The Scent of Heather. V. J. Banis

Maggie is the only family I have. We’d be lost without each other.”

      “How can you speak for your sister? Maybe she doesn’t feel the same way as you do.”

      “Not Maggie. I know her. She’d just be lost without me.”

      “How do you know? You’ve never tested that.”

      Rebecca studied him for a minute. “What are you trying to do, Mr. McCloud, turn me against my sister?” She was smiling.

      “Of course not. I just think you two have been so close for so long that you aren’t two people any more, you’re one.”

      “And what is wrong with that? We love each other very much.”

      “Loving a sister and living her life for her are two entirely different things. You should let Maggie go her own way and you should go yours.”

      “But we do.”

      “Do you? You wanted to chase after Maggie a second or two ago. Don’t you think she can look out for herself?”

      Rebecca sighed. “Maybe I don’t want her to. I guess I have allowed Maggie to run things for me. I’m not exactly the most levelheaded girl in the world. Maggie’s always there to pick up after me. I’ve grown to depend on her too much, I know, but I can’t help it.” She gazed out the car window. “She really fought me tooth and nail about moving here to Pinebrook. I won out in the end, of course. Maggie always gives me my own way.”

      “I for one am glad you are going to be living here. Pinebrook needs a spark of life and I am pleased it came in the form of you and your sister, Maggie.”

      Rebecca laughed. “Now how can I argue with you if you are going to say such nice things as that?”

      They were driving through open fields. David eased the car to the edge of the road, switched off the lights and cut the motor. Music was playing softly on the radio. He turned in his seat and took Rebecca’s hand. “I hope we will have a lot more arguments like this,” he said, drawing her close.

      “I thought you were going to show me vineyards?”

      “They’re in my eyes if you will look closely,” he whispered. “You’re very beautiful, you know.”

      Rebecca gave a soft little whimper as his arms tightened around her. Her arms moved around his neck. She felt his body, hard and demanding, pressing against hers.

      “I think I’m going to like Pinebrook,” she whispered.