Page 129 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

“Are they always like that?” he asked.

“Yep,” Kelsey said. “It can run in the family. That was another marriage after the baby.”

“It happens,” he said. “Where are all the kids? I expected them everywhere.”

“I believe they are up in Hunter’s penthouse with a few babysitters. Ashley, who is Roark’s sister-in-law. That’s his wife Chelsea’s younger sister. Ashley and a few of her friends are watching all the kids. They are on college break.” Kelsey stopped and pointed. “Roark and Chelsea are over there. Chelsea is the pregnant one. She’s due in two months. There are a few pregnant ladies here.”

“I see that,” he said, looking around. People were milling in.

One of those pregnant ladies came rushing over though she looked as if she was going to burst the kid out in the process.

“So glad to meet you, Van. I’m Hailey Bond-Knight.”

He shook hands with her. “You too,” he said. “My grandfather’s lawyer is part of your firm.”

“Yes,” Hailey said. “I knew your grandfather. He wanted me to take over his business, but I only cover the family. The rest of my time is running my practice.”

“Which she needs to take a break from for a while.”

“My husband, Rex. He’s protective, but he’s right. Just poor timing that one of my second-in-command is having a kid right after me.”

“Roark works for Hailey,” Kelsey said. “And Chelsea does too.”

“Keeping it in the family,” he said.

Hailey laughed. “Something like that. I’m going to get off my feet before my husband picks me up and carries me. Don’t want to break his back.”

Van turned to look at Kelsey. “How many more are coming over here?”

“Not many now. The ceremony is going to start. You’ll see one more pregnant woman here. Or at least one that is showing. Who knows how many more there could be besides Hadley? Carson’s sister, Ava, is pregnant and in the wedding. She’s not due for another three months or so.”

“How big is the wedding party?” he asked. “Carson has a twin, right?”

“Yes. Hudson is the best man. Seth is a groomsman. That is Ava’s husband. The matron of honor is Hudson’s wife, Delaney. Everyone is paired up nice and tidy. Seth and Ava’s daughter, Adele, is a flower girl and their son, Brayden, is a ring bearer. Hudson’s twins aren’t in the wedding. I’m sure if they could have walked down they might be,” Kelsey said. “It’s going to get a bit crazy as it is with Carson and Laine’s twins, I’m sure.”

“I guess we are going to find out. Let’s take a seat. I think they are going to start the ceremony.”

For the next forty minutes Van watched the ceremony. The bride was escorted down by her father who was in a wheelchair. The exchanging of the vows while the bride and groom each held one of their twins. Then a big smacking kiss at the end.

They stayed where they were while pictures were taken and hors d'oeuvres were brought out and circulated.

The bar was open and food and alcohol were flowing.

“Hey, Van,” Jarrett said. “I keep meaning to call you. Sorry to come over during this, but I saw you and figured we’d have a few minutes.”

“Did you find anything out?” He hadn’t heard back from Jarrett other than Miles Thatcher had gotten his lawyer and said that, yes, he’d been on the island. That wasn’t a crime. He was at the casino and just lost track of the dates.

He found that convenient that the guy confessed and even stayed at the casino for days afterward. A good place to hide the van for several days where no one would look.

“Not a ton. I’m not convinced Miles wasn’t at the house, but he says he was at the casino. We’ve gone over the footage and saw he’d been on the island the day before and left a few days later. He was in the casino most of the time gambling, but they can’t verify his every movement. That early in the morning, he claimed he was in his room, but we have him leaving the casino around six thirty.”

“Really?” he asked.

“Yes. Griffin has the grounds under surveillance. Miles left in a white van at six thirty and returned at seven thirty-eight.”

“Enough time to leave and stop to put lettering on the van, then drive away, stop to remove it and drive back to the casino,” Van said. “The house is about fifteen minutes away.”

“It is,” Jarrett said. “But no proof other than our gut. Not sure how much more we can do other than keep an eye on him. There were no fingerprints. Nothing was taken. The renters seem happy with the results.”

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