Chapter Forty-Two

Their Voyage Home

It seemed like fate that we all arrived home in Montecito together. Edward and Kat drove in from LAX just as Devon turned our Jeep up the driveway from Sedona. We met at the top of the hill, and I got out to hug them as soon as we stopped.

"I've missed you…" I said as I pulled back from embracing my son and my new daughter. "So very much."

It had been a long journey, and I was feeling tired. I longed to relax, take a hot bath and then enjoy some champagne.

"We've only been gone for six weeks," Edward reminded me gently as he shook hands with his father.

"That's not the point," I replied with a sigh. "I'm your mother and it's in my job description to be concerned for you. Both of you."

"Fair enough…" My tall son smiled as he bent down to kiss my cheek.

The front door of the house flew open, and Maria walked out onto the porch. She began talking rapidly in Spanish as she descended the steps.

She too hugged everyone in turn before standing back. "I have some bottles of champagne on ice, waiting for you to return. We must celebrate," she commanded. "It is so good to have you all home, safe and sound."

"That sounds heavenly," I replied, as Devon fetched our luggage and carried it inside.

I noticed a look that passed between my son and Kat right then. There was a question in his eyes, and I saw Kat shake her head slightly. I wondered what that was all about as Edward nodded, seemingly in understanding.

I had the distinct feeling they were keeping something from me. Something important. I could see Kat looked tired and out of sorts. There were slight smudges of fatigue under her eyes. I decided they would tell me when they were good and ready. I would be patient.

"Come on…" I linked arms with her and encouraged her toward the steps. "You look exhausted. No doubt, it was the long flight and too much Greek sunshine. Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down for a while. The champagne will keep until our dinner tonight."

Kat didn't demure, but her face paled at the mention of food and the wine. That raised another red flag and told me something was definitely amiss.

She sighed and nodded. "Thanks, I would like that…"

"Come on, then…" I replied and walked her inside and up to Edward's bedroom. "Let's get your shoes off and you settled. I'll come back up and check on you later."

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"A baby…" Emma cooed from the long shadows cast into the bedroom by the westering sun. "Oh, I am so very pleased. A child is a blessing and a gift."

"How can you tell?" her husband demanded to know as they both gazed at the recumbent figure curled in the bed beneath a handmade patchwork quilt.

"A mother always knows such things," Emma replied with an air of superiority. "Kat is with child." She approached the bed and looked down at the sleeping young woman. "Carolyn would have seen the signs too if she was not so tired herself. My Kat will tell her soon when Edward is at her side."

"I will say that young man of Kat's certainly worked fast," her husband said enviously as he stopped at the foot of the bed. "The ink is barely dry on their marriage licence."

"Oh, don't be so stuffy!" Emma complained. "You were that young and impetuous once. Their love is real and alive. That is all that matters."

She bent down to move one hand a whisper away from Kat's forehead and over her hair. "You're just put out by the idea you're going to become a grandfather."

Daniel blinked at her. "I am?" His dark brows rose. "Yes, well…" He smoothed a thoughtful hand over his beard. "I suppose I am."

He cleared his throat. "But I'm not old enough to be such. My beard and hair are still dark, and I do not walk with a stoop or need a cane. I possess my good eyesight, and I have all my teeth."

"You forget you're well gone past ninety-eight…" Emma shook her head at him.

"I do forget," her husband grouched. "And I'll thank you not to remind me! I'm still the age I was when I died at sea." He puffed out his chest and clasped the lapels of his naval jacket with both hands. "I'm not a day beyond fifty-eight."

"Whatever you say, my dear…" Emma chuckled as she straightened up. "If it saves your dignity. It makes no difference to me. It is important that we have each other and now the world knows about our love story. We are eternal…"

"Yes, well…" Daniel blustered. "That is as it should be…"

"Always and forever…" Emma walked back to him and smiled knowingly as she put her arms around his waist.

She reached up to kiss him and, as always, he was not immune to her teasing and loving. The fading sunlight briefly outlined their closely joined figures before they faded back into the shadows and vanished, just as the bedroom door opened and Carolyn walked in.

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I woke up as Carolyn sat down on the side of the bed. As I opened my eyes, I was grateful to find I wasn't feeling as queasy as I had been. The rest had done me some good. I managed to smile as she looked down at me with concern.

"You've been asleep for more than three hours," she said, as she smoothed a hand over my forehead and pushed back the fall of hair from my face. "Edward wanted to come up, but I said I would. I needed to see how you are now. It's nearly dinnertime. Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes…" I nodded. Her gesture of stroking my hair was so sweet and motherly, it made me feel tearful.

My stomach disliked any mention of food. I had no desire or head for the promised champagne. I had eaten little on the flight back to LA and felt better for it. But I was aware I did need to eat for the sake of my baby, and I didn't wish to spoil our homecoming.

"I'm fine…" I struggled to sit up against the pillows. "I just needed to rest."

"I was worried about you because you looked so tired and pale. Is there something you want to tell me?" Carolyn asked gently, smoothing my hair again.

"I can't. Well, not right now…" I replied with an apologetic shrug as I pushed the quilt aside and swung my feet to the floor. I looked around the room. "But soon. I promise."

Carolyn's caring gesture was familiar. A remembered dream came back to me. 'Emma?' I silently questioned the deepening shadows, but they appeared empty.

I turned back to Carolyn, who was still seated and watching me closely. I reached out and hugged her. "Thank you…" I said simply.

"All right…" She stood up to take my hand. "I can wait. Come on downstairs. Maria told us that everyone is coming over for dinner tonight to celebrate our homecoming. Stevie and Michael are bringing little Michael with them on his first outing. We'll eat outside in the back garden so Kitt can join us."

"Oh, I'm so glad," I replied as I pushed my feet into my sandals. "I would love to see their new baby."

I sighed as I linked my arm through Carolyn's as we left the room. "And I am feeling better now. Thank you for caring and looking after me."

"It's what mothers do," she told me seriously.

She hugged my arm and kissed my cheek as we walked down the stairs. But her eyes were still full of questions I couldn't answer. Not without Edward beside me so we could break our wonderful news together.

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The sun was going down, but the evening was still warm by the time all our dinner guests arrived. I brought out lanterns and lit a myriad of candles in glass vases to illuminate the magnificent Mexican feast that Maria had so lovingly prepared.

Ever the thoughtful cook, she had also made a simple dish of fragrant chicken and rice for Stevie who was feeding her baby herself. She didn't need a colicky baby whose mother had eaten too much spicy food.

Little Michael was nestled in a carry cocoon and was fast asleep, watched over by his big sister. Amanda took her duties very seriously and was attentive to his every move or sigh.

"Welcome back, guys," Michael greeted us with a wide grin. "We've got work piling up. We'll need you both back in the office come Monday. It'll be all hands to the pumps if we're to clear the backlog and get the ship back on an even keel."

He shook hands with me and Edward. He looked only slightly ragged around the edges for becoming a new father the second time around.

"Running on next to no sleep…" He rubbed a hand over his beard-shadowed chin. "You get used to it or you go under. But I need a break from having a break." He grinned.

"I'm almost glad I skipped that part," I replied with sympathy and smiled at my son.

Kitt edged as close as he could and began to play Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' through his speakers. I smiled, knowing it was one of his favourite classics and he didn't want to be left out of the party or the conversation. Michael had driven over with him, while Stevie arrived in the far more sensible family station wagon, a recent purchase to accommodate their growing family.

"Let's eat, everyone…" Carolyn walked out of the house carrying more covered dishes on a tray, followed by Danny and Lucy with the drinks.

Bonnie and RC were with us, though Nancy had begged off at the last minute, sending the message that she had a hot date tonight and no one was to wait up for her. She would see us on Monday.

With much talk and laughter, everyone crowded in to sit at the large picnic table that was groaning with fragrant food. The smells were enticing and mouthwatering. But I noticed, quite by chance, that, after a quick glance at Kat, Stevie was now sharing her chicken dish with her and giving her half of her soft tortillas. They were both drinking orange juice and talking together in low tones.

I glanced up at Carolyn, who shook her head and shrugged at my enquiring frown. I waited, intrigued to see what was going on with the women of my household. I didn't have long to wait.

As soon as everyone was seated, and their plates full of good food, Edward rose to his feet again, with Kat beside him. He raised his wine glass and tapped on it with his fork, calling for everyone's attention. All heads turned toward him, and the chatter and laughter were quickly silenced. The soft strains of Vivaldi faded as Kitt also gave them his full attention.

Nothing stirred but the last of the birds settling into the trees for the night and the soft breeze off the ocean that carried the tang of salt and fresh ozone inland. The hush that fell was deep and expectant.

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"We…" I laced my fingers through Kat's and smiled. "… have an important announcement we want to make to everyone tonight."

"I just knew something was up…" I heard Michael comment as he nudged Stevie with his elbow. "I'm never wrong. Edward looks like the cat who got the cream and swallowed the canary, all in one. Lucky bastard…"

"Ssshhh…" she admonished him with a quick frown. "I want to hear what they have to say. And you looked like that the first time, too."

"I did?" he asked, looking perplexed. "What first time?"

I smiled as his wife shushed him again with a pained look and returned her full attention to us.

"Go on…" Stevie encouraged. "Tell us your news, you two. I know it's going to be good."

Kat looked around the table at every inquiring expression and I knew she could not hold her news in any longer. I squeezed her hand, encouraging her to confess our secret.

"We're going to have a baby," she announced happily, as she hugged my arm with both hands. "Sometime around Christmas. We're so happy."

The following silence was brief. Suddenly, everyone was on their feet with congratulations and rounds of toasts for the impending new arrival. Everybody wanted to shake my hand and kiss Kat. It was a joyous bedlam.

"Oh, that first time…" I heard Michael groan, as a startled young Michael Knight woke up and began to cry at all the sudden noise.

"Congratulations!" The baby's father raised his glass high in our direction and then swallowed the contents in one gulp. "You're surely gonna need it, Buddy…" He grinned at me lopsidedly.

※※※※※

Three months later:

"Are you really sure you're all right?" I asked as I placed one hand on Kat's shoulder. "Please tell me if this is becoming too much for you and I'll call a halt for today. Just say the word."

It had become a habit to ask after my beloved daughter-in-law's state of health. She was now five months pregnant with my first grandchild and I knew I was still fussing like a worried mother hen with a solitary chick, but I couldn't help it. She had been through some worrisome times.

Kat's first trimester had been difficult, and she'd suffered from repeated bouts of morning sickness. But now, all that worry had finally passed, and she was blooming with good health and there were roses in her cheeks. I don't think I had ever seen her looking more lovely.

"I'm fine, Mum, honestly…" She put her hand over mine and gave my fingers a comforting squeeze. "Edward looks after me like I'm the finest china and won't let me do anything. I'm enjoying myself with all this." She accepted another book to sign and listened attentively to the purchaser's wishes about the inscription.

"Okay, then. If you're sure…" I sighed as I looked around Parsons, one of Dublin's best and busiest bookstores.

Miss May O'Flaherty, the strict lady owner of the establishment, had made very sure that the days we spent in her shop were put to good use. She hovered prominently in the background, fussing and organising her staff, and us, to her best advantage. She ordered everyone about, staff and shoppers, in a loud voice that did not allow for any dissent. I found her both charming and irresistibly Irish, in all she said and did.

This dark and rainy afternoon was no exception to her exacting eye and attention to every last detail. The shop's main counter was large and long, with glass doors underneath which held both hard and paperback copies of all my novels and our larger book about Daniel and Emma. They were prominently displayed.

The bookstore was crammed almost to bursting with more eager patrons who were lined up to have their purchase signed by Kat and me. We were all here for another two days before we finally moved on to Cork.

In the months since its publication, 'The Voyage Home' had become a runaway best seller on both sides of the Atlantic. It had quickly climbed the New York Times Bestseller list and hovered near the top for many weeks, ensuring its ongoing success.

My editor had been very quick to capitalise on the sales and was already asking me to write more stories featuring the Captain in a more romantic role. He had in mind a string of historical romances that could run alongside my other works.

As a consequence of that success, my novels about Edward Grainger and his crime-solving skills also hit new heights. There were many people in the lines who wished to discuss that Edward, while looking enviously at the real inspiration for the books who, as his loving wife had just attested, hovered around us attentively.

Many a deep feminine sigh and envious look followed his every move as he went for coffee or food for us. Miss O'Flaherty had her keen eye on him, as well.

Outside the crowded store on Baggot Street, the September skies might be lowering and grey, but the inclement weather didn't stop people from coming out to see us and to queue patiently before our long table. They all loved Daniel and Emma's story of enduring love.

I looked to the other end of the desk to where Devon had his own lines with his books of photography. I smiled. All in all, I would say that the family Miles was very good for Miss O'Flaherty's booming book business.

She'd just walked up behind Devon to look over his shoulder and nod with satisfaction as he signed another purchase with a flourish. From where I was seated, I could just hear them speaking softly in Irish together. It warmed my heart.

Devon and I had been planning to travel to his native homeland ever since Edward and Kat had returned from their honeymoon in Greece. But Kat's months of sickness, and the sheer volume of work at Knight Investigations, had put a necessary halt on all that until now.

Now we had managed to take a well-earned break from all that work to focus on this book tour and all it entailed. We'd been in Dublin for three days and we were loving every minute of it.

Everyone was friendly and very welcoming, especially after they discovered to their delight that my quietly spoken husband was actually a native-born Corkonian and could speak Irish fluently if it was demanded of him.

Which was becoming more and more often as word about him quickly spread and the lines of people wanting to meet us grew longer. Miss O'Flaherty beamed at them all and made sure everyone in the store knew everything there was to know about Mr Devon Miles and they were to spread the word among their family and friends.

"Ireland is really like a big village," Devon commented that evening after we returned to our hotel suite to change before dinner. "Everyone knows everyone else's business and they do not hesitate to get into it with you, and your neighbours."

He shook his head with a wry smile. "Why do you think I left?"

"Well, everyone has been very kind to us," I replied as I turned my back to him to allow him to draw down the zipper. "And Miss O'Flaherty adores you. You've made a great impression there. They're all falling over themselves to look after us and I appreciate that. And it's great for sales."

"I really adore your innocence, Luciana…" he teased as he kissed my bare shoulder, then went into the bathroom to take a shower.

※※※※※

The hotel's maître d' turned his superior attention to us the moment we entered the restaurant. "Ah, welcome back. Your usual table for four this evening, Sir?" he asked Devon deferentially.

"Thank you…" My father nodded and then winked at us as the man bustled away importantly to conduct us to our allotted place in the busy restaurant.

We all knew Devon was finding a great deal of humour in everything that was now happening to us. He'd left Ireland many years ago as a penniless young man, to seek a better life for himself. By his own confession, no matter how far he'd run or how high he'd climbed, the 'green lady', as he called his homeland, had always been a hidden part of himself that he couldn't shake.

Now he was no longer running away. He'd returned to face his past head-on, and I was very proud of him. I was honoured to be known and seen as his son.

Around us, as we walked through, the large restaurant was already half-full of elegantly dressed patrons, with more following us in. Everyone seemed to be in a festive mood and anticipating a good night ahead. We were greeted warmly from many tables as we passed.

The maître d' stopped beside our allotted table that was screened from the restaurant by leafy green planter boxes. It was a lovely setting before tall, floor-to-ceiling windows which allowed magnificent views out over the light-spangled city.

"I must say you've picked the right night," he said as he fussed with our settings before summoning an attentive waiter with a flick of his hand. "There will be dancing later if you've a mind to it. We've got a fine band into the ballroom next door."

He nodded as he spoke briefly with the waiter, then bowed and left us in the younger man's hands. He handed out our gilt-edged menus before he also retreated and waited to be summoned back while keeping a practised eye on all his tables.

"A dinner dance. Oh, what a lovely idea…" Mum smiled and put her hand on Dad's arm. "Do you remember our first night in Sedona? That was so magical…"

"How could I forget?" he replied quietly, covering her hand with his. "It was the very beginning of our always…" They shared a deep and meaningful look that said they would be taking full enjoyment of the events to come.

"I'm afraid the dancing will be out for me tonight," Kat commented regretfully. "If you don't mind, I'm looking forward to a long, hot bath after a delicious meal."

"Of course, we don't mind," Mum said instantly. "You must look after yourself."

Dad turned to the wine waiter, who arrived unobtrusively. He gave our order for our wine and fruit juice for Kat and the waiter left again.

Behind us, the maître d' suddenly returned. He cleared his throat in apology, to attract Devon's attention. "Ah, excuse me, Sir…" he said. "I am so very sorry I disturb your evening like this. But there is a bit of an issue…"

"Not at all…" Devon brushed aside his apology. "What is it?"

"Well, you see…" The maître d' waved an impatient hand back toward the entrance to the restaurant. "That man over there is very desirous for a moment of your time. He said he's been looking for you all day, Sir."

A look of disdain crossed his face. "Say the word, Sir, and I will tell him to come back at a more civilised time. I informed him that you are at dinner with your family and cannot be disturbed. It's very impertinent of him to even think of disturbing you here."

The man's face soured. "But he is most insistent he speak with you tonight. I said I would ask…"

Devon shook his head as he studied the well-dressed man hovering in the doorway. He held a large briefcase by his side and looked harassed. "No, It's all right. We haven't ordered yet. Bring him over. He looks as if he needs to speak with me urgently."

"Right to your table, Sir?" the maître d's eyebrows rose sharply.

"Where else?" Devon looked amused. "We have no secrets here. Bring another chair and set a place for him."

"Very good, Sir…" The man bowed before he retreated with a look of stiff disapproval.

Mum frowned at the stranger. "I wonder what he wants with you. He doesn't look very happy."

"I don't know…" Dad shook his head. "But I guess we're about to find out," he said as the stranger nodded and followed the maître d' through the tables toward ours.

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