The Good Sister (4 page)

Lindsey watched as Elliot carefully removed his tie, and
untucked his white shirt with crisp, clean movements. He’d already helped her out of her gown, and she sat at her dressing table, removing her hair pins, dressed in the black, lace robe he allowed her to wear for his eyes only.

He was in a great mood. He gave a brilliantly received speech about what an honor it was to provide scholarship funding for students and further the education of deserving youngsters. He was applauded and even whistled at. He also gained serious news exposure and PR shots. So… he was in a good mood. He was smiling and even a degree less formal than his normal self.

Clearing her throat, Lindsey carefully dabbed at her eye makeup. Perhaps now was the time to ask about Jessie.

“Jessie called today.”

He raised an eyebrow while shrugging his shoulder out of his shirt. “Oh, and what is going on with her now?”

“She… wants me to come visit soon. You know, so we could spend some time together before the baby comes, and before our life gets taken over by the campaign.”

“Baby,” Elliot said with a frown and she stopped moving. Wrong word. Baby was the wrong word to bring up.
Damn it
. How could she not have foreseen that?

“Yes, you know how careless Jessie is. Not even finished with school and here the baby comes.” She smiled as if agreeing with Elliot of what a flighty mess her sister was. She was trying to be subtle while pointing out
she
wasn’t a flighty mess and pregnant.

“I don’t think going there is a good idea.”

“I just… I can’t stand to be here without you. You said it would take several weeks to accomplish the final construction phase of the resort in Honolulu. At least at Jessie’s, Will is there, and I feel a lot safer. You know how he protects Jessie, and by extension, me. And… perhaps, it would encourage Will to be more willing to come and speak out on your behalf.”

She was a bad, awful person. Elliot was just starting to strategize how he would become governor of the great state of Virginia, of which neither of them had an ounce of connection nor emotional attachment. His only assets were his deep pockets with which to finance his campaign. He could hire anyone he wanted, but the man he most wanted was Will Hendricks, national hero, to show up and endorse his campaign.

Lindsey was cleverly using it to blackmail him to let her visit her sister, whom she had not seen in almost a year now.

She only hoped Will would do that for her.

Elliot rubbed his jaw and his brow wrinkled in concentration. He finally, slowly, after what seemed like an eternity, nodded. “I suppose you could go there for a few weeks. I suppose it would make Will more receptive about supporting me. But, Lindsey, you must behave.”

She nodded slowly, holding his gaze. “As if you were right there, sitting next to me.”

He tapped a finger against his thigh as his gaze scoured her. He seemed to be looking for some kind of hidden motive, but eventually sighed and nodded. “Okay, then, you can go.”

Her heart stopped. She lowered her head so he couldn’t observe the irrepressible and glowing smile of triumph. Now she just had to convince Will to endorse a man he hated. She knew Will didn’t respect Elliot; and yet, Will knew nothing of what Elliot really was capable of. Still. It was all she had, so she’d have to make it work.

She got up and let Elliot take her hand as he led her to the bed. When he laid her down, she shut her brain off and tried not to think about escaping. Or about freedom. Or about her sister’s smile. Or that no one would hit her there. Then she closed her eyes as his fingers pinched her nipple with a hard twist of his thumb and forefinger. She groaned aloud at the sharp pain. He liked it when she voiced her response to him. So she did.  Tugging her head down until she came near his hard, jutting penis, his hand pushed the back of her head into his crotch. Her mouth was suddenly crammed full with him, and she was grateful for the dulling effects of the Vicodin she just washed down her throat.

“Excuse me, are you still open?”

Noah was in the back of the vet clinic, attending to one of the cats being boarded there for a few days after her surgery to remove a tumor. He walked toward the waiting room and through the swinging door that led to the bowels of the building, stopping just short of the doorway. He blinked in surprise. The woman stood up while staring intently through the wa
iting room windows at the autumn sun setting over the frozen, brittle land. He smiled as he stepped forward and touched the woman’s shoulder.

“Lindsey?”

She jumped and nearly screamed out, causing him to startle back, just as surprised.
What the hell?
She closed her eyes and a hand clutched her chest. “Oh, Noah, it’s you. You scared the daylights out of me!”

Daylights?
That’s right, Lindsey never swore. She talked with an old fashioned sweetness that was quite rare nowadays, but nevertheless, refreshing. Jessie would have said “shit!” Not “daylights.” The two were as different as their hair colors. Jessie was a dark-haired, small girl with deep curves; and Lindsey was a platinum-haired, tall, regal blond just as skinny as Jessie claimed.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Who jumped first?
She acted almost like she was recovering from bomb drills before smiling, but still appeared chagrinned.

“No, it was silly of me. I was caught by the sunset. I should have expected you’d obviously answer my inquiry.”

She spoke with a soft, lilting quality to her voice, and a formal stance and coolness that Noah wasn’t used to. Ellensburg was primarily a farming and ranching community. It didn’t exactly attract upper crust, rich elitists, such as the likes of Lindsey Johanson. She was the epitome of what the small, rural community lacked.

Noah had to quell the urge to smile at her formality. He was a native from here. His entire family lived in the area. He only left to attend veterinary school at Washington State University, which was one of the most renowned programs in the country. His parents supported four kids from the income of the certified organic ranch they owned and operated. It ran everything from cows to goats to chickens and pasteurized pigs
. They grew their own hay and sold a substantial quantity of organic eggs. Although he did move on to live in town and lead a more professionally-oriented occupation, he loved growing up on the wide-open land of his parent’s ranch. He often went there in his free time to work as he so enjoyed the rush of manual labor with the solid ground under his feet.

He didn’t have a clue what kind of person Lindsey was, let alone the lifestyle, that
she led.

Noah first met Jessie’s sister when Will disappeared in combat. He took the nearly catatonic Jessie to North Carolina to return to her sister. Jessie and he dated for a while, until the moment she got the call about Will. He instantly realized the futility of their relationship. She was and would always be in love with Will, whether or not he survived his deployment. It was on that exact day, when he realized Jessie could only be his friend. Then he came face to face with Lindsey Bains. His throat closed, and his stomach contracted as if someone just punched a fist into it. His reaction, as well as attraction, to her were instantaneous and deeply profound. Noah was disappointed to learn she was recently married, but still considered her a stunning, pristine, nearly perfect woman. She was tall and willowy, with subtle curves and a long, symmetrical face, featuring cool, blue eyes that shone and sparkled. She had long, thick, gently waving, ash-blond hair.

“Jessie didn’t mention you were coming. She isn’t here.”

Lindsey tipped her face down and slid her heeled feet back an inch. She didn’t like her personal space being infringed upon. He remembered that from the few times he spent with her. “Jessie didn’t know. I was—I mean, I
am
surprising her. I rented a car at the airport and came straight here. I was debating if she would be here or at home. Obviously, I guessed wrong.”

He smiled easily. “She’ll be over the moon
. She was just bemoaning the fact that you weren’t here, and she thought you weren’t going to come at all. In fact, she’s been driving me nuts; so, I’m just thrilled you’re here.”

Lindsey’s face flushed. Any direct conversation tended to make her blush. “My sister is not one to be… subtle, is she?”

“No. Never. Not once.”

Lindsey grinned full on, and the warmth filled her icy blue eyes. They were remarkable and the very first thing he ever noticed about her. They remained the focus that his gaze always stayed riveted on. It was hard not to stare at her. “I’m glad you appreciate that in her.”

“I appreciate almost everything about Jessie. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her when she takes maternity leave.”

“Really?” Lindsey’s eyes widened in surprise before she shook her head as if just remembering something. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like I couldn’t believe it. I can. I do. Old habit, I sometimes forget that… everything’s changed.”

“You mean because Jessie isn’t a mess anymore?”

She nodded. “Yes, just that.”

Noah grinned. “Instead, now I’m a mess without her.”

Lindsey cocked her head to the side and her smile seemed strained, weird, and almost appeared jealous. He wasn’t sure what to make of her expression. “I think that’s wonderful. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be so needed. Or so valued. I, well, I don’t really do much. I do things that affect no one. Well, except for Elliot, and of course, he’s reason enough.” She tacked on the last sentence in a rush of words. It was quite odd. Then she glanced around as if looking to see if anyone overheard her.

She didn’t feel valued? Or needed?
Noah frowned with surprise. She was married to an upcoming political hopeful. He was rumored to come from a wealthy family and headed for influential, huge, powerful places. Jessie was convinced he planned to eventually make a run for Congress or even higher. And Lindsey, his own wife, didn’t know what it felt like to be valued as much as Jessie did? Jessie was merely an assistant in his small, two-vet practice in the rural town of Ellensburg. That didn’t compute. If there were any sibling jealousy, shouldn’t Jessie have been envious of the wealth, prestige, power and influence that Lindsey had such easy access to?

“Oh, dear. What time is it?”

Noah glanced at his watch, once again amused by Lindsey’s kind of old fashioned exclamation.

“Almost five-thirty.”

“I didn’t realize it was so late. May I use your phone? My cell is dead and I haven’t had a chance to recharge it; but Elliot expects me to check in and tell him that I arrived okay. I…”

“Of course, you can use my phone. Right there. Dial nine first so you can get out of the clinic.”

Lindsey smiled a quick, visibly relieved, and almost shy smile. What was the nearly apologetic tone about? She quickly passed by him, and around the front counter. It was as high as an adult’s chest, and partially hid Jessie’s desk behind it. Lindsey eyed him before he nodded, indicating for her to take a seat at the desk. He sensed from her glance she wanted some privacy. He retreated through the swinging doors that led to the back of the building, where the surgical area was located, along with the kennels and supplies. He had paperwork to catch up on, and was expecting a late client to bring in a ten-year-old Border Collie for its shots. The owner worked the late shift, and could only come in after hours. Noah often accommodated people during off hours. He worked long, but very fulfilling days.

The phone started ringing when he was halfway down the hallway. Turning, he loped back toward the reception area. Lindsey sat there, frozen, and staring strangely at the phone. Her indecision was obvious: should she answer or not?

“Go ahead, grab that,” he called as he came up on her. Startled, yet again, she automatically obeyed him, snatching up the phone.

“Uh, Dr. Clark’s office?” She turned her head, and the question in her gaze was evident; did she use the right greeting? Noah smiled reassuringly as he approached the desk. He couldn’t remember Lindsey ever being so unsure of herself, n
ever mind every single, movement she made.

“Oh, uh, no, this isn’t Jessie. Jessie isn’t here right now. May I take a message?”

Lindsey nodded as she quickly searched for a piece of paper before hastily scrawling on it while nodding her head. Noah had to bite his lip to suppress his grin. She was focused intensely on writing down all of the message. When she finished, she gently hung the receiver up. Her movements were graceful, although hesitant; and clearly being executed with her best efforts.

“That was Jessie’s doctor; he is looking for her. She has some kind of test results ready.” Lindsey bit her lip and frowned.
What was puzzling her?
Lindsey didn’t seem to know what to do with the information.

“She should be at home.”

“I wanted to surprise her.”

“Then you can wait until you get there.”

“Right. Yes, I will be there soon, won’t I?” Lindsey smiled and nodded. Her smile was fake, and almost plastic-like. “I’ll just quickly call Elliot and then get out of your hair.”

He smiled, trying to comfort her. “It’s no problem, Lindsey. I can promise you Jessie will be thrilled you’re here. She’s been coming unglued about it for weeks.”

“To you? She talks about me to you?” Lindsey’s voice was high, and strangely horrified by the revelation.

Noah chuckled as he turned to give her privacy once again, while over his shoulder, he said, “You’ve met her, right? Jessie Hendricks isn’t exactly quiet and shy. Yeah, she talks about you, and Elliot, and your upcoming campaign, your parties, and emphasizes how much you just had to come see her here.”

Lindsey’s cheeks flushed pink, and she ducked her gaze from his.
Why the blushing? And the reticence? The undeniable feeling that Lindsey was trying not to disturb him?
“Oh. I didn’t know that. I have never been here, so I’m very glad I got to come.”

Noah paused and glanced back at her.
Got to come?
Huh. She spoke like a teenager might of a parent, after asking for permission to go away to summer camp. Weird. Then again, her entire demeanor was weird. She seemed as if she were waiting for him to reprimand her for the simple act of breathing. He truly had no idea Jessie’s sister could be so fragile and unsure of herself. Practically the polar opposite of Jessie.

He finished up his notes until he heard the soft murmur of her voice fading out. Turning back to her, the phone rang once again, and this time, she reached for it and answered without any hesitation. She nodded and answered the caller, then said thank you and hung up just as Noah walked up on her.

“That was a Mr. Callton. He said he couldn’t make it in tonight as planned. He apologized and said he’d reschedule with Jessie tomorrow.”

Noah sighed. He stayed at the clinic for an hour when he didn’t have to. Oh well, at least, it allowed him to see Lindsey. That was certainly an unexpected surprise. He leaned his elbows on the counter and grabbed the appointment book to make a note of it before clicking his pen shut. “I might have to keep you around. You’re pretty good on the phones. Jessie talks too damn fast. Half the time, no one can understand her. You’ve got a cool, calm quality about you. I’ll bet you’ve heard that plenty of times before though.”

Lindsey froze and her entire body suddenly seemed to seize with rigidity. Noah frowned as he straightened up from slouching over the counter. Jesus, he just meant it as an offhand compliment: banal, useless, nothing, really. But she seemed completely freaked out by it.

“Uh, thank you. I was just finishing up with Elliot when the phone rang again.”

“Did you get hold of him? Let him know you arrived here safely?”

The lines around her mouth tightened. “He was… yes, I got hold of him.” There seemed to be something more she was about to say before she caught herself. She was the most properly behaved, well-spoken, courteous person he’d ever dealt with. He wondered if it got exhausting to constantly strive at being so perfect.

Will and Jessie lived almost twenty miles from town on acreage in which Jessie kept an array of diverse animals. After witnessing what a big deal it seemed for Lindsey to take the initiative and answer the phone, he wondered how she’d ever find their house as it was getting dark and so far from town.

“Well, I’m done here now that
Callton cancelled. You want me to drop you by your sister’s? It’s not at all easy to find for someone new to the area. I’m sure you can just leave your rental right here. You and Jessie can pick it up later.”

Her eyebrows knitted together as if he just asked her a difficult, life-altering question, which she wasn’t sure how to answer. She truly had become one of the most cautious people he’d ever observed. “Yes. If it’s not too much trouble. I feel terrible. I should have taken that into consideration. That was so shortsighted of me.”

He was slipping his white lab coat off as she spoke, and paused before he grabbed his regular coat. “It’s really not a big deal, Lindsey. You don’t have to be so grateful to me. Jessie would kick my ass if you spent the evening getting lost and looking for her, instead of being with her.”

“I could always call her.”