Clara offered to drive everyone else.
Rory made a stab at getting Walker to allow her to go to lunch on her own.
He said, “Let Jody and Nell go together. I’ll drive you and Clara. That way, if Jody or Nell gets into it with Elise and Tracy, there are viable escape options.”
“Walker. You make it sound like a battle plan.”
He grunted. “Because it is. More or less.”
She wanted to argue that everything would be fine and he really didn’t have to keep her in sight every minute of every day. But actually, knowing the Bravo sisters, it might not all be fine. And he seemed so determined to watch over her. It really was kind of sweet that he took the job of providing her security so seriously.
So she went back to her cousins and shared Walker’s suggestion as to who should ride with whom—minus the part about battle plans and escape options. They all agreed Walker’s way would be fine.
In Walker’s SUV, Rory sat in the front seat next to him and Clara hopped in back. Once they were on the way, Clara said she wanted him to join them for lunch when they got to the inn.
He laughed. He really did have the greatest laugh, all deep and rough and sincere at the same time. “You’d probably make me sit between Nell and Elise.”
And Rory kidded, “Well, you might as well make yourself useful. You can play referee.”
“Not a chance. I’ll just stay out of the way. You won’t even know I’m there.”
“Of course we’ll know.” Clara reached over the seat and poked at his shoulder.
Rory tried, “And it doesn’t seem right for you not even to get some lunch in this deal.”
But he just wouldn’t go for it. “I’ll get something later. Don’t worry about me.”
So she and Clara let it be.
At the inn, Walker had a private word with the hostess—no doubt to explain why he would be lurking and not eating. Then he took up a position near a window painted with a snowy Christmas scene. The spot was out of the way of the waiters and busmen, but with a clear line of sight to the table where Rory sat with her cousins. By then, they all knew that Walker was her stand-in bodyguard. Nell teased her about it and they both laughed.
Christmas favorites played softly in the background, and Clara had a bottle of champagne waiting on ice for them. It was nice. Festive. They each took a glass of bubbly, and Clara made a sweet little toast. She took a tiny sip and set the flute down and never touched it again. They ordered.
At first, it all seemed to go pretty well. At least everyone was civil. But then, shortly after the waitress brought their food, Tracy started in again about how she and Elise ought to be doing the reception flowers.
Jody said, “Oh, come on, Tracy. Give it up, already. It’s been decided.”
Elise scoffed, “That’s what you think.”
And then Nell said to no one in particular, “Because some people just can’t stand not getting everything their way all of the time.”
Tracy snapped, “Stay out of it, Nell. This has nothing to do with you.”
“Come on, guys,” Clara piped up hopefully. “Let it go. Let’s have a nice lunch as a family. Please.”
“Yeah, Clara.” Nell mimed an eye roll so big, she almost fell over sideways. “Good luck with that.”
“I’m not kidding,” Elise muttered under her breath. “So freaking rude.”
To which Nell replied with saccharine sweetness, “And what about you, Leesie? You’re just a big ole plate of harpy with an extra-large helping of shrew on the side.”
Elise glowered, teeth clenched. “Why you little—”
Clara cut her off. “Stop. This. Now.” She sent a furious glare around the table. Clara never lost her temper, so to see her about ready to start kicking some sisterly butt shocked the rest of them so much they all fell silent.
Walker left his position by the window and started toward them, ready to intervene. Rory met his eyes and shook her head. There was nothing for him to do in this situation. Nothing for either of them to do, really.
He took her hint and went back to his observation point at the window.
And Clara’s angry outburst actually seemed to have worked. They’d all picked up their forks and started eating again. Everyone but Clara. She sat there with her hands in her lap, sweat on her brow, her cheeks and lips much too pale.
Rory leaned close to her. “Are you all right?”
Clara gulped and nodded. “Fine, yes. Just fine...”
Clearly a complete lie. But Rory let it go. She feared that keeping after her might push her over whatever edge she seemed to be teetering on.
So they ate, mostly in silence. It was pretty awful. So bad that no one wanted anything off the famous Sylvan Inn dessert cart when the waitress wheeled it over. Tracy and Elise were the first to say they had to get going. They thanked Clara and left. Jody and Nell followed about two minutes later.
As soon as her two half sisters disappeared down the short hallway to the door, Clara shoved back her chair and leaped to her feet. “Be right back,” she squeaked. And then she clapped her hand over her mouth and sprinted toward the alcove that led to the restrooms.
For a moment, Rory just sat there gaping after her. Normally, Clara was hard to rattle. She took things in stride.
But she was certainly rattled now. And obviously about to toss what little she’d eaten of her hammer steak and cheesy potatoes.
Rory jumped up and went after her.
In the ladies’ room, she found poor Clara bending over one of the toilets, the stall door left open in her rush to make it in time. She was already heaving.
“Oh, darling...” Rory edged into the best-friend position, gathering Clara’s hair in her hands and holding it out of the way as everything came up.
Clara was still gagging, Rory rubbing her back and making soothing noises, when the outer door burst open. “Rory?” It was Walker.
Between heaves, Clara shouted, “Walker, out!”
Rory locked eyes with him. “I’m fine. Go.”
“I’ll be right out here if you—”
“Walker, go!” Clara choked out. He backed away.
“And don’t let anyone in here,” Rory added.
“Uh. Sure,” he said, ducking out, the door shutting after him.
“It’s all right, all right,” Rory reassured Clara gently. “He’s gone. It’s just us...”
Clara heaved
