40
Karin's left hand rested lightly on her abdomen as she trailed behind the realtor. #17 was the last house on Crowhaven Road, and it had belonged to her family once. A little over a century ago, her great-grandfather had lost the deed in high stakes poker, and it had been owned by the Hanovers ever since.
Its last resident was Regina Hanover, a stubborn centenarian who finally agreed to assisted living, much to the relief of her harried son and daughter. Neither one of them wanted the expense and upkeep of a rambling Queen Anne manor with wraparound porches and peeling paint, so the house went up for sale.
A day after it was listed, Karin called Kinsella Realty on behalf of her and Ethan, and he reluctantly agreed to meet them up there. They waited for ten minutes and she finally glimpsed his dusty truck lumbering up the hill.
He and Adam jumped out and caught up with them on the front porch. Adam offered Karin a fleeting smile before casting his opaline gaze out to sea. "Amazing view," he commented idly.
The realtor fell into her sales pitch and Adam became her best friend as they moved inside to the two story foyer, stained glass reflections spilling through and turning them riotous shades of red, yellow, and blue. "Why are we here?" Ethan asked plainly.
Karin ran her hand down the balustrade. "We need a bigger space."
Ethan looked up at the vaulted ceiling. "For three people?"
"More like five," Karin said, watching his face as her words registered.
"What are you saying? You can't be…we were careful," Ethan said quietly.
Karin smiled. "Sure, but shit happens."
That didn't reassure him. "I don't…I'm not equipped to take care of little kids."
She circled around with an outstretched hand. "But I am, and this place is a steal."
He frowned. "Not for me, Karin."
Karin knew his pride was taking a beating. "I know, Eth, but this is happening."
Adam overheard the last few words as he walked up. "What's happening?"
The realtor hovered in the background. "Do you folks need a few minutes?"
Ethan's mind was already made up. "Nope, we're done here."
He turned his back and pushed through the front door, leaving a confused Adam looking between her and his Dad. "You mind telling me what's going on?"
Karin might not have her magic, but she still had the powers of her mind. With a tiny smile, she gently pushed Adam into comprehension, and his intake of breath meant the message was delivered. "We'll talk later," she said as he finally followed his Dad to the truck.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Adam demanded as Ethan drove on silently.
His father slowed the truck down as a deer cantered across the road. "I don't know, son. I was damaged a long time ago."
Adam's breath hissed out. "That's the excuse you're going to use? You've been alone for almost twenty years, and the moment someone asks for a commitment, you run like a coward."
Ethan scrubbed his fingers through his hair as they arrived home. "I love Karin, but I didn't expect…this."
Adam suddenly realized something. "Oh, my God, this happened with me, didn't it?"
His father nodded. "And I did the right thing by your Mom."
"But you never loved her."
Ethan didn't bother denying it. "I did my best, Adam."
He sighed. "And we both know how that turned out."
His Dad smiled sadly. "You're the one good thing that came from that time, Adam."
"Maybe, but now you have to man up."
The muscles moved in Ethan's jaw. "I don't think I can."
Adam felt his body tensing up. "You don't have a choice, Dad."
Ethan shook his head. "How do I know they're even mine?"
His guts roiled in disgust. "They are."
"Are you sure about that?"
"I connected with them…Alicia and Michael."
"She's already named them?" Ethan asked in disbelief, completely missing the part about connections.
"More like they came with names already chosen."
His Dad's eyes widened, but that was the only reaction Adam got before Ethan trudged inside, grabbing his bottle on the way back to his easy chair and oblivion.
Cassie led Adam into the living room. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you," she said as they settled onto the couch.
He was shaking like a leaf and she pulled a comforter over his shoulders. "I understand."
"What did your Dad say?"
Adam rolled his eyes. "That he wants no part of it."
That didn't sound like the gentle man Cassie had grown so fond of. "Really? I can't believe that."
He lifted the blanket and she joined him under its feathery warmth. "I can," Adam said, hurt bleeding into his words like a distracting screech.
"I know he loves her," Cassie said with conviction.
Adam scratched absently at his face. "It's not enough."
She took his hand in hers. "What more does he want?"
He shrugged. "No idea. But I'll be damned if I let him walk away from this. Those kids are his, and like it or not, they're his responsibility too."
Cassie had a strong feeling that it would all work out. "I think he knows that, but he needs time."
Adam's brows raised slightly. "How much is enough?"
She'd seen the house Karin wanted to buy and knew it was a keeper. "Try not to worry. They'll figure it out."
He smiled tightly. "I hope so."
"So, are you moving up there?"
"I haven't given it much thought."
"But?"
"As soon as the twins arrive, I'll probably move."
"And what if your Dad stays behind?"
Adam made a face. "I won't let him."
That steadfast resolve was one of the things she loved about him, and she sensed that he'd need it to get his father on board.