Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [128]
Julia felt her heart break at the story. "What happened to her after that?"
"She recovered as best she could. She had to start over, find a new life for herself."
"Do you know where she is now?"
"She runs an antique shop on Carlmont Street in Georgetown. You can probably find her there. I don't think she ever leaves. I'll write down the address for you." Victoria moved toward the desk. "Please tell her I'm thinking about her. You know, she once told me that a piece of her heart was missing. I didn't know what that meant. Now perhaps I do. You're the missing piece."
Julia was still thinking about Victoria's words when they took a taxi to Georgetown. "If Elena told Victoria that her parents and sister were dead, then she must have remembered us," Julia said, looking to Alex for confirmation. "But why did she think I was dead?"
"Maybe the agents told her that. They didn't want her to look for you."
"That makes sense. It sounds like she grew up alone, though."
"It does," Alex agreed. "I wonder what happened to her foster family."
"Maybe it wasn't a good one. God, I hope she wasn't mistreated or abused. That would be so wrong, so unfair."
"Just remember that whatever happened to Elena, it wasn't your fault, Julia. You were a child, too. You couldn't choose your surroundings any more than she could pick hers."
"I know you're right, but I still feel guilty that I've had such a happy life. And that accident she had sounds horrible."
"Life can deal out some bad cards," Alex said. "She had to play them out. So did you."
"Now we have the chance to start over, don't you think?" Alex didn't respond to her hopeful smile, his face grim. "What are you thinking?"
"That you could get hurt. Elena may not welcome you with open arms."
"She thinks I'm dead, Alex. When she realizes I'm alive, she'll be happy, won't she?"
"I guess we'll find out," he replied.
Julia looked out the window, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the neighborhood, the brownstones, the redbrick streets and buildings, the shops, galleries, and restaurants. At least her sister lived in a wonderful area. She must be reasonably successful. Maybe her life hadn't turned out all bad.
The taxi pulled up in front of a store called River View Antiques. As Julia got out of the cab, she forced herself to breathe deeply. She was about to come face-to-face with her past. She didn't know if she was ready, but it was too late to have second thoughts. Alex put a hand on her back and gave her a gentle push.
As they entered the store, a bell jangled. On first glance all Julia could see was stuff. Large pieces of furniture, bookcases, dressers, tables, and antique desks lined the walls. On every available tabletop were knickknacks from decades past: silver teapots, antique jewelry, old picture frames, and ceramic dishes. The room smelled like dust, incense, potpourri, and history. All of these items had once belonged to someone. They probably had fascinating stories to tell. But she wasn't here to browse. She was here to see her sister. "Hello," she called out.
"Be right there," a woman replied.
The voice sounded familiar, or was Julia imagining it?
A moment later, a woman came through a beaded curtain to greet them. She wore black capri pants and a light blue silk button-down blouse. She walked with a slight limp. Her blond hair was pulled back in a barrette at the base of her neck, but it drifted down to her waist, reminding Julia of her mother's hair.
"Hello- " The woman stopped abruptly as she looked straight at Julia. Her blue eyes grew big and scared. "Oh, my God! It can't be you."
Julia couldn't find her voice. All she could do was stand there and stare.
Elena stared back at her. She blinked once, twice, as if she could make Julia disappear.
They were mirror images of each other, the same height, the same build, the same blue eyes, the same nose, the same chin. Only the length of their hair was different. Julia swallowed hard. Even though she had known what was coming,