“Translation,” Randy said to Michaela, “our ‘bosses’ wouldn’t let us come.”
“And your bosses were your other brothers not currently in Lusty,” Michaela said. Standing between her men, she was able to run a hand up and down each of their backs. This still wounded them, thinking back to the way things had been.
“Which really tells you all you need to know about the differences between family here and there.” Lewis’s summation put a sour look on his face. Since his brothers grunted their agreement, Michaela realized something important.
Yes, those wounds still stung, for all of the transplanted Montana Benedicts. All she could do, when thoughts of their family back in Montana derailed her men, was simply to let them know, by her touch, by her expressions, by her constant presence, that she was there for them. And she could tell, with just a look, that Jenny felt the same way when it came to her own husbands.
“I’m your family now, baby.” Michaela rested her head on Lewis’s arm for a moment, even as her hands continued to stroke both their backs. “And I’ll always be on your side.”
“Thank God for that miracle,” Lewis said.
“Amen to that.” Randy met her gaze, his smile one of tenderness.
The only people who’d been expected but hadn’t arrived yet were Adam, Jake, and Ginny and Samantha Kendall and her husbands. And Grandma Kate, who was apparently at the New House with the Kendalls. All Tamara had said about the missing members of the family, when she, Morgan, Henry, and their twins, Cathy and Hunter, arrived a half-hour before, was that something unexpected had come up but the rest of the family would all arrive shortly.
Michaela loved the food at Lusty Appetites nearly as much as she loved the food at the roadhouse. Of course, the really big draw here was those totally decadent and delicious cream puffs that Tracy Alvarez-Kendall made.
“Let’s sit, baby girl. Anyone who wants to come by and visit, will.”
They’d all no sooner taken their seats than Terry Gowan entered the restaurant. Michaela watched as he waved to some of the older family members before heading their way. She’d heard that Jake was steering some clients his way. She thought well of Terry for staying in the area and for continuing to work as a real estate agent.
“It didn’t surprise us one bit that one of the ‘gifts’ you wanted to bestow was to Terry Gowan,” Randy said.
“I know we’ve told you that was well done. But I guess he proved the wisdom of your decision by how he handled the windfall.”
Terry had donated a good sum of money to a group dedicated to homeless teens. She’d bet if there’d been such a thing available to him back in the day, he’d have used it. She’d also heard that he’d updated his office some. The rest of the money, Jake had told her, he’d invested.
“He did,” Michaela said. “I think he’s well and truly free from the demons from his past.”
Terry joined them. He shook the men’s hands, greeted her girlfriends, and then turned his attention to her. “Congratulations on your engagement.” He took the chair offered. There was room for several more people to join them at this enlarged space. “I’m still not completely certain how these relationships work. But Jake invited me to tour the museum, and I do have a better understanding than I did.”
“Some family histories can be repeated,” Michaela said. “How are you doing, Terry?”
“I’m doing well, thanks. Business is good, and now that Devlin is out of the house, my off hours are as peaceful as they used to be. I’ve also started seeing someone.”
That was the best news of all, as far as Michaela was concerned. Terry had closed himself off from the possibility of relationships, fearing he’d turn out to be a father like his own.
It was good to see what the man looked like when he had hope.
Sean, Noah, and Brittany arrived. Michaela was happy to see them, and they came right over. They all greeted Terry and then gave their congratulations to her and her men.
Something seemed a little off with them.
“What is it?” Lewis’s question said he’d seen it too.
“A friend of the family—I don’t know if you know him, Cameron Drake?” Noah asked.
“The contractor who rehabbed the Waco headquarters for Ian and Ken’s business?” Michaela asked.
“Yes. Lieutenant Corbett of the Waco PD called Aunt Samantha about a half-hour ago,” Sean said. “Cam’s wife, Linda, was involved in a traffic accident. Someone ran a red light and T-boned her car.”
“Oh, no! Cam and Linda have both come into the roadhouse from time to time. Is she all right?”
Sean just shook his head. “We don’t know. That was one of the reasons Aunt Samantha delayed coming. She wanted to find out if there was anything Cam needed, if there was any help the family could give. Jordan, who’s a close friend, is on his way there now with Peter and Tracy.” Then he blinked. “Sorry. We’re here to celebrate your engagement. I shouldn’t have mentioned…”
“No, I’m glad you told us.” Michaela looked at Lewis and then Randy. Both of her men nodded their agreement. “Cam and Linda are crazy in love. And as you’ve said, they’re almost family.” There was no such thing in Lusty as just being friends of the family. Benedicts, Kendalls, and Jessops alike had a habit of adopting anyone they came to care for.
“Hopefully everything will turn out fine,” Lewis said.
“Our fingers are definitely crossed.” Brittany met Michaela’s gaze. Michaela wasn’t surprised to see empathy in the face of the former Marine. She herself had endured a horrendous accident—though the vehicle she was in at the time had been a helicopter.
That accident had left Brittany a below-the-knee amputee. That was something that Michaela thought rarely came to the minds of anyone who knew the energetic woman.
Brittany Phillips Kendall, now an advocate for other injured servicewomen, didn’t let the matter of a prosthetic leg stop her from doing anything
