Lang’s arm went around her in what felt like a protective gesture. “Do you want me to see who it is?”
She considered it, but... “No.” She was different now, she reminded herself. She could handle something as simple as an unexpected caller. “Will you stay with me, though?”
His hand held hers. “It’s where I want to be.”
Oh good. That sounded promising, especially after the difference in their routine all week. She’d gotten so used to spending dinner with Ivey, Corbin, Lang and Justin that she’d been feeling a little left out.
But that wasn’t why she wanted to take things to the next step. Nope. She just flat out wanted Lang.
And with that decision, she got her feet moving through the lush grass. The sooner she got rid of her visitor, the sooner she could get things rolling with Lang.
They got closer...and she stalled.
A woman stood staring up at the deck over her garage, as if trying to figure out how to get up there. Her hair was shorter, and she was hugely pregnant, but of course Hope recognized her right away.
It had been four long years since she’d last seen her sister. Seeing Charity now sucked all the oxygen out of her lungs.
Like a zombie, Hope continued on until her flip-flops crunched on the gravel.
Charity turned, and her gaze locked on Hope’s. They stared at each other, each sister silently appraising the other.
Lang released her hand and instead put his arm around her shoulders. Very quietly, he asked, “You okay?”
She blew out a tight breath and nodded. “Lang, this is my sister, Charity.”
“Hi,” Charity said in a dazed voice, her gaze bouncing back and forth between them.
Lang studied Charity. “I’m Hope’s neighbor, Lang Meyer.”
Charity’s mouth lifted into a tentative smile. “A little more than just a neighbor, I think.”
“A lot more, actually.”
Hope felt herself blushing but wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the way Lang said that, as if they were committed to each other.
Oh, how she wished.
Taking her by surprise, Charity grinned. “Good for you, sis. I had worried... But here you are, looking so happy and with such a hunk.” Charity laid a hand over her stomach. “Oh, Hope. I’m so glad to see you.”
“No.” The word emerged as a hoarse whisper. Anger stirred, and by God, it felt good. Refreshing. Healing. “How did you find me?”
“Facebook. You have the town listed and the animal clinic where you work.” She glanced back at the house. “You even shared a pic of your new place—which is beautiful, by the way.”
The casual way Charity acted only fueled her resentment. “You can’t just show up here and act like nothing has happened.”
“I didn’t mean to do that.” Charity glanced nervously at Lang. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“It’s been four years.” She started to shake and couldn’t seem to calm herself. “Four years, Charity. I haven’t heard from you once in all that time.” You never even asked how I was doing. “I assumed I’d never hear from you again.”
“I know, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am.” Charity shifted. “For everything.”
Hope cut a hand through the air, dismissing her sister’s apology, surprising herself with the curt gesture. “Why are you here?”
“I guess I need to get right to it, huh?” Charity lifted her chin. “I’m pregnant, as you can see. I’m going to be a mother. You’re going to be an aunt.”
Good God. Hope fell back a step and felt Lang’s arm tighten around her. She hadn’t considered her own connection to the baby her sister carried. I’m going to be an aunt.
Seeing her retreat, Charity rubbed her forehead. “I know, it’s complicated, isn’t it? I hope eventually we’ll be able to talk it out, but the punch line is that I know my daughter will be better off with you in her life.”
“What?” She couldn’t have heard that correctly.
Big tears welled in Charity’s eyes. “I know that I was unfair. I know I was selfish and misguided.” She swallowed heavily. “Christ, Hope. When I think of my daughter going through what you did... I am so damned ashamed. I know down deep in my soul that I would never, ever turn on her the way we all turned on you.”
The words stabbed into Hope, piercing her newfound peace of mind. “Stop,” she whispered.
Instead, Charity took a step closer. “I would die for my daughter, Hope. I knew it from the moment I found out I was pregnant. She isn’t even here yet and I love her more than anything. She’s changed me.”
Hope shook her head. It couldn’t be that simple. Never, not in a million years, had she ever expected to hear an apology, much less an admission of guilt. At most, she’d thought she might hear from her family in passing, but as the years went by, she’d even given up on that.
This visit leveled her. Tears tracked down her cheeks.
“Mom and Dad should have done the same for you. They didn’t. I didn’t—and I’m sick with regret.” Charity drew a shuddering breath. “When I realized I couldn’t be like them, not with my own daughter, I knew I had to find you.”
Lang turned with Hope so that she faced him and his back was to Charity. It broke the frozen connection between their gazes, allowing Hope to gulp in needed air.
Cupping her face in his hands, he stroked away her tears. “What do you want to do, honey? I can tell her to go.” He waited a heartbeat, then added, “Or you can go inside and talk. It’s up to you. Whatever you want.”
Her mouth felt insanely dry, prompting her to lick her lips. She felt silly, but this was Lang, and she knew he’d understand. “You’ll stay with me?”
His smile held reassurance, and a promise. “I’ll be right by your side.”
That helped so much. She nodded. “I guess I should invite her in, then?”
“Might be a good idea to hear what she has to say.” His gaze searched hers. “You deserve an explanation.”
“Yes, I do.”
With a nod, Lang stepped to her side again.
Charity stood there, one hand still resting on her rounded middle, anxiety tightening her face. It was such an uncommon expression for her. Usually her sister was full-steam-ahead without a single doubt.
Not this time.
Hope cleared her throat. “Would you like to come up?”
Relief loosened Charity’s entire posture. “God, yes.” She looked around again. “I didn’t see a way to get there, though.”