Page 178 of Perfect Satisfaction

That sets the older man to laughing and I follow behind my wife at a slower rate lugging our bags so the pilot won’t have to.

I was rewarded with a kiss when I reached the top of the stairs

About two hours into the flight, Harvey whispers something into Sula’s ear. Her eyes grow enormous before they become resigned. “Thanks for the heads up, Harvey.”

“Any time, kiddo.” He tugs at her hair before heading back to the cockpit.

I give Sula time to absorb whatever was said. I know my wife through and through. She’s so used to planning everything she just needs a moment to adapt.

“I’m not sure if I ever shared this with you about Brendan,” she begins.

I tangle our fingers together. “What?”

“How I used to pray with all my might that he was my father, not West?”

“No, but I’m not surprised.” I lift our joined hands to my lips. “He’s been your rock.”

“Yes. One of them. Since I was nineteen, I haven’t spent a holiday without him, both of them actually. I’m not certain I’d know how.” Her voice is filled with anxiety.

I rub my lips across her fingers. “You don’t think they’re going to mind another guest with inviting Gramps?”

She relaxes imperceptibly. “Not at all.”

“Then what is it?”

“I was just informed a surprise will be waiting on us. Considering how he hates them, I’m shocked he is going to try.” Then she mutters, “After all this time.”

All my red flags raise. The plane begins its descent. Landing gear drops in place. I look outside the window for an airport but see only a narrow strip of lights. “Sula, where are we?”

“Technically, Nashville,” she hedges.

“Literally?”

“The landing strip on Brendan’s property.” Before I can recover from that shock, she says, “Brendan apparently wanted to meet us at the airport but knew it would cause insanity to do that. That’s why we’re in the baby jet.”

“Baby jet,” I repeat.

“Otherwise, there’s no way we could...” The screech of the tires tells us we’ve successfully touched down. She gives me a shaky grin. “Land. The runway is too short.”

I lean over and murmur, “You’re shaking.”

She starts to deny it before launching herself into my arms. “I’m about to vomit.”

“Why? It’s not like we haven’t met before. We both love you. How is this trip not going to be wonderful?”

Sula pulls back and opens her mouth.

But it’s not Brendan’s voice I hear.

I must be hallucinating because it sounds an awful lot like the British Invasion when I hear “Welcome home, sister” called out.

Then I realize I’m not hallucinating. It’s really happening. Sula unlatches her belt and gets to her feet. “You’re here.”

JB casts a glance in my direction before whispering, “We’ve never not been together for the holidays.”

Sula swallows hard. “Why, JB? Why now?”

“It took me a while to get my head on straight, love. Liki helped with that.”