“Sarah confessed to the girls she suspected you and I were becoming too attached. But you see, they couldn’t allow me to leave. Hung was ill.”
“I remember.” My voice is faint. Hung battled and won a small bout with cancer right after I came back from Kara’s daughter’s birth.
“And since he couldn’t work, they needed the money from the state for me. They couldn’t let me go.” He blinks and big tears roll down his cheeks. “They denied me my mother.”
“No, kid. They didn’t. She’s been waiting for you.” Nick. God. I stagger back, but it’s his strong arms that catch me. I rest my head back against his chest at the overwhelming love he has for me, that Nick’s always had for me. And it all started right here in this backyard.
Isn’t it amazing this is where our family’s finally going to be complete?
“I’m no good to anyone.” David’s words jolt me into action.
“Don’t you ever let your brother or sisters hear you talk like that David Cain,” I snap, wagging my finger at him.
David rears back, eyes wide. “What did you just call me?”
“David. Cain. It will become your name. Get used to it. Now, everyone in this house who can do them has chores.” David physically braces against the chair he was sitting in.
Nick snickers. “Here it comes.”
“Yours is folding laundry,” I inform him loftily.
“Oh, that’s fine. I like doing that. I hate when my clothes are messy.”
I whirl around to Nick. “And now, our family is complete.”
Nick yanks me back against him. “Told you we needed one more kid.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Nick pulls out his phone and takes a picture of his watch. “What on earth are you doing?” I demand.
“Marking the date and time. I need proof of when you actually said those words so I can tell the guys.”
I can feel my face turn red as my temper begins to boil. While love is the foundation of our marriage, Nick and I have creative ways of letting loose our tempers including a good fight in the ring. Just as I’m about to curse at Nick like I haven’t in years, he yanks me into his arms and kisses me.
In the background I can hear the back door slam. Kassidy and Joanie come bounding down the stairs. There’s hazy murmuring before David laughs. There’s a loud scream before, “I unlocked the Golden Skin! But wait? Why don’t his pickaxe and glider turn golden too? Ugh!”
I’ll figure out what that means once my children’s father stops kissing me. I tighten my arms, and Nick murmurs his approval.
While we settle our discussion in the best way possible while the kids are awake, the gold cross I now wear on a delicate gold chain absorbs the Alaskan summer heat—as I’m sure does the heavy gold chain Nick’s never without. We never take off that piece of my brother that brought us together in the first place, that piece of him that forced us to get over our own pasts and open our arms to the other. Which is exactly where we need to be.
When our kiss ends, I whisper against his lips, “Why don’t we take the kids to Eagle Beach? All of them?”
“Then to the Brewhouse for dinner? David needs to get his eye on one of the family businesses. We can always head to the lower 48 during the munchkins’ school break.”
My lips curve as I lean into Nick as we make our way to the stairs that lead to the back deck. “I wonder if Brad and Rainey are free for dinner. They haven’t had a good shock from us in a while.” Not since last month when Jed asked their daughter to the school dance when she was home from college.
Nick deadpans, “I know. We’ve become normal.”
“God forbid.” Then, “I don’t suppose you know the process on how we go about adopting an eighteen-year-old anyway.”
“Not a clue. We’ll figure it out together after we return from a day by the sea.”
Together. I love that word.
So would my brother.
The End
Also by Tracey Jerald
Amaryllis Series
Free - An amaryllis Prequel
(Newsletter Subscribers only)
Free to Dream
Free to Run
Free to Rejoice
Free to Breathe
Free to Believe
Free to Live
Free to Dance (Coming Spring 2021)
Glacier Adventure Series
Return by Air
Return by Land
Return by Sea
Sandalones
Close Match
Ripple Effect
1, 001 Dark Night Short Story Winner
Free to Wish: An Amaryllis Series Short Story - 1,001 Dark Nights Short Story Anthology
Lady Boss Press Releases
Easy Reunion
Challenged by You
Acknowledgments
The Glacier Adventure Series was inspired by the day I had the pleasure of attending the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show in Ketchikan, Alaska. Whether it was the athletes and performers, or the amazing people I was with, it was an afternoon I will never forget.
To my shipmates, not just those who saw the Lumberjack Show, but the authors and readers who sailed with us throughout the Alaskan journey, you have a special place in my heart. Always. Forever.
Of course, by my side on that trip was my husband, Nate. My beloved, I’m still not certain if I’m saying thank you for hauling my luggage to and from Alaska or calmly accepting the giddy pleasure with which I took hundreds of photos of the “Jacks.” Never doubt how much I love you.
To my son and my mother for keeping the home fires burning. You are both loved more than I can put into words. As amazing as Alaska was, there’s no place as perfect as home.
Jen, you were never far from my mind that trip as you well know. And you know you’re always in my heart, my sister.
To my Meows, bring out the map! It’s been too long and there’s places to go. I love and miss all of you so much.
To Sandra Depukat, from One Love Editing, for popcorn edits and encouragement. For loving the Jacks as much as I do. For being you.
To Holly Malgieri, from Holly’s Red Hot Reviews, a.k.a. my twin, you make everything shine. Thank you for adding some of that to me.
To Deborah Bradseth, Tugboat Designs. Thank you for taking my garbled emails and translating them into something beautiful. You are wonderful!
To photographer Wander Aguiar, Andrey Bahia, and model Thiago Lusardi, thank you for your grace and for your brilliance.
To Gel, at Tempting Illustrations, picture magic! Every single time. XOXO
To the fantastic team at Foreword PR, thank you for taking away the rough waters and making the day-to-day so much calmer. I appreciate everything you do.
Linda Russell, frantic texts from 3,442 miles away started this series journey. Looking back, all I have to say is thank God I have a large data plan! You are my anchor in this perpetual storm. Love you.
To Susan Henn, Amy Rhodes, and Dawn Hurst, you are all a dream to me. And to Nathathida Atirekasâra for swooping in with a quick save! XOXO
For the members of Tracey’s Tribe, I appreciate you every single day!