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“Do you love Carter?”
“Yes,” she said without any hesitation.
“Do you want a future with him?”
“I do, but when I said I couldn’t see him anymore, he agreed with me.” Darcy sniffed as renewed grief rolled through her.
“Darcy, Jace saved Carter’s life. He gave him a gift, and that shouldn’t make you sad. It should make you happy.”
Darcy stilled as Robyn’s words took root in her mind.
A nearby staircase creaked, and a middle-aged man—whom Darcy recognized as Graham from Robyn’s photos—joined them in the family room.
“Darcy, this is my husband, Graham,” Robyn said.
“Hi, Darcy.” He was fit with short dark hair streaked with gray, and his brown eyes sparkled behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. He nodded toward the stairs. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but they’re anxious to meet their sister. Would that be all right?”
Darcy sat up straight. Robyn had told her brothers about her? She’d waited so long for this day. She smoothed her hands down her dress and touched her hair, hoping she looked presentable.
Robyn gave Darcy a sheepish look. “Would you like to meet them?”
“More than anything.” Darcy paused, and confusion whipped over her. “What made you change your mind?”
Robyn took her hand in hers. “I was overprotective of the boys, and I’m sorry.” She looked toward the stairs for a moment, seemingly lost in thought before her eyes returned to Darcy. “I wanted to make sure it was the right time for them to meet you. When you reached out to me tonight, I realized that now is the time.” She squeezed Darcy’s hand. “I told them about you, and they were shocked at first. But then they both said they were ecstatic to have an older sister.”
Darcy was overwhelmed once again. “I feel the same way about having brothers.”
Robyn nodded at her husband, and he ascended the staircase. Muffled voices sounded before heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs.
When her two brothers appeared, Darcy clapped her hand to her mouth. Both were tall and fit like their father and were clad in sweatpants and t-shirts. She felt an instant connection to the teenage boys who had not only her sunshine-colored hair but also similar green eyes.
She stood, and a feeling of wholeness came over her. She felt as if she knew them—as if they already belonged to her.
They were part of her family.
The one with a baby face held his hand out to Darcy. “I’m Keaton.”
“Hi, Keaton.” She sniffed and shook his hand.
The second one had more mature features. He also shook her hand. “Brayden.”
Darcy opened her mouth to greet him, but her throat closed and her eyes filled. She fought to get her emotions under control, but her stubborn tears began to fall once again.
Robyn appeared beside her and looped her arm around Darcy’s shoulder. “It’s late. Why don’t we plan a time for you all to get together soon?” She lifted her chin toward the stairs. “Brayden, Keaton. Darcy and I need to talk alone, okay?”
“Sure, Mom.” Keaton gave Darcy a warm smile. “See you soon.”
Brayden nodded. “It’s so cool that we have a long-lost sister.”
“Having long-lost brothers is also very cool.” Darcy wiped her eyes and managed a watery smile.
Her brothers retreated up the stairs, and Darcy felt the overwhelming need to tell Carter that she’d finally met her brothers.
Carter.
Her heart began to crumble once again. She’d lost him forever. How was she going to go on without him?
“Do you want a cup of tea?” Robyn asked.
