“Jaxon told me the other day it was you. That you were in town celebrating your engagement,” Sara says, rolling her eyes.
Conversation flows naturally from there. Stories. Memories. Jokes. And just as easily, the timer on the oven goes off. Jaxon heads to the kitchen to finish lunch.
He glances back at the living room—and just watches. His sister. His daughter. And the woman who’s carried the weight of this secret with grace. All sitting together, like they’ve been doing it for years.
After lunch, they all head outside. Jaqueline is running around the yard, squealing with joy. Catherine sits on the porch swing. Jaxon and Sara take the rocking chairs.
A few minutes pass. Then Jaq calls for Sara to come play. Without hesitation, Sara runs toward her, scoops her up, and twirls her around. Laughter fills the air.
Catherine watches for a moment. Then she glances sideways at her brother.
“Jaxon… this life suits you.”
He smiles, never taking his eyes off Jaqueline. “Yeah. I’ve just been waiting on the right woman.”
Catherine’s voice is soft but pointed. “Well, big brother… you’ve found her.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve found your hard one, Jax. She’s out there right now. Playing with your daughter.”
“Sara?” His voice barely escapes his lips.
“Jaxon, you’re the best man I know. You’re kind. You’re smart. You’re loyal as hell. But when it comes to you, when it comes to what you need… you’re blind.”
He chuckles. “Well damn. Thanks?”
“I’m serious. That girl is the best thing that could’ve happened to you. Both of them are.”
“She’s Claire’s sister, Catherine.”
“And? You’ve always said you believe in fate.”
“I do.”
“Then dammit, Jaxon, fate is out there in your backyard, barefoot and laughing and sleeping across the hall.”
He falls silent.
“How do you know?” he finally asks.
Catherine turns toward him. Her eyes are sharp. Honest. “Because of the way you look at her. And the way she looks at you. It’s the same way Mom and Dad used to look at each other.”
Jaxon’s voice cracks. “They were so in love.”
“Exactly. And so are you. You just don’t know it yet.”
She leans in, her tone softening. “What they had… it was once-in-a-lifetime. Real. Raw. Reckless. And Jax, your once-in-a-lifetime is standing right there. I knew it the second she opened the door. That woman gives you as much hell as you give everyone else. She’s funny. She’s grounded. She’s beautiful—and now she’s raising your daughter. A daughter that isn’t even hers.”
Catherine stands up and walks to the edge of the porch. She stares out at the sound before saying, “So here’s my advice, brother.”
“What’s that?”
“For once in your life, think about yourself. Be selfish. Tell her how you feel. Tell her what you want. Ask her to stay. Because if you don’t… you’ll end up the same heartbroken man you were all those years ago.”
She turns, smiles, and nods toward the yard. “Now, I’m going to play with my niece and my future sister-in-law. You sit there and think about that.”
Jaxon watches her walk away, her laughter mixing with Jaqueline’s as she runs into the yard.
