by Angela Smith
“I love Amy. We have a lot to talk about, obviously. But of course I think you should adopt her.” She nuzzled her nose on his and wrapped her feet between his legs. “And I think you should adopt me.”
“No. I think you should adopt me.”
“We’ll adopt each other. And we’ll adopt Amy together.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Jake said.
“Hey lovebirds,” Garret interrupted.
“What?” Jake untangled himself from Winona’s embrace and narrowed his eyes at Garret, as if irritated with the interruption.
Winona admitted to be irritated, too. Jake felt so warm right now. So good. She wanted to curl up in his arms forever.
Garret glanced over at Amy coloring, then sat next to Winona and Jake. “They caught the bad guys. They’re being arrested, and of course there’s a lot still to be played out. Ben has already confessed to killing Brandon and kidnapping Amy. Says Lillian hired him to do it. Wants to turn state’s evidence against this kidnapping ring in hopes he’ll get a lighter sentence.”
Winona watched Jake clench his jaw, his expression growing dark. His eyes narrowed, and he tried to relax by sitting back in the chair. He swiped a hand over his face and sat upright again.
“Okay. So what’s next?”
“You’ll need to write a statement on what happened, what you saw. Then we’ll get you home.”
“What about Amy?”
“I’ve managed to pull some clout. She’s coming home with us. Lillian will be arrested after the hospital releases her.”
Jake stood and shook Garret’s hand. Garret pulled him in for a hug, and Jake thumped his back. “Thank you, man. Thank you. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
Winona pulled on her still partially wet shoes and went to Amy as the men continued to talk. Kneeling, she watched the child outline a shape.
“Beautiful coloring, Amy,” she said.
“Thank you. My daddy taught me how to color. But he said there’s really no right way. I just need to use my imagination.”
“When you’re finished with that page, it’s time to go home.”
Amy chewed on her lip and peered at Winona, tears in her eyes. “What about my mom, uh, Lilly?”
“She’s staying in the hospital overnight. But she’s going to be okay.”
“Do I have to go home with her?”
“Do you want to go home with her?”
Amy stared at the floor and shook her head. “No.” She closed the coloring book and stacked it atop the others before standing. “I’m not sure where home is anymore.”
Winona glanced at Jake and smiled, warmth snuggling under her skin and snoozing in her belly. Might as well get used to it. She felt that way every time she looked at Mr. Sexy Eyes. Every time his cheeks dipped in that smile.
Winona clutched Amy’s hand. “With Jake. And me.”
Epilogue
Amy dashed through the yard, forking out her arms as baby Raina chased her. Raina guffawed as Amy fell in the grass, rolling and giggly. “You caught me!” she yelled as Raina jumped on her.
Winona chuckled and glanced at her belly, savoring her baby-flutters. The smell of barbecue had made her nauseated, so the girls had walked away from the pit and now sat under a large shade tree behind the house.
Winona wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait to tell the girls her news.
Naomi held six-month-old Michael and cooed to him as they watched the two girls.
“Isn’t Amy wonderful with the children?” Reagan asked, her eyes lighting on her eighteen-month-old daughter, who was now pulling at Amy’s pigtails and clapping with her as they sat in the grass.
“I sure hope so,” Winona said. “She’s going to have her hands full.”
Naomi chuckled. “You still have a few months to prepare yourself. Amy will get her practice with Raina and Michael.”
“Yep. She’s going to need practice with two, that’s for sure.”
Reagan glanced over and narrowed her eyes. Naomi tossed her head and squinted, studying her. “What do you mean?”
“I mean … we’re having twins.”
Reagan squealed, jumped up, and wrapped Winona in her arms. Michael chortled and kicked his legs, as if he understood exactly what they were talking about and wanted to say his piece.
“We told Amy this morning. She was ecstatic. She already has their American Indian names picked out, and we don’t even know the sexes yet.”
“What names did she give them?” Naomi asked. Amy had already named Reagan and Naomi’s babies. Michael was Earth Dancer and Raina was Valley of Rain.
“Thunder Warrior for him and Friend of the Storm for her. She’s convinced one is a boy and one is a girl.”
Reagan clapped her hands. “Oh my goodness, that’s so sweet. I can’t wait. Amy is adorable. And twins. That is so awesome. I’m just glad it’s you and not me.”
Winona laughed. “No kidding.”
“What if they’re both boys or both girls?” Naomi asked as she bounced Michael on her knee.
“We won’t care. Amy will come up with something like she always does.”
“I have some news for you guys, too,” Reagan said.
• • •
Meanwhile, by the barbecue pit, the men stood and surveyed the women and children.
“Winona must have just told them,” Jake said when he heard the squealing.
“Told them what?” Chayton asked.
“About our twins.”
“Twins? You’re having twins?”
Jake nodded, wearing a huge smile.
Garret slapped his back. “Congratulations.”
Chayton hugged him. “Holy hell, man. You’re going to need a bigger house.”
Jake glanced around the yard. They’d just completed their home, replete with swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, an archery station, and a hiking-biking trail for all their outdoor sporting activities.
“Maybe they’re squealing because Reagan told them her news,” Garret said. Just then, the squeals grew louder, and Jake saw all three women jump up and down. His heart swelled in pride as he watched Amy and Raina frolic in the grass.
“What news?” Chayton asked, holding a can of soda to his lips as his eyed his brother.
“She’s pregnant.”
“Again?” Chayton croaked as he lowered the can, but the smile on his face belied the shock in his voice.
“Congratulations, man,” Jake said, pumping Garret’s hand.
“I didn’t know it was possible so soon,” Chayton said.
“Raina is eighteen months.”
“Yeah, but, God, I love Michael but couldn’t bear to think about having another one so soon. And he isn’t even running around yet.”
“Your time is coming, my brother,” Garret said.
“No. I’m using protection for the rest of my life.”
The men laughed, and Jake glanced around, surveying the property.
Life had been good to them all. Jake was now coaching a swim team and taught swimming lessons to children. Reagan and Garret had opened an art store, and she taught art to those who wanted to pursue the craft. Naomi had expanded Chayton’s ski shop to include apparel that shipped nationwide and was working toward her own line of clothing. Winona still helped Chayton with Air Dog and was a constant force in the pet shop’s expansion.
In reality, none of them needed to work, but they’d all found something that spoke to them. Jake would give it all up to have Brandon back, but this family was now his and he wouldn’t trade them for just about anything in the world.
They had all made peace with their families. Reagan and Naomi had developed a positive relationship with their mothers, and Jake had forgiven Lillian. She had served pen time, handed over evidence to help prosecute the remaining men, and Amy was now legally Jake and Winona Inman’s daughter.
As Jake drank from his glass and watched his women, he felt assured life couldn’t get much better than Amy’s homemade lemonade a
nd the family surrounding him.
About the Author
During her senior year in high school, Angela Smith was dubbed most likely to write a novel, and that has been her dream ever since her mother read Brer Rabbit to her and her sister so often that they were able to recite it back to each other before actually learning to read. She’s always enjoyed stories about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed her love of suspense. A certified paralegal, work gives her perfect fodder for her romantic suspense stories. When not caring for her small farm or spending time with her husband of two decades, she enjoys, crafts, reading, and off-roading. Discover more at www.loveisamystery.com.
More from This Author
(From Fatal Snag by Angela Smith)
Chayton Chambers wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and grabbed a hammer from the tool belt slung low on his hips. Taking the nail stationed between his teeth, he drove it into the wall where a picture would hang.
He reached for the frame and took his time pinning it to the newly hung nails. Stepping off the ladder to observe his handiwork, he straightened his shoulders.
It looked good. His brother, Garret, had taken the picture when the snow had started to thaw and cascade down the mountains in shimmering waterfalls. He’d had it enlarged and it now hung over the fireplace. Chayton imagined Reagan would arrange candles on the mantle to highlight her husband-to-be’s masterpiece.
Reagan’s heels clacked across the wood as she entered the room. The furniture absorbed most of the noise, but the teaks’ acoustics lent a sexy sway to the sound.
“Wow. This room looks great.”
Or it could be his soon-to-be sister-in-law who lent the sexy sway.
“Thanks.” He perched his arm on her shoulder and pecked her cheek before they both faced the window.
Burgundy curtains were open to reveal shattered sunlight caught in the limbs of trees. Some rays managed to escape and spotlight the rug under the coffee table.
Six weeks ago this room had been a shell. Two days ago, the last of the necessities had been installed. Yesterday, Chayton helped Garret lug furniture into the room. Today, Chayton had worked relentlessly finishing up while Garret and Reagan tended to other things. He’d wanted to surprise them with his completed work.
“Thank you for everything,” she said.
“You’re welcome. I’m quite proud of it.”
“So am I. It looks fantastic.”
“You couldn’t have chosen a better location for the living room.” Mountains soared in the background. Pine trees rose from ruts in the ridges and the milieu trailed on and on until it fell again, only to be hoisted upward by another towering crag.
The entire house site was extraordinary, and Chayton was relieved the construction had been completed without a hitch. The day after Garret had proposed to Reagan, they had hunted for a piece of property to build a home and hired enough people to make it happen within five months. Reagan’s condo was large enough for them both, but she’d inherited it from her brother, who ended up being a jewel fence, and she didn’t want those transgressions to scar her memories. She’d wanted a home of her own.
His faith in humanity had been sorely affected when he found out about his friend, Ray. Chayton still had a hard time getting over the fact that his best friend was a long-time jewel fence.
“Get away from my woman,” Garret boomed as he walked into the room. “Wow.” He stopped to observe Chayton’s handiwork and pounded his hand against Chayton’s back. “Great job, Chay. I didn’t know you had such decorating skills.”
Chayton rolled his shoulders and moved his head to stretch. “Yeah, well, it’s not all finished yet.”
“The kitchen is done. We can have our first meal here tonight,” Reagan said. “We’d love for you to join us.”
“I don’t know. I need to check on Air Dog.”
“Oh, come on.” Reagan poked out her lower lip in a pout. Her brown eyes gleamed as she gave him her pleading look, as if he could ever say no to that. “You’ve put so much work into this and we want you to enjoy it with us. You have to share our first meal in our new home. Simone can handle Air Dog fine without you.”
Yeah, he knew that was the truth, but he didn’t know if he could handle being away from his bar another night. Things always slowed down this time of year, but he missed it and his patrons when he stayed away too long, and they missed him. He’d taken the last two nights off and couldn’t remember a time he’d taken off two nights in a row, much less three.
The phone rang, interrupting the rest of Reagan’s tirade, but he had a feeling it’d include “you always work” or something to that effect.
“Our first phone call in our new home!” Reagan skipped to the phone.
Chayton glanced at Garret and smacked him on the back as his brother watched his fiancée’s behind.
“We’ve settled on a date,” Garret said, turning his attention to him.
“Oh yeah? When?”
“October sixteenth. We have the church and the reception hall, but we’d love to host a post-reception party at Air Dog, if you’ll agree.”
“Of course I’ll agree. But what about space? And time? That’s only six weeks away.”
“Don’t worry about anything. We’re going all-out on the reception, and there’s no point in doing anything special to Air Dog. Just keep it open for those who would like to do something after the reception.”
“Of course.”
“Naomi!” Reagan exclaimed on the phone. “So good to hear from you.”
Chayton’s heart floundered in his chest at Naomi’s name. He rolled his eyes, more at his own reaction than hearing her name and Reagan’s glee. Oh yippee, Naomi was calling. To what do we owe this great fortune?
“Is everything alright?” Reagan asked.
Tension braided Chayton’s shoulders, already sore from hanging pictures and curtains. His clammy skin felt like he’d been dipped into an active volcano and then into ice water, his blood sizzling. Reagan paused, listening to what Naomi said on the other end. Chayton paused too, straining to hear their conversation.
He imagined it went something like this: No, no Caleb is doing great. No, he isn’t beating me. No, the bruises on my face are from my own clumsiness.
Naomi was anything but clumsy. She could ski faster and work harder than any man he knew, but she stayed with a boyfriend who beat up on her. A hole still knotted Chayton’s gut that she’d left in the dead of winter without so much as a goodbye.
Chayton tried to ignore Reagan’s conversation, but a smile broadened her face as she performed a little skip jump on her new floor. At times he envied his brother, but then there were times, like now, he wasn’t sure he could handle a woman’s enthusiasm.
“Are you kidding?” she squealed. “I would love to have you come now. I need help choosing the dress. The tuxes. The flowers. Everything! I’m so glad you decided to come early.”
A strong wave of dread pushed him backward, and he took one step to keep from falling. He clamped down on his teeth, biting back emotions that bordered between anger and … fear. He knew Garret felt his tension. His brother was too damned perceptive. Garret studied him, judging his every action and reaction. Chayton’s eyes remained on Reagan, as if her words were more certain when he wasn’t only hearing them but seeing her speak them as well.
“We just finished our house and you’re welcome here,” Reagan continued, “But we left Ray’s condo available for you if you prefer.”
“No,” Chayton said. Reagan didn’t hear him, or else ignored him. Chayton groaned, wariness burning a hole in his gut. He turned away from his brother’s stare and blinked slowly.
The last thing he wanted, needed, was for Naomi to be living right beside him.
He hadn’t seen her in six months. Flowers had burst forth, new growth had erupted on the slopes of Tanyon, Montana. Summer had come upon them, and soon the leaves of autumn would arouse the slopes with fiery hues. Chayton’s h
eart had healed over Naomi’s abrupt departure.
He thought they were friends, but a friend wouldn’t treat him the way she had. He’d tried to call once, but she hadn’t acknowledged his message and he hadn’t bothered again.
Reagan hung up the phone and bounced to his side. She clapped her hands once, the sound cracking, if only because he resented her giddiness over the phone call. “Naomi is coming.”
“Good for her,” he intoned as he straightened the newly placed lamp on the sofa table.
He knew he’d have to see Naomi at the wedding but hoped it would only be for a day. He couldn’t handle more than that, but God, she was Reagan’s cousin. He couldn’t likely avoid her. Especially now. Not with the wedding so near. She’d be there, front and center, if she didn’t get bored and leave first.
Maybe he could leave, take a much needed vacation.
No, he couldn’t do that to his brother. He was the best man. No doubt, Naomi was the maid of honor. He hadn’t thought of that, but he’d have to deal.
He’d lost many friends over the past year, but her abrupt departure hurt the worst.
“She’s flying in tomorrow and plans on staying until after the wedding,” Reagan stated, as if she knew he considered leaving for a few days. “I told her she could stay in Ray’s condo.”
“I heard.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?” Chayton pivoted and glared at Reagan, who rested her head on Garret’s shoulder, Garret’s arm wrapped around her. He’d never seen a happier couple, and though he sometimes wished he could find joy that deep, he didn’t bank on it happening for him. “Should we throw her a welcome back party, or what? Do you really think she should come back this early before the wedding? She’ll get bored and leave just like last time. I hope she doesn’t leave you high and dry. I can’t be the best man and the maid of honor at the same time.”
Reagan gasped and stepped back, her eyebrows furrowing at his harsh words. He didn’t know what it was but every time he heard Naomi’s name, his temper flared.
