“They’re here! They’re here!” Jack shouted, racing into the kitchen.
Rae gave her son an indulgent smile. While her excitement did not match her son’s, she was looking forward to seeing Daphne and Casey and spending Thanksgiving weekend with them.
Now, if only she knew for certain what her sister was up to …
When she and Beau had returned from Hartford, she had been heartbroken to find Felicity gone. That had been over four months ago. Yes, there were texts, brief messages to confirm proof of life, but that was all.
She consoled herself that Felicity had said she would return. Afterall, she’d accepted the Chief Deputy position.
That should be enough.
Rae had repeated those words to herself more times than she cared to admit. But whether her sister would return in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with them was another story.
She wanted Felicity here. Not because it was Thanksgiving. Not because everyone else was together. Because she just wanted her sister. Wanted to start building a relationship free from looking over her shoulder, expecting the past to rear its ugly head.
But until Felicity walked through that door, Rae couldn’t quite make herself believe she was coming back.
“Come, Momma. Come!” Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the side door.
She shook off the melancholy and followed, dusting her hands on her apron to get rid of the bits of flour. She had other guests to welcome.
Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the side door. Laughing, she followed, dusting her hands on her apron to get rid of the bits of flour.
Xena was already at the door, her entire body quivering, pawing on the mat. The dog knew the sound of the Brayton’s minivan, having taken a few trips in the Chrysler over the years. And she loved Kiki.
What followed were chaotic minutes of dogs barking, kids shouting, greetings exchanged.
And a goat fainting
“Jack warned me about this, but it’s pretty unsettling,” Beau muttered as they stared at the motionless goat. Just as quick as Kiki tipped over, he flipped himself upright. “Maa-aa,” he bleated, looking very confused.
Over coffee, Casey told Beau the story of how Kiki came into his and Daphne’s life. “Nebraska has a special meaning to us. It’s where I met Daph. Saw the gorgeous red-haired woman with startling green eyes at this rest stop in the middle of nowhere, and I was smitten. Long story involving a bobblehead Obama souvenir, a malfunctioning Harley — mine, and a Beemer with a flat tire —Daphne’s. I was on a tight deadline to get to California, and in exchange for changing said tire, Daph, um, offered me a lift to California. And we ran into the goat. At the time, we figured we had hit it. Kiki appeared in the middle of the road, and the BMW ended in an embankment. Daph was driving—” Casey gave his wife a sly grin — “but in all fairness I need to take responsibility for distracting her. Anyway, we hauled ass out the car, and the goat did its fainting thing. Scared us shitless when it flipped back up. And then promptly knocked into the side of the car. Daphne here picked up the smelly creature and loaded it in the Beemer.”
“How did you meet?” Daphne asked, looking at Rae.
It felt great opening up to a woman she considered a wonderful friend. “Strangely, it also involved me giving him a lift. Beau was hitchhiking—”
“You picked up a hitchhiker?” Casey glowered.
Rae pouted. “He had an injured dog,” she defended, pointing to the canine in question where he lay stretched out beside Kiki on the rug in front of the crackling fire. “Kismet. Gave them both a lift to the vet.”
Casey whistled. “Our story also involves a vet.”
“And a time apart,” Daphne added softly, her eyes flitting between Rae and Beau.
Smiles dimming, their easy banter took a turn for the serious.
“I need to thank you both for taking care of Rae and Jack,” Beau said. “For being there when I wasn’t able.”
“It was our honor, mate,” Casey replied. “We could see from the get-go that Rae needed someone to look out for her.” His gaze shifted to her. “Your leaving left a big hole in our hearts, Rae, but being here, finally knowing your story, seeing you settled and happy …” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Brilliant.”
“We’re thrilled to still be part of your life, Rae,” Daphne added. “And meeting you, Beau. And we hope you find your way to California and visit us.”
“You can count on it,” Beau said, his voice gruff and low. “Jack still talks about ’Attan Beach.”
*
Laughter ran through the crowded room the next day. Rae looked around the table with satisfaction. The Braytons slotted right in, making fast friends with Nate and Bella, Oliver and Sunny. Her only problem guests were Ronan and Felicity—
Where was Felicity? She was in her seat mere seconds earlier.
Frowning, she scanned the room. And caught a glimpse of her sister slipping out onto the patio. She scraped her chair back and followed. The chill hit her the moment she stepped outside, but she ignored the cold, walking down the steps.
Rae blinked in surprise when Felicity lit up a cigarette. “I didn’t know you smoke.” The smell of burning sulfur from the match tickled her nose.
Her sister frowned, giving her a side-eye, inhaling deeply. She placed the matchbox on top of the cigarettes, turning her head to blow the smoke away from them. “Guess there’s a lot we still don’t know about each other.”
Especially when you refuse to allow a person in. Rae suppressed her impatience. “You’ve been out of sorts all day.” She kept her voice low. “What’s going on?”
Felicity took a long drag before answering. “It’s … complicated,” she said, her voice rough.
“Was it because I thought you wouldn’t come?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Felicity snapped.
Rae sighed. “If you didn’t want to come, you could’ve just said so.”
“Now who’s being snappy?”
“Jeez, Felicity. You disappeared for four months without telling anyone where you were. Forgive me for expecting you to stand me up today.”
Rae knew Felicity and Ronan had both been cleared of any involvement in Vasily’s death. But she couldn’t shake the feeling there was a connection. And Felicity’s reaction to Ronan tonight made it impossible to believe the story was as simple as everyone claimed.
“Is it about Ronan? Because if it is, then I’m sorry for inviting him and spoiling your homecoming. But, Liss, the man loves you. And he’s been worried about you. Like all of us. He doesn’t deserve the dark looks you’ve been shooting him all evening.”
“You don’t understand.”
“No, I probably don’t. But I can see that you’re angry.”
A brittle laugh escaped Felicity. “You have no idea.”
Rae held her sister’s gaze. “Maybe I don’t understand what you’re going through. But I can see you’re hurting. Taking it out on the people who love you isn’t fair.”
Felicity dropped her eyes. “I know.”
“This … this Thanksgiving … it’s important to me. Our past is finally done. It’s the start of our new lives. You’re my sister. And you’re back. And I am very thankful for that.”
Rae let the words settle between them. She’d spent too many years wanting Felicity in her life to risk pushing her away now.
“I’m sorry,” Felicity said finally, her voice thick. “I’m just … struggling.” She scraped her throat. “I think it’s best if I go.”
“You’re not … leaving leaving, are you?”
Felicity gave a long, weary exhale. “No.” She grabbed her smokes and matches, shoved them into her sweater pocket, and stalked inside.
Rae followed at a much slower pace, more concerned now about her sister than before. Movement caught her peripheral vision, and she twisted her neck. Habit had her reaching to her waist, but of course, she no longer carried the weapon. “Ronan.”
The man held his hands up. “Sorry. I know better than to sneak up on a person.” His gaze turned to the patio door closing behind her sister. “Is she okay?”
Frowning, Rae viewed the man. “Did something happen in New York? Or Hartford?”
His huge sigh matched Felicity’s earlier one. “I did something that upset her,” he confessed, walking closer.
Although she had only known Ronan for a few short months, the man did not strike her as mean or cruel. “Then best you make amends, Ronan Murphy. Because I do not want to lose my sister so soon after reconnecting with her.”
They climbed the steps together.
“That’s the plan,” he muttered. “But it’s going to be a difficult task.”
“You’re a Marine.” She tilted her head. “What’s that slogan you use?”
Ronan grinned. “Improvise, adapt, overcome?”
“That’s the one.”
His grin widened. “So, I’ve your blessing?”
“I guess.” She stopped outside the patio door and turned to face him. “But, Ronan, treat her with care.”
His look became serious. “Like a princess.” He twisted the door handle and held it open for her.
Rae didn’t miss the narrow-eyed stare her sister gave them when Ronan entered the room right behind her. Nor the “Stubborn woman,” he uttered before rejoining their friends.
*
“Here you are,” Beau said, stepping onto the balcony.
“I wish I remembered more of my mother,” Rae murmured.
Sliding his arms around her, he drew her back up against his front. “I am sorry you were robbed of that opportunity.”
“Yeah.” She leaned against him, tilting her head to the sky. “I hope she knows her daughters have found good men to love them.”
“Hmm. I’m a good man, then?” Beau nuzzled her neck.
“The best.” She trailed her fingers over the back of his hand. “Do you think Liss and Ronan will find their way back to each other?”
He didn’t want to think about his sister-in-law and her love life. But Rae had been so worried about Felicity, and he understood she needed to process her sister’s return. “He’s determined enough.”
“I’d like to think they will. That it’s fated,” she added, twisting her neck to grin at him. “I think there’s something magical about Clearbrook. It’s the perfect place for second chances.” She brushed a kiss over his chin.
Beau smiled. Maybe she was right. Maybe some things really were meant to happen, no matter how hard people fought them.
Rae shifted against him and sighed, looking back up at the stars. “I’ve been thinking about Andrei …”
He stiffened. “Your cousin?”
Rae pulled away and turned in his arms. “He’s got no one, Beau.”
“Rae …”
“Your PI friend did a thorough investigation. He has no criminal connection. All his business dealings are aboveboard. In fact” — she gave him a sly look — “he’s more law abiding than your own wife.”
He grunted. It had taken a lot of legal finessing — and the help from SAC Barker — to legitimize her identity.
“All he does is work. Andrei needs family, Beau. And we’re his family.”
Beau knew when he was beaten. “Then call him.”
Maybe the man would do the right thing and stay away.
“Thank you,” she said, beaming at him. She slid her arms around his neck, and her expression turned serious. “And thank you, Beau, for loving me and giving me a second chance.”
“My Rae-Bae … you captivated me from the first moment I laid eyes on you. And yes, the time apart was hard, but that’s behind us.” He ran his hands down her back, pressing her closer. “We have a lifetime of loving ahead of us.”
Rae’s eyes shimmered. “I love you, Beauford Stirling,” she said against his lips.
“And I love you, Raegan Stirling,” he replied, scooping her off the ground. As he turned, movement in the sky caught his eye.
A shooting star.
The hairs on his nape lifted.
Scientifically, he knew that shooting stars were solid particles from space that heat up and make the air glow when they enter the earth’s atmosphere.
But he held the woman he loved beyond measure in his arms, and his heart was overflowing with gratitude.
And then there was the whole kismet thing …
A deep knowing filled his soul, and Beau lifted his eyes to the stars.
Your daughter’s in good hands, Alexandra.
And I promise to love and protect her for the rest of my life.