“I figured. Just taking in the view for a second.”
Sara laughs, resting one hand on the doorframe with a mock-seductive grin. “What is it?”
He tells her about the phone call—and the fact that his sister will be at the house in less than an hour.
“She said she’d be here by lunch?” Sara raises a brow. “I’m surprised you hadn’t already told her.”
“Let me get dressed, and I’ll help you cook something,” she says, stepping back into the room.
“That’s fine. I’ll wait,” Jaxon says, leaning against the frame.
“Is that so?” Sara grins, tugging at the corner tie of her towel.
Jaxon laughs and spins around. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
“That’s what I thought,” she calls after him, her laughter trailing into the hallway.
As Jaxon opens the oven to slide in lunch, the doorbell rings. Before he can even shut it, he hears a voice from the foyer:
“Hey, I’m Sara.”
When he makes it into the living room, he sees the two women already talking. And it’s only been two minutes. He’s already bracing for what was said.
“Hey, sis,” he says carefully.
“Jaxon.”
Sara turns and excuses herself, giving them space. “I’ll be in the bedroom when you’re ready.” She heads up the stairs, but not before catching the tone of the conversation beginning to unfold.
“Her sister is staying in your house?” Catherine snaps.
“Calm down. It’s not like that,” Jaxon says. “They came with her parents to pack up the beach house. Charles and Linda had to head back. Sara stayed so I could get to know my daughter.”
“She’s here?”
“Yes. She’s upstairs with Sara.”
Jaxon turns and calls for them. As soon as the girls turn the corner, Catherine freezes. Her jaw slackens.
“Never mind,” she breathes.
“I told you,” Jaxon says quietly. “She looks just like you did at that age.”
Catherine blinks. Her eyes jump between her brother and the little girl beside him. In shock, she takes a hesitant step forward.
“Hey, sweetie. My name is Catherine. What’s yours?”
“Jaqueline,” the girl replies shyly.
“She has your eyes, Jaxon,” Catherine whispers.
“I know.”
“Jaq, this is your Aunt Catherine,” Sara says gently. “She’s your dad’s sister.”
The four of them sit together and talk. Catherine listens as Sara explains what happened—about Claire, the decision to stay silent,and the missed chance to tell Jaxon the truth. She even tells her the story about coming back to the island to tell him everything, only to see him at the grill—with what turned out to be his sister.
Catherine laughs. “I can only imagine what you thought.”
