“Your day will be wonderful no matter the weather,” Dorrie said.
Dorrie liked Gus. Yes, he was taking away her sister and there would no longer be mornings when she woke to find Somer seated on the foot of her bed. But she was sure, given time, she would adjust.
“It matters not if it’s a blizzard. I love your sister deeply, and nothing will stop me marrying her, Dorrie.”
Gus was a scholar with a love of mathematics and enjoyed unexplained events and occurrences. This family gave him plenty of research there. He also was exceptionally good at magic. An eclectic combination of interests, but of course he fit in well with their wonderfully odd family.
“I’m glad you found each other,” Dorrie said, meaning every word, even if inside her heart felt a bit bruised.
The smile he gave her wrinkled the corners of his eyes. He had lovely, gentle eyes a shade darker than James, his cousin. Gus had a soft way about him until he was angered. Then he could be as fiery as the rest of their family.
He’d shown how fierce he could be the day Somer had been kidnapped. Dorrie pushed that thought aside, as the memory still made her blood run cold.
“Dorrie, I need you to know I understand what I am taking from you.” The words were spoken solemnly.
“Gus—”
“Somer is your twin, and you are closer than any siblings I have ever known. I’ve watched you think the same thoughts and voice the same words at exactly the same time.”
And just like that, any resentment and anger that had been simmering inside her eased. Yes, it would be an adjustment, but Gus was not taking Somer away from her completely. She would be living a few houses down on the same street. This man understood what she and Somer had.
“I would never take her away from you. We will always live close. You must always be accessible to each other. When you were injured, her pain was unlike anything I have ever seen. I never want either of you to suffer at such a time.”
“Is there another of you anywhere in the world, do you think, Gus?”
“I have a brother, yet I doubt he will be suitable for you.”
“That is a shame.”
His smile was small. “I have my faults, Dorrie.”
“As do we all.”
“I just need you to know that our home will always be your home.”
She didn’t want to cry, but the tears were there. He moved closer and put an arm around her shoulders. It felt warm and comforting.
“Thank you, Gus. You are a wonderful man, and I am happy you and Somer found each other.”
“But it will be an adjustment for you both.” He kissed the top of her head, and no further words were needed.
“I wondered where you two had gone.”
They turned, and there was Somer. Her beautiful sister. She wore a deep blue coat and gray scarf. They were almost identical, but there were a few differences. Somer was more like Eden. Strong-willed, full of life, and determined to do what she wanted when she wanted. Although Dorrie could be like that also, just not often, and usually without anyone watching.
She tended to be more like Essie. They were quieter, but no less determined.
“Gus just told me he thinks he’s marrying the wrong sister.”
Somer laughed, and she felt Gus sigh. He then released her and went to his fiancée. Pulling her close, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“I have come to get you, as we are to sit down for our meal,” Somer said when he released her. She held out her hand to Dorrie. “Besides which, you are both fools for being out here in this freezing weather.”
“I thought you liked the cold?” Gus said.
“There is cold and then there is this cold.” Somer shuddered. “The wind coming off that sea cuts through you like a knife.”
“I had wondered if when you married you would go soft; it seems that is going to be the case,” Dorrie teased.
