That’s over. They’re dead. Burnt to ashes. Good riddance. Del relaxed as he remembered seeing the report on the news. Later, he had tracked down an unedited version of the tape for them to watch. When his brothers Bur and Bernie, and the men in their lives, had come to see it, he’d told them the twins would also be in on the viewing. His brothers had disagreed with him about showing it to the twins, but he’d overridden their objections. Because of FCC regulations, the news report had cut out the scenes of their parents being engulfed in flames, but the unedited tape he had obtained from the television station showed all that. Seeing their parents actually die, and not just being told they were dead, had eased him.
The twins had taken the graphic nature of the tape well, but for a moment, Del wondered if it had been a good idea after all. Humphrey and Darwin were so mature for being only six years old. He knew it was because the boys had lived with constant abuse from their parents. Del and his brothers had experienced the same and had become mature because of it. Del had carefully observed them, and when they went back to the curious, rambunctious kids he’d come to love, he’d been relieved. They had all been through hell and survived. Now, with their parents no longer a specter of hate and fear in their lives, they could move on. He and his brothers would ensure the twins didn’t have to live in fear as they had.
“Sure, Dar.” Del addressed the twin who had spoken. “I’ll check the GPS to find a place—”
“We want to go to the one on Paget Street,” Humphrey interjected.
Del glanced in the mirror again and noted the twins exchanging looks. Del stifled a smile at their expressions. They were up to something, and having been around them for almost ten months, he knew better than to try to prod to find out what. The twins were like Bur when it came to grand schemes, and you could never get them to reveal it until they were good and ready.
“Really? I didn’t know there was a bookstore so close to Paget Park, where we’re going. From what I remember of the Paget Street area, there are lots of stores there, but I don’t know if there’s a bookstore.” Del checked the traffic before changing lanes.
Before focusing back on the road, Del glanced in the mirror in time to see the twins frowning.
“We can walk around and look for it,” Humphrey said.
“Yeah. Rey and I love to explore. Please, Del? Can we go get a book?” Dar asked.
Liking the way he and his brothers had shortened their names, the twins had decided to do the same. Humphrey preferred Rey, and Darwin liked Dar. They refused to answer to anything else.
“Please, Del?” Rey echoed.
Del’s lips twitched as he heard them pleading, and he nodded. They cheered, making him chuckle. The twins were definitely up to something, and now he just had to wait to see what. Stopping at Paget Street before going on to the park wasn’t a problem. Del was glad to be out of the house after being practically kept hostage when the news had initially broken about their parents. Between Bur—who was a famous, retired singer—and Del’s own wealth, the media had already been in a frenzy to get near them. With their parents’ recent deaths, the media had become even more crazed with getting the scoop on them—at least until Bur and his bandmates had pulled a switcheroo, making it look as if they had left California and headed back to England. Del had also made it seem as if he had left town. None of the media knew he lived in Mapson with the boys, thankfully. All the years of being reclusive and fiercely private had made him hard to find, unless he wanted to be found. Most photos of him were in full, coldhearted-bastard business mode, and the media didn’t recognize him when he was going about his daily life. With Bur and Del’s supposed departures from town, the news of a scandalous divorce had taken the media’s attention instead. Since it had been a few days, Del and his brothers had decided it was safe to go about their regular lives. They would be careful, but wouldn’t stay holed up in Bur’s house any longer.
He and the boys had been glad to go back to their home; although now they had more security at their house. Del had installed a full gate and system similar to Bur’s but more scaled down. It was for the boys’ safety.
“Are we still going to spend the night at Uncle Ramirez and Bur’s later?” Dar asked.
“Then to Uncle Tomas and Bernie’s tomorrow night?” Rey added.
“Yep.” Del slowed, then stopped, waiting for the light to change.
“And you’ll let us walk to each of their houses by ourselves,” Rey said.
Del glanced at them and noted their determined faces. The only reason Del had agreed to even think about it was because they had recently moved across the street from where he and the twins lived. After the media found out where Tomas and Bernie lived, they had camped out at their house. Seeing their home all over the news in living color, Tomas and Bernie had both agreed it would not be safe to return there. Del hated the need for it, but they were right. It was then Del admitted he’d bought homes for Bernie and Bur close to where his house was. If Bernie and Tomas wanted it, the house was theirs for them to create a new home together. When Del explained which house it was, Tomas had been excited because that was another house he had wanted to do the landscaping for. Both Tomas and Bernie had insisted they would not take the house, but pay him for it. Del had refused. Convincing them to accept it as his gift had been hell, but he had. Instead of their paying for the house, he had agreed they could pay toward the trust fund he’d set up for Dar and Rey.
Bur, of course, wanted the house Del had gotten for him, since, after all, Del had bought it for him. Although Bur had a beautiful home of his own in the Westlake area of Mapson, he said he and Ramirez should have a house in town, too, for those times Ramirez worked late and was too tired to make the drive to their home. Ramirez had pointed out that he’d had a house until Bur sold it. Bur had ignored him and stated maybe he and Del should combine trust funds so the boys had the money all in one place. Until that moment, Del hadn’t known Bur had set one up, although he should have expected it, since Bur was a planner like the twins. Thus the predicament he was in.
He sighed, before saying grudgingly, “I promised you could. Although you tricked me.”
“And you always keep your promises. You lost the game, Del,” Dar said.
They laughed.
“I did. Bested at Uno by two six-year-olds.” Del joined them in laughter, shaking his head.
He still didn’t know how the boys had beaten him in Uno. A few days ago, they’d claimed they wanted to play. Del warned them he was an Uno master, and then played with them. He’d beaten them a few hands, before they had asked if they could beat him, would he allow them to walk by themselves to spend the nights they had already set up with Bur and Bernie. Del agreed, because they would not be able to beat him. But damned if they hadn’t, and he knew he had been outsmarted somehow. Del made the turn into the quaint shopping area of Paget Street. For an early Friday morning, it had a lot of people. Del drove on, passing the area, and continued to Paget Park.
“You said we could go to the bookstore,” Rey spoke.
“We are. Since they’re so close, we’re going to park here and then go back to Paget Street to look for the bookstore.” Del pulled into a parking space and turned off the vehicle before turning to look at the boys. “Do you even know the name of the place we’re looking for?”
“2H Book Nook,” they said together.
Del frowned. The name sounded familiar.
“Come on, Del. Let’s go.” Rey unlocked his seat belt and slid out of his booster.
Del exited the vehicle and went to the door on his side, opening it. Dar was already waiting. Del helped him down, then Rey. He straightened Dar’s booster seat, then shut the door before pushing closed the driver’s side door. He clicked the alarm button to arm the Black Ice Escalade Platinum AWD.
“We’ll get your things when we come back to go to the park.” Del gripped each of their hands as they walked across the street.
The boys glanced around, studying the people and stor
es as they went.
“How did you all know how to play Uno?” Del asked for what seemed like the millionth time.
“Bur and Bernie taught us,” Rey replied absently.
“I knew it. They were in on you tricking me,” Del said.
The boys stopped and looked up at him, their expressions unsure. Seeing it, Del glanced around, then moved them out of the flow of traffic to a small alcove area between stores. He knelt in front of them, watching them. Rey bit his lip, partially lowering his lids over his pale-green eyes that were so much like Del’s. Dar shuffled his feet and also lowered his lids.
“What’s wrong, Darwin and Humphrey?” Del used their full names to let them know he was serious.
It was a signal between them, and the boys called him by his full name too when it was something serious.
“Are you mad at us?” Dar whispered.
“You won’t send us away, will you?” Rey stepped back.
Del reached for him, knowing he was about to run. When Rey got upset, he ran and hid, whereas Dar got so quiet it was as if he became part of the scenery. Del hadn’t seen them do that in a while.
“No. Of course not.”
“But we tricked you. Planned it with Bur and Bernie.” Rey struggled to get out of his hold.
Del sat on the ground and pulled him into his lap, then Dar, and held them both. He ignored the looks they were getting and focused on the boys.
“You did that because you wanted to show me you were getting big. In just a little over two months, you will both be seven. I know you want some independence, and walking to the sleepovers is that. But I’ll be right there watching you as you cross the street, and the others will be on the other side looking for you to come to them. And remember your promise to never go anywhere without a trusted adult with you.” Del brushed back their brown curls. “We’re all worrywarts, and we want you safe.”
“And we are, because of you,” Dar said solemnly.
“Thank you for saving us.” Rey blinked, his eyes looking glassy.
Del hugged them tight, whispering, “I’m your brother, and there is no reason to thank me. You are both with me now. And Bur and Bernie. There are a lot of people who love and care about you.”
“But who you nee—Ow! What did you do that for?” Rey asked.
“No pinching,” Del admonished Dar.
Dar looked contrite, but stubborn as he glared at his twin. “You were going to blab.”
“I wasn’t. I can keep a secret,” Rey defended.
“What secret?” Del interjected.
The boys glanced at each other, then gave him their best innocent expressions. Del didn’t believe it for a minute.
“It’s a secret,” they said together.
Del didn’t push, just hugged them again. “Okay. Now, can we find this store, then go have some fun in the park?”
The boys kissed his cheek, and Del theirs, and then they all stood. He held their hands and led them out of the alcove. Del paused before the plate glass window and smiled as he saw the stylized design of books on a table with “2H Book Nook” stretched across it. He glanced down at the boys.
“Looks like we’re here.” Del led them inside.
HARPER HILLMAN walked slowly on his way back to work. Ahead, he noted the tall, lanky man who strolled lazily in front of him. Although the gait of the casually-dressed man seemed relaxed, from his back view, Harper got a feeling he was anything but. The man exuded confidence and authority, and people moved out of his way, Harper noticed. Lowering his head, Harper saw he was holding the hands of two boys, one on each side of him, as he walked. Harper focused on the back of the man’s head, curiosity filling him. There was something familiar about the man, but he couldn’t place what. Brown hair with various shades of gold fell to rest just below his broad shoulders. His lanky form seemed muscular beneath a pale-green T-shirt, and black jeans hugged an ass that looked surprisingly firm. Harper jerked his gaze away from the man’s butt.
Shocked, he stopped in disbelief that he had noticed another man’s ass. Unable to take his gaze away from the man, Harper also noted he wore sandals. Harper glanced up his body again, taking in his walk, which made Harper think of coiled power, as if he were a tiger ready to pounce. Harper wet his lips as he viewed the firm ass again, then that narrow waist and broad back and shoulders. The sun made the man’s hair shine, bringing out the golden colors that reminded Harper of a Bengal tiger. In that moment, Harper realized the man’s movements reminded him of one too.
Harper shifted his view to the kids, who were dressed similarly to the man. The boys’ shirts were dark green, and they were in black jeans, also wearing sandals. Their hair was the same color as the man’s. Harper’s view was blocked as a fellow pedestrian came between them. Harper moved to the side to again see the Bengal tiger man, but he was gone. Harper smiled as he thought of what he had called him.
“Bengal tiger man. You really need to stop watching so much Discovery Channel.” Harper chuckled and continued to his store.
At the alcove before it, he paused, glancing in and spotting the man. Harper couldn’t hear what they were saying; they were too far away. Suddenly, one of the boys stepped back, looking like he was ready to bolt. Harper moved closer to catch him if he did, but stayed far enough away not to interrupt what looked to be a serious discussion. The man caught the boy, sat, and pulled both boys into his lap. At the sight, Harper smiled. The man had to be the boys’ father. Their hair and body shape looked very alike. The man’s face was averted, and Harper couldn’t quite make it out. The boys had their backs to him. Harper moved on and entered his store. Once inside, he glanced around the busy space filled with his customers. Pride in his shop, 2H Book Nook, filled him as he walked deeper into the store. Harper greeted regular clients and helped some who were just browsing.
Entering the café part of the store, he headed to the counter, waving at people he knew as he went. Harper went behind the counter and to the man leaning against the edge closest to the archway that connected to the book part of the store, where the main entrance was. There were various doors to enter or leave the bookstore or café.
“Have a nice lunch?” Kenton Provenza continued to gaze toward the store.
“There’s nothing like April in Mapson. The park was nice with all the people around and flowers starting to come out. You should have come with me.” Harper leaned next to him, glancing in the same direction. He was curious about what had Kenton’s attention.
Harper was surprised to see the same man he had been watching earlier. The man turned, and shock filled Harper as he recognized him.
“That’s him,” a voice whispered below where Harper stood.
Harper peeked over the counter and saw the two little boys who had been with the man earlier. Whispering to each other, they were crouched below where he and Kenton stood. Harper didn’t think they realized he or Kenton could hear them.
“You don’t know that,” the one on the right said to the other.
“He looks like the pictures,” the one on the left insisted.
“I wonder what has him so agitated,” Kenton said loudly.
Harper glanced at Kenton, noting the playful grin on his craggy face and the crinkles around his blue-gray eyes. Kenton gestured with his head to below the counter.
“He must have misplaced something,” Harper said.
The whispering came again. “Who are they talking about?”
“I don’t know. But it is him. That’s Harper. Let’s just ask him,” the other voice said.
Harper frowned, wondering why they were looking for him. He braced his hands on the counter and leaned over.
“Humphrey and Darwin, does Del know where you are?”
The boys glanced up at him, startled, then scrambled to their feet. They looked guilty, then lowered their lids partially over their eyes. Harper stifled a laugh at the look. It was the same one Bur and Bernie had. The boys had the same features, eyes, and hair as their brothers. Although th
e older Jenkins brothers were identical triplets, Harper had no problem telling them apart because they dressed differently and had different ways they acted. But the twins, whom he had only met once, briefly—he didn’t know how to tell them apart yet. They were dressed alike, and he hadn’t gotten to observe them long enough to see if their behavior and mannerisms differed.
“We don’t like to be called by our full names unless it’s something serious. And only with Del, because that’s our signal. I’m Rey, and he’s Dar.” The one on the right pointed to the other.
“Fine, Rey and Dar. Why is your brother looking for you out there?” Harper gestured to where Del was looking around, getting agitated.
Harper made note that Rey was the more outspoken. The boys looked at each other, then behind them. Harper thought they were about to run to Del. He opened his mouth to tell them to wait because the store was filled with people, and a child alone was not a good thing in a crowd. The boys turned to him, their faces solemn, stopping his words before he could speak.
“We want you to come to the park with us,” Dar said.
“Why?” Harper was confused that they had sought him out. He’d only met them once and hadn’t even talked to them much.
“So you can be Del’s friend.” Rey’s tone was serious.
Harper glanced between the boys, then at Kenton. Kenton shrugged but looked intrigued. Harper lifted the countertop and went out to them. He knelt before them, giving his complete attention.
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 47