Unfinished Business

downstairs. Vanessa Sexton was never late for a performance.
    “Well, well.” Brady was lounging at the base of the steps. “You’re still Sexy Sexton.”
    Just what she needed, she thought, her stomach muscles knotting. Did he have to look so gorgeous? She glanced at the front door that he’d left open behind him, then back at him.
    “You’re wearing a suit.”
    He glanced down at the gray tweed. “Looks like.”
    “I’ve never seen you in a suit,” she said foolishly. She stopped a step above him. Eye-to-eye. “Why aren’t you at Joanie’s?”
    “Because I’m taking you to Joanie’s.”
    “That’s silly. I have my own—”
    “Shut up.” Taking her shoulders, he hauled her against him for a kiss. “Every time I do that, you taste better.”
    She had to wait for her heart to flutter back into place. “Look, Brady, we’re going to have to set up some ground rules.”
    “I hate rules.” He kissed her again, lingering over it this time. “I’m going to get a real kick out of being related to you.” He drew back, grinning. “Sis.”
    “You’re not acting very brotherly,” she murmured.
    “I’ll boss you around later. How do you feel about it?”
    “I’ve always loved your father.”
    “And?”
    “And I hope I’m not hard-hearted enough to begrudge my mother any happiness she might have with him.”
    “That’ll do for now.” He narrowed his eyes as she rubbed her temple. “Headache?”

    She dropped her hand quickly. “Just a little one.”
    “Take anything?”
    “No, it’ll pass. Shouldn’t we go?”
    “All right.” He took her hand to lead her out. “I was thinking…why don’t we drop by Molly’s Hole on the way home?”
    She couldn’t help but laugh. “You still have a one-track mind.”
    He opened the car door for her. “Is that a yes?”
    She tilted her head, slanted him a look. “That’s an I’ll-think-about-it.”
    “Brat,” he muttered as he closed the door.
    Ten minutes later, Joanie was bursting through her front door to greet them. “Isn’t it great? I can hardly stand it!” She grabbed Vanessa to swing her around. “We’re really going to be sisters now. I’m so happy for them, for us!” She gave Vanessa another crushing hug.
    “Hey, how about me?” Brady demanded. “Don’t I even get a hello?”
    “Oh, hi, Brady.” At his disgusted look, she laughed and launched herself at him. “Wow! You wore a suit and everything!”
    “So I’m told. Dad said we had to dress up.”
    “And did you ever.” She pulled back. “Both of you. Lord, Van, where did you get that dress? Fabulous,” she said, before Vanessa could answer. “I’d kill to be able to squeeze my hips into that. Well, don’t just stand out here, come on in. We’ve got a ton of food, champagne, the works.”
    “Hell of a hostess, isn’t she?” Brady commented as Joanie rushed inside, shouting for her husband.
    Joanie hadn’t exaggerated about the food. There was a huge glazed ham, with a mountain of whipped potatoes, an array of vegetables, fluffy homemade biscuits. The scent of cooling apple pies wafted in from the kitchen. The home’s festive air was accented by candles and the glint of crystal wineglasses.
    The conversation was loud and disjointed, punctuated by Lara’s cheerful banging of her spoon against the tray of her high chair.
    Vanessa heard her mother laughing, more freely, more openly, than she could ever remember. And she looked lovely, Vanessa thought, smiling at Ham, leaning over to stroke Lara. It was happiness, she realized. True happiness. In all her memories, she could pull out no picture of her mother’s face when it had been truly happy.
    As the meal wore on, she nibbled lightly, certain that no one would notice her lack of appetite in the confusion. But when she saw Brady watching her, she forced herself to take another bite, to sip at the iced champagne, to laugh at one of Jack’s jokes.
    “I think this occasion calls for a toast.” Brady rose. He shot Lara a look as she squealed. “You have to wait your turn,” he told her, hefting his glass. “To my father, who turned out to be smarter than I always figured. And to his beautiful bride-to-be, who used to look the other way when I’d sneak into the backyard to neck with her daughter.” Over the ensuing laughter, glasses were clinked.
    Vanessa drank the bubbly wine and hoped she wouldn’t pay for it later.
    “Anyone for dessert?” Joanie’s question was answered by communal moans.