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Epilogue

‘Are you ready for this?’ Max climbed from the causeway up to the rocky outcrop the lighthouse stood on and held his hand out towards Brooke.

‘As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.’ Taking his hand, Brooke stepped next to him. She gripped the Tupperware box of muffins Elsie had asked her to bring and looked across at Max’s cast. ‘How’s your arm?’

‘It’s fine.’ Max shrugged. ‘Shall I knock?’

‘Yes, no. Just give me a moment.’ Holding Max’s good hand in one hand and the Tupperware box in the other, Brooke tried to slow her breathing. It was silly. Why was she even so nervous? She’d met everyone who would be waiting for them in the lighthouse already. They hadn’t changed, even if the circumstances tying them together had. It had been Ian’s idea. This. He’d wanted a family takeaway night so she could get to know her family better. And that’s what he’d said too—her family. Ian, Elsie, Connor, Wendy and little Hudson, and Ollie and Daisy.

‘You okay?’

‘No, I feel sick.’ She swallowed. She hadn’t seen Ollie or Connor since she’d found out about being related to Ian. Over the past few days, she’d been hiding out at Annie’s house, spending time with Max and avoiding facing up to the truths in her gran’s letter.

‘Hey, you know everybody. You know they’re all super lovely.’ Clasping her elbows, Max looked her in the eyes.

‘I know, but that was before they found out I’m related. What if... I don’t know.’ And she didn’t. Both Ian and Elsie had assured her everyone was happy to find out she was part of the family, but... ‘I guess there’s a small part of me that feels guilty about all of this.’ She waved at the lighthouse.

‘All of what?’ Max frowned.

‘Stepping into another family. I can’t help feeling that I’m letting my grandparents down, turning my back on what they’ve done for me.’

‘It was your gran who wanted you to find Ian.’

‘I know.’ She looked down at the rocks beneath her feet. ‘I know it was, but somehow I still feel guilty.’

‘Would she want you to?’

Slowly but firmly, she shook her head. ‘No, she wouldn’t. She’s always wanted the best for me.’

‘There you go, then. Ready?’

‘Yes, I’m ready.’ She knocked on the door and stepped back.

‘Hello, Brooke.’ Ollie pulled the heavy door open before holding his arms out towards her and hugging her. ‘Welcome to the family. I know I’m not blood-related to Ian, but he’s always been there for my sister and me, so I’m calling us family.’

‘Thanks.’ Pulling away slightly, she smiled.

‘Evening, Max. Good to see you looking a bit better. You gave us all quite the scare.’ Shaking Max’s hand, Ollie drew him in for a hug.

‘Thanks, mate.’

‘Come on in.’ Stepping aside, Ollie ushered them in.

‘Thanks.’

‘Antie Book.’ As soon as they’d stepped inside the circular living room, Hudson launched himself from Elsie’s lap and ran across to Brooke, wrapping his small arms around her legs.

‘Hello, Hudson.’ Looking down, she ruffled his hair.

‘Sorry, that was me. I told him you were his auntie now. He can’t say Brooke, so you’re Book.’ Wendy laughed. ‘Just say if it’s too much, I can tell him just to call you Brooke, minus the auntie part again.’

‘Umm, no it’s sweet. Thanks.’ Brooke smiled.

Connor walked across to her and held his arms out, drawing her into a hug. ‘I know you’re not strictly his auntie. I think we’re second cousins or something? But that was too complicated to tell him.’ Connor chuckled.

‘Right. Second cousins.’ Brooke nodded. ‘I haven’t had a cousin before, let alone a second cousin.’

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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