Denouement (The Darkness Series Book 3) (9 page)

A
ubrey placed a
plate of buttered toast on the kitchen table and began cutting the slices into fours. Greta was behind her chopping up an apple while Caleb and Hope banged their plastic cutlery on the table, impatiently waiting for their breakfast. She smiled as she put a few pieces on each of their plates and they grabbed them up to stuff into their little mouths. Hope was rougher than Caleb, filling her mouth until her cheeks puffed out.

“Hope, that’s enough,” Aubrey warned, watching to make sure the little girl didn’t choke. She chewed and swallowed, grinning up at Aubrey.

“Jam,” she demanded, pointing at Greta. Greta rolled her eyes and cast an apologetic look at Aubrey.

“She loves strawberry jam. Do you have any?” she asked.

“In the fridge. I think there’s grape jelly as well if they like that,” she told her, watching as Greta pulled open the fridge and hunted through the jars of condiments stored in the door. Nora came into the kitchen just as Greta shut the door, strawberry jam in hand.

“Good morning,” she called out as she kissed Caleb and Hope on their cheeks. Caleb made a face and Hope squealed happily at the contact. Bringing over the new slices of toast coated with a thick layer of strawberry jam, Aubrey smiled at Nora.

“There’s fresh coffee in the pot. Help yourself, Greta and I have breakfast handled.” Nora smiled gratefully as she pulled down a blue mug from the cupboard.

“How did you sleep?” Aubrey asked as they watched Greta clean the children’s sticky faces with a wet wipe. She cleared the remnants of the toast away and placed the apple slices in the center of the table.

Nora offered her a weary smile. “Not bad. Had some crazy dreams. I was really hoping coming here for a few days would help me relax and concentrate on why things with Gabe feel so tense and off.”

“What’s going on? Are you two having problems?” Aubrey laid her hand over Nora’s and gave it a gentle squeeze in a show of comfort and support. Seeing her cousin this conflicted broke her heart, she knew how hard Gabe and Nora had fought to get back what had been taken from them; what the horror of Caleb’s kidnapping did to them. If they’d lost their way, she wanted to do everything she could to help them find their way back to the love they once shared.

“He’s different, Aubrey. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I feel like he’s not the same man. He’s changed. There’s nothing about him that reminds me of the man I gave my heart to. I’ve tried so damn hard to get past it, but I can’t. He doesn’t want to be involved with the kids,” she furrowed her brow as she watched Caleb and Hope munching on the apples in a contented silence. “It’s like pulling teeth to get him to show any interest or pay any attention to them. Every now and then he will take Hope outside to play, but Caleb…he’s just shut off from him.” Nora let out a long sigh as she sat down at the table with her coffee.

“I just…I just can’t help thinking that I made a mistake by agreeing to marry him.” She held up a hand at Aubrey’s sharp intake of breath. “I know. I know I sound like a horrible bitch, but Aubrey, you know me. You know that I’d never say something like that unless I really thought something was wrong.” Nora’s eyes pleaded with her to understand.

Greta discreetly herded Caleb and Hope into the family room of Aubrey’s modest cottage style house. A few moments later, the sound of a children’s program came to life on the TV, leaving the two women to chat without any listening ears.

“Nora, you don’t need to explain anything to me. If you feel in your gut, if you’re instincts are telling you that something is off–then you’re probably right. I’ve never doubted you before and I’m not about to start now. Have you asked Gabe to talk to someone? Maybe things seem off because he’s dealing with some sort of delayed post-traumatic stress from the kidnapping,” Aubrey suggested, hating the way Nora was doubting herself.

“I brought the idea up once, and he shut it down. He’s not involved in the ranch as much anymore, doesn’t hang out with Theo. I’m completely at a loss as to what to do,” she confessed, draining the last sip of her coffee.

The front door opened with a loud bang followed by a low, “Fuck.” Autumn entered the kitchen, looking between them with a frown.

“Jesus, who died? What’s with all the long faces in here?” She headed straight for the coffee pot, her long red hair flowing out behind her. “Don’t tell me there’s been another murder, the whole town is already scared shitless of this lunatic.” She kept up a steady stream of chatter while she poured the hot liquid into the bright yellow mug that was reserved for her. Adding a healthy amount of creamer, she joined Nora and Aubrey at the table.

“So, spill. What’s going on?” she pressed.

Nora nodded at Aubrey, silently giving her permission to reveal the details of their conversation about Gabe.

“Something has been off with Gabe lately. Nora came here to give them some time apart and make some decisions,” she explained.

Autumn raised her eyebrows, surprised at the news. She snapped her mouth closed at the warning glare from Aubrey, swallowing what she was going to say and clearing her throat before attempting to speak again.

“Well a little time with the girls never hurt anything. And you know what they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder,” she said with a wink.

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Absence. Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” she corrected. Aubrey waved her hand, not caring that she mixed up the saying.

“Whatever. The point is, by the time you get back, you’ll have him eating out of your hand—maybe even begging to eat something else, if you know what I mean,” she teased with a knowing look. Aubrey groaned and threw a napkin at her.

“What? She’s hot, Gabe’s hot…they might just need one night of passion to sort their shit out. My point is that this
absence
thing,” she shot a pointed look at Aubrey, “will have him ready and willing to do anything you ask to set things right again. I mean, come on, it’s you guys. Nora and Gabe. Y’all are meant to be,” she finished, taking a sip of her coffee.

Nora let out a laugh and shook her head. “I wish it was as simple as that. I really do. Even Theo has noticed something is off. He doesn’t say much to me about it, but I know he sees it too.”

Autumn let out a sigh. “Theo. That man could snatch my panties off with just one single look. Shit, I don’t know why women even wear panties around him.”

“Autumn,” Aubrey said her sister’s name on a groan. “You know that he’s involved with Gabe’s sister.”

“So? Doesn’t mean a girl can’t appreciate a fine ass man when she sees one. And trust me, Theo is one very fuckable man. Jesus, the things I’d do to him. I bet that he’s an expert with his—”

“Building blocks!” Aubrey interrupted as Greta rounded the corner with both kids in tow. “Theo is an expert with building blocks. Isn’t that right, Nora?”

“Yes, I’m sure he is an expert with his…building blocks,” Nora agreed with a chuckle as she scooped Caleb up and onto her lap.

“I was only going to say hands,” Autumn muttered under her breath, annoyed. She smiled at Greta as the older woman collected their coffee mugs and brought them over to the counter to refill them.

“Greta, you’ve been with them for a while now, what do you think of this situation?” Autumn called out, curious to get the quiet woman’s opinion.

Greta’s hand froze spooning sugar into the mugs. “I didn’t know Mr. Thornton before…” she cast a sideways glance at Nora, “before. To me now, he seems to be a very loving husband.” At Nora’s crestfallen expression, she hurried to continue. “More time with the children wouldn’t hurt, however I’m sure it’s just a phase and will pass. You know what men are like,” she finished. Her hands shook slightly, spilling a few grains of sugar onto the counter. She was uncomfortable with the conversation that much was obvious. Her reaction was suspect to Autumn who studied her for a few minutes, curious about the elderly woman. They didn’t know much about her besides that she had been in the employ of that fucker, Marcus and had been rescued by Gabe, Theo and Sheriff Brady James when they located Caleb and baby Hope. How anyone could work for such a sadistic monster was beyond her comprehension. Nora and Gabe seemed to trust her, so who was she to question their decisions? Greta carried the freshly topped up mugs over to the table, setting them down without making eye contact with anyone.

“Well, you know what we need? A night out. A chance to unwind from all the craziness surrounding this town and give Nora a break from this worry about her and Gabe,” she raised a finger at Aubrey, who opened her mouth to protest. “Don’t argue, Aubs. My mind is made up. Tonight, we hit up
Shorty’s
. Greta, you can watch the kiddos, right?” She turned her back without waiting for an answer, expecting it to be a yes. She took a big gulp of her coffee and kissed her twin’s cheek. “I’ve got to get to work, but I’ll be back at eight,” she warned.

The door slammed behind her and Aubrey locked eyes with Nora. “There’s no sense in arguing with her most times. But if you really don’t want to go, I’ll get her to back off,” she told her. Nora laughed over the racket of Caleb banging his wooden train on the table.

“It’s fine, she’s sweet. I actually think she’s right. A chance to unwind might be a good idea,” she turned to look at Greta. “Would you…”

“Of course, Mrs. Thornton, you don’t even need to ask. The children will be fine without you for one night,” she gave her a soft smile.

“Stop calling me that, I’ve told you, you’re like family now. So please, call me Nora.” Greta nodded and set a wriggling Hope on her feet, who promptly took off running into the other room. A crash followed by a loud wail had Nora sighing as she gained her feet.

“Drinks are definitely a good idea,” she said to Aubrey with a sigh. It was going to be a long day.

*     *     *

True to her
word, Autumn returned that night at eight o’clock sharp. Dressed in a red sweater dress that clung to every curve, she was sure to turn the head of every available and unavailable man in the place. She dropped a bottle of wine on the kitchen counter and hunted for the opener in the drawer.

Aubrey came in just as she poured the third glass of moscato. Giving her sister a once-over, she vehemently shook her head. “No, no, no. You aren’t wearing that. Not happening.” She set the wine bottle down and took Aubrey by the shoulders and turned her around, marching her back to her room.

“Autumn, please. What’s wrong with this? I’m comfortable,” she argued, not in the mood to be used as a Barbie dress up doll.

“You wear these skirts and blouses to
work
. You can afford to change it up a bit and add a bit of variety in your wardrobe.” She stuck her head in Aubrey’s closet and rooted around, letting out a muffled “aha,” and emerging triumphantly with a few articles of clothing.

Aubrey eyed her suspiciously. “What’d you find? Autumn, I’m not wearing something that won’t cover my ass,” she warned.

“Relax, Aubs. Here go to the bathroom and put these on while I hunt for some shoes. There must be something of mine laying around here somewhere.” She thrust the clothes at her and shoved her out the door.

Aubrey closed the bathroom door and looked in the mirror. Her red hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail and her green eyes sparkled behind her glasses; a light pink shade stained her cheeks from the altercation with her sister. With a sigh, she reached back and pulled the band from her hair, letting the tresses cascade around her shoulders in loose waves. Maybe for one night she could let up a little bit on the control, let go of her need to be so responsible all the time.

She changed into the skinny jeans and black off the shoulder top that Autumn picked out for her, pleased that it wasn’t as revealing as it could have been. At the last minute, she swapped her glasses for her contacts and added a coat of sheer lip gloss. Stepping back to look in the full length mirror on the back of the door, she had to admit she was pleased with the result. She looked casual and fun; as though she was one of those carefree females without a worry in the world.

Back in her room, Autumn was holding a pair of black ankle boots in one hand as she sifted through Aubrey’s jewelry box with the other. Not looking up, she called out, “Aubs, I know you have a pair of cute silver hoops, I’ve seen them. Where—” she cut off when she glanced over at her. “Fuck, you look fantastic. Here, try these.” She passed her the boots. Aubrey looked at the heel with apprehension, she was likely going to break her neck trying to walk in them. The determined look on her sister’s face meant she wasn’t going to win the battle of slipping into her comfortable flats, no matter how much she wanted to.

The cute ankle boots enhanced her five foot six frame by a few inches, causing her to totter for a few seconds before she gained her footing.

Satisfied, Autumn nodded and handed her the earrings she’d found and a silver necklace with a twisted knot at the end. Once they were on, Autumn let out a long, low whistle.

“Aubs! You look…well you look like me! The men in this town are finally going to remember that we’re twins,” she teased.

Self-conscious, Aubrey fidgeted with the ends of the long chain around her neck. “Autumn, I don’t know. Maybe I can just change into my blouse…” she trailed off as she realized it was no use by the expression on her sister’s face.