Prologue
21 years ago
Nikki pulled into the narrow driveway of her old family home. Usually, the salty and cool Seattle air would fill her with feelings of euphoria. That Sunday afternoon was totally different.
She sighed and switched off the ignition, staring into the abyss before her.
“I’m sorry, Miss Murphy, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to have children.”
“What do you mean I can’t have children? How is that possible? It can’t be that serious.”
“Polycystic ovarian syndrome often has that effect. I’m really sorry, but maybe you and your husband can consider alternative ways of making a family, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to have one of your own.”
“It’s either ours or it’s not happening.”
Josh’s words had rung loud and clear, and tears dotted the corners of Nikki’s eyes. She hadn’t told her parents the news yet, but she didn’t anticipate any sympathy from them. They hadn’t been too pleased that she’d run off and married Josh without their knowledge.
Her father was all about news, and as a respected and reputable journalist, he would have wanted a story about his daughter—one that involved a beautiful beachfront wedding. He’d been furious with her since. He’d probably interpret her news as just punishment, which was why she hadn’t told them.
She lifted her eyes to the rearview mirror and gasped at her appearance. Her mascara had muddied her eyes, making her look like a raccoon. She quickly reached for her makeup kit in her purse, knocking the contents onto the floor as she did.
She cursed under her breath as she leaned over and tried to gather the items. Her torso accidentally hit the horn, and the loud beep startled her.
“Okay, Nikki,” she said as she inhaled deeply. “Get it together. Now isn’t the time to fall apart.”
She ruffled her dirty-blond hair, pinched her cheeks to get back some color, and smeared her favorite peach-colored lipstick onto her plump lips. “That should do it,” she said as she looked at her reflection. “It’s now or never.”
She got out of the car and, with anchor legs, walked up the porch steps. Her hand was suspended in the air and ready to knock when she heard Trish scream.
“No!”
“You don’t have a choice,” her father shouted.
What on earth?
Nikki didn’t bother knocking. Panic seized her in the chest, and she fumbled frantically in her purse for the house keys. She opened the door with shaky fingers and closed it gently behind her.
She treaded softly, almost expecting to get attacked by a ferocious animal. She was barely breathing and half expected to see a dish come hurling toward her.
“Mom, please,” Trish cried. “I don’t want to go.”
Nikki poked her head around the corner of the living room just as three pairs of eyes turned to her.
Her father, upon seeing her, threw his hands in the air. “Great! Here comes the other disappointment.”
Nikki wrinkled her brows. “What did I do?”
“What did you do? What did you do?” he muttered to himself in disbelief.
Nikki could see stress written all over his face as he glared at her. The last time she’d seen him like that was when he’d found out she and Josh had eloped.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Nikki asked as she ventured closer to her mother and Trish, who shrank back.
“None of your business,” her father barked. “Why don’t you just go back to Arlington? That’s where you live now, right?”
Nikki couldn’t understand how she’d become the topic of conversation and the object of his wrath just by walking into the house. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” Nikki blurted out.
“Ask her!” Her father pointed at a very embarrassed Trish.
