Page 22 of Brant
"Hello?" Easing into the driver's seat, she slammed the door and immediately turned the heat on.
Angeline's voice came across loud and clear, her tone brisk. "My dear, I'm happy I caught you. I know my son is at the club and will be away for the rest of the week."
So, he had time to inform his mother of his movements, while she, as his wife, only deserved a hastily written note, she thought sourly.
"Yes, he is," she responded with polite coolness.
"I was hoping you could come by for supper."
"I-" No way in hell!
"I know it's short notice, but I think we should take this opportunity to get to know each other. I also realize that this is an unusual arrangement, but you're Brant's wife and with him being away, I would like to extend the invitation to supper. I usually eat at seven sharp."
"I-I was about to visit my brother." Indigo hated that she was hedging and could not tell the woman an outright no. The idea of spending an hour or two with his mother was beyond her.
"It's now almost noon. I'm sure you have time to make the trip and be back to get ready for supper. I can extend the hour by seven thirty." The woman's tone was implacable, leaving Indigo in no doubt that refusal was not an option.
"Of course." She forced a note of gaiety into her voice as she touched the start button.
"Good," Angeline concluded briskly. "Looking forward to seeing you."
"Thanks."
Hanging up the phone, she sat there for a minute, staring at the piles of snow on the hedges, and wished to God she could call and cancel.
"You look so much better!" Indigo exclaimed as soon as her brother walked into the common area of the facility. It was true. The last time she had visited, which was two weeks ago, he had appeared gaunt and thin, his face haggard.
"I feel much better," he admitted, hugging her tight, before easing her back a few inches to scrutinize her from top to bottom. "You look amazing. Wow! Marriage agrees with you." Tucking her hand through his arm, he led her over to a group of sofas next to the window.
At this time of day, visitors were few and they practically had the room to themselves. The place looked more like a country club than a rehab center, and the common area was charmingly decorated to look like the lounge of a five-star hotel. There were fresh flowers on a table to the right and a grand piano in one corner. Another table had coffee pots, cups and a charcuterie board.
"How are you?" she asked as she sat on a single padded chair while he took the one across from her. She had bought him some clothes, and he was wearing one of the suits, tan trousers and a thick cream-colored sweater.
"Not bad." He smiled wanly. "I still get the shakes, you know, and there's the craving. It's going to take a while, sis. But I will get there, I promise you."
"I know you will."
He fidgeted restlessly, his hands rubbing up and down his thighs.
"I-I met someone." He shook his head when she opened her mouth. "I know what you're going to say. I'm not in a position to be thinking about a relationship. I'm a royal mess right now. But she's sweet. Her name is Abigail and she's here as well. Her family is wealthy, which is why she's in this swanky place. She's twenty-eight and has been in and out of rehab since she was sixteen." He gave her a sad, lopsided smile. "She lost her brother to a terrible accident that had her losing her left arm. That messed her up and she sought solace in drugs. We have become friends and we're there for each other. There's nothing physical between us, because that's not allowed, but we talk and it's good between us." He shrugged. "I know I'm no use to myself, much less to someone else, but it's good to have someone who understands. As much as you're my sister, you cannot imagine what it's like to have cravings that control you."
Reaching across, she placed her hand over his and felt her heart turning over at the tremors she felt. He was still so frail, so vulnerable. Even though she could see that he was on his way to recovery, he was right; it was going to take a while.
"I would like to meet her."
He smiled in relief. "She's out visiting with her parents and won't be back until tonight. They're very supportive of her." Turning his hand over, he squeezed hers. "Just like you're supportive of me. You saved my life, sis." His voice was thick with emotion and had her blinking back tears. "Now, enough of this." He laughed shakily. Squeezing her hand again, he let go. "Before we embarrass ourselves in public. When do I get to meet this generous husband of yours?" He held up a hand before she could respond. "I know you're probably reluctant to have a man like him meeting your screwed-up brother, and I promise you that I'm not the least bit offended."
"It's not that. It's-" She was interrupted by a sudden burst of clapping and laughter. "What's going on?" she asked curiously as they were drawn to the group standing by a table where someone had brought out a cake.
"They celebrate milestones in this place. That guy right there, wearing a plaid shirt, is celebrating thirty days of sobriety."
"That's wonderful."
Caleb rose and took her hand to pull her up. "How about we join them?"
"Of course." Linking her hand through his arm, she went with him to join in the festivities.
She had dressed with special care for the dinner. The tailored slacks were ruby red and the sweater of the same shade. Knee-high supple leather boots completed the ensemble. Her hair was tamed with gel and smoothed back into an elegant chignon. She was wearing diamond studs and the necklace and pendant she never took off.
