Second Time Around. Carol Steward

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СКАЧАТЬ you. The job of Savior has already been filled—in case you need another reminder.”

      “That’s not even funny, Katarina.”

      “Lighten up, sis. I was joking!”

      Emily’s focus instantly moved to the hearing aid tucked into her sister’s right ear. “Oh, Kat. I’m sorry. I don’t blame you.” Emily set the knife on the ceramic-tile counter and rinsed her hands, then hugged her younger sister. “No, sweetie. It wasn’t just because of you. It was for families like ours who grew up without the money to get proper medical care. If you’d only had the medicine for your ear infections, you’d be fine now.”

      Katarina’s eyes clouded, and Emily saw sudden visions of their impoverished childhood. She leaned back and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, remembering arguments she and Kevin had had regarding family finances. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Guess I haven’t let go of my past after all, have I? I hand it to God, then I yank it back. Bet He thinks it’s a yo-yo by now.”

      Kat reached out her hand and held Emily’s, her ornery smile erasing the look of hurt from her blue eyes. “I think there’s one part of your past you’d better examine very carefully before letting him slip away a second time.”

      Emily turned her sister’s head and spoke into her ear. “Is your hearing aid on?” she teased.

      Katarina nodded.

      “Good, because I don’t want you to miss what I’m going to say. I don’t care about Kevin MacIntyre.” Emily tugged the unruly curls to the top of her head and fastened a barrette, then continued. “I don’t wish him any harm, but…I don’t need him. I am perfectly happy on my own.”

      “Right. I don’t believe a word of it, but the time will come when you’ll realize what he still means to you.”

      Emily watched her sister dance to the back door and pull the Victorian lace curtains closed, seemingly mocking Emily’s problems. Katarina was the only sane person she knew who could switch moods as easily as turning pages on a calendar.

      “I am curious,” Kat continued. “How do you plan to avoid him when both of you are friends with Laura and Bryan?”

      “They’ll understand.” Emily placed the ivy-trimmed dishes on the antique table and added two glasses of iced tea. She thought of Kevin’s promise that they would see each other again, and the seething anger started anew. “Oooh, he’s so sure of himself.”

      Katarina didn’t say anything, just smiled. The disk changed, and it wasn’t long before she began humming with the music. Pretty soon, Emily heard an echo of the wedding processional behind her.

      “Knock it off, Katarina.”

      “Mama always said your temper was because of that fiery red hair. Came from the Irish side of the family, I suppose.”

      Emily shook her head and rolled her eyes, remembering their childish arguments as if they were yesterday.

      They continued preparing dinner in silence. Even though Katarina irritated her like only a little sister could, Emily was anxious for Kat’s move to town so they could get together more often. They were the closest of the three siblings in age and in spirit.

      If it hadn’t been for her sister’s youthful encouragement, Emily never would have made it through the broken engagement or medical school. Kat’s zany sense of humor was a totally endearing quality that Emily had learned to appreciate, and had come to depend upon.

      “Emily?” Her sister touched her arm.

      She turned, shaking the daze away. “What?”

      Kat had moved the food to the table, and now motioned for Emily to sit. In unison they bowed their heads, while Emily blessed the nourishment before them.

      There was an unsettling quiet as they ate.

      “Do you think Dad ever loved Mom?” After all these years, Katarina’s voice echoed Emily’s gnawing childhood fear.

      Emily stared at her food. Would the mention of her broken engagement ever stop reminding all of them of their father? “I try not to analyze them, Kat. We both know how unforgiving Mom can be. Maybe Dad couldn’t take it anymore. Maybe… Who knows?” Emily shrugged, then took a bite of chicken. She wished her sister would change the subject.

      “Don’t you ever wonder why he never came back to see us?”

      Slurping the juice dripping from the bite of pear, Emily mumbled, “Of course I do. I doubt I’ll ever get over it.”

      “What?” Katarina turned her head slightly, tears brimming in her bright blue eyes. Out of frustration, she combed her fingers through one side of her sporty hairstyle, as if the hair were preventing her hearing aid from working.

      “I mean, there are parts of my past I can’t seem to forget.” The hearing aid in Katarina’s ear was tiny and no longer bothered her, but it always would Emily. It was a constant reminder of why she’d gone into medicine. No matter how much she tried, Emily would never forget the pain she’d nursed her little sister through. She’d do everything possible to help prevent another child’s suffering. “How do you deal with it? You’re always so disgustingly cheerful.”

      The brightness of her sister’s porcelain skin paled and the smile dimmed. “There are still days when I’m so mad I could spit nails. Trust me.”

      Emily took her sister’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sure there are, Kat.” Caring for Katarina and their youngest sister, Lisa, while her mother had worked two jobs had made Emily realize the importance of an education. Which was why she and Kevin had agreed to wait until she finished her bachelor’s degree to get married. Then came that letter—

      Her mind pulled the plug on the memory. “Hey, we’re supposed to be having a good time tonight. Who brought up this maudlin subject, anyway?”

      Katarina grinned. “You’re right. Let’s change the subject. So, tell me more about the wedding. The part without Kevin, if you’d prefer.”

      In between bites of chicken cordon bleu and salad, Emily told her everything, excluding the charming way Kevin had played with the kids during the reception. Remembering it made her heart swell. There he was in his tailored suit, romping around on the floor with Laura’s sons so the bride and groom could enjoy the reception….

      His thoughtfulness and boyish sense of humor were what had first caught her attention so many years ago. She had been sitting solemnly by herself under the golden leaves of the grand old maple tree at the college-sponsored concert, when Kevin spied her staring at him. Even from a distance, she’d seen the way he made everyone around him feel. He had a contagious laugh and a quick wit. As she blushed, he introduced himself. A few minutes later they were sharing the shade, deep in conversation and laughter.

      For three years he’d courted her, throughout it all putting up with her mother’s ridicule. But Emily had stayed, falling ever more deeply in love with the man her mother had predicted would love her and leave her, just as Emily’s philandering father had done.

      “I’m going to Lincoln next week for a show. Do you want me to take anything to Mom?” If her sister noticed Emily’s distraction, she didn’t mention it.

      Emily СКАЧАТЬ