Page 29 of It Happened Again

“How’s it going? Are you a dad yet?” I answered and put him on speaker.

“Yes, I am. Twice blessed. First, my darling daughter Paris, of course, made me a dad.” I’d never heard Richard’s voice sound so happy before. “And this morning, Vivian delivered our baby girl, Isabella. Mom and baby are doing well, resting overnight at the Albany Hospital. They’ll be back home tomorrow.”

“It’s Archer here. That’s great news, Richard. Congratulations.” He saluted with his drink and knocked it back.

“Ditto. We’ll have to come up and visit soon and see the baby,” I said. Somewhat jealous of what the Buchanan brothers had achieved, while Archer and I were still muddling our way through our love lives. I believe our father cursed us with the way he screwed over our mother in their divorce and how he fucked around the rest of his life.

“Why not for the weekend? Hope I’m not calling too late. Wanted to run something by you two. I’m thinking about expanding the house—” he started.

I shared a look with my twin and arched a brow. “Uh, your brand new enormous home that we designed and that you just finished building all ready needs expansion?”

“Yes. What can I say? Family life has changed me. I’m done traveling back and forth to the city. I’m becoming a Holly Creek resident now, and who knows? May even run for mayor.”

“A Buchanan with political aspirations? God help us all,” Archer quipped.

“Funny. Listen, I’d love you for you both to come up to Holly Creek this weekend and talk through the changes I want made. I want plans and the construction started as soon as possible.”

“Sure, we can make that happen.” I jumped at the chance, knowing Maisy was heading to Holly Creek, too.

Funny how the universe had a way of syncing things up when you least expected it.

11

ROOTS AND WINGS

MAISY

By the timeI left Orion tonight, my brain was mush and my limbs had all the grace of limp noodles. I climbed the stairs to my apartment, mentally packing for the weekend trip to Holly Creek, when the scents hit me first.

Lavender and sandalwood and something else.

My door creaked open to soft music—something acoustic, mellow—and the flickering glow of scented candles lined the kitchen counter. A trail of flower soft pink petals, real ones by the look of it, led from the entry to the bathroom.

“Uh... Sophie?” I called out, cautious. Was she entertaining a male friend for the evening or needing ‘self-care’ and I missed the text to stay away for a few hours?

Her head popped out from the kitchen doorway, mischief dancing in her eyes. “Don’t freak out. This was all Brooks. I just… assisted. He texted Chelsea, who gave him my number. Then he texted me and had supplies delivered. I followed his instructions to a T. He wanted you to come home to something that didn’t smell like lab equipment and stress.”

I blinked, stunned. “He did all this?”

“I think this might explain it all.” She handed me a sleek blue envelope with the Bellamy Design Group logo embossed on a silver foil sticker. I flipped it open and read:

Maisy,

As your ‘life coach,’ I hate to see your cortisol levels spiking. This is a scientifically backed intervention. Candles, carbs, hot water, scented suds. A sexy little toy for self-care should the mood strike. You’re welcome. This is entirely professional and project-motivated, of course. Just doing my part to ensure Orion’s best brain doesn’t combust.

—B

I laughed—heartily, deeply—and Sophie grinned.

“He said you’d be mad if he hovered in person, but you needed this. So, bath’s drawn. Soup is on the stove and smells so good, gourmet roasted cauliflower and goat cheese, yum. And I’ll be at Rex and Chelsea’s city apartment watching a move so you can have the place all to yourself for a little while.”

Tears threatened my eyes. This wasn’t just sweet. It was… attentive, like he listened to every word I said. Every detail was intentional, no expense spared. Scientific and emotional and utterly... Brooks.

“Text him I said thank you,” I whispered.

She cocked her head. “I think you should text him yourself. Maybe while you’re in the bath enjoying that new little toy he sent over.”

“Oh, you are so naughty.” I swatted her arm as she gathered her coat and purse to leave.

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