Together, Again: Charlie's Family Secrets

By Charmaine Gordon

A wealthy couple, no children in sight, answer the door one day to find a replica of the woman living there, titian hair and all. Charlie is her name and so begins the story. Years later Charlie's young twin sisters , now seventeen, are rescued by the same couple with a big heart. It's a tale of love and hearts that keep on giving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vanilla Heart Publishing
• Release date: Mar 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519917256

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my granddaughter CassidyRae Malone who, just like the Costigan Twins, cartwheels everywhere; in the library, the shops, front lawn. She points her toes and off she flies hand over hand with poise and then she takes my hand to help her old Grans to the car. My best pal at seven and a half years old.

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Acknowledgments

Here’s to Kimberlee Williams of Vanilla Heart Publishing. Because you believed in me five years ago, I believed in me. Thanks for just about everything. You taught me everything I know.

And to the members of WEWRIWA Sunday Blog Hop, I say thanks for your constructive critique.

Chapter 1

About an hour from Salt Lake City, Utah and up a winding road hidden behind a tall fence, was a private religious school. Celia and Carey Costigan, residents since childhood, sat next to each other in the computer room texting in twin special codes.

Time 2 get out.

U betcha.

Call Uncle?

2 nite.

Hidden camera’s-big I’s alert.

Not 2 worry. Texting Unc now.

The cry for help was long in coming for the twins. They did have a sense of gratitude to the Nuns who had cared for them since they were seven years old during the bad old days when they were dropped like garbage at the beautiful school.

Lights out and for the next to last time, the twin sisters whispered to each other in the cramped room shared for many years.

Do you remember her?

Celia rolled on her side to face Carey; Vaguely, like a bad dream, the long trip from Minnesota to Utah with Mother hanging all over that guy, what’s his name?

Max Calhoun who wouldn’t stop long enough for us to eat or use the bathroom so when he needed gas, Jimmy snuck us out for food and the toilet.

He’s the best brother ever and to think he was only twelve back then.

We were just about seven years old. We grew up fast, Sis. They reached across the small space separating their single beds and touched fingertips.

She’s a bitch to have abandoned us, Carey. Never forget or forgive her.

The wicked witch of the West. They giggled.

If we ever have kids, we’ll take the best care of them.

Celia, do you remember why Charlie left?

Carey shook her head, the beautiful mane of long auburn hair flowed around her shoulders. All I remember is suddenly Dad’s dead, Charlie, our big sister, was gone and we were stuffed in Max Calhoun’s car.

I smell something fishy, Sis.

Me, too.

Just think, we’ll be gone from here living a whole new life with people who care for us. Again they giggled. Their motto over the years was to laugh instead of cry. Then we’ll find out what happened when we were seven.

They slept.

The well known Chicago lawyer, Stuart Alfred, hunkered in to the buttery leather chair in his study. He beckoned to the love of his life, Eleanor, who sat across from him.

Come sit on my lap, darling girl.

I would, but since you’ve been eating so many Belgium truffles when you thought I didn’t pay attention, your lap has disappeared.

Hmm. He patted his girth and nodded. At least come a bit closer. The time has come...

the walrus said, to talk of many things: of shoes and ships—and sealing wax—of cabbage and kings. Eleanor’s laughter rang through the room. Her floral patterned silk dress flowed when, gracefully, she crossed to the love seat. Thank you, Lewis Carroll. She bowed to the writer of Alice in Wonderland.

Sit beside me, dearest and whisper sweet nothings in my ear.

With a wise look on his aging attractive face, he obeyed. In the courtroom, he ruled; at home, Eleanor was in charge.

The portly lawyer presented his case to the most important critical judge and jury. In an attempt to bribe his lovely wife, he removed the elegant strap heels from her slender feet. The massage he’d perfected over their many years of marital bliss brought a skeptical frown between her perfect eyebrows.

Stuart, speak now or forever hold your peace. Save the tricks for the bedroom.

Dimples appeared in his cherubic cheeks. Guilty as charged, Eleanor.

Puzzled, she unwrapped a dark chocolate with a coconut filling truffle. She let the sweetness melt in her mouth before a quick chew and swallow. She pulled her husband’s head down, kissing his parted lips to share the chocolate taste.

Don’t distract me too much. I have to cover more ground before I cover you.

Move on, Stuart.

As you know, the twins have been texting me for a while. They wanted to call but the school doesn’t allow phone calls and they didn’t know if you are what they refer to as, ‘into texting.’ I text back right away and always say whenever they want to leave there and live with us, they are welcome. So just before I left the office, I received a text saying Help. They are so ready to leave like now. Their words, my love. We leave very soon.

She jumped to her bare feet and paced the study. I’m excited but worried at the same time. What about Elizabeth? Maybe she won’t let them go.

I have my ways, sweetheart. I’ve been investigating her past for a long time and now I have enough information to send her away. But that’s not my intention. She’s evil to have instigated Charlie into doing what a young girl had to do to protect her mother. No more will Elizabeth get away with it. He rose and gathered her in his arms. And now please allow me one more truffle before you chase me to the bedroom to have your way with me. Ring for Edgar to hold all calls. Sean should walk Lord and Lady before going home. We are not to be disturbed. Heading toward their private section of the expansive home on Lake Shore Drive, Stuart paused. Our Labradoodles are aging, Eleanor. It’s time to order two more from the breeder. What color would you prefer? He closed and locked the bedroom suite.

Eleanor Alfred eyed her husband while she dropped the silk dress to the floor. Is that what you’ll say when I’ve no longer aged to perfection? What color should I order? She smacked him across his shoulder.

I do love it when you‘re angry, my delicate flower. Their eyes met, his always with a touch of mischief, hers with tenderness. The famous lawyer melted. Don’t ever leave me, Eleanor. Together we’ll ride off into the sunset.

She rolled on top of the only man she’d ever loved since the first stirring of womanhood. With the sweet sexy smile reserved for him, Eleanor said, Ride ‘em, cowboy.

Afterward, Eleanor dreamed of more children in their home; Stuart planned the case against his sister-in-law.

Chapter 2

Over breakfast of waffles and sliced strawberries in the cheerful garden room filled with lovebirds in cages and hanging spider plants, Eleanor opened a leather notebook. She had questions in need of answers and before her husband raced off to the office, he’d have to answer them. Or else!

What if Elizabeth isn’t at the ranch anymore? She sipped her tea and batted long lashes to get his attention away from the Wall Street Journal.

She’s there. I checked. The spread she owns is still in business. It’s a ranch for tourists. Nose buried back in the paper, she’d lost him but not for long.

Is her husband, what’s his name, there?

Neatly he folded the paper and set it down. Max Calhoun, as I recall. No senior male on the premises. A few ranch hands of various vintages were spotted. He rose and kissed her careful not to mess coiffed titian hair. I must leave. Please pack. Don’t take too many clothes. One suit for me and traveling clothes. We leave tomorrow morning.

Stuart. She clung to his hand. What if ...

The only what if there is may be how long it takes me to convince your sister the twins are coming home with us. For Christmas. Forever. She’s evil to have taken the children away to a place where they’ve had no contact with family for years. From what I’ve learned, Elizabeth never even visited the twins once money bought them a place in the private school.

Her quick steps followed him to the door. Did you tell Charlie and Jimmy what we’re up to?

Absolutely not. This will be the best complete Christmas ever. All the children separated by the wicked witch of the West together again. I’m excited. Are you?

Yes and worried. I pray it will work out but you know what she’s capable of. She’ll find loop holes, demand ransom or something.

Don’t fret. I have her tangled in a web of lies going back to when she got rid of Charlie by sending her to us.

Rid of our girl?

Of course. There was method to the way ...

What?

I’m sorry, dear heart. All these years I’ve kept secrets not to hurt you. I never told you what I uncovered with the help of detectives on my payroll about the scumbag’s death. That slob of a guitar playing hippie Elizabeth ran away with when she was just sixteen, twenty six years ago.

Stricken, Eleanor sank back into her chair and covered her eyes. The birds stopped trilling their love songs. Even the spider plants hung limp and still.

Sweetheart. He hugged his wife sorry to leave her right now.