself from the ground. “Explain to him how much she misses him. You know she’ll never do it, even given the chance. Invite him up to the family home. We both know what a wonderful present it’d make, just keep the whole mess between you and me.”

Lacy scrambled up after her. “Again, may I remind you, that doesn’t help with that perilous if.”

Now Marie chuckled. “You’re about as optimistic as Candy.”

“Have I any reason to be?”

“Okay, okay; just help me out, will you?”

Lacy gave her sister a wily grin. “I never said I wouldn’t, just that we are both insane to try. So, what about that dinner? I do have two boys to consider you know. Right now the two hooligans are busy harassing their grandma, but I can’t say how long that will last.”

Marie pictured her nephews, rolling over each other and sending pillows sailing from a couch. Her smile extended. “I’ve got plenty of choices to pick from; you ought to know that by now. Just follow me. I’ll pour us a glass of wine to go with.” Agreeing on their direction, the siblings rambled out of the room.

Halfway to the lit
tle kitchen, Lacy glanced to her sister. “The more I think it over, the better that wine sounds. Do you have a red?”