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“Big enough for your people but not too big.”
“Did Bennett expect me to live here, James?”
“He thought it might be good for you to get back to your roots but refused to leave you unprotected.”
“Rowan,” Mary-Margaret offered, “when you’re fully honest with another person, you give them a clear view of who you are and what you want. Bennett was the sort of man to monopolize on every opportunity and that certainly applied to you. Seeing you happy was his top priority from the day you entered his world.”
“He never failed to do that.” She placed her palm over her stomach. “Even leaving me his child to love when I lost him.”
Rowan felt comfortable in Daingerfield. It was her hometown. She was nervous about being too close to Gage, but there was Miss Jeffries to consider.
Bennett had gotten to know her better than anyone in her life. Every detail of whatmadeher was shared with him over their time together.
He’d taken all their conversations and experiences...and built her a house in the place where she grew up: near the woman who raised her and close to Rowan’s first love.
Bennett was still guiding her gently - as he had in life. She’d trusted him implicitly to help her make big personal decisions she often hesitated to make for herself. If not for him, she wouldn’t have mended things with Gage and Nina in the first place.
She was afraid.
Shestilltrusted Bennett.
“Alright,” she said softly. “Let’s set up to stay a while.”
She could have sworn James and Mary-Margaret shared a high five but as she jerked her head around to look at them, they wore stoic expressions.
Of the many things - tangible and intangible - she’d inherited from Bennett, the bodyguard and assistant her husband had loved like family were Rowan’s favorite.
* * *
The following day, Rowan waited on Miss Jeffries’ porch when Nina arrived.
As the blonde got out of her sports car, she laughed. “It’s like we’re twelve again.” Rowan ran down to hug her and Nina said, “Tell me there are pancakes.”
Leaning back, Rowan winked. “Brioche with dark chocolate and almonds.”
“Lead the fucking way. I’mstarving.”
They’d taken three steps toward the house with their arms around each other’s waists when the twins burst through the storm door squealing happily.
James followed them on all fours with a stuffed unicorn horn on his head. He quickly scrambled to his feet and ripped the horn off his head.
Clearing his throat, James said, “Nina.”
“Whose children are those?” She asked softly as she stared across the yard where the sisters swung together. Rowan could have sworn her friend swayed on her feet.
“That’s Ava and Emma,” Rowan explained. “Miss Jeffries is taking care of them.”
Nina took a step toward them, her arm dropping from around Rowan’s waist. “They’re...orphans?”
“Uh, abandoned.” Tilting her head, she wondered at the intensity on Nina’s face. “Hey. Are you okay?”
“What…? Oh, yes. I’m fine.” A smiled slipped over her face and all trace of her previous shock disappeared. “Jet lagged, probably. You were going to feed me.”
Walking up on the porch, Nina smiled brightly at James. “Hello, Mr. Statton. Lookin’ good as usual.” Then she passed him to enter the house and yelled, “Miss Jeffries! I’ve come to eat all your food.”
James focused intently on Rowan. “What just happened?”
She looked at the sisters laughing as the new woman hired to help Miss Jeffries appeared from the rear of the house to watch them and offer orange slices.
