They weren’t alone.
Maeve and Hamish were with them, waving madly.
“Your brothers,” Marnie said and laughed. “I would have recognized them anywhere.” Then she whispered, “I didn’t know your parents were going to be here!”
The McFadden boys did all look alike. Bryan was six-four, Bruce a little under and Brodie just a hair taller. Each had a headful of dark hair.
Bryan’s eyes were the color of their dad’s—green. Bruce and Brodie had blue eyes. The color was their mom’s.
He’d nearly forgotten that Cara Barton and Jeremy Highsmith were with them—right behind them in the cart—a little awkward since the airport escort had put Marnie’s travel bag in the back seat of the little cart, too.
Bryan was barely out of the cart before he was nearly knocked over by his mother.
Then he was hugged by his father.
The airport escort was looking at him as if he were certainly worrisome—as if he might have balance problems. Bryan gave his mom a fierce look.
“My dear boy! You’re all right. And you saved Marnie. And you didn’t just save Marnie, you brought her with you. There’s hope. Oh, Hamish, there’s hope. We might have grandchildren after all.”
“And they just might be actors,” the ghost of Hamish McFadden said drily. “I’m proud of you, son,” he added.
Then the ghosts all greeted each other.
“Cara!” Maeve said delightedly.
“Maeve, you wonderful soul. You sent him out to us.”
He didn’t get to see the ghosts kiss and hug; he was then greeted by quick hugs from both his brothers, and he introduced Marnie. They were gathering a crowd and Bruce said, “Let’s get you all out of here.”
“I’ll run to the car. I’ll be right outside. It’s an Escalade—it will fit us all.”
Marnie seemed delighted with his family.
Bruce drove to the house in Alexandria. Inside, they talked about Adam and the theater and the Krewe of Hunters, and then Bruce and Brodie rose simultaneously.
“We’re going to get out of here,” he said.
“But they just came home,” Maeve protested. “Oh, you boys run along—”
“Maeve,” Hamish said firmly. “We’re all going. Come on, we have a lot to catch up on. We have guests ourselves. Cara and Jeremy are here.”
“I’m not sure we’re staying,” Jeremy said.
“We keep fading. I mean, I was never really good, but now...” Cara murmured.
“You were the best, my love,” Jeremy told her.
“We keep seeing a light.”
“We want to go together,” Jeremy explained. “But hey, maybe we have tonight.”
“Yes, maybe you will have tonight,” Brodie said. “Come on, have it at my place.”
“Sunrise?” Jeremy asked Cara.
“Oh, yes, sunrise,” Cara agreed. “With beautiful and perfect natural lighting. So...I guess that’s goodbye.”
They both turned to Marnie. It was obvious she felt their hugs.
“Love you,” Marnie said.
“And you...you’re the best. Oh, and I must make a dramatic exit before—before I cry,” Cara said. With that, she whirled out for a very dramatic exit—going right through the closed door.
“The best,” Jeremy told Marnie. He looked at Bryan. “And you, young man. Thank you.”
Bryan nodded.
“Don’t lose her,” Jeremy said.
“I will not,” Bryan swore.
Then he was gone, too, his exit almost as dramatic—except that he seemed to slam into the door.
Brodie opened it for him.
“Outta here!” Bruce said. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
At last, Bryan and Marnie were alone.
He looked at her, suddenly awkward.
“So...you’ve met the parents.”
“They’re incredible.”
“And my brothers.”
“Completely impressive,” she said.
Marnie walked to him. Slipped her arms around his neck.
“But never so impressive as you!” And she kissed him.
The house was a historic Colonial. He swept her up into his arms.
Her kiss was hot, sloppy, deliciously wet. A promise.
Her eyes met his as he headed for the stairs. “Very dramatic,” she told him.
“Buckle your seat belts,” he said.
“It’s going to be a bumpy ride!” she said.
“Yes, it is,” he vowed.
They were both smiling, very much in love, as he carried her up the stairs.
It was the first night of their new lives.
* * * * *
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Heather Graham, Fade to Black
(Series: Krewe of Hunters # 24)
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