Page 144 of My Brother's Enemy
Dane went rigid, his eyes widening.
I ignored that too and patted him on the back. “Thanks for making the first step, but I was already locked in the second I saw your little girls smiling at me.”
I stepped back as he let out a harsh breath of air. “They tend to have that effect on people. It’s their super power because I swear that my little girls are going to be criminal masterminds one day. Have you seen their dolls upstairs? Try to give them an angel doll and they throw a fit. Give them a devil doll and they’re content as can be. I’m terrified. Lindy thinks it’s awesome. She jokes they get it from me, but that’s all her.” By unspoken agreement we put away the hockey sticks and began for the stairs.
“She told Dad off.”
I stopped just before starting up the stairs. “What?”
“Lindy. She invited him over for dinner, and before the girls came in, she informed him that he would never treat any of the females in this family how he treated you growing up. If he did, she would have no problem educating the girls on how he treated you and she’d let him try to explain it to them. Dad’s usually reserved and on good behavior around Lindy, but for the first time he looked scared of her. I showed her the texts that Griff sent on your phone and she told me straight up to make sure you married that man. Consider yourself a part of our family again, whether you want to be or not.” With that, he headed upstairs while I was rooted in place behind him.
But I was smiling.
I told Tyler how the conversation went once we got home and he laughed and laughed and said he couldn’t wait to have Lindy meet Skylar.
I agreed.
EPILOGUE
RAIN
Going to Miriam’s grave with Mal had become a tradition. We did it the first year after the Grays lost in the playoffs. And the regular season was done this year so Mal and I went to visit our cousin.
Our cousin.
I now thought of her as mine as well.
Mal bent down to fix some of the grass by her tombstone and when it was cleared, he held out his hand. I gave him the bouquet of flowers. Tyler was always giving me lilacs so I’d started bringing them for Miriam.
Mal placed them on the ground, in the middle and stood up to stand with me.
“Hey, sis.” He took my hand, but he was speaking to Miriam. “I know you’re over there. I know you’re watching. I hope you’re happy. We’re doing the best we can on our side. I’ll let Rain have her own time with you, but I’m doing well. Dad is doing well. Mom too. Grandpa passed, but I’m sure you know that. I miss you, little sister. Cousin.” Mal had tears in his eyes. “I think of you every day. I met someone recently who filled my ear about signs so if you’ve got some pull on the other side, could you sendme a pink balloon. I was told to be somewhat specific. Love you.” He squeezed my hand before touching my shoulder and moving aside for me.
I knelt closer to the tombstone, sitting on the back of my heels. “I asked him to give us some privacy today, but you probably already know my surprise so I won’t say it in words. I feel like I know you by now, but I always feel the same when I come here. I wished I had known about you earlier. Maybe I could’ve helped? Who knows. Your brother--our brother--he helped me a lot. He does well for others. He cares. I got to know Grandpa a bit too and I already miss him. Can you give him an extra hug for me? Tell him his new granddaughter misses him.”
This was where she was buried, but I didn’t believe that’s only where she was. I believed she was around us all the time. Since knowing about her, I swear that I felt her at times too. Mal said the same, but he liked to shake off the thought.
I found comfort in it. Our loved ones were still with us. That meant my mom had never left my side. I liked that idea a whole lot.
After we were there a bit longer, Mal indicated he was ready to leave.
Once we were in his car, he asked as we pulled out of the cemetery, “Do you and Tyler have plans once the Grays are done?”
“Tyler will want to go on vacation and travel around. He mentioned taking Sky and Zoey to Europe. Probably swing into New York to see Nolan. You know. Travel around to see friends. Do you have plans?”
He shook his head. “I get to travel with my work. So…” He laughed to himself. “It’s the same for me.”
“Lindy wants to come to Minnesota and do a camping thing. She mentioned cabins. Would you be interested in joining us? You are my brother.”
He softened. “I could probably be talked into an appearance. Bring Dad too.”
Now I was the one softening. “Yeah. Bring Dad. That’d be nice. I don’t think my nieces will have a problem having three grandpas.”
“Certainly not. Especially when they go and see Grandpa Keith and tell him all about the toys you know Dad will insist on bringing.”
Meeting my father had been life changing. It took a while until I was ready to meet him, and it took another year before I believed he actually wanted me in his life. I would always struggle with my stuff. It’s how I was raised, but I was doing better.
“When do you start with your new client?”
