"And I'll always be there for you. You're the one, Kat. I intend to spend the rest of my life making you happy."
"I'm going to do the same for you."
"Why don't you start now?"
"With pleasure."
Epilogue
Eight weeks later…
As Danielle got out of the cab and approached her mother's house, she had mixed feelings about coming home. She was just getting her life started in DC, but it was Christmas Eve, and after the year they'd had, her mother had insisted that everyone come home for the holiday weekend. She'd still planned on begging off at the last minute, but a phone call the day before had destroyed that plan.
The front door flew open before she could reach for the knob, and Alicia enveloped her in a hug.
"You came," Alicia said happily. "I wasn't sure you would make it."
"You smell like pumpkin and onions at the same time," she said with a laugh. "And you have flour all over you." One of her mother's aprons enveloped Alicia's small frame, and it was covered in flour and some other unidentified substances.
"That's because Mom is sautéing onions for the stuffing, and I just made the pie. She actually let me do it. Although, she watched me like a hawk to make sure I didn't screw up."
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
"Are you sure?" Alicia asked with a raise of her eyebrow.
"Okay, it's Mom, so I get it, but it sounds like the two of you have everything under control."
"Not entirely. Mom does not trust me to set the table. She said only you will know how to set out the pinecones, candy canes and candles that's she's collected for a centerpiece."
Danielle grinned back at her sister. "I am much better at that than you. So I don't blame her. Are you going to let me into the house?"
"In a minute. I wanted to tell you something first. Michael and I have set a wedding date."
"Really?" she asked. "When is it?"
"July fifteen."
"That's great. I'm really happy for you."
"I want you to be my maid of honor, Dani."
"Of course I'll be your maid of honor. There's no way I'm letting anyone else stand beside you. Plus, you'll need my help picking out the bridesmaids' dresses."
"And managing Mom's expectations," Alicia said.
"Have you told her you set the date?"
"I'm saving that for her Christmas present. Then maybe she'll stop sending me bridal magazines."
"Are you kidding? She'll send you more now. Are you going to do it in Miami? Or here?"
"We're going to do it here. I just couldn't kill Mom by having it anywhere else."
"Michael's family will have to travel, and your friends in Florida."
"We'll have a party there, too, but the ceremony will be here. I'm hoping Jake will walk me down the aisle."
"I'm sure he will. Is he here yet?"
"He and Katherine are on their way over, and they're bringing TJ and Katherine's mom, who is doing amazingly better since she got on the right medication. Her good days are much more frequent."
"That's great news." As Alicia rambled on about what else was going on in the family, Danielle felt a little disconnected. Her new life was busy, too, but it seemed very far removed from her old life, the one she'd led in this town. So many things had changed, and one change had hit her hard, harder than she'd imagined.
"Are you all right?" Alicia asked, her gaze narrowing. "You look a little—sad."
Before she could reply, Jake pulled up in front of the house, his car filled with people. She followed Alicia down to the sidewalk to greet everyone.
After hugs and hellos, she helped carry presents into the house.
Her mom and Michael met them in the living room, and there was another round of greetings. Then her mother and Debbie Barrett went into the kitchen, and TJ joined Michael in front of the family room TV to watch a football game. Jake was about to join the guys, but she asked him to wait.
As she looked into the expectant faces of Jake, Katherine, and Alicia, she wasn't sure what to say.
"What's wrong?" Alicia asked. "I knew something was up with you."
Jake frowned. "You do look tense, Dani. Whatever it is, just tell us."
"It's not that easy." She glanced toward the kitchen. "I should probably have Mom in here, too, but I thought it would be easier to tell you all first."
"Okay, you're scaring me," Alicia said.
"I got a call last night. I don't know why they called me and not either of you," she said. "But it was a man named Paolo. He was calling about Mamich."
Alicia put a hand to her mouth, her lips trembling. "Is she all right?"
Danielle shook her head. "No, she's not. She passed away yesterday."
"Oh, no," Katherine said, putting her arm around Jake.
Jake's jaw tightened, and he was clearly wrestling with his emotions. "Did he tell you what happened?"
"He said she went to sleep and didn't wake up. It was peaceful. He said she wasn't even sick."
Jake nodded. "She told me when I was there that she didn't sleep anymore, but when sleep came again, it would be forever. She knew. She said goodbye."
"Not to me," Alicia protested.
"You got a letter from her last week," Jake reminded Alicia.
"But that wasn't good-bye." Alicia sank down on the couch, dabbing at her eyes. "Maybe it was goodbye, and I just didn't want to read it that way. I wanted to go see her. I wanted to take Michael down there, but now it's too late."
"You still have to go," Jake said. "Mamich wanted you to have everything, Alicia. She wanted you to go through her house and to have Dad's letters."
"I do want those."
"Paolo said that no one will touch the house until one of us comes down there," Dani said. "He told me that Mamich asked that you go, Alicia. She said all of us would be welcome, but she definitely wanted you to be the one to go through her things."
Alicia stared back at her. "Why did he call you?"
"I asked him that. He said that Mamich thought I could handle getting the news better than either of you. I guess she thought I didn't care as much." Even though she probably hadn't cared as much as her brother and sister, she had cared; she just hadn't felt the same connection with their great-grandmother as Jake and Alicia did. They were very different people.
"She knew you loved her," Alicia said, obviously reading her expression.
"I don't know how she could know that. I haven't spoken to her in years. Anyway, I'm sorry that I had to come here and tell you the bad news on Christmas Eve."
"Is that why you came?" Alicia asked, cocking her head to the right as she gave her a thoughtful look. "Because I got the feeling you were going to skip it at the last minute."
"I'm super busy at work, but once I got that call, I knew I had to come." She let out a breath, happy to have the bad news out of the way.
"Well, this sucks," Jake said.
"Big time," Alicia agreed.
"Should we tell Mom?" she asked.
"Let's wait until after Christmas," Jake said. "She's always been so weird about that side of the family. Let's give her the holiday and then break the bad news."
Danielle was fine with that plan. "So, changing the subject, if that's okay."
"It's okay," Jake said.
"How are you two doing?" she asked Jake and Katherine.
"We're great," Jake said, giving Katherine a loving smile. "Kat got a job at the hospital. Her mom is doing well."
"What about TJ? Is he back at MDT?"
"No, he has a new job in an entirely different industry," Katherine said. "In fact, he is moving to Dallas next week. Since his statements to the FBI have been covered by the news, he feels that he's safe from any reprisals. Whatever he knew, he has already told."
"I'm glad he's safe. I'm glad you're all safe."
"Do you know anything new?" Alicia asked. "I know Senator Dillon has talked to the press about the MDT investigation."
"I don’t know anything
more than you do. It seems that aside from the woman who committed suicide, everyone else has gone underground."
"Like rats scurrying back into their hiding places," Jake said.
"It's so frustrating," Alicia commented. "We get so far and then we hit a wall."
"Speaking of not over," Jake interrupted. "What's up with Colin? I haven't heard from you in a few weeks. I take it he hasn't discovered any groundbreaking news in regards to Dad's accident?"
Alicia sighed and shook her head. "No, but I haven't given up yet. I know there's more to come. This isn't over yet."
Danielle saw Jake give her a thoughtful look. "What?" she asked.
"It's just that Mamich said you'd be the last piece in the puzzle, Dani," he replied. "I always wondered what she meant by that."
A chill ran down her spine. "She was being dramatic. I want nothing to do with your puzzle. I have my own challenges to deal with."
"How is your job?" Alicia asked.
"It's hard, but it's good. I love the energy, the people, the power to make change. DC is where everything important happens, or at least what's important to me," she amended. "Now, I'm going to see if I can help Mom with the table."
"I'll help you," Alicia said.
* * *
"Finally, we're alone," Jake joked.
Katherine smiled up at him. "We've been alone a lot the last two months."
"Not enough for me. I know you wanted to bond with your mom and TJ again, but I have a proposition for you."
"Oh, really?"
He turned to face her, resting his hands on her waist as he gazed into her eyes. Her heart pounded against her chest. "Kat?"
"Yes?"
"I want to live with you."
She nodded, feeling a little let down. He'd been saying that for weeks. "I know. We're going to get a place. I told you that."
"I don't want to just share an apartment." He let go of her waist and dropped to one knee, reaching into his pocket as he did so.
"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly.
"I think you know." He opened the velvet box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring.
"Oh, Jake." Her eyes blurred with tears.
"Don't start crying yet. I have to ask you a question."
"You better hurry."
He laughed. "I love you, Katherine Barrett, and I want you to marry me. What do you say?"
"I say yes." She looked into his eyes with so much love in her heart she felt like she could float up to the ceiling. "Yes," she repeated. "I'll marry you, and I'll love you for the rest of my life."
"And beyond," he said.
"And beyond," she echoed. "I didn't know you were going to do this now," she added, as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
"It's your Christmas present."
"Really? That's too bad."
"Why?"
"Because I just got you a shirt."
He laughed. "It better make me look hot."
"You look hot without a shirt," she said, leaning over to give him a kiss.
"What's this?" Alicia asked, as she and Dani walked back into the room. "Jake is on his knees."
"Oh, my God," Dani said. Then she turned and yelled, "Mom, get out here."
Soon everyone was crowding around, admiring her ring, giving her hugs and welcoming her to the family.
It was the happiest day of her life, made even happier when her mom put her arms around her and told her that she couldn't wait to see her get married to the man she'd loved since she was sixteen years old.
"I can't wait for that, either," she said.
"He asked my permission, you know," her mom added.
"You did?" she asked Jake, as he put his arm around her.
"Absolutely. She asked me what took me so long. I had to grow up first so I could be worthy of you. It took me a while."
"It took me a while to be worthy of you," she said. "But we made it."
"And we're always going to be there for each other."
"Always," she promised. As the party moved back into the kitchen, leaving them alone once again, she added, "I like my ring. It's perfect."
"I'm glad. I was going to ask for some sisterly advice, but decided to wing it on my own."
"You know what I like," she said, gazing into his eyes. "You know me better than I know myself."
"And you know me, beautiful Kat."
"We're going to be happy, Jake."
"So happy. Let's start right now," he said, as he lovingly touched his mouth to hers.
# # #
Don't miss the exciting conclusion of the Lightning Strikes Trilogy with Danielle's story in SUMMER RAIN. Coming in August of 2016.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed the second book in the Lightning Strikes Trilogy. I loved researching Mexico and Mayan legends and hope you enjoyed Jake and Katherine's romantic adventure. And watch for Danielle's story in Summer Rain, coming August 2016.
In addition to bringing you the final book in the trilogy, I'm also continuing my popular family series: The Callaways. Tender Is The Night will be released in March of 2016! If you haven't yet started this popular series, I hope you'll check it out. The first book is ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS.
Don't want to miss any of my new releases or book news, please sign up for my newsletter! I also chat in a private Facebook group with my superfans. If you'd like to join the street team, click here.
I'm also including an excerpt from one of my most popular romantic suspense standalone novels, DON’T SAY A WORD. Hope you'll check it out!
Until next time, happy reading!
Barbara
Excerpt from DON’T SAY A WORD
By Barbara Freethy
© Copyright 2011 Barbara Freethy
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (V3)
Prologue
25 years earlier
She took her bow with the other dancers, tears pressing against her lids, but she couldn't let those tears slip down her cheeks. No one could know that this night was different from any other. Too many people were watching her.
As the curtain came down one last time, she ran off the stage into the arms of her husband, her lover, the man with whom she would take the greatest risk of her life.
He met the question in her eyes with a reassuring smile.
She wanted to ask if it was all arranged, if the plan was in motion, but she knew it would be unwise to speak. She would end this evening as she had ended all those before it. She went into her dressing room and changed out of her costume. When she was dressed, she said good night to some of the other dancers as she walked toward the exit, careful to keep her voice casual, as if she had not a care in the world. When she and her husband got into their automobile, they remained silent, knowing that the car might be bugged.
It was a short drive to their home. She would miss her house, the garden in the back, the bedroom where she'd made love to her husband, and the nursery, where she'd rocked...
No. She couldn't think of that. It was too painful. She had to concentrate on the future when they could finally be free. Her house, her life, everything that she possessed came with strings that were tightening around her neck like a noose, suffocating her with each passing day. It wasn't herself she feared for the most, but her family, her husband, who even now was being forced to do unconscionable things. They could no longer live a life of secrets.
Her husband took her hand as they walked up to the front door. He slipped his key into the lock and the door swung open. She heard a small click, and horror registered in her mind. She saw the shocked recognition in her husband's eyes, but it was too late. They were about to die, and they both knew it. Someone had betrayed them.
She prayed for the safety of those she had left behind as an explosion of fire lit up the night, consuming all their dreams with one powerful roar.
Chapter One
Present Day...
Julia DeMarco felt a shiver run down her spine as she stood high on a bluff overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. It was
a beautiful, sunny day in early September, and with the Pacific Ocean on one side of the bridge and the San Francisco Bay on the other, the view was breathtaking. She felt like she was on the verge of something exciting and wonderful, just the way every bride should feel. But as she took a deep breath of the fresh, somewhat salty air, her eyes began to water. She told herself the tears had more to do with the afternoon wind than the sadness she'd been wrestling with since her mother had passed away six months ago. This was supposed to be a happy time, a day for looking ahead, not behind. She just wished she felt confident instead of... uncertain.
A pair of arms came around her waist, and she leaned back against the solid chest of her fiancé, Michael Graffino. It seemed as if she'd done nothing but lean on Michael the past year. Most men wouldn't have stuck around, but he had. Now it was time to give him what he wanted, a wedding date. She didn't know why she was hesitating, except that so many things were changing in her life. Since Michael had proposed to her a year ago, her mother had died, her stepfather had put the family home up for sale, and her younger sister had moved in with her. A part of her just wanted to stop, take a few breaths, and think for a while instead of rushing headlong into another life-changing event. But Michael was pushing for a date, and she was grateful to him for sticking by her, so how could she say no? And why would she want to?
Michael was a good man. Her mother had adored him. Julia could still remember the night she'd told her mom about the engagement. Sarah DeMarco hadn't been out of bed in days, and she hadn't smiled in many weeks, but that night she'd beamed from ear to ear. The knowledge that her oldest daughter was settling down with the son of one of her best friends had made her last days so much easier.
"We should go, Julia. It's time to meet the event coordinator."
She turned to face him, thinking again what a nice-looking man he was with his light brown hair, brown eyes, and a warm, ready smile. The olive skin of his Italian heritage and the fact that he spent most of his days out on the water, running a charter boat service off Fisherman's Wharf, kept his skin a dark, sunburned red.
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