Page 51 of Captiva Book Club

“Look at this beautiful woman. Hey sweetie. How are you doing?”

Becca nodded and rubbed her belly. “I’m fine, thank you. Only three more months to go.”

“This little one will be here before we know it.”

“Did you see your father and brothers already?” Ciara asked.

“Yes, we stopped there first and dropped off our luggage. I was sorry to hear about Meredith though. We loved her and thought she and Luke would marry eventually. I thought of her as a sister.”

Maggie nodded. “Your brother was very sad about it for several months. I think he’s coming around though.”

“Why do you think that? Is he seeing someone?”

Ciara smiled. “Let’s just say he’s interested in someone. Maybe you can get it out of him when you talk.”

Becca laughed. “Oh, I’ll get it out of him all right. He’s not going to avoid me while I’m here. He knows me well enough to know I’m going to nag him until he spills everything.”

“Paolo, how have you been feeling since the kidney transplant transfer?” Becca asked.

“I’m doing great. Still taking it easy. I’m not supposed to lift anything heavy for the first six weeks.”

They all walked inside to the inn’s front living room.

“I see not much has changed since we were here last,” Christopher said.

“Does that mean we’re boring or predictable?” Maggie asked. “At least we have a Christmas tree. It’s not as big as the one we always had when you were growing up, but it fits in the front window nicely, I think.”

Maggie looked at Becca and noticed the dark circles under her eyes that never used to be there. She assumed it was due to work and medical school, as well as caring for her pregnancy.

Maggie, always so composed and nurturing, with her gentle demeanor, stood just outside the main living room, where the smell of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air.

When Becca saw the concerned look on Maggie’s face, Becca looked like she was going to cry.

Maggie opened her arms without hesitation as Becca approached, enveloping her in an embrace that spoke volumes. It was the kind of hug that only a mother could give—one that held you together when everything inside threatened to fall apart.

Ciara remained in the doorway, watching them with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She’d learned long ago that blending into a family was a delicate balance of giving space and offering support.

As Becca rested her head on Maggie’s shoulder, Ciara couldn’t help but feel a pang of something bitterly familiar. It wasn’t jealousy, but rather a hollow ache—a reminder of her role in Becca’s life, one that always seemed to hover just on the periphery.

She thought back to all the times she had tried to contact Becca, to offer her guidance or just a listening ear. Becca had been polite, even gracious, but there was always a formality in their interactions, a distance that Ciara had hoped would eventually dissolve with time. It hadn’t.

Ciara felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Chelsea standing beside her, a knowing look in her eyes. Chelsea had always read Ciara’s thoughts without her saying a word.

“It’s not easy,” Chelsea said softly, glancing over at Maggie and Becca. “Seeing them together like that.”

Ciara nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I just…I wish she’d come to me, even once. Just to talk. To ask for advice. Anything.”

Chelsea squeezed her shoulder.

“Becca’s been through so much. Losing her mother, her grandparents…It’s no wonder she’s drawn to Maggie. She needs that connection, that sense of continuity. Besides, you have to admit, Maggie has always had that ‘Mother’ thing. With so many kids of her own, she naturally attracts children of all ages. Heck, look at how she adopted me.”

Ciara smiled. “Good point.”

“You’re a new stepmother and wife, Ciara. Give it time. If you force it, you’ll risk failing big time. You don’t want to lose Becca that way. Help her in small ways, and eventually, she’ll talk to you about the big things.”

“Thank you, Chelsea.”

“For what? I didn’t do anything,” Chelsea answered.

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