Emma held onto Cora as she cried. The lights had been turned back on and there were half a dozen people standing in JT’s kitchen, but Emma’s arms held tight.

“I didn’t know,” Cora said softly.

“No one did.” She ran her good hand down the girl’s red hair.

“I had a sister,” she repeated.

“You still do,” Emma said, nodding towards the doorway, just as Kayla rushed in.

Kayla dashed across the room and gathered Cora in her arms.

“Are you okay?” Kayla asked, her eyes moving to Emma’s over Cora’s head.

“I’m fine,” Cora said into her sister’s shoulder. “She killed Lori.” She leaned back and spilled everything that her mother had confessed in one quick breath.

“I know, I talked with JT outside.” Kayla wiped a tear from Cora’s face. “They’re taking your mother to the hospital. Rowan thinks that she’ll be okay.”

“I don’t care.” Cora sniffled. “She’s a murderer.”

“She’s still your mother,” Emma said as she stood up.

“She’s probably the one that left the scary note for you.”

Emma shook her head. “I… what makes you say that?”

“JT told me about it, but I didn’t piece it together, until… She used to leave me strange notes. Threats almost. Things like, if you leave, you’ll never dance again.”

“My god,” Kayla said softly.

“She was sick,” Cora said, wiping her face with the sleeve of her hoodie. “Dad or Aunt Patty would be there or they would check her into Twin Valley again.”

“I’m sorry.” Emma moved closer.

“If she thought JT was a threat, she would have probably killed him,” Cora said, looking down at her hands.

“What stopped her? Why didn’t she?” Kayla asked.

“I was here,” Emma said softly.

Just then, JT walked in with Brock.

“We’ve got your mother on a chopper heading towards Portland. Rowan rode along.” Brock nodded to Kayla.

“He says she’ll make a full recovery.” JT walked over and wrapped his arms around Emma. “Great shot.”

“I didn’t want to kill her,” Emma added. She’d aimed for the woman’s arms, but because she was using her left hand, and shaking so bad, she’d hit the woman’s shoulder instead.

“She’ll get the help she needs. But it looks like this might be cause enough to give her a permanent residence in an institution.”

“She belongs there.” Cora sighed. “She killed Lori. My sister.” Cora’s eyes turned to JT’s. “How was it possible she was my sister and not yours?”

He sighed. “I’m not sure, but I’m willing to head into town and find out. If you’re game?” His eyes moved around the crowd.

“I think it can wait until tomorrow,” Kayla said.

“You’re right,” JT said, walking over and wrapping his arms around his sisters. “No matter what, we’re family now.” He kissed both of them on the foreheads.

Almost two hours later, with Cora tucked in the room next to them, Emma laid in JT’s arms and listened to his heartbeat. She’d come so close to losing him.

Closing her eyes, she felt the fear rise once more.

“Don’t,” he said softly as his hand ran through her hair. “Don’t think about it anymore tonight.”

“How did you know?” she asked, glancing up at him.

“I felt your heart kick.” He pressed her body tighter to his. “Much like mine did on many occasions tonight.”

“I almost lost you.” She tucked her hand under her chin and looked at his face. The moonlight was streaming in his windows, casting shadows across his face. He was so handsome. She wondered why she’d been lucky enough to fall in love with someone as wonderful as he was.

“We got lucky.” He glanced down at her.

“Yes, we did,” she agreed. “JT?” She nudged up until she rested on her elbow. Her casted wrist lay across his bare chest. The bright pink contrasted against his tan and toned body. “There’s something I’ve been putting off… telling you.”

He smiled. “So, say it already.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You know?”

He chuckled. “I’ve had my suspicions.”

“What do you think?” she asked, moving further back so she could see his face clearly.

“I’m in full agreement.” He nodded.

“With?” She nudged him.

“Your assessment.” He laughed and tried to pull her back down. When she remained still, he sighed. “I feel the same way.” He reached up and cupped her face. “Say it,” he whispered as his lips brushed across hers.

“I love you,” she said softly.

“I love you more,” he said, and then he kissed her and made her forget about everything else except him.

* * *

JT sat between Emma and Cora on his mother’s sofa the next morning. Kayla had taken Connor James into the kitchen so he could color at the table, while his mother sat across from them in her favorite leather chair.

It was hard to imagine that less than six months ago, this room had been completely buried in books, papers, and junk. He’s struggled for years to figure out how to motivate her to clean her place up. In the end, all it had taken was her love for her grandson.

When Kayla walked back into the room, she nodded to JT.

“Mom, this is Cora… Thomas,” JT said. He watched his mother’s eyes move to Cora and widen.

When Mary had opened the door and seen Cora standing behind Emma, her eyes had grown big, but she’d remained silent until now.

“You… you’re her, aren’t you?” Mary said.

“I’m Lori’s sister, yes,” Cora said softly.

JT hadn’t expected his mother to burst into tears. “I tried, for so many years. I really did.” She cried. “I kept the secret. I promised Paul I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Mom?” Kayla rushed to her side and handed her a tissue. “What?”

“It was Paul… You see, I was pregnant, after JT.” His mother sniffled. “But the boy was stillborn.” She closed her eyes. “He was so beautiful.” She sighed and wiped her eyes again. “Then Paul came home with the girl. She looked so cute with her little red curls. I fell in love instantly. He told me not to ask questions. That the parents no longer wanted her.” She looked up at him. “It was different times. I was so sad about… Charlie, your brother. I wanted a baby so bad. So, I remained quiet.”

“She wasn’t yours?” Kayla said, softly.

“She was mine. I was there, for every moment,” Mary added, straightening her shoulders. “Then, when she was taken away from me, I thought it was my punishment for… lying about her all those years.”

“No.” Kayla knelt in front of their mother. Mary cupped her face.

“You were my miracle child.” She smiled, then her eyes moved to Cora. “You’re his, too. Aren’t you?”

“Paul is my father. My parents were married, before… you and after…”

“I knew he’d been married before, but he wouldn’t talk about his life before us.” His mother sighed. “Your mother?”

“Murdered Lori,” Cora said. Her eyes were still red and he could tell she was still angry.

His mother burst into a fresh wave of tears. “Why?” She cried on Kayla’s shoulders. “Why would she murder my baby?”

“My mother is…” Cora started to say, but then she stood up and rushed from the room. JT was relieved when she ran towards the kitchen, not the front door. He didn’t want to have to go chasing after her around town.

“Mom, Cora’s mother, Pam, is mentally ill.”

“Go.” Kayla motioned towards the kitchen. “We’ll fill her in. Make sure she’s okay.”

He nodded, then glanced down at Emma, who smiled up at him. “She needs you,” she mouthed.

When he walked into the kitchen, he was shocked to see Connor sitting on Cora’s lap as the pair colored in his book.

“Hey,” JT said, sitting next to them.

“Hey,” Cora said, keeping her eyes on the paper as JT colored.

“Aunt Cora is helping me color the doggies.” CJ smiled up at him.

“Aunt Cora?” JT smiled and noticed Cora’s lips twitch.

“I’m going to milk every ounce I can out of being part of this family.” She glanced up at him through thick lashes. “I always wanted a brother and sister.”

“Well, now you have us.” JT reached over and placed a hand over hers.

“I’m sorry my mother did…”—she looked down at CJ—“those things.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“Saying you’re sorry is a good thing,” CJ added, picking up a different crayon. “It’s good for the soul. So are cookies.” The kid had the saddest puppy dog eyes he’d ever seen.

JT chuckled and stood up to grab a plate full of cookies he knew his mother kept in the cupboard.

He set them down and laid a hand on Cora’s shoulder. “We’re happy to have you in the family.”

She set CJ down and walked into his arms. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“So am I.” He leaned back. “I should have been there for Lori. I wasn’t a good brother, but I promise you, I’m getting better at it.”

She smiled up at him. “If you and Emma give me more nieces and nephews, I’ll forgive you.”

He coughed and blinked a few times.

“You are going to marry her, right?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’d be stupid not to.”

“I… Jesus.” He swiped his hands through his hair. “I hadn’t…”

“You love her, she loves you,” she added.

“My mommy and Row are getting married,” CJ added in.

“I…” He thought about it, and suddenly, it was that simple. A slow smile formed on his lips.

“Good.” Cora nodded her head as she took a deep breath. “Now, I have the perfect idea on how you should ask her.”