Page 166 of Homecoming

“Yeah, for sure. All because he couldn’t deal with her breaking up with him.”

“I’m sorry you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with.”

“It’s a little overwhelming to realize how quickly your whole life can be turned upside down when you’re suspected of a heinous crime.” He ran a clam through the melted butter she’d warmed for him and popped it into his mouth. “I’ll tell you one thing… I have a whole new appreciation for the work Dan has done on behalf of unjustly incarcerated people.”

“It’s truly remarkable. And the people he’s freed are so thankful. One of them shows up to cook for us any time we’re in Malibu. Others do a wide variety of things for him throughoutthe year to show their gratitude, all of which he says is unnecessary, but you can’t tell them that.”

“He gave them their lives back. They see it as the least they can do.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m happy for you, K. You’ve found an amazing life for yourself on your island with a great guy who worships the ground you walk on. You deserve all the good things.”

“So do you, Kirbs. I want you to have that, too.”

“It’ll happen if it’s meant to.” He shrugged. “I suppose online dating is out now that I pop up as an accused murderer on Google.”

Kara didn’t want to laugh at that, but the face he made sent her over the edge.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “The exoneration comes about twenty items below the charges.”

“I wonder if Dan can do something about that.”

Kirby shrugged. “Whatever. It’s part of my story now, for better or worse. At least I won’t need to worry about getting a job.”

“That’s true.”

“Did you hear that Dad has put together a succession plan for the company that makes all eleven of us equal partners, with Kendra and Kellen as the managing partners?”

“When did that happen?”

“Earlier today. He sent a text.”

“I haven’t looked at my phone in hours. What do you think of that?”

“It makes sense to have them as the managing partners, since they’re basically running the place now. I like that he gave a piece of it to all of us, and he put it in an irrevocable trust so no one can force anyone else out. There’d be no point in fighting over any of it.”

“That sounds like a wise move in light of the family history.”

“I agree. He said he’s going to retire at the end of next year, and then the future is up to us to chart. Kingston immediately chimed in to say he’ll have nothing to do with the company, even if he’s an owner, to which Kellen replied that he can just cash the checks and not worry about it.”

“Sounds like a reasonable response.”

“King replied with a thumbs-up.”

“That’s good.”

“Yep. It’s all good.”

Just as he said that, Buster shot off the first of the fireworks he’d procured for the occasion.

“Let’s go watch,” Kara said.

They went outside to join the others as the sky exploded in light and color.

Dan slipped an arm around Kara. “There you are.”

“Here I am.”

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