“A few months ago I would have disagreed,” he said ruefully. “Now, not so much.”
She smiled at him. He was cute in his befuddlement. But she had to hand it to him. He was taking their relationship—or whatever the hell it was they had—very well. He hadn’t seemed to fight it at all, though she had no idea what had gone on in his mind, especially when she’d been missing for so many weeks.
Maybe in that time he’d come to terms with his feelings for her. It had definitely solidified things in her mind. But then she’d already fallen hard and fast from the very first night they’d spent together.
“I’d love to see Rachel and the babies while I’m here,” she said. “Do you think she and Ethan would mind if I stopped by?”
“I don’t think they’d mind at all. We’ve all been worried sick about you, Maren. Everyone is going to be very relieved, and happy, to see you. You’re important to us all.”
Her cheeks warmed at the glowing compliment. It was nice to be regarded so highly. She counted them as friends—good friends—and it was nice to hear that they counted her the same.
They drove past the war room, where most of the planning and intelligence meetings took place. She perked up, curious because she’d imagined they’d go there, but now that they’d passed it, she was relieved. She wasn’t up for a sterile, intimidating meeting where she gave an accounting.
She relaxed when they pulled up to Sam’s sprawling house. There were no other vehicles besides Sam’s and Sophie’s. It looked to be a quiet meeting, whatever it turned out to be.
Steele reached over and squeezed her hand. “There’s something I want you to know so you aren’t unprepared and also so you know it’s not too late to back out. Everyone has arranged a little surprise party for you. They’re all thrilled and relieved to have you back and safe. I didn’t want to blindside you with this, so that’s why I’m ruining the surprise, so to speak. Sam told me about it this morning when I talked to him. He didn’t want me to tell you, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. So are you going to be okay with this? Because if you’d rather not deal with this today, I’ll absolutely turn around and I’ll let Sam know we can do it another time.”
She smiled, warmth traveling through her chest at the idea that everyone was so relieved she was safe and that they wanted to welcome her back. She squeezed his hand back. “That sounds really perfect, and I appreciate the heads-up so I don’t make an ass out of myself.”
“So you want to do it?”
“Yeah, let’s do it. I can’t wait to see everyone.”
Steele got out and waited at the front of the vehicle for her to meet him, and then he fell into step beside her, wrapping an arm loosely around her waist as he guided her toward the back of the house.
When the deck came into sight, Maren’s throat tightened. The entire Kelly clan was there and so were the KGI teams. All three of them!
A round of applause broke out and cheers erupted into the air. Charlotte was holding a fistful of balloon strings and she let them go, shrieking with delight as the balloons lifted and sailed away.
Maren stood stock-still, her mouth still open as Steele turned to her and grinned.
“Surprise,” he said in a low voice. “I told you that you’re very important to us, Maren.”
Tears filled her eyes and Steele immediately looked panicked.
“Don’t cry,” he said. “Whatever you do, don’t cry.”
She whipped her head back toward the steps of the deck, where the Kellys were now pouring down, and hastily wiped at her eyes so Steele wouldn’t melt down. Then she laughed. It bubbled up from inside her, and God, did it feel good to let go.
Sam was the first to arrive and he crushed her into a monstrous hug. She closed her eyes and absorbed the hug. She and Sam had been friends a long time. Of all the Kellys, she was closest to him. He called her often just to chat. Sometimes to ask for medical advice or general advice on matters bothering him. Theirs was an easy friendship. One she was very grateful for.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Sam muttered. “I was worried sick, Maren. Thank God you’re here where we can watch out for you.”
“I owe you and everyone in KGI a huge thank-you,” she said, as she pulled away from his hug. “You all did so much for me. Without you, I wouldn’t be here now.”
Sam took her hand and tugged her away from Steele and toward the steps. “Come on. Everyone’s dying to see you.”
She glanced back at Steele, who looked none too happy that Sam had spirited her away. She smiled and shrugged before turning back so she could see where she was going.
“Aunt Maren!” Charlotte yelled as soon as Sam and Maren hit the top of the steps.
“There’s my Cece!” Maren exclaimed as she swept her into her arms.
Then she groaned and clutched the wiggling toddler—well, she wasn’t really a toddler anymore—because her knees nearly buckled under the weight.
“Whoa there,” Steele murmured beside her. He swept in and plucked Charlotte from Maren’s arms and then settled her on his hip so she was still right beside Maren and within reaching distance. “You shouldn’t be lifting something so heavy.”
Maren leaned in to kiss Charlotte’s sweet baby cheeks and then tickled her stomach, listening to the giggles that erupted.
“Maren, we’re so happy you’re home,” Sophie said.
Maren hugged Sam’s wife. “I’m very happy to be here too. I can’t believe how big Charlotte is getting. It breaks my heart!”
And then Maren caught sight of Rachel Kelly, sitting on the other side of the huge deck, Ethan at her side, each holding a baby.
“Oh gosh, excuse me, Sophie.” Then she caught sight of everyone crowded around her, all waiting to offer their hugs and relief at her being safe. “Sorry, guys, give me just a minute please. I want to go see the twins.”
Laughter rang out all around.
“They do have a way of stealing the show,” Garrett said ruefully. “Ethan contributes greatly to that by swearing he has the most clever children to ever grace planet earth.”
“I’m sure the Kelly genes have nothing to do with that,” Maren said with a grin.
She pushed through the crowd, smiling at so many familiar, warm faces. It gave her heart a squeeze and left a comfortable glow in her chest. These people cared about her. Really cared. They were a second family to her, as beloved as her own parents and brother.
As soon as she neared Ethan and Rachel, Rachel passed the baby she was holding to Rusty, who was sitting on Rachel’s other side, and then she rapidly stood and enfolded Maren in a fierce hug.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Rachel said. “We were all so worried. I was worried, Maren. You scared me to death.”
“You look so beautiful,” Maren said. “Motherhood agrees with you, Rachel. Introduce me to your babies? Both boys, from what I’ve heard.”
Rachel beamed and then Ethan stood, still holding one of his sons. He wrapped one arm around Maren, hugging her to his side while still cradling the baby in his other.
“You look good with a baby in your arms, Ethan.”
Ethan smiled, and it warmed his entire face. Happiness and deep contentment shone in his eyes, and there was so much love in his gaze as he looked between his children and his wife that emotion knotted in Maren’s throat.
Rusty stood so that Maren was flanked by babies, and Rachel smiled proudly as she pulled the blanket away from their faces so Maren could see.
“This little guy Rusty is holding is Ian. And the one Ethan is holding is Mason.”
“Can I . . . can I hold one?” Maren whispered.
Rusty promptly handed over Ian, and Maren nestled the baby just right in her arms and then pulled the blanket under his chin so she could see his features.