Page 54 of Resurrection
“All right. Fuck it. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Keira waited on the beach as Lachlan stood knee deep in the water, watching their daughter in the shallows. After a year of life with his family in Italy, playing in the lake and pools, Aurora was turning into a little mermaid.
“Daddy, a starfish!”
Lachlan sank lower into the water and let their baby girl show him her latest discovery.
A year out of New Orleans had changed him. Case in point: he had his face down near the water, not scanning the shoreline or the beach for threats, with guns strapped to his sides.
He had finally learned how torelax.It had taken time, Keira would admit, but their daughter had taught him something she wasn’t sure he’d ever known how to do—play.
It was like rediscovering the child within him who had never had a chance to let his guard down. And now, he was learning how to live in peace and joy, surrounded by the love of his family.
Watching his parents’ relationship blossom and bloom into a wonderful romance had been another unexpected bonus. They were often like teenagers, which, to be fair, helped Keira and Lachlan let loose as well.
Life was, in a word,grand.All that was missing was her family. Which, she hoped, would be rectified today.
Lachlan had booked this entire island resort for three weeks. It was private, totally disconnected from the world, with zero cameras or internet connection. The owners were native to Vanuatu and had been nothing but gracious and kind since they’d arrived five days ago via a lovely yacht.
“Oh my God. It’s them. Here they come.” She spotted Imogen’s ginger locks under her sun hat. Her sister was practically bouncing as she held the hand of a heavily tattooed man in camo shorts and an unbuttoned white linen shirt.
Way to go, Im.
Of course, she’d seen pictures of Imogen and Nic’s wedding and done all the internet searching possible on the artist her sister had married, but seeing them together in real life … it was beyond words.
As soon as Imogen saw her, she dropped his hand and ran.
“Ke-ke!”
Lachlan rose from the water with a splash as Keira held out her arms for her sister. They collided with the force of sisterly love.
Keira’s arms locked around her sister as she squeezed. “Oh God, Im. I missed you.”
“You’re real. Thank God you’re real. We hoped. We prayed. We never stopped hoping …”
Hearing the relief in her sister’s voice sent tears sliding down Keira’s cheeks. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you. We?—”
“No, don’t apologize.” Imogen hugged her tighter. “We understood. We just wanted you safe. And alive. All of you. Even if we never got to see this day.”
She pulled back, and Keira saw matching tears spilling down her sister’s cheeks.
“I’m still sorry. To put you through that … and the distillery …”
Imogen shook her head. “Don’t be. I owe you. Without all that, I wouldn’t have the best thing that ever happened to me.” She looked toward the tattooed man standing next to Lachlan’s equally tattooed brother on the beach. “And oh my God, Keira, I love him so much. I love our life. I just … thank you. I’m so glad you’re alive. Andhere. I never knew if we’d ever see the day.”
It was totally the opposite of what she’d expected from Imogen. Her formerly uptight and critical sister … had changed.
Love does that. The thought floated through her mind as Lachlan and Aurora stepped onto the beach beside her.
“Oh my goodness! You’re so big!” Imogen squatted down in front of Aurora. “You probably don’t remember me.”
“You’re my auntie Imogen.”
Imogen’s eyes lifted to her sister, and Keira read the gratitude shining in them.
“I showed her lots of pictures. She’s been so excited to see you and Jury.”
