A lot’s changed, Shannon thought as she padded barefoot into the kitchen and ground coffee beans on the old counter that would soon be replaced. All of her brothers were facing charges stemming from fires set by the Stealth Torcher, and there was an ongoing investigation as to Neville’s murder. Though Ryan had killed him, her brothers were involved in the coverup to varying degrees.
It didn’t look good for them, she thought, and because of it, Robert’s affair with Cynthia Tallericco had ended, and Shea’s second marriage was definitely on the rocks.
And their mother had collapsed. Luckily, after a short hospital stay and with Father Timothy’s help, Maureen had been moved into an assisted living home where she was, despite all the tragedy, adjusting and making friends.
Shannon hit the button and the coffeemaker screeched as it pulverized the beans. Through the cottage window, she looked out to the lake where Travis, Dani, and her friend, Allie Kramer, were fishing from the dock. Allie’s family was visiting from Oregon and staying at the house where Shannon had once lived and now Nate Santana was thinking of purchasing.
Marilyn, formerly Skatooli, now half-grown, was staring into the water and wagging her golden tail while Khan, the traitor, who had adopted Travis eagerly, was nearby sniffing the shore, trying to scare up squirrels.
Horses were lazily grazing in the newly constructed round pen, and while some of the dogs were in their kennels, others were outside, lying near the house, or sniffing for squirrels and rabbits.
Atop the sagging roof was a miniature Christmas sleigh, while a stuffed, life-sized Santa hung perilously from the gutters. No sign of Rudolph or the other reindeer. It looked as if they’d run for their lives.
While the other dogs were sunning themselves outside, Atlas was inside, lying on a rug near the fireplace where soft red coals gently glowed.
Glancing over at the dog, Shannon smiled as she poured water into the coffeemaker. She would have thought with all she’d been through that burning a fire in the grate would have been traumatic. Not so, thank goodness, and now seeing lights and a holly and fir swag on the mantel she felt an inward warmth spread through her. The latest injuries had healed. Even her shoulder was almost as good as new.
She punched the button to start the coffee. Atlas lifted his broad head while thumping his big tail on the floorboards. “Life could be worse,” she told him. “A lot worse.”
Dani and Allie had camped out in the attic of this little house, planning the expansion of the area into a suite for Dani, and probably, Marilyn.
The coffee percolated, filling the air with a warm scent and Shannon looked around her new home. With Travis’s help she’d moved into the cabin near the lake and though the little cottage was far from renovated, it seemed like home. A real home. She walked to the window and gazed out to the lake where Travis, Allie, and Dani were fishing.
Her family.
Such as it was.
Travis hadn’t thought twice about staying with her. Since Dani was starting high school, he’d decided it was a perfect time to move and surprisingly, he’d not gotten many arguments from his daughter. Her daughter. Their daughter.
They were talking about marriage but had decided to take it slow. Maybe in the spring. Travis’s place in Oregon was for sale. The real estate agent informed them that a couple was “really interested” and an offer, “nearly certain.” They would see.
As she watched, a Jeep rolled up the drive. Shane Carter was at the wheel with Jenna Hughes beside him. They’d come to celebrate Christmas with Travis and Dani in California. In the backseat was Jenna’s daughter, Cassie, who, though taller, was nearly a carbon copy of her mother.
Shannon hurried outside and down the steps of the porch as Shane parked the Jeep near the garage. Several of the dogs, including Khan, barked and greeted the newcomers as they piled out of the car.
“How do you stand all these animals?” Cassie asked, but she was teasing, her smile wide as she petted every head that came her way.
“I don’t know,” Shannon said, “but I love them all. It nearly kills me when I sell one.”
“I wouldn’t sell any of them, not ever.” With Khan leading the way, Cassie made a beeline to the dock where Allie was reeling in a fish.
“Merry Christmas,” Jenna said, unloading the car.
She was petite and striking, Shannon thought, even more gorgeous than her Hollywood image. Stripped down to bare lipstick, worn jeans, and the glow of a woman in love, Jenna was the kind of woman who would turn heads no matter what. She’d also turned out to be a warm friend.
“Merry Christmas.” Shannon hugged her as Shane followed his soon-to-be stepdaughter toward the lake.
Jenna watched her eldest daughter. “It’s amazing how resilient kids are. Last year, I thought she’d never get over what happened to her, to us, during that ice storm, but she’s surprised me. She’s doing well in school and,” Jenna’s smile widened, “she’s got a new boyfriend. One I like.”
Shannon laughed. “It’ll never last.”
“I know. I’m sure that because I get along with him and his parents, the relationship is doomed.” She stuffed her hands into her pockets. “So, how’s Dani doing? She went through a rough time, too.”
Shannon raised a hand and tilted it in the air. “Sometimes good. Sometimes not so good.”
“But she’s coming around? I mean moving down here and all?”
“I think so. She misses Allie, but she’s made new friends and she even slipped and called me ‘Mom’ the other day.” Smiling, Shannon shook her head. “I couldn’t believe it.”