SHAWN
My sister-in-law made a valiant attempt,but she butchered my favorite language.
“Your German is improving,” I remarked after the waiter left.
“Is it?” L asked, brightening.
“No.” I laughed. “Not at all.”
She rolled her eyes at my joke.
There was no way she could go back to America. Even though Frey was gone, the people he worked for were still searching for her, and it was easier for Jason to hide his wife across an ocean.
My brother gave up his job for the woman he loved, and while I could never do that, I respected it. I’d put him in charge of security at the brewery headquarters, and it was a surprisingly good fit. Deep down, he was an Osterhägen, after all.
L had given up her career too... sort of. There had been discussion about whether she could keep performing, and after an audition and an interview, she was announced as the technical director of Munich’s Premiere Ballet. Under her new name, Liesl Dunn.
Apparently, L had been a big fan ofThe Sound of Musicgrowing up. It didn’t seem to matter much to change her first name. My brother allowed everyone else to use her nickname.
She glanced at her husband. “Did you tell him he’s not a third wheel tonight?”
“Oh?” I asked. “I thought Mom was in New York.”
His expression was cryptic and unsettling. “Not Mom.”
My confusion disappeared when a woman made her way to our table. She was tall. Blonde. American. I could tell because they had an attitude I could spot a hundred meters away and was weirdly drawn to.
And this American? She was absolutely gorgeous.
I rose to my feet, although I was unsure why, until I noticed everyone else at the table was standing. She brushed a kiss on Jason’s cheek, either overly friendly or trying to be European, and then turned to hug L tightly. The resemblance was obvious.
“You must be Kara.” I held out a hand. “I’m Shawn Dunn.”
“Yes.” Her handshake was surprisingly firm, as if refusing to be dominated by mine. “I’ve been warned about you.”
I grinned. “It’s all lies.”
“I’m sure.”
It hadn’t been difficult to locate her once Jason discovered she’d moved overseas for business. The Netherlands, to be precise. Her marriage had ended so badly she couldn’t stand to be on the same continent as her ex.
My brother said it only took a seven-hour train ride to repair the relationship between the sisters. Time and perspective had already done the hard work. There had been apologies and tears, and then a resolution to put it behind them.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I glanced around, searching for our server. “Or are you pregnant like your sister?”
L’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Was I not supposed to figure that out?” I asked. “Sorry. Go ahead and tell me. I’ll act surprised.”
“L’s pregnant,” Jason said dryly.
I barely feigned it. “What? You don’t say.”
“Congratulations.” Kara’s gaze flicked to mine, her expression conveying she thought I was rude.
When the waiter passed by, I ordered a drink for her. Her icy blue eyes zeroed in further, a displeased look crossing her face. She didn’t speak German, and she absolutely didn’t care for anyone making decisions for her.
“What was that you ordered?”
