Rachels bracelet.
Fee said Ashley had told her she had seen it in Pats apartment. She thought it must be a Ralph Lauren bracelet because of the initials, but Fee immediately knew what they meant.
It wasnt easy for Fiona to accept the horrific truth about her ex-husband. But her quick thinking saved Brynns life.
And you saved mine, she says, oftento Ashley.
Shes speaking figuratively, of course.
Ashleys candid conversation with her motherwhom she believed was her Aunt Deewas Fionas sobering wakeup call.
She, more than anyone, has changed in this past year. She quit smoking. She moved to a smaller house in Brynns neighborhood. Shes hired two PR a.s.sociates to help with the workload, and Sharon came back to work for her, saying Fee needs her more than her daughter does.
Landing new clientsor a rich new husband like James Binghamis no longer the focus of Fionas life.
Ashley is.
Fee isnt the perfect mom, but shes trying. She takes Ashley to the mall and the movies, and they even went on a mother-daughter Girl Scout campout with Ashleys friend Meg and her mom, Cynthia.
I didnt think Id like her, Fee told Brynn. Especially after I found out that she was involved with Pat. But shes a victim, like everyone else was.
It turns out Pat convinced an unwitting Cynthia to take Ashley off his hands the weekend he killed Tildyand then he pretended, to Fiona, to be angry about it.
He had us all fooled, Fee said. Even me. I knew he was a sick, twisted b.a.s.t.a.r.d, but I never realized to what extent.
How could any of them have suspected a monster lurked behind the affable, familiar face that was part of their everyday lives?
Brynn believed for a long time that she would never trust anyone ever again.
But she was wrong.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turns to see Garth.
Somebodys hungry, he says, tilting their fussing daughter into her mothers instantly outstretched arms.
Nuzzling Maries soft black baby hair against her cheek, Brynn croons, Its all right, little one. Ill feed you now.
Ill dish out the cake, then, Fiona offers as Ashley and the boys pull out the extinguished candles and lick the frosting from their wax tips. Do you have dishes?
Right there. Brynn indicates the stack of paper party plates beside the cake.
Fiona glances at the plates. Then her gaze meets Brynns.
I know what shes thinking, because Im thinking the same thing.
Brynn shakes her head slightly.
No, Fee. We cant let every birthday party remind us of what he did to your sister, to our friends.
We have to let go. Move on. Try to forget, if not forgive.
Fee smiles sadly at her, then nods, picking up the plates. Who wants cake?
Sitting in a quiet corner, Brynn nurses her baby daughter, contentedly watching as the others gather around the table to devour their cake and ice cream.
Stay strong and count your blessings.
Isaacs advice was sound, and well heeded.
If shes done eating, Ill take her now.
Brynn looks up to see Garth standing over her as she finishes burping the baby on her shoulder.
Oh, its okay, she says. I like to hold her.
But if youre holding her, you cant open this. He extends a wrapped gift.
Her heart skips a beat.
No. Dont think about that,she warns herself again.Let go.
Pushing Pat, and his horrible gift-wrapped calling cards, from her mind, Brynn exchanges little Marie for the package in her husbands hands.
Hers tremble as she rips away the paper.
She finds herself holding A book? she asks, turning it over. What is it?
The t.i.tle isDead and Buried: American Postmortem Rituals .
Puzzled, she looks at Garth. He gestures at the book again. She looks down, wondering if she missed something.
Is he somehow trying to help her get over what happened to Oh! All at once, she sees the authors name emblazoned on the hardcover.
Garth Saddler, she reads, and looks up in astonishment. Oh, my G.o.d!
He grins, then nods, looking quite pleased with himself.
Its your book! You sold it?
I sold it. Not for a fortune But it will be enough to keep Marie in diapers and the boys in peanut b.u.t.ter sandwiches for awhile. He smiles and pulls her close with the arm that isnt holding the baby. And my publisher wants a proposal for another one.
But When did all this happen?
I sent it out to a couple of publishers last fall, right before your birthday. Before everything. I wanted it to be a surprise.
And it sold. How did you manage to keep this a secret?
It wasnt easy. But I figured you wouldnt mind if I kept this one, just until your birthday. I thought it would be the perfect present for the girl who has everything.
She laughs. It is. Im so happy for you, Garth. This is your dream.
No, he kisses the top of her head, and gestures at the baby snuggled in his arms and the room filled with family and friends, thisis my dream.
Mine, too.
Yes,thinks the girl who has everything,sometimes dreamsand birthday wishesreally do come true.
Books by Wendy Corsi Staub.
DEARLY BELOVED.
FADE TO BLACK.
ALL THE WAY HOME.
THE LAST TO KNOW.
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.
SHE LOVES ME NOT.
KISS HER GOODBYE.
LULLABY AND GOODNIGHT.
THE FINAL VICTIM.
MOST LIKELY TO DIE.
DONT SCREAM.