other. At least that’s what she told herself. One of these days she was going to get on him and ride, just like she used to. The fact that she couldn’t really see where she was going was an issue to be dealt with another time.
She heard footsteps, but didn’t bother turning around. Based on the speed and sound, she knew exactly who it was.
“Hi, Aaron.”
“You’re getting spooky. I won’t ask how you knew it was me. I have a surprise for you.”
She might not have been at Nick’s ranch all that long, but she knew enough to guess not every surprise was one she would enjoy. “A good surprise or a bad surprise?”
“A good one. At least I think so. Your sisters are here. Norma said they could stay to lunch and she won’t do that for just anyone. So she likes you.” He paused. “Should I pause for a dramatic reaction to the news?”
“That Norma likes me?”
“Oh, please. To your sisters being here.”
Izzy patted Jackson’s neck. She didn’t know what to think. When she’d first arrived, she’d been so angry at them for abandoning her. She’d seen their actions as a betrayal. Now…she wasn’t so sure. While she was starting to see their point, she wasn’t ready to completely forgive them. Although if they groveled enough, she was willing to be persuaded.
She unhooked Jackson and led him toward the stable. “Tell them I’ll be in shortly.”
“That’s it?”
“Disappointed?”
“Yes. I thought you might scream or something. I adore drama.”
She grinned. “Then stick around for the reunion. There might be a shriek or two.”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.” He followed her into the barn. “Your sisters are very beautiful, but they don’t look alike.”
“Different mothers,” she said. When Jackson was safely back in his stall, she turned back to the door. “Skye and I share a mother. Lexi’s mom was Jed’s first wife.”
“How very Dallas.” Aaron linked arms with her. “So who’s Dana? She’s here, too.”
“A mutual friend.”
“She so doesn’t do the girly thing. She could be pretty if she put a little effort into it. And what’s with the chip on her shoulder? I swear, she has to work out. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the strength to walk straight. That chip would make her lean.”
She squeezed his arm. “You’re rapidly becoming one of my favorite people ever.”
“I know. Everyone adores me.”
Izzy laughed. “Dana’s a deputy.”
“I can totally see her in uniform and not in a happy way. She needs a man more than I do and that’s saying a lot.”
They reached the back of the house.
“I put them in the living room,” Aaron said, holding open the door. “Go say hi. I’ll bring in refreshments. That will give you time to do the family greeting thing before they get to know the new light of your life. That would be me, of course.”
“Of course,” she said, chuckling as she walked. It was only when she’d nearly reached the living room that her humor faded. She paused in the hallway. She could hear low murmurs of conversation. Skye sounded nervous, which made Izzy feel better. She stepped into the room.
“Hi,” she said.
There were a couple of gasps, then blurry shapes rushed toward her. Lexi got there first and hugged her.
“How are you? Are you okay? You look good.”
Skye pushed Lexi aside and wrapped her arms around Izzy. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I know it was the right thing to do, but I’m sorry.”
“You can’t have it both ways,” Izzy told her. “You can’t tell me it was right to have me kidnapped and apologize at the same time.”
“Of course I can,” Skye told her. “I’m a Titan.”
“She can be so annoying,” a third voice said.
Izzy turned as Dana hugged her, as well.
“You smell like horse,” her friend said. “And I had nothing to do with the kidnapping.”
Izzy laughed. “I know. You’re not the one who’s in trouble.”
“Am I in trouble?” Skye asked, sounding upset.
“Trouble?” Aaron walked into the room. “My favorite. Is someone going to be punished?”
Izzy introduced him to her sisters. He passed out drinks, then got everyone seated. Izzy noticed that Aaron stayed beside her and led her to the sofa, so she wouldn’t have to guess where everything was. Despite the time she’d spent memorizing the room, having four other people around made it impossible to remember what was where.
“So, you probably have a lot of questions for me,” Aaron said when they were seated. “I
Izzy laughed. “You are the air that I breathe.”
Aaron sighed heavily. “It’s a massive responsibility. Oh. Norma’s waving frantically from the kitchen. I think she wants me to leave you girls alone. Normally I would ignore her but she makes these amazing biscuits and I am a slave to my senses. Ladies, it’s been lovely. I’ll see you at lunch.”
Izzy felt him get up and heard him walk out of the room.
“Who’s that?” Dana asked. “He doesn’t seem your type.”
“He’s Nick’s assistant. He pretty much manages everything.”
“You seem to be doing well,” Skye said. “This was a hard decision for us, Izzy. You weren’t leaving your room, let alone the house.”
“I know.”
“Even if you decide not to have the surgery, which we still don’t understand, you have to do something with your life.”
“I know.”
“Losing part of your sight isn’t the worst…What?”
“I said I know. I might not agree with what you did, but I understand why you thought it was important. I don’t mind being here. Which is not the same as forgiving you. Just so we’re clear.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Lexi asked, sounding more relieved and happy than frustrated.
“You shouldn’t be. Okay, enough about me,” Izzy said. “What’s been going on with you two? What have I missed? Erin’s getting ready to start school soon, isn’t she? Third grade. I can’t believe how fast she’s growing up.”
She’d been there when Skye’s daughter had been born. While birth was a lot more messy than she’d expected, it had still been something amazing. Erin was…
She realized that no one was talking.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.” Skye sounded shocked. “It’s just you said ‘enough about me.’ I’ve never heard you say that before.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just that you’re usually…You enjoy…”
“Stop trying to be so damned delicate,” Dana grumbled. “She’s trying not to say you usually like it when we talk about you.”
Izzy frowned. “That’s not true. I joke about it, but I’m not totally self-centered.”
There was more silence, and this time it was less comfortable.
“I’m not,” she insisted.
“Of course not,” Skye murmured soothingly.
Izzy had a feeling they were all exchanging looks she couldn’t see. Ones that said they shouldn’t upset her.
Did her sisters really think she was selfish? That she didn’t care about them? Or anyone? Hadn’t she been the
