Interview with Love (18 page)

“Do you have any other family in the area, Vaughn?”

“No sir, my father's family is on the West Coast. My parents live in Michigan near my mother's family.”

“And what are your intentions toward my daughter?” Gordon asked cutting to the chase.

“Colonel Lambert,” Vaughn began.

Gordon shot him a stern glance.

“Sorry, Gordon,” he corrected.

The older man nodded his approval.

“I care about your daughter very much, sir.”

“I can see that. Tell me, have you ever been married?”

“No, I haven't.”

“Any children?”

“None.”

“That you're aware of, or not at all?”

Vaughn didn't take offense. “Not at all, sir.”

When her husband showed no signs of letting up on the interrogation Cassandra excused herself and went into the kitchen.

“Hey Mom, what's dad up to?” Sienna inquired.

“Nothing much, just interrogating your boyfriend.”

“What? Mom,” Sienna dropped the dish towel she was using.
Rule number twenty-one: Never let your parent's one-on-one time with your boyfriend exceed ten minutes.
“Why didn't you warn me?” she accused, dashing out of the room.

“I just did,” Cassandra called after her.

By the time Sienna made it to the family room they were gone. She ran downstairs, but they weren't in the basement either. She checked the garage, and then the office.

Poking her head in, Sienna was about to leave when the telephone rang. “I'll get it,” she called out. Walking quickly to the desk, Sienna picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Have they pulled out the baby pictures, yet?”

Sienna plopped down into the chair. “Please don't give them any ideas. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to hear from you, but how did you find me?”

“Sienna, it wasn't that hard. The places you like to frequent can still be counted on one hand,” Vivian informed her.

“Dad's somewhere around the house grilling Vaughn, I can feel it. I'm trying to find them to run interference.”

“Don't go getting all nervous,” her friend soothed. “I'm sure it isn't as bad as you're thinking.”

“I don't know. My imagination is pretty extensive.”

A loud ding sounded from the laptop on the desk in front of Sienna. She immediately moved the mouse. The dark screen disappeared allowing Sienna to see what was on the screen. As her eyes scanned across the page her expression turned from curiosity to shock and then anger. “That little bitch,” she said, venomously.

“What? Who?”

“My poor excuse for a sister. I knew it,” she said, in a raised voice. “Viv, I've got to go,” she informed her before disconnecting the line. She unplugged the laptop from the wall outlet. Picking it up, she stormed from the room.

Going into the kitchen, Sienna spotted her sister. “This whole thing was a ruse, wasn't it?” she accused.

Sasha turned around to face her sister. When she saw her laptop being waved through the air her expression darkened. “Why do you have my laptop?”

“You didn't answer my question. Suppose you tell us what's really going on?”

Cassandra looked from one sister to the other. “What's this about?”

“She's been lying to us this whole time,” she told their mother. She reeled around again. “You weren't here to relax and commune with your family. That was just how you got your sorry foot in the door. What you were really doing was spying on me for some book you're writing about twins and how we don't get along. Admit it.”

Cassandra placed a hand over her mouth. “Sasha, is this true?”

Sasha looked at her sister, her expression venomous. “Not exactly, mom.”

“Don't you dare try to spin this around. I saw it myself,” Sienna told her family.

Sasha glared at her sister. “You had no right snooping on my computer and reading mail that wasn't addressed to you.”

“And you had no right being here under false pretenses,” Sienna's voice shook with indignation.

“I'm not here to gather information on you for my book. I merely wanted to visit. No more, no less.”

“I don't believe you,” Sienna shoved the laptop at her. “Besides, it's not the first time you've done something under false pretenses.”

Sasha sat the computer on the kitchen table and regarded Sienna with annoyance. “Oh for once would you stop acting like a victim? If you would've just asked me I would've told you, but no. That's not how Miss Holier-Than-Thou operates. You have to lecture people to death until you get your way.”

“All right stop it—both of you,” Cassandra's voice carried over their bickering. “I will not tolerate you two going twenty rounds in my kitchen. Let's all sit down and discuss this rationally.”

“You do know you're talking about Sienna, don't you Mom?” Sasha said, dryly. “I don't think rational is in her psychic bag of tricks.”

“Really? Well it's pretty obvious family loyalty isn't in yours,” Sienna shot back. “I'm leaving. Mom, I'm sorry but I have to go.”

“Neither of you is going anywhere until I know what's going on,” Gordon's authoritative voice sounded from the door.

The three women turned to see Gordon and Vaughn standing just inside the entryway. Vaughn walked over and stood protectively beside Sienna.

 

Eventually everyone moved into the family room. Sienna and Vaughn shared a couch while Sasha, Gordon and Cassandra seated themselves in nearby chairs. Sienna relayed the details to her father and Vaughn.

“Her agent, Jewel Lieberman sent her an e-mail asking if she'd gotten more examples of our dysfunctional relationship for the book.”

 

Gordon shook his head in disbelief. “Sasha…is this…tell me it's not true.”

“Daddy I swear I didn't come here to spy on my family.”

“The hell you didn't,” Sienna raged.

Sasha sighed. “I am writing a book, it's true,” she looked toward her sister, “but I wouldn't put anything damaging in it about any of you.”

“Really? Sienna said, skeptically. “Then I suggest you clue what's-her-name in because that's what she thinks you're here to do.”

Silence descended on the large room. Finally Cassandra spoke up. “With all the commotion I never got to ask about the book you're writing.”

“It's a work of fiction—more or less.”

“You must be thrilled to be writing a book,” her mother exclaimed.

“I am, mom. I've just started. I'm still working on the research and character development.”

“Sasha, may I speak with you in private?” Sienna asked.

“Sure,” she said, reluctantly.

The sisters went to the office. Sasha closed the door. “What do you want, Sienna?”

“You may have our parents fooled, but I'm not so gullible.”

“I don't know what you mean. As usual, you're jumping to conclusions.”

“Don't even think about trying to turn this around on me. I'm not jumping to anything. It was all there in black and white, Sasha. Or are you now going to call your agent a liar, too?”

“You had no right to invade my privacy.”

“And you have no right to be here under false pretenses.”

“I'm not.” Sasha threw her hands up. “This is ridiculous! Why do we rub each other the wrong way all the time? Don't you get tired of us bickering? Can't you for once be happy for me? I'm writing a book that will be a best seller. I will be recognized for what I say. People come to you every day for your advice, now I'll have people wanting to know what I think.”

“Just remember, your actions have consequences. Sometimes people get hurt because of them.”

“This isn't one of those times.”

Sienna eyed her sister with contempt. “We'll see. I'm sure if given enough opportunities you'll reveal yourself. For your sake you'd better not be here with a hidden agenda. Whatever book you're writing better not have me in it or I promise you'll regret it.”

Sasha arched an eyebrow. “Is that a threat?”

“You better believe it.”

They regarded each other a few seconds longer before Sienna turned around and left the room slamming the door behind her.

“You know, Dr. Lambert, I think this little run-in would make a great scene for my book.” Sasha retrieved her cell phone from her jean pocket, dialed a number and waited. “Hey, it's me. Yes, I got your e-mail. My sister stumbled across your message. Don't worry about it; it's not your fault. Just to be safe though, call my cell phone if you need to reach me. No, I'll send you the outline as soon as I've finished up. It will definitely be worth the wait.”

 

While driving back to Vaughn's house they discussed the happenings of the night.

“Well that went well,” Sienna sighed heavily. “I'm sorry about that. I'm sure you got more than you bargained for with my family; my father's interrogation, and my sister with her sordid book on our tumultuous relationship.”

Vaughn reached over and eased her hand into his. He kissed it. “Sweetheart, it wasn't as bad as that. Your dad wants what's best for you, and wanted to be sure I did, too.”

“Of course you do,” Sienna sniffed. “It's just my evil twin sister that wants to cause me harm.”

“Do you really think that's what she's doing?”

Sienna glanced out the window. “Honestly, I don't know. I don't trust that she's being completely honest about her intentions. I know what I saw. The last thing I need is her to be painting me as some psychologist that can't even have a healthy relationship with her own flesh and blood. I can tell companies all day long what's on consumer's minds, but when it comes to my own sister I'm clueless.”

“You'll get to the bottom of things. Of that I have no doubt,” Vaughn assured her.

“I hope so. I'm going to be watching her every move. If she thinks I'm going to stand by and let her use me for target practice, she can think again.”

It was silent for some time before Vaughn spoke up. “How about we invite Carlton and Angella out for breakfast tomorrow?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I'm fine with it.”

He waited until he got to a red light before he took his hand and tilted her face toward his. He regarded her. “Are you sure, Doc?”

“Vaughn, I'm fine with it,” she said, smiling. “It's just what I need to get my mind off of my sister. So, what time?”

“Good question.”

Vaughn dialed Carlton's number and put him on speaker. When he answered, Vaughn invited the two of them to breakfast.

“I think we can make it. Where are you going?”

“I think we should let Angella choose.” Sienna concluded.

“Angella, pick up the phone,” her father said, loudly.

Seconds later she was on the telephone. Her dad filled her in on their impromptu breakfast plans.

“It's your choice honey,” Carlton informed her. “Where would you like to eat?”

“Dad, I can't believe you even have to ask,” Angella said, with excitement. “IHOP.”

“IHOP it is,” Vaughn agreed. Do you want us to meet you both there Carl, or stop by your house first?”

They decided to meet up at the restaurant since Carlton and Angella would be going shopping after breakfast. With their plans made Vaughn ended the call.

“How about we invite Pierce?” Sienna asked.

“That's way too early for my brother to be out and about. Especially on a Sunday,” Vaughn snickered. “Besides, he may not have seen off his latest date by then.”

“He's a ladies' man extraordinaire. Honestly I wonder how he finds time to market his new scents and endorsements with his busy schedule.”

“Where there's a libido there's a way,” Vaughn chuckled.

“Speaking from experience are you?”

He took his right hand off the wheel, and rested it on her thigh. “Absolutely not. I was too busy with work to even think about having an entourage. Not my style, anyway,” his gaze swept over her. “What about you?”

“I already told you my longest dating experience lasted two months. I wasn't being facetious you know.”

Vaughn recalled her sister's words to that affect. There was a lull in the conversation for a while. As if she'd just remembered something, Sienna turned sharply toward Vaughn. “My dad,” she exclaimed.

Vaughn looked confused. “What about him?”

“Will you tell me what happened? Was it the Spanish Inquisition two thousand and nine, or did he decide to take it easy on the civilian?”

He laughed heartily. His voice carried throughout the small space. Seconds later she joined in.

“It wasn't as bad as that, Doc. Your father was just trying to see where I'm coming from.”

“You don't have to try and spare me, Vaughn. I know my father is overzealous when it comes to protecting his family. Did he say you were one-of-a-kind?” she prodded.

“I don't know, why?”

“That's code for he's going to be delving into your background. He doesn't think Sasha and I know, but we overheard him talking on the phone to one of the guys from his troop. That means he's going to have you investigated. I'm going to check with mom and—”

“Hey,” he said, quietly. So quiet that she stopped rambling and turned a worried face toward him.

“Yes?”

“I wasn't kidding, Sienna. Your father and I had a very good chat. He knows I'd never do anything to hurt you. I'm crazy happy that you're in my life to begin with. Considering our rough start I don't plan on doing anything to jeopardize that.”

She stared at him dumfounded. “Oh,” was all she could manage to say.

“At first he was a little concerned about an issue in my past, but once I showed him the paternity test results he relaxed.”

“What!?” she screeched.

Vaughn couldn't continue the joke. He dissolved into non-stop laughter. Annoyed at his not-so-funny hoax she took great pleasure in punching him in the leg.

“Very funny,” she said, wryly. “Don't quit your day job you're not that good.”

His hand come over and rested on her leg. He gave it an affectionate squeeze. “Come on, we both know my humor is one of the many things you love about me.”

Her facial expression grew serious. Her response wasn't immediate and when she did speak up her voice sounded odd even to her. “Yeah,” she answered quietly, “one of the many things.”

When they got back to his house Vaughn parked the car and escorted Sienna in. Before she could ask what they were going to do, he said, “I'd like to show you something.”

“Okay.”

Taking her hand Vaughn guided her to a part of the house she'd never seen. He went up a staircase at the back of the house. At the top was a wide glass door. “I call this the observatory,” he said, opening the door and stepping outside.

The space was big enough to hold what Sienna thought looked like a large bed or extra wide futon-type structure that sat in the middle of the wooden floor. There was a canopy around it with netting cascading down like drapes secured with tie backs. Multiple pillows and a thick mattress beckoned her to try it out. The decking extended out past the house to take full advantage of the unencumbered view of the sky. Guard rails went around the perimeter, but other than that the outdoor space gave you a sense of being one with nature.

“Vaughn,” she breathed, turning toward him. “This is amazing.”

“Not yet,” he told her. He took a lighter off a nearby shelf and lit the candles that were strategically placed around the area.

Sienna stood there watching him. With his task completed, Vaughn came over and crouched down in front of her. He removed her sandals and ran his hands gently up her legs. They didn't stop until they were encircling her waist. “I've wanted to get my hands on you all evening,” he admitted.

Her arms snaked around his neck. “Me too. You always know what I need.”

When they kissed, it was unhurried and full of promise.

“You look beautiful, Doc,” he kissed her neck. “Though I hope we've seen the last of that bun,” he mocked. His fingers looped around the straps of her sundress and eased them down her shoulders.

Sienna was finding it difficult to form coherent thoughts. “With you—or at all?”

His hands continued to coerce the dress down her body. “I would be thrilled to never see it again,” his voice caressed her like warm butter sliding down a hot piece of bread.

“Consider it gone,” she said, huskily.

He stopped. “Sienna, are you sure? I know you—”

She silenced him with her finger across his lips. “I'm sure. It's gone.”