Adira had no other choice but to trust Ralph. After all, he knew his family better than she did. Also, maybe, just maybe, it was the right thing to lie then. Maybe their lie was what his family needed to heal or move ahead. She could only imagine what they were going through right then, their waiting and wondering. The lack of answers gave birth to false hopes and the worst fears imaginable.
Ralph had shared a little of what happened, so she would not be caught, unaware if anyone talked about it. He had warned her that his brother Liam would be the one who would be the most suspicious, ask the most questions, and generally be a 'doubting Tom.'
Ralph's brother, Liam, had not shown up to eat. He was the Surgeon at a hospital in the San Juan Islands. He had to attend an emergency surgery, and he had informed Violet.
They sat in yet another warm room, a wall of windows facing east offered an amazing view of the ocean. They were served a platter of dishes until the table groaned under the weight of it all. Ralph's mother assured her this was not normal, but Adira was not so sure.
Adira had decided that she was not there to make enemies but to make friends. She had honestly wanted to continue sleeping in a comfortable bed with her baby on her side and a room with a lock on the door. She took a bite of food from her plate and turned her attention to her daughter. Raven was in one of the seats that enable babies as young as her to sit up. "Look at you, big girl, sitting up by yourself," Adira kept on her baby talks with Raven while eating. It was not easy for Adira to come downstairs and face everyone at meals, but just like in Atlanta, her motto was 'it's a fake it until I make it.'
For Adira, that meant she had to pretend to be Ralph's loving wife until he was back to tell everyone the truth. While thinking about Ralph, a rush of warmth flowed through her, just like it always did when she thought of him. If she were his wife, it wouldn't be hard at all to be loving, Adira thought. He always made it easy to love him, and she swore she was jealous of the woman she didn't even know would one day be his wife.
Violet grinned from the other side of the table as if she could read her thoughts. Adira blushed at that. But then Violet told her, "Once you are all rested up, we can go shopping for Raven."
Adira replied, "Um... that sounds nice, but you don't have to."
Adira thought about how she could go shopping when she didn't have any extra money for that. She had also forgotten to ask Ralph about getting a job. She had lots of wealth in her name, but her Uncle and Aunt held on to that. She had only five hundred dollars with her then. Out of it, four hundred dollars were given to her by her brother Neil, and she had only a hundred dollars.
Her brother Neil left before breakfast, claiming he had to get back before their Aunt changed her mind. Adira doubted he left early so that nobody would question him about Adira and Ralph's relationship.
Violet then started playing with Raven. She tickled Raven's foot playfully and earned a toothless grin in return from her. Violet said she adored shopping for baby clothes but had no one to buy them. She said that Liam's daughter, Rhea, was also growing up. She is six years old now. Violet then informed Adira she owned a salon.
Ralph's mother said Ralph during childhood was the sweetest. He always was, no matter his age, so Adira had that on her side, she said. The way his mother said, it sounded as if Adira had nothing to worry about now. His mother then beamed a smile at Adira.
At that moment, Adira felt very bad for lying to her. But then she thought that Ralph would be home in eight months. Though it was not that long, it seemed like an eternity.
During breakfast, as they were midway, she met Ralph's brother Liam. After exchanging pleasantries and introductions, they started having breakfast. While eating, Liam asked Adira, "Did you lose your wedding ring?"
Confused, she stared at him and asked, "What?"
Liam repeated, "Your wedding ring?"
'Think Adira,' she told herself. Her mind began to race. She replied, "I lost it. As soon as lunch is over, I will email Ralph. He said that he would answer my emails no matter what, but he might not always have access to take calls on the phone."
Liam said, "You lost it? That is very convenient."
Adira retorted back, "Actually, it is the opposite. I can't tell you how nosy and mean some people can be when they assume things about you."
Violet patted Adira's hand and said, "You won't have to worry about anyone treating you that way here, honey." She then gave a meaningful look to Liam and said, "As for you, brother, I expect better from the best surgeon in the San Juan Islands."
Adira burst out laughing. She asked, "You are a surgeon?"
Liam asked her, "Did Ralph forget to tell you that?"
"He told me the most important things about his family--- how loving they are. How they go out of their way to make strangers feel welcome and that they would do anything to help one another. He said you were his favorite brother," Adira replied.
Everyone at the table stopped eating and started looking at Adira. Then Violet started laughing, followed by Liam. Adira noticed that while smiling, Liam resembled Ralph. But he was not as handsome as Ralph. But he was still attractive enough to turn heads.
Liam said, "I like you, Adira. I can see why my brother married you so quickly."
"What do you mean?" Adira asked him.
"He texted everyone to let us know you two were newlyweds and to go easy on you," Liam replied.
"What other information did he share?" Adira asked them.
Violet replied, "He said that you would want to find a job right away, but do not let you work until you were ready and were not dead tired from taking care of Raven."
"He said that?" Adira asked. She asked, "How am I supposed to pay for anything?"
"Don't worry, Adira. I will take care of opening a bank account for you," Liam said while getting up from the table. He kissed his mother and sister. Squeezing Adira's shoulder, he said, "I will text you when they are ready for your signature."
"Bank account? Signature?" Adira thought it would look so bad when she had hardly anything to deposit.
Liam replied, "Yes, honey. You didn't think Ralph would leave you destitute, did you?"
Adira's cheeks grew even hotter under his mother's gaze. She replied, "No."
Violet then leaned forward, grabbed Adira's hand, and squeezed it lightly before letting it go. "Ralph said you had to quit your old job due to the difficult pregnancy, and you would be a little sensitive about money," Violet said.
"But not too sensitive to discuss it on the dining table, over meals? Oh please, we are a family," his mother said.
"I like that you are very sensitive over money and want to work. It means you didn't marry Ralph for his fortune" Violet said all this so plainly that no one on the planet could wonder what was on her mind.
"His fortune?" Adira gave them a blank look. She said, "I didn't realize that the Army paid that much."
"It doesn't," Violet replied, flipping her golden-brown hair over her shoulder. Then tilting her head to one side and smiling conspiratorially, she asked Adira, "Do you want to see your house today? I can give you the grand tour. It is not that far from here, so we will be nearby to help you whenever you need it."
"Maybe after lunch and when Raven takes a nap," Adira replied noncommittally. She wondered what a problem she got herself into. While she felt safe with Ralph and his extended family, they were so determined to make her feel at home that she wanted to run in the opposite direction because she felt so damn guilty.
Violet replied, "Perfect. I have a hair color and cut at eleven, so I will be free by two noon."
"May I take Raven?" Ralph's mother asked. "I would love to spend more time with her. That is if you have no objection."
"I don't think of any. I know Raven would love to spend time with her... with her," Adira was at a loss for words.
"Grandma?" Ralph's mother asked.
"Yes," Adira replied.
Ralph's mother then took Raven from her chair. The little one shoved her tiny fist into her mouth, perfectly content to go with someone who twelve hours ago, was a stranger.
Adira thought that maybe she should trust Raven's judgment. Wasn't there a saying about kids and dogs being the accurate judges of character?
At that point, Violet asked, "Can I be honest with you?"
Adira replied, "Go for it."
"I have a job opening at my salon coming up next month. It's for a receptionist. You can bring Raven with you, although I am sure Mom will watch her for you. I don't think it is up to Ralph to decide when you can work," Violet said.
"That's not what Ralph must have meant," Adira favored him.
Violet asked, "Does that mean you are not interested?"
"Heck yes, I am interested. But once again, I would be indebted to you'll. You don't even know me. I could be the worst receptionist ever," Adira said.
"I will train you myself, so there is no chance of that happening," Violet replied.
"Let me think about it," Adira said.
Violet pouted a little and said, "You are very stubborn, Adira."
"It is one of my best qualities," Adira replied.