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Deidre sniffed. Marc smiled and dug in his pocket for a handkerchief. He handed it to her, but when he didn’t immediately relinquish it, she looked into his face.
“Lincoln DuBois was a wonderful man, too, from all I’ve gathered,” Marc said. “I imagine if we had the ability to see into his heart, we’d see that you were his daughter, as well. You’ve experienced a lot of heartache and loss in your life, Dee. I know it hurts, losing both Derry and Lincoln. But in the end, they were both your fathers.”
A tremor of emotion shuddered through her. Marc was right. She’d always considered herself to be the odd child out, different, fatherless.
But in reality, she’d been blessed with two wonderful fathers...and a mother who loved her very much.
Deidre took the handkerchief and patted her damp cheeks. “You know what?” she asked as she stood. “I just made a decision about something.”
“What?”
“I’m going back to Harbor Town.”
Marc blinked. “To Sycamore Avenue?”
Deidre nodded, drying the tears off her cheeks one last time, and handed back the handkerchief. “Yes, but to the Starling Hotel first. I’m hoping Nick is still there, and that he forgives me for acting so...”
She faded off at the sound of people entering the front door. A moment later, Mari entered the living room followed by her older brother, Ryan.
“Merry Christmas,” Ryan said.
“Merry Christmas!” Deidre went over to greet them, going up on her tiptoes to give Ryan a hug after not seeing him for half a lifetime.
“You and Mari are just alike,” Deidre told Ryan warmly when they parted and inspected each other. “I wouldn’t have thought she could get more beautiful, just like I wouldn’t have thought you could get more handsome. You both had to go and prove me wrong.”
“I can’t believe it,” Ryan said, looking down at her with a teasing glint in his dark eyes. “Is this the same little girl with braces and a perpetual skinned knee who used to rise to every one of Marc’s and my dares?”
“Always used to top you guys doing them, too,” Deidre shot back, noticing when Marc and Ryan shared a grin. She winked at Mari. Maybe this Christmas would be the one where the two men finally found a new path to friendship.
“Deidre was just telling me she’s going back to Harbor Town,” Marc said.
“What?” Mari asked, her smile fading.
“I’m so sorry, Mari. Would you mind very much? It’s just that...” She waved her hand lamely. “I suddenly realized that Harbor Town is where I should be this Christmas Eve.”
“I started thinking, maybe we should head that way, too,” Marc said, looking from Ryan to Mari. “The family will be there. It’d be a good opportunity to break our news,” he said, giving Mari a significant glance. “What do you two think?”
Mari’s mouth opened in amazement. “Well, I’m sure Ryan doesn’t want to go to Harbor Town—”
“I’d like to go,” Ryan said.
Deidre, Marc and Mari all glanced at Ryan in amazement. The circumstances of Ryan’s last Harbor Town visit, and his encounter with the Kavanaughs, had not been pleasant.
“Are you sure?” Mari murmured.
“Yeah,” Ryan said firmly. “There’s something important I need to do in the area. I was planning to go back to Michigan on this visit. Might as well be tonight.”
Mari’s bewildered expression faded as she checked her watch. “Well, we could make it if we hurry, I guess.”
Deidre beamed. “I need to go pack and get on the road, then. I’ll meet you guys at Mom’s? I have to make a quick stop at Cedar Cottage first.” She paused to touch her brother’s arm. Words wouldn’t suffice. She smiled her profound thanks at Marc before she rushed upstairs, her heart racing at the prospect of seeing Nick again.
But would he still be in Harbor Town?
* * *
Several hours later, Brigit approached Nick, who stood next to the glowing Kavanaugh Christmas tree. Deidre’s mother looked very pretty wearing a dark green dress and an anxious, excited expression.
“She’ll be here soon,” Brigit assured him, referring to Deidre.
