Page 40 of Question Everything

“Nothing about you is predictable, Mia,” he said, reaching across the counter and grabbing her hand. She still didn’t know what he’d found online. He checked every day, but there were no updates or additional information posted. He would call some of his contacts at the department and ask to speak to their connections, and maybe somehow, he’d get lucky and hit on some new detail he’d missed. Kyle knew it was only a matter of time before her past caught up to her and found its way to their front door. Until then, he’d keep moving forward and pretend that this would all work out just fine. That was the way to protect the woman he’d realized now he had fallen in love with. He’d take a bullet for her, if necessary.

The added stress of the family’s impending arrival made it impossible for him to tell her what he knew. The bubble they’d created would certainly burst once the house was filled with others. Plus, how could she face them once she realized that they found out that she’d abducted her daughter from London? That was a real crime, one that could have her both extradited and jailed. His siblings would not take this news lightly; he knew them. They would all feel an obligation to turn her in to the authorities. He couldn’t let that happen, either. It would be enough to confess that he and Mia had grown serious feelings for one another and that they’d be sharing a bed. He could see his sister’s face now. She had expressed her worry about him and his involvement with Mia from the outset. It was going to be a long and loud discussion; of that he was certain, but it had to be done. The sooner the better.

CHAPTER 22

Mia was dressing Daisy when she heard car doors slamming on the driveway. She closed her eyes, trying to keep her nerves from overtaking her entirely. She had been both looking forward to and dreading this moment; she couldn’t wait to see Sibby again, but she was pretty sure that she was going to face some intense questions. She knew how protective Kyle’s siblings were of one another. She didn’t want them to think less of her because she had fallen in love with their brother while compromised.

Plus, she wasn’t sure how they would feel about the relationship that had blossomed between her and Kyle. It wasn’t something she’d expected to happen, but now she could not imagine her life without him in it. He was so good with Daisy and the baby was comfortable in his arms.What else could she ever ask for?She pulled the warm, burgundy corduroy overalls up on the little girl and buttoned the two straps at her shoulders. She reached for white cotton socks from the dresser draw under the changing table and slipped them onto Daisy’s kicking feet. After she brushed the fine, blonde curls on her daughter’s head, she said, “Well, sweetheart, we’ve stalled long enough. Time to go say hello to everyone.”

Mia gave herself one glance in the full-length mirror on the back of the bedroom door and satisfied that she looked pretty put-together in an outfit that had no baby puke stain on either shoulder, she left the bedroom and went downstairs. She could feel the cold air rushing in through the open front door as suitcases and bags of groceries were shuttled in from outside. Just as she reached the landing, Sibby appeared.

“Mia! You look great. And look at Sarah. She’s grown in the last month! I can’t wait to catch up with you,” Sibby said, coming in for a brief hug. Then she turned her attention back to the bevy of activity around her. “Conor! What are you doing? Bring the cooler directly into the kitchen. That stuff needs to go into the freezer right now!”

Mia stepped back and watched the frenzy around her. She looked for Kyle but didn’t see him. “Can I help, Sibby?” she asked tentatively.

“Come into the kitchen. I’m sure we can find something for you to do!” Sibby replied as she pulled off her heavy down coat and hung it in the entry hall closet. “There is a ton of stuff to put away. I hope the fridge isn’t too full.”

“Well, actually…”

Sibby interrupted her. “Hang on a sec, Mia. Geoff,” she yelled, turning to her harried husband. “Where are the boys? Don’t leave them outside alone. The ocean is right behind the house, you know.”

“They need to learn about that at some time,” Geoff teased her.

“I’m not in the mood for your games, dear. Just make sure that they stay out front or come inside.”

Mia watched as the other woman directed the traffic around her like a seasoned pro. She had clearly taken on the role of commander-in-chief of the family and everyone else carried outher orders without complaint. Just then Sibby turned back to face Mia.

“C’mon. I want to hear all about what you think of the Cape and how you and Kyle kept yourselves busy out here off season. Not much to do, is there? None of the local shops are open, are they?” She put her hand on the small of Mia’s back and led her down the hallway into the kitchen. Once there, they found Colleen trying to organize the mess. There were bags on every available surface. Mia put Daisy in her seat and began to empty out the large shopping bag closest to her, keeping busy. The last thing she wanted to do was fill Sibby and her mom in on just how she and Kyle spent their free time; she knew that Kyle planned on telling his family about them, she just didn’t want to be the one to do it.

Mia started to pay attention to the groceries in front of her. There were bags marked “stuffing mix,” which seemed odd to her. It looked like a sack of salad croutons packaged as something else. It didn’t feel familiar. There were glass containers filled with marshmallows, fresh chestnuts, and ruby red cranberries. Those three things didn’t seem to belong in the same meal, and she had no idea what Sibby or her mother intended to do with them. There was a huge turkey wrapped in brown butcher paper and the first thing Sibby did when they entered the kitchen was wrestle the bird into the refrigerator, rearranging everything inside to make enough room for the star of the meal. Mia realized that she would just have to watch and learn, because this Thanksgiving Day dinner was way out of her league.

“Tell me, Mia. What do you think of the Cape?” Sibby asked as she organized what needed to go in the pantry versus the increasingly crowded refrigerator.

“It’s beautiful here,” Mia replied. “I love being on the ocean. Sarah does too.” She was careful to use the name for herdaughter that Sibby would recognize. She didn’t know just how much Kyle would share with his family, but she didn’t want to give anything away.

“Have you felt safe enough up here, away from the world?” Colleen asked.

Mia smiled. “Yes. Kyle has made sure to isolate us. We’ve been in our own little bubble.”

Sibby looked up at her and in that moment, Mia knew that she could see the truth.

“You like my brother, don’t you?”

Mia could feel the blush spread from her toes northward toward her face. She simply nodded.

“Well, he could do worse, Mia. I know that you’re still confused about your past, but I’m thinking that you’ve left no one behind. Your heart would tell you if you did. You’re a woman of good character. I pick up on these things, I’m never wrong.”

“She’s right, Mia,” Colleen replied with a nod. “Sibby’s always been a good judge of character.”

“I appreciate that. All I can say is that I’m relieved. I was worried that you both might think less of me because I fell in love with Kyle. I mean, my situation isn’t exactly normal.” The words spilled from her mouth before she could stop them.

“Love? Not just attraction?” Sibby questioned, pulling out two large bunches of celery from a bag and put them on the counter. “That’s a whole different level of involvement.” Mia thought that Sibby was trying to think of the right thing to say next.

Sibby stopped unpacking the groceries for a minute and looked directly into Mia’s eyes. “You know, Kyle’s been through a lot himself. I’m sure he told you all about what happened at work.”

“He did. He told me that he’s been forever changed by that night. I think he has nightmares about it. Sometimes I hear himshouting out in his sleep.” When she realized what she just said, Mia put her hands up over her mouth.

“It’s okay, Mia. You’re an adult and so is my brother. None of us thought that you’d live like monks here together. We just figured it might not have happened yet, you know, this thing between you two,” she said with a smug smile.

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