Chapter Eleven
“I thought we were getting you maternity clothes.” Rhetta stepped out of the car and followed her sister as she waddled into the posh clothing boutique.
Viviane had always been stylish. It didn’t surprise Rhetta in the least that her sister would reject the idea of wearing oversized T-shirts and extra-large dresses during her pregnancy. Viviane thought muumuus were for cows. Rhetta didn’t even think her sister owned a pair of sweatpants. Viviane was the type of woman who would have her underwear tailored if she could.
But the store they pulled into was not a maternity shop. It was a high-end boutique for women. It was also on the same block as Rory’s butcher shop. It was lunchtime, and Rhetta could see the line of women in heels, dressed in power suits and designer jeans, in full makeup curl around the block waiting to get a piece of meat.
“I didn’t say maternity,” said Viviane. “I said we need to get some new clothes. I also didn’t say they were for me.”
Viviane was the more social sister. When they were young, she’d often mislead Rhetta, thinking they were headed to the pet store where Rhetta could moon over the puppies. But along the way, they’d stop for soda pop and meet up with a group of boys. Rhetta would sit in the corner, which was hard because Viviane always insisted on finding her sister and bringing her back into the conversation. And, of course, everyone followed Viviane. Everyone hung onto Viviane’s every word. But for some reason, Viviane had always thought her twin sister was fascinating. Even when the others looked down on Rhetta and ignored her.
“Viviane, what are you up to?”
Viviane flitted amongst dresses hanging on racks. All of which were too small for her rotund belly. None of which were Rhetta’s style. “I thought you could get a new outfit. You know, for your date.”
That stopped Rhetta in her tracks. She held up her index finger. “First of all, it’s not a date. It’s blackmail.”
“That’s what the kids are calling it these days?”
Rhetta raised her thumb to join her index finger. “Second of all, what’s wrong with my wardrobe?”
Viviane placed her hands on her curvy hips. Even before the baby entered her body, Viviane had had a small waist and voluptuous hips that she had no trouble showing off.
“It doesn’t show off your best assets.” Viviane looked Rhetta up and down, her eyes looking pointedly at her sister’s legs.
“I don’t want to show Rory my assets. My assets are for Jordan.”
Viviane turned her to a mirror. “But you’ve never shown Jordan your assets.”
Rhetta huffed at her sister, giving her the evil eye in their reflection. But like her mother, and Rory, Viviane didn’t cower at her glower.
“Why does everyone take to him?” she said.
Viviane looked skyward as she sought an answer. Rhetta knew she didn’t have to clarify which brother she meant.
“Rory’s very charming,” said Viviane. “And he’s handsome, and he totally adores you.”
“Am I the only one who likes Jordan?”
“I don’t dislike Jordan. I just think Rory is better for you. He’s put a spark in you.”
“Sparks start fires.”
“Or ignite passion.”
Rhetta shook her head. “You know I don’t believe in that. I don’t want that.”
Viviane’s gaze turned soft. “You loved Charles.”
Rhetta didn’t meet her sister’s eyes. “But he didn’t love me the same way and look where that got me. Love is just bad luck.”
“There’s no such thing as—”
Rhetta held up her index finger again. “Bad luck is an unfortunate state resulting from an unfavorable situation. My husband loved another woman and it wasn’t returned. I loved him and it wasn’t returned. Now he’s dead; a very unfortunate state for me. And him.”
“So, you’ll spend a passionless, loveless life? All so you don’t get hurt?”
“Exactly. It’s the only responsible thing to do. Our parents loved each other and look at where it got them.”
“Pierce and I love each other, and we’re happy.”
“But you loved your professor first and look where it’s got you.”
Before she could stop herself, Rhetta indicated her head at Viviane’s belly. Though Viviane was happily mated to Pierce now, another man had fathered the child in her womb. Pierce, a reformed lone wolf, had known about the baby since the day they met. It didn’t stop either of them from falling for each other.
Viviane covered her belly with her hands protectively. “I didn’t love my professor. I thought I did, but it’s nothing like what I feel for Pierce.”
Rhetta had been pessimistic her whole life. Where Rhetta saw clouds, Viviane looked for the rainbow. When Rhetta saw a glass half empty, Viviane wouldn’t hesitate to ask for a second glass. Though they were twins, they were as different as night and day.
“I don’t need romance, Viviane. After a couple of days, flowers smell and wilt all over the place leaving you with something to clean up. Chocolates give me a toothache. Poetry sounds like puzzles to me, and I hate puzzles. I like things to be clear and in order.”
“You’re such a lovely person, Rhetta. You deserve to be loved.”
“I have enough love from my family. The other type is fickle and messy. I just want to be appreciated. Charles appreciated me, and I was content with that. He gave me everything I needed, and I was grateful that I picked him, and his life, back up. I put him back in order after his first love spurned him. He needed me. I like to be needed. Jordan needs me. And I don’t have to worry if there’s anyone else in his life.”
“Because he’s only half a wolf?”
“No, because he’s all man.”
“Same difference,” Viviane murmured. She went to protest further but then the saleswoman came over.
“Can I help–”
The saleswoman’s eyes widened at the same time as recognition donned in Rhetta’s eyes. This is why she never came into the city to buy her clothes or do any other business except seeing dogs. Rhetta turned to her sister feeling betrayed. But Viviane had the same shocked recognition on her own face.
“Oh, my Goddess. Rhetta? I barely recognize you. I thought you were your …”
Don’t say mother. But then again, Rhetta’s mother could easily pass for one of her daughters.
“I thought you were your grandma.”
Rhetta stifled a groan. Instead, she eyed the exit, wondering if she could make a running leap for it before more vile words spilled out of Moriah’s mouth.
“Are you shopping for your sister? We don’t have any maternity clothes in stock and the largest size we have is …” She eyed Viviane’s still slender frame that only had a slight bump. “… Eight.”
Moriah was the last person on earth that Rhetta wanted to see today. Or any day. She looked the same except for the bags under her eyes that Rhetta could see beneath the layers of makeup. “I didn’t know you were working here. I thought your mate preferred you to stay home.”
“Well,” said Moriah with a flip of her hair over her shoulder. “I’m a modern woman. I wanted to make my own money. John was constantly eyeing my credit card bills. You know how men are. Or maybe you don’t.”
“I thought your mate’s business was in trouble.” said Viviane. “Something about money laundering?”
Viviane’s tone was sickly sweet in a way that Rhetta had heard girls in high school sound, but she could never mimic. Rhetta didn’t do sarcasm well. She said what she meant, and she meant what she said. Verbal warfare was beyond her.
“I assure you, my man’s finances are in order,” said Moriah. “By the way, when’s the DNA test?”
“My mate and I have no secrets between us,” said Viviane. “No debt or pending charges either.”
With no way through that battle, Moriah turned her attention back to Rhetta. “How are you holding up these days? I see you’re still wearing mourning clothes. You have to move on one day. Life is too short. You got to get out there and give it your best try … with what you’re working with.”
Rhetta looked at the woman with her own tone of disdain. How had her husband fallen for such a bitch? Back when they were younger, Moriah had strung Charles along and then rejected him for the son of the richest human family in town. She was a self-serving she-devil who didn’t care who she hurt as long as she profited.
“I hear you’re dating the half-breed vet,” Moriah said. “What’s his name? Jerry? But have you seen his brother? Even with that mangled foot, I’d let him stake a claim. All those women line up every day for a piece of meat. But he never …”
Moriah stopped speaking. Her shrewd eyes went wide. Her mouth hung open in a comical O-shape.
“Oh, my Goddess. He’s coming out of the shop.”
Viviane turned to look in the direction of Moriah’s open stare. Her smile widened. Rhetta didn’t even bother to turn. She knew what was coming up behind her, and she felt nauseous. She’d been feeling that way more and more since that first night with Rory.
Rhetta heard the door jingle. Then she heard the distinct sound of his uneven footsteps.
“Rory, hi,” said Moriah. “It’s so good to—”
He walked right past Moriah and came straight to Rhetta. “I thought I smelled something sweet.”
Moriah blinked. Then she came up behind him. “Well, I am wearing a new brand of perfume.”
“I saw you from across the street, dove.” He pulled a curl from Rhetta’s carefully coiffed bun. She smacked his hand away. He dodged her attack and curled his hand around her chin.
Rhetta narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t call me dove.”
“What the hell is going on?” Moriah looked between the two of them.
“Are you getting a new dress for tonight?” Rory asked.
“Tonight?” asked Moriah. “What is this? A family dinner with your brother?”
Rhetta noticed other women staring at them from outside of his shop. Eyes wide or narrow on her in judgment.
“You don’t have to change anything for me.” Rory turned her head so he had her full attention once more. “In fact, you could wear nothing at all.” His eyes roamed her body.
Every woman’s jaw dropped as Rory tilted her chin up and ran his thumb over her lower lip. Rhetta heard the whispers all around her.
“You’re beautiful just the way you are,” Rory growled.
Silence reigned in Rhetta’s ears. She could tell that people were still talking. Knew they were talking about her. But she only heard the low growl of appreciation from the wall of solid man in front of her.
“But if it makes you happy,” Rory grinned. “If you need the armor, go on and cover up those curves. Just know I plan to find my way through your defenses, Rhetta.”
He swept her lip with his thumb again. He pulled her lower lip down and dipped the tip of his thumb just inside her mouth. Then he pulled his hand away and stuck his thumb in his mouth. With that, Rory turned to go, finally noticing Moriah.
“Give her whatever she wants and send me the bill.” He exited the store ignoring the other women all around him.
It took Rhetta a few moments for her stomach to settle and her head to clear. How did he have this effect on her? He’d made all those women stare at her.
As Rhetta gazed around, she saw there wasn’t a single look of pity. No, that was all envy. For the first time in her life, it seemed that everyone wanted what Rhetta had.
“So,” said Viviane, “about that dress?”