Page 159 of No Headlines Please

As Maddox and I stood on the classic wraparound porch surrounded by our luggage – one pristine black suitcase for him and two shabby yellow ones for me – my heart was hammering so loud, I swear, I could hear it.

Maddox held the potted hydrangea tucked against his side. It was the same one I'd lugged to Chicago months ago. It looked a little bedraggled, but at least it was alive.

Somehow, it seemed important to finish what I'd started. Or maybe I just didn't have the heart to leave it behind.

With his free hand, Maddox reached for mine and gave it a tender squeeze. "You okay?"

Funny, he'd asked the same thing on the plane. The script called for me to say I was fine. But I wasn't fine – which was why I'd asked him to give me a minute before knocking.

We were finally standing outside the place my sister called home – one she apparently shared with her fiancé, a man I had never met.

The lovely Victorian house, located just a few blocks up the hill from Main Street, looked like something straight out of a postcard. It was a cheerful shade of yellow with tall, elegant windows and a stunning view of the sparkling blue water in the distance.

It should've been impossible to feel anything but peaceful on this porch.

A cool autumn breeze rustled the colorful leaves still clinging to the surrounding branches while sending a few crisp fallen ones skittering across the floorboards near our feet.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't relax. My stomach twisted as I turned to look at the horse and buggy that had carried us here from the small airport.

The buggy was still parked in front of the house because Maddox had tipped the driver extra to wait until we were safely inside. Smart or not, it was a good reminder that a happy reunion wasn't guaranteed.

Even now, I couldn't imagine the expression I'd see on Tessa's face.

But when I looked back to the house, I no longer had to imagine, because the door swung open without us knocking at all.

And there was my sister, staring back at me.

She looked gorgeous as always. The time was almost nightfall, but her golden-blonde hair still caught the fading light as her vivid blue eyes widened in surprise.

In her corded cream sweater and dark jeans, she looked like a high-end model for fall fashion.

I could only imagine how I looked, considering I'd been traveling for most of the day. Sure, my own clothes weren't terribly different, but I didn't need a mirror to realize I looked nothing like that.

Both of us froze. Her lips parted, but she said nothing. Neither did I.

She wasn't exactly jumping for joy.

The silence between us held until she said in a stunned voice, "Delaney?" Her gaze drifted to my hand, the one joined with Maddox's, and she frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Terrific.

Before I could even think to reply, Maddox asked, "Where's Ryder?" His voice was cold and clipped, like he wasn't liking our reception any more than I was.

Just then, a tall blond stunner stepped into view. Dressed in jeans and a navy button-down, he was every bit as handsome as the countless photos I'd seen online, right down to his easy smile as he called out through the open door. "Maddox! You asshole. Why didn't you say your date was her?"

Before Maddox could respond, Ryder moved forward and held out his hand – not to Maddox, but to me. "So, you wanna shake? Or do I get a hug?"

With my free hand, I reached out and gave Ryder's a little shake – until he pulled into half a hug while the other half of me remained firmly attached to Maddox.

Into my ear Ryder said, "You know, we're gonna be related, right?"

From the open doorway, Tessa finally laughed. "Way to ruin the surprise."

Releasing me, Ryder turned back to Tessa. "Oh, please. She's not blind. What, you think she didn't notice the ring?"

Oddly enough, I hadn't. But there it was, on exactly the right finger, in all its glittering glory.

The ring was absolutely beautiful.