The Marcelli Bride by Susan Mallery

Author:Susan Mallery [Mallery, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 0743499573
Publisher: Pocket
Published: 2006-04-24T14:00:00+00:00

Darcy stood by the window in her room, but instead of the view, she saw questions. So many opportunities had seemed to slip through her fingers. Times when she could have said something, only to hesitate out of fear or concern or need. What had she missed because of that hesitation? What had been lost?

She crossed to the secure phone on the nightstand in the corner and dialed Lauren's number. Her sister answered in two rings.

"Hi, it's me," Darcy said.

"Hi, you. How's it going? Are you basking in your sunny days and sultry nights?"

Darcy smiled. "There's not much sultry here. Humidity is required for that."

Lauren sighed. "There's plenty here. Near record levels. The corn is growing, though. Growing and moving closer to the house. I'm beginning to feel like a character in a Stephen King novel. Soon I'll be slipping into insanity."

Darcy sat on the edge of the bed and battled guilt. "I'm sorry you're stuck wherever you are."

"Me, too, but I'll survive. The Secret Service guys are nice, and I'm teaching myself to cook. Nothing up to White House standards, of course, but I never really bothered before. Even when I was married…" Her voice trailed off.

Darcy knew her sister enough to know she was about to get lost in the past. Given that Lauren was trapped in the middle of nowhere and on her own, she didn't think that was a good idea.

"You should plan your welcome-home party," Darcy said quickly. "Start working on the guest list. You can put me on top."

Lauren laughed. "Hardly. You don't like all those fancy events, but I appreciate you making the effort for me."

"Is that what you think?" Darcy asked lightly. "That I don't like the White House social scene?"

"You don't. When Dad was vice president, he made sure you got invitations to everything, but you never came. I know grad school kept you really busy, but we both figured you were too polite to actually say you hated that kind of stuff."

Darcy wasn't sure what to say. Yes, she had been busy with school, but she'd also been confused and feeling unwelcome.

"I thought the kindest thing was to not ask you anymore," Lauren added. "Was I wrong?"

"No. Of course not." Darcy flopped back on the bed. "Maybe. I mean I know I kept refusing invitations, but I didn't want to be cut off from you two."

Lauren sucked in a breath. "Is that how you feel?"

"Sometimes."

"Oh, Darcy. I'm sorry. You know we don't want that."

Darcy's mouth twisted. "I know you don't want that."

"Stop it. Dad loves you. He talks about you and asks about you, which he wouldn't have to do if you called him and came by sometimes. He's busy, but he's still your father and he cares about you."

Darcy wanted to believe that, even though it wasn't true. After her mother had died, she'd been so lost. Finding out the truth about her biological father the same day that her mother died had nearly destroyed her. Worse, the man who was her biological father was already dead, so she'd lost him before she ever found him.

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