Sanctuary

Why don’t you fix us all a nice glass of wine, honey?” It was one of Kate’s little dreams, having her family all gathered together, cooling off after a hot day, sharing the events of it.
    “Seems like I’m always waiting on somebody. I swear, the last thing I’ll do to keep the wolf away from the door when I go back to New York is wait tables.”
    Sam ducked his head and stepped in. He glanced at Kate with amusement. That blanket never seemed to grow by much, he thought, but somehow or other it got uglier every time she dragged it out. “You know what the girl’s got on her mind?”
    “No, I don’t,” Kate said placidly. “But sit down. Lexy’s getting us some wine.”
    “Sooner have a beer, if it’s all the same.”
    “Well, place your orders,” Lexy said testily. “I live to serve.”
    “I can fetch my own.”
    “Oh, sit down.” She waved a hand at him. “I’ll get it.”
    Feeling chastised, he lowered himself to the couch beside Kate, drummed his fingers on his knee. He looked up when Lexy held out a brimming pilsner. “Guess you want a tip now.” When she arched a brow, he nodded soberly. “Recycle. The world is your backyard.”
    Kate’s needles stilled, Lexy stared. As color crept up his throat, Sam stared into his beer.
    “My God, Sam, you made a joke. Lexy, you be sure to remind me to mark this down on my Year-at-a-Glance calendar.”
    “Sarcastic woman’s the reason I keep my mouth shut in the first place,” he muttered, and Kate’s laugh tinkled out.
    She patted Sam’s knee affectionately while Lexy grinned down at them.
    That’s what Jo saw when she came in. Her father, her cousin, and her sister sharing a moment together while Kate’s laughter rang out.
    Her heart sank. It was an image she’d never expected to see, one she hadn’t known could be so precious to her. Now she, and the man who stood behind her, could destroy it.
    “There she is.” Kate continued to beam, and when she spotted Nathan, her idea of what Jo had wanted the family to hear took on the hint of orange blossoms and bridal lace. Fluttering, she set her knitting aside. “We were just having some wine. Maybe we should make it champagne instead, just for fun.”
    “No, wine’s fine.” Her nerves screaming, Jo hurried in. “Don’t get up, Kate, I’ll get it.”
    “I hope this won’t take long, Jo. I’ve got plans.”
    “I’m sorry, Lexy.” Jo clinked glasses together in her hurry to have it done.
    “Sit down,” Kate hissed, rolling her eyes, wiggling her brows to try to give Lexy a hint. “Make yourself comfortable, Nathan. I’m sure Brian will be right along. Oh, here he is now. Brian, turn up the fan a little, will you? This heat’s just wilting. Must be cooler at your place by the river, Nathan.”
    “Some.” He sat, knowing he had to let Jo set the pace. But he looked at Sam. They’d spent twenty minutes together that evening, outlining plans, discussing structure and form. And all the while Nathan had tasted the bitter tang of deceit.
    It was time to open it up, spread it out, and accept the consequences. “I’m sorry?” he said, realizing abruptly that Kate was speaking to him.
    “I was just asking if you’re finding it as easy to work here as you do in New York.”
    “It’s a nice change.” His eyes met Jo’s as she brought him a glass of wine. Get it done, he asked her silently. Get it finished.
    “Would you sit down, Brian?” she murmured.
    “Hmm.” She’d interrupted his daydream about wandering over to Kirby’s shortly and waking her up in a very specific and interesting manner. “Sure.”
    He settled into a chair and decided he’d never been more relaxed or content in his life. He even gave Lexy a quick wink when she sat on the arm beside him.
    “I don’t know how to begin, how to tell you.” Jo took a bracing breath. “I wish I could take the chance and let sleeping dogs lie.” She caught Brian’s eye, saw the flicker of confusion in his. “But I can’t. Whether it’s the best thing or not, I have to believe it’s the right thing. Daddy.” She walked over, sat on the coffee table so that her eyes were on a level with Sam’s. “It’s about Mama.”
    She saw his mouth harden and, though he didn’t move, felt him pull back from her. “There’s no point in stirring up old waters, Jo Ellen. Your mother’s been gone long enough for you to deal with her going.”
    “She’s dead, Daddy. She’s been dead for twenty years.” As if to