Jude nodded. It would probably be good for Angela and Kiara to see Annie doing what he was asking of them. Just to show them that all family members went through the same training.
“Do you have any concerns I’ve missed?” Duncan asked.
“What is your plan with regards to Angela and Kiara long-term?” Jude asked.
Duncan tapped his pen on the desk. “I’d like for Angelica to stay here on the estate.”
“And Kiara?”
“I hope she stays as well. We need to consider her as part of the family,” Duncan said, surprising Jude just a bit. “Clearly, she’s been there for Angelica when we couldn’t be. In Angelica’s eyes, she’s her family more than we are.”
Jude agreed with that assessment, and he was glad that Duncan himself had seen that. It was good that the man hadn’t been so blinded by Angela’s return that he didn’t take into consideration the life and relationships she’d built over the past twenty-four years.
“Will you build a place for them?” Jude asked.
He had a cabin of his own, as did Annie. And he had a feeling that since they’d struck out on their own in Briar Hollow, Angelica and Kiara wouldn’t want to live with Duncan and Elizabeth. At least not forever.
“Yes. I think it’s the only way to keep them here.”
One of the things Jude appreciated about his job with Duncan was how often the two of them were on the same wavelength. It made it much easier for him to carry out his boss’s wishes.
“I’ve got a call in to my architect,” Duncan said. “He’s coming here in the next week to meet with us. In the meantime, I plan to tell the girls… ladies to think of what they’d like in a home of their own.”
“Maybe Annie could show them her place to give them an idea of what’s possible.”
Duncan nodded. “I’ll see if she’s willing to let them look around her cabin.”
As much as Jude wanted this reunion to be successful for Angela, he was also aware of the impact it must be having on Annie. He was glad that Duncan wasn’t trying to force a relationship between the twins.
"When do you want me to start the training?" Jude asked, setting the list back on Duncan's desk.
"As soon as possible. I'd like you to begin with the self-defense, but also I’d like you to get them behind the wheel of a car soon. Both of them need to be able to get around independently." Duncan paused, his expression growing more serious. "I just hope… Well, I feel like we need to handle Angelica carefully."
Jude thought he knew why the man thought that, but he needed him to voice the reason. "What do you mean?"
"She seems… fragile in a way that Annalisa never was. I can see it in how she carries herself, how she responds to direct questions. Whatever happened to her during those years away from us, has left marks." Duncan's jaw tightened. "I don't want to push too hard and risk her running."
The protective instinct that had been simmering in Jude's chest since he'd first met Angela flared to life. "Has she said something?"
"Not directly. But Elizabeth noticed she barely touched her dinner last night, and she asked three times if she was allowed to use the kitchen." Duncan's voice carried a note of pain. "My daughter asked permission to go somewhere in her own home. I feel like she’s not viewing this as her home, which means she won’t feel obliged to stay."
Jude’s hands curled into fists, wishing Jim were within striking distance.
The picture Duncan was painting aligned with his own observations about Angela's behavior. The way she'd apologized for gripping his arm on the helicopter. How she'd seemed to brace herself whenever someone asked her a direct question.
"I'll be gentle with her," Jude assured him, not letting on how easy that would be because she’d already triggered his protective instincts. "But I can’t be too easy with the training because we need to make sure they’re prepared. I’ll have to get them to understand the importance of it, and I think they’ll be on board."
"Good thinking." Duncan rubbed his temple. "There's something else. I want you to be the primary point of contact for both of them during this transition period."
Jude's pulse quickened, though he kept his expression neutral. "Sir?"
"You're the one person here they already trust. Angelica especially seems comfortable with you." Duncan's gaze sharpened slightly. "I noticed how she looked for you yesterday when we were talking. And how she relaxed when you entered the room."
Heat crept up Jude's neck. Had that really happened? "I was just doing my job, bringing them here safely."
"I know that. But the fact remains that you've established a rapport with her that the rest of us don’t have yet." Duncan leaned forward. "I'm not asking you to overstep any boundaries, Jude. I'm just asking you to help ease her transition by being available when she needs guidance or has questions."
The assignment should have felt like any other task Duncan had given him over the years. But the thought of spending more time with Angela, of being the person she turned to when she needed help, sent something warm spiraling through his chest.
