by Tara Thomas
He looked completely oblivious to everything she’d just said. “Come here,” he said, pulling her toward him so she was pressed against him.
“Did you hear anything I just said?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Are you going to go back into the house?”
“Not yet.”
“Not yet? But the party’s starting and Lena…” her voice trailed off. He was smiling and nodding at everything she said.
“It can all wait.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t think of anything to say to that, so she closed it.
“Almost losing you showed me that none of us are guaranteed anything other than the here and now. And the best part of my here and now is you. But I’m a selfish SOB and I want more. I want you to be the best part of my years to come. I love you, Tilly Brock.”
He let go of her, reached in his pocket again, and shifted to kneel on one knee. Tilly’s hand flew to her mouth because surely he wasn’t … but tears prickled her eyes, because oh my God he was.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, holding out a diamond solitaire.
The tears were no longer prickling, they were running down her cheeks and it felt silly because she’d never been happier than she felt at that moment. One word kept repeating in her head and she finally got her lips to move and say it.
“Yes.”
* * *
The crowd gathered on the grounds of Benedict House hushed at the sound of silver tapping glass.
“Excuse me. May I have your attention?”
Keaton smiled and turned to his oldest brother.
“Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate this historic day for Benedict Industries. As most of you are aware, helping others has always been a passion for my baby brother, Keaton. For him, it’s not enough to give to those in need, he wants to teach them to be leaders so they can in turn reach others. And that’s what his new division of Benedict Industries, the Benedict Community Development Division, will do. Of course, he can’t do it alone and he’s smart enough to know a good thing when he sees it, which is why at his side will be Tilly Brock.”
Keaton put his arm around Tilly and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Tilly graduated two weeks ago and we are thrilled to officially welcome her to Benedict Industries. And though she has always been family, I hope Keaton doesn’t mind if I let slip that soon, she will become an official member of the Benedict family. Hold that hand up and show everyone your ring, Tilly.”
“No, he didn’t,” Tilly moaned softly.
“So much for keeping it quiet for now.” Keaton shook his head, but took Tilly’s left hand and lifted it above their heads. A few of the men near him slapped his back and whispered congratulations. Everyone else clapped.
When everyone quieted down, Kipling continued. “This has been a difficult summer for the Benedicts and we truly appreciate you standing by us. I, for one, could not be happier that my little brother has found a lifetime companion in Tilly and I look forward to the day when she becomes my little sister.” He raised his glass. “So would you all raise your glass and join me in toasting my brother, Keaton Benedict, and his fiancée, Tilly Brock, soon to be Benedict.”
After that, it was a long while before the congratulations ceased. Tilly joked that she was smiling so much, her cheeks hurt. But she looked happy and that made Keaton content.
While Keaton knew she really didn’t mind Kipling spilling the beans, he saw her flinch at the mention “little sister.” With Elise dead and her evidence who knows where, he’d decided not to tell his brothers about the sister who’d died before they knew she existed. Tilly didn’t like keeping secrets, but agreed there was no need for them to know. At least not now. Not while everything was so raw and exposed.
“Sorry about that,” Kipling said, coming up beside him and giving him a one-armed hug.
“No, you’re not,” Tilly said, teasing him. “Don’t even pretend to be remorseful.”
Kipling laughed and Keaton realized it’d been far too long since he heard his oldest brother do so.
“Why, Mr. Benedict, I’m impressed. You might actually have a heart in that chest of yours.”
The three of them turned at the sound of Alyssa’s voice. Keaton was shocked that Kipling kept his smile intact.
“Officer Adams,” he said in reply. “Have you been eyeing my chest? I’d be happy to take my shirt off so you can get a better look, but I’ll warn you, I expect you to do the same in return.”
Alyssa ignored him and turned to Keaton. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you.” Keaton kicked his brother. “What can we help you with, Officer?”
“I apologize for stopping by unannounced, but we have an update on the murders of the club workers and I thought you would like to know.”
“Did you find the man in the picture?” Tilly asked.
“We have.” She winced. “Rather, we found his body. He appears to have jumped off a cliff on the Blue Ridge Parkway.”
“He appears?” Kipling asked, crossing his arms across his chest. “You don’t think he did?”
“I think it’s a bit too tidy. He left a note confessing to their murders as well as the informant from the shelter.”
Keaton glanced at Tilly, but she just nodded. She’d told him not too long ago that she assumed the wannabe photographer had been killed.
“He did tell us where to find her body, so we have a dive crew looking,” Alyssa said. “I guess if we find her, that might be the evidence we need to put the cases to rest.”
“And yet, you still don’t think it was him who’s the murderer?” Kipling asked again.
“I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.” Alyssa grinned at him. “You’re not the only one who’s thorough, Mr. Benedict.”
“I’d say I look forward to seeing you in action, but the truth is, I’m rather glad you don’t have any lingering reasons to stop by. No offense intended.” He held out his hand.
Alyssa shook it. “None taken. Good-bye, Mr. Benedict.”
Kipling nodded and watched her leave. Keaton was shocked when he turned back immediately without ogling her ass.
“Well,” Kipling said. “There’s that.”
Keaton didn’t think he imagined the melancholy expression Kipling had for a brief moment. He was getting ready to ask him about it when Lena called his name and waved for him to come to her.
She’d had a precarious and lengthy recovery, mostly due to her age. The brothers had offered her a hefty retirement package, but she’d scoffed and said she’d rather be dead than to not work for her boys anymore.
Keaton told Tilly he’d be right back and jogged over to see what Lena needed.
“I’m looking for Mr. Knox,” she said. “But I don’t see him out here.”
“He went back inside after the toast. Is something wrong?” Keaton asked.
“Mmm,” Lena said. “I think I need Mr. Knox.”
“Why?”
Lena pointed to the approaching figure he hadn’t seen before. “Ms. Bea.”
“I’ll handle this,” he said, giving her a pat on the back. “Will you go tell Tilly I’ll be a few more minutes?” He waited for Bea to make it to him. “Knox isn’t free at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?”
He didn’t mean to sound confrontational, but he was afraid he did. He couldn’t help it.
He could definitely see why his brother was captivated by the tall and willowy attorney. She was pale with a few barely there freckles across her nose, with red hair and piercing blue eyes. He wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out Knox had made a pass at her.
She bit her bottom lip and glanced nervously around the lawn at the numerous guests. “I forgot this was today.”
So Knox had invited her. Interesting.
“Bea?” Knox asked, appearing from the side of the house.
Bea looked relieved that Knox had shown up, but regardless, Keaton wasn’t leaving
them alone. No way. Not when this woman had the ability to rip his brother apart emotionally.
“Knox,” she said, looking sideways at Keaton. He stood his ground and crossed his arm. It wasn’t until he raised an eyebrow that she continued. “I’m sorry to just show up without RSVPing.” She took a deep breath. “Oh, God. This is harder than I thought. I should go.”
“Bea. Stop.” Knox sounded more pained than he had in weeks. But when she turned back, there were tears in Bea’s eyes and she was trembling. “What’s wrong?”
Belatedly, Keaton realized Alyssa hadn’t said anything about the note the alleged murderer left containing any mentions or taking any responsibility for the attack on Bea.
She took a deep breath. “I had roses delivered to me today. I thought they were from you, but they…” She blinked the tears out of her eyes. “The note said, Just a little RSVP to let you know I’ll be back to finish what I started.”
EPILOGUE
There was one empty chair. He’d ensured it stayed that way.
“As you can see, Jade is not with us.” It still made him mad enough to breathe fire that she’d taken off the way she did. How dare she? After all he’d done for her, this was how she repaid him?
“We aren’t sure where she’s hiding at this time, but we don’t believe she’s left the city. Everyone not assigned to Bea will be out looking for Jade. This is your top priority, but she must be brought back to me alive.”
Tom cracked his knuckles, though he seemed to be favoring one arm over the other. “I’ll find her, boss.”
“I said alive.”
“No problem,” the large man said. “As long as you give her to me when you finish with her.”
He knew Tom. If Tom put his mind to it, he’d have her located in less than two weeks. “Done.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I know as writers we’re not supposed to have favorites, but I do and Keaton and Tilly are two of mine. They were a couple that simply clicked. In writing their story, once they came together, they stayed that way. I’ve written couples I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get together and it’s very freeing when they instead hold hands, look at you, and say, “Just try to tear us apart.”
The only thing missing with a couple like Keaton and Tilly is that because they share so much history, you don’t get to see everything in the main story. For instance, when we see them reconnect in Darkest Night, they’ve already had their first kiss. If you’re anything like me, that just won’t do. So I persuaded our happy couple to share that memory.
FIRST KISS
“Keaton,” Tilly said and he didn’t have to look at her to know she was rolling her eyes. “You’re not paying attention. Do you want to fail this test?”
They were sitting at the kitchen table at Benedict House the way they did almost every day after school. Lena had baked her famous maple oatmeal raisin cookies and set half a dozen of the warm, delicious treats in front of them.
“Sorry,” he said, but he wasn’t at all. “Read it to me again.”
Tilly took a deep breath and read, “A plane takes off from Miami and flies 347 miles against the wind in 4 hours. Flying home and with the wind, it flew 330 miles in 3 hours. Find the rate of the plane in both directions.”
Keaton leaned forward. “Tell me why I need to know to do that and you won’t hear a peep out of me for the rest of the year.”
He thought he had her until she gave him that simile of hers that melted him every time. “To prove to the world that you’re more than just a pretty boy with a ridiculous trust fund and that you want to make your own way instead of Daddy Benedict paying your way for everything.”
“Now you make me sound like I’m a spoiled brat.”
She put her hand off top of his. “You’ll note that I said, ‘prove to the world,’ not ‘prove to me’.”
He wished the rest of the world saw him the way Tilly did, but he knew that to most them, he’d never be more than another entitled playboy. “I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks of me, Tilly,” he said. “As long as you know the truth.”
“And what truth is that?” She stood up. “That you have so much potential and you refuse to do anything about it. Why is that, Keaton? Afraid you might make something of yourself that has nothing to do with shipping?”
“Sit down, Tilly. Please don’t go.”
She looked at the clock on the wall and shook her head. “It’s almost four and I have to go to ballet.”
“Ballet, huh?” he said, and he wasn’t sure why he said it other than something she said hurt him inside because he knew she was telling the truth. “You’re a fine one to stand there all pious. When are you going to tell the truth?”
She didn’t look at him, instead, she gathered her papers and math book and put them into her backpack. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“When are you going to tell Mama Ann the truth about how you hate ballet?”
She looked up at him then and he wished she hadn’t because he knew he’d hit on something that caused her pain. He promised himself then and there that he’d never say anything that put that look on her face again.
“It’s not the same and you know it,” she whispered.
“Tilly, I…” he started, but didn’t know how to finish.
“Mama wants me to take ballet because she never had the opportunity to take it when she was growing up. She worked on her family’s farm until her parents demanded she quit high school to work full time for them. But she refused, and ran away from home at fifteen.” She shook her head. “I forget sometimes how different you and I are.”
“Tilly,” he called again, but she was already walking out of the kitchen. He started to go after her, but someone put their hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Lena.
“Best let her go for now,” she said. “Girls like Tilly, they have hearts that run really deep. That’s a good thing because they will love you forever and ever once they put their mind to it, but it’s bad because they can also be hurt just as deeply.”
Keaton watched the retreating figure of Tilly wishing he could have the last five minutes back. “I love her, Lena. I do. But sometimes it scares the sh … crap out of me.”
“Watch that mouth, young man.” Lena gave him a playful shove. “Go on up to your room and finish your homework. You can go tell her you’re sorry after dinner.”
* * *
Tilly flattened her mashed potatoes into a pancake and then piled her peas on top of them. She hated pot roast and peas and mashed potatoes. When she had her own place, she was never making pot roast for dinner.
“Tilly,” her dad called from the head of the table. “If you don’t want to eat, you can be excused, but you’re not going to sit there and play with your food.”
“Sorry, Daddy.” She stood up to clear her plate. “I’m going to go upstairs. I have some math to finish.”
She sighed. She didn’t want to finish math, she wanted to talk to Keaton. Problem was, she didn’t know what to say. Her father cleared his throat and she looked up to find him smiling.
He pointed for her to put her plate down. Confused, she did so and waited to see if he’d explain why he was smiling the way he was. “Is something wrong?” she asked when he didn’t say anything.
“I forgot to tell you that you had a visitor before dinner. Came by while you were taking a shower after ballet.”
“Who?” she asked, almost afraid to ask for fear it wouldn’t be him.
“Keaton Benedict. He said he’d be waiting for you in the rose garden…”
Her dad might have been saying more, but she didn’t hear it. She was out the back door by the time he finished saying “garden.”
She forced herself to walk once she made it past the fence the surrounded his house. He sat on a bench in the rose garden, just like he said he would be. His head was down and the fading sunlight glowed behind him. It was that second Tilly knew he was the best looking boy she’d ever met. And that she was co
mpletely in love with him.
“Keaton?” she whispered.
He stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Hey, Tilly,” he said, but he was watching his toes as he kicked some dirt.
“Daddy said you came by?”
He looked up and the sadness in his eyes made her gasp.
“Come sit down with me,” he said and waited for her to have a seat on the bench before he joined her. When he did sit down, everything felt all awkward and she desperately wanted things to be the way they once were between them.
But he had sought her out first and she swore she’d sit there all night before she talked first. He finally looked at her.
“I’m sorry about this afternoon,” he said. “Everything you said was true and instead of telling you that you were right and letting you help me with math, I was a jerk. I’m sorry and I’d like to say I won’t ever be a jerk again, but,” he smiled, “we both know that’d be a lie. However, I do promise to never do anything to knowingly hurt you again.”
He moved his hand as if he was going to take hers, but he stopped and all the awkwardness came back. She took a deep breath and figured the only way through the awkwardness was to march straight in it.
“You were right about ballet. I told Mama on the way home I hated it and didn’t want to go. That I was only doing it for her.”
Her mother told her all she ever wanted was for Tilly to be happy and if she didn’t like ballet, there was no reason for her to keep going.
“Really?” he asked and she felt the world lift off her shoulders at his grin.
“Really.”
They sat there for several seconds and all at once she was aware of him in a way she’d never noticed before. How close he was. How warm he felt. How strong.
A slight gust of wind blew a few wayward strands of hair in her face. Before she could reach up to move them, Keaton already did. But instead of dropping his hand, he stroked her cheek.
“Tilly,” he whispered and she hoped he couldn’t feel how fast her heart was beating. Then he leaned forward and everything flew right out of her head because he was kissing her. Before she even knew what she was doing, her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him back.
