“Fine. Call me when you’re close. I’ll wait on the curb across from the main entrance. It’ll be faster than you driving around the block.”
While she waited for Tony, Tessa thought grimly about how normal her life had been just twenty-four hours ago. It was a simple routine: work, home, seeing Tony off or welcoming him back, small joys, and few troubles. But since her grandfather’s strange message in her dream, everything had been turned upside down. She had met Sophie, and now, thanks to the doctors, the little girl would be okay. It was terrifying to think what might have happened if Tessa had ignored her grandfather and stayed in the city. Things could have ended very differently.
But what about her own life now? She was certain Sophie was a bright, honest child. The girl had clearly stated that Tony had introduced Tessa as his sister. There was no reason to doubt her. Tessa could think of only one explanation for her fiancé’s—or rather, her cohabiting boyfriend’s—bizarre behavior. And she didn’t like it one bit. He had likely been taking advantage of her trust, carrying on an affair, and had the gall to bring his mistress to her grandfather’s house.
A call from Tony interrupted her spiraling thoughts. It was time to set things straight. With a curt nod to her fiancé, she got into the car, cutting off his greeting and his gushing thanks. “Tony, stop. Just explain to me why I came home to my grandfather’s house and found a strange little girl there.”
Tony launched into a story. “Look, Sophie and her mom, Anna, had to get out of town fast. They were in a really tough spot. It’s complicated—debts, an abusive boyfriend, his crazy friends. Anna and Sophie could have been seriously hurt, even killed. I couldn’t just do nothing. I’m not heartless. Anna can’t go to her own mother; she’s too ashamed to show up like a stray dog. She wants to earn some money and go back with her head held high.”
Tessa cut him off again. Her voice was calm, but she was shaking with anger and hurt. “Tony, I get it. You’re a hero. You helped a woman and her child in a difficult situation. But why the hell, according to you, am I suddenly your sister? When did this magical transformation happen? I thought I was practically your wife. And if I recall, the affection you’ve been showing me lately wasn’t exactly brotherly.”
The car swerved slightly, as if Tony had dodged something on the road. The angry woman could see he was uncomfortable. He pretended to focus intently on his driving. Tessa decided to hold her tongue until they got back to the house. The man—her ex-fiancé, she corrected herself—was driving, and their lives were in his hands.
They drove the rest of the way in silence. Tessa realized that despite the stressful day, she was starving. Considering her last meal had been a butterscotch candy and some water on the bus, it wasn’t surprising. The hunger was amplified by the stress, but the thought of finally getting home brought no relief. She knew Anna would be there, and a very difficult conversation awaited her.
A slender female figure was illuminated in the headlights at the gate of her grandfather’s house. Tessa guessed it was an anxious Anna, waiting for them. Seeing the car, Sophie’s mother hurried to open the gate, and Tony expertly parked in the yard. The woman closed the gate and approached Tessa. “Hello, as you’ve probably figured out, my name is Anna. I’m sorry I yelled at you on the phone. I was just out of my mind when I saw my daughter was gone. I didn’t even see the note. Thank goodness Tony helped me figure it all out. You have a wonderful brother. Please, come inside. I’ve made some dinner. I know the worst is over, and I don’t want to bombard you with questions while you’re hungry. I’m so grateful to you. What are you waiting for? You must be starving. When I’m nervous, I could eat a horse. I ate half a loaf of bread with some cold cuts while I was waiting for you two.”
Tessa started to laugh. Not only had this Anna bought Tony’s lie, just like her daughter, but she was also playing hostess in Tessa’s house. Trying not to descend into hysterics, Tessa forced herself to stop laughing and, under Anna’s surprised gaze, walked into the house. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tony looking dejected and embarrassed. He seemed to want to run away and let the two women sort out the mess he had created. That was probably why he lingered outside, pretending to check a tire. Tessa noted his maneuver, but Anna seemed preoccupied with thoughts of her daughter and feeding her guests.
While Tessa washed her hands, the uninvited guest was putting the finishing touches on the table. She didn’t ask for help or look for utensils, moving about as if she had been here many times before. From the dishes on the table, Tessa could tell that most of the food had been brought by Anna and Tony. Thinly sliced salami filled the room with a mouth-watering aroma, making her empty stomach clench. Several kinds of cheese were artfully arranged on a plate. A dish, which from the smell was generously seasoned with dried dill, sat in the center of the table in a pot, wrapped in a thick towel to keep it warm.
The refrigerator hummed to life quietly—so she had turned it on to store other groceries, Tessa thought.
As if reading her mind, Anna explained,
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