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He smiled. “One of the things I love about your mother. She goes after what she wants.” The smile faded. “I'm not here to talk about her birthday.”

She waited, knowing her father would get to the point when he was ready.

He glanced around, as if making sure they couldn't be overheard, then said, “I'm worried about her.”

“Mom?”

He nodded. “She hasn't been herself for a while now. Having Violet stay with us helped, but now with her gone…”

“She's seemed fine to me,” Jenna said, even as she remembered Beth overhearing her say she missed Serenity. Her stomach tightened.

“She hasn't said much to me,” he admitted. “I'm guessing here, but I know her pretty well. These last weeks have been hard on her.”

Jenna put her hands on her hips. “This is so unfair. She's the one who encouraged me to get to know my birth parents. If you remember, she invited them over for brunch, where we all played happy family. Now she's mad that Serenity and I are getting along?”

“She's not mad. She's hurt and confused. I tried to warn her, but she wouldn't listen.”

“What did you warn her about?”

“Getting involved. Beth never thought she would feel…threatened.”

Jenna dropped her hands to her sides. “There's nothing threatening her. Regardless of my relationship with Serenity, she's my mom. She raised me. I love her.”

“You're using logic. Your mother gets it in her head. It's her heart that's bruised.”

The tension in her stomach increased. “I don't want her upset.”

He shrugged.

Part of her wanted to stomp her foot and point out that if Beth had had her way, she would have given birth to several children and Jenna would have been expected to share her parents with them. But she knew that was a weak argument at best.

“She hasn't said anything.”

“She wouldn't,” Marshall reminded her. “Part of the problem is she really does want you to have a good relationship with Serenity. That's important to her. But I think she's feeling left out. When was the last time you did something together? Just the two of you?”

“It's been a while, but that goes both ways. She could have suggested something.”

Her father's steady gaze made her want to squirm. “How much time does she spend in this store, Jenna? Helping you? Every time that happens, she's coming to you.”

She hung her head, feeling about twelve. “You're right. I'm sorry.”

“Don't apologize to me.”

She looked at him. “I've been so caught up in my life.”

“You've had a lot going on.”

“Still.”

She moved toward him. He held her close.

“I'll go see her,” she promised.

“You won't say I was here?”

She smiled. “And get us both into trouble? I don't think so.”

“That's my girl.”

 

Beth stared into the refrigerator, trying to figure out what to serve for dinner. Normally she planned a menu for the
week and then did her grocery shopping based on that, but lately she hadn't been in the mood.

Hormones, she told herself as she shut the refrigerator door, then crossed to the cupboard and pulled out a mug. After making tea, she took it outside and sat on the patio, sipping slowly.

She needed to change her life, she told herself. Take up a hobby. Maybe she could take a knitting class from Robyn at Only Ewe. Except she wasn't sure she wanted to be that close to Jenna's store. Or, more accurately, to Serenity, when she was in town.

All right—so if knitting was out, then what? Not gardening. She'd never been a big fan of grubbing in the dirt. She already belonged to a book club. Maybe something with crafts. Or she could learn how to make wedding cakes. That could be fun.

“There you are.”

She turned and saw Jenna stepping onto the patio, then glanced at her watch. It was barely after three.

“Shouldn't you be at the store?” she asked, pleased to see her daughter, but cautious until she knew the reason Jenna had stopped by.

“Things are handled. You haven't been in for a while, so I thought I'd come see you.”

“And?”

“And what?” Jenna sat in the chair next to her.

“And why else are you here?”

“No reason.”

As quickly as that, Beth felt her world restore itself. Her mood lightened, her worry faded.

There were those who would tell her to get a life. They were probably right, she thought as she stared at her daugh
ter. But her family—however small—had always been the most important part of her being.

“I'm thinking about learning to make wedding cakes. You know, for fun.”

“Dad would love the samples.”

True. Marshall enjoyed his sweets. And her, she thought, thinking of how he'd awakened her that morning. Sometimes it was like they were still teenagers.

“Oh, don't,” Jenna said, squirming in her seat. “You're thinking about Dad. You have that look. I don't want to hear it.”

Beth laughed. “I promise I won't share.”

Jenna stared at her for a long time and moved next to her. After tugging Beth to her feet, she hugged her tightly.

“You're the mom of my heart.”

“What brought that on?”

Jenna sighed. “I was thinking how much you and Dad mean to me. How happy I am to have you as my parents. You know that, right?”

Beth nodded. “You're the daughter of my heart.” It wasn't the same as having given birth to her, but that was okay.

She thought about saying how she could practically see the connection between Jenna and Serenity. Almost as if their biological relationship was highlighted in Day-Glo paint. But that wasn't important, she told herself, holding the daughter she had loved for thirty-two years. The point was trusting the relationship she had.

The sound of the doorbell caused her to step back.

“It's probably UPS,” she said, heading to the front of the house. “Your father can't get on the internet without ordering something. For a man who claims to hate shopping, he's quite the buyer online.”

When she opened the door, instead of a young man in a
brown uniform, she saw Serenity and Tom standing on her wide porch.

“Surprise,” Serenity said with a smile. “We stopped by the store and Violet mentioned Jenna was here. We thought we'd come over.”

Beth waited for the surge of resentment, but it was gone. There was only the realization that these people were now part of her daughter's family, too. That they were all connected one way or the other.

She smiled with genuine affection and held the door open wide.

“Come on in,” she said warmly. “Jenna will be happy to see you.”

J
enna shook her head. “You're hoarding all the burners,” she complained to Serenity, who'd taken a seat on the kitchen counter. “How many pots do you need to make tofu surprise?”

Serenity laughed. “You'll see what I'm talking about. My half of the meal will be finished long before your half.”

“That's because you're making less,” Beth teased.

After Serenity and Tom had arrived, Jenna had called the store to make sure Violet could handle things for the rest of the day and to invite her over for an impromptu family dinner. Marshall had been instructed to come home early, and while he and Tom watched baseball, the women had gone grocery shopping.

Now steaks were grilling on the barbecue. Beth had made her famous potato salad, with a nod to the vegans by using their mayonnaise, faux bacon and leaving out the egg.

The kitchen was crowded with the four women all work
ing. Violet had taken over the blender and was mixing up margaritas. Beth and Serenity were each on their second and, from what Jenna could tell, not feeling any pain.

This was good, Jenna thought. Strange, but good. Both sides of her family coming together to…

Somewhere in the distance “You Are My Sunshine” began to play.

“My phone,” Serenity said. “Jenna, do you know where my bag is?”

Jenna found Serenity's purse and pulled out her cell. “It's Dragon,” she said, looking at the screen. She flipped open the phone. “Hey, you.”

“Sis. Where is everyone?”

“At my mom's house. Why?”

“I'm standing in front of your closed store, feeling left out.”

Jenna nearly squealed. “You're here? I didn't know you were coming. That's great.”

“Ah, a fan. I need more of them in my life.”

She gave him the address and directions. “Hurry. We're cooking dinner.”

He hesitated. “What are we serving?”

“A little from both worlds. I'll throw on another steak.”

“You're my favorite sister. I'll be right there.”

She hung up. “Dragon's coming. He should be here in a few minutes.”

“Wonderful,” Serenity said from her perch on the counter. “Jenna, be a love and stir that back pot.”

Beth shook her head. “I'll do it. Serenity, honey, don't take this wrong, but you sure can't hold your liquor.”

“I know. It's always been a failing. I should drink more to get better at it.”

“That's one way to handle the situation,” Jenna said, then realized Violet was gone.

She ducked out of the kitchen and found Violet frantically applying makeup to her cheek.

“I don't want him to know,” she said when she saw Jenna. “Don't say anything.”

“I won't,” Jenna promised, knowing it wouldn't matter. There was no way to completely cover what had happened. Plus he'd been at his parents' house when she'd gotten the call.

“He'll think I'm an idiot,” Violet said, studying herself, then pressing powder onto the liquid foundation.

“He'll think some guy is a total jerk and want to go beat him up.”

Violet shook her head. “You don't understand.”

Which was true, Jenna thought. When had Dragon's opinion begun to matter?

The doorbell rang.

She went to go answer it and found her brother on the porch. He'd obviously flown in right from work. He'd removed his suit jacket and tie, but still had on suit pants and a white shirt.

“You really are a lawyer,” Jenna said, feigning surprise. “I thought you were lying.”

Dragon chuckled, then pulled her into a bear hug. “I heard there was a party.”

“There is now.”

She led him inside. He glanced around at the large house and whistled.

“Here I thought she'd given you to the first couple willing to take you off her hands. Didn't you get lucky?”

“Yes,” she said, leading him into the kitchen. “But with the people more so than the place.”

“Very PC,” he whispered, before hugging his mom and greeting Beth.

Dragon quickly joined the men on the patio where the game played and meat cooked. Violet returned to the kitchen, slightly more subdued than when she'd left. Jenna noticed her friend kept looking toward the patio, as if bracing herself for the inevitable meeting.

From what Jenna knew, Dragon and Violet had barely spent any time together the last time he'd visited. Plus, Violet had been involved with Cliff. But maybe their meeting had been more significant than she realized.

About ten minutes later, her brother strolled back inside. Beth and Serenity were discussing the thrill of grandchildren versus the reality of getting old. Neither of them noticed Dragon's return nor his sudden stillness when he saw Violet.

Jenna saw his gaze lock on her friend's cheek. It traveled lower, to where she'd pulled her long sleeves up to her elbows, exposing more bruises. Violet self-consciously drew the shirtsleeves down to her wrists.

Dragon's expression darkened. Jenna moved closer to her friend, prepared to get between them if she had to. She wasn't sure what was going to happen, but she knew her friend didn't need to be any more hurt than she already was.

“The boyfriend?” he asked.

Violet met his gaze, then looked away. She nodded once.

“Where is he now?”

“Not with me. He's leaving town. I heard he was packed up and heading out in a couple of days.”

Dragon was silent for a second. “Was this the first time?”

She returned her attention to him. “I wouldn't have given him a second chance.”

“Good.”

Dragon went back outside. Jenna glanced between them,
left with the feeling that something significant had just occurred, but she couldn't figure out what.

 

Dinner was a lively meal with plenty of overlapping conversation and laughter. Serenity claimed Beth's potato salad for the vegan side and therefore won the bet of whose dishes would be finished first.

Jenna looked at everyone around the table and realized how quickly her definition of “family” had changed. Wolf and Jasmine were missing, but they would be here next time. With their baby. Beth would like that. She'd always wanted more children and would love being a grandmother.

Jenna touched her own flat stomach and wondered what it would be like to be pregnant. Longing filled her, surprising her with its intensity. She'd always wanted kids before, but usually in a more intellectual way. This need burned hot inside of her, almost making her ache.

With the pain came the realization that it was time for her to move on to that stage of her life—motherhood. That if things worked out with Ellington, then great. If not, she would have a baby on her own. It wasn't as if she would be raising it alone. She only had to look around to see all the people who loved her and whom she loved.

“How's Jasmine feeling?” she asked Serenity.

“Wonderful. She's getting bigger every day. I'm hoping…” She picked up her margarita. “We're all looking forward to the baby being born.”

Jenna might have imagined it, but she would have sworn both Tom and Dragon shot her looks of concern.

Serenity turned to Beth. “Jasmine is using a midwife. She'll have the baby at home.”

Beth dropped her fork, then quickly picked it up. “That sounds very, um, cozy.”

Jenna laughed. “Don't pretend, Mom. I'm horrified, too.” She turned back to Serenity. “Isn't it safer at a hospital, or in some kind of birthing center?”

“There's no reason to anticipate any problems,” Serenity said calmly. “Childbirth is a natural process. The hospital is close by, but everything will go perfectly. She was considering underwater birth, but that would have meant using a birthing center.”

Jenna nearly choked. “Who's under the water?”

“The baby,” Beth told her, obviously trying not to laugh.

“What? The birth canal isn't traumatic enough? Hello, you're born, try not to drown?”

Serenity shook her head. “It's not like that, Jenna. Sometimes you can be very dramatic.” She turned to Beth. “I believe she gets that from you.”

There was a moment of silence, then everyone laughed. Beth grinned at Jenna. “I suspect she does.”

 

Violet was aware of Dragon sitting next to her at the big table. Every time she glanced at him, he seemed to be looking at her. Watching. Waiting, although she couldn't say for what. It made her feel both uncomfortable and oddly protected.

When dinner was done, everyone helped clear the table. Violet was aware of the family reunion going on and wanted to excuse herself.

“I'm a little tired,” she said, when the dishes were loaded into the dishwasher. “I'm going to head home.”

There were plenty of hugs and good wishes. Marshall whispered that she was welcome to move back anytime she wanted. She collected her purse and walked to the door, only to find Dragon next to her.

“It was nice to see you,” she said, feeling awkward.

“You can say good-night to me later,” he told her. “I'm following you home.”

“You don't have to.”

“I want to.”

“But…”

“Let him.” Serenity had appeared at her side. “It's all right,” the older woman added. “You can trust him, Violet. He won't hurt you.”

“Good enough?” he asked.

Feeling nervous and ashamed but also a little relieved, Violet nodded.

He put his hand on the small of her back and urged her out the door.

“I'm perfectly fine,” she said as she stepped into the night.

“Maybe this isn't about you,” he told her. “Now drive.”

Sure enough, Dragon followed her home. Violet expected him to walk her to the door, then leave. Instead, he followed her inside, then closed and locked the door.

He glanced around the small apartment, then set his keys and cell phone on the coffee table. He took her purse from her and put it next to his stuff. “How many nights have you been back in your apartment?”

“Three.” She wasn't worried about his actions. More curious.

“Are you sleeping?”

She thought about the long nights, watching the hours pass by slowly. Painfully. It wasn't that she was afraid, it was the memories crowding into her mind that made it impossible to relax.

“I didn't think so,” he told her. “You look exhausted. Go wash your face and get ready for bed.”

“It's eight o'clock.”

“So? Are you telling me you're not ready to drop on your feet?”

Until he'd said the words, she'd managed to fool herself. But when he spoke, she felt fatigue overwhelm her, and it was all she could do to stay standing.

“Okay,” she said. “You're right. I'll go to bed. Thanks for seeing me home.”

“Don't try throwing me out,” he told her. “I'm not leaving.”

She stared at him. “You can't stay here.”

“Sure I can. Violet, you need to get some rest. The way I see it, the best way to do that is to make you feel safe. I may not be an obvious choice, but I'm still a good one. I'm perfectly trustworthy. Ask my mother. I'm going to stay here with you so you can relax. When we know Cliff has moved away, I'll disappear and you never have to see me again if you don't want to.”

He was being nice to her. That was tough for her to take. Nice was fairly rare when it came to the men in her life. Cliff was proof of that.

She knew she could have thrown him out. All it would have taken was her to insist. She wasn't afraid of him…she just wasn't used to anyone taking care of her.

“Then I guess you should make yourself comfortable,” she said, and went into the bathroom.

She carefully washed her face, then stared at the multicolored bruise on her cheek. No hiding it now. Her pj's from the previous night were hanging on the back of the door, so she slipped them on and went back into the living room.

While she'd been busy, Dragon had obviously returned to his car. A small suitcase stood by the door. His suit jacket and shirt were hung over the back of a kitchen chair, his black loafers tucked neatly by the refrigerator. He'd changed into
sweats and a navy T-shirt. Even barefoot, he looked tall and powerful and just a little intimidating.

She didn't know what to do or where to look. It wasn't that he frightened her, it was that she was afraid if he was too nice, she might start to lose it.

Before she could figure out what to say or where to go, he crossed to her and took her hand. Then he led her into the bedroom and pulled back the covers.

“Get in,” he said. “I'm going to sleep here tonight. On top of the covers. I'm not going to try anything. I'll be busy keeping the ghosts away.”

She pulled free of his gentle touch and faced him. “Don't do this,” she said, her eyes burning, her throat tight. “Don't be nice to me. Don't make it harder than it is.”

“I don't want to make it harder. I want to help.”

She thrust out her chin. “Maybe I deserved this.”

He lightly touched her bruised cheek. “Violet, no one deserves this.”

“You don't know. You don't know anything. I've been beat up before. Twice. It was common in my line of work.” She squared her shoulders. “I'm not who you think, Dragon. I'm not a nice girl caught up in a bad situation. I never graduated high school. I was already selling myself before I was eighteen. I did it because it was an easy way to get money and get high. I did drugs and pretty much any guy with cash. It didn't matter when or where. I was a whore. I'm not like those other girls you know and I'm done trying to be something I'm not. This is me.” Her voice rose with each word until she was nearly shouting.

When the first tear fell, she felt shame all the way to her bones. She turned her back, fighting for control.

“Just get out,” she whispered.

There was only silence for the longest time. She brushed
away the moisture on her cheeks, not even wincing when her fingers pressed into the swelling.