A Perfect Homecoming. Lisa Dyson

from one ear to the other and stopped Aunt Viv in midsentence. “Tell me what’s going on with Paula. Is the baby okay?” Her pulse accelerated in anticipation of news about her pregnant sister.

      “The baby is fine, at least for now,” Aunt Viv said. “Paula’s blood pressure is high and she just needs to follow doctor’s orders.”

      “What has her doctor suggested?” Getting specifics could take some work. She needed to get Aunt Viv to focus and stop haphazardly jumping from one subject to another.

      “Her doctor wants her on bed rest, but that’s easier said than done with two boys to take care of.”

      “Well, she has no choice.” Even though she hadn’t practiced in over two years, Ashleigh’s physician-educated brain reviewed the possible outcomes if Paula’s condition worsened. Preeclampsia, preterm labor...a multitude of possibilities. High blood pressure could mean a lot of things. How high was high? Slightly high or very high? “Do you know her actual blood pressure numbers?”

      “Paula didn’t say.” Aunt Viv hesitated a few seconds before adding, “Maybe you should call her and find out.”

      Ashleigh swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” How would she begin a conversation with the sister she hadn’t spoken to in almost two years?

      Her heart ached for the emotional turmoil her sister must be going through. Pregnancy complications came with unwarranted guilt. Ashleigh knew that firsthand and it took all her willpower to keep her own memories at bay.

      “Where’s Scott in all this?” Ashleigh asked. “Can’t he take leave to care for Ryan and Mark?” Surely Paula’s naval officer husband could handle this. Their boys were seven and nine, not quite old enough to fend for themselves but not helpless, either.

      “He’s in some ocean somewhere in his submarine,” her aunt said.

      Ashleigh remembered now. Her brother-in-law left about a month ago. Aunt Viv kept her informed about goings-on in their southern Virginia hometown of Grand Oaks, but that didn’t mean she retained it all.

      “And I’m still recovering from my knee replacement surgery or I’d be at Paula’s right now,” her aunt said. “My physical therapist would throw a fit if I overdid it.”

      “Is Mom still in Maryland with Grandma?” Ashleigh headed down the hall to her bedroom. She opened the empty suitcase she’d unpacked barely an hour ago after a business trip to Philly.

      “Last I heard,” Aunt Viv said, “your mom was real excited about the Alzheimer’s facility she found up there.” Her aunt sniffled. Grandma hadn’t recognized anyone for at least six months.

      “Now that Grandma’s having other health issues, I’m sure Mom won’t want to leave until they’re resolved.” Ashleigh opened drawers, pulled out clothes and stuffed them in her suitcase.

      Without being asked, Aunt Viv reported on other family members, beginning with Scott’s twin sisters. “Janie is expecting in a few weeks, so she can’t travel from Texas, and Belle is in Germany for her job.”

      There were five siblings in total on Scott’s side. In addition to his twin sisters who were otherwise occupied, his older sister had a special-needs child who required constant supervision, so she was out, too.

      “Kyle is always around to help.” Aunt Viv spoke cautiously, as if afraid the mere mention of Scott’s brother might upset Ashleigh.

      A loud bang sounded. She’d unintentionally slammed a drawer shut.

      “What was that?” Aunt Viv asked. “Are you okay?”

      “It was nothing. I’m fine.”

      She took a deep breath, blocking the painful memories the man’s name elicited.

      “Is he still working extra shifts in the emergency room?” Ashleigh reached for the throw pillow on her bedroom chair and collapsed into the seat cushions. She hugged the pillow tightly, as if the inanimate object could take away her deep-seated pain.

      “Sure is.” Aunt Viv confirmed that he had little time to spare. “The hospital’s lucky to have such a dedicated doctor.”

      Ashleigh swallowed a comeback.

      “Would Paula accept hired help?” Ashleigh finally asked, already knowing the answer. “I’d be happy to arrange and pay for it.”

      Silence. “I already offered. She doesn’t want a stranger in her house. She claims she can get by on her own.”

      That was Paula—always stubborn and never wanting help.

      “That’s ridiculous!” Ashleigh’s heart rate soared as her own blood pressure rose. “How can she be so nonchalant about her pregnancy?”

      Probably because, unlike Ashleigh, Paula had experienced two near-perfect pregnancies and didn’t have a clue what high-risk felt like.

      Until now.

      She tossed the pillow aside, stood up and headed to the bathroom to gather her toiletries.

      “Maybe it’s not as bad as I thought,” Aunt Viv said. “Her doctor is probably taking precautions.”

      Her aunt was successfully baiting her. “That doesn’t mean she shouldn’t follow her doctor’s orders.”

      “You need to come home, Ashleigh. Make sure Paula does what she’s told.”

      Tears threatened and speaking was difficult. “I’m already packed.” Ashleigh zipped her suitcase and wheeled it to the living room.

      “Really?” Aunt Viv didn’t sound too surprised. Wasn’t that why she’d called Ashleigh? “That’s wonderful. I’m sure Paula will appreciate it.”

      Ashleigh doubted that, but she didn’t care how Paula felt about it. The only thing that mattered was making sure her sister didn’t do anything stupid to threaten the precious life she carried.

      Even if it meant Ashleigh would have to face everyone and everything she had left behind, including Kyle, the ex-husband she’d once loved with every cell of her being.

      * * *

      FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER hanging up with Aunt Viv, Ashleigh was ready to go. How much gas was in her car? She hadn’t paid attention after returning home from the airport. Could she make it out of town before filling up? The drive to Grand Oaks would take about two hours.

      Two hours until she came face-to-face with her past.

      Maybe she could see about hiring someone to help her sister once she got to town. Paula likely wouldn’t want Ashleigh around very long. Their last blowup had been a big one.

      She took a final look around her apartment. Lights off, her single plant watered, thermostat set. She’d lived alone for the past two years—no pets, not even a goldfish—because she traveled so much for her job. And because she preferred it that way.

      Ashleigh scooped up the pile of unopened mail from the kitchen counter and dumped it into her laptop bag, which also held her work folders. She needed to consider ways to placate both her clients and her boss without taking an actual leave of absence.

      She locked her apartment door behind her, thumped her suitcase down the two flights of stairs to the building’s entrance and loaded her car.

      Ashleigh’s cell phone slid out of her purse and lay staring up at her from the passenger seat. Should she call Paula to let her know she was coming? She tossed the phone back into her purse.

      She wouldn’t give her sister the opportunity to tell her not to come. Ashleigh would never forgive herself if something went horribly wrong with Paula’s pregnancy.

      Ashleigh shuddered at the thought and turned up the volume on the country music radio station, hoping to blast her own painful memories out of her head.

      The April afternoon was