Reclaimed(40)
Author: Diane Alberts

Great.

“Yeah…silly,” Marie agreed. Sabrina could hear the confusion in her sister’s voice, but also knew that though her story didn’t quite add up, Marie couldn’t guess the truth. It was too damn unbelievable. “Really, do you think I’m an idiot? What’s going on?”

She groaned and buried her head in her hands. “Please, for once can you just let it be?”

Some of the desperation in her voice must have gotten to Marie, for she floundered for a good ten seconds, opening her mouth and closing it as she shook her head. Sabrina watched as her sister battled every instinct that screamed at her to question Sabrina further, and won.

“Fine,” Marie griped. “But this is not over.”

Her sister’s eyes probed hers, silently asking to be told of the secrets she kept. Sabrina returned the stare, content in the knowledge she would not find the answers she sought.

“Fine. Question me all you want tomorrow when you’re home. But for now, please, just enjoy the last few minutes we have?” Deciding upon a quick change of subject, Sabrina asked, “So, are you all packed?”

“Yeah, I woke up early. I miss Sam. And my husband, of course.” Excitement shone in her sister’s eyes, and Sabrina fought back the pain that coursed through her. She had nothing to be excited about any longer. “But I miss my baby more.”

“I bet. She’s growing so big. Those pictures you showed me are adorable. I’ll have to come out to visit, once my nephew makes an appearance.” She reached out a hand and rubbed Marie’s protruding stomach. She gasped in awe when she got kicked in her palm. She laughed and forgot for a brief moment about Isaac.

Very brief.

“You made him excited, see? He can’t wait for his favorite aunt to come visit him.”

“I’m his only aunt,” Sabrina teased.

“Inconsequential.”

She met Marie’s eyes, and they each smiled. A knock on the door caused them both to jump in alarm and grin at the other’s show of surprise.

Sabrina trudged to the door with a racing heart and trembling legs. She couldn’t help but feel like a prisoner walking to her execution. She feared it was him, and yet dreaded that it wouldn’t be. Wiping her sweaty palms on her pants, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

Isaac’s lips were compressed, and his brow furrowed, but damn it, he looked as gorgeous as ever. His searching gaze roamed over her face, seemingly taking in every little detail, until she glared at him in frustration. He flushed and shifted on his feet. He looked away from her to focus upon Marie, who had come up behind her.

What the hell was he thinking? Why did it have to be so hard to figure out his feelings? Was he mad? Angry? Betrayed? Or did he not care anymore?

He hid them too damn well.

Anger flowed through her blood like a drug.

Well, screw him.

“I came to say goodbye. I knew you were leaving early. I hope I’m not intruding.” His voice sounded warm, but Sabrina noticed his clenched fist and his hard eyes.

“No, it’s good to see you again,” Marie reassured him. “Thanks for coming.”

“Well, I’ll leave you girls alone, but I’ll talk to you later, Sabrina?”

She stared at him in stubborn silence, unsure how to answer. Why did he want to talk to her, anyway? She didn’t plan on agreeing to anything right now, thank you very much.

“I’m sure she’d like that, right, Sabrina?” Marie nudged Sabrina’s calf using the tip of her foot. Sabrina glared at her sister wordlessly, who shrugged in confusion, and turned to Isaac to explain further. “She had a rough night last night. She isn’t herself. Don’t mind her.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, she had a bad dream,” she stated. “You don’t know anything about that, though, do you, Isaac?” she asked slyly.

Isaac looked from Marie to Sabrina in confusion, and Sabrina lifted a shoulder in response. She had no idea what her sister had gotten into now. And she didn’t give a damn either.

“Um, no I didn’t,” he stammered. Shifting on his feet, he looked at Sabrina for help. She frowned in return and sighed in irritation.

“Let’s go, Marie. I could use some more coffee on the way,” she said before stomping out the door and holding it open for her sister. Isaac motioned Marie forward, collected her bags, and followed her out the door. Glaring at his retreating figure, she barely resisted the urge to throw her keys at his head.

But…maybe she had a better punishment. Biting her lip to hide her pleasure, she followed Isaac and Marie to her car. She waited as he said his goodbyes, speaking only when he started to climb into his car.

“Isaac, could you drive us to the airport? The traffic will be horrendous, and it will take forever. Hours, I’m sure. I’m too tired to concentrate.” She added a big, loud yawn for Marie’s benefit. It didn’t take much effort to bring one on. Her body barely had the energy to move, yet alone think.

But if Isaac hated anything more he despised than cars, it would be traffic. She almost cackled in glee at his disgruntled expression. He glared at her before forcing a polite smile to his face.

“Certainly, Sabrina. Anything for you.”

He slammed his car door shut, stalked back to her side, and snatched the keys out of her hand.

Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad.

***

The silence in the car on the way to the airport sounded louder than a gunshot…and just as uncomfortable. Isaac and Marie chatted occasionally, but Sabrina remained silent in the back seat, quietly basking in her revenge. The ride proved to be as long as she’d suspected because they hit rush-hour traffic. Sabrina could practically feel the impatience flowing off Isaac’s tense shoulders. She chose not to dwell upon the fact that his anger stemmed from finding her kissing Elijah. She much preferred to focus on her anger at his treatment of her last night.

Marie glanced over her shoulder and Sabrina forced a tight smile. Obviously, her sister sensed the tension in the air. She kept glancing between Sabrina and Isaac, as if trying to see some sort of invisible sign on their foreheads that blinked, we fought, and here’s why.

Eventually, even Marie fell silent.

Arriving at the airport came as a bit of a relief to all of them, Sabrina suspected. They exited the car, collected the luggage, and her and her sister walked side by side while Isaac followed with the bags. She felt Isaac’s eyes glaring at her from behind and resisted the urge to look his way. The anger that kept her going all morning no longer held her up. The pain had returned. She didn’t want to look at him, terrified of what was—or wasn’t—in his eyes.