Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

her.
    N ine

    Roxy took extra care with her makeup and clothes that evening. She hoped concealer would disguise the circles that smudged the skin beneath her eyes. Thankfully, two nights of good sleep had minimized the effect.
    There wasn’t much she could do about her weight, but another week or two of Fortuna’s cooking and being too thin would no longer be a concern. In fact, if she wasn’t careful about the way she ate, she might find herself on a diet in a month.
    As she descended the stairs, she heard her father singing and followed the soft sound to the dining room. Jonathan Burke stood at the head of the table, surveying the place settings — fine china, crystal stemware, silver table service, candlesticks. The table was set for a party, a celebration of Roxy’s return.
    Why did Dad and Fortuna make such a fuss? Didn’t they understand she came back out of desperation? Didn’t they know she had nowhere else to go? She didn’t deserve a party. What she deserved was disdain and rejection.
    “There you are.” Her father grinned. “You look nice. Is the dress new?”
    She nodded. “I bought it today.” She returned his smile. “At Burke’s, of course.”
    He laughed. “Smart girl.” “Can I help with anything?”
    “I think Fortuna has it under control. You know how she is. The kitchen is her domain. Enter at your own risk.” He chuckled.
    Roxy nodded. She remembered well. Even Grandma Ruth had honored Fortuna’s proprietary grip on the Burke kitchen.
    “As soon as Elena and Wyatt get here, we can sit down to din- ner.” Her father glanced at his watch. “They should arrive any minute.”
    Elena and Wyatt. Not for the first time since hearing the news, Roxy wondered about their engagement. The two of them as a couple seemed . . . odd. Wyatt, the misfit, and Elena, the good girl. Roxy couldn’t imagine her old boyfriend being with her sister as he’d once been with her.
    A flush rose in her cheeks. It would be better if she didn’t remember that part of her past. Much better. Wyatt would soon be her brother-in-law. How awkward would that be?
    Bad. It’s going to be bad.
    “Care for a soda, Roxy?”
    “Sure. I’ll get it.” Glad for the distraction, she headed for the bar at the far end of the dining room. “What would you like, Dad?” Her father didn’t allow liquor in his house, but he had a nice setup for entertaining. The minifridge was kept well stocked with soft drinks and bottled water.
    “A Diet Coke. Thanks, hon.”
    Roxy plunked ice cubes into heavy tumblers, then popped open two cans of cola. The carbonated beverage fizzed and snapped as she poured it over the ice.
    “Dad!” Elena’s voice carried to them from the front of the house. “We’re here.”
    “We’re in the dining room. Come on back.” He looked toward Roxy, his eyes filled with pleasure. “They’re here.”
    That her father loved both of his daughters was never a ques- tion in Roxy’s mind. Still, she had always been aware how easily her sister pleased him. Elena was the first to finish her homework and did her chores without coaxing. Elena “got saved” when she was
    thirteen, bringing joy to their dad and grandmother. Elena never broke the rules, never pushed a boundary.
    Roxy, on the other hand, was a screwup, a constant source of concern for her dad. School seemed a waste of time, something to get through so she could get on with her life. Church? Well, it had to be tolerated.
    “Hey, Dad.” Elena appeared in the dining room doorway. Without looking toward the bar — although Roxy was sure her sister knew where she stood — Elena gave her father a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. Only after that did she look toward the opposite end of the room.
    Roxy drew a shaky breath. “Hi, Elena.”
    Her sister walked toward her, stopping on the other side of the bar, not saying a word.
    After a lengthy silence, Roxy released a nervous laugh. “I prom- ise, it’s me. A little older, a little thinner, but