“We all have been,” Lachlan said with his hand on Aurora’s shoulder.
Imogen stood.
“We thought … we hoped … we all said you had to have a plan.” Tears trickled from Imogen’s eyes as she surged forward and hugged a dripping Lachlan. “Thank you for keeping them safe. Thank you for this. Just thank you.”
Her husband, who had become much more used to being hugged over the last few years, closed an arm around her sister’s back.
“Of course. They’re my life. I’ll never let anything happen to them while I live and breathe. And beyond that, if I can.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Keira’s family reunion on this tiny island of Vanuatu almost brought tears tohiseyes. Lachlan had promised her it would happen someday, when it was safe enough. And he was thankful he’d been able to keep that promise, even if it had taken a year.
Keira’s parents were stunned as well. They’d also thought they were attending Jury’s wedding. Seeing Keira’s mom light up when she set eyes on her daughter and granddaughter … joy flowed from the heart it had taken a fiery Kilgore woman to bring back to life after Lachlan thought it was long dead.
And when Jury came—with his old friend Leo, no less—the reunion was complete. The three sisters—three red-haired beauties—and their parents cried and laughed and hugged … and he knew the hole in his wife’s heart was truly healed.
She might never have said it, but he knew she missed her family terribly.
And while he had no idea when or how often he could safely make arrangements for them to see one another again, he knew it would happen. It had to. Seeing her so happy … it wasn’t an if, but a when.
Leo slapped him on his back. “Well done,mon ami. It’s good to see you again, alive and well. I figured I would. Someday.”
“I took the liberty of procuring a marriage license application for you and Jury,” Lachlan said by way of reply. “In case you’d like to make an honest woman of my sister-in-law and give the family a wedding.”
Leo burst out laughing. “You can’t stop meddling. It’s not possible, is it? Same old Mount. Still trying to pull all the strings.”
“It’s good to see you too, Leo. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
The Frenchman shook his head. “You owe me nothing. You gave us the property on the river … and led me to my beautiful fiancée.”
Lachlan stared at him. “When did you get engaged? That wasn’t in any of my reports.”
Leo grinned. “Finally, something you do not know. Amazing.”
“Congratulations,mon ami.”
“We will take you up on your offer. Especially because … well, it is time. Somewhere between Mexico and the Marquesas …” He trailed off as his gaze went to Jury, and he smiled softly. “You’re going to be an uncle.”
Lachlan held out a hand, and when Leo took it, he yanked his old friend into a back-slapping hug.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, thank you. I am pleased. She is a firebrand, a perfect partner, and now she will be an excellent mother. Carrying on the family name Marchand.”
Lachlan was doubly glad he’d asked Ramina, their host, about the expedited wedding package.
And after all, they had lured everyone here on the assumption of a wedding.
It is all working out perfectly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Imogen and Keira stood off to the side of the palm-frond-and-tropical-flower-festooned arch in the sand, with waves lapping behind them on the shore, as a smiling Jury in a pink flower-print dress came walking down the seashell-lined aisle on the flower petals Aurora had scattered only moments before.
Imogen’s heart felt like it might burst with happiness. While her wedding to Nic had been glorious, they hadn’t had this—herwholefamily present. She was so glad it was happening for Jury.
And a baby on the way.