Jennifer turned to her with a pout on her lips. "So are you, if you don't shore up whatever is going on with you and John."
Alice went and found herself a cold drink. The delay mixed with iced helped her focus her thoughts. She returned and nodded. "You might be right. Would you like iced tea?"
Vicki then bounced to her feet and Alice glanced at her as she excitedly asked, "What?"
"Iced tea?"
"No thanks."
The lump in her throat formed and she had to cough to get it out. "I had my mother in my head and I was so scared of falling apart that I was willing to run away. Once whatever the threat is goes away, I'm going to see if there is a future and if John wants one, with me."
Vicki hugged her. "Good for you."
Alice shook her head and gazed back at the window. "Someone was spying on us last night."
Jennifer laughed. "Don't tell me you're worried someone videotaped you to put it online."
"Eww." Alice clutched her stomach. "No. Does that happen?"
The answer was an obvious yes, but not something that had ever crossed her mind. Jennifer said, "Yeah, but don't worry about it. I'm sure John will find out who was there."
Not once had Jennifer ever talked badly about John. It was strange. Perhaps that was the closest Jennifer came to an approval of any relationship. Alice turned back to the window and shook her head. "I'm so sick of waiting. Scared. There has to be a faster way."
Smiling, happy Vicki said, "Patience is a virtue."
The beat of her heart was steady at the moment and if she thought about this morning's message, she'd drive herself crazy. "Wait, let's change the topic."
Jennifer narrowed her gaze. "To what?"
Alice crossed her arms. "To whereyouhave been, Vicki. You never explained."
Vicki took a step backwards, like she'd leave if that was an option. "I was in Europe."
Alice shrugged her shoulders. "You let us all think you died."
With her eyes closed, Vicki took deep breaths. "Part of me did die. I couldn't live in my own skin."
Jennifer stayed absolutely still and her voice became quieter. "What does that mean?"
Vicki clutched her stomach and Alice wondered if there was a baby involved. The will reading replayed in her mind as Vicki said, "My father stole something more precious to me than my own life and there is nothing I can do to get it back."
If her best friend had been pregnant, she'd have known about it. Alice let the thought go, dropped her hands to her sides, and spoke in a soft voice. "That sounds horrible. What was it?"
"I can't talk about it." Vicki rocked on her feet. "Not yet anyhow. So I'm focusing on my family, love that exists between people, and my shop—which will become my fashion empire. You'll have to be my first customer, Alice, for a wedding dress."
It was Alice's turn to step backwards. "I'm not getting married."
With a smile on her face, Vicki asked, "Want me to discuss that with John?"
"No."
The front door opened and a split second later John called out, "Discuss what?"
Oh, goodness. With her fingers crossed she prayed he hadn't heard this conversation. Vicki rushed to give her brother a hug as he stepped into the living room. "You're back. That was fast."
John hugged his sister, and then came to Alice's side to give her a kiss on her cheek. "Peter's not home."
She clutched his arm. If he wasn't there, then they wouldn't have extra security. "He's not?"
