Betrayed Hearts (19 page)

“Hey, cuz. That was an awesome sermon.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.

“Thanks. I hope the professors thought so, too.”

Chloe eyes went wide, and Nick noticed their similarity to Lily's.

“Your professors were here?”

“Second row on the left.”

“Wow. I would've been so nervous. How'd you do it?”

Nick winked at Lily. “I think the Holy Spirit had more to do with it than I did. I was thinking about something else.”

Chloe shot a grin in Lily's direction. “I'll bet you were. You look gorgeous today, as usual, Lily. Come and say hi to my mom.” Chloe grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her in the direction of the church stairs.

Lily shot a panicked glance over her shoulder, but there was nothing Nick could do.

 

****

 

Lily had no choice but to follow Chloe over to where a group of gray-haired women stood on the sidewalk near the church steps. Mrs. Martin moved forward as they approached. Though frail, she carried herself well. Even with the oxygen pack and the slender tube running to her nostrils, Sonia looked elegant in her navy blue suit and pearls, her graying curls held in place, no doubt, by a large quantity of hairspray.

“Mom, you remember Lily,” Chloe said. “The friend who's been tutoring me.”

“It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Martin.” Lily pushed her apprehension aside, determined to get to know the woman who'd raised her sister.

Sonia Martin's blue eyes narrowed as she shook Lily's hand. “It's good to see you, too, Lily. I want to thank you for what you're doing for my daughter.”

Lily smiled. “I'm glad I could help. I know how tough high school can be.”

Mrs. Martin continued to regard her. “I appreciate your offer to help with the birthday party as well. Though I do find it odd for a newcomer to become so involved in my daughter's affairs. Especially given the difference in your ages.”

Tension swirled through the small group as they waited in silence for her response. Lily felt the heat of Nick's gaze on her face. She swallowed before answering. “Maxi, Nick, and Chloe were the first people to make me feel welcome here. How could I not want to repay them in some small way?” She gave a slight shrug. “I have a bit of an artistic side, so decorating for a party should be fun.”

Mrs. Martin's features softened. “Well, thank you. Chloe, we'd best be getting home. I have Sunday dinner to fix.” She raised her gaze to Nick, and the love that shone there hit Lily like a fist. “You will be joining us, won't you, dear?”

“Of course, Aunt Sonia. When have I ever missed a Sunday?”

She smiled at him, her whole face brightening. “Good. We'll see you later.”

Lily realized then that Sonia Martin's fierce over-protectiveness extended to her nephew as well. Once Chloe and her mother left, Lily blew out a long breath. She turned to talk to Nick and found him surrounded by about twenty parishioners, all congratulating him on his wonderful sermon. She scanned the crowd for Maxi but couldn't see her.

She was about to start walking home when Sarah Jane came marching up the path toward her, an unpleasant expression pinching her features.

Lily looked around for an escape route, but finding herself boxed in by the crowd on one side and a row of hedges on the other, braced herself for the inevitable confrontation. “Hello, Sarah Jane.”

The woman walked right up to her, the brim of her hat almost knocking Lily in the eye. “You can save the pretense, Miss Draper. I know all about you and what you're up to here.”

She kept her voice low enough that no one else could hear what she'd said. The hardness of her expression sent alarm bells off in Lily's head. What did she mean by that cryptic comment?

“I'm not up to anything.” Lily managed to keep her voice steady.

Sarah Jane flashed a cold smile at odds with the warmth of the day. “Well, then you have nothing to worry about, do you? In the meantime, stay away from
my
boyfriend.” She shook her finger at her, barely missing Lily's nose.

In that instant, the frightening similarity between Sarah Jane and Lily's father became clear. Both wore a virtuous mask to hide a darker nature beneath.

Lily held her temper in check.

“Sarah Jane, you're not causing trouble are you?” Maxi appeared at her elbow.

“Of course not. Just welcoming Lily to our church.” She lifted her nose higher into the air as though daring Lily to contradict her. “Excuse me, I have to speak with Nick.”

“What was that about?” Maxi asked as Sarah Jane stalked off across the lawn.

“I have no idea.”

Maxi shook her head, her thin eyebrows coming together in a frown. “I don't want to worry you, Lily, but you better watch yourself. There's no telling what Sarah Jane will do to get Nick back.”

 

 

 

 

17

 

On Thursday afternoon, Nick opened his door and greeted Lily with a huge grin. “Come on in. Doc should be here any minute.”

Lily stepped inside Nick's house, very similar to the one she and Maxi shared. Twenty minutes ago, Nick had called and asked her to meet him here because he'd arranged for Doc Anderson to come over. Luckily she had the afternoon off so the timing was perfect.

He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek, and she smiled at him. “Thanks for setting this up. Do you think he'll help us?”

“We'll find out soon enough.” He took her hand and led her down the hall into the living room where the high ceilings and wide crown moldings indicated the age of the structure.

Unlike Nick's rental house, this home hadn't been modernized at all. The faded wallpaper in the living room and old-fashioned furnishings likely meant Nick hadn't changed anything since his mother passed away. Maybe the familiarity was comforting.

“It's a bit outdated in here,” Nick said in an apologetic tone. “I haven't had time to redecorate.”

“I like it. It's homey.” She walked toward the fireplace. Not a trace of dust anywhere, only the faint odor of lemon furniture polish.

“Can I get you some coffee? There's a fresh pot in the kitchen.”

“Yes, please.” It would give her something to do with her hands.

While he was gone, she wandered around the room, looking at pictures on the mantel, enjoying the cozy feel of the space. A small, framed photo of Nick as a boy caught her eye. She smiled at the familiar mischievous grin. Even at that age he was a charmer.

“Here you go. Milk and sugar, right?”

“Yes, thanks.” As she took the cup from him, the doorbell rang. She took a quick sip and set down the coffee, smoothing her skirt with damp palms.

A minute later, Doc Anderson's wide frame filled the living room doorway.

“Hello, Lily.” His greeting held a hint of puzzlement.

“Hi, Doc. Thanks for coming.” She gave him a nervous smile. What would Doc think of her story? More importantly, would he be willing to help?

He moved into the room. “I must admit I'm curious about the nature of this meeting.” Doc raised his eyebrows in a gentle question.

“Have a seat, Percy.” Nick followed in behind him, a hand on his shoulder. “Can I get you some coffee?”

“No, thanks, son. Caffeine keeps me up at night.”

“Fine, we'll get right to the point then.” Nick offered Doc a chair, sat beside Lily on the couch, and nodded at her to proceed.

She moistened her dry lips. “Remember I asked you about the Strickland case?”

His brow creased into a frown. “Yes, and I believe I was quite clear about the outcome. Adelaide Strickland succumbed to her injuries.”

Lily leaned forward on the sofa. “I'd like to know who informed you of her death. Was it someone from the hospital?”

Doc's gaze darted from Lily to Nick.

“Was it the attending doctor?” she persisted, “or maybe one of the hospital officials?”

He shifted his bulk on the chair. “It was the hospital chaplain—I remember that much. Why is this so important?”

She straightened her spine. The time had come for full disclosure. She needed the truth.

“Since I'm your patient,” she said slowly, “you're bound by patient confidentiality, correct?”

“That's right.”

“Then what I'm about to tell you must remain between the three of us for now.”

The doctor nodded.

She took a deep breath. “I am Adelaide Strickland. Lily Adelaide Strickland, to be exact.”

His mouth dropped open. The whites around his pale eyes stood out under his wire-rimmed glasses. “But how is that possible?” he finally sputtered, looking to Nick for confirmation.

Nick nodded. “It's possible because Lily didn't die in that hospital. Although someone wanted you to think she had.”

Lily pulled the birth certificate from her bag and handed it to him. He scanned it and gave it back. “Well, if that don't beat all. Why on earth would the chaplain lie about such a thing?”

“That's what I'm trying to find out. Is there anything else you can tell me? Like why no one asked to see the body?”

Doc pulled out a white handkerchief and dabbed it to his forehead. “When the chaplain informed me of Addie's death, I told him we'd have someone from the funeral home come for the body. The man seemed surprised—said the body had already been cremated. Apparently, there'd been some kind of mix-up because there was no next of kin. When I told Sonia Martin, she got very upset. Insisted I file a complaint with the hospital, which I intended to do. But once we received the ashes, Sonia had calmed down. Said not to bother. What was done was done. She didn't want some poor person to lose their job over an honest mistake. We had Addie's funeral, and that's the last I ever thought about it.”

Lily let out a slow breath. “That explains the lack of a body. But not why someone would go to all that trouble.” She looked Doc in the eye. “Would you be willing to help me get my medical records from the Kingsville hospital? I need to see if I was pronounced dead there, and by whom.”

Nick moved closer to her on the sofa, as if to protect her. “Could you get your hands on those, Percy?”

Doc rubbed his chin. “Shouldn't be a problem. I believe they keep records back at least twenty years.” His jaw tightened. “I'd like to clear up this mystery as much as you. Someone lied to me, and I want to know why.”

Doc's eyes narrowed suddenly. He gave Nick a sharp look. “Does your aunt know about this?”

“No, sir. And don't worry. Lily's not planning on saying anything yet.”

Doc speared her with a stern look. “Sonia Martin is not a well woman and a shock like this could prove detrimental to her health.”

Guilt twisted Lily's insides. The time was coming when she would have to tell Chloe the truth, and Nick wouldn't be happy about that at all. No use worrying about it now. “I don't want to endanger Mrs. Martin.”

“Good.” He put both hands on his pudgy knees and pushed stiffly to his feet. “I'll be in touch when I have some news.”

Nick and Lily rose as well.

“Thanks, Doc.” Nick shook the older man's hand. “We appreciate your help.”

In the hall, Doc paused to peer over his spectacles at Lily. “I am curious about one thing. What took you so long to come back, young lady?”

She shrugged. “I didn't know my real name until I found my birth certificate a few weeks back.”

“I see.” He smiled, his eyes warm. “Well, Missy, I never thought I'd say this, but…welcome home.”

 

****

 

Lily jumped down from the ladder in the middle of the community center and stood back to survey her handiwork. The blue and yellow streamers spiraling out from the center point in the ceiling all seemed perfectly spaced. Bunches of gaily-colored balloons cooperated by remaining adhered to the walls. She blew out a satisfied breath. Step by step, the room was coming together for Chloe's big birthday party that evening.

“Looks great,” Maxi said from behind her.

“So far so good. Can you help me put on the tablecloths?”

With the addition of royal blue coverings, white napkins, and flowered centerpieces, the hall began to look as elegant as Lily had pictured in her mind. She'd incorporated Chloe's favorite colors and flowers into the decorating scheme. Mrs. Martin had given Maxi a group of photos from Chloe's childhood, which they had used to create a fabulous collage mounted on an easel in the corner by the head table. Lily loved getting a glimpse into her sister's life.

Maxi looked at her watch. “We'd better get home to change. I don't know about you, but I could use a shower.” She blew her bangs off her face.

Lily wiped dusty hands on her pants. “Me, too. Let me grab the trash, and I think we're done.”

She turned to pick up the tape, scissors, and leftover ribbon. Just as she stashed it all in a tote bag, the door to the party room opened, and Mrs. Martin walked in. She stood surveying the room, her hand on a wooden cane. Her gray curls had not even budged in the breeze from outside.

“Hey, Mrs. M.,” Maxi called. “We just finished. What do you think?”

“It's beautiful. Chloe will love it.”

She hobbled forward with her cane, coming to stand near Lily, who found herself at a loss for words. The woman's pale eyes held no warmth. Why did this frail, yet formidable, woman make her so nervous?

“Is Chloe excited?” Lily finally asked.

Mrs. Martin smiled. “Oh, yes. She's flitting around the house like a nervous bird, fiddling with her dress and hair.” Her gaze turned solemn. “This is the first big birthday party Chloe's ever had. I wanted to do this for her, before…before she leaves for college.”

Lily felt sympathy for the woman who might not live to see her daughter start a career or marry. Despite the oxygen pumping through Sonia's pack, the blue tinges around her lips told Lily the severity of Sonia Martin's illness. According to Nick, Sonia would soon be on oxygen permanently.