Drake Sisters 05 - Safe Harbor

after that walk, that I could face everyone and do what I wanted to do and still be me. You gave me hope." She pointed to her letter. "I'm not very eloquent, but it's from the heart."
    Hannah dropped her gaze to the scrawl that was Libby's.

    Hannah,

    I need to tell you just how much you mean to me. You are so very special and a large part of my heart belongs to only you.
    We have shared so many laughs and tears through the years and have made enough memories together to last forever. I still get a smile on my face every time I remember the time we were playing cards and were hysterical with laughter when the phone rang. We couldn't answer because we couldn't stop laughing and when you did finally answer it was a wrong number which only sent us back into another round of laughing until our stomachs actually hurt.
    My life would not be what it is today had you not been a big part of it. You were always there for me with your love and support, and often your protection. Many times, I've seen you step out of your comfort zone to help me as well as many others.
    You are one of the most loving and giving persons I've ever known.
    Dear sweet Hannah there is nothing you could ever do or say that would change my feelings for you. You are a huge part of my life, and I love you just because you are YOU!

    Your loving sister,
    Libby

    Hannah closed the book with a small snap. "Now you've got me crying."
    "Just drink more tea," Elle suggested. "That's what I do."
    The door banged open and Jonas hurried in, the wind and mist coming in behind him.
    "It's getting cold out there," he greeted them, striding into the room and stopping abruptly. He frowned. "You're not having one of your girlie things, are you, with everyone crying and being all mushy?"

    "That's exactly what we're doing," Joley said cheerfully. "Come on and sit down and join us."
    Hannah felt pleasure bursting through her. It had been this way for so long. The seven sisters and Jonas. He'd always been in the circle with them. He complained, of course, and sometimes rolled his eyes and sneered, but he always flopped on the floor and became a part of who and what they were. She watched him as he took his place between her and Joley, wedging his thigh against hers and sliding his arm around her waist, fingers at the nape of her neck, slowly massaging.
    "Did anyone bother to cook dinner? I'm starving."
    There was another burst of laughter. He scowled at them. "What?"
    "You always ask that, every single time," Hannah explained. "You're always hungry, Jonas."
    He bent down and skimmed a kiss down Hannah's cheek, right over the fading wounds as if they weren't there. His kiss ended at the corner of her mouth. "They're being mean to me, baby. Can't you turn them all into toads or something?"
    "Yeah, now you want her casting, now that she's on your side," Joley said.
    "Don't worry, Joley," Jonas said as he snagged a mug of tea floating by and scooped up a handful of cookies from the plate. "She really just wants sex. The minute she gets what she wants and I start bossing her around, it'll be back to the seven of you against one lone man."
    Hannah choked on her tea and had to have Jonas whack her on the back.
    "He's right, you know," Elle piped up. "Think about that, Hannah, before you do anything stupid. Sex is great and all that, but he's going to be so bossy. Do you really want to put up with that night and day?"
    Jonas grabbed Elle in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles over the top of her head. "I already boss all of you night and day, you little wildcat. Someone has to, or you'd all be out of control." He let go of her, ignoring the punch on his thigh. "So are all the letters read?"
    "You knew about this?" Hannah asked.
    "I know all," Jonas replied, expanding his chest.
    "She's turning to my page now," Kate said a little shyly. "Please remember, Hannah, I'm better at fiction than reality. I have such a difficult time expressing myself."
    "Not with Matt," Jonas said. "You're all over him."
    Kate gave him an undignified smack on his arm while Hannah looked through the pictures. They were of a shoot Hannah had done. First she looked glamorous in several gowns and then she was laughing, in her jeans and sweater, hair piled on her head, making faces at them. "I love those, because they show what a real person you are underneath all that glam."
    Hannah took a deep breath to still the overwhelming love she felt for her family so she could read what Kate had written to