Her mother’s eyes twinkled as she got up.“Well, I’ll have to adjust my usual love story to include a villain this time, it seems.”
“Mom, please don’t tell me you are going to be writing about this?”Hannah asked exasperated.
“Who, me?”her mother asked with a poker face.“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said and bent down to kiss Hannah on the cheek.
“She is so going to write about this,” Hannah grumbled.“She’s written stories about all her other daughters’ and Dana’s love lives.You would think she has enough material without adding me to the lot.”
“It’s high time you get a turn,” Caitlin said.
“But Hannah’s story isn’t finished yet,” her mother said serenely.
Hannah jumped up.“I’ve had enough excitement to last me a lifetime, Mom—this is my story, the end!”She hugged her mother.It was impossible to stay irritated with her mother for long.“Are you leaving with Caitlin and Don?”
“No, my car is outside.”She touched Hannah’s face.“Now that I know you’re not in danger any more, I’ll gladly go back to Hermanus.”
“Let me walk you out,” Hannah said.
“Wait, we’re all leaving,” Caitlin said with a wink in Darryn’s direction.“I can feel when I’m not wanted.”
Darryn grinned.“I’m not going to apologize for wanting to be alone with Hannah.”
“So, you’re finally admitting you’ve had a thing for Hannah all along?”David asked and slapped him on the back.“And that despite everything you said to the contrary.”
Darryn got up.“Well, it took me a while.”Grinning, he looked at his brothers.“Like it took all of you a while to figure out you want these women in your lives,” he said and waved his hand in the direction of his sisters-in-law.
His mother stepped closer and cupped his face.“You still have a long way to go,” she smiled.
“What do you mean?”he asked, but Hannah was clearing her throat, and everybody turned to look at her.
Darryn looked at her, and his heart dipped.What he felt for Hannah was so much more than a “thing” as his brothers so eloquently put it.He was crazy about her.
“I…I don’t know how to thank all of you for what you’ve done.You’ve put your lives on hold, flown across continents, disrupted your daily routines—and all to help watch over me.I won’t ever forget it,” she ended in a whisper.
“Group hug!”Caitlin shouted in a wobbly voice, and everyone huddled together for a hug.
Darryn moved so he was behind Hannah.As he put his arms around her body, she folded her hands around his.She fit beautifully in his arms.
“Okay, enough crying for one day.”Hannah’s mom sniffled and everyone stepped back.“I want to be back home before dark.”
*
Hannah closed hermother’s car door.“Drive safely and let us know when you’re home,” she said and bent down to kiss her mom.
Her mom touched her face and beamed.“I’m so glad you and Darryn have finally sorted out your differences.You two belong together; it’s so obvious.So, what happens now?”
Hannah stepped back from the car.“We’re together, Mom, nothing else is going to happen.My schedule is full.I’ll probably be around for another day or two before I have to fly to New York.I don’t know whether I’ve told you, but I’ll be part of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show again this year.”
“That’s wonderful, my dear!”her mom gushed.“This will be what?The third time you’re one of the angels?”
Hannah nodded.“Yes, it is.I’m looking forward to it.It’s always so much fun.”
Her mother cocked her head.“How do you really feel about going away, being so busy, being away from Darryn?And what does he say?”
“Drive safely, Mom.”Hannah smiled and waved.
Her mom laughed.“You don’t have to answer me, but do think about the questions, my dear.”She reversed the car out of the driveway.
Hannah waved and watched her mom’s car until it disappeared around the corner.Behind her, the rest of their family were also getting into cars while talking and laughing.Things were finally back to normal.
