Kevin and Cassie had a brief tussle over who was going to drive.

“I have a 1969 Lamborghini,” he told her as they headed down the stairs. “How many times do you get to ride in one of those?”

“He lives for that car,” Holly grumbled. “It’s like his favorite child, and I’m the second best.”

“Incorrect,” Kevin said calmly. “However, it is my one indulgence in life and it’s a piece of art. You’d appreciate it, my fellow mechanic.”

“I’m sure I would, but this is a tour, not a race. You’re supposed to sit back and enjoy the scenery. I’ll drive, and you’ll just have to live with the boringness of my Jetta.”

“A Jetta?” A pained look crossed his face. “You aren’t serious, are you?”

“Oh my God. You’re a car snob, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea,” said Holly.

“Do not underestimate the Jetta. I mean, it has a turbocharged 1.4-liter direct-injection engine, with 150 horsepower and 184lb.-ft. of torque, and it’s still under twenty thousand. Bet your Lamborghini can’t say that.”

Holly groaned and clutched at her hair. “Now there’s two of them,” she moaned. “Where are my earbuds?”

They emerged onto the street, where her sporty black Jetta awaited. Cassie laughed and opened the door with a flourish, welcoming them into her domain. “Tour guide gets to pick the ride. Hop in.”

Kevin only grumbled a little about being demoted to passenger. “Just so you know, I’m always the driver. This better be a damn good tour.”

She grinned at him. “Challenge accepted. Do you know the history of Jupiter Point?”

“I have a feeling I’m about to.” Kevin shoved his seat all the way back to make room for his legs. In the backseat, Holly sprawled out with her music and a sketchbook.

As she told the story of Jupiter Point, Cassie took the scenic route along the waterfront. “The town used to be primarily a fishing community, until that industry starting having trouble. Then, after the observatory was built, the mayor had a stroke of genius. He proposed that we start playing on the stargazing thing and turn Jupiter Point into a tourist destination for honeymoons and other romantic occasions, like anniversaries. All the businesses started using star and planet themes in their names, and the Chamber of Commerce advertised in wedding magazines and places like that. It worked. We get named in just about every list of top honeymoon locations in the U.S.”

“I notice you say ‘we’,” Kevin pointed out. “Sounds like you love this place.”

“It’s a love-hate thing.” She checked on Holly in the rearview mirror. She was bobbing her head to the music. “I thought it was paradise until I hit high school. And you know, it’s pretty nice being back. This place has a lot going for it. Have you been to the Milky Way yet?”

“About twenty times in the past two weeks.”

She laughed. “Glad you’re supporting the local economy. What about the used bookstore? Oh, nope, we’d better not go there.”

“Why not?”

“Remember how I mentioned Mrs. Murphy? If she sees us together, in about twenty-four hours the entire town will think we’re an item. Holly will kill me.”

“Pass on the bookstore, then.”

“It’s okay, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve.”

She took the turn onto Constellation Way, which was the heart of the historic downtown. She pointed out the Mercury News-Gazette building, where Will’s fiancée Merry worked. They cruised past Stars in Your Eyes Events and Tours, the Sky View Gallery and Espresso, and the Venus and Mars Cafe.

“I assume you’ve explored all the usual tourist spots, right?”

“If they have food, we’ve been there.”

“Then I want to show you something really cool.” She steered the Jetta onto a little-known back road that wound between the surrounding hills.

Kevin took photos of the scenery as they drove. “Being a parent means taking lots of photos. I had no idea about this before I had Holly,” he explained as he snapped away.

“Just wait until you see where we’re going. It’s incredible.”

The road ended at a plateau that overlooked the entire town. She pulled onto the gravel stretch that passed as a parking lot. Logs separated the cars from the scrub grass and wildflowers that covered the point.

They all piled out of the car and breathed in the scent of ocean and sagebrush. The Pacific sparkled in the sunshine, a deep, restless blue blanket stretching as far as the eye could see.

“Wow,” breathed Kevin. Even Holly’s jaw fell open in awe.

“This is the real, actual topographical feature named Jupiter Point,” Cassie told them. “You can see the entire town from here, the ocean, the hills, everything. It always takes my breath away, every single time.”

“It’s incredible,” Kevin agreed. “I bet it’s a great place to watch the sunset.”

“It’s good for stargazing, if you don’t feel like driving to the observatory.” She turned to Holly. “Want to bring your telescope out here some time?”

“That would be awesome!” For the first time, Holly skipped the sarcasm and sounded genuinely excited.

“We used to come up here with my father, with thermoses of hot chocolate and hand warmers on cold nights.” The memory made her heart clench. She hadn’t thought about that in years. “He taught us the constellations, but I’ve probably forgotten most of them. Maybe you can refresh my memory.”

But that was apparently a step too far for Holly. “You can get a stargazing app, you know. Some of them are free.”

Okay then. Kevin gave Cassie a discreet shake of his head, as if to say, “don’t sweat it.”

She had no intention of sweating it. It wasn’t as if she was trying to worm her way into Kevin’s little family. Family life was not for her, she knew that perfectly well.

Holly wandered down to a lookout where the town had installed a little concrete bench. As soon as she was out of earshot, Kevin touched her hand. “Thanks for bringing us up here. And thanks for being so patient. Holly can be a handful.”

“I just wish I could convince her I’m no threat.”

“We should come up with an anti-kiss. Or an anti-engagement ring. Something that sends a message to the whole world that says we’re definitely not together.”

She laughed. “I could wear my Single Forever t-shirt.”

“Single Forever?” He lifted an eyebrow at her. “That’s quite a statement.”

“It’s accurate, at the rate I’m going. I’m more of a short-term-relationship person. As soon as we hit that first bump in the road, I move on. Why drag it out?”

“I can think of a reason. Because you’re in love.”

She shuddered. “God forbid. That’s when the real trouble starts.”

“Have you ever been in love, Cassie?”

The seriousness of his question caught her off guard. “Well, I don’t know, actually. In high school I thought I was in love with Travis, the guy who came into the shop the other day. That was a disaster, so I never really wanted to try again. Does high school count?”

“I met my ex-wife in high school. So yes, it counts. But you don’t always choose the right person at that age. Some people do. My parents were high-school sweethearts and they have a great marriage. They made it look easy. Surprised the hell out of me when it wasn’t.”

She bumped her shoulder against his. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up. The world is full of people who couldn’t make it work. I always used to wonder, out of all the honeymooners who come here, how many will still be married in five years.”

He laughed and clutched his chest as if she’d just delivered a blow. “That is just so sad and cynical, my heart can barely stand it. It’s breaking in two, right in front of you.”

She laughed up at him, then jumped as someone called out to her. “Cassie? Jeez, this is crazy, we’re running into each other all over the place.”

Whirling around, she saw Deirdre Sullivan walking toward her from a white Mustang. She wore a camera around her neck and carried a red patent-leather tote bag on her shoulder. She was in the midst of lowering the camera, having apparently snapped a photo of them.

“You two want to be in a brochure? I’m taking photos for the Chamber of Commerce.”

“You’re a photographer?”

“No, I just do this for fun. I’m an electrician.”

Cassie gaped at her.

She laughed. “I do love saying that and getting a reaction. I work with my dad, and don’t mock, the pay is excellent. Want to see the photo? The two of you, silhouetted against that incredible view, you look amazing.”

Deirdre came closer and showed them the photo displayed on the digital screen of her camera. Kevin’s hand was on his chest, as if he was declaring his love, while Cassie’s laughing face was tilted toward him, her hair blowing in the wind behind her. It was hard to make out their faces, the way they were backlit, but everything about their pose screamed intimacy and attraction.

It actually made Cassie blush. She took a step away from Kevin. She hadn’t realized how close they’d been standing to each other.

“But we’re not—” She broke off, remembering the scene at Barstow’s. Deirdre believed they were a couple, thanks to her. “On a honeymoon,” she finished lamely.

“Artistic license.” Deirdre waved off that objection. “I can even get you guys a small modeling fee. Or maybe a trade arrangement? Cassie, I heard you started a shop. They can place an ad in the brochure if you want.”

“I don’t think the tourists are going to care about my auto-repair gig.”

“Okay, then, I can put one in for Knight and Day Flight Tours.”

Cassie bit her lip, since it was hard for her to turn down something that would benefit her brothers. “You really know my soft spot, Deirdre.”

A shadow crossed over her face. “I guess I do, at that. So what about it, guys? We can try another few poses, if you like.”

“You promise my brothers will get an ad out of it?”

“Absolutely.”

Cassie glanced at Kevin. “What do you think?”

“As a loyal employee, I’m fine with it. Maybe I’ll get a Christmas bonus.”

She could barely believe she was considering this. Returning to Jupiter Point, the last thing she’d imagined was posing for the Chamber of Commerce. She was the outcast, the one who’d left, covered in humiliation. “Fine,” she muttered. “But let’s make it quick.”

Deirdre beamed and lifted her camera. “Quick as a flash. Literally. Now just scoot back a little closer to each other.”

Cassie took a step sideways, while Kevin did the same. They bumped shoulders. Tingles shot down her arm. He reacted too; she felt the current of electricity vibrating through him.

“That’s good, now look at each other, the way you were doing before. Angle your bodies toward each other. Perfect, that’s great.” The camera clicked away. “Nothing too intimate, please. We’re going for family-friendly here, so if you could just tone down the sparks that are flying all over the place…”

Kevin’s eyes laughed into hers. “Should we give her a little show?” he whispered.

“Huh?” Before she really understood what he meant, he wrapped his arms around her and bent her backwards, as if they were on a dance floor. She clutched at his shoulders, a little dizzy from the speed of that move…or maybe from the hot look in his eyes. Looking into those green depths was like gazing toward the end of a rainbow, where bright, happy things awaited.

“Woohoo!” Deirdre whooped as she snapped more photos. “I know we can use that one. Classic!”

Cassie barely heard her, she was so caught up with Kevin. Even though they weren’t saying a word to each other, they didn’t have to. The chemistry between them did all the talking for them. I want you. I’m attracted to you. Maybe we should go to bed together.

“Dad?”

Holly.

Suddenly Cassie was being turned upright and planted back on her feet. Kevin raked a hand through his hair as he scrambled for an explanation that would satisfy both Holly and Deirdre. Cassie wished she could be more help, but her heart was still racing and if she spoke, she’d probably sound all breathy and turned on.

But Deirdre, amazingly, saved the day. “Hey there, hon, sorry to steal your dad away. They’re helping me out with a photo. Hey, do you want to be in it too? Kind of a happy-family thing?”

Holly scowled. “No, thanks. We’re not a happy family.”

“Oh, well, believe me, I know exactly what you mean. My family was the furthest thing from happy.”

Cassie gave a double-take. This was the first she’d ever heard about Deirdre’s life being less than perfect.

Deirdre caught her glance. “Long story. Anyway, I’ve got what I need now. You all take care, I’m sorry for interrupting your family time. Happy or not.” She stowed her camera in her bag and headed back for her car.

Holly called after her, “It’s not family time.”

But Deirdre just sent them a sympathetic wave as she got into her Mustang. “I still would like to have lunch sometime, Cassie. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”

Cassie frowned as her former nemesis drove away. Why did Deirdre keep insisting on lunch? The past was past, she saw no point in digging it up. She’d barely seen her brothers since she’d gotten back; why would she spend time with someone who had tormented her?

Holly folded her arms across her chest. “Who was that? She’s kind of heinous.”

Cassie laughed, taking a few more steps away from Kevin. He seemed to draw her like a magnet just by standing there. “You really want to know?”

“Yeah.”

“She used to be the girl who made my life hell. But now, honestly, I guess I don’t actually know who she is. Meaning, she seems very different nowadays. Maybe people do change.”

Holly screwed up her face. “I know people change. Usually for the worst.”

“A pessimist, huh? Put it here.” Cassie put out her hand for a high-five.

Kevin shook his head at the two of them. “You can’t fool me, either of you. You’re both sweet and hopeful at heart. Those cynical shells are just for show.”

Cassie shot him a skeptical look as she beckoned them toward the car. “Funny thing for someone to say who barely just met me.”

“My dad’s good at reading people,” Holly told her proudly, skipping to catch up. “He says it’s for my sake, so he doesn’t let any losers into our life. We play this game sometimes where we sit in a coffee shop and he guesses about people’s histories. Then sometimes we talk to them so we can find out how much he figured out. His record is like, eighty percent accurate.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.” Cassie opened her car and ushered them in. “So just out of curiosity—”

“You’re self-protective and wary, but under that jokey facade is a heart of gold,” said Kevin.

“Not me. I’m curious what you think about Deirdre. And I’m not jokey,” she ended in a mutter. “I’m funny. There’s a difference.” She pulled out of the lot and headed down the hill toward their next stop.

“My bad. Wrong word choice. Okay, Deirdre.” He thought for a moment.

Cassie started to speak, but Holly shushed her. “This is part of his process,” she stage-whispered. “This is how the magic happens.”

Kevin chuckled and settled deeper into his seat, his knees knocking against her dashboard. His long legs, with those powerful-looking thighs, were hard to ignore. Not that Cassie was trying, particularly. She was hyper-aware of him at all times.

“And the crystal ball says…Deirdre is filled with regret for her past actions. She’s definitely reformed. But she’s still an alpha chick and always will be.”

“An alpha chick? What’s that?”

“You don’t know? That’s odd, since you’re one too.”

Cassie gave him a sideways scowl. “I highly doubt that, but go ahead, define it for me.”

“The alpha is the leader of the pack, someone who’s in charge. The dominant one of the group.”

“You’re talking about wolves?”

“Yes, but their social structure is pretty fascinating. You see the same patterns with groups of people too. In the Air Force, for instance, everyone has a bit of alpha in them; you have to, just to do the job. But in the context of the organization, the generals are the top alphas. There’s a pecking order.”

“Now you’re talking about chickens.”

In the backseat, Holly burst into laughter. Kevin’s lips twitched as well; Cassie noticed when she took her eyes off the road for a second.

“My point is, both you and Deirdre are alpha females. That’s probably why you clashed in high school. She might have seen you as a threat to her leadership.”

Holly poked her head between the seats. “See what I have to put up with? When Mom left, Dad bought three hundred books on child-rearing. I think they’re all mushed up in his brain like soup.”

“Would that be chicken soup?” Cassie grinned at Kevin, who rubbed his temples in mock-pain.

“Hey, you guys asked. I answered. Can we be done with this topic now?”

“Almost. I just want to add that I think your analysis is way off. I’m no alpha, I’m a lone wolf.” Cassie heard the wistful catch in her voice as she spoke those words. Even though she’d been with her mother for the past twelve years, much of that time had been lonely—always dealing with other adults, often filled with worry and uncertainty about her mom. She’d missed her brothers, she’d missed her old high school, her friends. She’d become the master of the sporadic postcard.

She hadn’t felt like a lone wolf so much as a baby wolf who’d lost her pack.

“If you say so,” Kevin said. “However, lone wolves are more complex than you think. Sometimes a lone wolf crosses into a new territory and ends up mating with a new pack. Sometimes a lone wolf will return to its birth pack. So you could be that kind of wolf. I mean, not to beat a dead horse or anything.”

“Oh, so it’s horses now? I can’t keep track.”

Kevin threw up his hands in defeat. “Forget it. I’m done. But I think you should have lunch with Deirdre since she keeps asking.”

Cassie sighed again. “I’m afraid that might be too risky. There’s a higher-than-average chance that I might throat punch her the way I always wanted to.”

“See that?” Kevin pointed at her. “Alpha.”

Cassie glanced at the rearview mirror and met Holly’s gaze. “Holly, you have my deepest sympathies, you really do. Just for that, you get to pick our lunch place. Outer Crust Pizza or sandwiches?”

“Sushi.”

Kevin laughed. “See what I deal with? Send some of that sympathy my way, please.”

But from the affectionate, teasing tone in his voice, it was clear the two of them adored each other. And based on Holly’s attitude, they were something beyond that—a tight little two-person family with a “No Outsiders Allowed” sign painted on the front door.