Page 17 of Unexpected Gifts

“Thanks, Mr. Hayes.” He looked amazing for his age. His sons looked so much like him. They were blessed to have his genes, given how finely he’d aged.

“Walter. Please. I don’t want to have to call you Dr. Parker.” Walter released her, grinning. “We’re all very proud of you. A doctor. What a feat. Ramona always said you were the smartest person she ever knew.”

“All right now, you’re embarrassing her,” Grace said. “She’s heading out to have a drink with the boys and relax a minute.”

“Don’t let our boys corrupt you,” Walter said. “They’re notoriously obnoxious on almost every major holiday.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.” Grace gestured toward the set of French doors. “Go on. I’ll let you know if I need you.”

Abby nodded and headed out to the patio. The day had remained clear, with a sunny, startling blue sky that made the snow sparkle. Four men were seated in Adirondack chairs around a gas firepit. Even if she hadn’t known already, it would have been obvious to anyone that the four men were brothers, all with thick dark hair, wide shoulders, and long legs. They stood as she approached.

“Hey, Abby, welcome,” Luke said. “Do you remember these idiots?”

The butterflies were back, dancing in her stomach. If anything, he looked even more devastatingly gorgeous than he had earlier, which might have something to do with the fact that he was smiling instead of scowling.

Max came forward first. He looked pretty much the same as she remembered, except bigger and slightly more rugged. “Abby,good to see you again.” His energy was lively and mischievous. It was impossible not to like him. He wore his slightly wavy brown hair cut short, but there was a bit of a bohemian vibe to him. His warm chestnut-brown eyes sparkled as he held out a hand.

Expecting only a handshake, she was surprised when he folded her into a warm embrace instead.

“We’re all rooting for you,” Max said in her ear. “And here for anything you need. For real.”

She thanked him and then turned to Logan. “Hey, Abby. Sorry to have to see you again under these circumstances.” Logan shook her hand, his cornflower-blue eyes peering at her with interest. Eyes that conveyed sympathy but also a strength of character. This was a man one could rely on. A rock. He was of similar height and muscular build as his brothers. He wore his hair a little longer than Max, with curls falling attractively over his forehead. A neatly groomed beard made him seem both rugged and refined at the same time. He didn’t look like any lawyer she’d ever met before.

“Thanks for making this as smooth as possible. You’ve been wonderful.” He’d taken care of all the legal details when it came to custody of the children, as well as Ramona’s will. “I’m very grateful.”

“You’re welcome. It might have been the hardest phone call I’ve ever had to make. Ramona was a dear friend and client. Words can’t express my sorrow.”

“Thank you,” Abby said.

Lastly, she was introduced to Nolan. The youngest Hayes brother possessed a pair of light hazel eyes behind a pair of trendy, attractive glasses. His neatly styled brown hair was slightly lighter than his brothers’, with streaks of honey woven throughout. His smile was as wide and generous as the others’, but there was a gentleness about him that reminded Abby of Grace. His female students must swoon on a daily basis overtheir handsome professor. She wondered if there had been an influx of English majors when he’d joined the faculty at the university.

“We’re glad you’re here,” Nolan said. “But this must be hard on you.”

“It’s been a shock,” Abby said.

“The children are lucky to have you,” Nolan said. “You’re sacrificing a lot to do what you’re doing.”

“I don’t know if they’re lucky, but I’m all they have. It’s certainly not how I thought the next season in my life would go, but family comes first. Always.” Abby shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket and rocked back slightly onto her heels. “But it all still feels like a dream.”

“How could it not?” Nolan asked. “Come sit.”

Luke pulled another chair close to the fire, and Abby sank into it, feeling suddenly fatigued. Being here with the Hayeses made her feel less alone. She could loosen her shoulders a little without worrying about what the children were thinking or doing. They were happy here with Lily and Rufus and Grace. Or as happy as children who had just lost their mother could be.

“When was the last time you were here?” Max asked.

“My aunt’s funeral. Ten or so years.” Saying it, she was flooded with shame, but she continued. “I went to college right after my mother died, and between school and working, I didn’t have much free time.”

“Medical school isn’t for sissies, right?” Max asked.

“No, it was not,” Abby said. “But it was also really hard for me after my mom died. Coming here would have been…I don’t even know the word.”

She’d not really said it out loud before, but it would have been excruciating visiting Sugarville Grove knowing her mother was gone. It should have been the opposite—Ramona and her aunt were her only family left and, therefore, precious.

“Seeing my aunt, who was so much like my mom, felt like too much,” Abby said. “So I stayed away. I wish I hadn’t.”

As close as she and Ramona had been, back then, distancing herself had felt necessary. As if the sadness would have eaten her up if she’d seen Ramona and Aunt Sally still together when she’d lost her own mother.

“At the time, I was only eighteen and not really in touch with what was going on inside of me.” Abby lifted her shoulders for a second and then let them go, along with her breath. She took a sip of wine. Even after all these years, it still hurt to think about her mother. “I know firsthand what it’s like to lose a mother when you’re not fully grown.”

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