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Authors: Carly Phillips

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BOOK: Destiny
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Kelly’s heart shattered as she basically deposited her baby sister on a stranger’s doorstep and ordered him to step up as her brother. But it was that, Kelly sensed, or heaven knew where Tess would end up. So here she was months later, starting her life over but still rushing Tess out for school, she thought, grateful things were finally looking up.

She and Tess ate a quick breakfast, after which Kelly dropped off Tess and headed to work. Another thing for which she owed Richard Kane, her job, working for him as a paralegal, in downtown Serendipity.

She stopped, as she did daily, at Cuppa Café, the town’s version of Starbucks. Kelly had worked hard all her life and she’d learned early on to save, but her entire day hinged on that first cup of caffeine. It had to be strong and good.

Kelly stepped into the coffee shop and the delicious aroma surrounded her, instantly perking her up as if she were inhaling caffeine by osmosis.

She was pouring a touch of milk into her large cup of regular coffee when a familiar woman with long, curly blond hair joined her at the far counter.

“You’re as regular as my grandma Emma wanted to be,” Annie Kane joked.

Kelly glanced at her and grinned. “I could say the same for you.”

“Good point.” Annie laughed and raised her cup in a mock toast.

Small-town living offered both perks and drawbacks. Running into a familiar face could fall into either category. Kelly and Annie frequented Cuppa Café at the same time each morning and they’d often linger and chat. If pressed, Kelly would say Annie was the closest she had to a real friend here, if she didn’t count Faith Harrington, Ethan’s wife.

Annie was Richard Kane’s daughter, though from the pictures on Richard’s desk, Kelly noticed Annie looked more like her mother than her dad. From the first day they’d met at her father’s office, Kelly had liked this woman.

Kelly took a long, desperately needed sip of her drink.

“So what’s your excuse for being up so early every day?”

“Routine keeps me young,” Annie said.

Kelly rolled her eyes. “You
are
young.” She looked Annie over, from her slip-on sneakers to her jeans and light cotton sweater. “I bet we’re probably close to the same age.”

“I’ll be twenty-seven next month,” Annie said.

“And I’ll be twenty-seven in December.”

Annie raised her cup to her lips, and Kelly couldn’t help but notice her hand shook as she took a sip.

Kelly narrowed her gaze but didn’t comment on the tremor. Instead, she dove into cementing her life here in Serendipity. “Listen, instead of quick hellos standing over coffee, how about we meet for lunch one day?” She was ready for a real friend here, someone she could trust and confide in. Kelly adored Tess, but a fourteen-year-old hardly constituted adult company.

“I’d like that!” Annie said immediately. “Let me give you my phone number.” As she reached into her purse, her cell phone rang and she glanced at the number.

“Excuse me a second,” she said to Kelly. “Hello?” she spoke into the receiver.

Kelly glanced away to give Annie privacy, but she couldn’t help but overhear her end of the conversation.

“I’m feeling better, thanks. Yeah. No you don’t need to stop by. I called the plumber and he said he’d make it to the house by the end of the day.” Annie grew quiet, then spoke once more. “I can afford it and you don’t need to come by. You weren’t good with the pipes when we were married,” she said, amusement in her tone.

Some more silence, then Annie said, “If you insist, I’ll see you later,” she said, now sounding more annoyed than indulgent.

She hung up and put the phone back in her bag. “My ex-husband,” she explained to Kelly. “He thinks because I have MS I need his constant hovering.”

The admission caught Kelly off guard and she felt for Annie, being diagnosed so young. Richard liked to talk about everything and anything when he was in the office, but he’d never mentioned his daughter’s disease. Kelly didn’t blame him for omitting something so personal. In fact, she was surprised Annie had mentioned it at all.

“I’m sure you noticed my hand shaking earlier, and if we’re going to be friends, you might as well know,” Annie said as if reading Kelly’s mind.

Kelly met Annie’s somewhat serene gaze. Obviously she’d come to terms with her situation. “Thanks for telling me.”

“Hey, if I go MIA one day, at least you’ll know why.” She shrugged, as if the notion were no big deal.

Kelly didn’t take the other woman’s confidence or situation as lightly. “Well, if you ever need anything, just let me know.”

Annie smiled. “Thanks. But I think my ex will always be around to handle things,” she said through lightly clenched jaw.

“That could be a good thing,” Kelly mused, “having someone at your beck and call when you need something.

“Not when you’ve told them you want to be independent,” Annie muttered. The frustration in the other woman’s voice was something Kelly understood.

Like Annie, Kelly didn’t need or want a man who felt the need to take care of her. She was determined to be smart and self-sufficient, the opposite of her mother in every way. No matter how many obstacles life threw in her way. And unfortunately, there were more to come. Utter humiliation loomed in the not-so-distant future courtesy of a man she’d once loved. The affair was long over. The fallout was not. Kelly could handle the mess. Her younger sister could not. And Kelly did not want Tess exposed to gossip and innuendo just as the teenager was doing well and making better choices. Kelly only hoped the distance between Manhattan and Serendipity would spare Tess when trouble hit.

“Men just don’t get us women, do they?” Annie asked, a welcome interruption from Kelly’s troubling thoughts.

Kelly shook her head and sighed. “No, they do not.”

“Firsthand experience?” Annie asked.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Kelly frowned, the memory of spending the last year getting over having her heart and trust betrayed still fresh.

“I’m sorry.” Annie blew out a long breath. “I don’t know about yours but my ex means well. He just takes the word ‘responsibility’ to the extreme.”

Kelly swallowed hard. “And my ex-boyfriend took the word ‘commitment’ way too lightly.”

“Excuse me,” an older man said, indicating he needed to get to the counter so he could pour milk into his coffee.

“Sorry.” Kelly stepped out of the way and walked toward the exit with Annie.

“So how about I call you at my father’s office later today and we’ll exchange phone numbers and make lunch plans?” Annie asked.

Kelly nodded. “Sure. That’s fine.”

They parted ways and Kelly headed toward Richard’s office in the center of town. The buildings stretched along the road, stores on the main level, small apartments above, like hers over Joe’s Bar. The small town appealed to her, coming from the overcrowded city with tall buildings and too many people.

Using her key, Kelly walked into the office of the man she credited for helping to save her sister and her family. “Richard?” she called out.

No answer.

The small office was empty. Obviously she’d beaten him here, which was unusual. Richard was an early-to-the-office, late-getting-home kind of man, though his wife had been trying to get him to work fewer hours, maybe take in a partner to lighten his load.

Kelly settled in to her desk in a small room with a window that she appreciated. She already knew which case she had to work on and what she needed to do today, but she pulled out her calendar anyway. As part of her work routine and a way to make sure she never forgot an assignment, Kelly glanced at today’s date and the list she’d made on Friday before leaving work for the weekend.

Seven P.M.—parent-teacher conference for Tess.

Which she was attending with Dare, since Ethan was away. Better Dare than the other Barron brother. The one she’d deliberately put out of her mind since the kiss on Saturday.

And what a kiss it had been.

Kelly prided herself on her poker face but she still wasn’t sure she’d pulled off being nonchalant after Tess interrupted them. Her sister had sulked all the way home but hadn’t mentioned what she’d seen, nor had she brought it up the next day. If Tess wasn’t going to discuss it, neither was Kelly.

And considering she hadn’t heard a word from Nash, neither was he. Which bothered her. A lot.

Sure, she’d been a little tipsy and a lot aggressive, but she’d felt his body heat and obvious reaction firsthand. He’d obviously liked the kiss, but he’d been hard to read afterward.

She told herself she shouldn’t care what Nash thought or felt. She’d learned from her mother’s choices and her own past not to rely on anyone but herself. So though she might be attracted to Nash, his feelings on the subject didn’t matter. Even if he was equally interested, a brief affair would be disastrous because it would hurt Tess. And short term was all Kelly would let herself believe in from now on.

Two

Nash walked into the Family Restaurant where Dare
had asked him to meet for lunch. The request wasn’t unusual. Dare and Nash had been close forever. Not even going to separate foster homes had been able to break the bond between them. And nothing ever would.

The diner-like establishment was located on a plot of land on the edge of town, a staple of Serendipity for the last two decades. The owners remained the same, generations of the Donovan family members taking over for each other as circumstance dictated.

Nash waved to Macy Donovan, the hostess whom he’d gone to school with before the Rossmans took him in, adopted him, and sent him to private school. She waved back, gesturing to where Dare sat at a booth in the back.

Nash would have found him in a heartbeat, his blue police uniform making him stand out. He joined his brother, easing into the worn, cracked vinyl seat.

“Hope you don’t mind, but I ordered for you. I don’t have much time today,” Dare said. “I’m on a quick lunch break.”

As an attorney, Nash could pretty much make his own hours. “Good by me, thanks.” He gestured to the waitress, a Donovan cousin by marriage.

“What can I get for you?” Gina, a middle-aged woman with red hair and a bright smile, asked.

“Coke for me,” Nash said.

Gina eyed Dare’s empty glass. “Want a refill, Officer?”

Dare nodded.

“Be right back with your drinks and your food,” Gina promised.

“Thanks,” Nash and Dare said in unison.

Nash leaned back in his seat. “So, have you recovered from the wedding?” He’d watched his brother enjoy his day off.

Nash wasn’t sure if Dare’s drink had been water or vodka, but he could tell his brother had had a good time.

Dare laughed. “Yeah. I’m just glad I was off duty on Sunday. It could’ve been ugly if I didn’t get a day to rest.”

“Who says it wasn’t ugly?” Nash asked, having not had nearly the fun his brother had.

Until the end, when he’d been blindsided by a sexy woman and a mind-blowing kiss.

“All things considered, I’d say the day was okay,” Dare said.

“How do you figure?” Nash asked, always shocked that somehow, despite the fact that Dare had gone to a foster home with too many kids and too little money except what the state provided, he’d ended up with a better attitude than Nash.

“Tess behaved, you and Ethan didn’t come to blows, and Faith’s mother didn’t insult us Barron boys too much.” He slung his arm over the back of his booth and grinned.

“That’s only because the great Lanie Harrington couldn’t take her focus off the wineglass in her hand.” Everyone in Serendipity knew Faith’s mother thought she was better than the rest of the world, even after her husband had disgraced their family name.

Dare shrugged, his expression showing compassion not disgust. “Well, if I’d lost my house and all my money be-cause my husband turned into a self-styled Bernie Madoff, I might spend most of my days drunk and not save it for special occasions. Just saying.”

When the Harrington fraud scandal had broken, few were spared. Even Nash’s adoptive/foster parents had taken a hit, and Nash currently represented many Harrington clients in a civil class action suit, but the likelihood of ever seeing any money grew dimmer by the day. Only Ethan prospered from the scandal, returning to town wealthy, thanks to his software abilities and army training. Apparently he’d sold some aircraft development system to the military, resulting in his ability to buy the Harrington mansion at auction after Faith’s father’s fall from grace.

Nash leaned back in his seat while Gina placed their food on the table. “Thanks, Gina.”

“I love serving you boys. My husband, Tony, speaks very highly of you both. A lawyer and a policeman. He says your parents would be proud,” she said quietly.

Nash met his brother’s gaze, a silent knowing look in his eyes that spoke of the past and shared pain. “Thank him for us,” he said.

“Will do. Can I get you anything else?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I’m good for now,” Nash said.

“Same,” Dare added. He waited until Gina walked away before leaning forward. “Now, where were we?”

“Talking about the Harringtons.” Nobody in Serendipity ever tired of the subject.

“Right.” Nash loaded his burger with ketchup before passing the bottle to Dare, who did the same.

“I might feel sorry for Lanie Harrington if I thought she didn’t know anything about her husband’s business. But how the hell could she live with the man and not know he was defrauding every one of his clients?” Friends, family, and strangers alike?

Dare’s gaze darkened. “You can live with someone, be close to someone, and not know nearly as much as you think you do,” Dare said with utter certainty and a note in his voice Nash rarely heard from his sibling.

Not knowing how to reply, Nash took a bite of his juicy hamburger. They ate in silence, Dare’s sudden and unusual mood change reminding him of why the brothers tried so hard not to revisit the past.

Nash preferred to live in the present and had done well at it until Ethan returned to town, dragging all the ugly stuff with him.

“So what’s the favor you needed?” Nash asked as he finished his meal.

Dare wiped his hands on his napkin and tossed the paper onto the table. “A bunch of guys came down with the flu. We’re short-handed so I said I’d work another shift tonight.”

“Sucks,” Nash said.

Dare nodded. “So I need you to go to Tess’s parent-teacher conference at Birchwood.”

“I think our sister might have a thing or two to say about the change of plans,” Nash said.

When Dare had offered to go in Ethan’s place, Nash hadn’t argued. Considering how the kid felt about him, he figured she’d appreciate Dare attending and not him.

“No doubt about it,” Dare agreed. “But you still need to do it.”

He already knew he’d attend. “Not a problem. I’ll just wear armor when I talk to her afterward.”

“You know the reason she has issues with you, right?” Dare asked.

“She idolizes Ethan and hates me because I don’t.”

Dare let out a laugh.

“Not funny. I’ve done everything possible to win her over short of groveling at our oldest brother’s feet.”

Dare waved to Gina, motioning for a check. “No one expects you to grovel. Ethan knows damn well what he did to us was wrong. But we can’t change the past,” Dare said, his face growing suddenly dark.

Nash felt a chill whenever Dare’s optimistic outlook took on unexpected shadows. He never knew quite how to react, and a helpless feeling crept over him, much like when Richard Kane had explained to Nash the boys would be separated.

He shivered at the memory.

“We just need to keep moving forward,” Dare said, unaware of Nash’s reaction.

“I’m doing the best I can dealing with Ethan’s return,” Nash said.

“I know. And when she gets older, Tess will too. In the meantime, just pick up Kelly at the house at seven and be at the school by seven thirty.”

“Kelly?” Nash’s mouth grew dry at the mention of her name.

Dare arched an eyebrow. “Did you think I was going alone? Of course Kelly wants to see how Tess is adjusting.” His brother studied him, an amused grin on his face. “Or do you have problems with Kelly too?”

Nash frowned. “You obviously already know the answer. Who told you?” he asked, resigned.

Dare grinned, enjoying this. “Our baby sister wasn’t too happy that you—and I quote—‘had your tongue down Kelly’s throat.’ ”

Heat rose to Nash’s face. “
That
was an accident.”

Dare’s belly laugh had other diners looking over at them. “Tess catching you was an accident or you kissing Kelly?” Thank God Dare lowered his voice. “I’m not sure what that was but you’ve wanted her from the minute you laid eyes on her.”

Did not.
The immature reply came to Nash and he squelched it. Why deny the obvious and prolong the conversation?

“It can’t go anywhere,” he said instead.

“Why not? It’s not like you’re married anymore. You just
act
like an overprotective husband.”

Nash gripped the edge of the table. “She needs someone to help her,” he said of his ex-wife.

“So let her find someone who’s getting something from the relationship in return,” Dare said, looking out for him like they always did for one another. “Look, ever since Ethan bailed, you’ve taken on the role of protector. You gave me your clothes, you even brought me extra food. But you can’t spend your life making sure you never end up like
him
.”

“Jesus,” Nash muttered, never expecting Dare to be so analytical and brutal at the same time. “I’m not having this discussion.”

“Fine.” Dare raised both hands in submission.

“We’re friends,” Nash said of his ex.

Dare rolled his eyes. “Fine. And what are you and Kelly?”

That was the problem.

Nash had no idea. But now, thanks to Dare’s change of plans, he was obviously going to get a chance to find out.

Nash stood at the doorway of his brother Ethan’s
mansion. From seventy degrees the day of the wedding, the temperature today had just barely touched sixty and now it was a cooler fifty-something with a breeze that felt much more like fall. He wore the same sport jacket he’d chosen for work today and rang the doorbell, eager to get inside.

In seconds, the door swung wide and Tess stood on the other side. Her hair, once jet black, was now a lighter brown, and the purple streak was faded and almost gone. Even her gray sweatpants and imprinted T-shirt said
normal teen
, and he appreciated the change.

Until she opened her mouth, that is. “Oh, it’s you,” Tess muttered, her standard greeting.

“I see some things haven’t changed.”

Tess folded her arms across her chest and remained silent.

“Are you going to let me in?” he asked, reining in all his frustration and maintaining patience and calm.

“Why are you here? I thought Dare was going to my parent-teacher conference with Kelly.”

Here we go,
Nash thought. “He had to work so I’m filling in.”

“Swell.”

He forced a smile. But he still stood outside on the welcome mat like a stranger she was unsure whether to trust. “Again, can I come in?”

Tess moved aside. He stepped into the house and shut the door behind him. He stared at Tess and she glared right back.

“How’s school going?” he asked her.

“I guess you’ll find out soon enough,” she said with mock sweetness.

Nash gave up for now. “Is Kelly ready?”

Tess turned and shouted toward the upstairs. “Kelly, lover boy’s here to pick you up!”

Nash winced. Normally he wouldn’t let Tess dictate who he saw or what he did, but he understood how seeing them kissing had threatened her safe world. “Look, about that—”

“Save it.” She held out a hand to stop him from speaking. “Anything you’re going to say would just be TMI and I don’t want to hear it.”

He closed his eyes for a brief second. “Okay, what’s TMI mean?” he asked, resigned to making an even bigger ass of himself in front of her.

She rolled her eyes in complete disgust. “Too much information.” She pulled in a deep breath. “Kelly!” she yelled once more, even louder.

“I’m coming!” Kelly appeared at the top of the stairs and made her way down. Wearing black leggings and a long purple top, belted in silver, she looked every inch the sexy woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.

He shook his head and reminded himself that not only wasn’t this a date but he also couldn’t allow himself to think about her in any way except Tess’s sister or he’d destroy any chance he had with the kid. Not that he felt that he necessarily had any chance at all, but still, Tess had to come first.

“Hi! Dare sent me a text letting me know you’d be here instead,” she said, padding down the stairs. “Tess, next time invite your brother inside and let him sit down!” she chided the teen.

“That’s okay. We were just catching up.” He met Tess’s gaze, daring her to disagree and get herself in more trouble.

“Oh!” Kelly said, sounding surprised. “Well, that’s good, then. I just have to get my shoes and I’ll be ready to go.” She opened the hall closet and pulled out a pair of high boots.

Sexy boots that covered her entire calf up to her knee and folded over at the top with buckles along the outside for effect.

He swallowed a groan. “So, what’s tonight’s agenda?” he asked Tess in an effort to distract himself from the sight of Kelly, bent over, back to him, pulling her boots on.

Tess shrugged. “How should I know?”

“Tess! Quit being so rude.” Kelly grabbed a leather jacket from a hanger and shut the closet door, then walked over to where they were standing. “Every time I put my coat or shoes in my room near my suitcase, Rosalita hangs everything in the hall closet like I live here,” she said, obviously embarrassed.

“That’s just her job.”

“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t have a housekeeper growing up.”

Nash hadn’t had a housekeeper when he’d lived with his parents either, but after moving in with the Rossmans, they’d had a woman named Consuela who’d run the house much as Rosalita appeared to do here. He didn’t see the point in going into a long explanation.

Kelly merely shrugged at his silence and struggled to put on her jacket.

Reaching over, Nash grabbed the coat and helped, holding it out so she could slip her arms through the sleeves. Because Tess was watching, he pretended to be unaffected when Kelly flipped her hair from beneath the collar, giving him a whiff of strawberry-scented shampoo, and treated him to a smile that nearly knocked him on his ass.

“There. All set. Tess, Rosalita’s here if you need anything. Be good,” she said to the teen.

“I should be saying that to you two,” Tess muttered.

“Relax. Go watch TV,” Nash suggested.

“I have homework,” she said icily.

“Then go do that.”

“Ignore her.” Kelly grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door.

He followed, grateful to get away from Tess’s moodiness only to realize once they were outside and the house door shut behind them, they were alone.

BOOK: Destiny
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