“This isn't what?” she prompted when the line went silent. “What were you going to say?”
A rush of air came through the receiver. “It's not important,” he said. A tense silence ensued.
Diane knew what he wanted to say, even if he hadn't finished the statement. It was the same thing that went through her mind almost daily. He was having doubts about marrying her.
“Derek, look.” She sighed. “I don't want to fight. You're right. I should have consulted you before going ahead with the loan. I wasn't thinking.”
“It's okay. What's done is done,” Derek replied. “But next time, consult with me first before making such a big decision,” he instructed.
“I will,” Diane agreed. “I love you.”
“I love you too. I gotta go. I have a meeting in less than ten minutes.”
Diane looked at the time on the dashboard— 7:15 p.m. “Okay, talk to you later.”
The call clicked off. Diane released a sigh of frustration and leaned forward until her forehead rested on the steering wheel. She felt drained.
ChapterSeventeen
Tessa
Tessa enjoyed the invigorating aroma that the dark-brown forest provided. It consisted of moistened topsoil with mulch, cedar, and pine needles. The towering trees prevented the natural, unaltered beauty of the area from being seen by the outside world, making it a secret oasis. Their intertwined branches like arms ascended as high into the air as her eyes could reach. The orchestra of birds could be heard from high up in the canopy of the trees. Their songs served as a poignant reflection of the extraordinary one-of-a-kindness of each living thing that inhabited the natural world. The soles of her sneakers made a crunching sound as they walked over the twigs that littered the route. On her approach, several squirrels dashed ahead and took refuge in the nearby bushes and brambles.
“Whew! This is so refreshing. Aren't you glad you chose to come here?”
Tessa turned her head to look at her sister walking beside her.
“Yeah. I am,” she agreed. Compared to the other parks with hiking pathways on Whidbey, Dugualla State Park was on the smaller side. It had fewer visitors, so the experience was quieter and more private. She enjoyed being able to connect with the natural world that was all around her.
“So you and Diane...have you talked to each other?”
“No, we haven't,” Tessa replied with a sigh.
“You should talk to her,” Kerry encouraged.
She stared at her sister with skepticism. “Why is it so important that I talk to her? Did something happen?”
Kerry didn't respond immediately, which caused her anxiety to spike.
“Kerry, is something wrong with Diane?” she pressed.
“Diane's fine,” Kerry assured her. “I'm just worried about the two of you. It's unhealthy not to talk to each other. Leaving things unsaid can lead to even more hurt. Believe me, I know.”
“You and Dad?”
Kerry nodded. “I held on to the hurt and resentment for so long that it almost consumed me. I would never want that for you and Diane. Did you know she had a breakdown two weeks back?”
Tessa’s eyes became saucers, and her mouth dropped open. “Wha—What? Why?” she stuttered out.
“The café flooded from a burst pipe, the pastries burned, triggering the smoke detector, and the sprinkler went off, soaking the whole kitchen,” Kerry explained.
“Oh no!” Tessa brought her hand to her lips.
“She called me, and when I got there, she was in tears and on the verge of a panic attack. She kept repeating that you were right; she was a failure.”
Tessa’s eyes fluttered shut as she slowly shook her head in regret. She stopped walking and drew a deep breath before releasing it with a deep sigh. “I never meant for her to feel that way,” she said softly. “I know she has the potential to be great at anything she does.”
“But you don't agree with her choice,” Kerry reminded her.
