* * *
Two hours later, Wayan was back inside with his wife, staring proudly at his newborn son.
“What did they name him?” Emma asked.
Ciara grinned. “I think it will be Wayan too. Rand told me that daughters and sons are named by the order they’re born. It’s part of the native tradition, and there are only a few common names, I believe.”
Emma grimaced. “I wonder how they keep each other straight?”
Janelle laughed.
“I almost hate to leave in a few days. Everything here is still so unsettled,” Ciara said. “I’ll clean out all the food we won’t need from the fridge and do a few other things before we go to make it easier for Kerilyntaryn. I guess that Wayan and Kerilyntaryn will remain in their own home on the edge of the property while no one is living here, and they’ll continue to work as caretakers.”
“Let’s get some sleep,” Janelle said. “The baby seems healthy, and I’m sure that Kerilyntaryn is more than capable of caring for him. Supposedly, she has many brothers and sisters, some who were here during the storm.”
“I’ve nearly got Rand’s things ready to go, so I’ll finish that up later. I suppose we should stick around the rest of the day today. I’ll be returning to duty as soon as we’re home, and we have that twenty-something hour flight coming up tomorrow.”
Emma scrunched her nose. “I’ve decided I’m staying overnight in Alabama once we reach the states. I don’t have to hurry home.”
“Good,” Janelle murmured. “I’ll have a few more days off before I need to report to base. We can hang out together before you return to Wisconsin.”
“Sounds good to me,” Emma answered.
Chapter Ten
Jim Wallace looked at him doubtingly. “Wisconsin? Are you sure?”
Jim wasn’t surprised at Jack’s resignation, but confessed he was definitely worried about replacing him when Jack turned in his two-week notice.
Jack grinned. “What is it about Wisconsin that has everyone thinking that I’m moving to the boonies? I’ll be working in land development and realty in an already established company owned by a friend. Nick Hanover’s going to be working with me too.”
“Have they got room for me?” Jim murmured, laughing. “Alright. I knew you were ready for a change, but I never really expected you to leave town, since your family’s here.”
“Mom’s remarried, and Sam and Sean are enlisted. I think I’m ready for a change.”
“I’m happy for you, Jack. I hope you’ll keep in touch and let me how you’re doing?”
“You can count on it, Jim,” Jack answered, standing from the chair in Jim’s office and shaking his hand.
* * *
Also listing the possessions he’d expected to recover, Nick had served papers to Marissa, asking her to be out of the townhouse by January 1st unless she was willing to purchase or pay rent.
Apparently, she’d sent numerous texts and emails, none of which Nick had responded to. Nick had been sure she had no idea her name had never been added to the property title, and Jack had been amused to discover that Nick was right.
Supposedly, she had another man living there with her already, so it shouldn’t be difficult for Nick to legally force her out if he had to.
Jack just couldn’t resist, he had to see how Nick handled the situation, so he went along with Nick to the townhouse on Saturday, when Nick’s furniture was scheduled for pickup.
They knocked at the door at eight a.m. sharp, and when Marissa came to the door wearing a skimpy nightgown, Jack started laughing right away.
Glaring at Jack, she turned away, stomping all the way to the bedroom upstairs and most likely getting dressed.
Jack gave Nick a thoughtful glance when she was out of hearing range. “You told her you were coming? I think she was planning on seducing you.”
“Yeah, well, that kind of thing isn’t going to work anymore.”
Jack asked softly, “You know she put the moves on Rand a few times too?”
Making their way through the living room, Nick stilled. “How come he never mentioned it?”
“What would you have thought if he had?”
Nick rolled his eyes. “I see your point. Even though a few people claimed she was cheating, I had to see it with my own eyes before I actually believed it.”
“Rand was furious with her,” Jack admitted.
Nick heaved a sigh, “I knew the two of you never liked her. I should have listened when you tried to tell me about her after we began dating.”
“You thought you were in love. I know how that goes, and whatever I would have said could have affected our friendship, and that was more important to me,” Jack confessed.
Nick turned his head sharply, studying Jack, who made a point to never talk about his love life.
“I hear the moving truck,” Jack murmured, turning away.
“Why don’t you go let them in? I’ll start tagging the stuff I want to load up.”
Jack was happy to see that even though Nick didn’t have much use for the dining room table and additional living room furniture, he took everything he’d paid for, planning on donating the rest to charity so something good would come out of something bad. According to Nick, they’d barely used the furniture, and it was mostly for show. Shauna had always wanted the best, and Nick had gone along with it since he had the money to provide everything she’d wanted.
“What about that huge diamond engagement ring you gave her that she’s still been flashing around? Didn’t you have it listed with the property?”
Nick answered tersely, “I did.”
“Don’t let her keep it, Nick,” Jack muttered grimly.
