The Way Home (Chasing #3) (33 page)

Yes, Kara had actually managed to give her and Devon’s child a normal sounding name, and yes, it belonged to a goddess — The Goddess, Helen of Troy.
Kara was a little quirky, but I’d grown to love her despite our differences in the past… the same also held true for my relationship with Addie
.

Who would have thought that we’d end up being like the three musketeers?

“Hand it to me.” Nate reached and I leaned down, giving him my find. I brushed a kiss against his bearded cheek. He smiled up at me. “Be careful,” he said, his eyes reflecting his concern before he began making his way back down the ladder to the second floor. I sat down near the attic opening to watch him.

Below me, he stood gazing down at the array of pine and bark nestled around the white candle he carefully held in his hand. I’d completely forgotten all about the centerpiece until Nate had leaned over while pouring me a glass of tea and had whispered in my ear about how much his gran would have loved this.

Sheltered within the needles of hunter green were three tiny, red cardinals who sat perched on a single bark branch. It was a simple yet stunning centerpiece his gran had made. My heart swelled with emotion.

When I started down the steps, he held out his hand, smiling up at me. “How did you know?” he asked, and immediately I knew he was referring to the cardinals.

“I remember everything about you, Nathaniel Lee Lucas.”

A few months ago during a family hike, Nate had explained to us the special meaning behind the cardinal. We’d stopped to take a rest when a trio decided to perch upon a branch of one of the trees we’d been sitting under.

Nate’s gran had always believed that whenever a cardinal was spotted, it was a loved one visiting from heaven, so when I’d found the centerpiece weeks ago stored in the attic, I’d broken out in goosebumps.
There were somethings in this life that just couldn’t be explained; not science or nature or reason held the answers.
Immediately, my thoughts had turned to Nate’s gran, Natalie, and the baby.

It was a perfect tribute and deserved to be a part of our special day. We had a big announcement.

We made our way downstairs holding hands and stood gazing into the kitchen. Around the table sat our family. In such a short time, so much had changed. Over the past few months, I’d managed to forgive my parents for their callous behavior. It was hard, but with Ryder’s death had also come the opportunity for us to reconnect.

At first, I hadn’t been receptive. When I’d been kidnapped, my parents had taken care of Sierra. They’d also babysat while I’d stayed overnight at the hospital with Nate. During that time, they’d come to realize how truly wonderful their granddaughter was, and what they’d missed out on over the years. In short, they’d bonded, but neither my mother’s tears nor my father’s pleading had meant much to me when the time came for us to leave.
They hadn’t wanted to be a part of Sierra’s or my life then, so why should I allow them to now?
I’d even asked Nate this question.

He’d reminded me that I had forgiven my brother easily enough, so why couldn’t I do the same with my parents? Sure, Matt had royally pissed me off by siding with my mom and dad when Ryder had burglarized their house; he had hurt me more than he would ever know when he’d brushed off my claim of attempted rape. Neither of these incidents had been my fault. It had taken me months before I managed to bring myself to even speak a single word to him again. Despite everything that had happened between us, I’d found myself talking to him regardless, especially during the holidays. The first time had been at Christmas. It wasn’t logical, but he called, and I ended up answering the phone. We’d always been close. I was closer to Matt than with Mia, my own twin.

I guess that’s why his betrayal had hurt so much.

It was hard for me to give up on my entire family, and Matt… well, he’d been the easiest for me to forgive. He’d never been one to visit regularly, but neither was I. We both had a life. His only redeeming grace was that he had taken off the time from work to visit the hospital when Sierra was born. Each year on her birthday, he always managed to send her a gift. He would never win Uncle or Brother of the Year, not by a long shot, but he hadn’t completely cut us out of his life unlike Mother and Father.

I wasn’t perfect. I’d made plenty of mistakes in my past, too, and I’d paid for them dearly. But regardless, no parent should ever turn their back on their own child. Nate was in agreement with me on that one since his own had abandoned him.

A few days later, after Nate was back home and we had settled into our usual routine, Sierra had asked to visit her grandmother. It was then that I’d wanted to sit her down and explain how her grandparents had turned me away, how they had turned their backs on the both of us, but every time I’d opened my mouth… those words just wouldn’t come.

What kind of mother would I be to poison my own child’s mind?

At Nate’s urging and Sierra’s persistence, I’d had no choice but to let go of the past, no matter how painful. Initially it was hard to move forward with the constant hurt weighing me down. Some may disagree. Some may say I’m a fool.
How could I let go and move past all of the wrongs I’d been dealt in life?
But, it wasn’t as hard as you would think. It was really quiet simple. I did it for my child, and then I did it for me. There was no looking back when the present held everything I’d ever dreamed of and more.

No one noticed our return. Everyone was busy talking amongst themselves. They had started eating without us. Nate’s hand rested at my lower back and I looked up at him and smiled. Cecil was currently telling a story. He was such a windbag. I’d heard this one before. It had my dad and Devon laughing, while Jake shook his head wearing a smirk. Kara sat in between Devon and Jagger. She had a blanket placed over her shoulder and was breastfeeding baby Helen. My mom stood at the kitchen sink refilling a sippy cup for little Althea
.
Glancing up, Addie noticed us at the door.

“We’re sorry, we started without you.”

Almost immediately, all eyes in the room fell upon us. Well, except for the kids. They could have cared less. “It’s all right. It took a little longer than we expected to find the centerpiece,” Nate responded, and then he smiled down at me.
Why did he smile at me like that?
I shot him the evil eye and he smirked.

Now everyone would think we were upstairs having sex.

“That is beautiful,” Kara exclaimed. “Where did you find it?”

Nate walked over to the table carrying the centerpiece. He ruffled Sierra’s hair as he squeezed in between her and Jagger to place it in the middle of the table.
It was perfect
. “Okay?” he asked, peering at me from over his shoulder.

“Perfect, babe,” I said and he winked at me before he bent down, brushing a kiss on the top of Sierra’s head. He came back to me and took one of my hands in his. It was easy to read his expression. I smiled at him, nodding my head in agreement. It was time to share our big news.

I also had a surprise for Nate, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he found out.

“Can we have everyone’s attention?” he said, and the room fell quiet. All eyes turned our way once more, even the kids this time. “We have some exciting news we want to share—”

Suddenly, there was that unmistakable sound. I wished I’d had a camera to capture the look of disbelief on Nate’s face as we were interrupted.

“Who in the hell is at the door?”

I’d heard the knocking, but decided to ignore it. If it were Miles and his family, they would have come on in. This made twice that Nate had been interrupted; first, by me, and now, by whoever was at the front door. At the rate we were going, I’d be ready to deliver before he could even tell everyone we were pregnant. He rubbed a hand down his face. It was easy to see he was frustrated.

“Go grab a beer from the fridge, and I’ll get the door. It’s okay, babe. Just relax.”

“No, I’ll get it.” he insisted, but I darted past him and turned around, sticking out my tongue at him. “I said sit,” I ordered, and he started laughing.

“She told you,” I heard Devon tease as I started down the hall. That remark was followed by a chorus of rowdy laughter. I guaranteed all the males around the table were giving Nate a rough time.

Hurrying down the hallway, I found Hank barking at the front door. “Good boy,” I said, praising him, then pushed him aside with my leg. He crowded against me. He was over protective. “Quiet.” And though he still stood pressed against my leg trying to get to whoever was outside, at least he was silent.

When I opened the door, a young woman with waist length dark brown hair stood waiting on the front porch. Golden brown eyes flickered in surprise at meeting mine. I didn’t know her, and she didn’t bother to smile, but I did. “Can I help you?” I asked.

“I thought Chase and Chance Logan lived here.” She appeared confused. She was obviously not from Crawley. I would have seen her around.

She was pale and skinny. I couldn’t help but notice the condition of her clothes. Beneath my gaze, she straightened her shoulders and stuck out her chin.
Shit, I hope I hadn’t offended her.
I recognized that look in her eyes and the proud tilt to her chin. She reminded me of “me.”

She took a step back, her eyes slightly widening. A familiar hand settled at my waist.
Nate
. He rested his chest against my back. “You all right?” he asked, and I looked up at him and nodded. He always had my back, but he didn’t have to look so intimidating in doing so all of the time.

“She’s looking for Chase and Chance Logan,” I explained.

“It’s fine, I can see they’re not here. I’ll be on my way. I’m sorry I imposed,” the woman said and turned on the heel of one of her faded red Converse high tops and started for the steps.

“Wait,” Nate called out and she paused, looking back.

“They haven’t lived here in a while. Last year, I ran across Chase and Chance in upstate New York… Rochester. There’s a little pub called The Drunken Star. You might be able to find them there. They also own a gym nearby. I can’t recall the name.”

Something cold, almost calculating, flashed in the depths of her golden brown eyes. Her face tightened, but her lips curved into a grin that didn’t quiet reach her eyes.

Who was this girl and why was she looking for the Logan twins?

“Thanks,” she murmured, and without another word, she hurried across the yard to the car that sat idling in the driveway. It was an old Impala; the paint blue and faded; the body dented and rusty in spots. The hood was a washed out red, almost pink. It was painted a different color than the rest of the car. In the passenger side seat sat a young girl also with dark hair.
They looked like sisters.

“Everyone’s waiting,” Nate reminded me, and I glanced once more at the two girls before he ushered me away from the door. “I already told everyone about my plans to open a bail bond agency here in Crawley.”

It was a dream of his. I was so proud of him, only this time he would be handling all of the boring aspects of the bond instead of chasing after the bonded if things went south. It meant he could still be a part of what he loved and actually spend more time at home with those he loved. When we’d married, Nate had turned over The Eight Ball to me. It was my baby, and Cecil was now my assistant manager.

“That’s fine, honey,” I reassured him. It wasn’t a big deal. It was okay that he’d told them without me. Hank darted past us, disappearing into the kitchen. Together, we walked up the hallway.

“Today’s been full of surprises,” he commented, smiling down at me. “I can’t wait to tell everyone about the baby.”

Oh, I’d almost forgot.

“Speaking of surprises,” I said, and Nate’s steps slowed; his pace no longer matched mine, forcing me to stop. He squeezed my hand reassuringly. We stood in the hallway staring back at one another. Before I could say a word, a dawning expression registered on his handsome face. His eyes flickered from mine to my belly.

“Miley?”

His eyes were wide. He looked terrified, but when I smiled at him and nodded my head, he burst out laughing.

“Twins?” he asked.

I nodded again.

“Seriously?”

I nodded once more, and he pulled me against him. Before I could speak, his lips covered mine. When I ran out of air, I turned my head and gasped for a breath.
How can this man still take my breath away?
As I stood there within the shelter of his arms, I’d never felt more loved or cherished in all of my life. Warm lips gently brushed my cheek and he buried his nose in my hair. I heard him inhale. “I love the way you smell. I love the way you feel. Hell, baby, I love everything about you.”

“Even my freckles?” I teased, and at the rush of his warm breath in my ear, my skin erupted in goosebumps. My nipples tightened and his fingers contracted against my hips.

“Especially your freckles,” he reassured, and he pulled away to gaze down at me. “You know we have a house full of people here. Right?”

None of that mattered. He could read me like an opened book. He was thinking the same thing that I was. There was even that mischievous gleam in his eyes.

“They’ll never miss us,” I told him. He didn’t speak a word but grabbed my hand and led me quickly back down the hall to the stairs.

“Nate, I was joking,” I protested…
well, not really, but he was right, we had company
.

“Too bad,” he replied, and swooped me up into his arms. I was giggling as he carried me up the stairs.

Maybe, they wouldn’t notice our absence after all.