the landis bro3

MILLIONAIREINCOMMANDCATHERINEMANN

SILHOUETTEDESIRE1969MANOFTHEMONTH

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CHAPTERONEPhoebeSlaterbroughtababytothemillionairemilitaryhero’sseasidewelcome-homegala.Undoubtedlymostoftheguestspluckingcanapésandchampagnefromsilvertraysatthishigh-profileaffaircouldafford

nannies.OfcoursetheHiltonHeadIslandwealthycouldalsoaffordtailoredtuxedosandsequinedhigh-enddressesastheymingledtheeveningawayinthecountryclubgardensbytheshore.HerbasiclittleblackdresshadbeenboughtataconsignmentstoretoweartothefewmandatorycocktailpartiesrelatedtoherpositionasahistoryprofessorattheUniversityofSouthCarolina.

Ofcoursesheusuallydidn’taccessorizewithbabydrooldottinghershoulder.Phoebejostledthefractiousfive-month-oldinfantonherhip,smoothingdownthepinksmockeddress.“Hangon,sweetie.

JustafewmoreminutesandIcanfeedyoubeforebedtime.”Aswavescrashedinthedistance,alivebandplayedoldiesrock,enticinggueststothedancefloorwithaBillyJoelclassic.

EvenSouthCarolina’sgovernorwasdancingunderthesilversilkcanopywithhiswife.Darnneargawking,Phoebestumbledontheedgeoftheflagstonewalkway.

Definitelythiswasapartyforthemoversandshakersinthepoliticalworld—aswellasonthepolishedwooddancefloorplankedoverthesandylawn.Sheuntangledherlowheelfrombetweentwodecorativerocks.Shewasn’theretosocializetonight.She’dcometofindlittleNina’sfather.

Ifonlyshehadabetterideaofwhathelookedlike.Herlongtimefriendandoldsororitysister—Nina’sbiologicalmother—hadtoldPhoebethatKyleLandiswasthebaby’s

daddyacoupleofmonthsagowhenshe’daskedfor“justalittlehelp”withNinawhileshewentonanauditionforadinner-theaterproductioninFlorida.Biancahadbeensoexcitedtogetherprebabybodyback,insistingthiswasherchancetoprovideabetterlifeforherdaughter.

WhocouldhaveknownBiancawouldn’treturn?PhoebehuggedNinacloser,allthemoredeterminedtomakesurethispreciousbabyhadastablelife.Whichmeantfinding

KyleLandis,amanshe’dnevermetintheflesh.She’dhopedtoIDhimbyhisAirForceuniform,buttheplacewaspackedwithtall,dark-hairedguysdeckedoutinformalmilitarygear.Medalsgleamedinthemoonlight.

CuppingthebackofNina’sbonnet-coveredheadasthelittleonefinallydozedoff,Phoebescannedtheseaoffaces,theirprofilesshadowywithonlytheilluminationofmoon,starsandpewtertikitorches.Sheonlyhadanolderphototogoby,apicturetuckeddeepinthebottomoftheflowereddiaperbagslungoverhercleanshoulder.NowaywasshegoingtodisturbNinabylooking,notnowthatthebabywasnearlyoutforthecount.

Heusedtoappearinthenewspapersfrequentlywhenhislatefatherhadbeenasenator.Thenhismotherandbrotherhadsteppedintothepoliticalspotlight,too.ButthefamilykeptKyleoutofthemedia’sscrutinyasmuchaspossibleforsafety’ssakebecauseofhistoursofdutyinwarzones.

Thecrushofpeoplegrewthicker,facestoughertosee.Asmuchasshehatedtodrawattentiontoherself,shewasgoingtohavetoaskforhelpfinding—

“CanIgetyousomething?”Thedeepvoicerumbledfrombehindherasifinanswertoherverythoughts,joltingherwithaclearshotofsexybasson

thesaltyoceanbreeze.Lordy,thewaitermustrackuptipswiththatbedroomvoiceofhis.Sheglancedoverhershouldertoaskforanapkin—she’dforgottentheburpragagain,damnit.

Hersmilefroze.CaptainKyleLandis—intheflesh,allright.Hisdarkbrownhairwastrimmedmilitaryshort,mellowblueeyescreasedatthecornersfromadeeptansheknewhe’d

earnedinaMiddleEasterndesert.Abroadforeheadandstrongjawlinegavehimamasculineappealjustshyofharsh.Sheshouldhaverealizedtheguywouldbeevenbetterlookinginperson.Hewasaluckysonofagunfromanestablished

oldSouthernfamily—handsomeandrich,withasmokyvoicetoboot.He’devenreportedlysurvivedacrashunscathed.Hismuscledchestinablueuniformjacketsportedatleastdoublethemedalsofmosthere,perhapsonlyoutdonebyhisstepfather,ageneral.

WhatweretheoddsofKylefindinghertonight,insteadoftheotherwayaround?Butthen,astheguestofhonor,maybehefeltobligatedtomakesureeveryoneelsewashavingagoodtime.

“CanIgetyousomething?”herepeated,acut-crystalwhiskeyglasscradledinhishand.Anolderwomanangledpast,whippingafull,ruffledtrainagainstPhoebe’sleg.ThescentofstrongperfumemadeNina

sneeze.Shereadjustedthebaby,wishingtheywereathomeinherbentwoodrockerratherthanherewiththisman.“Iactuallydon’tneedhelpanymore,sinceIwaslookingforyou.”

Adimpledugintohischeekwithhisone-sidedsmile.“I’msorry,ifwe’vemetbefore,I’mnotremembering.”Thatdimplewouldhavebeencharmingifshehadn’talreadyheardfromBiancatobewaryofhisprep-school-polished

senseofhumor.Shemightbeoutofherfinancialleaguehere,butshewasasmart,determinedwoman.Phoebeforgedahead,needingtosaysomethingbeforeheturnedherovertoabouncer.“I’mnothereformyself.”Heglancedbehindherquickly,thenfocusedhisfull,deep-blue-eyedattentiononherfaceagain.“Whichoneofmypals

areyouwith?Wedon’tgetmanychancestomeetthewives.”“I’mnotmarried.”Butshehadbeen.SheshovedawayeventhethoughtofRogerbeforetheinevitablestabofpaincould

stealherfocus.Kyle’sgazeflickedbrieflytoNina,thenaway.Somuchforhimrecognizinghischildonsight.Tobefair,hedidn’tevenknowaboutNina’sexistence.Biancahadinsistedearlyinthepregnancythat,whileshewasn’t

sureifshewantedtokeepthebaby,shewouldinformthebaby’sfather.Thenlatersaidshe’dchickenedout,thencouldn’tfindhimandcertainlydidn’twanttosendthiskindofnewstohimoverseasthroughhisfamily.

AsifBiancawould’veevengottenpastpersonalassistantstotalktoanyoneinhisfamousfamily.Ithadbeenamajorchallengetogate-crashthisshindig,butnosecuritycouldoutdoherdetermination.

Thatdrive—alongwithchannelingsomeactingtipsshe’dpickedupfromBianca—andPhoebehadconvincedthemallshewasthecaterer’sassistant’swife.Easyenoughtodo,sinceshewasmorethefriend-next-doorthantheflashy-leading-lady.



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Nothingcouldstopher,notnowthatKylehadcomehome.Somebodyhadtotellhimabouthisnew“little”responsibilityandsinceBiancawasMIA,thatleftituptoher.

Mightaswellgetthisoverwith.“Istheresomewherewecanstepasidetotalk?”“I’msorry,butmymotherwouldhaulmebackinbymyearifItriedtoduckoutofmyownwelcome-homeparty.”He

angledcloser,thefreshscentofhisaftershaveteasinghernose.“Maybelater,though?”Undeniableinterestflaredinhiscobalt-blueeyes,hisfullattentionfixedonher.Holycrap.Couldheactuallybehittingonher?She’dpreparedherselfforanypossiblereactionfromhim—exceptthat.Shejoltedbackastep,holdinguponehand.“Wait,that’snotwhatImeant.”Andevenifhewereinterestedenoughtoactuallycontacther,whatifittookhimaweektocall?Shedidn’thaveanother

weektowastewaitingforhimtophoneherback.Ninadidn’thaveaweek.Phoebepattedbetweenthebaby’sshoulders,prayingshewouldstayasleep.Thelastthingsheneededwasacolicky

nuclearmeltdown.“Ihavetospeakwithyouforfiveminutesoutofearshotofeveryoneelse.IpromiseIwon’tkeepyoulongandyoucangetbacktoyourwelcome-homeparty.Perhapsyoucouldjustescortmetothedoor?Thenyou’llknowI’mtrulyonmywayoutofyourhair.”

“Fairenough.”Hesethisdrinkonthebarbehindhim.“Doyouneedsomehelpwiththekid?”Instinctively,shebackedfartherawayuntilherbuttbumpedacolumnplant-holder,jostlingthefernontop.Laughing,heheldoutbothhands.“Hey,noneedtofreakout.Iwon’tdropher.I’veneverbeenmuchofakidperson,but

I’mgettingpracticelatelywithmynephew.”Ninahadacousin.Howwildtothinkabout,andimaginethemplayingtogetherhappily.Ninaneededalifefullofpeople

wholovedher.AndthesoonerPhoebeclearedthisup,thesoonerNinawouldbesettled.“We’refine,butthanksforasking.Justleadthewayandwe’llfollow.”

“Letmeknowifyouchangeyourmind.”Heturnedhisbroadshoulderssidewaystoslidepastapairoftuxedo-cladteenssneakingrefillsfromthechampagne

fountain.Kylepluckedtheglassesfromtheirhandsonhiswaybyandpassedthemtoamanfromthecateringstaff.HeledPhoebearoundacornerandstoppedinasmall,emptyalcovewithaspindlyironbenchandtwomorelargepotted

fernsonGrecian-pillarstands.Thepartynoisemuffleddownanotch,althoughthelaughterofanearbycouplemadeheritchyforaroomwithadoortoclose.Thenookjustpastanivy-coveredtrelliswasn’ttotallyprivate,butitwouldhavetodo.

Steppingawayfromhistoweringpresenceforabitofbreathingroom,sheeasedthediaperbagdownontotheironbenchandrolledthekinkoutofhershoulder.“DoyouremembersomeonenamedBiancaThompson?”

Hiseyeswentfromfriendlytoreserved.“Yes,whydoyouask?”Nearbylaughterswelledastwotrophy-wifetypesduckedintothealcove,onewithasilvercigarettecaseinherhandsand

theotherweavingtipsilybehindher.“Oh,”thewomansaid,tuckinghercigarettecasesurreptitiouslybehindherback,“excuseme.”Kyle’seasysmilecameback.“Noproblem,ladies.Ithinkthere’sanotherbenchjustpastthepalmettotreewrappedin

lights.”“Thankyou,Captain.”Thewomanflashedasmileback,“advertising”withalengthoftoo-tannedlegthroughthegown’s

excessiveslit.Phoebewatchedthemdisappearfasterthantheafter-waftoftheircologne.SheturnedbacktoKyle.“Youdon’tdeny

knowingBianca?”“Thisisgettingstrangehere.”Hescratchedthebackofhisneck.“Youneedtocuttothechase…Whatwasyourname

again?”“Phoebe—”Shepausedasauniformedwaitertuckedintothealcove,stoppedshortandthenspunbackaroundtoleave,

apparentlylookingforaplacetoditchworkundetectedforafewseconds.Goodluckwiththat,buddy,becauseapparentlytherewasn’taquietplacetobefoundatthiscrammed-to-the-gillsgala.SheheftedNina’slimp—andgrowingheavierbythesecond—bodyhigherontohershoulder.Hersweetweightandbaby-

shampoo-freshscenttuggedatherheartwithareminderofjusthowimportantthismeetingwastobothoftheirfutures.“Phoebe.MynameisPhoebeSlater.BiancaandIweresororitysisters,butwe’vestayedintouchovertheyears.”

Althoughnotasmuchasshewouldhavelikedduringthepasttwomonths.ShestillcouldhardlybelieveBiancawouldjustdropoffherbabydaughterandnotlookback.

“Nicetomeetyou,Phoebe,”hesaid,oneeyebrowarchingupwiththeimplicationhispatiencehadaboutrundry.Timewasup.Therewasn’tevergoingtobetheperfectsettingforthiskindofrevelation.Sheresistedtheurgetoclutchthe

babytighterandbolt.Thiswasn’therchild,butshelovedherasdearlyasiftheysharedthesameblood.Infact,thiswouldbeheronlychanceatmotherhood—howeverbrief.Whenherhusbandshe’dlovedmorethanlifehaddied,allhopesofbeingamotherhaddiedwithhim.

NoblueeyeswoulddistractherfromprotectingNina,nosocialbrush-offswoulddislodgeherfromhermission.Shewoulddoanything,anythingtosecureNina’sfuture.

Phoebebracedhershouldersandherresolvetopushforwardwithherplan,evenifitmeantmakingadealwithablue-eyeddevil.“MeetNina,yourdaughter.”

Damn.Anothergolddigger.Partynoisedroningbehindhimlikethebuzzofaircraftengines,Kylerockedbackonhisheels,hispolisheduniformshoes

squeaking.He’dworkedinintelduringhisAirForcecareer,butitdidn’ttakeaninvestigativemindtodeterminesomethingwaswayoffwiththiswoman.

Thesecondhe’dseenPhoebeSlatersidlepastsecurity,hehadbeengut-slammedbyherappeal.Hestillcouldn’tpullhiseyesoffherbeacon-paleblondhair,claspedbacksimply,andherwidemouththatdidn’tneedlipstickorcollagentomakeitkiss-mesexy.



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Thekidhadgivenhimamoment’spause,buthisattentionhadshiftedfastenoughbacktothetotallyhotfemale.He’dinitiallysizedherupasadown-to-earthsortwithunadornedappeal,asimplebutintriguingwoman.Notsosimpleafterall,apparently.

Perhapsshewasn’tagolddigger.Maybeshewasjustadeludedpsycho.Hetuckedhisfistedhandsfirmlybehindhim,gladnowhe’dchosenalocalethatwasonlysemiprivate,ratherthantotally

secluded.“Ma’am,I’mcertainwe’venevermetbeforetonight,andI’mevenmorecertainwe’veneverslepttogether.”Hewouldhavedefinitelyrememberedher.“Ascuteasyourkidis,she’snotmine.”

PhoebeSlatervisiblybristled,herchocolate-browneyesdarkening.“She’snotmydaughter.I’mjustcaringforherwhilehermother—BiancaThompson—isawayatanauditioninSouthernFlorida.BiancaandIwenttoschooltogetherbeforeshestartedpursuingheractingcareer,andIbecameahistoryprofessor.Butthat’sallbesidethepoint.”Herthroatmovedinalongswallow.“I’mherebecauseNinaneedsherfather.She’sfivemonthsoldnow.”

Thehairsonthebackofhisneckprickled.HehadsleptwithBiancaThompson,buthe’dusedprotection—healwaysdid.Theyhadn’tknowneachotherwell.Ithad

beenmoreofanimpulsivehookuponboththeirparts,overayearago,beforehe’dleftforayear-longdeploymenttoAfghanistan.Justabouttherighttiming.Hisgazesnappedtothekidblinkinggroggilyathimwithlightblueeyesjustlikehismother,brothers…Damn.Plentyof

peoplehadblueeyes,andplentyofpeopleknewwhathisfamilylookedlike.AndthosesamepeoplewouldknowabouttheLandisfamily’sheftyinvestmentportfolio.Hisyoungestbrotherhadevenhadafalsepaternitysuitfiledagainsthimbysomeonehe’dactuallycaredabout.

Kylebitbackacurse.Heneededtostopthisconversationnow,untilhecouldregroupwithsomemoreinformationonthiswoman.Preferablyinaplacewherehedidn’thavetoworryabouteveryonefromthepresstothegovernorofSouthCarolinaoverhearing.

“Ma’am—”“Slater.IamPhoebeSlater.”Sherubbedsoothinglittlecirclesbetweenthebaby’sshoulders,swayingbackandforthlikea

pro.Impressive.Heknewfromhisbrotherandsister-in-lawhowtoughitwastokeepalittlerugratquietatthisage.“Okay,Ms.Slater,let’sscheduleatimeforthisconversationwhenwe’renottryingtospeakoverabandandwe’recertain

nottobeinterrupted—”“AndthisisNina.”Sheangledsidewayssothebaby’schubby-cheekedfacewasfullyinview.Cutekid.Butthatwasirrelevant.“Idon’tthinkthisisthe—”“HermotherisBiancaThompson.”She’dsaidthatalready,buthearingitagainmadehimreallylookatthebaby.Shedidn’thaveBianca’sredhair.Thebaby

haddarkbrownhair.Likehim.“WhereisBianca?WhyamItalkingtoyouinsteadofher?”Hissuspicionsmountedashetriedtoputthepiecestogetherbeforethisblewupinaverypublicsetting.Hismotherhad

gonetoalotoftroubleputtingtogetherthisshindigcommemoratinghishomecoming.Itmeantalottoher,sincethisalsomarkedtheendofhismilitarycommitment.Intwoweeks,hewouldstarthisnewcareerastheheadoftheLandisFoundation’sinternationalinterests.

Hedidn’twanthisfamilyupsetneedlesslybyascene.Familywaseverything.Hiseyesflickeduneasilybacktothebaby,lookingtoodarncuteinherpinkdress.“IwasonlysupposedtowatchNinauntilBiancasettledinathernewplaceinSouthernFlorida.Thenweeksturnedinto

months.Whenshestoppedcalling,Igotworriedandnotifiedthepolicetofileamissingperson’sreport.Whichthenbroughtchildservicesintothepicture,andifIdon’tfigureoutsomethingsoon—”Phoebe’schinquiveredbrieflybeforesteadyingagain“—they’regoingtoputNinaintothefostercaresystem.”

Hewasn’tsurewhatshewasuptoanymore,buttruthbetold,evenaconversationwithacrazywomanwasmoreengagingthanthesmalltalkhe’dmadetonightwithpeoplewhoweremostlyhereforthefreefoodandachancetorubelbowswithpoliticians.PhoebeSlaterwasanythingbutboring.

“Soyouwantmetotakeinthischild,withnoproofofwhoyouareorwhothiskidis.”“Justhearmeout.”Hereyesturnedadeepershadeofbrown,panicglinting.Hisinstinctswentonalert.Ifthiswomanwasacrook—orapsycho—thekidcouldbeindanger.Thatchangedthings

entirely.“Youknow,maybeIshouldholdthebabyafterall,whilewecheckintothings.”“You’redoubtingmenow,aren’tyou?Smartman.”Shesecuredthesleepingbabyandleanedtodigthroughthevoluminousdiaperbagonthebench.GoodLord,hecould

havestuffedallhismilitarygearinthatsack.Hiseyesdroppedtoherhips,tothesweetcurveofherbottomassherifledpastdiapersandabottle.Wasshereallya

collegeprofessor?He’dcertainlyneverhadanyprofsthatlookedlikeher.Whatawastetohaveallthatappealpackagedinawomanhecouldn’tgoanywherenear.Shestraightenedandturnedback

tofacehim,drawinghiseyesupward.“Okay,CaptainLandis,Ithoughtyouwouldwantproof.Andwellyoushould.”Shepulledoutafileofpapers.“I’vegot

herbirthcertificate,photosandanotarizedletterfromBiancastatingI’mababysitterforNina,authorizingmetogetmedicalattentionforher.Ievenincludedacopyofmydriver’slicense.”

Hetookthefilefromherandflippeditopen,anglingsohisshouldersblockedanypassersbyfrompossiblyseeingthecontents.Hescannedthefirstpage,withpicturesofBiancaThompsonholdingababywithwideblueeyes.

Thehaironthebackofhisneckprickledagain.Heturnedtothenextpageandreadthroughthebirthcertificate…Withhisnameinthe“father”box.Heexhaledhard.Trueornot,hestillneededasecondtoprocessseeinghisnameinthatcontext.Notthathehadanything

againstkids—helikedhisnephewwellenough.He’djustplannedtoleaveperpetuatingtheLandisnametohisbrothers.Thumbingtothelastpage,hefoundacopyofPhoebeSlater’sdriver’slicense.Thepicturewasunflattering,tosaythe

least,witheyesdeer-in-the-headlightwideandnosmile,butwithoutquestionitwasher.



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Allofwhichprovednothing,inandofitself.Whythehellhadn’tBiancanotifiedhim?Shehadplentyofcontactnumbers.Hemayhavebeenoutofthecountry,buthisfamilyhadallbeenfirmlyhereonU.S.soil.

Themorehethoughtaboutthis,thelessitmadesense.Ifthelittlegirlwashis,hewouldmoveforwardandtakeresponsibility.Landisesdidn’tshirktheirresponsibilities.But,forthechild’ssafetyaswell,heneededtoinvestigatethisclaimandthiswomanfurther.

Heclosedthefileandtuckeditunderhisarm.“I’mgoingtoneedsometimetolookoverthis.Ican’tjusttakehomeachildbecauseyousay—”

Shelaughed,herbreathgustingastraggledstrandofblondhair.Shescrapeditawayandbehindherear.“No,youcompletelymisunderstand.Idon’twantyoutotakeher.IgotthemessageloudandclearfromBiancathatyou’renotinterestedinsettlingdown.Andtruly,Ilovethislittlegirl.”Sherestedhercheekontopofthebaby’sheadwithunmistakablematernalaffection.“Iwanttobehermother.Iwanttoadopther,ifatallpossible.”

Heshouldberelieved…butsomethingwasstilloff.Hisinstinctsfrombattlingoverseasbellowedloudandclearthatthereweremorelandminesahead.“Thenwhyareyouhere?”

“I’mheretokeepNinaoutofthefostercaresystem,”shesaid,herwordstumblingtogetherassheblurted,“I’mheretoaskyoutomarryme.”

TwoPhoebebitherlip,cringinginsideoverhavingblurtedthe“proposal”ratherthaneasinghimintotheideathewayshe’d

mentallyrehearsed.Toolatetocallbackthewordsnow.ThebandseguedintoaMotownballad,thecrooner’stunefillingthesilencewhileshe

waitedforKyle’sreaction.Notforthefirsttime,shecursedBiancafordisappearing,whileprayingthatheroldfriendhadn’tlandedinsomekindoftrouble.Orworse.

Meanwhile,shehadtomakeuseofwhateveralliesshecouldfind,andplease,pleaseshehopedKylewouldfallintothatcategory.Shesearchedhisfaceforsomeclueofhisfeelings,butheguardedhisemotionswell.

Finally,heraisedahandshoulder-high.Shetensed,wondering,waitinganddefinitelykeepinghertrapshutfornow.Shewasathinker,aplotter,damnit.Bianca

wastheimpulsiveone.KylespannedabroadpalmalongNina’sbackprotectively,hisgoldcollegeringglintingintheflickeringcandlelight.“Let

meholdthekidforaminute.”Reliefgustedfromhersofullythatshehadn’tevenrealizedshe’dbeenholdingherbreath.She’dhardlydaredhopeit

wouldbethiseasyforhimtoconnectwithhisdaughter—Thentheglowfromthepewtertikitorchesrevealedtheglimmerofalarminhiseyes,quicklycoveredasheflasheda

pacifyingsmile.Damn.HethoughtshewasoffherrockertothepointhefearedforNina.Asifshewoulddoanythingtoharmthischild.Although

she’dsurelyscrewedupinpushingsohardandfastforhishelp.“I’mnotcrazy,andI’mthelastpersonwhowouldeverhurtNina.”Shecradledthesleepinggirlcloseruntilherelaxedhis

hands,ifnothisstance.“Ididn’tmeantospringthatlastpartonyousobluntly,butyouwerereadytoleaveandIdon’thavetimetobesubtle.”

“Isthereasubtlewaytoaskatotalstrangertomarryyou?”Phoebeignoredhissarcasm.“ChildservicesisgoingtotakehersinceIcan’tfindhermother.Ijustneedtobuyalittletime

untilIcansettlethingsforNina.”Shedidn’tknowwhatelsetodo.Ninahadnooneexcepther…Andthisman.Herfather.“Istillthinkyou’rehalf-cracked,butI’mlistening.”Hefoldedhisarmsoverhischest.Washesettlinginorblockingherexit?Eitherway,sheneededtotalkfast.“Okay,somaybethemarriageideaseemsextreme,butI’mdesperatehere.”Backingofftheproposalseemedprudentsince

shehadaseriousaversiontoendingupinastraitjacket.“MyprimaryconcerniskeepingNinasecure.She’salreadyhadtoomuchupheaval,withBiancadroppingoutofherlifesoabruptly.”

“Thisisalottodigest,”hesaid,hisvoiceneutral,hiseyesstillwatchingherguardedly.Hismilitaryauraswelledunmistakably.HemightnotbethinkingofhimselfasNina’sfather,butheclearlywouldstand

betweenthebabygirlandanyperceivedthreatallthesame.Herfrayednervessnapped.“Ifyoucanthinkofanotheralternativetokeepingheroutofthefostercaresystem,I’mmore

thanhappytoclimbonboard.”Hecockedathick,darkbrow.“Excusemeforbeingslowontheuptake,butIdidn’tknowuntilninetysecondsagothatI

evenhadachild.”“Ifyou’dstayedintouchwithBiancaafteryoudeployed,youmayhave—”Shebithertonguetokeepfromsaying

anythingelse,whenshelongedtoshoutoutherfrustrationasshesawherlasthopeforhelpslippingaway.Hiseyebrowsslammeddownandtogether.“Youcan’tactuallybeblamingmebecauseBiancakeptthisasecret.Ifwhat

yousayiseventrue.Ihadmyhandsfullfightingawar.”Herangerdefusedandsympathyslidintothevoid.“I’msorry.You’reright.ThisisalottotakeinandIdon’tmeantobe

combative.”Hisjawflexedashepausedtogatherhiscomposure.“Arguingwon’tgetusanywhere.”“Icompletelyagree.”Still,hekepthispostinfrontofthearbortrellis,sprawlingivycascadingdownthesideslikespikytentaclesreadytosnag

herinplace.“Regardlessofwhatcamebefore,weneedtodecideonaplanofactionfromthispointforward,whichIabsolutelyrefusetotalkaboutinaplacewhereanyonecouldoverhear.Therearenolessthansevenpeoplefromthepressattendingthisshindigmymotherputtogethertowelcomemeback.”

Hehadapointthere.WhilepresscoveragecouldbehelpfulinfindingBianca,itcouldalsobringthewrathofchildservicesdownonherhead.Shehadtostrikeadelicatebalancehere.



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AtleastKylewasstilltalkingtoher.Maybehewouldhaveanidea,andifnot,thenshecouldbringupthemarriageideaagainwithmorefinesse.Itwasoutrageous,sure,butnotthattotallyoutthere.Shereassuredherselfforprobablythethousandthtimethatthiswasn’tatotallycrazyidea.Althoughshecouldimagineherlong-deadparentswincingoverherwholeplan.

She’dthoughtthisthrough.PeoplegothitchedinVegaseverydayforfarmoreflimsyreasons.Weddingvowsmeantnexttonothingtomostpeoplethesedays.

Andtheywouldcertainlymeannothingtohereveragain.Shestartedtowardhim.Theircubbyofspacewentdarkerasanotherpersonstrodeundertheivy-coveredarch,snapping

Phoebebackintothepresent.Sheneededtobeonguardforthosepresspeoplehe’dmentioned.Backlit,theshadowyfigurewasstillobviouslyawoman.

“Kyle,dear,thereyouare.”Anolderblondwomansteppedintotheglowoftheflickeringlight.Sherestedahandonhisarm,manicurednailstippedwhite.

Hismother.EvenifGingerLandisRenshawweren’tfamousforherpoliticalprowessasaformersenatorandthensecretaryofstate,

Phoebewouldhavenoticedthefamilyresemblance.Theirhaircolorwasdifferentbuttheirfaces,theirsmiles,werethesame.Somewhereinherearlyfiftiesandcarryingitwell,GingersmoothedahandoverhersimpleredChaneleveninggown,

almostmanagingtodisguisehercuriosity.“Ourguestsarebeginningtoaskwhereyou’verunoffto.”“Mom,weneedtofindanemptyroomandtalk.Immediately.”Hesteppedaside,clearingtheviewforthewoman’sgaze

tofallsquarelyonPhoebe.Ginger’sblueeyesdarkenedfromcuriositytoconcern.“Kyle?What’sgoingon?”“Notnow,Mom,”hesaidquietly,hisvoiceurgent.“Weneedtomovethistoaroom,preferablyonewithacloseddoor.”Shestraightenedwithatake-chargeefficiencythathadwonrespectaroundtheworldduringhersecretary-of-statedays.

ThatpoliticalswaycontinuednowinhertenureasambassadortoasmallbutpoliticallypowerfulSouth-Americancountry.“Ofcourse.Thisway.”

Shetuckedoutoftheirgardennookandslicedapathstraightintothecountryclub.Aquickflickofherhandhadthemanagerrushingaheadtounlockhisoffice.Phoebefollowed,unabletosquelchheraweatthiswomanwhomadethingshappensoeffortlessly.

Damnit.Forgetawe.ShewouldstanddownanyoneforNinaifneedbe.Butshehopedshewouldfindanallyinapoliticalpowerhouse.

Thedoorclickedclosedbehindthem,sealingtheminsideanofficewithloomingdarkfurnitureandheavytapestryupholstery.Thescentoffurniturepolishandfresh-cutflowerscoatedtheairthickly.

GingerturnedtowardhersonbutlookedatPhoebeandgesturedtowardawingbackchair.“Haveaseat,dear.Evenlittlebabiescangrowquiteheavywhenyou’vebeenholdingthemfortoolong.”

Phoebeblinkedbackhersurpriseandsat.Disobeyingthiswomanwouldn’tdawnonher,andherfeetwerethrobbing.Allthesame,shewouldn’trelaxherguardforevenasecond.Winninghismother’ssupportwasjustasimportantasgainingKyle’strust.

Gingerpinnedhersonwithaquestioningstare.Hescratchedthebackofhisneck.“Mom,itappearsImayhaveleftachildbehindwhenIwenttoAfghanistan.”

Kyleknewonethinginthiscrazy,mixed-upnight.GiveaLandisacrisisandtheystartthingscrankingatMachspeed.Hehadnomorethanannouncedthepossibilityofthischildbeinghisandhismomhadspunintoaction.She’dcalledfor

hertrustedassistantandgatheredtherestofthefamily.Somuchforkeepingthingssecret.WithfourLandisbrothers,twoofwhomweremarried,thatmadeforquiteagrouppackedintothecountrycluboffice.His

brotherSebastiansatatthesprawlingwooddesk,puttinghislegaleagle-eyeanddegreetoworkreviewingthedocuments.TherestofthefamilyseemedtransfixedaroundthewingbackchairwherePhoebefedthelittlescrapofakidabottle.Kylepaced.HedamnnearworeaholeinthePersianrugashemovedrestlesslybehindhisbrother.SebastianwasayearyoungerthanKyle,buthisquietsobernesshadalwaysmadehimseemolder.Theyneededhiscalmefficiencyrightnow.

Sebastianclosedthefileandglancedupsomberly.“Issheyourdaughter?”Kylestoppedinhistracksanddroppedtositontheedgeofthedesk,hisfoottwitching.“It’sadistinctpossibility.”A

possibilitythatstillsucker-punchedhimharderthanthemissilethathadtakendownhisaircraftinAfghanistan.Hepinchedthebridgeofhisnosebrieflybeforehishandfellaway.“Ifshe’sreallyBiancaThompson’sdaughter,thetimingofour,uh,weektogetherlinesup.”

“Aweek,huh?”Ararehintofhumorlithisnormallyseriousbrother’seyes.Kylewasn’tinthemoodtolaugh.“WehookedupwhenIwasinbetweenrotationsoverseas.Neitherofuswasinterested

inanythinglong-term.”“Youneverare.”Sebastianlookedawayandbackatthepapers.Yeah,hewasn’tknownforseriousrelationships,butatleastheunderstoodhimself,ratherthansendingoutmixedsignals.

“WhichmakesitallthemoreironicthatPhoebewouldtossoutamarriageproposaltome.”“Ithinkitmakesherseemlikeamorelogicaltype.”Sebastiankepthisvoicelowenoughthattheclusterofpeopleafew

feetawaywouldn’thear.“Ifsheknowsyourreputation,thenshehasnoreasontoworryaboutyougrowingattachedtoherorthebaby.”

“Shesaidsheonlytosseditoutthereindesperation.Thatshedidn’treallymeanit,andcouldIcomeupwithsomethingelse.”Stillitrattledaroundinhishead.“Yougotanysuggestions?”

Sebastianscrubbedahandoverhisface,anearmirrorimageofKyle’s.“Ithinkthefirstorderofbusinessisfindingoutifshe’sreallyyours.I’veneverbeenonewhocouldseeGreat-auntWhoever’schinonsomeinfant,butIhavetoconfess,shelooksjustlikeaLandis.”

Theuncertaintywasalreadychewinghimupinside.“Anyideahowlongittakesfortheresultsofapaternitytest?”“Gottaadmit,I’veneverneededone.”Hiseyesslidovertohiswifewithobviousaffection.Theirsonhadbeenbornafew

monthsago,asurprisepregnancyafterthecrushinglossofthebabydaughterthey’dadopted,onlytohavethebirthmotherchangehermind.“Jonahshouldknow,though.”



6

Theiryoungestbrotherhadalwaysbeenahell-raiser,somuchsothatafterawhileitbecametoughtodistinguishbetweentruthandreputation.Kylehadalwaysunderstoodhisyoungerbrotherbetterthantherestofthefamily,althoughthemilitaryhadhelpedhimreininhiswilderimpulses.

Andyetstill,somehow,hemayhavescrewedup.“Thesoonerwecanclearthisup,thebetter.”“Whatdoyouknowabouther?”SebastiannoddedtowardPhoebe,whowasliftingthebabyuptoburp,ahandtowelfrom

thebathroomdrapedoverhershoulder.“Nothingatall.”Kyleflippedopenthemanilafilefolderagainandthumbedthroughthepapers.“I’dnevermether,but

thosephotosofherwithBiancalookreal.”“TheprivateinvestigatorIkeeponretainerwillbeabletoverifyherstorybymorning.Thefactthatshelivesandworksin

statemakesthingseasierallthewayaround.”Sebastiantappedthedocumentsspillingoutacrossthedesk.“Everythingseemsauthenticandinorderthough.We’llseesoon.”

Notsoonenough.“So,we’restuckfornow.”Kyleloweredhisvoice,eventhoughnooneacrosstheroomseemedtobepayinganyattentiontothem.“Eithershe’sontheup-and-uphelpingoutafriend,inwhichcasesheneedshelp,sothebabystays.Orshe’sanutcase,inwhichcaseforthebaby’ssafety,shehastostay.”

“Becareful,mybrother.”Sebastianleanedcloser.“There’salotofmoneyatstakehere.”Sebastian’swifeglancedoverhershoulder.“Menaresocynical.”Damn,hecouldhavesworntheywerekeepingtheirvoicesdown.CouldPhoebehaveoverheardthemtoo?Notthatthey’d

reallysaidanythingthatmattered.Sheshouldexpecttheywouldhaveherinvestigated.Thewifeoftheiroldestbrother,Matthew,steppedaside,openingthecircleasshecaressedtheslightcurveofherstomach.

“They’rerighttobeconcerned,”Ashleysaid.“I’veseensomesadcasesofhowheartlesspeoplecanbewhenitcomestotheneedsofachild.”

Theiryoungestbrother,Jonah,snorted,loungingontheotherwingbackchair,onelegdrapedoverthearmrest.“Whoareyoucondemninghere?Thebaby’smotherorPhoebe?”

GingerrestedahandonthebackofPhoebe’schairandshothersonsacensuringstarethathadn’tlostitsimpactovertheyears.“I’msorryyouhadtohearthat.Myboysshouldbemorediplomatic.”

KylewatchedhismotherwinoverPhoebewithafewwell-chosenwords.Therewasnodoubtingwhoworethediplomaticmantleintheirfamily.

“I’mnotoffended,”Phoebesaid.“Infact,I’mrelievedthatyou’reallbeingpracticalaboutthis.ThatbodeswellforNina,andIhavenothingtohide.”

Jonahtwitchedbackanoverlonglockofhairfromhisbrow.“Lady,Ihavetoconfess,thisallsoundsalittlehinkytome.Youwouldn’tbethefirstpersontowantapieceoftheLandislucrativepie.”

“I’mnothereformoney.”ShepattedNina’sbacksteadilyuntilthebabyburped,thenloweredhertothecrookofherarm.“Ionlyneedtime.Iwanttokeepheroutoffostercareuntilwecanfindhermother,andifwecan’t,thenit’smyhopeIcanadopther.”

Jonahtuggedhisdanglingtuxtiefree…notthatithadevenbeentiedbeforetheysteppedbackhereforthefamilyconfabwithPhoebe.“Thenletthelegalsystemsortitout.Ifyou’rebestforher,that’swhereshe’llland.”

GingerwavedherrebelliousyoungestsonupfromthechairandmotionedforpregnantAshleytosit.Ashleysmiledherappreciationasshesatwithaheavysigh.“It’snotthatcut-and-dried.Iwaslucky.”Phoebesmoothedherhandoverthebaby’sheadwithobviousaffection,butherfacecreasedwithconcern.“Yoursisa

successstory,then?”“MyfostersistersandIfoundawonderfulhomewith‘Aunt’Libbyandwerebetteroff.Claire’sbiologicalmotherwanted

tokeepher,butwastooyounganddidn’thavethemoney.Starr’sparentswerecriminalswhorefusedtorelinquishcustody.Myparentsgavemeup.”QuietAshleygrewmoreferventasshespoke.“NotallofthegirlswhowereplacedwithAuntLibbycamestraighttherefromtheirbiologicalparents,though.Mostfosterparentsarewell-meaning,big-heartedpeople,buttherearesome…”Sheshookherheadinobviousdisgust.

ThedefenderinKyle,themilitarypartofhimthathadspentthepastsixyearsofhislifeprotecting,madehimwanttopluckthekidupandkeephersafefromtheworld.

Howmuchstrongerwouldthosefeelingsbecomeifitturnedoutthebabywashis?PhoeberestedhercheekonNina’shead.“Idon’twanttorunanyriskofNinalandinginanunlovinghomeforevena

day.”“Exactly,”Ashleyagreed.“Somepeopledon’thavechoices.ThereareoptionshereforlittleNina.”Hismothernodded.“I’vealreadyspokenwithmyassistantandshe’sscheduledapaternitytest.”“Onaweekend?”ApparentlyPhoebedidn’tgrasphismother’sabilitytomovemountains.Gingertoyedwithoneofherdiamondstudearrings.“We’llhaveananswerbeforechildservicesopensonMonday

morning.”Timetotesthowfarshewaswillingtogowiththis.Heputhishandsbehindhisback,militarybearingtoughtoshakeeven

withhisseparationpapersintheworks.“SinceyouallseemsocertainNinaismine,wemightaswellstartmovingherthingsintomywingofthehouse.”

“Excuseme?”Phoebe’seyeswentwidewithalarm.“Um,NinaandIarealreadysettledinourhotel,butthankyou.”Kylebracedahandacrossthedoor.“Ifthere’sevenachancethat’smydaughter,I’mnotlettingyoujustwalkoutofhere

withher.”Phoebelookedaroundnervously,thenbolstered,herarmslockedaroundNina.“I’mnotleavingherbehind.”“Idon’texpectyouto.”Nobodywasgoinganywhereuntilhehadanswers.“You’llbothbestayingwithmeatthefamily

compound.”ThreeShedidn’thaveachoicebuttogowithhim,andsheknewit.SittinginthebackofKyle’sMercedessedanbesideNinain

hercarseat,Phoebejustwishedshe’dforeseenthistwistintheplans.



7

Hisbroadshoulders,encasedintheuniformjacket,spreadinfrontofherinthedriver’sseat.HeguidedtheluxurycarthroughthesecuritygateintotheLandisfamilybeachcompound.Asthegatesswungclosedbehindthem,sheshiftedclosertoNina,theinfantasleepanddroolinginherrear-facingcarseat.Morningwasgoingtocomeearlyafterthislatenightandsheneededanyedgeshecouldscavengetosootheheralreadyfrazzlednerves.

ByappealingtoKyleforhelp,she’dalsomadeherselfvulnerable.Onecallfromhimtochildservicescouldstealherfewdays’windowtosecureNina’sfuture.Shehadn’tfeltsopowerlesssinceshe’dwatchedhelplesslywhileherhusbandhaddrowned.

HergazeskimmednervouslyaheadtothebeachsideHiltonHeadmansionownedbytheLandisfamily.Kylehadtoldherthathislawyer-brotherandwifehadahomeafewmilesaway,andtheoldestbrother,asenator,andhiswifehadanantebellummansionindowntownCharleston.Kylehadkepthisgearinthethird-floorquartersofthemansionsincehe’ddeployedsooften.

She’drubbedelbowswithplentyofaffluentfamiliesatthecollegefund-raisers,butshe’dnevervisitedanywherenearlythisopulent.Inspiteofinsistingshedidn’tneedmoney,ahotelovertheweekendwouldhavetakenachunkoutofheraccount.ShehadtokeephersavingsintactforanylegalfeesshemightneedinadoptingNina.Stayingherewasthefiscallysmartthingtodo.

She’dseenphotosfromaGoodHousekeepingspreadwhenshe’dlookeduptheLandisfamilyonGoogleformoredetails,andshe’dreadabouttheirdiversifiedfortunethatincreasedunderthesavvycareofeachgeneration.Butnopicturecouldhavepreparedherforthebreathtakingview.Onprimeoceanfrontproperty,they’dbuiltasprawlingwhitethree-storyhousewithVictorianpeaksoverlookingtheAtlantic.Alengthysetofstairsstretchedupwardtothesecond-storywraparoundporchthathousedthemainentrance.

Latticeworkshieldedmostofthefirstfloor,whichappearedtobealargeentertainmentarea.JustasinCharleston,manyhomessoclosetothewaterwerebuiltupasasafeguardagainsttidalfloodsfromhurricanes.

Theattachedgaragehadsomanydoorsshestoppedcounting.Hissedanrolledtoastopbesidethehouse,providingaviewofthedensegreenbushesbehindthemandtheAtlanticshoreinfrontofthem.Anorganic-shapedpoolwassituatedbetweenthehouseandbeach,thechlorinatedwatersofthehottubatthebasechurningaglisteningswirlinthemoonlight.

HeputthecarinParkandreachedforthedoor.“I’llgetyourthingsfromthetrunkwhileyouunloadthemunchkin.”Kylesteppedoutbeforeshecouldevenanswer.Apparentlyhe’dinheritedhismother’stake-chargeattitude.Phoebe

walkedaroundtotheothersideoftheMercedes,securitylightsactivatinglikesunrisecomingearly,andunhookedthecarrierfromthecar-seatbasesoasnottowakeNina.

Heliftedhersmallsuitcaseandduffelwithaporta-criboutofthetrunk.“YousuredotravellightcomparedtomostwomenI’vemet.”

“Ihadonlyplannedtostayovernight.”She’dprettymuchcountedongettinghissupportandthenheadinghomeinthemorning,anaïvefantasynowthatshesawhowcomplicatedthingswerebecomingasrealityplayedout.“IhaveajobtogetbacktoinColumbia.”

Hegesturedtowardthesprawlingstaircase.“ThenyoucanleaveNinahere.”Shehesitatedatthebottomstep,suddenlyclaustrophobicaboutenteringhishouse.Sheesh,itwasn’tlikehecouldlock

themawayintheattic.“Iwon’tabandonher.”“AndneitherwillI,”hesaidwithunmistakabledetermination,whichmadehergladforNina.Ifshecouldtrusthim.Shelookedawayfromhispersuasiveblueeyesandbackupthelengthofstairs.Thiswouldbetemporary,untilhelefton

hisnextassignment,thenshecouldresumeherlife.“Itseemswe’reatanimpasse.”“Whataboutyourjob?”Hisintoxicatingbassdriftedafterhershoulderashefollowedheruptheoutsidewoodensteps.“I’mteachingallmyclassesonlinethissemesteranyway.”She’dadjustedherscheduletobewithNina,seeingthisasher

once-in-a-lifetimechancetotakecareofababy.LittlehadsheknownwhenBiancadroppedoffherdaughter…“Icanworkfromhereuntilwehavethingssettled.”

Untilheleft.Shewouldhaveherlifebackontrackshortly.Hisjob,alongwithhistrackrecordforshortrelationships,wouldhavehim

outofherlifesoon.Andshereallydidn’thaveanyotheroptionsifshewantedtokeepNina.Shepointedtotheclusterofliveoaksandpalmettosframingatwo-storycarriagehouse.“Wholivesthere?”“Myyoungestbrother,Jonah.He’sfinishinguphisgraduatestudiesinarchitecture.Hestaysherebetweeninternshiptrips

toEurope.”Whitewithslate-blueshutters,thecarriagehousewaslargerthanmostfamilyhomes,certainlybiggerthanherlittle

apartmentindowntownColumbia.“It’slovely.”Sheunderstoodhecamefrommoney,butseeingKyle’slifestylelaidoutsograndlyonlyemphasizedtheirdifferentroots.

Phoebegrippedtheincreasinglyheavycarseatwithbothhandsasshereachedthetopofthestairs.ThetalldoubledoorsopenedbeforeKylecouldevenreachforward.

Hislawyerbrother,Sebastian,filledtheentrance,theirappearancescloseenoughtobemistakenfortwins.Exceptthelawyerdidn’thaveKyle’slaughlines.“Youfinallymadeit.”

Kyledepositedherbagsonthepolishedwoodfloor.“Idroveslowerbecauseofthekid.Where’sMom?”“Stillattheclubwiththegeneralclosingoutthepartysoit’snotasobviouswe’regone.”SebastianeyedPhoebeandNina

brieflythenlookedbackathisbrother.“Weneedtotalk.”Kyleusheredherintothecavernousfoyer.“AssoonasIgetthemsettled.”Awoman,thewifeofthelawyerbrother,stoodwaitinginthearchwayleadingtoamammothlivingroomwithawallof

windowsoverlookingtheocean.“Icanshowheraround.”Thewoman—Marianna,she’dbeencalledbackatthecountryclub—sweptaloosedarkcurlfromherface.“You’llwanttoputthebabytobed.I’lltakeyoutoyourrooms.”

PhoebeglancedintothehallwhereKylehaddepositedherbag.“Didtheporta-cribmakeitinside?”“Don’tworry,”Mariannareassuredher.“Everything’stakencareof.”Still,Phoebehesitated.Whatdidthebrothersneedtospeakaboutthatshecouldn’thear?Suspicionnippedherragged

nerves,buttherewasn’tanythingshecoulddoaboutit,especiallyinherexhaustedstate.MaybeshecouldferretsomeinformationofherownfromthiswomanwhileKylewasoutoftheroom.

ShesmiledbackatMarianna.“Thankyou,Iappreciateyourhelp.”



8

Mariannaextendedherhandforthediaperbag.“Letme.Thosethingsweighaton.ComeonandI’llshowyoutothenursery.”

“There’sanurseryhere?”“MyhusbandandIliveafewmilesaway,butGrandmaGingerkeepseverythingweneedhereifourlittleguyneedsto

nap.Ginger’ssecondhusband,HankRenshaw,alsohasgrandchildrenfromhisdaughters.Betweenusall,wemakegooduseofthatroom.You’llfindeverythingyoucouldpossiblyneedinthere.”

Still,Phoebehesitated.GivingNinaaroomhere,evenatemporaryone,seemedsuchahugestep.Onesheshouldhavebeenhappyabout.

Mariannahitchedthepink-flowereddiaperbagoverhershoulder.“There’sanurserymonitorsoyoucanheartheleastlittlepeepifsheneedsyou.”

Evenswayingwithexhaustion,Phoebehesitated.“Idon’tthinkIcouldleavehertowakeupaloneinastrangeplace.”Marianna’sfacesoftenedwithunderstanding.“There’salsoadaybedinthenurseryifyouwouldrathersleepintherewith

her.”“Showmetheway.”Mariannastartedthewindingwalkthroughpale-yellowhallsuntilPhoebewonderedifshewouldbeabletofindherway

backoutoftheLandisworldagain.Beachlandscapesmingledwithframedfamilycandidsthataddedasurprisetouchofhominesstothedesignerdecor.Agrandfatherclockticked,theirfootstepsmuffledbythelightpatternedOrientalrugs.

Phoebecouldn’ttakethesilenceanylonger.Besides,shewouldneverlearnanythingfromthewomanthisway.“Aren’tyougoingtoaskmeifI’mlying?Everyoneelsedoubtsme.”

Mariannaglancedbackwithareassuringsmile,herthickdarkhairswishingliketheclock’spendulum.“Ibelieveyou’retellingusthetruthaboutNinabeingKyle’sdaughter.”

“Howcanyoubesocertain?”Mariannagesturedtoaportraitonthehallwall,apaintingofaninfantboy.Undisguisedloveshoneinhereyes.“That’s

myson,SebastianEdwardLandisJunior.AndveryobviouslyNina’scousin.”Shetappedfourotherframedimagesofbabiesalongtheway,allwithstrikingblueeyes.“TheseareofMatthew,Kyle,SebastianandJonahwhentheywerelittle.There’snomistakingtheLandislook.”

Shetotallyagreed.Thedeepblueeyes,thesignatureone-sidedsmile…theyallhadit,asdidNina.“Ifyouseethelikeness,whycan’tthey?”

“BecauseI’mevaluatingwithmaternaleyes,andsoareyou.”Mariannastoppedinfrontofacloseddoor,herhandrestingonthebrasshandle.“Weseetheminawaynobodyelseeverwill.”

Marianna’swordsstabbedherwithaninescapablereality.“I’mnothermother.”“You’rewillingtodoanythingforNina.Inmyeyes,thatmakesyouhermother.”Mariannalookedatherwithan

understanding.“Thefamilywillwantapaternitytestforlegalreasons,ofcourse.They’rethatwayaboutdetails,buttrulyitwillprotectNina’sinterestsasmuchastheirown.”

“Thoseresultstakeawhile,don’tthey?”Wouldtheyknowsoonenoughtosatisfyafamilycourtjudge?“Nothingtakeslongwhenyou’reaLandis.They’reanimpatientbunchandhavethemoneyonhandtoseethattheir

wishesaremetspeedily.Don’tworry.You’llgetyouranswerquickly.”Mariannasweptopenthedoortorevealanairynursery,decoratedinneutralsea-foam-green,awhitecribononewallwith

acoordinatedwhitedaybedtuckedunderawindow.Afat,delicious-lookingrockerandottomantookupacornerunderneathamuraloffairy-talecharacters.“Hereweare.”

“Thankyouforshowingmetheway.”Phoebesteppedinsidewithmixedfeelings,wishingshecouldhavegivenNinaallthisandmore.

Mariannakeptherhandontheopendoor.“I’msureKylewillcheckinwhenhe’sdonetalkingwithSebastian,butIreallyneedtoheadhomenowsothesittercanleave.Idon’tlikebeingawayfromlittleEdwardtoolong.Goodluck.”

“HopefullyIwon’tneedit.”Withasmileandaquicksqueezeofherarm,Mariannaseemedtosenseherworry.“Itwillbefine.You’llbothbefine.

You’llsee.”Sheclosedthedoorbehindher.TheclickremindedPhoebeofherplanstolearnmorefromthewoman.Shehadn’tfound

outmuchmorethanconfirmationofwhatshe’dalreadyknowninherheart.NinawasaLandis.LongafterMariannaleftandNinawastuckedinhercrib,Phoebesatonthedaybed,huggingherkneesandstaringoutat

theocean,unabletosleep.Toomanyquestions,uncertainties,fearschurnedinhermindlikethecurlingwaves,rollingandretreatingonlytocrashrightbackoverheragain.Onethingshonethroughasclearlyasthemoonlightslashingawayatthemurkydepths.

TheLandiseshadpower.Thekindofmoneyandimpatiencethatcouldbuyanovernightpaternitytestcouldsurelyoustanyonewhodidn’tbelongin

theireliteworld.WithnobloodclaimtoNina,andBiancagone,PhoebecouldeasilyfindherselfatoddswithKylealltoosoon.Afterhavingbeenhelplesswhileshe’dwatchedherhusbandleaveher,shecouldn’ttampdownthereflexivefearofhaving

someoneshelovedtakenfromheragain.

Parkedbehindthedeskinthefamilystudy,Kylescrubbedahandalonghisbristlyfacethathadlongagogonepastafive-o’clockshadow.Earlymorningraysfromthesunwerejustbeginningtopokethroughthehorizonandpastfloor-to-ceilingwindows.Answerswerepiercingthroughjustassurely.

Sebastiansleptonthebutter-yellowleathersofainfrontofbuilt-inlibraryshelvesofwarmoak,butKylekeptwatchfortheupdatesthathadbeencominginfromtheprivateinvestigatoroverhisBlackBerrythroughoutthenight,whiledoingsomecheckingonhisown.MoneyandtheInternetprovidedawealthoffastinformation.

Sofar,everythingaboutPhoebeSlater’sstorycheckedout.Shedid,infact,workattheUniversityofSouthCarolina.She’dbeenahistoryprofessoroncampusforthreeyears,butforthefallsemesterhadabruptlyshiftedtoteachingonlyonlineclasses—rightaboutthetimeNinawouldhaveenteredherlifefull-time.

BiancaThompsonhadindeedgonetoschoolwithPhoebe,andBiancahadgivenbirthtoadaughternamedNina.HecradledhisBlackBerryinhishand,staringatthelatestreport.Theonethathadsurprisedhim.



9

Phoebewasawidow.Thecircumstancesofhowherhusbandhaddiedweresimplylistedasaccidentaldrowning.Thatexplainedthehaunted

lookthatneverlefthereyes,evenwhenshesmiled,whichwasonlywhenshelookedatthekid.Thiswasgettingcomplicated.Heshovedrestlesslytohisfeet,pacing,fartherandfartherawayfromthedeskuntilhefoundhimselfmakinghisway

throughthehalls,towardthenurserywhereMariannahadsaidbothNinaandPhoebewerestaying.Thedoorwascrackedslightlyopen.Thebabysleptoninthecribhismotherhadsetupforhergrandchildren.They’dexpectedMatthewandAshley’sbaby,duethiswinter,tobethenextaddition.

Whocouldhaveforeseenthis?Hesteppeddeeperintotheroom—andstoppedshort.Phoebesatcurledupinacornerofthedaybed,asleepwithhercheekrestingagainstthewindowsill.Thesheetandcoverlet

twistedaroundher,attestingtoarestlessnight.Shestillworeherlittleblacknumberfromtheparty,butshe’dkickedoffherstrappyheels.Thedelicatearchesofherbarefeetcalledtohimtostrokeupherlegs,explorethesoftnessofherskin.

Herwhite-blondhairstreakedoverherface,thesilverclaspdiscardedonthebedsidetable.Giventheybothworethesameclothesfromthenightbefore,theycouldhavebeenacoupleendingalong,satisfyingnighttogether.

Exceptshewasn’thereforhim.Hestartedtobackoutandhisuniformshoesqueaked.Phoebejoltedawake.Sheshovedhersilkyblondhairawayfromhereyes,blinkingfast,addingtohersultrymorning-after

appeal.“What?Nina?”Kyleheldafingertohismouth.“Thekid’sstillsleeping,”hesaidsoftly,stridingcloser.“Noneedtogetupyet,unlessyou

wanttogotoshowerandchange.”Hereallydidn’tneedanimageofhershoweringsearedinhisbrain.“Ican,uh,keepaneyeonher.”

HehadhisBlackBerry.Hecouldstillworkfromhere.Shetuggedastrapbackupherarm.“IonlymeanttoclosemyeyesforasecondafterIputonherpj’s,andthenIwas

goingtounpackandputonsomethingelse.Imusthavefallenasleep.”“Youhavereasontobetiredafteryesterday,travelingwithababyonyourown,thensleepingsittingup.”Sheshiftedfreeofthetangledcovers.“Ididn’twanthertowakeupinastrangeplaceandbescared.”Animageofthelittletyke’sfacescrunchedupandcryingsucker-punchedhim.Damn.Andhedidn’tevenknowifshewas

hisyet.“Ireally,uh,don’tmindstayingherewiththekidwhileyousleeporshower.”“HernameisNina.”“Iknow.”“Youkeepcallingher‘thekid’or‘rugrat’orothergenericthings.”Phoebeswungherslimlegsfromthebed,hersimple

blackdressruckinguptoherknees.“She’saperson—NinaElizabethThompson.”“Iknowwhathernameis.”HedraggedhiseyesawayfromtheenticingcurveofPhoebe’slegsandbacktoherequally

intriguingface.“Isawherbirthcertificate.She’sNina.”Nina.Aperson.Hiseyeswenttothecribwherethelittlegirl—Nina—sleptonherbackinfuzzypink,footedpj’s,sucking

ononetinyfistinhersleep.Aplasticpandateethingtoylaybesideherhead.Forthefirsttimeinacrazy-assnight,hestoodstilllongenoughtothinkbeyondtheweekend.WhatifNinaturnedoutto

behis?Whatif—asSebastianhadwarnedhim—thecourtsstilloptedtoputherinafosterhomeforevenashortperiodoftime?No.Freaking.Way.Hehadtostacktheoddsinhisfavor,inNina’sfavor,justincasethislittlegirlbelongedtohim.

Damn.HewasactuallyconsideringPhoebe’sproposal.Hishandfelltorestonthecribrailing.HeglancedoverhisshoulderatPhoebe.“You’vegiventhispapermarriagething

somethought.”“Ihaven’tthoughtofmuchbutthat.”Shestood,hereyeswary.“Doesthismeanyou’rethinkingaboutit,too?”“Iwon’tturnmybackonmyresponsibility.”Hegrippedtherailingtighter.“Westillhavetowaitforthepaternitytest.If

she’snotmine,marryingmewon’thelpyou.Biancacouldhaveliedtoyou.”“Shedidn’t.”Phoebecrossedtostandbesidehimandrestedahandontopofhis.Shesqueezedhisfingerslightly.“Ninais

yours.Iknowit.”Hertouchsentajoltthroughhim,justasimpletouch,forPete’ssake.Buthersoftskinandlightvanillascentalongwith

thepoolinggratitudeinhereyeshadhimdownrightitchy.Heneededdistance.Fast.Hestaredatherhandpointedlyandscroungedupsomesarcasm.“Idon’twantyoutodosomethingstupidlikefallin

love.”Shejerkedherhandawayandshookitasifitburned.“Withyou?”“Whoelsehaveyouaskedtomarryyou?”Shelaughed,thenlaughedagainuntilhergigglestrippedonasnort.ThebabystirredandPhoebewentsilentinaflash.He

grippedherelbowandguidedherbackoutintothehall,thedoorwaytothenurserystillopen.ShesaggedagainstawallalongsideframedportraitsofgenerationsofbabyLandises.“Don’tworry.”Shegaspedthrougha

finallaugh.“There’snotachanceinhellI’llfallinlovewithyou,butthanksforhelpingtolightenthemoodforme.”Whathe’dmeantassarcasticallyfunnysuddenlydidn’tseemquitesohumorous.“You’requiteabusterthere.”“Ifeelcertainyour,uh,manpartsandegowillsurviveanypotentialbusting.”“Youseemmightyconfident,”hepressed,notevensurewhy,sincesheappearedsodamnedconfidentinherabilityto

keepherdistance.“We’vebarelymet.WhathaveIdonetomakeyoudislikemesomuch?Nottosoundegotistical,butIhappentohavealotofmoney.I’vebeentoldIhaveaprettydecentsenseofhumor,andIhaven’tnoticedmyfacescaringoffsmallchildrenoranimals.”

“Otherthanthemoneypart,thesamecouldbesaidofme,”shepointedoutlogically.“Sosinceyoualreadyhaveplentyofmoneyanddon’tneedmorefromawife,shouldIworryaboutyoufallinginlovewithme?”

Damn.Shewasgood.Hecouldn’tstopabegrudgingsmileofrespectathowshe’dtakenhimdownanotch.“Touché.”“I’lltakethatasano.”



10

“It’snothingpersonal.You’reabeautiful,smartwoman.”Ahot,sharpwoman,adistinctionthatwasevenmorepulsethrobbing.

“Ofcourse.Justasitwasn’tpersonalwhenIlaughedatyou.”“Pointwelltaken.I’myearsawayfrombeingreadytosettledown.”Hehadhishandsfulllaunchinghisnewlifeandcareer

outsidethemilitary.“Whataboutyou?”“Iwasmarriedbefore.”Heknewthatalready,ofcourse,butlettingonwouldmakeitclearhewasalreadyhavingherinvestigated.“Nastydivorce,

huh?”Herfacewentdevoidofemotion,completely.He’dseenthelookbeforeonshell-shockedsoldiers,numbingthemselvesfor

feareventhesmallestemotionwouldshatterthemtobits.“Hedied,”shesaidsimply.“There’snoroominmyhearttoloveanyoneelse,notwhenhestillfillseverycorner.”Heexhaledhard.Heknewthatkindofloveexisted.He’dseenitwithhisparents,andagainwhenhiswidowedmom

remarried.He’dalsoseenhowtornuphisdadwasoverhavingtodividehimselfbetweencareerambitionandfamily.“Wow,that’sheftystuffthere.I’mreallysorry.Howdidhedie?”

Andwhydidheneedtoknowmoreaboutit?Shelookeddown,stayingsilent.Damnit,heneededtoknoweverythingabouther.Hehadashorttimetomakeanimportantchoice,amajorlylife-altering

choice.Hewasusedtomakingsnapdecisionsinwar,buthedidsowithasmuchintelaspossibleathisdisposal.Thisshouldn’tbeanydifferent.Itwasn’tpersonal.

“Phoebe,ifwe’regoingtogetmarried,Ishouldknow.ItwillseemstrangeifsomeonethinkstoaskandIdon’thavetherightanswer.ForNina’ssake,wewouldneedtomakeitlookreal.”

“Hedrowned.”Aflashofundilutedgriefboltedthroughherbrowneyeslikealethallightningstrike.Thenherfacewentblankagain.Shepushedawayfromthewall,awayfromhim.“IshouldgetbacktoNina.”

Shespunonherheel,givingKyleherback.Shecouldn’thavebeenanyclearer.Discussionover.Standdown.Buthehadhisanswer.Thatflashofgriefinhereyes,followedbyherabruptshutdownlefthimwithnodoubtsaboutwhereshestoodonthesubjectofherex-husband.

Shewascompletelycommittedtoanotherman.Thatshouldhavemadethepossibilityofapapermarriageeasiertocontemplate,butdamn,whatatangledmess.Thedoor

clickedclosedbehindher,andheremindedhimselftotakethingsonestepatatime.First,hehadtogiveabloodsamplelatertodayandwaitforthepaternitytestresults.

AlthoughhisinstinctsnowshoutedloudandclearthatPhoebeSlaterwastellingthetruth.Four“Marryme.”Kyle’sdemand—notrequest—bouncedaroundinsidePhoebe’sheadhotontheheelsofthepreliminarypaternityresults.

Overwhelmed,shesaggedinthefrontseatofhisMercedes,Ninaasleepinthebackaftertheexhaustingdayatthedoctor’s.Butter-softleathercradledherinluxurybutofferedlittlecomfortforthestressknottingherneck.“Areyousurethisis

whatyouwanttodo?”“Now’snotthetimetolosecourage.”Heturnedontheengineandadjustedtheclimatecontrolforthemuggyfall

afternoon,allefficiencywithacalmsheenvied.“I’vetalkeditoverwithSebastianandyouwererightaboutthisbeingthefastest,mostefficientwaytosecureNina’sfuture.”

Shestaredthroughthewindshieldatthebusyhospitalcomplexparkinglot.Hereyesweremagneticallydrawntomotherswiththeirchildren.

Mothersandfathers,too.“Howlong?”“We’llgetmarriedonMonday—tomorrow.”Hisjawflexedwiththefirstsignsofstress.Acloserlookrevealedthepalehintunderhistan.Shefistedherhandstokeepfromtouchinghim,comfortinghim.Sheunderstoodwellhowoverwhelmingthiscouldallbe,

becomingaparentoutoftheblue.“No,Imean,howlongwouldwekeepupthischarade?Whowillwetell?”“Myfamilyalreadyknowswhat’sgoingon.Butbeyondthem,wewouldneedtokeepupappearancesforNina’ssake.”“Appearances?”Holycrap,she’dmeantfakemarriage.Notpretend-to-be-realfakemarriage.“We’llneedtolivetogether,atleastforawhile.”Aslightgrineasedthedeeplinesaroundhismouth.“ButsinceIliveat

theLandiscompound,we’llbesurroundedbyfamilytoprotectyoufromyourlecheroushusband.”Shetuckedhertongueinthesideofhermouthtokeepfromlaughing,butshecouldn’tkeepfromsmiling…untilshe

thoughtaboutthenexthurdlesheshouldhaveconsideredbeforemovingforwardwiththishalf-bakedplanofhers.“Whatwillyourfamilythink?”

Moreimportantly,howwouldtheyreacttoherandNinaintheirlivesfull-time?Hersmilefaded.“You’llbewelcomedasaLandis.Andmymotherwilladoreyousimplybecauseyouloveher…uh…granddaughter.”“That’sarelief,atleast.”Ninawouldneverbealoneandabandonedagain.“Iwouldn’twantthingstobeawkwardwhenI

bringNinatovisit.”“Visit?”HecockedadarkeyebrowandputthecarinReverse.“You’llneedtostayatthehouseforatleastacoupleof

months.Atthatpointwecouldmaintaintworesidencesandclaimworkconflicts.”“Months?”Shepressedahandtoherforehead.Henoddedcurtly.“Longenoughtogetofficialcustodyworkedout.OruntilBiancareturns.”Hisfisttightenedonthe

gearshift.“Ifwedon’thearfromher,wecanstartdivorceproceedingsafterayear.”“AndaboutNina?”“I’llwantvisitationformeandformyfamily.”“Ofcourse.”Shewentweakwithreliefashebackedthecaroutoftheparkingspot.Itmusthavebeenhardforhimto

concedefullcustody.Eventhoughhehadn’tknownhisdaughterlong,PhoebehadbeenaroundtheLandisesenoughtorecognizetheytookthenotionoffamilyloyaltytoawholenewlevel.



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Thankheavens,hewasn’tgoingtofightherovercustody.Tearsburnedbehindhereyesandsheblinkedfasttoholdthemback,alongwiththeurgetothrowherarmsaroundhimingratitude.

Hewasfartooforebodingatthemomentforahug,hisnormalgrinandlightheartednessnowhereinsight.Maybeheneededsomereassurance,too.“IwanttosignaprenupthatmakesitclearIhavenoclaimtoanyLandisassets.Canyourbrotherdrawoneuprightaway?”

“ExceptIwillprovideforNina.”“Whateveryouthinkisfair.I’mjustsorelievedyou’renotgoingtotakeheraway.”“It’sobviousfromeverythingI’veseenandlearnedaboutyouthatyou’vegotherbestinterestsatheart.”Heputthecarin

firstgear,focusinghisattentioninfront,hisjawflexingagain,faster.“I’minnopositiontobeafull-timefatherwiththetravelloadthatcomeswithmyjob.”

“Ofcourse,that’stotallyunderstandable.”AlthoughshewouldhavegivenupanyjobforNina,hadinfactmademajorconcessionsinherownworkworld.Butshewasn’tgoingtoarguewithhim.

Shedid,however,wanttoaskhimhowhefeltaboutallofthis.Wasn’thefrustratedovermarryingawomanhebarelyknew?Howdidhefeelabouthavingadaughter,forcryingoutloud?

Hisresolutefaceshutheroutashesteeredontotheroad.Hewasdoingwhatneededtobedone,fulfillingobligations.Sheshouldhavebeenrelievedoverhisemotionaldetachment.

Instead,shejustfelthollowinside.“IneedittobeindisputablyclearI’monlyinterestedinNina’swell-being.”“Okay,then.I’llletSebastianknowsohecandrawupthepapers.”Socoldandbusinesslike.NothinginthearrangementresembledheremotionalengagementtoRoger.He’dproposedatthe

beach,noring,nomoney,nocomplicatedlegaldealingstowadethrough.Justsimpledeclarationsofhowmuchtheylovedeachotherandwantedtospendtherestoftheirlivestogether.

Yet,tomorrowshewouldbemarriedtothemannexttoher.She’dgottenherway.Ninawouldbeassafeasshecouldpossiblyarrange.

Sowhydidayearsuddenlysoundlikeforever?

“BythepowervestedinmebytheStateofSouthCarolina,Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwife.”Thejowlyjusticeofthepeace’sproclamationresonatedhollowlyinPhoebe’sears,asifshewaswatchingsomekindof

drama,farremovedfromherplacebesideKyle.Heworeauniformagain,alessformalversionthistime,butstillwithajacketandtiefortheircourthousewedding.

Everythinghadfeltsurrealsincethey’drushedthroughthepaternitytestovertheweekend,verifyingwhatshe’dknowninherheartforcertainsincelayingeyesonKyleLandis.HewasNina’sbiologicalfather.

OnceKylehadheardthepaternitytestresultsconfirmingshewashis,hehadn’thesitated.ThingshadtakenoffatwarpspeedfromthereashearrangedforaMonday-afternoonweddingandanappointmentwithafamilycourtjudgeshortlythereafter.Thebuildingcomplexmadeforone-stopshopping.Thismilitarymansureknewhowtotakecommandandmovemountains.

Herfingersclutchedaroundthebouquetofmangocallalilieswithyellowroses.Oneofhissentimentalsisters-in-lawhadthrustitintoherhands—Ashley,thepregnantonemarriedtotheoldestpoliticianbrother.Theotherwife,Marianna,jostledhersononherhip,whileGingerstoodbesidehergeneralhusbandandproudlyheldhernewgranddaughter,Nina.

Phoebewasapartofthisfamilynow,evenifinnameonly.Thejusticeofthepeaceclosedhisfoldercontainingthevows,aSouthCarolinaflagandAmericanflagbehindhim.“You

maykissthebride.”PhoebelookedupsharplyatKyle,anyfeelingofbeingadistantobservergoneinasnap.Surelynobodyexpectedthemto

gothroughwiththatpartoftheceremony.Exceptthemagistrate.Kyle’sfacecreasedinaone-sidedsmileandhedippedhisheadtowardher.Shebarelyhadtimetoregisterhisoldest

brothersmotheringalaughbeforeKyle’smouthtouchedhers.Firmandgentleallatonce,hekissedher.Hereyesclosed,herearsroaredandshelosttrackofeveryonearoundher.

Ithadbeensolongsinceshe’dfeltaman’slipsagainsthers.Toolong.Allherburiedsensualitysmokedbacktolife,steamingthroughheratjustasimple,closed-lipscaress.Shewantedtoopenformore,moreofthis,moreofhim.Dotssparkedinfrontofhereyesandsherealizedshe’dforgottentobreathe.

Heeasedawayslowly,thankgoodness,soshehadtimetoregainherbalance.Sheclutchedherbouquet,thefloralscentteasingherwithromanticism,andsheopenedhereyes.Kylestaredbackatherforjustaninstantandthenofferedhiselbowalongwithhistypicallightheartedgrin.Shecouldn’thelpsmilinginreturn.Maybe,justmaybetheycouldwadethroughthistangledmess.

Astheyturnedtowardthegatheredfamily,GingerheldNinaoutforthemtohold.Kylehesitated.Onlyforasecondbutlongenoughtobringherbacktoreality.

PhoebethrustherbouquetofrosesandliliestowardhimandtookthebabyfromGinger.“Comehere,sweetie.Youweresogood,soquiet.”

ShesmoothedNina’sfloralpinafore,adjustingthebonnetandbootiesuntilitseemedthemomentaryawkwardnesshadpassed.Butshehadn’tforgotten.Inspiteofhisspeedinsteppinguptotheplate—honorablethoughthatwas—shecouldseehehadn’tconnectedwithNinainanyrealway.

Notexactlythedreamweddingdayshe’dfantasizedaboutasachild,althoughshedidfeellikeshewasplayingdress-up.Sheworeaknee-lengthgownborrowedfromhernewsister-in-law.ThewomanhadgraciouslyofferedforPhoebetokeepthesimpledrapeofpaleyellow—withaVersacelabel.Mariannahadinsisteditdidn’tfitheranymoresinceshe’dgivenbirthtoherson.

NinagraspedthestrandofpearlsrestingonPhoebe’scollarbone,Roger’sgifttoherthedaythey’dexchangedvows.Theirweddinghadbeenasimpleaffair,aswell,butshehadn’tminded.There’dbeensolittlemoneyinthosedays.He’dsoldoneofhisfirst-editionbookstopayforthenecklace.

AfreshachestabbedthroughheroverthethoughtofneverhavingRoger’sbaby.Ninawasheronechanceatmotherhood,forhoweverlongthatlasted.

Acameraflashwentofffromacorneroftheroom,takenbyaphotographerhiredbytheLandisesandsoontobereleasedtothepress.Sheblinkedagainstthecontinuousbarrageofflashes.Atleastthepictureshadbeenstagedbythem,alongwithastorystatingsimplythatKylehadmarriedhisdaughter’sguardian.



12

She’dneverseensuchchoreographedcontrolbefore.Kyleangleddownconspiratorially.“Welcometolivingwithafamilyfullofpoliticians.Watchwhatyousay,anddon’t

ever,everchewwithyourmouthopen.Well,unlessyouwantitplasteredonsomeInternetblogbeforeyou’veswallowedyourfood.”Ninareachedtopathisface,moreofathumpingactuallywithherdrool-coveredpalm,thenshegiggledandstuffedher

plasticpandateethingtoyintohermouth.Hewassocharmingwithadults,whydidhefreezewithNina?Orwasitallchildren?Regardless,hewouldbejettingoffagainsoontohisbaseforsomemissionandshewouldbealoneagainwithNina.She

justhadtomakeitthroughafewdays,notmuchtimetoacheforanotherkiss.Gingergaveheraone-armedhugthatseemedgenuineandnotjustforthephotoop.“Welcometothefamily,dear.”“Thankyou.”Phoebepaused,loweringhervoice.“Butyouknowthisisonlytemporary.”Hernewmother-in-lawgavehershoulderafinalsqueeze.“You’reaLandisandyou’reanimportantpartofmy

granddaughter’slife.We’llworryabouttomorrowwhenitgetshere.”Panicconstrictedherbreathingandthediamond-studdedbandonherfingerseemedsuddenlytootight.Sheshouldbe

happy.EverythingwasgoingjustasKylehadsaiditwould,withhisfamilyacceptingherevenknowingthefullcircumstances.Oncethephotographerhadbeenusheredout,Mariannasteppedalongsideherwithasupportivesmile.“Youlook

exhausted.Let’sfinishupthepaperworksoyoucangetoutofthoseheels.”Ifshecouldjustgobacktoherapartmentforevenalittlewhileandregroup.“You’resothoughtfultohaveloanedmeyour

clothes,butIcan’tkeepborrowingfromyouforever.I’llneedtogobacktoColumbia.NinaandIareoutof—”Gingerwavedamanicuredhand.“Noworries,dear.I’vealreadytakencareofeverything.Thereareclotheswaitingfor

youatthehouse.Youcanchoosewhateveryoulike.Mariannaarrangedforacompletenurserytobesetupclosertoyourroomandorderedclothesforthebaby.”Shetickedthroughthelistwithathoroughnessthatlikelymadegovernmentalissuesrunmoresmoothlybutfeltalittlesteamrollerlikeatthemoment.Sheclappedherhandstogether.“Nowifyou’llpardonme,Ineedtopopinupstairstospeakwithajudgefriendofmineaboutsomethingthatcameacrossmydesklastweek.”

Gingerstrodeoutoftheofficeandintothehallwithafast,efficientclickofherhighheels.PhoebesaggedwithanexhaleandturnedtoMarianna.“Shesetupallofthattohappenwhilewewerehere?”Mariannaleanedcloser,jostlingherbabysonmoresecurelyonherhip.“Money,influenceandapersonalassistantmake

thingsmovemuchfaster.”Likewiththatovernightpaternitytest.“Shemeanswellandisusuallyright.Youmightaswellgowiththeflowfornow.Ifyouhaveastandyouwanttomake,you’llbebetterequippedtodosowell-restedandwithafullstomach.”

“You’reencouragingmetoleave?”Shehadn’texpectedtofindsuchtotalsupportwithintheLandiscampforwhateverdecisionshemade.

“I’msimplytellingyouthatifyouintendtofight,youwouldbewisetochooseyourtimingwell.TheLandisesareallcharming—andstubborn.Ofcourse,you’reaLandisnow.”

“Temporarily.”Mariannadidn’tanswer.Realizationseepedinwiththefullweightofwhatshe’ddone.Thesenseofclaustrophobiashe’dfeltonherfirstnightat

thefamilycompoundsqueezedtighter.TheLandiseshadacceptedNinabecauseofherbloodtie.However,itwasalsoadouble-edgedsword.

Theydidn’tknowNina.Sotheydidn’tloveher,notreally,notyet.Buttheywouldn’tlethergo.

Kyletossedthebouquetontheclerk’sdeskandpickedupthepen.Thefinalpaperworksealingthismarriagewaitedinfrontofhimbytheblobofyellow-and-orangeflowers.Todayshould

havetakencareofallproblemsbysecuringNina’sfuture.Hiskid.Hischild.Hestillhadn’tsortedthroughallthatinhishead,beyondmovingaheadandtakingcareofhisresponsibilities.However,insteadofsmoothingouthislife,thisceremonyhadintroducedanewproblem—nottotallyunexpected—butcertainlysurprisinginthemagnitude.

Hewantedhiswife.Onekisshadmadethatmorethanclear.Hisgriptightenedaroundthepen,darkeningthestrokeofhisscrawl.Itwasallhecoulddonottosendeveryoneawayso

hecouldsealadeeper,fullerimprintonPhoebe’smouthandinhermemory.Thescentofherlingeredonhisshirtfromthebriefbrushofherbreastsagainsthimandlefthimachingtoexplore.He’dfoundherattractivefromthefirsttimehe’dseenheratthewelcome-homebash.He’devenwantedtoaskheroutonadate.

Thenthey’dstartedtalking,he’dmetNinaandheretheywere.AtleastPhoebelookedasstunnedashefeltbythekiss.ThankGod,he’dscroungedupenoughcontroltokeephishandsto

himselfsohewouldn’tgivethephotographeranunexpectedheadliner.HeglancedupfromthepaperovertoPhoebestandingwithMarianna.TheyellowsilkydresshuggedthesubtlecurveofPhoebe’sbreasts,glidingoverherslimhipsinawaythatmadehimwonderwhatsheworeunderneath.

Kylecheckedoverhisshoulderfasttomakesurethephotographerhadn’tslippedbackin.He’dbeenluckytostayoutofthespotlightthislong,butnowthathewasoutofthemilitary,hewasfairgameforthe

mediahounds.AlthoughhehadtoadmitPhoebecertainlymadeforabeautifulsubjectforthephotographerwithhercool,blondgoodlooks.

PhoebeshuffledNinaovertoMariannaandglidedtowardhim,drawinghiseyestoherlegs.Heflippedthepenbetweenhisfingers.Maybethismarriagecouldhavesomeunexpectedbenefits.Whocouldfaulthimforsleepingwithhisownwife?

Herheartmightwellbeburiedalongwithherdeadhusband,butifthatkisswasanythingtojudgeby,hersensualitywasaliveandwell.

Phoebeheldoutherhand.“MayIhavethepen,please?”“Yeah,right.”Hepasseditoverandsheleanedbyhim,awhiffofherfloralshampoodriftingfromherlooseblondhair.

Animageflashedthroughhismindofthesilkystraightstrandssplayedacrossapillowwhilehepeeledherclothesaway.Hetuggedathissuddenlytootighttie.Phoebenudgedasidethebouquettorestherwristonthetableasshesignedhername.Shetuckedhertongueinhercheek.

Hecouldstilltastethehintofcoffeefromherlips.Coffee,forcryingoutloud.Whowouldhavethoughtthesimplebrewwouldtastesosexy?Hisheartratespiked.Shefinishedhersignaturewithacurlyflourishatoddswithherno-nonsenseair.



13

Regardless,itwasofficial.Theyweremarried.Hiseyesnarrowed.Andhefullyintendedtoconsummatethisunionassoonashecouldromancehisnewwifeintohisbed.

Kyleslidthepapersacrossthetabletowardhismother’sassistantandfocusedhisfullattentiononhiswife.“Haveyoueatenanythingtoday?”

ThefamilywouldunderstandifheandPhoebeoptedoutofanyscheduledbiggatheringsforsometimetogettoknoweachother.Heseemedtorecallaquietlittlecafénearthecourthouse.He’deatentherebeforewithhismother’sjudgefriend,latertookthejudge’sdaughterthereforadate.

Hmm…perhapsnotagoodideatotakethenewwifetoanolddatesite.MovingontoplanB.Phoebepushedherhairbehindherearswithasigh.“It’sbeenabusyday.”Wasshethinkingaboutherfirstwedding?Understandable,butheneededtodivertherthoughtsofthemanwhostillhad

suchaprominentplaceinhermind.“Iwouldoffertotakeyouout,butIimagineyou’reexhausted.Therugratlookslikesheneedstostretchherlegs.Whatdo

yousayIpickupsometakeoutalongthewayandwespendtheafternoononthebeachathome?There’splentyofspaceawayfromtherestofthefamilysothatitwillbejustthethreeofus,relaxingbytheshore,gettingtoknoweachother.”

“That’sreallythoughtfulofyou.”Warinesslitherdarkeyes.“Iwouldlikethat,verymuch.”“Thenlet’sgetmoving.Oncewe’repastthepressnodoubtwaitingoutside,we’llbehomefree.”Smilingreassuringlyather,hepalmedherback.Thistimehepreparedtosteelhimselfforthejoltofawarenesssparkedby

thefeelofherunderhispalm.Heusheredheroutoftheoffice,intothelongcorridortowardtheelevator.Hevaguelyregisteredthefootstepsofhisfamilyfollowingandtalkingwitheachother.Camerasstartedclickingagainfromasmallpackofreportersclusteredbehindasecurityguardblockingthemfrompressingcloser.

Hisoldestbrother,Matthew,brokeawayandstartedspeakingwithoneofthereporters,divertingtheirattentionbyofferingupacoupleofsoundbites.ApparentlyaninterviewwithaU.S.senatortrumpedsnaggingmorephotosofasurprisewedding.

Kylesmiled.Thanks,bro.Hefocusedhisattentionforward,intentongettingPhoebeandNinahome.Anticipationrampedinsidehim.Forthefirst

timesincePhoebeSlaterhadblastedintohisworld,hehadcontrolofhislife.Nina’sfuturewouldbesecure.Andforhoweverlongthismarriagelasted,heandPhoebecouldhaveonehellofatotallylegalaffair.Noworriesabout

emotionalentanglementsforeitherofthem.Hestoppedinfrontoftheprivatesideelevatordesignatedforemployeesandspecialguests.Hejabbedthebuttonjustas

thedoorslidopentorevealonepersonalreadyinside.Damn.Aleggyredheadinhertwentiesblinkedinwide-eyedsurprise.Thensmiledwithrecognition.Thetimingcouldn’thavebeenworsetorunintooneofhisexes.Thejudge’sdaughter.Theonehe’ddatedbrieflyinthe

past.Leslie?No.Lucytookthebouquetfromhim.“Okay,KyleLandis,you’reofficiallyforgiven.”Sheliftedtheflowerstoher

noseandinhaleddeeply,thrustingherbreastsoutnonetoosubtly.“Thesearejustgorgeous,youcharmer.Callaliliesandroses,noless.Ididn’tknowyouweresoromantic.”

Phoebebristledvisiblybesidehim,steppingawayfromhispalmatherwaist.Heneededtoimplementdamagecontrolbeforesomereporterwithatelephotolensandgreathearingputtogetheranewheadline.

HerushedPhoebeandNinaintotheelevatorwithLucyandpushedtheClosebutton.“Uh,Lucy,I’dlikeforyoutomeet—”

Lucylaughed,talkingrightoverhim.“Iwasjustgoingtoleaveyouan‘eatdirtanddie,youscumbag’message,butsinceyou’veapologizedsonicelywithflowers,”sheliftedthebouquettohernosebriefly,“I’llforgiveyouforbreakingmyheart.”

FiveStuckintheelevatorwithKyle,mostofhisfamilyandatoweringredheadholdingPhoebe’sbouquet,shementally

thumpedherselfforbeingsogullible.BiancahadwarnedherofKyle’sladies’-manpast,damnit.Phoeberesistedtheurgetobackintoacorner.Pridestarchedherspine.Pride,andaneedtocarrythisoffforNina’ssake.Hebracedhisshoulders,hisuniformstretchingoverhischest.“Phoebe,thisisafriendofthefamily,LucyCooper.Lucy,

thisismywife,Phoebe.”Hegesturedtohisdaughterandsaidsimply,“AndthisisNina.”Thebubblyredheadturned…well,asredasherhair.Hermouthopenedandclosedacoupleoftimes,andPhoebeactually

feltsorryforthewoman.Lucy’seyesdroppeddowntotheflowersinherhand.Hermouthwenttight.“Iguessthesemustbeyours.Mymistake.”

ShethrustthebouquettowardPhoebe.“Congratulations.Andgoodluck.”Therewasnomissingthesarcasmcoatingherwordsmorethicklythanhercloyingcolognesoakedtheenclosedspacein

theelevator.Phoebecouldn’tbringherselftobeangryatthewomanforspoilingtheday.She’dfoundoutfirsthandtodayhowquicklyasinglekissfromKyleLandiscouldpersuadeawomantoignorewarningsigns.

TheelevatordoorsswooshedopenagainblessedlysoonandLucydidn’tevenofferagood-byebeforemakingtracksoutintothebackhall,towardaglowingexitsign.

Jonahinchedforward,scratchedhishead.“Atleastshedidn’taskaboutthekid.”Sebastiancoughedintohishand.Orlaughed.ButPhoebewasn’tfeelingthelove.Shecouldn’tavoidKyle—theywere

married,afterall.Howevershecoulddamnwellresisthischarmingsmile.“Kyle,I’vechangedmymindaboutdinner.Idon’tthinkI’min

muchofabeachmoodanymore.”

Sevenhourslater,Phoebedroppedbackontoherbedintheguestsuitewithanexhausted—exasperated—huff.Atleastshe’dmadeitthroughthelargefamilydinner,evenifshehadn’tbeenabletobringherselftoeatmuch.Temptingthoughtsofhowtheycouldhavespenttheeveningtormentedher.Imagesoflazingthehoursawaytogetheronthebeach,gettingtoknoweachother.AftertheLucydebacle,hehadn’tbotheredbringingupcozymealstogether.

Sherolledontoherstomachandpickedatthewhitepipingaroundthedusky-rose-coloredpillowsham.



14

Justafamilyfriend.Howclichéd.ItwasobviousLucyhadexpectedmoreoutofKyle,fromthewayshe’dgushedallovertheflowers.Phoebe’sflowers,

nowdiscardedontheotherpillow.Shepluckedarosebudfromthebouquet,releasingafreshwhiffofthefragrantperfume.Strokingthebloomalonghermouth,sheglancedthroughtheopensidedoortotheconnectedsittingareaGingerhad

convertedintoapermanentnurseryjustforNina.Allthattroubleandmoney,asifsheandNinawouldbestayinghere,madehernervous.

AtleastthelocaljudgehadbeenabletoconnectwithaColumbiajudgeandthey’dworkedoutanagreementgrantingtemporarycustodytoKyleandPhoebeLandis.Eventhinkingofhernewlastnamemadehershiver.She’dbeenPhoebeSlatersinceshe’dmarriedRoger.She’dkepthisnameevenafterhe’ddied.Beforethat,she’dbeenPhoebeCampbell.PhoebeCampbellwouldn’thavebeenabletomakethingsmovesoquickly,either,andrightnowshecouldn’tbringherselftoresenttheLandisesfortheirprivilegedwayswhenitkeptNinasecure.

Therestofthedayhadbeenablurafterleavingthecourthouse.Gingerhadhadamealreadybackatthehouse,andneitherKylenorPhoebehadaskedtobealone.

Itshouldn’tmatterthatKylewasaflirtwithavastdatinghistory.Shedidn’tintendtostaymarriedtohim.SheonlycaredbecauseofNina,damnit,anddidn’twantaconstantparadeofcountlesswomenmarchinginandoutofKyle’slife.PhoebeswungherfeetofftheedgeofthebedandpaddedacrossthehardwoodfloortoNina’snewnursery,somuchnicerthanthelittledressing-roomnookbackatPhoebe’sapartmentandmorepersonalthantheluxuriousgreennurserydownthehallforvisitingLandisandRenshawgrandkids.

Ninawasn’tavisitoranymore.Didshemisshertinyspacebackintheapartment?Phoebehadpouredherheartintocreatingthelittlegardenhaven,

completewithpaintedpuckishfairiesthatremindedherofShakespeare’sAMidsummerNight’sDream.Thisspacewastastefullydecoratedinpinksandbrownstocoordinatewiththealreadyrose-coloredwalls.Littleballet-

shoeaccentsroundedoutthedecor.Withoutadoubt,theLandiseshadmoretoofferNinafinancially.Butwhataboutlove?Herfingerstensedalongthecherrywoodcribrailing.LosingherhusbandhadtaughtPhoebetoowellhowpricelessand

precious—andfragile—lovecouldbe.Allthismoneywouldn’tmeananythingtoNinaifshewasn’twrappedinaffection,aswell.GingerLandisRenshawmightbealovinggrandmother,butshe’dgivennoindicationsheintendedtobeanythingother

thanagrandparent.AndKyle?PhoebehaddefinitequestionsandconcernsabouthisabilitytotakecareofNina,ifheevenwantedtobeyondsomesenseofappearances.ShetookherresponsibilitytoNinaseriously.

TheroomdarkenedandsheglanceduptofindKylestandingintheopeningasifconjuredfromherthoughts.He’dchangedfromhissuitintowell-fittingjeansandawhitebutton-downshirtwithaSouthCarolinapalmettotreestitchedonthepocket.Hisrolled-upsleevesexposedtannedforearmssprinkledwithdarkhair.Masculinearms.Evenoutofuniform,hemadehermouthdryrightupwithwant.

Shetorehergazeawayfromhimandgesturedaroundthetransformedsittingarea.“Thisislovely.Thelittleballetshoesareprecious.YourmotherandMariannawenttoalotoftroubletocreatethisspacejustforNina,whenthere’salreadyanurseryhereinthehouse.”

“Marianna’saninteriordecorator.Infact,shedecoratedthewholehouse.”“Sheobviouslyknowsherwayaroundlittle-girlfashions.”Shetrailedafingeralongthetinypink-satinslippershanging

fromthewalloveramirror.“Didyouneedsomething?”“Inoticedyoudidn’teatmuchatsupper.I’vebroughtyoufood.”Shethoughtofearlier,whenthey’dplannedapicniconthebeachandconsideredapolitenothanks,butshewashungry.

Shesimplyneededtokeepherguardinplace.“Thankyou.That’sverythoughtful.”“IpromisedyouamealandIkeepmypromises.”Henoddedhisheadforhertofollowhim.“Let’sstepoutontotheporch

offofyourroom.ThefoodissetuptheresoyoucanhearNinaifsheneedsyou,butwewon’twakeherbytalking.”Heturnedwithoutwaitingforhertoanswer,amanusedtopeoplefollowinghisorders,damnhisbroadshouldersand

perfectbutt.Needcrackledtolifeinsideheragainwithareminderofjusthowmuchhe’dmovedherwithonequickkiss.Andshehadgonesolongwithoutmorethanjustkisses.

Staystrong.Sheneededtokeepthingssimplebetweenthetwoofthem.Complicationscouldspellbigtroubledownthelinewhenitcametimetosaytheirfarewells.

HeswungthedoubleFrenchdoorswide,outontotheveranda.“Preparetofeast.”Phoebeblinkedinsurprise,stoppingshortofthewroughtirontablesetwithlinen,silver,rosesandthewarmglowofa

candleprotectedfromtheoceanwindbyahurricaneglobe.Awoodenrailsurroundedthebalcony,thewavesrollinghypnoticallyonlyastaircaseaway.Herdressfromtheweddingswirledaroundherlegsinsensualswipes.

“ThisissomuchmorethanIexpected.”Shepeekedunderapolishedcoverandfoundasteakandlobsterdinner,thescentofwarmmeltedbuttersteaminglightlyupward.“Muchmore.”

Thetablewassetsobeautifullyshe’dexpectedsomedainty,tinyofferings,andwhilethefoodwasstilldecorativelypresented,shewassurprisedattheheartyportions.

Kyleheldoutherchair.“Ithoughtyoumightbehungry.”Sheedgedpasthimtotakeherseat,hershoulderbrushinghimbrieflybeforeshesettledintothechair.Hisforearms

skimmedhersideashetuckedherunderthetable,thecrisptanginessofhiscolognedriftingonthebreezeandmoreenticingthananyfinelycookedfare.

Shehadtofightoffthesuddenurgetotipherheadbackagainsthisshoulder,torevisitthetasteofhismouthonhers…“Iamhungry.”Ravenouslyso,suddenly.Well,ifshecouldn’tfeedhersensesthewayherbodycraved,atleastshecouldenjoythismeal.Shedrapedalinennapkin

acrossherlap,eyeingthecupofcreamycrabsoup.Kylemotionedtowardtwowinebottlesinsilvericebuckets.“Wouldyoupreferchardonnayormerlot?”Hesmiled.“Don’t

worry,I’mnotplanningtogetyousousedandpressformymarital‘rights.’Thecookjustwasn’tsurewhichkindofwinewewouldpreferwithasurf-and-turfmeal.”

Maritalrights.



15

ThewordsbroughttomindanimageofthetwoofthemtangledinKyle’ssheets,takingtheattractiontoaheatedconclusion.Blinkingbackthethought,shespoonedupatasteofthecreamysoupinstead—andheldbackhermoanofappreciation.Thenagain,maybeshe’djustneededanexcusetoreleasethetensioninsideheratthethoughtofaphysicalrelationshipwiththemanseatedacrossfromher.

Hersensessangtolifebeggingformoreofthis,ofeverything.“IreallyshouldkeepmyheadcleartolistenforNina.”Andtobesureshedidn’tgetsousedandclaimhermaritalrights.“Oneglassthen?”Shecouldn’tresisteverything.“Chardonnay,then,please.”Hefilledherwineglasshalfway,thenpouredthemerlotintohis.Heheldhereyeswithhiswhileshetasted.Damn.There

wasadifferenceinthegoodstuff.Howmuchofthiswouldittaketoruinherforcheapwinefortherestofherlife?Hesethisglassbackonthetable.“I’msorryaboutthemix-upwithLucyatthecourthouse.”Phoebetuckedhertongueagainsthercheekwhilesheconsideredwhattosay.Shewasupset,butprobablynotforthe

reasonhethought.Andshecouldn’tchangeanything.Bettertotakethehighroad.“Youhavenothingtoapologizefor.It’snotlikeyouwereseeingsomeotherwomanwhilewewereengagedforalloftwenty-fourhours.”

Shetriedasmile,hopingtheconversationwouldveerawayfromthewoman.“You’rebeingveryreasonable.”Hewatchedherthroughnarrowedeyes.“Didyouexpectmetothrowajealousfit?Iseemtorecallyoualreadywarnedmeagainstfallinginlovewithyou.”She

leanedforwardonherelbows.“I’maverygoodlistener.”Hethrewhisheadbackandlaughed,thatsexysoundofpureKylewindingaroundherwiththewind.“Justsoyouknow,

theweddingringonyourfingerputanendtomyfriendshipwithLucy.”“Inoticedhowfastsheranoutoftheelevator.”“Imeantthataslongasyou’rewearingmyring,Iwon’tbeseeinganyoneelse.”Now,thatsurprisedher…Ifshecouldevenbelievehim.“Biancawarnedmeyouwereacharmer.”Hisfacehardenedforthefirsttimesinceshe’dmethim.“YouthinkI’mBS-ingyou?Imayhavealotofflaws,butIdonot

lie.”“Youreallyexpectmetobelieveyou’regoingtobecelibatefortheentiremarriage?Forawholeyear?”Shewondered

howlonghereallyexpectedthattolast?Didhehaveplanstowalkawaythatshedidn’tknowabout?“Aren’tyou?WhatmakesyouthinkIhavelessself-controlthanyoudo?”Sheopenedhermouth—andcloseditagain.Shedidn’thaveananswertothat.Andtruthbetold,asmuchasshecautioned

herselfagainstbeinggullible,shebelievedhimonthisone.Phoebenudgedasidehersoupandstabbedthesteak.Heswirledhismerlotinhisglass,watchingher.“Celibacydoesn’tmakeformuchofaweddingnight.”“Idon’tknowaboutthat.”Althoughjustthementionfilledhermindwithwhatthenightcouldhaveheld.Hadhechosen

hiswordswiththatintent?“Ninaissafefornow.Thatmeanstheworldtome.”Hefinishedoffhismerlot.“WhataboutwhenBiancashowsupagain?”Thebiteofsteakpalledinhermouth.Sheswallowedthickly.“IonlywantthebestthingforNina.Thatwouldbetohave

herparents’loveandwanttotakecareofher.”“Evenifthatmeansgivingherup?”Herforkclatteredagainstherplate.“Areyouthreateningtotakeheraway?”Hisone-sidedsmilereturnedwithadrytwist.“Hardly.You’reaterrificmother.Butme?Askanyoneandthey’lltellyou

I’macrappycandidateforfatherhood.”Curiositynipped.“Yousayyou’realwayshonest,sotellme.Whatdoyouhaveagainstchildren?”“Whywouldyousaythat?”heaskedevasively.“MariannaandSebastianhavenevervoicedanycomplaintsaboutmewith

kids.”“YoupickNinaup,youcarryher,evenplaywithher,butyou’realwaysholdingsomethingofyourselfback.Iknowit’s

earlyyet,butitseemslikeyoudistanceyourselffromher.”Kyleattackedtherestofhissteak.“That’sjustyourimagination.”Shereachedacrossthetableandtouchedhiswrist,stillinghishand.“I’veheardtoomuchaboutactingfromBiancaover

theyearsnottohavepickedupsomething.You’regood,butyoucan’tfoolme.”Hestaredatherfingersfortwocrashesofthewavesbeforesettingasidehisfork.“LittleEdwardisn’tmybrother’sfirst

child.TheyhadababygirlbeforeEdward,butlostherbeforeherfirstbirthday.”Shegasped.“Howawful.”Herheartachedforthelovelywomanwho’dbeensokindtoher.“Ican’timaginehow

devastatedIwouldbeifsomethinghappenedtoNina.”“Sophiedidn’tdie.”Buthisfacestillcreasedwithpain.“They’dtriedforyearstogetpregnant,thendecidedtoadopt.Four

monthsafterSophiewasplacedwiththem,thebirthmotherchangedhermind.Theywentthroughhell.”She’dassumedtheextraportraitsofchildrenthatdidn’tlooklikeLandiseswerethegrandchildrenofGinger’ssecond

husband.Nowsherealizedoneofthelittle-girlimagesmusthavebeenthatadopteddaughter.Sothat’swhyMariannahadnoticedshelovedNinaasmuchasanybiologicalmothercould.“I’msosorryforwhattheywentthrough.”

“ThebirthmothersendsthemperiodicupdatesandSophielookshappy.”Asshestudiedhispainedexpression,sherealizeditwasn’ttotallyabouthurtingforhisbrother.He’dlovedthelittlegirl,

too,andgrievedwhenshewastakenaway.Shestayedsilentsohecouldjusttalk.“Mybrotherandhiswifemaybehappynow,butafteralltheywentthrough…”Heshookhisheadslowly.“Theyeven

divorcedatonepoint.Mybrotherisasteadysort,goodmarriagematerial.Me?Notsomuch,evenonagoodday.”Hislineoflogicwasn’tgoingwhereshe’dexpected.Shestruggledtofollow.“You’reafraidoflettingyourfamilydown?”“IwoulddowhatIhaveto,butIsawfrommysister-in-law,frommymother,too,howmuchmoreisneededtomakea

marriageandfamilywork.I’mnotcutoutforthat.”Shealmostblurtedoutherdisbeliefathisassumption,toldhimthathewascoppingout,butheldthewordsbackatthelast

second.Hesaidhedidn’tlietopeople,andmaybestrictlythatwastrue.Butshesuspectedhewaslyingtohimself.Menweren’t



16

alwaysgreatatadmittingtheirfears,especiallyifonefearinvolvedturninghisheartovertoachild.“You’rereallycontenttoliveyourlifealone?”

“Ihaveabigfamilyaroundme,andasatisfyingcareer.Ihaveagoodlife.”“Youseemtobeforgettingonething.”“I’msureyou’lltellme.”Atleasthissmilereturned.Heheldhergazeoverthecandlelight,theflameflickeringinsidethe

hurricaneglobeandcastingflecksinhisbeautifulblueeyes.Shetouchedhiswristagain,lingering,feelinghispulsethrobagainstherthumb.“Youcan’tescapethefactthatyou’re

alreadyafather.”Hiseyeslockedonhers.Intense.Inscrutable.Herfingersstrokedalonghiswristwhenshe’dmeanttolethimgo.“Andyou’reawife.”Hestoodslightly,leanedacrossthesmalltableandsheknewwhatwascomingbutcouldn’tfindwordstostophimfrom—Kissingher.Hismouthfitoverhers,morefamiliarthistime,butthetingleshoweringalonghernerveswasstillsurprisinginits

intensity.She’dhopedherreactionatthecourthousehadbeenananomaly,somekindofmixed-upreactiontomemoriesfromherfirstmarriage,butdamn,shefithermouthagainsthisandwanted.More.

Shepartedherlipsandhegrowledhisapprovaluntilshecouldtastetherichbouquetofhismerlot.Hishandsstayedonthetable,herfingersaroundhiswrist.Heonlytouchedherwithhismouth,histongue.Thespicysoapscentofhimstirredaroundherinthebreeze,remindingherofthemomentwhenshe’dfirstmethimandhisvoicestrokedhersensesas,temptingly,hismouthmovedonhers.

Sheshouldpullaway,proveshewasstrongandresolutethewayshe’dplannedthisafternoon.Phoebeliftedherhandstopushagainsthisshoulders.

Buthepulledawayfirst.Herheadswamandshecouldn’tevenblameitonthedrink,becausehehadhonoredherrequesttostickwithoneglass.

Heronlyconsolationcamefromwatchinghischestriseandfallasrapidlyasherown.Sheneededtogetherheadtogether.Sherefusedtolethimwinherovereasilyashemusthavedonewithwomeninthepast,likeBiancaandLucy.

Phoebedrainedhalfherwatergobletwhilehereclaimedhisseat.Shehadtothink.Focusonwhatwasimportant.Shehadtokeepherheadclearandherwitsaboutheratalltimes.Shehopedthisdinnerwouldbeoversoonsoshecould

startfiguringouthowtodealwithherdesire.“Um,whendoyoureportbacktoyourbase?”“I’vealreadyfinishedupallthepaperwork.”Hewatchedher,hischeststillpumping.“It’llbeofficialnextweek.”“Soyou’reonvacation.”Andwhenwouldthatvacationend?Shewasn’tevensurewherehisbasewas.Shewasmarriedto

astranger,atotallyhotstrangerwhoturnedherinsideoutwithhiskisses.Themerethoughtrattledher,leavingherfeelingdisloyaltoherex.“Restisagoodideaaftersuchalongdeployment.”

“I’mnotonvacation.”Hestraightenedinhischair,hiseyesnarrowing.“I’veturnedinmypapersnowthatI’vefulfilledmycommitmenttotheairforce.Weweregoingtoannounceitaftertheparty.ButthenyoushowedupwithNina,andwe’vebeendistractedsincethen.”

Aroarstartedinherears,herpulselouderthanthewavesrushinginwithinevitability.“Whatexactlydoesthismean?”“Asoftoday,I’mnolongerinthemilitary.I’mtakingoverabranchoftheLandisFoundation.”Hespreadhishandswide.

“Asofnow,I’mtotallyatyourdisposal.”

Anhourlater,PhoebestoodinNina’snewnursery,toyingwiththedecorativesilkslipperstackedtothewall.Controlslippedawayasfastasthetearsdownhercheeks.

Whathadshegottenherselfinto?Swipingthebackofherwristunderhereyes,shelookedintoNina’scribatthesweetbabyshelovedsomuch.Phoebe

adjustedthelightblanket,smoothedbackadarkcurl…sawKyle’sone-sidedsmileastheinfantgrinnedinhersleep.Lifewasmarchingrelentlesslyonwithoutherfirsthusband.Heremotionshadspiraledsofaroutofcontrolshedidn’t

knowhowshewouldeverretrievethem.NowKyleandallthemyriadtemptationshepresentedwouldbewithhertwenty-four/sevenasshesettledintoafamilylifeshe’dneverhadandthatKyleclearlydidn’twant.

Shetouchedalongherkissed-tenderlipsandsearchedbackovertheirfew conversationsprior.Whathadshemisunderstoodtomakeherbelievehewasstillintheairforce,duetozipoffintothewildblueyondersometimesoon?Maybeshe’djustheardandbelievedwhatshe’dwantedtowhereKylewasconcerned,desperateforawaytosecureNina’sfuture.Shehadn’tlookedbeyondthattounderstandallthewaysshecouldbehurtingboththeirheartstoputthemthroughthisshamofamarriage.

Nowitwastoolatetogoback.Shecouldonlysteelherself,forgeahead.Andtrynottothinkabouthowmuchshewantedhimtokissheragain.SixAweeklater,Kylestoodoutsidethenurserydoor,double-checkingthemonitortomakesurethethingwasactually

working.Hepulleditawayfromhisear,lookedatthebuttons,clickedacouplebackandforth.Yeah,hecouldhearthewhite-noisemusicplayinglowinthebackground.

GoodGod,thebabygearwasmorecomplicatedthansomeoftheintelligenceequipmenthe’dworkedwithintheairforce.InanotherweekhewouldstartwithLandisInternational.Fornow,hewasalreadyunofficiallyworkingfromhome,butsoonthetravelingwouldstart.

Hehadn’tliedaboutbeingatPhoebe’sdisposal.Hejusthadn’tmentionedtherewasadeadlinetothatsincehisnewjobwouldtakehimontheroadevenmorethanhisoldone.Thatdidn’tleavehimmuchtimetowinPhoebeover,intohisbed.

Kylestarteddownthehall,eagertomoveforwardwithhisnextplanforpersuadinghertheyshouldenjoyallthebenefitsaweddinglicensebrought.Forthepastweek,he’dwinedanddinedPhoebeatthemostromanticplaceshecouldthinkof,achallengetodowhenconsideringthekid-friendlyaspect.Theoperahadbeenanogo,butthenhedidn’treallylikeopera.He’devenpersuadedPhoebetoflyupstateonthefamilyjetforanoutdoorhistoryfairatHalloween.He’dthoughtPhoebewouldenjoythehistoricalaspect,andNinasurelookeddamncuteinherlittleprincesscostume.Hehadtoadmitthekidwaseasiertotakealongthanhe’dexpected.



17

Ofcourse,hedidn’treallyknowwhattoexpectfromachildherage.HeshouldprobablygetoneofthoseparentingbooksorsurftheInternetforkid-carearticlesbecause,hischoiceornot,hewasafathernow,whichmeantdoinghisbest.Hewasalsoahusband,somethingheintendedtofocushisfullattentiononfortherestoftheeveningontheirfirstadults-onlydate.

Thistimehewouldbecarefulnottolosecontroloftheconversationthewayhehadduringtheirwedding-daydinnerontheporch.Hebelievedtheycouldenjoyafunandsexyrelationship.Anythingmorewouldonlycomplicatethingsforbothofthem,nottomentionNina.

HejoggeddownthestairsandaroundthecornertothehomeofficewherePhoebewascampedoutinfrontofthecomputer.Acoupledaysagothey’dmadeadaytripuptoColumbiaforherthings,includinghercomputerforworkteachingheronlineclasses.She’dunpackedheracademicgearintothehoney-brownwoodshelvesflankingascenicwindowwithbrocadedrapes.Phoebehadaddedhercomputertotheoverlargepartner’sdeskandparkedababyswinginthecorner.

Hetookaminutetostudyher,enjoyingthewayherstraightblondhairshimmeredwitheverymoveofherhead,howeverslight.Shelookedeverybitasenticinginjeansandaformfittinggreencottonshirtasshehadinthelittleblacknumbershe’dwornthenighttheymet.

Whileshestaredatthescreen,Phoebepluckedatthehairbandshe’dslidaroundherwrist—ashe’dlearnedwasherhabit.He’dalsolearnedhowmuchheenjoyeddiscoveringnewthingstoenticeheroutofhersomberreserve.

Herearthypracticalityappealedtohim,chasingawayanyinitialdoubtanyonemighthavehadaboutherbeingafterLandismoney.ShelikedtowalkonthebeachwithouthershoesandbringNinatothepublicpark.Whilenanniespusheddesigner-cladtotsinfancystrollers,PhoebeletNinarollaroundonablanketinthegrassto,asshesaid,seetheworldupclose.

HeevenlikedthewayherhistoryprofessorsidewouldcomeoutatoddmomentswithasuddentutorialonahistoricbuildingtheydrovepastorasurpriselessonontheFrenchHuguenotinfluenceinCharleston.Jonahhadsnickeredthefirsttimeshe’dlaunchedintooneofherdiatribes,butbytheend,evenhe’dbeenwoundupinherstories.

Hecouldn’trememberwantinganyonethismuchbefore.“Hey,professor.How’spaper-gradinggoing?”Sheglancedup,hersmilequickerlately.“I’vejustaboutfinishedthebacklogofwork.”Hesetthenurserymonitoronthecornerofthedesk,anticipationramping.“Readytotakeabreak?”“I’matastoppingpoint.Whatdoyouneed?”Heneededtopersuadehertheybelongedinbedtogether.“Let’sgoforadrivealongtheshore.”Herfacelitwithenthusiasm,thenshelookedatthemonitor.“Ninamightneedme.”“It’sonlyadrive,nothingelaborateorfaraway.Justsomegrown-uptimeawayfromwork.I’vealreadyspokentoJonah

andhe’sonhiswayoverfromthecarriagehouse.”GingerandherhusbandwereinD.C.forbusiness.“Hecancallusorthehousekeeperifhehasanyquestions.Nina’sasleepandseemsoutforthecount.”Heheldupthemonitor,bobblingitbackandforthinfrontofher.“Ilookedandlistened.”

“Ididn’thearyou.”Sheeyedherreceiver—thesethadcomewithanextra—forthenurserymonitorasifithadbetrayedher.

“Iwasveryquiet.Ididn’twanttowakeherup.”Herotatedherchairtowardhim.“Youdeserveabreak.Comeon.”Shetuckedhertongueinthecornerofhercheekasshealwaysdidwhenmullingsomethingover,anincreasinglysexy

habitthatlefthimachingtogetheraloneoutofthehouse.Phoebegrippedthearmrestswitharesolutesmack.“Okay,you’veconvincedme.Letmejustsavemywork.”Sheclicked

alongthekeyboardthenrolledthechairawayfromthedesk,risingtoherfeet.Stoppingmereinchesawayfromhim.Hervanilla-sweetscenttemptedhimtoskimhisknucklesdownhercheek.Justonestroke.Excepthedidn’twanttopull

hishandaway.Shestaredupathim,herpupilswidening,pushingatthebrownuntilthecolorsblended.Aclearingthroatsoundedfromacrosstheroom.Damn.Phoebeblushed.KyledroppedhishandtosqueezehershoulderandturnedtofindJonahloungingintheopendoorway.Longhairbrushed

hisshoulders,theirrebelbrothermarchingtohisowntune,asalways.“I’mreadytoreportfordiaperduty,bro.”Kylepassedoverthenurserymonitor.“Thanks.Ioweyou.”Phoebesnaggedapencil.“I’llhaveallherinstructionswrittendowninjustamin—”Jonahwhippedapieceofpaperfromhisbackpocket.“Alreadytakencareof.Kyleleftmeaverydetailedlist.”Heglanced

athisolderbrother.“YouknowI’mnottenanymore,right?Nowgo,bothofyou.”“Onourwayout.”KylewrappedanarmaroundPhoebe’sshouldersandshuttledheroutoftheofficeintothehall.“YouactuallyknowNina’sroutine.”Sheglancedupathim,surprisinglynotpullingaway.Progress.“Isn’tthatwhyyoubroughtherhere?”Hesteeredherdownthelongcorridor,enjoyingthefamiliarfeelofheragainsthis

side.“TogiveNinaafather?”Hersmilefadedandshetensedunderhisarm.“HasyourprivatedetectiveuncoveredanythingnewaboutBianca?”“Afewfacts,noneofthemparticularlyhelpfulorIwouldhavetoldyourightaway.”Hewishedhehadallthemilitary

intelligenceequipmentathisdisposalnow,buthecouldonlykeeptossingmoremoneyatprivatedetectives.Whatamessforthekid.IfBiancahadjustgoneofftoparty,thenshedidn’tcareaboutherchild.Andifshewere

dead…Eitherway,Ninaneededthem.Hewasrealizingmoreandmoreeverydaythathewouldn’tletBiancakeephischildfromhimeveragain.Evenifshe

returned,hewouldstillplayamajorroleinNina’slife.“Biancagotfiredaweekintotherehearsals.Thenitseemsshejustdisappeared.Nocreditcarduse,nothing.Butthere’snoindicationshe’smetwithfoulplay,either.”

“That’sareliefatleast.”Phoebegraspedthebanisteronthewaydownthewindinginsidestairwaythatledtothegarage.“Atleastthejudgeisonoursidewiththetemporarycustodyorder.”Sheglancedoverhershoulderathim.“Howlongdoyouthinkwe’llneedtokeepupthischarade?”“Let’sjusttakeitadayatatime.”Hesweptopenthegaragedoor.“Orrather,oneeveningatatime.”Hepalmedherwaist

onhiswaypasttheSUVfortowingtheboatandondownthelineoffamilyvehicles.Phoebetappedhishandonhershoulder.“Kyle?Kyle,that’syourMercedes.”



18

“We’renottakingit.”Hepassedhiscarandstoppedinfrontoftheirrideforthenight.“Ileasedthisforafewdays.”A1965AstonMartinconvertible.“OhmyGod,”shegasped.“JamesBondstyle.”Heopenedthepassengerdoorandpassedherascarf.“Let’smakeitaridetoremember.”Aftersettlinginbehindthewheelandmaneuveringoutoftheestate,heopeneduptheengineontheshorelineroad.She

threwherheadbackwithanabandonthatstirredthoughtsofuninhibitedsex.Hedownshiftedaroundacurve,housesspacingfartherandfartherapartuntiltherewasnothingbutshorelinestretchingahead.

Shehookedherarmalongtheopenwindow,herhairandthescarfstreakingbehindher.“Thisisamazing.”“WaituntilIdriveyoualongtheshoresofGreece.”Shelaughed,alongforthefunofthedaydream.“ThenwecouldgototheParthenon.I’vealwayswantedtoseeitforreal.”“Icanmakethathappentomorrow.”Phoebepulledherarmbackinside.“Ninahasawell-babycheckup.”“Thenwe’llgothenextday.”Heslowedthevintagecar,anglingofftothesideoftheroad,easingtoastop.Heneededto

recapturethejoyonherfacefromearlier.“Whatelseisonyourtourismwishlist?”Herfacecreasedwithincredulity.“Wellnow,ifwe’redreaming,let’sdreambig.”Hereyestrackedfastasifshewas

overwhelmedbythepossibilities.“I’dwanttoseealltheregularstuff,BigBen,theEiffelTower,butmostlyIwanttoseethestreet-sidecafés,thepeople,thefeelsandtastesofthe…”Sheshookherhead,scootingdowninherseat.“I’mbeingsilly.”

“Notsillyatall.Seeingtheworldhasalwayshelpedmeputlifeintoperspective.”HisjobasheadoftheinternationalofficesfortheLandisFoundationofferedalotoftravel,themainreasonhehadbeenallrightwithendinghismilitarycareer.

Phoebewrappedherarmsaroundherwaistasshetookintheopenmarshlandsononesideofthecarandboatsbobbingonopenwaterontheother.Thehumidairhungheavythroughtheeveningandbroughtcoolerweather.“Thankyouagainfortheouting.Ican’tbelieveyouplannedthisforme.It’sperfect.”Sheturnedherheadalongthebackoftheseattolookathim.“You’vereallybeenwonderfulallweek.Iappreciateyourtryingsohard.”

“Don’tgogettingsoftonmenow.Rememberthatlovetalkwehad.”Shethumpedhisshoulder,laughing.“Egomaniac.”Helaughedalongwithher,wonderinghowinthespanofjustaweekitcouldhavebecomesoimportanttohimtoseeher

smile.Hereyesheldhis.Shestilled,wavescrashinginthesilencebetweenthem.Heangledtokissherandfoundshewasalreadyonherwayovertomeethimhalfway.

Akiss.Justakissbutthefeelofhersoftlipsagainsthimstirredhimmorethan…Hell,hedidn’twanttothinkaboutanyoneelse.Onlyherandhowdamngoodshefeltagainsthim.Herbreastsbrushedhischest,andhehadtofeelherskin.Now.Heskimmedhishandsunderthehemofhercottonshirtandstrokedupherback,urgingherclosertohim.Notnearenough.

Thesexysoundshemade—ahighsigh,halfmoan—senthishandhighertospanherbackandfeeleveryavailableinchofher.HisheartratekickedintooverdrivefasterthantheAstonMartin,allsystemsgo.He’dwaitedforhereversincethatkissontheirweddingday,butitfeltasifhe’dbeenwaitingforever.

Ifhecouldguideheracrosstostraddlehislap—Shenippedalonghismouthandrestedhercheekagainsthis,herbreathgustingoverhisear.“Wecan’tdothis.”Hispulsewasmorejackedthanifhe’drunallthewayhere,butheslowedhisbreathingtotryandreinhimselfin.He’d

hardlydonemorethankissher,yetshehadawayofshreddinghisrestraint.Hecaressedupanddownherback,massaging.“Ihavebirthcontrolinmywallet.”

Phoebeburiedherfaceagainsthisshoulder.“That’snotwhatImeant.It’stoosoon.We’veonlyknowneachotheraweek.”

Hadn’thethoughtthesamethingafewsecondsago?Buthecouldn’tbringhimselftofuelherargument.“We’remarriedadults.”

Archingback,shecuppedhisface,herhandsfirm.“Doyouhaveahearingproblem?I’veonlyknownyouaweek.”Therealanswerknockedaroundinsidehishead.“You’renotoveryourdeadhusband.”Shefloppedbackinherseatandshoutedtotheopensky,“Damnit,Kyle,I’veonlyknownyouaweek!”“Howlonghadyouknownhim?”Frustration—and,hellyeah,jealousy—madehimpushwhenhedamnwellknewbetter.Phoebehesitatedsolonghewonderedforaminuteifshewassimplygoingtoblowoffhisquestion.Hewasjustaboutto

startthecaragainwhenshesighed.“I’dknownhimallmylife,”Phoebesaidsoftly.“Hetoldmehelovedmethefirsttimewhenweweresevenyearsoldand

Ifelloffmybike.Wehadagreatmarriagerightuptowhenhediedfiveyearsago.”Shelookeddown.“Thatprobablysoundscornytoacyniclikeyou.”

Itsoundedexactlylikethesortofunconditionalcommitmentawomanlikeherdeserved.“Myparentshadthatkindofmarriagebeforehedied.ShelovedhimsomuchIdidn’tthinkshestoodachanceatfindingitagain.Butman,wasIwrong.”Herstillnessstoppedhim.“What?”

Themoonlightilluminatedtheconfusioninhereyes.“You’remakinganargumentforfallinginlovetwice,butI’mnotsupposedtofallinlovewithyou.”

Ah,crap.“Wait,uh…”“Gotcha.”Shewinked.Andthatsurprisedthesocksoffhim.“You’rewicked,PhoebeLandis.”“Notreally.”Somethinghadshiftedbetweenthemwhenshe’dopenedupenoughtotalkaboutherpastand,alljealousyaside,hewasn’t

lettingthatprogressslipaway.Hedrapedanarmoverthesteeringwheel.“Oh,Ithinkyou’vegotaseriouslyuntappedbadgirlinthere.”

Shetightenedherwispyscarfaroundherheadagain.“Well,Icantellyouforsureyouwon’tbetappinganyofthattonight.”

Helethisgazewanderoverher,begrudginglyenjoyingthisbold,confidentsideofher.Atleasthereyesdidn’thavethathauntedlookanymore.Infact,withherswollenlipsandtousledhair,sheappearedvibrant.Vital.Andvery,verytouchable.

Goodthinghealreadyhadhishandsonthewheel.



19

Kylecrankedtheengine.Hewouldlethergofornow,buthehadhopesforalotmorenexttime.“Lady,you’rekillingmehere.”

“Somehow,Ibelieveyou’llsurviveuntilmorning.”“I’llbethinkingofyouallnight.”Andhe’dalreadyarrangeditsowhensheclimbedinbed,shewouldfindasurprisegift

thatensuredshewouldthinkofhim,too.Seven“Thanks,Jonah,”Phoebesaidsoftly,walkingupthesidestepstotheporchjustoffhersuite.Thesandywindstungher

legs,herskinstilloverlysensitivefromonesensory-ignitingkiss.Whenhedidn’tanswer,shemovedcloser,reassuredbythesteadydroneofthenurserymonitoronthetable.

Herbrother-in-lawsprawledinachairatthetable,hisheadbackandeyesclosed.Hislaptopcomputeralsorestedonthetable,opentoafull-screenshotofagirlwithabackpack,apanoramicmountainrangeinthebackground.

CuriositydrewPhoebecloser…Jonah’seyessnappedopen.Shesteppedback,embarrassedtobecaughtstaringathimwhenhewasapparentlyrestinghiseyes.“Prettygirl.”

“Niceride?”heasked,dodginghercommentandclickingthephotoclosed.Whatwashislifelikewhenhewasn’tsurroundedbyhisambitiousandwell-connectedfamily?“Lovelyride.Theshoreline

viewisgorgeous.ThankyouagainforkeepinganearoutforNina.Didshegiveyouanytroublewhilewewereaway?”HeglancedpastherasiftocheckforKyle.Shewasalone,though.KylewasputtingawaytheAston,sinceshe’dbolted

fromthevehicleasquicklyasshecouldratherthanriskbeingtemptedfurther.Jonahpassedherthenurserymonitor.“Themunchkindidn’tmakeasoundthewholetime.Butdon’tworry,Istilllooked

inonhertwice.”Shetappedthetopofhiscomputer.“CheckingyourMySpace?”Hetuckedthelaptopunderhisarm.“Gradschoolpaper.Thankgoodnessforlaptops.”Jonahwinkedonhiswaypastand

downthesteps,lookingsomuchlikeKyle—exceptforthelongerhair.“G’night,Phoebe.”Helopedacrossthemanicuredlawntowardthecarriagehouse,keepinghissecrets.ShewonderedifKyleknewmore

aboutthegirlonJonah’sscreensaver.Theyseemedsuchaclosefamily.Howeasyitwouldbetogrowtoocomfortablehereandforgetitwasalltemporary.

Phoebewrappedherarmsaroundherwaist,wishingitwerethateasytoholdtogetherthepiecesofhertatteredcontrol.She’dplayedthingslightwithKyleafterhiskiss.She’dsensedthatwouldbethebestwaytogainsomemuchneededdistance.

Hissurpriseridealongtheshoreinthevintageautohadtouchedherfarmorethananyfive-stardinners.Withoutquestion,thequirkycarpickappealedtothehistorybuffinher.He’dchosenhisvenuewellforsofteningherup.

Timetoreturntoreality.Sheeyedthenurserymonitor,thenraisedittoherear.Lullabymusicplayedinthebackground,butsheneededtoseehergirltobesure.Shecreakedopenthenurserydoor,leanedinsideand,sureenough,NinasleptsoundlyasJonahhadsaid.Thelittleonesuckedherbottomlip,snoozingaway.

Phoebeclosedthedoorsoftly,suddenlyawakeandrestless.Maybesheshouldtrytogetmoreworkaccomplished,exceptshecouldn’tscroungeupenthusiasmforchainingherselftoadesk,especiallyaftertheopen-airouting.

Mightaswelljustcurlupinbedandtrytosleep,sinceNinawouldbeawakeearly.Phoebepivotedtowardherbed…andstoppedshort.

Alargegift,wrappedinrose-patternedpaper,restedontopofthepink-and-whiteaccentpillows.Cockingherheadtotheside,sheapproachedthepackagewarily.Who?

Shepluckedthecardfromunderthebowandfounditsimplyread:Enjoy!Kyle.Herskinbegantinglingagaininexcitementasshepickedupthebriefcase-sizebox,testingtheweight.Heavierthanshe

wouldhaveexpected.Shedidn’tdareshakeitwithoutknowingifitwasfragile.Shepeeledbackapieceoftapeslowly,carefulnottotearthepaper.Ithadbeenalongwhilesincesomeonehadsurprisedherwithapresent.

Phoebepartedthefloralwrapping,takinghertimeintheunveiling…of…Alaptopcomputer.Hernervestingledhotter,tighter,histhoughtfulnesstouchingherasfirmlyasanystrokeofhishands.Howhadhepulled

thisoff?Sheglancedattheporch.HemusthaveleftthegiftwithJonahtoplaceonherbed.Kylehadputevenmoreplanningintotheeveningthanshe’dfirstrealized.Hemusthavenoticedherstrugglingtobalance

workwithcaringforNina.Thenewcomputerwouldmakeherlifesomucheasier.Possibilitiesbloomedinhermind.Shecouldevenwriteonthepatio,withNinainherswing.

Phoebesmoothedherhandsalongthebox,thenightstretchinglongandlonelyaheadofher.Sheknewfullwellwhatshewasmissinginturninghimaway.

Hercellphonerangfrominsideherpurse.Shelookedattheclock—11:42p.m.—andsmiled.ItcouldonlybeKylethislateatnight.

Shefishedthephonefromherbagand,yes,hisnumberscrolledacrossthefaceplate.Droppingontotheedgeofherbed,sheanswered.“Thankyousomuchforthecomputer.Ishouldsayit’stooextravagant,butit’llhelpmespendmoretimewithNinasoIcan’tbringmyselftosayno.”

“Iwascountingonthat.Andyou’rewelcome.”Hisbourbon-smoothvoiceintoxicatedeventhroughtheairwaves.Shesaggedbackonthepileofpillows.“Whyareyoudoingallofthis?IwouldhavetakencareofNinawithoutallthe

kindness.”Silencevibratedthroughthephoneandoverhernerves.“Kyle?”“I’mhere.AndIthinkyouknowexactlywhy.”Hermouthdriedupwiththepossibilities,dangerouspossibilitiesthatcouldthreatenherobjectivity.“Sexwouldcomplicate

thingsbetweenus.Wewouldn’tbeabletogoback.Thatcouldmakethingsveryawkwardlivingtogether.”“WouldithelpyoutoknowthatmynewjobiswithLandisInternational?I’llbetravelingalot,startingnextweek.”Hewouldbeleavingsoon?Sheincheduphigheronthepillowstack,notsurehowshefeltaboutthislatestrevelation.“All

thisromancehasbeenaboutashort-termaffair?”“You’vemadeitclearyouaren’tinterestedinanyemotionalcommitment.”Hepausedwhilehiswordssunkintoherbrain,

ticklinghermindwiththepossibilities.“Fiveyearsisalongtimetogowithoutsex.”



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TherewasonlyonewaytodealwithKyle.Surprisehim,keephimasoffbalanceashekepther.Ifthatwasevenpossible.“WhosaysI’velivedlikeanunsincemyhusbanddied?”

“Areyousureaboutthat?”“OfcourseI’msure.”She’ddatedandeventriedtotakethingstothatlevel,onlytobailbeforemakingittothebedroom.

“I’velearnedtotakecareofthoseneedsonmyown.”Hadshereallyjustsaidthatoutloud?Atleastshe’dmanagedtoshockhimsilent.Shegrippedthephoneuntilherfingers

turnedblue.“Damn,Phoebe,”hegrowledlow.“You’retryingtokillme,aren’tyou?Becauseanimageofyou‘takingcareofyourself’

coulddefinitelygivemeheartfailure.”Sheburroweddeeperintoherpillows,herfaceheatingwithembarrassment—andstirringexcitement.“Ican’tbelieve

we’reevenhavingthisdiscussion.”“ThenI’llletyougo…fortonight.Seeyouinthemorning.”Shethumbedtheoffbuttonandclutchedthephonebetweenherbreasts,rightbesideherpoundingheart.Herwayof

dealingwithKyleprovedtobeadouble-edgedsword.Inspiteofherbestintentionsandhowlittletimethey’dknowneachother,shewasn’tsurehowmuchlongershecouldholdoutagainsttheallureofKyleandashort-termaffair.

Fourdayslater,KylebuckledtheseatbeltintheLandisfamilyjet,preparingfortakeoff.Finally,hehadPhoebetohimselfafteraneveningoffamilyattendanceatadiplomaticdinnerinD.C.attheinfamous

WatergateHotel.Phoebehadagreedtocomealongwhenshe’drealizedtheycouldflythereandbackinthesameevening.Ninawouldonlybewithasitterforafewhours,mostlyasleep.TimemanagementhadbeenbetterforPhoebeoverallwiththecomputer,soshe’dagreed.

Hispulsekickedupanotchjustrememberingtheirphoneconversationthenighthe’dgivenherthenewlaptop.Findingwaystoromancehiswifehadbeenanexcitingchallenge,buthewasbeginningtogetasenseofthethingsthatappealedtothehistorymajorinher.He’dinitiallyplannedonskippingtheD.C.functionbecauseofthedistancefromhome,andthetemporarycustodyordermandatedthatNinastayinstatefornow.

Thenhe’dthoughtofthefamily’sprivatejet.TheeventhadbeenimportantforLandiscontactsandhe’dbeensurprisedhowmuchheenjoyedhavingherbyhisside.

HisbrothersandtheirwiveshadstayedinD.C.tovisitlongerwiththeirmotherandherhusband.SebastianandMariannahadasitterwhotraveledwiththem.MaybenexttimeNinacouldgowiththemandtheycouldspendthedayintheSmithsonian—

Nexttime?Heshouldbefocusingonthepresentandthestunningwomanintheseatnexttohim.Herhairsleeklyupswept,Phoebe

staredoutthewindowatthenightskyastheyleftthenation’scapitalbehindafteraneveningofdancing.Thevibrantlyredsatingownhuggedherelegantcurves,thestraplesscutrevealingahintofthegentleswellofherbreasts.

Landisdiamondsaroundherneckanddanglingfromherearsrefractedthemutedoverheadlightasifthestarsfromoutsidehadcomeinside.TheEuropeanambassadorshadn’tbeenabletokeeptheireyesoffher.

Theintercomsystemcrackledtolife.“Mr.andMrs.Landis,”thepilot’svoicefilledthecabin,“we’reatcruisingaltitude.Youarefreetowalkaround.”

Kyleunbuckledhisseatbeltandstrodetowardthegalleykitchen.“There’samidnightsnackhereifyou’rehungry.”He’dplannedaheadforthisprivatetimewithPhoebe.Thepilotwasinfrontbehindaclosedpartition,andasleeping

compartmentwasbuiltintothebackbehindanotherpartition.Hereallydidn’tneedtothinkaboutthebedafewfeetaway.Notyet,anyway.

Phoebeunbuckledherseatbeltandstood,stretchingwithasensualmoanofpleasurethatshotstraighttohisgroin.“Thanks,forthefood,forthewholeevening.Thisissosurreal,”shetwirledinthemiddleofthefloor,herhandsweeping

towardthesofasliningonewallandtherowsofleatherseatsontheother,“havingababysitterwhilewejetuptoD.C.fordinneranddancing,homebeforeNinaevenwakesup.”

“I’mgladyouenjoyedyourself.Youlook…”Hetookinthecurveofherexposedneck,hercreamyskinglowingagainstthedeepredstraplessdress.“Absolutelyamazing.”

“Andthankyouagain.Youlookveryhandsomeyourself,Mr.Landis.”Shesteppedclosertohim,toetotoe,andtuggedhistuxedotiestraightagain.“Doyoumissyouruniform?”

Hestilledunderhertouch,carefulnottostartleheraway.“Doyou?”Somewomenweredownrightgroupieswhenitcametomilitarymen.Thepersoninsidedidn’tmattertothem,onlythe

trappingsthatcamewiththejob.Shepattedhischestoncebeforebackingaway.“You’rejustasgood-lookinginthetuxasyouarewiththemedals,andyou

knowit.”Hischeststillborethephantomfeelofhertouch,hisskinwarmunderthestifffabric.Buthewasmakingprogress,sohe

letPhoebehaveherspace.Hepulledtheprotectivewrappingoffasilvertrayofbrie,breadandfruit,andopenedachilledbottleofsparklingwater.“YoumustreallythinkI’megotistical.”

“Ithinkyou’reconfidentandsexyandexasperating.”Shepluckedapurplegrapefromtheplatterandpoppeditintohermouth.“Soyou’reokaywithhangingupyouruniform?”

Hebarelyregisteredherwords,socaughtupinwatchingthewayherpinklipsmoved,enticinghimtokissthesheenofjuicefromherlips.Thenhesawshewaswaitingforhisanswer.

“Sure,Ifeelnostalgicaboutturningapageonthatchapterofmylife,buthonestly,Ineverplannedontheairforcebeingacareer.”

“Thenwhydidyoujoinupifyoualwaysintendedtogetoutbeforeretirement?”Sheleanedaslimhipagainstthemarblecounterdividingthekitchenfromtheseatingarea.

Hisgazelingeredonthathipasheimaginedhishandmoldingtofitthecurveofherwaistandtraillowertoexplore.Hefilledtwocut-crystalglasseswithice,thenwater.Hewantedsomethingstronger,butheneededaclearheadaroundthis

woman.“Itwasaboutservingmycountry,aboutgivingsomethingback.”



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“That’sreallyadmirable.”Shestudiedhimwithcuriouseyesbeforelookingawayself-consciously.Shereachedforherwaterglass.“IreaduponyoubeforeIcamehere,andIsawthatyouwereinaplanethatwasshotdown.Therewasn’talotofinformationinthearticle.Thewriternotedsomethingaboutwithholdingdetailstoprotectyouwhileyoufinishedyourtourofduty.Iwonderedifthecrashhadanythingtodowithyourdecisiontogetoutoftheservice.”

Thatdaysmokedtolifeinhismemorylikeadarkbutdistantcloud.“Definitelynotthehighlightofmylife,butIknowIwaslucky.Notascratchonme.Apparentlysomeonelurkingaroundonamountainshotdowntheplane.Everyonesurvivedthecrashlanding,butwehadtoabandonthesitetohideoutfromrebels.Sotherescuemissiontookawhilelonger.”

Herhandflewtoherneck,herfacecreasingwithconcern.“Thosehoursmusthavebeenhorrifyinglylongforyou.Howdidyougetthroughit?”

Hespreadbrieoveracrackerslowly,hismindawashinmemories.“WeallopenedupanMRE—mealreadytoeat—andthoughtaboutourfamiliesbackathome.AsIsatthere,crunchingontherat-nastycrackers,IkeptrememberinghowSebastianandIusedtoeatpeanutbutterandmarshmallowsandwicheswhenwewerekids.”

“Thatmusthavebeenfrighteningwonderingifyouwouldseethemagain.”Ithadbeentotalhell.Heofferedherthecrackerandcheese,surprisedtoseehishandwassteady.Helosthimselfinthatpastmemorytodistracthimselfnow,ashehadinthedesert.“ThisonetimewhenIwasaboutten

andhewasnine,wespentmostofthesummerplayinginaforestbehindourhouse.Well,itseemedlikeaforest,anyway.Itwasprobablyjustafewtreeswithabikepath.”

“Haven’tyoualwayslivedattheLandiscompound?”“Mygrandparentsusedtoliveatthecompound.WemovedinwhenDadgotoutoftheairforceandranforsenator.Dad

saidweneededtheextrasecuritytheplaceafforded,butIsuremissedthefreedomofourolddigs.”“Thatsoundslikeahavenforchildren.”Shebrushedacrackercrumbawayfromthecornerofhermouthabsently,hereyes

lockedonhim.Kylepickeduphiswaterglass,swirlingthelimearoundandaround.“Wewouldhangoutin‘ourwoods’alldaylong.

We’dpackmarshmallowandpeanutbuttersandwiches,takeagallonjugofKool-Aid.Andwedugtunnels.”“Tunnels?”shenudgedgently.“Wedugdeeptrenches,putplywoodoverthetop,thenpileddirttofinishitoff.”Hecouldalmostsmellthemustylittle

cavern.“Wewereluckywedidn’tdiecrawlingaroundinthere.Wecouldhavesuffocated,ortheroofingcouldhavegivenwayifsomeonehadaccidentallysteppedononeofthoseboards.”

Shivering,shewrappedherarmsaroundherself,plumpingherbreastsinanunderstatedbutalluringdisplay.“Whatdidyourmothersaywhenshefoundout?”

Hiseyesflickedoverhernecklineandheclosedhishandsagainsttheimpulsetolearntheshapeofherfirsthand.Heknockedbackhalfaglassofwater.“Mymotherneverknewaboutthetunnels.Shewouldhavegroundedusuntilweleftforcollegeifshehad.”Andtheywouldhavedeservedit.Hismotherhadbeentoughbutfair.“WemadeJonahstandguardandletusknowifshewascoming.”

“Howmuchdidyouhavetopayhimnottosnitch?”“Whosaidwepaidhim?”Hewinked.“He’stheyoungest.Hedidwhatwesaid.”Sheleanedcloserforanothergrape,hervanillaperfumedriftingoverhim.“Andyouroldestbrother,Matthew?”“He’stoomuchofarule-follower.Weneverlethiminonthesecret.Iwasespeciallyintoit—Iwouldsneakoutthereon

myownsometimes.Sebastiansaysit’snosurpriseIwentintothemilitary.”“Soyou’reallfourevenclosernowthatyou’readults.”Hergazedanceddowntoherglassofwater.“Ienvythatkindof

loveandsupport.”“We’relucky.Iwasluckythatdayinthedesert.IthoughtaboutthosesandwichesalotwhileIwaitedinthattrenchin

Afghanistan.”Whatwouldhethinkaboutifthesamethinghappenedtoday?Withoutquestion,heknewhismindwouldbepackedwithimagesofPhoebeandNina.They’dbothfilledhisworldso

damnquickly,anunsettlingnotiongivenhowshortatimethey’dbothbeeninhislife.Phoeberestedherhandonhisbythesilverplatter.“It’sreallyhonorablethatyouservedyourcountry.Youhadany

numberofoptionsandyoustillchosetogiveback.”Heflippedhishandtolinkfingers,hersoftskin,herwarmth,andjustthatfasthefoundhimselfimagininghowmuch

softerherskinwouldbeunderthedress.“OrmaybeIjustdidn’tknowwhattodowithmyselfaftergraduation.”Sheshookherhead.“Ifthathadbeenthecaseyoucouldhavesimplylivedoffyourtrustfund.”“Boring.”Heshruggedoffhercompliment,uncomfortable.Hestrokedhisthumboverherwrist,enjoyingthewayher

pulseleaptunderhistouch.Herpupilswidenedwithawareness,butshedidn’tpullaway.“Whataboutyournewjob?Willitkeepyoufrombeing

bored?”Thiswholeconversationwasgettingdeeperthanhe’dintended.Hedidn’twantanyonepickingaroundinsidehisbrain,

gettingcloser,especiallywhenheknewhislifestyleandhersultimatelywouldn’tbecompatibleforanythingmorethanacasualaffair.Theyneededtokeepemotionswellclear,forNina’slong-termbenefit.Healsoneededtogetthisconversation,thiswholeouting,backontrack.

Stillholdingherhand,hetuggedherneareruntilherbreastsbrushedagainsthischest.Hisbodytightenedinstantlyinresponse.“Youknowwhatwouldkeepmefrombeingboredrightnow?”

Herheadtippedback,exposingherneckasshestaredupathimwithintensedarkeyes.“Stopit.Iwanttotalk.Ifyoureallywanttostandachanceatgettingmeinbed,thenbeseriousforjustfiveminutes.”

Phoebe’swordsstokedhisbarelybankeddesire.“You’reentertainingthepossibilityofusinbed?”EightStandinginthejetcabinwithheremotionsasfirmlyinthecloudsasherbody,Phoebecouldn’tdenyitanylonger.She

wantedtomakelovetoKyle.Andyes,therewasapartofherthatwascomfortedbythefactthathewouldbeleavingsoon.Theaftermathwouldbesimplerwithtimetoregroup.Maybe,justmaybeshecouldkeepherheartsafethisgo-around.

Thewholeoutinghadbeensurrealfromthestart.She’dneverimaginedflyinginaprivatejet,wearingsuchextravagantjewelsorhobnobbingwithinternationaldignitariesinahistorichotelballroom.Butthemanmorethantheaccessorieshadmadethe



22

evening.Kylehadbeenathischarmingbest,hissmileandstrengthremindingherateveryturnofthepleasurewaitingasimplestrokeaway.

Ifshedared.Sheknewwithoutquestionifshedidn’ttakethischancenow,shewouldregretitfortherestofherlife.Kylewasright.

Shewasonfirewithunfulfilledneeds,needsgrowingincreasinglypainfulthemoretimeshespentwithhim.Committed,nervous—excited—sheflattenedherhandstohischestagain.“Assoonasweland,Iwantustobetogether,to

consummatethismarriage.”Hiseyeswentsexyliddedasheslidhishandsaroundherback,anglingherhip-to-hipagainsthim.“Whosayswehaveto

waituntilweland?”Thepossibilityofhavinghimnow,here,sentasurgeofthicklongingthroughherveins.Butherever-presentpracticality

tappedherwithreservations.“Whataboutthepilot?”“He’sbehindthepartitionandhashishandsfullflyingtheplane.Evenifheneedstoswitchtoautopilotandopenthedoor

forsomereason,hewouldannouncehimselfovertheintercomfirst,”Kyleexplained.Hishandsrovedupthezipperalongherspineanddownherbareshoulders,callusedfingertipsraspingoverherskinwithtantalizingmasculinity.“Thebedroominbackisn’tlarge,butwe’llhaveprivacy,atmosphereandprotection.”

Needgatheringspeedinsideher,sheeyedthesmalldoorbehindtheseats.Shehadn’tpaidmuchattentiontoitontheflightdownsincehisbrothersandsisters-in-lawhadbeenalong.Shealsohadn’trealizedthenthatsheandKylewouldbeflyingbackalone.

Veryalone.Nomorewaitingandsecond-guessing.Deliciousanticipationsentherarchinguponhertoesuntilhismouthwaitedawhisperawayfromhers.“Then,yes,I’m

morethanentertainingtheideaofusgoingtobedtogether.”Hishandsspannedherwaistandheliftedherupontothecounterisland.Hesteppedbetweenherlegs,hisbreathwarmand

seductiveagainstherbrow.“Stayrightthere,justwhereyouare,soIcantouchyou,”hesketchedhislipsoverherbrow,“feelyou,”hekissedoverhercheekbone,“takemytimewithyou.”

Hesealedhismouthtohers,histonguesearching,soothingandexcitingallatonce.Thethreadyreinsonherrestraintsnapped.She’dbeenthinkingofhim,ofthis,eversincethatnighthe’dgivenherthelaptop,thenighthe’dtoldhershewouldbeinhisdreams.Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneck,desperatetogetevencloserstill.Thesilktuxedolapelsunderhersoothedalongtheoverheatedfleshofherexposedshoulders,thefabricasexy,extravagantluxuryforsuchsteelystrength.

Hisfingerstracedjustbelowthediamondnecklace,dippingbetweenherbreastsfartoobriefly.Dragginginbreathsbetweenfrenziedkisses,sheinhaledthescentofhisaftershave,gloriedinthescratchofhisroughercheekagainstherskin.

Hotsensationspiderwebbedoverherskin,anetworkofexquisitepleasurefromthebarestoftouches.Hecuppedherface,brushingkissesoverhereyesandcheekswhilehestrokedherexposedshouldersuntilherbreastsachedforhisattention.Shelinkedheranklesbehindhiskneesandurgedhimnearer,ascloseashecouldcomewithhergownbunchingbetweenthem.

Growlinghisappreciation,heinchedthehemofherdressuptoherknees,freeinghertowrapherlegsaroundhiswaist.Hecuppedherbottomandliftedheroffthecounter.

Shesquealedintohismouth,thenheldontightashewalkedacrossthecabintowardthedoor.Heopenedthedoortothesleepingcompartment,angledinsideandkickeditclosedagainwithafinalclick.Thedoublebedinvitedwithitsthickburgundycomforterthatbroughtoutthewarmglowofmahoganyaccentsandbrass-globelighting.Dimlight,butjustenoughforhertomakeoutthehardlinesofdesireetchedinKyle’sfeaturesasshesprinkledkissesoverhisface.

Heloweredhertoherfeet,slidingherbodydownhiswithsensualprecision.“Patience,Phoebe.”“Later.”Shesweptasidehistuxedojacket,burningtoseehim,havehim.Hetuggedthezipperonherdressdownherspineuntiltheairgustingfromabovechilledherback.Shetrembledin

deliciousanticipation.Finally.Hiswarm,boldhandstunneledinside,lower,lowerstilluntilhecuppedherbottomandbroughtheragainsthimforanothermoist,searchingkiss.

Rationalthoughtsscatteredasquicklyastheirclotheshitthefloor—bothhisclothesandhers—andbeforesheknewit,coolairblastedoverherbarebreasts.Shetightenedinresponse,hersenseshummingassurelyastheenginespoweringthemthroughthenightsky.

Hiseyesrovedherbodyasshestoodcladinnothingmorethanherchampagnesilkpantiesandafortuneindiamonds.“WhatwasthatIsaidaboutpatience?Ican’tseemtorememberrightnow.”

Revelinginthemutualattraction,shekickedasideherdresspooledatherfeetandsavoredstaringatagloriouslynakedman.Ifshe’dhadmorespace,shewouldhavesteppedbackandsimplyadmiredhim.Instead,shetracedtheangularlineofhisjaw,downtothehardplaneofhiscollarbone,overhispectorals.Hismusclesjumpedunderherfingertips.

Hesteppedcloser,hisskinsealingagainsthers,thehot,hardlengthofhisdesirepressedtoherstomach.Kylewalked,backingheruntiltheedgeofthemattresshitbehindherknees.Shetoppledontothebedandhefollowedherdown,duckinghisheadinthetightlyconfinedspace.

Thesmallcavernwithcurvedwalls,enginedroning,gaveherthesenseofbeingclosedofffromeveryoneandeverything.Theyweretrulyintheirownprivatehaven.

Hestretchedoverher,leaningonhiselbowstoholdthebulkofhisweightoffher.Shehookedalegaroundhim,pullinghimfulloutonher.Shewantedallofhim,thefull-bodiedexperienceofhimblanketingher.

Hepalmedjustbelowherbreasts,strokinghisthumbsalongthesides,thenaroundtoheralreadytightnipples.Thepressureofhisgentletormentmadeheracheformoreandshearchedagainstthewarmpressureofhislegbetweenhers.Hisblueeyesdarkenedtonearviolet,broadcastingjusthowmuchhewantedher,too.

Hereyelidswentheavy,andshecouldn’tstopthemfromclosingevenasshemournedlosingthevisionofhimoverher.Othersensesheightening,sheinhaledthetangyscentofhimmixedwiththemuskofdesire.Partofherfeltthefranticedgeofpassionclawingtogetfree,butshegrittedbacktheimpulsetorush.Realitywouldtakeoversoonenough.

Shefeltthehotgustofhisbreathaninstantbeforehetookhermouth.Hekissedher,longandwellwiththetalentofamanwhoknewhowtoplease.

Tastingthepungent,butteryflavorofbrie,sheexploredjustasdeeply.Hestrokedherbreastswithpersistenceuntilshewriggledagainsthim,hungryfordeeperpressure.Andshecouldtellwithoutquestionhewasn’tunaffected.Thehardswellofhimthrobbedandsheachedtolearntheintimatefeelofhim.



23

Phoebeslidherhandbetweenthemandencircledhishardlength,slowlycaressinguntilherolledontohisside,takingherwithhim.Sheconsideredtumblingfarthersoshecouldbeontop.Aquickglancetoldhertheangledceilingwaslowenoughthatifshelostcontrolandarchedbackshecouldbumpherhead.Adefinitemoodbuster.

Shedrapedherlegoverhis,understandingnowwhyhe’dshifted,andshefoundshelikedtheequalityofpowerinthepositionsoverymuch,especiallywhenhehookedhisthumbalongthelowwaistbandofherunderwear.Herhandstilled,everynerveendingfocusedonwherehissearchwouldleadhimnext….

Yes.Twothickfingersdippedinsideherpanties,histouchcoolandwelcomeagainstheroverheatedflesh.Hestroked,parted,

foundthetightbundleofnerves.Herhandsfellawayandshegrippedthecomforter,tighterandtighteruntilhermusclesburned.Faster,butsofterhecircleduntilfrustrationknottedwithinher.Shenippedhislip.Hegrowledlowly,trailinghismouth

away,alongherneck.Shegasped,again,andcouldn’tstopthemoanthatfollowed.Ifshedidn’tfindreliefsoon,shemightwellscream.

“Nomoreteasing.Finishthis.Patienceisforlater,remember?”“Whateveryousay,whateveryouwant.”Hetracedthecurveofherear,hispromisestrokinghersensesassurelyashis

hands,histongue,eventheenticingbrushofhisbodyagainsther.Still,hewouldn’tallowherthereleaseshecraved.Sheletgoofhishipandtriedtoslideherhandbetweenthemagainto

tormenthimasfullyashewastormentingher.Heclaspedherwrist,haltingherprogress.Awhimperslidpastherlips.“Nomore.”“Doyouwanttostop?”“No!Imean,nomoreplaying.”Shestrokedthefulllengthofhim.Hegroaned.“We’reinagreementonthat.”Ifnothingelse.Butshedidn’twantdoubtsordarkerthoughtsnow.Sheneeded—deserved—thisstolenmomentofpleasurewithhim.He

thumbedeithersideofherpantiesandskimmedthemdown.Hishandscamebackupandsomehowhe’dpalmedacondom.Beforeshecouldchasethatthoughtfurthertoatimewhenshe’dconsideredgettingpregnant,Kylesheathedhimselfandpulledhertohimagain.

Sidebyside,henudgedagainstthecoreofher,entering,stretching,herbodyoh-so-sensitivefromsuchalongstintofabstinence.Gasping,shewentbonelessfromthesheerpleasureofthethickpressure.Sheslidanarmoverhim,herfingersthreadingthroughhisclose-shornhair.

Hewhisperedinherear,wordsofencouragement,ofhowmuchhewantedher,howsheturnedhiminsideout.Eachsexysoundstrokedheremotionsassmoothlyashestrokedherbodywhiletheyrockedagainsteachother.

She’dwantedhimsincehearingthatsexyvoiceofhisforthefirsttime.Ithadbeensodamnlongsinceshe’devenfeltdesire,muchlesspursuedit.Therippling,sweetsurgeofsensationsstormedthroughherasshewrithedagainsthim.Shepressedherfaceagainsthisneck,graspinghimwithfrenetichands,hernailsscoringdownhisback.

Toosoon,thestormgatheredinthattighteningswellandasmuchasshewantedtodelay,shelostcontrol.Sheclaspedhimcloser,harder.Herteethclampedintohisshoulderwiththeforceofhercompletionexplodingthroughher.Hethrustharder,faster,drawingoutherorgasmuntileverynervetingled,damnnearburneduntilhefollowedherovertheedge.

Slowly,sherealizedherarmswerelockedaroundhim,theventchillingthelightsheenofsweatslickingherbodyandhis.Herolledtohisback,hugginghertohisside.Hischeststillpumpedheavilyandshecouldn’thavefoundtheairtotalkevenifsheknewwhattosay.Shewasn’tevensurewhattothink.

Shewastoobusybeingscared.Becausewithoutquestion,she’dfoundsomuchmorethanshe’dexpectedtoexperienceherewithhim.Everwithanyone.Atanearlier,freertimeinherlife,shemighthavetakenachanceonthismanwithpotentkisses,restlessfeetandacarefreesmile.Ariskyproposition,tosaytheleast.

WithNina’sstabilityatstake,Phoebefearedshecouldn’triskanothernightinhisbed.

Aftertheirjetlandedandtheygatheredtheirluggage,KyleopenedthecardoorforPhoebe,enjoyingthewaythemoonlightplayedwithherloosehair.Hairlooseandfluffedfromlovemaking.

Beforethey’devenhadtimetosteadytheirbreathing,thepilothadcalledovertheloudspeaker,announcingtheywerepreparingtoland.Phoebehadlaunchedfrombedandshimmiedintoherdressagain.

He’dknownshehadapassionatenaturebeneathhercoolexterior,buthehadn’thadafreakingcluehowmuchsteamwaitedtobetapped.Hisbodysurgedwiththememoryofhowshe’dfitagainsthim,ofhowshe’dresponded.Ofhowdamnhotshe’dlookedwearingnothingbutdiamondsandalightsheenofperspiration.Hisbackborethemarksofherpleasure.

Andhelookedforwardtoaddingmoreassoonastheybothrechargedwithafewhours’sleep.Heslidintothedriver’ssideoftheMercedes.“We’llbehomesoon.I’vealreadyarrangedforsomeonetocomebyinthe

morningtowatchNinasoyoucansleepin.”Shelookedathimsharply.“Thankyou,butI’drathernot.I’vealreadyspentenoughtimeawayfromher.”Hedroveoutofthesmallairport’sparkingareaandontothemainhighway.“Icanseehowthatwouldbeupsettingfor

Nina.”“It’smorethanjustnotwantingherupset.She’shadenoughshufflinginherlifeasitis.”Phoebeshovedherhairback

fromherface,frustrationsparkinginhereyesasclearlyasthediamondsrefractingthedashlights.“Don’tlookatmelikeI’mbeingoverprotective.”

Hadhedonethat?“Sorry.”Hereachedacrosstotunnelahandunderherhairandmassagethebackofherneck.“Ionlywantedtomakesureyouhadenoughrest.”

Shetuckedhertongueinthesideofhermouth.“I’mtheonewhoshouldapologizeforsnapping.Youwerejustbeingthoughtful.”Shesankbackintotheseat,easingawayfromhishand.“I’msoafraidofdoingsomethingwrongwithher.BeforeNinacameintomylife,Iknewsolittleaboutbabies.AsBiancastarteddependingonmemoreandmoreforbabysitting,IdidresearchtomakesureIhadallthemostcurrentinformation.”

GoodGod,ifsheinchedanyfartherawayfromhimshewouldfallthroughtheopencarwindow.Whatthehellwasup?Suddenlyherspeedingettingdressedandoutofthejetseemedlikeevasionratherthanefficiency.



24

Heneededtokeephertalkingandhopefullyclearthefurrowsfromherbrowbeforetheygothome.Beforetheywenttobed.“HowdidyouandBiancaendupfriends—andstayingfriends?You’rebothsodifferent.”

“Wemetinatheaterhistoryclassincollege.Rogerwasatheatermajor,too,andItooktheclasstobewithhim.”Streetlightswhippedpastonthenearlydesertedroad.“WemetBiancaandweallhititoff.She’smoretheflamboyanttypeandIcrewedbackstageforacoupleofproductions,buildingsets,makingcostumes.”

“WhataboutRoger?”Hestompedbackanyresidualjealousyandwatchedheroutofthecornerofhiseye.“Hewasaplaywright,areallygiftedone.”Shethumbedherweddingringaroundandaround.“I’vealwaysthoughthe

wouldhavemadeitbigifhe’dlived.”Hecouldn’tmisshowshetalkedaboutbothBiancaandRogerbeingthespotlightsortyetdidn’tseemtoseeherown

specialindividuality.“Weallthreehadsuchbigplansanddreamsinthosedays.”Shelookeddownandhewonderedifshefeltsomeofthesame

jealousyhe’dwrestledwith.“I’mnotreallysurewhyI’vekeptintouchwithher,butI’mgladImadetheeffortfortheoccasionallunchouttocatchup.Otherwise,IneverwouldhaveknownNina.”Shelookedoverathim,fullonforthefirsttimesincethey’dmadelove.“Whatareyouthinking?”

“ThatmaybeyoukeptupthefriendshipwithBiancainspiteofyourdifferencesbecauseyouweren’treadytoletgoofyourhusband.”Downshiftingaroundacornerontoatwo-laneroad,hehatedtheimagecomingtogetherinhismind.“Beingaroundhermadeyoufeelconnectedtohim.Thisway,youdon’thavetoletgoandmoveon.”

Painflashedthroughhereyes.“Wow,that’sprettyinsightfulforacard-carryingmemberofthetestosteroneclub.”“That’sme—Mr.Sensitive.”Whatwouldhavehappenedifhe’dmetPhoebeinsteadofBianca?“Soyou’veresearched

Mommying101.”“There’salotofinformationoutthere,scaryinformation.”HepulledupoutsidethesecuritygatesleadingintotheLandiscompound.“Youstilllookworried.”“OfcourseI’mconcernedaboutherfuture,”shesaidastheironbarriersswungopen.“Wemayhavekepthersafetoday,

butuntilweknowwhereBiancastands,there’sstillsomuchuncertainty.Iguesswhatworriesmemostistheuncertainty.IfNinaismeanttobewithBianca,ofcourseitwillbreakmyhearttolethergo,butit’smoreimportantthatshebesettledsomewhere,securely,permanently.”

“Evenifit’swithBianca?”Heguidedthecaralongthewindingdrive,oaktreesandpalmettosliningtheway.“Evenif.Therearesomanyfrighteningstudiesoutthererightnowaboutattachmentdisorder.Haveyouheardofit?”“Onlyinverygeneralterms.Ithassomethingtodowithkidsnotbonding,right?”Hepulledupoutsidethegarage.“Alotofthestudiesfocusonbabiesthatareneglectedorabused.Whentheydon’tlearntobondasbabies,itaffectshow

theycanbondaschildrenandadults.”Sheturnedtofacehim,herfaceshadowyinthedarkgarageasthedoorclosedbehindthem.“Ninahasn’tbeenneglectedorabused,butsomeofthestudiesalsosuggesttherecouldbeattachmentissueswhenbabiesareshuffledfromcaregivertocaregiver,neverhavingachancetobondwithanyone.”

“Andthat’swhatyouworryaboutwithNina.”Shestareddownatherhands,twistingthediamond-studdedweddingbandaroundherfingeragain.“Allbabiesdeserve

security.Iwoulddoanythingtokeephersafe.Anything.”Justthatfast,ithithim.Evenifhe’dmetPhoebebefore,shemightnothaveevenconsentedtoadate.She’donlymarried

himbecauseofNina.HerloyaltytoNina—toherdeadhusbandeven—mightnotextendasfarashim.AngercrackledinsidehimovertheideaofjusthowfarshemayhavebeenwillingtogotosecureNina’sfuture.“Andwas

tonightaboutdoinganythingtomakesureyoudon’tloseNina?”Hereyeswentwideandhermouthfellopen.“AreyouinsinuatingIwouldsleepwithyoujusttokeepNina?”Kylescrubbedahandoverhisunshavenface,reasonpokingthroughhisanger.“Ofcoursenot.Iknowyoubetterthan

that.”Hishandfellawayandhecuppedthebackofherneckagain.“I’mtryingtofigureoutwhyyou’repullingawayaftersomeofthemostamazingsexever.”

Shelookedaway,butatleastshedidn’tdodgehishandthistime.“Thisisdifficultforme,beingwithsomeoneagain.”Alongswallowmovedherthroat.“You’vealwayshadalargefamilytodependon,somaybeyoudon’tgetwhatit’slikelosingtheonlypersoninyourworld.Weonlyhadeachother.HewasafosterchildandbothmyparentsdiedbeforeIfinishedcollege.DaddiedfromcomplicationsduringaroutinesurgeryandMotherbasicallygrievedherselftodeath.”

“I’msorry.”Hestartedmassagingherneckagain,findingdeepandunrelentingkinks.“Itwasalongtimeago,butIstillmissthem.Especiallyattimeslikethis.TheywouldhaveenjoyedNinasomuch.”She

smiledbittersweetly.“Butyouunderstandthat,don’tyou,havinglostyourfather?”Henodded,hisdad’sdeathstillastoughtodayasithadbeenwhenhewasaconfusedandgrievingteen.Howmuchworse

itmustbetoloseaspouse.“Howdidyourhusbanddie?Yousaidhedrowned,buttheremustbemoretothestorythanthat.”Sheblinkedfasteventhoughhereyesweredry.“We’dbothbeenworkingtoohard.Iwasfinishingupgradschool,andhe

tookonasecondjobtohelppaymytuition.Wedecidedtospendanafternoonatthebeach.Thedaywasbeautiful,sunshining,butthewindwasheavy,makingforred-flagswimmingconditions.Sowejustpicnicked.”

“Whatwentwrong?”Freshtensionkinkedinherneckunderhisfingersalloveragain.Heresistedthenotiontheremightbenothinghecoulddo

tohelpherthroughthis.“Twotouriststriedtosurfthewavesinspiteofthewarning.Oneoftheguysgotcaughtintheriptideandcalledforhelp.”“Yourhusbandansweredthecall.”God,hecouldn’tevenresenttheguyanymore.“Hewouldhavemadeitout,too,butthesurfboardhithimonthehead.Itwasafreakaccident.”Still,sheblinkedfastagainstdryeyesandherealizedshe’dalreadycriedherselfdryovertheman.“Youreallylovedhim.”Shenoddedsimply,reachinguptolinkherfingerswithhis.“Lovethatstrongdoesn’tjustgoaway.”Sheclearedherthroat

andplasteredabrittlesmileonherface.“Sodon’tworryaboutmemisunderstandingwhathappenedbackintheairplane.Iunderstandourmarriageisshort-term.You’vemadethatclearenoughfromthebeginning.”



25

“Whatifwestayedmarried?”Thewordsfelloutbeforehe’devenformedthethought.Butoncesaid,itmadetotalsense.“We’vegotagreatthinggoinghere.Amazingsex,afriendship,security.We’rebothsoindependentwewon’tneedtoliveineachother’sbackpocket.Youwantclear?Okay,let’sstaymarried.”

Shewatchedhimwithsadeyes.“Whataboutlove?Youmightfinditonedayandbesorry.”“No,”heinsisted,backingawayfromeventhethought.“Ihavemyfuturemappedoutandit’stootransitoryforany

womantoputupwith.We’llhavedifferentexpectationsinapartnership.”Hedidn’tknowwhythismatteredsomuch,hadneverthoughtaboutextendingthemarriagebeforenow.Butthe

possessivenessfistinginhischestwouldn’tretreat.Kyleangledcloser,theperfectargumentcomingtomindtowinthisbattle.Defeatwassuddenly,deeplyunpalatable.“You

couldhavemorechildrenoneday.You’reanaturalmother.”Shegasped.Inshockorhorror?“Areyoupresentingyourselfasaspermdonor?”“WhatifI’mofferingthat,andmore?”Hisquestionfilledthespacebetweenthemwithpossibilities.Andshedidn’tsaynooutright.Confusionscrolledacrossherfaceandhepreppedhisnextlineofpersuasion.Victory

hoveredsodamnclose—Thephonerangfromthedepthsofherbag.Shestartledinherseat.“ThatcanonlybeaboutNinathislate.”Sheavoidedhiseyesandduginthebagatherfeetuntil

shefoundherphone.“Hello?”“Phoebe?”afemalevoiceshriekedsoloudlyfromtheotherendofthelineKylecouldhearclearly.“Phoebe,isthatyou?”Thevoiceslammedhimbackinhisseat.Itcouldn’tbe.Notnow.ButPhoebe’sterrifiedeyesconfirmedwhathealready

suspected.Biancawasaliveandwellontheotherendofthatphoneline.NineFrozeninthefrontseatoftheMercedes,Phoebegrippedthephone,terrorandreliefwarringwithinher.Kyletensed

besideherandshefearedhemightreachforthereceiver.Herfingerstrembling,Phoebechangedtospeak-Oerphone.“Bianca?Isthatyou?”“Ofcourseit’sme,”hercollegefriend,Nina’smother,answered.Herperfectlymodulatedvoicefilledthecar.Anyaccent

hadlongagobeensmoothedawayinhertheatertraining.“I’mstandingoutsideyourapartment.I’vebeenringingyourdoorbellforthepastfiveminutesandtheneighborsarestartingtogetpissed.Wakeupandletmein.”

BiancawasinColumbia?Wherehadshebeenallthistime?Wherevershe’dbeenhidingout,shemustnothavereadanewspaperifshedidn’tknowaboutPhoebeandKylegettingmarried.ThenewshadbeensplashedalloverSouthCarolinaandbeyond.DiplomatsfromaroundthecountryhadcongratulatedthemlastnightattheD.C.dinnerparty.

Amarriagethey’dconsummated,thescentandfeelofhimstilllingeringunderhersatingown.Haditonlybeenafewshorthoursagothey’dleftforWashington,D.C.?GoodGod,herworldwasblowingapartfasterthanshecouldgatherupthepieces.

AtleastBiancaseemedoblivioustoallthechangesthathadgoneonintheirlives,whichwouldgivethemafewprecioushourstogettheirthoughtstogetherbeforeNina’smotherburstthroughthedoor.“I’mnotathome.I’minHiltonHead—withNina.”

Shecouldn’teventhinkabouttheupheavalthiswouldcauseforNina.She’djustbeensettlingintotheLandishomeandtheirnew—moresecure—life.Phoebe’sbellyclenched.

“HiltonHead?”Biancaasked.“Whatareyoudoingthere?”PhoebeglancedatKylebesideherintheparkedcarinsidethelightedgarage.HowwouldBiancareacttothenewsthey’d

married?Evenmoreimportant,didn’tBiancacarewhathadhappenedtoherchild?Ofcoursenot,orshewouldn’thavesimplydisappeared.“I’mtakingcareofNina.”

“Oh,how’sthekiddodoing?”ThethrowawaytonegratedalongPhoebe’salreadyrawnerves.ItwasobviousBiancawasunharmedandhadchosento

falloffthefaceoftheearth.Phoeberesistedtheurgetothrowthephoneasmaternalangermushroomedinsideher.“Nina’sfine.Sinceyouleftherwith

melastsummer,shelearnedtorollover.She’salmostsittinguponherown.”“Good,good.Thanksforbabysitting.Doyouhaveanextrakeyhiddenaroundheresomewhere?It’snotunderthe

flowerpotlikeitusedtobe,andIreallyneedaplacetocrash.”Babysitting?Babysitting!Twomonths—nearlythreemonthsnow—wentwaybeyondsomekindofnannygig,especially

withaninfant.“ItookthekeywithmewhenIleftmyapartment.”She’dcloseduptheplacebuthadkeptpayingrent.She’dplannedon

goingback,butdeepdownshe’dalwaysthoughtNinawouldbewithher.NowNinahadbothherbiologicalparentsinthepicture,whichleftlittleroomforababysitter.“Uh,Bianca,I’minHiltonHeadwithKyleLandis.Whenyoudidn’tcomeback,Ibroughtherheretoherfather.”

ShewatchedKyle’sjawflex,hisfacestarkandhard,angerdarnnearrollingoffhiminwaves.NinawouldhaveafiercedefenderinherLandisfather.SilentlyPhoebesentupaprayerofthanksthatshecouldcountonhimnow.

“He’sbackfromAfghanistan?”Bianca’svoicebreezedfromthephone.“Wow,cool,Iwasplanningtogetintouchwithhim.”

HowcouldshebesoblaséaboutlettingKyleknowabouthisdaughter?WouldNinahaveeverhadthechancetoknowthisbigandwonderfulfamilyifBiancahadn’ttoldPhoebe?

Hegesturedforhertokeeptalking.Phoebeswalloweddownthewadoffearcloggingherthroat.“Well,youcancometoHiltonHeadandtalktohimin

person.”“He’sprobablymad,isn’the?”Biancaasked,hesitancytingeinghervoiceforthefirsttime.“CouldyoujustbringNina

backhere?”Phoebe’spatiencesnapped.IfBiancathoughtshecouldsteamrolloverherold,quietfriend,shewasinforarude

awakening.“Ican’tdothat,Bianca.Youabandonedyourdaughter.Kylehastemporarycustody.”“Phoebe,”Biancagasped,“whatinthehellhaveyoudone?”“Youdidn’tleavemeanychoicewhenyouwalkedoutonyourchild.”



26

“Fine,I’mgettingahotelfortonight.I’llmeetyouinHiltonHeadtomorrow.”Itwaslessthanthreehours’drive.NothingwouldhavestoppedPhoebeifitwereherchild,andoh,God,shecouldlose

Ninanow.“CallwhenyougetclosetotownandI’llgiveyoudirectionstothehouse.”Biancahungupwithoutanotherword.Phoebestaredatthephoneinherhand,achillsettlingallthewaytoherbones.Herteethstartedchattering.Vaguely,she

heardKylespeakingtoher,offeringupsoothingwordsabouthoweverythingwouldbeokay.Butshecouldn’tthinkofanythingbutcheckingonNina.

Phoebetossedasideherphoneandboltedfromthecar.Bunchingherdressup,sheracedintothehouse,upthestairs,notstoppinguntilshereachedNina’snursery.

Thecribwasempty.

KyleheardPhoebe’sscream.Hesprintedintothenurseryandfoundherclutchingababyquilttoherchestasshestoodbythecrib.“Where’sNina?”

Paniclithereyesasshelookedfranticallyaroundthenursery.“Yousaidshewouldbetakencareof.Ishouldn’thaveleftherforevenasecond.Oh,God,doyouthinkBiancaliedandshe’salreadytakenher?”

Kylecuppedhershoulders.“Calmdown,it’sokay.Ninaisinthemainnursery.Thesitterputherthereandwenttosleeponthedaybed.Ninahasn’tbeenaloneforevenasecondsinceweleft.”

Phoebesaggedwithrelief.Hepulledhertohischest,understandingherfearandvowingforher—forNina—hewouldn’tletanyoneharmonehairontheirheads.Sheshudderedagainsthim,anditrippedhimupinsidetoseehisnormallycoolwifefallapart.

Withafinaltremblingsigh,shestraightened.Heonlyhadasecondtoregisterherdampeyesbeforeshechargedoutandintothehall.HerhighheelsclickedalongthehardwoodfloorsasKylefollowedhertothegreennurseryhismotherkeptforallhergrandchildren.

Phoebecrackedthedooropenslowly—warily?—andpeeredinside.Sheslumpedagainstthedoorframe,hereyesclosing,releasingtwofattears.“ThankGod.”

Kylestoppedbehindherandpeeredthroughthedooratthebabyfastasleepinthespindledcrib.Hisdaughter.HeallowedhimselfaselfishmomenttojuststareatNinaandreassurehimselfshewasokay,shewouldbeokay.He

memorizedherfeatures,afaceheshouldhavestudiedmorefullybeforenow.ShehadtheLandischinandhair.Ifshewereawake,hewouldbestaringathisowneyes.Butbeyondthat,heknewshe

likedherfeetuncoveredandshegiggledwhenhewavedherfavoritepanda-bearteethingtoyinfrontofherface.Itwassodamnlittletoknow.Heshouldknowmore.Hewouldknowmore.Hewouldn’tbethatpart-timeparentjettingoff

formonthsonlytofindouthischildhadmetamilestonewhilehewasgone.Hehadoptions,damnit.Shewashisdaughter.Helovedher.Andinthemorning,hecouldlosehertoawomanwhodidn’tthinkanythingofdisappearingfornearlythree

months.He’dneverknownthiskindoffearbefore,notevenwhenhe’dbeenshotdowninAfghanistan.Thefullimpactofthatcrushedhischestuntilhedamnnearcouldn’tbreathe.Hecouldn’tevenimaginewhatkindofhellPhoebemustbefeeling.Hiswifehadlovedthislittlegirlformonths.

HestartedtoreachforPhoebe,butshesteppeddeeperintotheroom.Shequietlycalledouttothesitter,gentlywakingher,smilingherthanksandtellinghershewasfreetogototheguestroomacrossthehall.

Oncethesitterbustledpasthimandintotheotherroom,Phoebecurledupinthecornerofthedaybedasshe’ddoneherfirstnighthere.

Watchingherdistanceherselffromhim,Kylerealizedhewasn’tjustindangeroflosinghisdaughter,hecouldalsolosehiswife.

“I’mheretopickupmydaughter.”BiancastrodeintothefoyeroftheLandismansion,flickingherwavyredhairoverhershoulderwithagesturePhoebe

recognizedascalculatedtocatchmaleeyes.Itusuallyworked.Atleasttoday,KyleseemedoblivioustoBianca’sdubiouscharms,currentlyencasedinskinnyjeansandalime-greentank

top.Hisbarelybankedangersteamedbehindhiseyes.Ninadidn’tseemtonoticethetension,however,asshepattedhimonthefacewithherpanda-bearteetherclutchedinherchubbyfist.

EvenastenseasthingswerebetweenherandKyle,PhoebewasrelievedtohavehissupportinthisstandoffwithBianca.He’dcalledtherestofhisfamilythismorningandtheywouldallreturnwithinhours.

KylepalmedPhoebe’sback.“Let’sallstepintothelivingroomandtalk.There’salottogooverfromthepastfewmonths.”

Biancaeyedthewide-openentryway,herdeeplytannedfingersglidingoverablue-and-whiteFabergéeggbyacrystalvaseoflilacs.Shestrolleddeeperintothelivingroom.Awallofwindowsletsunshinestreamthroughandbathetheroominlightallthewayuptothecathedralceilings.HardwoodfloorswerescatteredwithlightPersianrugsaroundtwoQueenAnnesofasupholsteredinapalebluefabricwithwhitepiping.Wingbackchairsinacreamyyellowangledofftheside.Thewholedecorwasundoubtedlyformal,butinanairy,comfortableway.

PhoebefearedBiancawasseeingdollarsigns.Butifshe’donlywantedmoney,wouldn’tshehavecometoKylerightaway?

Biancaspunonherspikygreenhighheelandextendedherarms.“Mybaby.”ShegrippedNinasofirmlyPhoebehadnochoicebuttoletgo.“Aren’tyoubeautiful,andsobig?”

“Yeah,”Kylemuttered,“theygrow.Asamatteroffact,theygrowalotifyoudon’tseethemfornearlythreemonths.”Phoeberestedahandonhisarm,waryofangeringBianca,especiallywhentheydidn’thaveacluewhatshehadinmind.

“Wherehaveyoubeen?Doyourealizehowworriedwe’vebeen?”



27

“Wereyouworriedaboutme,ordidyoujustcarebecauseofNina?”Liftinganeyebrow,shehitchedthebabyonherhipawkwardly.Ninasquirmedandthrewherpanda-bearplasticteetheronthefloor.“Itdoesn’tmatternow.I’mbackandreadytoseemygirl.”

Kylestood,feetbraced,inthearchwaybetweenthelivingroomandfoyerasifblockinganychanceofescape.“Youfelloffthefaceoftheearthsocompletelywethoughtyoumightbedead.Youstillhaven’ttolduswhereyouwere.”

“Sorryaboutthat.Iwenttotheislandswiththisimportantdirector.Hesaidhehadapartforme.”BiancapriedNina’sfingersoffhergiantgold-hoopearrings.“Helied,thescum,butIgotavacationoutofit.Mothersneedvacations.I’mallrestednowandreadytosnugglewithmylittlegirl.”

PhoeberesistedtheurgetograbNinaandrun.“Youcan’tjustabandonNinaformonthsandthinkI’lltrustyoutotakecareofher.”

BiancalookedbackandforthbetweenKyleandPhoebestandingclosetogether.“Ah,Iseehowitis.”ShejostledNinauncomfortablyasthebabytriedtoclimbdown.“You’vegotKylenowandifyoulosethekid,youlosehim.He’squiteacatch.Icanseehowyouwouldn’twanttogiveallthatup.”

PhoebebitbacktheimpulsetosnapatBianca.Kylewasmorethansome“catch.”Hewasaboutsomuchmorethanhisbankbalance.Hewasanhonorablemanwhocaredabouthisfamily,tookhisresponsibilitiesseriouslyandevenappreciatedthesimplebeautyofbeachsideridesinanopen-aircar.

KylescoopedupNina’splasticteethingtoyfromthefloorandliftedNinafromBianca’sawkwardhold.“PhoebeandIaremarried.”

Biancablinkedfast,speechlessforonce.Hisdaughtersecuredagainsthischest,KylewavedthetinypandabearinfrontofNina’sface,soothingherintoprecious

babygiggles.“ShecametotellmeaboutNina,andwefoundwehadaconnection.”“Youexpectmetobelieveyoutwofellinlove?You’rekidding,right?Phoebe’stotallylockedinthepastwithRoger.”

HerpaintedlipscurvedwithahintofcondescensionassheturnedtoPhoebe.“Andlet’sbehonest,girlfriend,you’renotexactlyKyle’stype.”

Phoeberockedbackastepattheblatantcrueltyofherso-calledfriend’swords.She’dmaintainedthefriendshipwithBiancabecauseshewasoutgoingandvivacious,aforcethathadpulledPhoebeoutintotheworldwhenshe’dfeltisolatedbygrief.Andyes,maybeshe’dhadblindersonwhereBiancawasconcernedbecauseshe’dbeenpartofhappiertimesinPhoebe’slife.Buttheblinderswereoffnow.

Biancawinked.“Maybeyoucangetsomethinginthedivorcesettlement.Youmarriedhimtohelphisdaughter,afterall.What?”Sheblinkedwithoverplayedinnocence.“That’swhyyoumarriedhim,isn’tit?It’snotlikethetwoofyoukneweachother.”

AbriefflashofangericedKyle’seyesbeforehesmoothedhisfeaturesintoaneutralmask.Phoebeadmiredhiscalm,hisskillinputtingfeelingsinthebackgroundtoremainfocusedonsolvingtheproblem.Shecouldseewellwhathadmadehimsuchaneffectivewarrior.

Kyle’sgazepinpointedonBianca.“Whatdoyoureallywant?”“Mybaby.”ColdfearsprinkledgoosebumpsoverPhoebe’sarms.“ThecourtshavegivenKyletemporarycustody.Youlefther.We’ll

needtogobacktocourttosettlethat.”“That’sreallyupsetting.”Herlookwentcalculating.“Youactuallycareaboutheralready?Sheisaprettykid.”Herworstnightmarewasunfolding.Again,shewaslosingsomeonesheloved,andwhileshetriedtoconsoleherselfthatat

leastNinawasalive,Phoebestillcouldn’teraseanimageofthebabycryingoutforheratnightandwondering…Thepainwentdeeperthantears.

Bianca,however,blinkedbig,fattearsdownherface.“I’msosorry.I’vebeensostupid,butIreallythoughtIcouldmakeabetterlifeforNina.I’mnotgoodenoughforher,notlikeyouandyourfamily.”

WasBiancaactingorhadPhoebegrownmorecynical?Ifonlyshedidn’tknowwhatadamnfineactressBiancacouldbe.HadshebeenusingthoseactingskillsonPhoebeallthis

time,too?Hadtheentirefriendshipbeenalie?PerhapsKylewasrightthatshe’dclungtoBiancaoutofaneedtohangontothepastwithRoger.She’dallowedherselftobeblinded.

Phoebegatheredhershakypoise.“Whereareyourbags?I’llshowyoutoyourroom.”Biancashookherfinger.“No,no,no.I’mnotstayinghereunderyourjudgmentaleyes,withyourecordingeverymisstepI

make.I’mstayinginahotelandKyle’spaying.”ShepassedKyleacard.“Here’sthenumbersoyoucancallwiththespecifics.”Shehitchedherbaghigheronhershoulderandtwitchedtowardthedoor.Theclosingdoorechoedinthesilence.Swaying,Phoebecouldhaveswornallherbravadomeltedfromher.Shegrabbedthewingbackchairbehindherandsat

heavily.KylepacedaroundthelivingroomwithNina,stillwavingherpandatoyinfrontofherface.“Phoebe,Idon’twantyouto

worry.We’llplaythisoutinthelegalsystem.Thejudgeisn’tgoingtoreversethecustodyarrangementonawhim,andIdoubtBiancahasthestayingpowertoholdoutlong-term.”

Phoebewasn’tsosure.ThecynicinsideshoutedBiancawasreadytodigherspikedheelsindeep.ButsheletKylecontinuetospellouthisplans,realizingthattakingchargeseemedtokeephimcalm.

Shewatchedhimstridebackandforthacrosstheroom,Ninacradledconfidentlyagainsthischest.Whenhadhegrownsocomfortablewithher?TherewasnomistakingtheconnectionasNinastaredupathimwithadoringblueLandiseyes.Hewavedherfavoritepanda-toyteetherinfrontofherface,jogglingthebeadsinthepanda’sclearbellyaroundinagumball-likedisplay.Ninalovedthattoy.

AndPhoebecouldn’tdenythetruthanylonger.She’dfalleninlovewithKyle.TenHe’dneverfeltsooutofcontrol.Anhouraftercompletingtheirmeetingwiththejudge,Kyleclenchedthesteeringwheel,drivingtheMercedesalongthe

darkshorelinewithPhoebebesidehim.Thecarseatinthebackwasempty.ThejudgehadawardedBiancaone-night-a-weektemporaryvisitationwithNina,startingtoday.Thejudgehadgiventhem

thenextmonthtogatherinformationorworkoutanagreementbeforeherevisitedthecase.



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ThankGodforSebastian’sartfulnegotiationsorthingsmighthaveplayedoutsomuchworse.He’dmanagedtowedgeinaprovision.KylewouldpayBianca’sexpensesandhireanannytostaywithBiancaandNinaduringthetwenty-four-hourvisitations.Atleasttheyhadthereassurancethebabywouldbecaredfor,andBiancacouldn’tskiptownwithNina.They’dallstayedatthecourthouseuntilarrangementshadbeenmadewiththesitterthey’dusedduringtheirD.C.trip.

He’ddoneeverythingpossiblefornow.Andstill,itdidn’tquiettheroaringinsidehim.Thesunsankashardandfastashisgut.WhatiftheystilllostNina?ThelovehefeltforhisdaughterslammedthroughhimallthemoreoncehehadtowatchBiancawalkawaywithhislittlegirl.SeeingthedevastatedexpressiononPhoebe’spalefaceatthelosshadonlyhammeredhomehisfailure.

Hisheadlightssweptaroundthenextcurve,sharperthanhe’dexpected,andheforcedhimselftoslowdown.Hewouldn’tbeanygoodtoNinaorPhoebeifhetotaledthecar.Hishandsshooksohardhedecidedtopulloffthedesertedroaduntilheregainedcontrolofthefearsbroadsidinghim.

Kyleguidedthesedanontoasecludedparkingareasandwichedbetweenduneswithtoweringseaoats.Thewindtoreinofftheocean,bitsofspraypingingonthewindshield.

Hishandsfistedagainsthisknees,tighter,tighteragainasifhecouldsomehowholdbacktheswellingfrustrationinsidehim.Musclestensedandbuncheduphisarmuntilheslammedhisfistagainstthedashboardwithacurse.

Hewelcomedtheboltofpainthatshotuphisarm.Heconsideredgivingtheleatherasecondgo…untilhesawthetearsstreakingdownPhoebe’sface.

Ah,hell.Thosetearshurthimfarmorethanifhe’dbrokenhishand.“I’msorry,Phoebe,sodamnsorry.”Sorryformorethingsthanhecouldevenputintowordsrightnow.Hegatheredheragainsthischest,andshedidn’teven

protest,justsaggedagainsthim.Achokingsobcaughtinherthroat.Shegrippedhissuitcoatuntilherfingersdugintohisshoulders,thesamefearsandfrenzyradiatingfromherthathefeltinsidehimself.Hethumbedawaytwotearsstreakingdownhercheek,restedhisheadagainstherbrow,murmuringwhateverconsolingwordshecouldscavengeoutofhisownstarkarsenal.

Phoebeburrowedcloser,turningherfacetowardhiscaress,towardhim.“Touchme,”shewhispered,hervoicehoarseandagonized,“holdme,maketheemptinessgoaway.”

Kylestilled.Shecouldn’tpossiblybesuggestingthey…Butthenshepressedakissintohispalm,herlipsmovingagainsthimasshespoke,“Ican’tstandonemoremoment

thinkingaboutwhathappened.Ineedyoutogivemesomethingelse,somethingwonderful,tothinkabout.”Allhisfrustrationgatheredforcewithapurpose—givingPhoebethedistraction,theoutlet,evenamomentaryrelieffrom

thepain.Heguidedherfaceuptohis.Theirmouthsbrushed.Held.Phoebe’sfistsunfurledfromhissuitcoatandherfingerscrawledacrosshisbacktoclamphimcloser.Passionexploded

insidehim,feedingoffallthefrustratedemotionsthathadstockpiledwithinhimsinceBianca’sout-of-the-bluecall.Hell,sincePhoebehadshuthimdownaftersexintheairplane.

Kyleslidhishandsuptocupherface,tofittheirlipsmoresurelyagainsteachother,todeepenthekissandcontactandconnection.Allthefrenzyofthedaychanneledintothemoment,seekinganoutlet.

Hegrazedhisfingersdownherbacktocradleherhips,guidingherontohislapthewayhe’dfantasizedaboutdoingwhenthey’dmadeoutbytheshoreintheAston.But,wherethatnighthadbeenaboutseduction,thismomentwasaboutrelease.

Sheslidoverhislegs,herpink-cottonwraparounddressbunchinguparoundherhips.Thefabricpartedalongthesideatthewrap,exposingherrose-coloredpanties.Heslippedhisfingersalongbothhips,twistingthesilkyfabricuntiltheunderwear…snapped.Hebrushedasidethescrapsuntilshepressedagainsthim,moistandhot.

Shesprinkleddesperatekissesalonghismouth,hisjaw,nippingandtemptingwithhertongueandteeth.Thelastraysofsunfaded.Theduskofnightsealingthemindarkness,heighteninghisothersensesasheinhaledhervanillascentmixedwiththemuskofsexywant.

Herpantingbreathsyncedupwithhis.Phoebetoreathisbelt,makingfastworkofhisflyandfreeinghimfromhisboxers.Shestrokedhim,alreadythrobbingandhardinherhand.Thetouchofhercoolfingersspikedhisneed.Heclenchedhisteeth,scavengingforbitsofhisshreddedcontrollongenoughtofishhiswalletfromhisbackpocket.Hiseyesadjustingtothedark,hepluckedoutacondom.

Sherockedherhipsagainsthim,herbodybareandwelcoming.Hisjawflexed,histhroatmovinginaslowswallowashislasheswentheavyforaninstantandhefoughttheurgetoclosehiseyes.

Hetoreopenthepacket.“Wait.”“Nopatiencetonight.”Shesnatchedthebirthcontrolfromhishand.“Iagree.”“Nowshh…”Sherolledthecondomalongthelengthofhim,urgently,efficiently.Phoebestraddledhislap,kneelingoverhimasshepositionedherself.Hecuppedherbuttocksandguidedherdownonhim

untiltheysattogether,connected.Cradlingherinhispalms,hethrustandshewrithedandtheymovedintandem,knowingeachother’sbodiesandneedsbetterthistime.

Shesqueezedherarmstighteraroundhim,echoingtheclaspinsideaswellthaturgedhimcloserandclosertocompletionassurelyasherbreathymoansandsighsanddemandsformore,harder,faster.Now.

Windrolledinofftheocean,carryingsaltandseaspraythroughthevents.Theirmatingwasrawandsweatyandintenselyconsuming.Itwentbeyondsex.ItwasdifferentbeingwithPhoebe,andthatscaredthecrapoutofhim,becauseifsheleft,nothingwouldbethesame,nothingwouldbeasgood.

Hermoansgrewlouder,loudertillthesoundofpleasurefilledthecar.Sheclawedathisshoulders,anchoringherselfdeeperashewatchedtheshadowsplayacrossherface,watchedhercomeapart.Herbreaststhrustforwardwiththepowerfularchofherspineagainandagain,herneckexposedinagracefularch.Hefeltthedampstrengthofherrelease.Shecontractedaroundhim,massaginghim…over…theedge.

Hisheaddroppedagainsttheseatrest.Herodethesurgingreleaserollinginwaveafterwaveofexpandingexplosions.Hewasn’tevensureanymoreiftheroaringinhisearscamefromtheoceanorhisownbody.

Hecombedhisfingersthroughherhair,herfacetuckedagainsthisneck.Theyhadn’tsolvedanythingoutherebytheocean,butatleastshewasn’tcryinganymore.

Hedroppedhischintorestagainstherhead.



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Damnitalltohell,whatatimetounderstandherpowerfulconnectiontoherdeadhusband.Becauserightnow,Kyleknewhewouldfindawaytomakeherlovehim,nomatterhowlongittook.

Phoebehadtodosomething,anything.ThepurehelplessnessofwaitingtoseeNinahomeagainsafeandsoundwaseatingheralive.Sittingcross-leggedonher

bed,sheclickedthroughthekeysonherlaptopcomputer,surfingtheInternetforanythingshecouldfindonchild-custodybattles.Sheneededtoarmherselfwithasmuchknowledgeaspossible.Kyle,too,hadhislaptopout,buthe’dsetuponthepatiooutsidehersuite.OnlyafewmorehoursandtheywouldpickupNina.

NeitherofthemhadstrayedfarfromNina’sroom.Didhefeelclosertotheirdaughterhere,too?Shecouldn’tevenhazardaguess.Sincethey’dmadesuchfranticloveinhiscar,Kylehadcompletelyshutdown.He’dspentmostofthenightworkingathiscomputer,evenafterhisfamilyhadreturned.He’dsurprisedherwhenhe’dclimbedinbedwithheratabouttwointhemorning,makingslower,morethoroughlovetoherwithhisbody,hismouth,hiswords,butsaidnothingabouthisownneedsorpain.Butbeingwithhimhadn’tdistractedherfromworryingaboutNinaasmuchasithadrockedhertothecore.

She’dfeltKyle’shurtforhisdaughter,therawedgetohislovemaking.Thatsharedconnectionhaddissolvedherdefensesagainsthim,leavingheropenandsomuchmorevulnerablethanshe’deverimagined.

Thenshe’dwokenalone.Gazingacrosstheroomtotheopenbalconydoor,shefoundhimontheporchbackathiscomputer.He’dpulledawayagain,andshedidn’tknowwhy.Shecouldunderstandhisfrustrationoverlosingfullcustodyofhisdaughter,fearsofthenextjudge’shearingupsettingNina’sworldevenmore.Buthisretreatseemedmotivatedbymorethanthat,sinceithadonlygrowndeeperaftertheyhadmadelove.

SheswungherfeettothefloorandpaddedacrosstowatchhimthroughtheopenFrenchdoors.Alightbreezeflutteredthewhisperycurtainandliftedherhair,theairmuggyafterthenightofrain.

WhatwouldKyledoifshewalkedupbehindhimandmassagedthetensionoutofthosebracedshouldersofhis?Maybeitwasworththerisktofindout.Shesteppedoutsideonlytopullupshortwhenshesawthedeepfurrowsinhisbrow.“What’swrong?”

“Takealookatthis.”Heturnedhislaptopscreentowardher,displayinganimageofBiancaatabeachparty,dancingbetweentwomen,anumbrelladrinkheldoverherhead.“DoesthatseemlikeBiancawasworkingtomakeabetterlifeforherchild?Checkoutthetimestamp.”

Lessthanaweekago.“Therearemore.Lotsmore.Andnotjustdrinking,butdrugsandevenasextapethat,uh…”Hepinchedthebridgeofhis

nose,shakinghishead.Heclickedthedrop-downmenutosavethelatestInternetsite,hisjawflexingbuthiseyesstillflatandemotionless.“Itappearsshedidn’tspendmuchtimewastingawaymissingherchild.”

Thecrowdedpartyandcabanasurelookedlikeitprovidedphoneservice,yetshe’dneverbotheredtocall.Phoebepulledoutachairandsankdownbesidehim.“Whydidn’ttheprivateinvestigatorfindthese?”

“Mostofthemarefromthepastweek.AndIhavesome,uh,skillsfrommymilitaryinteldays.”Hisfistsclenchedonthetable,hisweddingbandglintinginthehigh-noonsun.“Damnitall,Ishouldhavebeendoingthismyselffromthestart.”

“You’vebeendoingeverythingyoucouldtotakecareofNinafromthefirstmomentyoumether.”Sheslidherhandoverhisfist.“Thisisscarystuff.Thankgoodnessyoufounditnow.”

Heslippedhishandfromunderhersandclickedthroughmorecomputercommands.“Ineedtodomore.Time’srunningout.”

“Whendoyouleavetostartyournewjob?”Itseemedhe’dalreadyleftemotionallynow.Thefragilecommongroundthey’djustbeguntoshareseemedtobeslippingawayassurelyasthecrestingwavespulledsandfromtheshore.

“I’vepushedbackallmymeetingsuntilwegetthingssettledwithBianca.ImeantthattimeisrunningoutforNina.”“Whatifittakesawhiletosettlethecustodyissue?”Afrighteningpossibilitytheybothneededtoface.“Itwon’t,”hesaidcurtly.“Iwon’tletit.”Shetouchedhiswrist,tryingagaintobreakthroughtheicyexteriorthatonlycrackedduringsex.“Somethingsarebeyond

eventhecontrolofamightyLandis.”“ThegreatthingaboutbeingaLandisisthatwe’reallequallyasdetermined.Ihaveawealthofsupportwhenitcomesto

beingthereforNina.”“Whenitcomestoyourdaughter,there’snoreplacementforyou.”Heturnedsuddenly-hauntedeyesonher.“YouthinkIdon’tknowthat?I’vealreadytoldthefamilyI’mnottakingthejob

headingupLandisInternational.Ihaveoptions,andIintendtomakethemostofthem.”Shewasstunnedatthisabruptshiftinhislifeplan.“Butsurelyyoucanjustpostponeit.Youwon’tbehappynaileddown

tooneplace,you’vesaidsoyourself.Therehastobeabettercompromise.Let’stalkthisout.”“There’snothingtodiscuss.”Sheleanedcloser,refusingtolethimpushheraway.She’dfoughtforNinaandshewouldfightjustashardforhim.“Kyle,

damnit,you’retheonewhokeepspreachingtomeaboutnotshuttingdown,aboutcomingbacktolife.”Somethingsmokedthroughhiseyesandforamomentshethoughtshemighthavetrulygottenthroughtohim.Thenhis

beautifulblueeyesicedoveragain.Heshovedhisseataway,irongratingacrossstonetiles.“Thisisn’taboutme.We’reinthemiddleofacustodybattle.

Unlessweworktogether,presentingaunifiedfrontinourmarriagelong-term,wecouldwellloseNinaforgood.”Heclosedhislaptopandstood.“Weshouldgetmovingsowe’renotlatepickingupNina.”

Helefthersittingontheporchaloneandconfused.Asshesat,stunnedatthelossoflightheartedKylewithhisbolsteringone-sidedsmiles,hiswordstrickledthrough,aboutstayingamarriedcouplelong-term.

Finallyhe’dcommittedtostayingtogether,yetshe’dneverfeltfartherapartfromhim.ElevenSittinginanantiquerockerinthelivingroom,PhoebecradledNinainherarmseventhoughthebabyhadgonetosleepat

leastfifteenminutesago.Shehadn’tbeenabletoletheroutofhersightsincethey’dpickedherupyesterday.Theroomwassilentbutfortherustlingofhermother-in-lawatthecoffeetable,pullingThanksgivingdecorationsfromaplasticstoragebin.

Phoebecouldn’thelpbutbewarmedbythelackofpretensioninsuchapowerfulworldfigure.Wearingalightweightorangesweaterset—andbluejeans—GingerLandisRenshawcouldhavebeenanyothergrandmotherpreparingfortheholidayswith



30

herfamily.WhatwouldithavebeenliketohavesuchawomantoturntoafterRogerhaddied?Orwhenshe’dbeenwrestlingwithwhattodoafterBiancahaddisappeared?

Kylewassequesteredwithhisbrother.MaybehewouldfindsomecomfortandreasontheresinceSebastianwouldunderstandthepainafterhavinglosthisadopteddaughter.HeavenknewKylestillwasn’tlisteningtoher.Hisemotionalretreatfromherstungmorethanshecouldhaveeverimaginedafewweeksago.Howhadsheopenedherselftosomuchpainagain?

PhoeberestedhercheekagainstNina’sheadandinhaledthesweetscentofbabyshampoo,watchinghermother-in-lawliftoutabrasscornucopia.“That’sabeautifulpiece.”

Gingerglancedoverhershoulderwithasmilebeforeplacingthehornofplentyonthemantel.“Itbelongedtomyfirsthusband’sgrandmother.Shelovedtheholidays.ShealsogavemethemostexquisitefamilyNativity,amagnificentcollector’spiece.It’sinamuseumnow,butIhadareplicamadeformygrandchildrentoenjoy.”

“Howlovelytohavesuchlong-livingtraditionsinyourfamily.”SheglanceddownattheweddingringKylehadplacedonherfinger,overthespotthathadoncewornRoger’ssimplergoldband.“Forgivemeifthisistoopersonal,butdidyourhusband—thegeneral—everhaveaproblembeingremindedofyourfirstmarriage?”

Gingerturnedslowlyandleanedbackagainstthecoolhearth.“HankandIhavebeenfriendsforyears,backwhenwewerebothmarriedtootherpeople.Ihelpedhimwithhischildrenafterhiswifedied.HehelpedmeafterIlostBenjamin.Thislovewe’vefoundcamelaterandcertainlysurprisedusboth,pleasantlyso.”

“Nojealousythen?”“None.Thatdoesn’tmeanwegotoverlosingaspousequickly.WhenIsayittookusalongtimetofindeachother,Imean

averylongtime.Years.Yethereweare,blendingourNativityscenesandfamilies.”ShepattedNina’sdiaperedbottom.“Ilookforwardtosettingupthecrèchewithmygranddaughtersomeday.”

“Makesureyoutakepictures,lotsandlotsofthem.”IncasePhoebewasn’tapartofherday-to-daylifeanymore.RegardlessofKyle’stalkofworkingtogether,shedidn’thavefaithinthelong-termhopefortheirrelationship.

“IhavephotosinthealbumofmyboyssettinguptheNativitywiththeirgrandmother.Infact…”Sheleanedintothecontainer,siftingthroughpaddedornamentholders.“IbelievethereplicaendedupinherewiththeThanksgivingdecorations.”

Gingerstraightened,holdingavelvetbaginherhands.“Herewego.”Shesatontheedgeofthesofaandbeganwithdrawingthewrappedpieces.“MatthewandKyleusedtoargueeveryyearoverwheretoputtheWiseMen.Matthewissuchatraditionalistlikehisfather.Hewantedthemrightthereinthemanger.Kyle,however,pointedoutthattheWiseMenreallydidn’tshowupuntiltwoyearslater,sotheyshouldbepositionedsomewhereoutsidethemanger.”

PhoeberockedNina,eyeingthetrioofporcelainfiguresandenvisioningayoungKyledreamingoftheWiseMen’sworldtravels.Thereproductionoftheantiquecrèchestilllookedvintage,withanOldWorldstyletotherich-huedpaints.

Gingercuppedacamelinherhand.“Everyyear,mylittlesmart-alecksonwouldcradlethosethreeporcelainantiquesandshakehishead,saying,‘Twoyears,forPete’ssake.Thatmakes’emthethreewiseslackers,ifyouaskme.’”

“ThatcertainlysoundslikeKyle.”AtleasttheKyleshe’dknownaweekago.WouldNinahavehissenseofhumor,aswellashissmile?Wouldtheyseethathumoragain?

Gingerplacedthecamelbehindthethreekings.“Healwayshasjokedtocoverwhenhe’suncomfortablewithemotions.Hisfatherbeinggonesomuchbotheredhimdeeply,butKylealwaysshruggeditoffasifitdidn’tmatter.”

Couldhebeshuttingdownasadifferentdefensemechanismagainstuncomfortable—hell,painful—emotions?Hewasallaction,withoutadoubt,andshe’dlearnedlongagomensometimesovercompensatewithactionsattheexpenseofwordsandfeelings.“KyleturneddownthejobwithLandisInternational.”

Gingerdidn’tlookup,justcontinuedtoarrangethefiguresonthecoffeetableeventhoughitwasweekstooearlyforChristmasdecorations.“Iwasdisappointedtohearthat.Itakeitheseemstothinkhecan’tbeagoodfatherandtravelthewayhewants.”

“HeevenhintedthatleavingwouldbethesameaswhatBiancadid.”Shethoughtbacktothetimeshe’dexpressedherfearsaboutattachmentdisorderandhowthatmusthavefueledKyle’sconcerns.“HaveyouevertalkedwithKyleaboutthis?Maybehe’lllistentoyou.”

Laughinglightly,hermother-in-lawshookherhead.“IfI’velearnedanythinginallmyyearsparentingandinpolitics,it’sthatyoucan’ttellpeopleanythingandhavethemacceptitastruth.Theyhavetocometotheconclusionontheirown.”

“Butyoutoldme.”“Youwerealmostthereonyourownandyoualreadyhadallthepiecesinplace.”PhoebetriedtounderstandwhereGingerwasgoingwithhertripdownmemorylane,butthewayshesawit,thingslooked

sodamnbleak.“AreyoutellingmethissoIcangiveuponKyle?”Gingerleanedbackonthesofa,herblueeyeswisebutkind.“I’mhelpingyousoyoucanshowhimthepiecesheneedsto

putittogether.”Shegavethecamelafinalnudgesoitlinedupalongsidethemagi.“Itmaytakeawhile,evenalongwhile,butdon’tgiveup.Somepeopleseethepiecesdifferently,butaslongasyou’rebothtalkingabouthowtoworkitout,you’llfindtheanswersthatarejustrightforyou.”

Phoebelookedattheporcelainsetrestingonthecoffeetable.ShecouldalmostseethefourLandissiblingstakingturnsarrangingthefigurines,thebrotherssoalikeinlooks,butdifferentinmanywaysnowthatsheknewthembetter.

Andwhatabouther?Howwouldshehavedisplayedthescene?Nomatterhowmanytimesshejostleditaroundinherhead,shecouldn’trecreatewhatshe’dputtogetherbefore.Hermindkeptenvisioningthingsdifferently,fromtheperspectiveofamother,withKyle’squirky,slackerWiseMenofftotheside.

Slowlyhervisionclearedandtheimageofhowherlifeshouldbecametogetheragain,differentlythanbefore,withRoger,butnolesswonderful.ShewantedafuturewithKyle,auniquelifetogetherthattheybuilt,notsomeattempttorecreatethepast.SomethingwasgoingonwithKyle,butnotforamomentdidshebelievehedidn’tcare.

ThetimehadcometotrulytakecommandofherlifeandbethewifeandpartnerKyledeserved.

KylesensedanewdeterminationinPhoebeastheysataroundthetableinthecourthousemediationroomtodiscussthefirstroundofcustodyspecificswithBianca.Kylehadburiedhimselfinpaperworkinthehopesthathecouldmakethisright.



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He’dvowedhewoulddoanythingtomakePhoebehappyandlooktowardthefutureratherthanthepast.KeepingNinaabsolutelytoppedthelistofsecuringeveryone’shappiness.Afterthey’dcrossedthathurdle,hewoulddoeverythinginhispowertobethebesthusbandandfatherpossible—evenifthatmeantnailinghisasstoadeskinHiltonHead.

Hejusthopedtheevidencethey’dfoundabouthowBiancahadspentthepastmonthswouldturnthetideintheirfavor.Somuchdependedonthejudge’sfinalverdict,andSebastianhadtoldhimthatcouldswingeitherway.StillPhoebesatnexttohimexudingquietconfidence,herchinhighandshoulderssquare.

Biancahuffedaraggedstrandofhairoffherbrow,thumbingthroughthestackofdocumentsinfrontofher.“Thisisallsocomplicatedandofficial.”

PhoebeleanedclosertoBianca.“YouhavetounderstandweonlywanttokeepNinasafe.”“That’swhatIwant,too,”Biancarushedtoanswer.“Ijustwanttoplaywithher.”Kylestartedtoreachforthefileofdamningphotos.Phoebeplacedahandonhisarm.“Waitamoment.”Sheleanedonher

elbow.“Bianca,doyoutrulywantcustodyofNina?”Theconfidentialtoneinhervoicewassoft.Non-accusatory.Andcompletelycaughthimoffguard.Whatthehellwasshe

doing?Evenever-stoicSebastiantensedintheleatherseat.Biancascratchedmascarafromthecornerofhereye,hergazedartingaroundnervously.“Whatkindofmotherdoesn’t

wantcustody?Evenyouwantherandyou’renothermom.”“Noonehereisjudgingyou,Bianca,”Phoebecontinuedwithadmirablecalm.“Weallwantwhat’sbestforNinaandbest

forallofus,includingyou.Whynotletgoofwhoyouthinkyoushouldbe.Bewhoyouareandlet’sworkfromthere.”Kyle’sneckstartedtoitch.Phoebehadsaidmuchthesamethingtohimwhenhe’dtoldheraboutturningdownthejob

withLandisInternational.PhoebereachedacrossthetabletoNina’sbiologicalmotherwithanopennessKyledidn’tthinkhecouldhavescavenged.“Bianca,”shepressedgently.“What’sreallygoingon?”Bottomlipquivering,BiancasqueezedPhoebe’shand.“You’regoingtothinkI’manawfulperson.Allofyou.”She

lookedaroundthetable.“Nina’ssweetandIdowanttoseeher.ButIwanttobeanactress.That’sallI’veeverwanted.”Sheblurted,“Ineedmoney.”

Sebastian’seyesnarrowed.AngergelledinsideKyleaswhathe’dfearedandexpectedplayedout.“Youwantapayoff.”Phoebetouchedhisleglightlyunderthemahoganytable,pattinghiskneereassuringlytoquietthestormbrewinginside

him.“No,no.”Biancaraisedbothherhandsdefensively,herlong,manicurednailsreflectingthehalogenbulbsoverhead.“I’m

notbribingyou.Iwouldn’tdothat.Imayhaveflaws,butIwouldneversellmybaby.Ijustwantadecentshotatbeinganactress.I’vegotanauditioninBollywoodandIcan’taffordtheplaneticket.AllIwantisaplaneticket.”

Bollywood?InIndia?Kylestaredatherinshock.Shewasalreadymakingplanstojet?Toleavetheirdaughteralloveragain?Butontheplus

side,allshewantedwasadamnplaneticket.Lessthanathousanddollars.IfBiancawasinterestedinbribingthem,shewouldhaveaskedforahellofalotmorethanthat.

Biancatwistedherhandsinfrontofher,abluroffuchsianailsandsilverrings.“Irealizeyou’repissedbecauseIdidn’ttellyouaboutNina,butIknewifIcametoyou,youwouldgetallwrappedupinmakingafamily.Imean,God,allyoutalkaboutisfamily,family,family.”Sheglancedupquickly.“Nooffensemeanttoanyofyou.”

Sebastiansmiled,one-sided.“Nonetaken.”“Anyway,Ididn’tknowwhattodoandPhoebe’ssosmartandlogical,Iknewshecouldtakecareofeverything.I’mnot

likeher.I’mnotcutouttobeafull-timemom,nomatterhowmuchIlovethelittlecutie.”KylevaguelyregisteredhiswifemurmuringsomethingabouthowgladshewastotakecareofNina,furtheringhissense

thatPhoebeundoubtedlyhadBianca’snumber.HadBiancaevensomehowsetthiswholethingup,arrangingcircumstancessoPhoebewouldcometohim?Kylecouldn’t

goquitethatfar,buthecouldseehehadsuresizedthisupwaywrongfromtheminuteBiancahadwalkedintotheLandishome.SebastianbeganspeakingwithBiancainhisbestsoftandreasonablelawyertones,explainingtheinsandoutsofwhatit

meanttosignawayherparentalrights.ButKylewasfocusedonPhoebe,whohadsomehowseenawaythroughthistangleandfoundawaytounknotthethreadsandrestoreorder.Fromherquietlyoutrageousideatogetmarried,toseeingthroughBianca’sbad-girlexteriortothemorecomplex—albeitstillselfish—personinside.

Hehadn’tneededtoblastforwardwithhisbackgroundsearchonBiancaandlevelthefieldinamannerthatwouldsetbadbloodbetweenthemfortherestofNina’slife.WhatmorehadhemissedfromPhoebewithhischarge-aheadattitudethatapparentlykepthimfromslowingdownlongenoughtopickuponimportantnuances?

Hedidn’tknowyet.Buthelookedforwardtofindingoutonedayatatime.Daysandweeksandyearsofbuildingalifeandgettingbetterashelearnedmoreabouther.

Startingtodaybytellinghiswifethemostimportantdetail,adetailhischarge-aheadbrainhadwronglyplowedrightoverasinsignificant.OncehegotPhoebealone,heintendedtomakesurethatsheheard,believedandneverforgot.

Helovedher.

PhoebeclosedthedoortoNina’snursery,Kylebehindher.Shestillcouldn’tbelievethey’dstumbledonBianca’srealagendaandithadbeensoeasytoaddress.

Althoughnowthatshethoughtback,itmadetotalsense.IfBiancahadbeenaftermoney,nothingcouldhavestoppedherfromgettingthroughtotheLandisfamily.Theyshouldhaverealizedthatfromthestart.ThetalkwithGingerhadhelpedhertrustherinstincts.

BiancahadseenthepiecesdifferentlythanPhoebewouldhaveeverguessed.Phoebeleanedonthewraparoundbalcony,tippingherfaceintotheseabreeze.Kylepulledupalongsideher,hisleg

pressedagainsthersintimately.



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Wherewouldtheygofromhere?Morepassionatesexthatturnedherinsideout…onlytofindherselfaloneafterward?No,damnit,she’dlearned.Nomorehidinginherdustyacademicworld.Shewouldfightforherself,forthismarriage,asfirmlyasshe’dfoughtforNina.Evenifittooktime.

Sheturnedtofacehim,leaninganelbowontherailing.“Biancasurprisedmetoday.Shegrewup.I’mrelievedforNina.”Thecoolbreezeseemedtosoothethehotfrustrationofthelastfewweeks,easingtheacheinsideher.Shejustwishedshe

couldsharesomeofthatpeacewithKyle.“Weaccomplishedwhatwesetouttodo.”Hisvoicewrappedaroundherwiththesamewarmthithadthatfirstnightathis

homecomingparty.Wasitherimagination,orwasthereahintoftheoldKyleinhistone?Shepeeredoverathisstrongprofileashelooked

outatthewater.“Weaccomplisheditwithasolutionthat’soutsidethebox.”Justlikeshehopedhewouldfindforhimself.Likeshehopedhemightseefortheirfuture.“Youfoughtforus,forbothofus,andIloveyouforthat.”“Ifwekeepthinkingoutside—”Thewordstuckonhertongueasherthoughtsrewoundandherheartpickedupspeed.

“Whatdidyousay?”Thatstrong,handsomeprofileofhisturneduntilhelookedfull-onintohereyes.“IsaidIloveyou.”Herjawwentslack.She’dbeenexpectingtodiginforalonghaul,worktobuildarelationshipthatwouldleadtolove,the

wayGingerhadfoundhersecondchancewithherlongtimefriend.Therewerestillsomanypieceslefttomove.“Kyle,areyousure?Wait,ofcourseyou’resure.Youprideyourselfonalwaysbeinghonest.”Herheadbeganspinningas

fastasherheartbeat.“YouwererightthatIwashangingontothepast.Iwaslookingtorecreatethat,whichisimpossible.Thatwasauniquelove,justasmyloveforyouisunique.Byexpectingthistobelikethepast,Ialmostmissedhowabsolutelyawesomethepresentcouldbe.”

Kylefrowned.Hishandslandedonhershoulders,steadyingher.“Wait.Backupasecond.Didyoujustsayyouloveme,too?”

Oh,shehad.Andwhyhadn’tshethoughttosaythatstraightawaytohim?“Yes.”Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneck,thetruthofthatsimplefactshiningthrough.“Iamtotallyandcompletelyinlovewithyou.Iknowit’sonlybeenafewweeks.I’mtheonewhosaidthingstaketime.”

“IseemtorecallyoushouteditintheAston.”Thatgorgeous,lopsidedgrinofhisreturned,makingherkneesridiculouslyweak.

“Idid,didn’tI?”Ah,butshewouldneedthatstubbornnesstogotoe-to-toewithherhardheadedLandisman.“Mypointis,Idoloveyou.Itcameonmedifferentlythistime,butIknowjustassurelythatthisisreal.”

“Phoebe?Quiet,mylove.”Hislove?Shewouldnevergrowtiredofhearingthat.“Yes?”“Ishouldhaverealizedsoonerwhatwashappeningbetweenus.Godknows,you’verockedmemoreinamillionwaysthan

anyonehasbeforefromthefirsttimeIsawyou,tothefirsttimeIkissedyou,madelovetoyou.SomethingaboutthewayyouhandledthingswithBiancafinallygotthroughmythickskulluntilIcouldseejusthowperfectyouare,howperfectwecanbetogether.IwouldbeadamnfoolifIletyougo.”Hissmiledugadimpleinhischeek.“Imayhavebeenslowontheuptake,butI’mnotanidiot.Iloveyou,PhoebeLandis,andIwanttospendtherestofmylifewithyouandourdaughterandanyotherchildrenwedecidetoaddtoourfamily.”

“AndIwanttospendtherestofmylifewithyou.”Hetuckedhercloseragainsthim,theirbodiesaperfectfit.“We’llstarthouse-huntinghere,foraplaceofourown.”Afinalproblemtuggedherwithworriesaboutlong-termhappiness.“Butyouloveyourjob,thethrillofinternational

dealings.”Hetunneledhisfingersintoherhair.“IloveyouandNinaandthelifewe’regoingtohavetogethermore.”“Idon’tthinkI’llevergettiredofhearingthat.”Shearcheduponhertoesasheleaneddown,hiskisswonderfullyfamiliarandevenbettereverytime,astheybuiltonthe

desireshe’dfeltthefirsttimehissexyvoicehadstrokedoverher.Howmuchmorewouldshehavetolookforwardtointhefuture?Hishandssliddownhersidestolooplowaroundherwaistashekissedalongherjaw,hislate-daybeardasweetabrasion

againstherskin.Thescentofhisaftershavemingledwiththesaltyair,swirlinginsideherlikedreamsoftheirfutureunfolding.Andjustthatfastanideatookshapeinsidethosepossibilitiesandplans.

Phoebenestledagainsthischest,lookingoutovertheocean.“WhatifNinaandItraveledwithyou?”Hismuscledarmstensedagainstherandhedidn’tansweratfirst,thewavesrollingandrecedingwhilehisheartthudded

steadilyunderherear.Shestrokedthehairatthenapeofhisneck.“Kyle?”“Ithoughtyouwouldwantthehomeandhearthhere,stabilityforNina.”Sohadshe.Atfirst.Butshewaslearningmoreandmoreaboutthinkingoutsidetheboxasshecontemplatedblendingher

lifewithKyle’s.“We’rehersecurity.Andasyousaidbefore,wehaveoptions.Wecanhireanentourageofhelpsoweneverhavetoworryaboutfindingsitters.Wecanaffordtorentanentirehousewhereverwetravel.Thinkoutsidetheboxforus,thewayyoudoinyourcareer.”

“Yourplanisdefinitelyworthdiscussion.”Hisfacecreasedintoaone-sidedsmile,hishandsslidingintimatelylowdownherwaist.“Wecouldalwaystalkaboutitmoreonalongdriveupthecoast,sinceIdecidedtokeeptheAston.”

Possibilitiesflamedtolifeinsideher,fornowandalltheyearsahead.“Topdown?”Shecouldalreadyimaginetheseasprayagainstherface,Kylepullingoveronadesertedstretchofbeach…“Whateveryouwant,mylove,”hepromised.“I’llmakeithappen.”EpilogueNinemonthslaterOceanbreezecaressingherbareshoulders,PhoebedrapedherarmsaroundKyle’sneck,herfingerstoyingwiththehairat

thenapeofhisneck.Heworeitslightlylongernowthathewasnolongerintheairforce.



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ButtheyledamorespontaneouslifeoverallthesedaysastheytraveledtheworldinhisjobasheadofLandisInternational.Theirlateststop?Lisbon,Portugal.Theyhadrenewedtheirmarriagevowsthisafternoonwithallthefamilygatheredaroundtheverandaattheirrentedwatersidevilla.

Herfrothyoff-whiteweddingdresstwiningaroundherlegs,shetippedherfaceintothewindonthissideoftheAtlantic.“Sowe’rereally,reallymarriednow.”

“Isurehopeso.”Hishandslidbetweenthemtocaressherstomach,whichwouldsoonstarttoswellwiththebabythey’dmadetwomonthsago.

AshleyandMatthewhadadaughternow,babyClaire,whoadoredheroldercousinNina.GingerandHankRenshaw’sgrandparentnurseryhadjustaboutexpandedtoawingofcribsandtoddlerbeds.They’devenaddedanin-groundbabypoolandplayground.Butthen,GingerhadopenlyadmittedshewasthrilledtoenticehergrandbabiesovertospendtimeatGrandma’shousewheneverpossible.Phoebecouldn’thelpbutadmirehermother-in-law’seffortswhentheyalwaysmadeherfeelsoverywelcome.

PhoeberestedherhandontopofKyle’s,overtheirchildgrowinginsideher.“Weshouldretrieveourdaughterfromhergrandparentsbeforetheyspoilhertoorotten.”

“Itisherbedtime,isn’tit?”Heslippedhisarmaroundherwaistandsteeredherupthestepsleadingintothepeach-coloredstuccovilla.Castleruinsnestledscenicallyonamountainsideinthedistance.“Ipackedanewbedtimestorybookforher,oneaboutpandabears.”

“She’llloveit.”Hergrandparentsweren’ttheonlyoneswhoenjoyedspoilingNina.“Nexttimewe’reinD.C.we’llhavetotakehertotheNationalZootoseethegiantpandas.”

PhoebefoundsheenjoyedtravelingwithKyle,andrealizeditwasn’tasacrificeafterallwithunlimitedaccommodationsandananny.Shecontinuedtoteachaclassonline,theperfectflexiblecareerforawifeandmotheronthegoaroundtheworld.Shewasfinallyseeingthehistoricalsitesshetaughtherstudentsabout.

Andshewasn’ttheonlyoneenjoyinghercareer.Biancahadactuallystruckitbigasanactressafterall—inBollywood.Shewastotallyenjoyingherbig-screenfamilyinIndia.TheBollywoodfilmindustryhadincreasedEnglish-speakingproductionsandtheviewerslovedher.AndofcourseBiancalovedbeingloved.

Themoneywasn’ttooshabby,either.Fromallindications,shewasveryhappybeingalong-distancemother.Shehadn’tutteredapeepaboutthechild-custody

agreementanddidn’tevenasktoseeNinahalfasmuchasshewasallotted.They’dneverevenneededtorollouttheincriminatingimagesofBianca,althoughthey’dmadesuresheknewtheyhadthem.SincethenannystayedwithNinaduringthefewtimesBiancacametotheStatestoseeherdaughter,theyknewthelittlegirlwassafe.

NinaseemedtoseeBiancaasmoreofanindulgentauntwhosentlavishgiftsbutrarelymadeanappearance.Withthatfirstsweetword,“Ma-Ma,”utteredjustforPhoebe,Ninahadmadeitclearwhosheviewedinthatrole.

Phoebepausedinthewide-opendoubledoorsleadingintothevilla,invitingacross-breeze.Sheturnedhernewringaroundandaroundonherfinger,thediamond-and-sapphireringnestledalongsideherdiamond-studdedband.“DoyouknowwhatI’mlookingforwardtomosttoday?”

“Whatwouldthatbe?”Heskimmedherloosehairbackfromherface,hisgoldbandglintinginthesettingsun.“I’lldomybesttomakeithappenevenbetterthanplanned.”

Shetuckedagainsthimsuggestively,alreadyenvisioningexactlyhowallthepieceswouldgotogetheroncetheywerebehindcloseddoors.“Ican’twaitforourweddingnight.Thistime,we’llbecelebratingonthesamedaythatwesaidthevows.”

“Now,thatwish—”hesmiled,dippingtograzeakissatthecornerofhermouth“—willbemyabsolutepleasuretofulfillagain…andagain.”



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the landis bro3

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