Page 32 of To Have and To Hold

Colin stood looking out of his window at the semi-quiet scene of the Vegas strip as he sipped his coffee in his robe. His brothers and friends were still sleeping off the night’s events and would not rise for a couple of hours. There were people outside walking about, some making their way back to the hotel after all-night partying at the clubs.

He’d hoped to plan a breakfast for just him and Coco but she and the other girls were spending the morning with Zahara before she had to leave and catch her flight.

Colin turned when he heard, “Okay munchkin, Daddy loves you. Can I speak to your Mom for a second?”

His brother’s eyes caught his, so Colin turned back to the window, pretending to give his brother privacy but trying to hear what his brother was saying to Sierra. However, he couldn’t make much out as his brother’s voice was low and at times whispering.

He was not surprised to see Jacob up this early and already dressed in jeans and a white polo shirt with his feet bare. Carefully, Colin watched Jacob make his way into the kitchenette. His hair was still damp from his shower, and he poured himself a cup of the coffee that Colin had put on that morning. Jacob had always been an early riser as kids and as a businessman; it still held true even when he worked long hours and sometimes came home late. He was still able to be up before anyone else would dream of rising.

“How is Kaitlyn doing?” He sipped his coffee, facing his brother again as he hung up the phone.

Jacob tipped creamer into his coffee and blew on the hot brew before taking a sip. “She’s fine, she was in good spirits today. Sounding like her old self.” A happy smile graced his lips, softening the harsh lines in his face and the worry in his eyes.

Colin’s mood lightened as well, hearing that his niece was doing good today and hoped that it would continue because she would need to keep her spirits up as she went into surgery.

“That’s good to hear. Next time let me say hi, please.”

His brother’s eyebrows rose. “You have a phone and can also use it, you know. She has been asking about how you are doing. And she is excited to meet Coco and about the wedding coming up; she wants to be a flower girl.”

Colin felt a pang of guilt. His brother was right; he was so busy going after Coco and making wedding plans, he’d not been keeping up with his calls to his niece. He planned on making it up to her soon.

“Sorry, you are right.”

“It’s okay, she understands.”

“I will bring Coco by to see her when we get back from Vegas before her surgery next week. And about her being a flower girl, will she be okay to do that? I would love the munchkin to be there.”

“I don’t know, we will have to see how it goes after the operation and if she is up to flying.”

Colin nodded and they sipped their coffee in silence.

“So how is it going with Sierra, Jacob?”

His brother stiffened. “So far, so good. She has been keeping her promises, and she found a local benefactor to continue her AA meetings with.”

“And how is Kaitlyn handling her mother being home.”

He sighed and raked his hands through his hair in agitation. “The truth is she has been flourishing now that Sierra has been back. It was hard trying to keep her away from her mother, especially under the same roof and Sierra tried to keep her distance but you know how stubborn Kaitlyn can be when she wants to be.”

“Maybe this is a good—” His brother shot him a furious glance and Colin swung up his hands in surrender. So, he tried another approach. “How is everything going with Marissa and the new situation at home?”

His brother grimaced but then said coldly, “Marissa is not happy about it, but I don’t pay her to be happy, just to take care of my child and make sure she is happy.”

“Are you still considering asking her to marry you?” Jacob shrugged and his face became distant, signalling he didn’t want to talk. His brother was so closed off sometimes. Colin wished his brother could meet a woman who would open him up and make him happy.

He would table it for another time because time was running out for his brother to get married too, just like the rest of his siblings.

They both looked toward the door when they heard the churn of the locks to the door disengage.

Abbott opened the door and froze as his gaze connected with his two older brothers.

Colin stared in surprise as Abbott was still wearing the same clothes as last night.

Chapter 17

Coco was amused when Jackie had announced a change of plans and that they weren’t going to the strip joint she mentioned but to another one that was underground and were a little more risqué with their type of entertainment for women.

She’d not been pleased to go as this wasn’t really her thing, not like it used to be when they were in college, but Jackie had convinced her saying she needed this for herself.

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