For his part, he was more than ready for this event to be over. There were too many people spread out through three floors and too many things going on. Camille was manning the cash register on the first floor. Three authors were up on the second floor signing books. Stragglers and book browsers were up on the third floor.
He and Traci had been in constant contact, so he knew Lance hadn’t shown up. But that said, Dylan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go down. He’d just told himself to stop worrying, when he heard his partner shout loud enough to be heard over the din of the crowd.
“Shannon!”
He turned and ran to the front of the shop, and then stopped in his tracks. There was his girlfriend stepping in front of Jennifer.
Jack was nowhere to be found.
Lance, however, was pushing Shannon to one side as he reached for Jennifer.
Feeling like everything was happening in slow motion, Dylan watched Shannon fight back and thrust herself in front of his sister.
“No!” Dylan yelled as he surged forward. There was no way he was going to let his sister get hurt again. Or Shannon.
Just as Lance looked his way, Traci tackled the guy like she had been the offensive end of the Buckeyes.
As he fell, Lance reached inside his coat.
But that move was foiled as well, thanks to the elbow Traci had slammed into his ribs.
As the crowd gasped and Dylan went down on one knee to cuff him, Shannon wrapped her arms around Jennifer and pulled her to one side.
Lance’s attempt to resist was firmly put down, and within minutes, he and Traci were escorting the guy to his cruiser at the back of the shop.
Dylan caught Jennifer’s eye as he walked by and smiled at her just as Jack ran up.
“Jen, I’m so sorry,” Jack said, his voice strained and out of breath. “I can’t believe I fell for that guy’s story and ran outside to help with an accident that wasn’t even there.”
“It’s okay.”
He ran his hands along her arms. “Are you all right?”
Jennifer’s smile was bright. “I am.”
Dylan thought his sister had never looked more beautiful. She was okay, proud of herself, and had made it to the other side of her depression and anxiety. He was suddenly sure that everything was going to be just fine for her.
Maybe even for all of them from now on.
CHAPTER 38
“Once a dancer, always a dancer.”
Two days later, the four of them were having a girls’ night. Kimber had arrived home the night before, sporting a faint tan, a suitcase of trinkets that she’d picked up from some vendors on the beach, and a big appetite.
The previous night, Shannon had stared at Kimber in shock when she’d practically eaten a whole pizza by herself. Her sister had just shrugged, saying that her next modeling job was on a runway in two weeks. In Kimber terms, that meant she could spend a few days eating everything she wanted.
That was partly why they were sitting at the new dining room table Kimber had ordered, and all eating Jennifer’s latest creation: Honey-baked ham with all the fixings.
As Traci reached for another helping of mashed potatoes, Shannon smiled at Jennifer. “This is the best meal I’ve had in years.”
“I’m glad you like it,” she replied. “I had a good time cooking all day.”
“Every one of my students asked what smelled so good the minute they arrived for class,” Shannon said.
“Everything smelled even better up here,” Kimber said. “Since Traci had the day off, she and I kept circling the kitchen like alley cats.”
“And . . . kept getting denied,” Traci teased. “Especially since Jennifer would hardly let us help.”
Jennifer shook her head. “I told you, this meal was my thank-you gift to you girls. If you’d helped, it wouldn’t have been much of a present.”
“We didn’t need a present,” Shannon said.
“But you all went above and beyond for me the other night. Cooking a decent meal was the least I could do.”
“And I told you that there was no need to thank us,” Traci said. “I’m just glad we got the guy.”
Kimber shook her head. “I still can’t believe I missed it all. I would have paid money to see you tackle that guy, Traci.”
“It was epic,” Jennifer said with a grin. “Dylan is still talking about it. He told me that the sergeant suggested you start moonlighting as a bodyguard, Traci.”
Traci rolled her eyes. “Ha ha.”
“I’m just glad it’s all over,” Shannon said. And it really was. Dylan and Traci had arrested Lance, and he was now sitting in jail awaiting trial. He had so many charges against him, from stalking to writing threatening notes to attempted murder, there was no doubt that he would be going to prison for a very long time.
“Me, too,” Jennifer said. “Which reminds me . . . I have a surprise for you. I’ll be right back.”
Shannon looked at her sisters. “What’s going on now?”
“No telling,” Kimber whispered. “All I know is that we have our very own Betty Crocker, and I’m never giving her back.”
Shannon’s chuckle faded as Jennifer walked toward them carrying an enormous chocolate cake. “Oh, goodness, look at that.”
“It’s beautiful,” Traci said. “I have no idea when you baked it.”
“Early this morning,” Jennifer said. “I wanted it to be a surprise.” Looking at the three of them, she said, “This isn’t a thank-you for helping me with Lance. It’s for letting me live with you and making me feel so welcome.”
“We like you, Jen,” Kimber said. “And for the record, we’d like you living with us even if you didn’t cook so well.”
“Well, I really appreciate it.” She smiled at Shannon. “Of course, this cake is probably for Shannon most of all.”
“Why me?” Shannon asked.
“Well, you’ve made my brother really happy. I’ve never seen him so enchanted.”
“Enchanted is a good way of putting it,” Traci commented. “Dylan is always kissing and touching you every time you are together now. It’s like he can’t be in the same room without getting up close and personal.”
Embarrassed, Shannon pressed her hands to her cheeks. “We’re not that bad . . . are we?”
“Oh, stop. They’re in love,” Kimber said as she reached for the slice of cake Jennifer handed her. “I think it’s sweet.”