Reclaiming Brave: The Kane Brothers Book Three

by Gina Azzi

  I bite down on the corner of my mouth. Daisy was so small when Mom passed, I sometimes wonder if she has any memories of her at all. Carter, Jax, and I tried to keep Mom alive for Daisy by doing a bunch of her traditions. I’ve always made Thanksgiving dinner. Jax makes these sandwiches with potato chips in them the way Mom did when we were kids. Carter kills at Christmas. Although Daisy repeats Mom’s rule easily—and that was one of Mom’s rules—I don’t know if it’s second nature to her because she remembers Mom insisting on all of us in the kitchen with her on Thanksgiving, or because Carter and I say it every single year.

  Either way, I can tell that last bit convinced the Begay-Anderson family that take-out isn’t happening this year.

  Instead, we’re doing Thanksgiving Kane-style.

  It’s hours later by the time we sit down at the table. I will say that Sierra and her family know how to nail a table presentation. That is an area I completely fail at. The table is set with gold placemats, cream dishes, and rolled linen napkins tied with some type of orange flower mixed with red berries on a branch. Flowers and candles are set in clusters in the center of the table, and various colored leaves decorate the space between them.

  “Wow,” Daisy breathes out, looking at Sierra. “It’s so pretty.”

  Sierra shrugs. “I can’t boil water, but I can do this part.”

  I nod. Sierra really can’t cook. The one night she tried to make me dinner, she overcooked the pasta. It was straight-up mush. I kissed her hard anyway, as her attempt was thoughtful, but after that I’ve been doing all the cooking except for breakfast which she does fairly well.

  Daisy brings in several plates of appetizers and side dishes: stuffed mushrooms, candied yams, sweet potato pie, cornbread, and collard greens with bacon for Callum. I set the carved turkey on the table, and we all sit around.

  “Okay.” Daisy looks up and smiles. “Before we start—”

  “Are you going to make us say grace?” Lachlan interrupts, his eyes widening. “Cause we’re not super religious. I mean, Sierra’s got a better chance of worshipping a tree than—”

  “We’re going to say one thing we’re thankful for this year.” Daisy sticks her tongue out at Lachlan.

  It’s nice to see my sister relaxed and playful. She’s been stressing this job search for the past several months and has been spinning her wheels. I’ve always known she was best friends with Sierra, but I never realized how close she was with Lachlan and Callum. Although it makes sense, given how close Sierra is to Carter. They’ve all spent a lot of time together over the years, and the Begay-Andersons have taken Daisy on several of their family vacations.

  “I’m thankful for bacon,” Callum starts, his mouth watering as his eyes dart between the bacon in the collard greens to the bacon strips wrapping the turkey.

  “I’m thankful for my sister’s happiness,” Lachlan says, looking at Sierra with heartfelt warmth.

  “Seriously? You had to show me up like that? I said bacon.” Callum glares at Lachlan.

  Lach shrugs, and Sierra reaches over and squeezes his hand.

  “I’m thankful to be sharing this meal with y’all,” Daisy continues.

  “I’m thankful for my peanut.” Sierra looks down at her belly and rubs just above her belly button.

  Everyone looks to me and I swallow, an emotion I can’t name coming over me. I wonder if this is how Mom felt when she sat down and listened to all of us say what we were most thankful for. This simple moment filled with love and pride for the people sitting with you.

  “For today,” I say simply, grinning at Sierra. I’ll always be thankful for the new life she’s given me.

  December

  29

  Sierra

  "So, I need to talk to you about something." I bump my shoulder against Daisy's. It's been a week since Thanksgiving and I loved having so many of my favorite people visiting for so long. Lachlan and Callum flew home yesterday, and Daisy is going back to Georgia. But right now, I'm soaking up some much-needed girl time with my best friend. We're lying in my bed, reruns of Grey's Anatomy playing in the background.

  "Uh-oh. I don’t know where this is going.” Daisy turns to me, collecting her hair at the nape of her neck and twisting it into a bun. "

  “I think you do.” I widen my eyes at her.

  “Just tell me. I hate this guessing game.”

  “Okay. I’m going to lay it all out there for you. I’ve seen you these past few months, struggling with your job search but not wanting to accept help or support from anyone which I respect, honestly, but I don’t entirely understand. Everyone knows you get jobs through who you know. And I know people!”

  Daisy rolls her eyes but a small smirk shadows her lips.

  “I backed off after you told me you didn’t want to relocate but it’s been several months, Dais. And you’d be great working in the UK. It would be a new adventure for you, a new experience, and you’d learn a ton in a field you’re really interested in. Now, give me one good reason why I can’t pass your CV along to my brothers? I mean, even my Mom is asking me when you’re moving out there. You have a support network, my family loves you, and you’d be doing a job you enjoy and getting paid good money for it.”

  Daisy sighs but doesn’t shut me down right away which I take as a good sign. “I never thought it would take me this long to find a job. I've had a few leads and even an offer, but I can't support myself on what the salary was. Especially because I'd have to relocate to Alabama."

  "Alabama?" I wrinkle my nose.

  She nods. "Honestly, I didn’t want to take a handout from you because I didn’t want your family to feel obligated to hire me.”

  “It’s not a handout. And trust me, Lachlan wouldn’t hire you if he didn’t think you could do the job. I’m just talking about passing along your CV. What happens from there is up to him. And you. But are you open to relocating to the UK? It could be London or Edinburgh or Dublin.”

  She nods. “Yes, I am now. I'd move anywhere for a job, for a chance to begin my life and start properly supporting myself. But it has to be enough money to live on. I could always work a second job. But the Alabama offer wasn't even in my field. Is that stupid?" She wrinkles her nose. "I turned down a job because—"

  "Because it's not what you want to do, and you're way too young and talented to give up your dreams for the first chance that comes your way." I sit up, eyeing her seriously.

  She nods, miserable. "I'm working at Cork's, you know, that wine bar Carter used to serve at?"

  I nod, remembering how just this past summer, Carter waited tables, bussed, bartended, anything to make money legitimately.

  "It's a fun environment, but I don't want to do it forever. I've been saving as much money as I can, and I'm open to relocating, even to the UK, but I can't ask my brothers for anything."

  I open my mouth to refute this, but Daisy talks over me.

  "I won't ask them. They have all sacrificed so much for me, especially Carter. And now, Carter's finally with a great woman and starting a life. Jax and Evie are planning their future. You and Denver are having a baby. Come on! For me, it's just me. I should be able to support myself."

  "Are you dating anyone?" I ask, wondering why she isn’t jumping at the chance for me to pass her information along.

  But her eyes close, and she shakes her head. "No one. It's so hard being back home after so many years away. Everyone I run into, I've known forever. There's nothing there between us, you know?"

  I make a sympathetic sound and link our arms together, settling back against the pillows with Daisy.

  “Okay. Just so we’re clear, there is nothing holding you back from making this move. And nothing stopping you from going after this opportunity.”

  “Nothing except ruining our friendship if your family hires me and I screw it all up.”

  “Oh please. You couldn’t ruin our friendship if you tried and you’d have to work really hard at screwing everything up when my brothers and cousins have already
done that several times. Each. It’s called a learning curve and it’s all good as long as you learn from the mistakes.”

  Daisy turns to me then, a genuine smile crossing her face, her eyes brighter than they were a few minutes ago. “You really think I have a chance? You really don’t mind passing along my resume?’

  “Daisy! I’ve been saying this for months. Of course you have a chance and I want to pass along your resume.”

  “All right, all right. Do it.” She grins at me and I smile back, hugging her closer.

  “That was a really good pep talk by the way. You’re going to be an incredible mother.”

  I squeeze her harder and snort. “Stop it or you’ll make me cry.”

  "It isn’t too hard to do these days.” She jokes.

  “Tell me about it.”

  “God, I can't believe you're going to be a mom. Or that Denver is going to be a dad!"

  I laugh. "It's pretty crazy, huh?"

  "Totally. But it's also great. You guys are going to be amazing parents. Denver's like a totally different guy with you. It's just, I don't know, real for him now, you know? I know it's only been a few months, but I've never seen him like this before. He's really excited to be a dad."

  I feel tears sting the backs of my eyes at Daisy's words. Ugh. What else is new? These preggo hormones are seriously intense. But I love knowing that Denver's different with me. Especially from his sister who has obviously seen him date and have relationships with other women.

  "And you're different, too." she continues.

  "What do you mean?"

  "You're...happier. More relaxed but more focused. You seem really wrapped up in the life you're creating with Denver, with your baby, with your art, and that's, it's really good, Sierra."

  I chew my lower lip, considering her thoughts. I understand what she's saying. I have changed, and while it may seem sudden to an outsider's perspective, to me it was the most natural thing in the world. My priorities literally shifted overnight. As soon as I learned I was expecting, all the things I thought were important seemed silly. Suddenly, my health, getting enough sleep, the wellbeing of my peanut became more important. Getting to know Denver, allowing our relationship the time and space to grow, was at the forefront of my mind. And after the bleeding scare, my peanut is the single most important person and priority in my life.

  "I am happy." I smile at Daisy.

  She pats my hand with hers. "I know. And I'm happy to see you so...in love with life."

  “If you move to the UK, I’m going to miss you.”

  “Are you kidding me? I bet you’re there all the time. There’s no way your mom is going to let you keep the baby in the States without constant visits to the motherland.”

  I snort. There is that.

  "Sisi, everything okay?" My brother picks up on the first ring. I think I scarred my entire family with my pregnancy news and bleeding scare. Every time I call one of them, they answer immediately inquiring about my health.

  "Everything's great," I reassure him. "I'm calling because I have the greatest idea on the planet."

  Lachlan snorts. "I find that hard to believe. I don't recall you ever having any ideas that didn't involve a keg or a boat party or a—"

  "Hire Daisy Kane."

  "What?"

  "Daisy, my best friend."

  "Yes, I'm familiar with her."

  "Anderson PR and Marketing should hire her. She's—"

  "Sierra, you know how dangerous it can be to mix friendships and business," he interjects, probably remembering how he hooked his best mate from boarding school up with a position after graduation, and the guy ended up messing up a string of deals, causing damage to the company’s reputation, and ruining his friendship with Lachlan.

  I roll my eyes. "Daisy isn't Bradley-whatever-his-name-was. She's smart and loyal and dedicated. She was a marketing major at ASU and graduated much, much closer to the top of our class than I did. She's job searching like crazy and willing to relocate anywhere and she'd be perfect. I know she would; she just needs a chance."

  "You already talked to her, didn't you?"

  "Yeah but not like how you’re thinking. I didn’t offer her a job or anything. I just said I’d pass her CV along to you. Lachlan, you have to give her a shot. I'm going to send you her resume, look at it. Treat it like you would any candidate. If you think she could be a good fit, and I'm confident that you will, give her a call. Feel her out; interview her without interviewing her. Take it from there," I propose the idea, realizing while I'm talking that my ideas just keep getting better and better.

  Lachlan sighs. "All right. You really haven't promised her a job?"

  "No. I told her I’d make the connection and the next part is up to you and her."

  "Send over her resume."

  "Yay!" I open my laptop and hit send on the email I had already prepared. "Sent."

  My brother laughs, the sound rich and warm. "I'll take a look. But no promises."

  "Sounds great."

  "How are you and the peanut doing?"

  "Really good. I love feeling the little flutters. We're going for one of those 3D sonograms soon. I'll send you photos."

  "You better. He or she is my best nephew or niece, you know?"

  "He or she is your only nephew or niece."

  "And Uncle Lach is going to spoil the crap out of your kid."

  "I have no doubt of that."

  "All right, Sisi, take care of yourself. I'll call you about Daisy, one way or the other."

  "Thanks. Love you."

  "You too. 'Bye."

  I hang up my phone and rest against the pillows in my bed, feeling quite satisfied with my work this morning.

  30

  Denver

  Now that I’m working at Custom Carz and earning a stable salary that’s better than anything I’ve ever earned, my schedule is completely different. In fact, it’s better. So much so that New York City is starting to grow on me. I work normal hours, am home each night in time to cook Sierra and me dinner, and get to explore the city on the weekends.

  Sierra and I fall back into the routine we had going in October but it’s easier now. I’m home at night and on the weekends and she’s busy pursuing her art as well as working for the art gallery. It’s incredible that she’s able to do both from home so when she is feeling tired, she can rest. Once a week, we go on a date and once a week, we attend a prenatal class. It’s a different life than I ever thought I’d be living but after everything that’s happened in the past few months, I’m loving every second of it.

  I’m still listening around for any chatter surrounding my dad but so far, I haven’t heard anything. Of course, his threat makes me worry constantly about Sierra and the baby but being here with them in New York, knowing I can look after them the way I want to, eases that stress a little bit.

  Punching out of work for the day, I holler a quick goodbye to some of the guys and sling my workbag, an old duffle bag with a spare change of clothes, over my arm. Walking to the subway, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and my heart stops the way it always does, as my mind immediately thinks something is wrong with Sierra or the peanut.

  Pulling out my phone, my heart rate only increases as Callum's name flashes across the screen.

  "Hello? Is she okay?" I answer, unable to keep the panic from my voice.

  "Hey. Who? Sisi?"

  "Yeah."

  "Oh, yeah, mate. She's fine. I'm calling to speak with you." His Scottish brogue sounds thicker on the phone and I shake my head, still not used to the sound.

  "Oh. Okay. What's up?" I ask, trying to connect the dots as to why Sierra's brother would be calling me to chat. Although we're no longer at each other's throats, actually that was really only Lachlan, we're not friends, either.

  "I'm dropping into town with my cousin Finlay for a few days. Want to grab a bite and some beers one night?" Callum says this as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

  "Sure," I agree easily, confused and skeptical, but a
lso not about to turn down an invitation to hang out with anyone in Sierra's family. She adores her family, and I know she'll be so happy to hear that I'm spending time with her brother and cousin.

  "Okay. I'll message you the details once it's sorted."

  "Sounds good. Thanks man," I mutter.

  "Take care then, Denver." He clicks off.

  I stare at the phone for a second, shaking my head. Weird.

  But in the next beat, I'm popping into a supermarket to pick up eggplant, zucchini, and spaghetti squash for tonight's dinner.

  I move through the shop quickly, anxious to get home and be with my girl.

  "You look very handsome." Sierra smiles at me from her perch on her bed.

  "I look ridiculous," I respond, grimacing at my reflection in the mirror. I'm going to meet Callum and Finlay at a pub for beers and wings.

  And Sierra, in consultation with my sister, has taken it upon herself to order me a new...wardrobe.

  That's right.

  Clothes.

  As if they both don't know that I only wear jeans, white, black, or grey T-shirts, and my leather jacket with boots. I'm a simple guy. Simple guys like simple things. One of those things is not having to make a bunch of decisions first thing in the morning about what the hell to put on and how it looks. Especially when there are other important things to consider. Like breakfast.

  "I really like that color on you," Sierra continues, her eyes bright, her skin glowing.

  The color she's referring to is...cranberry. I didn't even know how the hell to explain it until Sierra helpfully pointed out that cranberry is more than just a fruit. It's a color. Jesus. I'm wearing a cranberry wool sweater with jeans that have tears and rips throughout the knees, and not from use, but because she bought them like this! That's right. She literally spent money on pants with holes in them.

  Thank God I'm still rocking my own boots and jacket.