Initially, Tess had thought she’d live like a monk while in Aspen, but seeing Allie had excited her. She was a social butterfly, she couldn’t deny it. Seeing people here and there would be better for her than living in complete isolation.
Tess took her tall glass of ice water into the living room and sank down onto the longest couch, opposite the fireplace. A yawn escaped her as Bubbles hopped up to snuggle her, and Tess checked the clock on her cell phone. Just past four, it seemed like an ideal time to catch a catnap. She stretched out on the soft cushions, propped a throw pillow behind her head, cradled Bubbles, and let her eyes slip closed.
Her phone rang, and she groaned. She had personal ringtones for all the men of her family: Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” for Pierce, Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” for Dane, David Bowie’s “Heroes” for Charles, and Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” for her father. Now, as Bowie sang at her for the fourth time in two days, she knew she couldn’t put her eldest brother off anymore and answered the call. “Hello there.”
“About time you answered,” Charles half growled. “You let me go to voice mail one more time, and I was getting on a plane tomorrow to make sure you were okay.”
“God, you’re a bear,” she teased. “I’m fine. I just want some alone time.”
“You’re not fine,” he asserted. “You took off. You’re not answering calls, not mine, or Dane’s, or Pierce’s. Why won’t you tell any of us what’s going on?” He paused. “I’m really worried about you. I care. I’m not trying to be a jerk, I’m just concerned. Don’t you get that?”
“I do. I’m sorry.” She sighed and shifted her position, rolling onto her back so she could gaze out the glass wall while they spoke. Pine trees parted just enough to reveal the majestic mountaintops beyond. She knew this would be a long talk, and opted to enjoy the view during it. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone, and didn’t think I would. You’re all overreacting a little. I just . . . got a little selfish for the first time in a long time. Wanted to do something for myself, by myself. I’m sorry you’re concerned, and I assure you there’s no reason to be.”
“Two months, Tess?” Charles’s voice had softened some, but still held firm. “You want to be away from everyone—your family, your huge circle of friends, your career—for two whole months, maybe more. Yes, we’re all concerned. And you’re still not really telling anyone why. Why is that?”
“Because my life is my own,” she said, an edge to her voice she hadn’t counted on. “You all have your wives, someone to answer to. I don’t have to answer to anyone.”
He paused, and Tess could almost hear the gears clicking in his head. Charles was an incredibly smart, shrewd man who was renowned for how he could read people. She waited to hear what he’d come up with. “Tess . . . you’re not sick, are you?”
“What?” she sputtered. That wasn’t what she’d thought he’d say. “No!”
“You sure you’re all right?”
“Yes. I swear. In fact, I’m in the best physical health I’ve been in for a long time.”
“Okay . . .”
She sighed again. She wasn’t being fair. If it was the other way around, and one of her brothers had done what she had, she’d be going out of her mind, wondering why and worrying. “Charles . . . there’s no big mystery. I’m not sick and hiding it. I just wanted some time for myself. A drastic change of scene. Something of a retreat. It’s not about anyone but me.”
He grunted, signifying he appreciated that, but it wasn’t enough.
So she added, “I’m painting, of course, and I’ll be working from here, so no, I haven’t abandoned my career. I’m also taking yoga classes, I’ll see some friends who are in town . . . I promise I’m still getting out and doing things. I just need to do this right now.” She wasn’t sure why she didn’t want to tell him she was planning to get pregnant soon, but she knew it was the right call. “I swear there’s nothing to worry about. You all are just so used to having me around in the background, you’re aware of my absence now.”