“Jackson told me about that. I never knew you were such a player.”
“I guess we protected you from that kind of thing back then. But seriously, I knew you would never feel that way about me.”
“Did Jackson know?” she asked.
“No way. I’ve never told anyone but Natalie.”
The fiancée from the wedding that wasn’t a wedding.
“Seriously, don’t look so sad,” he said. “As close as you and I were, it was impossible not to be in love with you. No man’s that strong. As close as Jackson and I were—are—it was impossible to ever let him know that something he felt or did caused me pain. You know how he is.”
“But you told Natalie,” Maggie said.
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“What was she like?”
“Let me get the knife out of my back so I can describe her,” he said.
“There was something there—enough you wanted to marry her.”
“I was in love with her. Big time. But she broke my heart. So, here I am again. Playing it safe.”
“By not asking Honor out on a proper date? Before you say anything, I already know you slept together.”
“Total mistake. I should’ve stayed true to my monk-like existence.” He shook his head as he stared up at the ceiling. “I swear, she makes me feel insane every time I’m around her. I never noticed her when she was still a kid working for my dad, but when I came back here three years ago to take over the bar, she blew me away. For one thing, she’s smart as a whip. I can’t resist a sassy mouth. And, she’s sexy as hell. She’s also the most dangerous woman on the planet if you’re trying to keep your heart safe.”
“She likes you,” Maggie said.
“No, she likes what I did to her in bed. She’s not capable of really liking someone.”
“You don’t know that.”
“We’re too alike to ever make it work,” Zane said.
“Both in your safe corners?”
“That’s right.”
“She asked me to put in a good word for her,” Maggie said.
“What’s that now?”
“She said she’s sorry for what she did and that she’d really like another chance. A do-over.”
“Why hasn’t she told me herself?” Zane asked. “Ever since that night she acts like she couldn’t care less. Also demonstrated when she left without saying goodbye.”
“Has it ever occurred to you that she might be scared?” Maggie asked.
He rolled his eyes. “No way.”
“She had a rough time of it as a kid. Foster fathers are not always father-like.”
Zane’s gaze bored into her. “Really?”
“I think that’s why she’s so protective of her heart—why she only goes so deep with a guy. It could be the reason she sabotages things when she has real feelings. She had a crush on you when she was a teenager and worked for your dad.”
He smiled. “That’s funny. She was like ninety pounds soaking wet back then and seemed like a child. When I moved back here three years ago, I didn’t even recognize her.”
Maggie crossed her arms. “Ask her out on a real date. Not falling into bed after spending the night working downstairs. Okay?”
“Maybe.”
“You’re the most stubborn man I’ve ever met,” she said. “Don’t be so stubborn that you pass up an opportunity for a woman who pushes all the right buttons.”
“And some wrong ones.”
They were interrupted by a ping from Maggie’s phone. “I have a new email.”
She opened the message. “It’s from her. Zane, it’s her.”
Dear Maggie,
Wow. I’m sitting here totally and completely freaking out. I think your suspicions are right. From the time I could understand, my parents told me I was adopted. I was left at Fire Station 38 in the early hours of December 22nd. An article in the newspaper prompted them to contact the hospital where they were put in touch with Child Protective Services. They were already approved to foster children, so I was able to go home with them. After almost a year of red tape, they adopted me. So, yeah. I think you’re right. We’re probably sisters. I have a billion questions. Where are you? Can I come see you? I’m assuming you know where my brother lives? Anyway, call me and we can talk. Or, just write back and tell me where to meet you. I live in San Francisco, but I can come to wherever you are.
Sophie
Maggie wrote back to her.
Hi again. First, I’d love to meet you as soon as possible. Would you be able to meet next Tuesday? We have a wedding to attend over the weekend, but we’ll be free after that. Let me know when and where in San Francisco and I’ll be there. I’ll be coming from Cliffside Bay, which is north of the city by about an hour and a half.
To answer one of your questions, I do know where your half-brother is. In a rather long story, we only recently discovered that our parents were involved romantically. We were best friends when we were young and remain so. He would very much like to join us.
Maggie
Minutes later, a new email arrived from Sophie with a suggestion to meet at a Starbucks on Market Street.
“She wants to meet us on Tuesday,” she said.
Zane grinned. “Here we go then.”
“Fasten your seatbelt.”
Chapter Eighteen
Jackson
* * *
IN FRONT OF the church, Jackson steadied Maggie as she stumbled on an uneven section of the sidewalk in her high heels. Today, Flora and Dax would marry. Like Jackson and Maggie, Flora and Dax had been broken apart as teenagers. For forty years they lived without each other, making lives out of the empty spaces.
Jackson wrapped his arm over Maggie’s shoulders. Thank you, God, for bringing her back to me. Twelve years had seemed a lifetime, but compared to forty, he knew how lucky he was to once more have her by his side.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as they made their way up the steps to the church.
“Thanks,” she said. “I love the dress.”
He’d bought it for her and surprised her last night, knowing that she hadn’t brought anything appropriate for a wedding. To his delight, she’d fallen in love with the contours of the silky, sage green material and the scooped back.
He gently caressed the small of her back with his thumb and felt her shiver. When they reached the top of the stairs, Brody greeted them with a handshake and hug. “Maggie, you look stunning,” Brody said.
“You look nice too,” Maggie said.
“Thanks. Kara dressed me.” Brody grinned and tugged on his lavender tie. A white shirt and dark blue linen suit completed the look. “Two weeks until our wedding and she’s already picking out my clothes.”
“You don’t seem to mind,” Jackson said.
“Never,” Brody said. “I’m a recovering idiot. Whatever she wants or needs, is what I do.”
“That’s sweet, Brody,” Maggie said in a husky voice. Jackson glanced over at her to see a lone tear nestled in her bottom lashes.
“It took him awhile to figure it out,” Jackson said.
“Thanks to this guy knocking sense into me when I needed it, I’m now the happiest man alive,” Brody said.
“Where is Kara?” Jackson asked.
“Inside helping the bride with last-minute touches. But Honor’s looking for you. The pianist has food poisoning or the flu. They need you to look at the music and see if you can pinch hit.”
Maggie’s eyes sparkled. “Pinch hit is one way to put it.”
As Jackson prepared to guide Maggie inside, Brody stopped him.
“Before you guys go in, there’s one other thing. Lance made it home last night. I wasn’t sure he was going to make it with work and everything,” Brody said. “But listen, things are a little sketchy. He looks awful and he says he quit his job. I think it’s more than that.”
“More?” Jackson asked.
“I think he had some kind of mental and physical breakdown.”
&
nbsp; “Lance? But he’s the steadiest guy around,” Jackson said. Alarm bells went off inside his head. What had happened?
“Something’s not right. I’m worried about him,” Brody said. “He said he’s staying for the foreseeable future, which is not at all what he’s been saying for the last few years.”
Maggie squeezed Brody’s arm. “Maybe the sea air will be just what he needs.”
Jackson looked over at his precious date. “It agrees with you, that’s for certain.”
Kyle shouted out to them from the bottom step. A woman in high stiletto heels and a short red dress hung on his arm. Leave it to Kyle to find a last-minute date who would wear red to a summer wedding. Jackson waved to him and then ushered Maggie inside the church. No time to waste. Flora needed a songbird.
The moment they were inside, Lance Mullen grabbed him into a hug. “Hey, buddy. Good to see you.” Lance, two years younger than the rest of the Dogs, had been an innocent freshman in need of the older boys’ wisdom when Jackson had first met him. Now he was a heavy hitting hedge fund manager. Or, he had been anyway.
“You as well. It’s been too long, prodigal son,” Jackson said.
Lance had taken Maggie’s hand. “And this beauty must be Maggie.”
Pink flushed Maggie’s cheeks. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from the other Dogs.”
“Whatever they said is most likely a profound exaggeration,” Lance said.
Maggie smiled and tucked her chin against her neck. “All good, I can assure you.”
Honor and Kara rushed toward them. “Maggie, we need you. There’s been a disaster with that flaky piano player,” Honor said. “He says its food poisoning, but my guess is a hangover.”
Kara nodded in agreement. “Can you play for us, Maggie?”
“Sure. I’m happy to help. Let me look at the music and give it a run through,” Maggie said.
Maggie kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll find you after the ceremony,” she said.
“I’m proud of you, Bird,” he whispered in her ear.
The women’s high heels clicked on the hardwood floor as they scurried up the aisle.
Lance suggested they take a seat near the front. “Flora asked if we could sit on the right for her. Dax’s family and friends are on the left.”
They settled into a second-row pew.
“Brody said you’re staying awhile,” Jackson said. “Everything all right?”
“Let’s call it a transition chapter,” Lance said.
Jackson studied him. Lance had always been good-looking, almost pretty, with even features and thick brown hair he wore long on the top, so it fell just so over his forehead. Lance’s forehead did not seem to be growing larger. However, his friend’s face was drawn and thin. Dark smudges under his eyes hinted at long nights. “What happened with your work?”
“I had a slight physical breakdown.” Lance spoke in his usual light-hearted manner, but his dark blue eyes had lost their sparkle.
“For real?”
“Yeah, man. It was embarrassing. I had a full-fledged panic attack in the middle of a regular workday. I thought I was having a heart attack. My coworker took me to the ER. Turns out it was just my shattered nerves and not a heart attack, thank God. It appears the endless hours and travel have taken their toll. My doctor said it was time to reevaluate my priorities. Translation, take some time off. So, I’m home for a bit.”
“You made the right choice.” Jackson put his hand on his shoulder. “But will you be all right?”
“You mean financially?” Lance asked.
Jackson nodded. Why was it always so uncomfortable to talk about money?
“Between work and investments of my own capital, not to mention Brody’s, I’ve made enough to last a long, long time. You know the Mullen men. Frugal to a fault.”
“Will you finally build your house here?” The plan had always been for Lance to move to Cliffside Bay and build a home on Brody’s property.
“Brody wants me to. We’ll see.”
They were interrupted by a slender woman with dark blond hair. Jackson didn’t recognize her, but he suspected she was Mary Hansen, daughter of the groom. Kara and Brody were not fans. Apparently, she could chill the warmest man’s heart and had expressed distinct displeasure that her father was marrying Flora.
She stood at the side of the pew and held out her hand. “I’m Mary Hansen. You must be Lance.”
“Yes, that’s me.” Lance stumbled to his feet and shook Mary’s narrow hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to do so before this.” Mary was a tall woman, but at six feet, Lance had a few inches on her.
Mary raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and peered at him with cornflower blue eyes. “I hadn’t expected to. It’s not like we’re family.” She pursed her small mouth and ran her hands down her pencil thin black dress. Odd choice for a wedding.
Jackson looked over at his friend. Lance didn’t appear to be offended. In fact, he looked amused. All said, it took a lot to offend Lance. Always had. He was simply a nice person. Slow to anger or judgment, always giving people the benefit of the doubt and looking deeper than most to find the good in people. He might have to look really deep to find it in Mary Hansen.
“Flora’s family to me, so that makes us family too,” Lance said.
Mary turned to Jackson. They shook hands. “I’m Jackson. Welcome to Cliffside Bay.”
She studied him for a moment before taking his hand. “You’re Doctor Waller, I suppose? One of Brody’s friends.”
“That’s right,” Jackson said.
“I met your father at the Mullen’s,” Mary said as she turned to Lance. “He’s dating your mother.”
Jackson wasn’t sure why this was a statement. It wasn’t a secret that their parents were dating.
“That’s right,” Lance said. “We’re still getting used to the idea. Isn’t that right, Jackson?”
“Sure,” Jackson said. “Especially Brody.”
Mary’s perfectly shaped eyebrows went up in a look Jackson translated as surprise but could also be interpreted as disgust. “Really? Why’s that?”
“Our father died a few years ago. He and Brody were close,” Lance said. “It’s hard for him to see our mom with someone else.”
Mary’s eyes softened for the first time. “I can understand that.”
“My father’s been alone for a long time,” Jackson said. “Even though I’m happy for him, it’s not exactly what I thought it would be like when I was a kid. I imagined having children with my mom right there.”
“Exactly,” Mary said.
Lance nodded sympathetically. “It’s not easy to accept what is instead of wishing for what was.”
Mary played with a heart locket she wore on a silver chain around her neck. “My mother died five years ago, but I still miss her so much.” Her voice hushed to just above a whisper. “I can’t stand it—seeing him with Flora. I know it’s wrong of me. I hate feeling so petty and selfish. Not to mention, I suddenly have a new brother.” She gestured toward the front, where a tall man in his mid-forties was talking with the pastor. “That’s the golden-boy, Cameron. The son my father always wanted.”
Lance smiled kindly at Mary. “I’m sure your father’s immensely proud of you. My dad always told Brody and me that his heart had room enough to love both of us equally.”
“I don’t know. My father’s agreed to move to California without a second thought about me.” Mary smiled, but it appeared to come at a great effort like the muscles were pulled upward with toothpicks. “I followed him all the way out to Oregon from the east coast to have him move two years later, simply because of Flora and Cameron.”
“I’m sorry,” Lance said. “You feel left out and deserted. Anyone would.”
Mary folded her arms across her narrow chest. “Thanks. It’s nice of you to try and understand my feelings instead of assuming I’m a witch like Brody and Kara do.”
“Surely not,” Lance sa
id. “They’ve said nothing but nice things about you.”
Jackson stifled a smile. Even Lance couldn’t make that statement sound true.
She smiled as she tucked a strand of shiny hair behind her ear. “You, Lance Mullen, are a liar. I’m tainted in their eyes. I wasn’t nice when I first met them, which I regret, but I’m one of those people who can’t seem to keep their feelings locked inside where they belong.”
“It’s not always a better choice. Sometimes all that stuffing results in a nervous breakdown that pretty much turns your life upside down.” Lance’s shoulders rose in a self-deprecating shrug. He smiled in that same way Mary had—like it hurt to do so. “Or so I’ve heard.”
Mary cocked her head to the side, examining Lance like he was a mathematical equation to be solved. “Are you home for a while, then?”
“Something like that,” Lance said.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Mary said.
“What’s that?” Lance asked.
“Suffering,” she said softly. “It happens to the best of us.”
Mary’s entire demeanor had changed in the few minutes they’d been talking. Lance Mullen strikes again. Even the Grinch or a sour woman couldn’t remain brittle in the presence of such genuine kindness. No wonder Wall Street had eaten him alive. Lance was the last of the good guys.
“What’re your plans?” Jackson asked Mary. “Will you go back to Oregon after the wedding?”
Mary shook her head. “I’m not sure. I’m between jobs right now—I’m a librarian and I was laid off a few months ago. I’ve been living with my dad while I try and find a job. It’s not going so well.”
“It happens to the best of us,” Lance said.
“Anyway, it’s good to meet you both, but I need to go find my dad. I want to make sure he doesn’t need anything.”
“It’s good to meet you,” Lance said. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
“I won’t, but thank you,” Mary said.
“Sure thing,” Lance said.
After she was gone, Jackson and Lance sat back in their seats.
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