Rafe slumped in his seat, his lips drooped into a frown. “I guess you’re right, but exactly how do we broach a subject like this? Everything will be wonderful with us, but by the way, my psycho ex-wife may pop up every now and then to demand money or else she’ll expose us. It’s my hope that if we just give her the money now, by the time she comes around asking for more, no one will give two shits about us anymore. I can think of a lot of people who gained notoriety some way or another who haven’t been heard from in years. We just happen to be the flavor of the month right now.”
Grant picked up the directions on the dash and gave them a quick once over before returning his attention back to the road. According to these directions they were less than a mile away. “I understand your line of reasoning, but she still needs to know.”
“I know. But what if bringing this up opens a new can of worms?”
“What do you mean?” Grant maneuvered his car down a narrow residential street.
“From the last few conversations you’ve had with her, do you get the impression she might be looking for an excuse to sever ties with us? Imagine what she’d say if we told her about this. It could be the thing to make her do just that.”
Grant stole a look at his friend. “I’m surprised to hear you say that? You’ve always been the one who’s been so sure about everything working out.”
“Of course I have worries, but I never saw any point in bringing them up. It’s only this past week, being away from her, that’s made me wonder if she might have been using us for emotional support on the island.”
“You know India isn’t like that. What we had on the island was real, as were her feelings, but you forget, she’s back on her own turf now dealing with the issues she’s left behind. We’ve had years to deal with what happened to us growing up, and we had each other. She had no one. When someone has dealt with what she has all her life, it isn’t so easy to change all your ideas. The prospect of her trying to pull away from us frightens me too, but we can’t stop believing in her love for us just because we’ve faced the first road bump in our relationship.”
Rafe sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
Grant turned on Maple Street and looked for number 716. It was two houses down. He pulled over to the curb and shut off the engine in front of a small brick house. “Here we are.”
“There’s a couple of cars in the driveway, but I’m not sure if one of them is hers. I know this is her aunt’s house, but I don’t know how many people live here.”
Grant took the keys out of the ignition and opened the door. “I believe her aunt is single, or at least I think that’s what she said. What are we waiting for? Let’s go? I can’t wait to see her.”
It was three rings before the door was answered. An attractive woman, who looked to be in her late twenties to early thirties, answered the door. She seemed hesitant at first, but then a slow smile curved her lips. “You must be Rafe and Grant. I remember seeing you on television but India has told me so much about you, I already feel like you’re old friends. Come on in.” She stood back to open the door wide enough for them to enter.
Rafe extended his hand once he was inside. “And you must be Aunt Valerie. I can tell that good looks must run in this family.”
Her caramel cheeks reddened to a becoming blush. “You’re a smooth one aren’t you? Please call me Val.” She took the hand offered to her and gave it a shake before turning to Grant. “And it’s very nice to meet you as well, Grant.”
He smiled as he shook her hand. “It’s my pleasure.” Grant looked around the room, wondering where India was.
“My niece is upstairs trying to pretty herself up, although I told her she looked fine. Now I can see why she’s going through all the trouble. The cameras didn’t do you two justice.” She gave them both an appreciative smile.
Grant grinned. He liked this woman. She had the type of personality that immediately put people at ease. He certainly needed it when his nerves were already frazzled. “India never told us her aunt was so young and beautiful.”
“Hardly young. I’m pushing forty, but unfortunately I can’t attribute my youthful features to good clean living. I guess it must be genetics.” She gestured them further inside her living room. “Please have a seat, and India should be down shortly. May I offer you a drink? I have Sam Adams, Coke, lemonade, orange juice and water.”
“A beer would be great.” Rafe smiled gratefully.
“I’ll just have water please.”