Deep in Desire - Page 35

When she finally turned into the gravel driveway of the farm, she felt a deep sense of relief. The old farmhouse stood proud and welcoming, surrounded by fields of golden wheat swaying gently in the breeze.

God, it’s been so long.

The sight brought back memories of childhood visits, filled with laughter and the simple joys ofrural life. This used to be their parents’ house, and Daniel bought it from them when he got married.

Daniel happened to be outside on the porch as she pulled up. He did a double take as she waved at him through the glass. As he smiled back and started to make his way to her car, she felt giddy with excitement. As she stepped out of the vehicle, he enveloped her in a warm hug. His plaid shirt smelled faintly of hay and sunshine. She thought it was so comforting and grounding.

“It’s so good to see you, Deb. I can’t believe you’re actually here,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

“You too, Danny,” she replied, feeling a lump form in her throat. “It’s been too long. Why do we do these things to each other, huh?”

“Well, you’re here now and that’s what matters. You need some country life every now and then. It’s good for the mind.”

“You got that right,” Deborah smirked as she readied herself for the stay.

They spent the afternoon catching up, walking around the farm as they talked. Despite how she thought things would go, their reunion didn’t feel the least bit awkward. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warmth over Deborah’s skin. Daniel showed her the improvements he had made: a new barn painted acrisp red, a chicken coop bustling with life, and a vegetable garden bursting with color. The air was rich with the scent of fresh produce and the earthy aroma of tilled soil. Inside, the rooms he had set up for his kids were a testament to his devotion to them. Each room was lovingly decorated, filled with toys, books, and all the little things that made a house feel like a home. The walls were adorned with drawings and paintings, a gallery of their innocence and creativity. She was proud of what her brother had achieved.

After a dinner of pork and baked potatoes, they sat on the porch, sipping hot coffee. It was never too late for hot coffee, but Deborah knew it was time to broach the complex subject they had both been avoiding so far.

“Danny,” she began in a gentle voice, “we need to talk about what happened. About Jenny and Hailey.”

Daniel’s expression grew serious. “I know. It’s been hanging over us like a dark cloud all day, right?”

Deborah took a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs and giving her the strength to continue what she knew would be a difficult conversation. “I’ve been carrying this guilt and shame for solong. When Jenny ran off with Hailey, it felt like my whole world collapsed. And seeing you in such turmoil—you and the kids—it totally broke me, Danny.”

Daniel grabbed for his sister’s hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “None of it was your fault, Debbie. What they did was cruel and selfish, and God only knows how they live with themselves. But we survived, didn’t we? We’re still here. We’re doing just fine. I know it’s awkward and weird, I know I’m not good at talking about my feelings, but I will try.”

Deborah felt tears welling up in her eyes, the salty liquid stinging her cheeks. “I’ve tried so hard to protect myself. But I still feel as if what happened is eating me alive.”

Daniel squeezed her hand. “It was a lot. I think if you hadn’t had such a high-profile job, we could have just got on with life. Weren’t you going to be a hairdresser at one point, Deb? Did you have to go off being the Queen of L.A.?”

She laughed. “I’m not exactlythe Queen. Maybe a princess. But yeah, when your wife runs off with your little brother’s wife, it makes for a great story. Especially with kids involved. That hairdresserthing might not have been such a bad idea, come to think of it.”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of their shared pain hanging in the air like a thick fog. The crickets began their evening symphony.

Finally, Daniel spoke again, his tone lighter. “I’ve met someone new,” he said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Deborah looked at him in surprise. “Really? Well now you’re going to have to tell me everything. And don’t miss out on any details!”

“Her name’s Emily,” Daniel said, his smile widening. “She’s a vet, and she moved to the area a few months ago. She’s kind, strong, and she’s really made me feel alive again. I forgot how to be happy until I met her.”

Deborah felt a surge of happiness for her brother. “I couldn’t be more excited about this, Danny. You deserve to be happy.”

“And you do too, Deb,” he replied, meeting his sister’s eye. “What about you? Have you met someone? You can’t let that fucked-up mess ruin your world forever, big sis.”

Deborah hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Yes, I have. Holly. She’s… She’s amazing, Danny. She’s really brought me out of myself andmade me feel things I thought I’d never feel again.”

Daniel smiled. “She sounds wonderful. When do I get to meet her?”

Deborah’s smile faltered. “There’s a problem. Well, there are a few problems. The first is that she’s my best friend’s daughter, she is twenty-five?—”

“Jesus, Debbie!”

“And Jenny found out about her and has been threatening me. I was so scared of what she might do, I pushed Holly away. I broke up with her. Jenny ruining my life once more. History repeating itself.”

Daniel’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening. “We’ll come to the Esme bit in a minute. The bigger issue here is Jen. She has no right to control your life, Deb. You need to stand up to her. We can’t let her bully us both for the rest of our goddam lives. Life is too short.”

Deborah felt a surge of determination, a fire igniting in her chest. “You’re right. I’ve been letting my fear control me. But how can I just let it all be? She really fucked me up.”