Finding Family Read online

  Holly and Brian shared a lot of the same looks with sandy-brown hair and brown eyes, and each had a likable personality one couldn’t ignore. Studying her surreptitiously, Regan figured Holly was not much over fifty, though she looked more like forty—a well put-together forty.

  “Rocky used to scare my sister Darcy,” said Regan. “But we’ve all learned his tough looks hide a kind heart.”

  Blackie laughed. “My brother likes to play the tough guy, but, as you said, he’s a good man. He’s a total pushover for people and animals who are suffering.”

  “We sometimes wish he wasn’t so kind. He’s the one who brought Petey to the hotel. Although guests seem to like having that peacock around when he’s behaving, he can be a real nuisance.”

  Holly laughed. “He’s even chased me a few times. How about you, Blackie?”

  “What’s everyone going to have to eat?” interjected Brian, looking up from his menu. “Looks like Graham’s been busy with some creative items for the holiday.”

  “I’m thinking of apple-stuffed pork loin,” said Holly, giving him a long look.

  “Sorry, did I interrupt anything?” Brian asked.

  Well aware of the tension between the two men, Regan took a last sip of her champagne and picked up her menu.

  “I was here for dinner with a couple of clients last night,” said Blackie. “The glazed sea bass with ginger-butter cream sauce was superb.”

  “Thank you for bringing your clients to Gavin’s,” said Regan. “I know you like the Key Pelican restaurant.”

  Blackie smiled. “Gavin’s is going to give them a run for their money. Great to finally have a choice between the two.”

  “Guess I’ll try the sea bass,” said Brian, nodding an acknowledgment to Blackie.

  Holly smiled, and the four of them settled down in a more comfortable atmosphere.

  ###

  Later, Regan and Brian stood by while a valet brought Blackie’s bottle-green Jaguar to him.

  “Want me to walk you home?” Brian said to Holly.

  She smiled and shook her head. “Thanks, but Blackie will drive me.”

  After Blackie and Holly took off, Brian turned to Regan. “Wow! It seems serious between the two of them. You’d think Blackie would have talked to me about it earlier.”

  Regan took his arm and gave him a teasing smile. “You’re Holly’s son, not her father. What in the world will you be like if we have any daughters?”

  Brian laughed. “God! I guess I’m going to be awful. It’s just that I would’ve thought Mom would have said something to me. You know how responsible I feel for her.”

  “Yes, I do,” said Regan. “It’s very sweet, but things are moving in a different direction. I guess we’d both better get used to it.”

  “You’re right,” said Brian. “Let’s go practice making a daughter so I can do my fierce father thing.”

  Even as Regan laughed, she felt a thread of sexual excitement move through her.

  But as they walked away from Gavin’s, instead of heading toward the Sandpiper Suites Building, Brian led Regan to the bank of the nearby bay.

  “It’s such a pleasant evening; I thought we could sit for a minute.”

  “Are you going to propose to me again?” Regan teased. This was the spot where she thought Brian was going to break up with her. Instead, he’d gone down on one knee to ask her to marry him.

  Brian burst into laughter. “Not quite. Once is nerve-wracking enough.” He sat on a wooden bench they’d placed under a palm tree and patted the space next to him.

  Regan sat beside him and leaned into his open arms.

  The night was clear but cool. Brian slipped off his sport coat and put it over her shoulders.

  Regan smiled at him and gazed out over the bay. Moonlight painted the moving water with golden light, creating an ever-changing mural. She sighed with contentment.

  Brian kissed her on the cheek. “I want to talk with you about what is going to happen to us after the first of the year and the end of your challenge. Even if you win Gavin’s challenge, I don’t want to live here at the hotel. And I definitely don’t want to go back to my apartment above the bar if Blackie is going to be hanging around.”

  “How would you feel about living in a guest house on a seaside estate? Kenton Standish has a beautiful cottage next to his house just down the road. By staying on the property, we’d be helping him out when he’s gone, and yet we’d have all the privacy we’d want, even when he’s there.”

  Brian gave her a thoughtful look. “We can build our own house in the same neighborhood as Tony and Sheena, but that can’t happen for a while. I’ve put my money into buying the land. What do you think? Does that sound good?”

  “I’d rather start off at Kenton’s and then build a house. That will give us some good time alone. In the suites, we’re all part of the family, which doesn’t give us much privacy. And, Brian, we have to talk about a wedding. That will help us decide.”

  “I don’t give a hoot about a fancy wedding, but I don’t want to take anything away from you. You seem pretty excited about Darcy’s wedding. Do you want one like it? Something bigger?”

  Regan shook her head. “I don’t want a big wedding at all. Just you and me and the preacher,” she said. “I’ve waited a long time to find the right guy. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You won’t,” he murmured before pressing his lips to her, proving he wasn’t about to go anywhere.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  SHEENA

  Christmas Day was gray and rainy. But instead of disappointing her, the weather reminded Sheena it really was winter, and though it wasn’t snow, the rain provided a memory of other Christmases in the past.

  As was their pattern, Sheena would fix breakfast for the family before they all were to sit down beside the tree and open gifts. This year, the tree was a bit scrawny, but they didn’t have room for a big one. She hoped when she got a house of her own, there’d be plenty of room for a tall, full tree.

  While Meaghan and Michael slept and Tony showered, Sheena got out eggs and bacon and some English muffins. Though the hot coffee she’d fixed was unsettled in her stomach, she opted for another cup for the jolt of energy she sought.

  A soft knock on the door caught her attention. She went to answer it. Regan and Darcy, still in pajamas, smiled at her. “Merry Christmas!”

  She gave them each a hug. “Come on in. I’ve got coffee ready.”

  They eagerly accepted the cups of hot liquid she offered them.

  “It’s nice to be together so early Christmas morning. Usually I didn’t get to see you until later in the day when Mom had dinner for all of us,” Regan said to her.”

  Sheena smiled at Regan with affection.

  “I like having you and Darcy around,” said Regan. “And Rosa and Paul are coming to Gracie’s for Christmas dinner, aren’t they?”

  “They can’t wait!” said Sheena, smiling. “Having my in-laws living here in Florida has been very satisfying for us. What are you and Brian going to do with Holly?”

  Regan gave her a sly smile. “With Holly and Blackie?”

  Sheena couldn’t help chuckling. She and her sisters were still surprised by the hot romance that had emerged between Holly and Blackie.

  “Blackie has invited us to his house for lunch. Apparently, he’s a good cook and wants to show off his skills. Brian is still reconciling himself to a future like this, but I think it will be fun.”

  Sheena and Darcy exchanged amused glances. Brian was very protective of his mother.

  “Austin’s grandfather is looking forward to dinner at Gracie’s,” said Darcy. “He and Lynn have become reacquainted. It’s nothing serious, but it’s a sweet friendship. He’s lonely.”

  Tony emerged from the bedroom. “Well, if it isn’t the Sullivan sisters! Merry Christmas—our first together in Florida.” He kissed Sheena on the cheek, filled a cup with coffee, and turned to Darcy and Regan. “Did Santa Claus come to your suite?”
r />   Darcy pointed to her ears. Diamonds were sparkling on her earlobes. “He came a couple of days ago. But I’ve got great news for all of us. Cyndi Jansen sent me a text last night. She and Tom are hosting a group of eight couples at Gavin’s on New Year’s Eve. They’ve signed up for the early dinner, and seven of the couples have made reservations for hotel rooms. If I’m not mistaken, that leaves only two rooms open for that night.”

  Sheena clutched her hands together. “That’s the best Christmas present ever! I wanted to be able to give Archie some proof we were growing. This helps a lot.”

  “How are the other dinner reservations at Gavin’s filling up for New Year’s Eve?” asked Regan.

  A smile spread across Darcy’s face. “Nicole and I had drinks together before she started her shift last night. She says reservations are slowly coming in. The ad we put in the paper is paying off. That and discounted hotel rooms as an option.”

  Some of the tension that had become part of Sheena’s life ebbed away. Maybe all this worry was as foolish as she sometimes thought. They would or would not beat the challenge.

  “Is it time to get the kids up?” Tony asked.

  Sheena laughed. “Go ahead.” Tony was more excited about Christmas than their teenage kids, who were sleeping in.

  “Guess I’d better go.” Regan gave Sheena a hug. “See you later.”

  “Me too,” said Darcy. “Merry Christmas, Sheena. Enjoy the day without worrying about the hotel. You look tired.”

  Sheena gave her a weak smile. “Thanks, I guess.” Though it had kept her awake at night, she hadn’t mentioned her doctor’s appointment to anyone else, not even Tony.

  ###

  Later, as she sat with Tony and the kids around the Christmas tree, Sheena watched Michael and Meaghan open their gifts. Both she and Tony had explained there would be no fancy gifts; their money was tied up in the hotel and Brian and Tony’s business. Sheena and Tony had agreed not to exchange gifts, but Sheena had wrapped underwear, socks, and a couple of T-shirts for Tony just for fun.

  Michael and Meaghan’s enthusiasm as they opened each practical gift filled Sheena’s heart with pride. Gone were the entitled children of Boston. Here were kids with a growing understanding of what life was about—filled with challenges, disappointments, wonders, and love.

  “That about does it,” said Sheena when the last gift had been opened. “It’s been a nice Christmas.”

  “Hold on. I have something for you,” said Tony. He reached behind the tree and handed her a small box.

  “Tony, we promised ...” Sheena began.

  “Just open it,” Tony prompted. “You’ll see.”

  Sheena tore off the wrapping paper and opened the plain white box. When she saw what was inside, she gazed up at Tony with confusion.

  “What is it, Mom?” asked Meaghan.

  “It’s a key,” Sheena said, holding it up for everyone to see.

  “It’s a promise,” said Tony, his face flushing with emotion. “It’s both a key to my heart and a promise that someday soon you’ll have the house you’ve always wanted.”

  Sheena’s vision blurred with tears as she reached for Tony.

  He came into her arms, and they hugged each other, laughing softly.

  “It’s perfect,” Sheena said. “Thanks so much.” She turned to her children. “Soon, we’ll all have the house we want.”

  Meaghan’s eyes grew wide. “Are you winning the challenge?”

  “I hope so,” said Sheena.

  ###

  Still later, at Gracie’s, Sheena watched Michael hand out gift bags to Gavin’s people. Wearing a Santa hat and a big smile, he looked adorable. The therapist Michael had seen was a big help to him. An unexpected image of him as a father playing Santa to his children came to her mind. She blinked, and the moment passed. As Sheena studied him, she thought of how close she’d come to having an unexpected grandchild. For all of them, it was both a relief and a sadness that the baby had been lost.

  She searched for her daughter. Dressed in a bright-red holiday sweater and black slacks, Meaghan was playing a game of cards with Maggie, who’d received a deck of cards in her gift bag. Sheena smiled. Coming to the Salty Key Inn had, in so many ways, been about finding family. Living at the hotel, working with Gavin’s people, had brought them all closer together. Observing the various conversations around the room, the smiles on faces, Sheena thought Gavin would be very pleased.

  Tony came up to her and gave her a loving hug. She gasped softly at the pain where his arm had squeezed her breast.

  “Sorry. Are you all right?” Tony asked her, giving her a worried look.

  “Fine,” she lied, hiding her fear. Her mother had died of breast cancer, which was a strong reason for Sheena’s doctor’s appointment. Fatigue plus sore, lumpy breasts could mean she’d inherited more than red hair from her mother, a thought so frightening she felt sick just thinking of it. She didn’t want to miss out on her children’s growing years, seeing Meaghan wed, welcoming grandchildren into the world.

  Tony continued to stay by her side. “Mom and Dad look wonderful— tanned, healthy, happy,” he said unaware of the emotions she fought to hide. “The move to Florida has been good for them.”

  Sheena’s smile was sincere. She loved her in-laws. “Nice also to have our own space.”

  Tony chuckled. “To think we shared that duplex for almost eighteen years.” His smile lifted the corners of his eyes. “We’re coming up on our twentieth anniversary in another year or so. That will be something to celebrate.”

  Sheena smiled, but inside her stomach took a dive. Would she even be around for it?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  DARCY

  Darcy escorted Bill Blakely into Gracie’s, pleased to have him a part of their Christmas celebration. He’d always supported her relationship with Austin, and, never having had living grandparents, she felt close to him in a way she’d never experienced.

  Austin caught up with them inside and handed her a small bag with several envelopes inside. “You forgot these.”

  Darcy smiled her thanks and took the bag from him. She’d printed up wedding invitations for Gavin’s people. As part of their marriage celebration, Austin was giving away a free dental visit to each member of the group.

  “What’ll you have? The usual?” Austin said to her.

  She shook her head. “No margarita. Just a glass of red wine. Thanks.”

  Austin and Bill headed toward the corner of the closed restaurant where a little bar had been set up on a table.

  Darcy moved through the crowd, stopping to give each person in Gavin’s group a cheery Merry Christmas hug and two envelopes. When she was through handing them out, she gave a signal to Sheena.

  Sheena tapped on a glass until the sound of it stilled conversation. “Darcy, Regan, and I each want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have no idea what the future may bring, but this past year has shown us how awesome family—new and old—can be.”

  “Yes,” said Darcy. Her grin was impish as she gazed around the room. “You get family discounts at a certain dental office.” Even as laughter erupted, her expression became serious. “And, as family, everyone here is invited to my wedding on Valentine’s Day.”

  Regan stepped forward from Brian’s side. “We love you all.”

  Darcy took hold of Sheena’s hand and reached for Regan’s. As applause broke out, the three of them laughed and bowed together.

  Gracie was the next to speak. “Before he died, Gavin spoke to us about his hopes for you girls and asked us to cooperate. None of us was sure how it would be having you here, but I think we all agree it has been better than we could’ve imagined. Gavin would be proud of you, my dears.”

  Darcy’s eyes misted over. After interviewing them, she knew more about Gavin’s people than others. They’d been shunned, abused, or blamed for things they either didn’t do or couldn’t avoid, but her uncle had accepted them as good people. She hoped she and her sis
ters would be able to ensure that they’d be taken care of in the future.

  On a long table, Gracie and the crew set out a large ham, a cheesy-potato casserole, a green bean and almond vegetable dish, a tossed green salad, fresh rolls, and both a pecan and an apple pie. Along with the others, Darcy helped herself to food, relishing the idea of a large family meal. The laughter and companionship that accompanied the meal was, for her, the best gift of the day.

  ###

  A couple of days later, Darcy was searching through the mail, hoping to find requests for brochures, or better yet, reservations, when she came upon the envelope she’d mailed to the small publisher. She stared with dismay at the red-stamped message: Return to sender. Person unknown. The name of the editor had been crossed out.

  She immediately checked online for the editor’s name and quickly discovered he’d changed jobs. Disappointment coursed through her. In doing her research, she’d thought he was her best chance of approval for her angel book. Maybe it was time to look for an agent. She was glad now she hadn’t mentioned this to anyone.

  When Regan came into the office, Darcy quickly closed her laptop computer.

  “What’cha doing?” Regan asked, giving her a puzzled look.

  “Trying to figure something out. How are things at the registration office?”

  “Sheena just relieved me, but, Darcy, I’m worried about her. She’s been awfully quiet the last few days. I know this business with Michael and his old girlfriend has been difficult, but she’s not herself.”

  “I know. She can be a worrier. I’ve been telling her not to think about our meeting with Archibald. He seemed pretty impressed with Gavin’s.”

  “Are you all set for New Year’s Eve? I think Casey was right about our being hostesses for the evening,” said Regan. “It’s a good way to build business. Besides, we’ll celebrate after the restaurant closes, so it will be fun.”