6 - Pages of Sin

you been up to all these years?”
    “Yes, it’s been at least fifteen years.” Elaine sighed, then shook her hair back and straightened her shoulders, fighting to regain her composure. “Well, I traveled quite a bit. Then I married the Earl, of course, and we lived overseas. Then he was indicted and . . . Oh, dear. That’s a lot of water under the bridge at this point, isn’t it? Nobody wants to hear my tired old problems.”
    Yes, we do! Yes, we do! I wanted to shout, but I didn’t, of course, because I’m actually capable of behaving myself once in a while. Happily, my discretion was rewarded when Mom spoke up.
    “Of course we want to hear your problems,” she said, her tone confidential as she tucked her arm through Elaine’s. “Are you staying in town for a few days? Can we meet for lunch and talk?”
    I smiled blandly when what I wanted to do was give my mom a high five. Mainly because I knew she’d invite me along to lunch so I could hear all the scoop on Wanda and her sisters. And the indicted Earl ? No way was I going to miss that lunch.
    Elaine sniffed again, overcome once more by my mother’s sweet invitation. “I would love that, Becky.”
    They discussed schedules. Then Mom suggested they meet Wednesday at Umbria, an excellent Italian restaurant on the Lane in downtown Dharma. It was one of my favorites. Another high five for Mom!
    Mom glanced around the room. “I guess we’d better get back to work.”
    “Do you need help?” Elaine asked. It was a feeble offer and we all knew it.
    Mom chuckled. “You’re dressed much too nicely to get yourself all sweaty and mucked up. Besides”—she leaned in close to Elaine—“it might stir up some memories that you’re not ready for.”
    Elaine’s lips quivered again. “You’re probably right. I’d better go. But I’m looking forward to our lunch.”
    “I can’t wait,” Mom said jovially. “It’ll be so nice to—”
    Without warning, the front door flew open again and a tall, handsome older man walked into the house.
    Elaine drew in a sudden breath. “Byron.”
    He took one look at Elaine and visibly blanched. “Elaine.”
    “Byron, please, I don’t—”
    He thrust his hand out to stop her. “Don’t say another word.”
    Mom and I exchanged anxious glances; then she stepped forward. “Byron, I really think it’s time to let go of the past and—”
    “God, Elaine,” he whispered, ignoring my mother. Then he rushed over and grabbed his sister-in-law in a passionate embrace and kissed her fully on the lips.

Chapter Four
     
    “Oo-kay,” Dad said at dinner that night after Mom and I had regaled him with the whole story. “Guess Byron was willing to let bygones be bygones.”
    “No kidding,” Mom muttered. “I thought we’d have to turn the hose on those two.”
    Dad swirled his pinot noir, then held the glass up to study the legs of the wine, and finally took a sip. After a moment, he nodded his approval, then winked at me. “Never a dull moment around these parts.”
    “I’ll say. One thrilling adventure after another.” I rubbed my sore head in memory of all those falling books. “Byron showing up was the capper to the whole day.”
    “I assume they stopped eventually. Kissing, I mean. Or did you have to sneak out of there? What happened?”
    I made a face. “The grieving widower finally realized he had an audience and politely showed us to the door.”
    “What about Elaine?”
    “Whether he wanted her to stay or not, I think she realized what would happen if she did. So she scurried out after us, completely flustered and unsure what to say.”
    He raised his eyebrows at Mom. “I’m sure you had plenty to say.”
    Mom held up both hands. “I just smiled serenely.”
    “Don’t believe her.” I laughed. “Mom told Elaine that Byron seemed happy to see her.”
    “Subtle,” Dad said drily.
    “Wasn’t it? Then she went on to say how nice it was that Byron hadn’t harbored any hard feelings toward her, after all.”
    “And then I smiled serenely,” Mom insisted.
    Dad and I exchanged amused looks and let it go at that.
    I wondered briefly what Byron and Elaine had fought about all those years ago. Had he always been in love with her? Was that why Wanda committed suicide? I hated that possibility so much that a shiver ran across my shoulders. I took a quick sip of wine and brushed off those morbid thoughts. “We’re going back tomorrow to get some books and go through more of Wanda’s