April gets up and kisses her mum and stepfather goodnight.
“I’ll take them for a bike ride in the morning,” April says. “Give you both a break.”
Sarah cups April’s cheek. “You don’t have to.”
“I know. I want to. They’re my siblings. It’ll be nice spending some time with them.”
“Well, if you change your mind.”
“If we’re getting up early, then I suggest we hit the sack too,” Caleb says with a grin and a knowing twinkle in his eye.
April rolls her eyes, but leans forward and places a kiss on his lips, before taking his hand and pulling him to his feet.
Everyone filters out, leaving only Louise, Francesca, Kat, and me.
Louise and Francesca exchange a look. “I’m going to call it a night,” they say almost in unison.
“Me too,” Kat says quickly.
Francesca’s shoulders slump, and she lets out a heavy sigh.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was disappointed.
Kat shoots her mum a look, but remains silent.
I stand, dropping a kiss on each of the women’s cheeks.
“Goodnight, ladies. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I leave without a backward glance, heading up to my room.
The winter moon hangs low over the trees. It’s mild for this time of year, so I decide to do something I haven’t done in many moons.
Go for a midnight swim.
CHAPTER 43
KAT
The need to get out and breathe fresh air is intense, despite the late hour.
The house is silent as I make my way downstairs. All my siblings, their partners and guests are tucked away in their rooms.
For me, hours spent partnering with Jax have left me restless. My nerve endings have been firing all evening, knowing he’s so close, and yet completely out of reach. All by my own doing.
Pulling on a woollen dress and grabbing my thickest fleece, I head outside. I may be overheating now, but once in the gardens, I know the crisp, cool air will hit me, and I’ll need it.
Unlocking the back door, and then relocking it, I pocket the key. Thankful, solar lights illuminate my path. Mum had them added years ago. I know she likes to go for a midnight wander, especially after Dad passed. The garden was their passion outside Dad’s work.
I make my way past the orangery and through the walled garden, running a finger over the naked branches. The majority of plants are hibernating, but, like every year, in a couple ofmonths, this place will breathe new life into itself, ready for summer.
I stop, something drawing my attention.
Water. A splash, followed by a splosh, reaches me. Memories of Jax, Eli, and Zach racing one another, their powerful arms cutting through the water.
Who?
I make my way through the garden to the pool, pulling my fleece closer.
