Nick watched Dax as he attempted to make the next shot, his head clearly not in the game despite the merriment of the other men. The guy was undoubtedly tied up in knots about the conversation he was going to have with his fiancée, and rightfully so.

When Nick discovered that his younger brother had been sleeping with both Janie and Sara in Mexico and had never come clean about it before setting Nick up with Sara, he’d been pissed as hell. Dax should have been up-front with Janie and Nick from the beginning.

It was just like Dax to think he wouldn’t have to confront the error of his ways. His younger brother had jumped into things without worrying about the consequences of his actions his entire life, often not having to face the music because of some miraculous—or motherly—intervention.

But there was no miracle to be had here, and Dax was going to pay for his shortsightedness. Nick just hoped that it wouldn’t be in a way that would cause long-term damage.

Like being left at the altar.

It was time Nick had it out with Dax. Enough was enough. He didn’t like seeing his brother so torn up, obviously needing someone to talk to about this. He waited until the guys were climbing into the golf cart to grab Dax. “Why don’t you and I walk to the next hole. There is something I want to talk to you about.”

“Okay,” Dax said, appearing even more miserable.

They walked a minute while Nick wrestled with what to say. Dax took it on himself to speak first. “Nick, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for some time, something that’s been eating away at me. It’s about Sara.”

Nick considered letting his brother squirm, to make him find the tough words that should have been spoken long ago, but he had mercy. He knew the hardest conversation was still to come. “Dax, I already know. About Mexico.”

Dax paused mid-step. “Wait. You know? How? When?”

“I overheard you and Sara arguing about it last year, after you announced your engagement to Janie.”

“Shit. I’m sorry, Nick. I didn’t want you to find out like that. I don’t know what I was thinking, not when I was with her or when I kept it from you and Janie…I screwed up.”

“Yes, you did, and you screwed up this morning when you decided to have a repeat of that chat with Sara in the kitchen. Anna overheard.”

Dax stared at him in horror. “You don’t think she’ll tell Janie?”

“Nah. She is going to give you the pleasure of doing that, as long as you do it soon. Which begs the question, why the hell did you wait so long?”

“I was scared shitless I’d lose her. Our relationship was so new; I didn’t think it would take much to send her running. It wasn’t like she didn’t already have a ton of guys into her. I thought that with time, as we became more certain of each other, it would get easier to tell her, but I kept chickening out. Then, as you obviously heard, I was ready to after our engagement, but Sara made all those points about why it was best for both of us not to rehash the past and I buckled.”

“You could have told me. Let me know what kind of a person I was getting involved with. It might have saved both her and me a lot of time.”

“Yeah. I know, and I’m sorry. I really am. The thing that’s ironic is that long ago I swore that once I found someone I cared about, I would never betray them or give them reason to doubt our love. And now…I’m just like him.”

This time Nick nearly stumbled as he cast a glance at his brother. “Him?”

“Dad. You don’t have to protect me from the truth, Nick. I figured it out a long time ago.”

Nick looked incredulously at his brother, questions jumping out such as for how long had his brother known and how had he found out, but he realized they didn’t have the time to delve into that now.

“Do you think Mom knew?” Dax asked.

“Well, considering the fact that both of her sons knew—and neither of us were particularly sleuth-like—it’s a good assumption. She confirmed it for me today, in fact.”

“She did? How did that come up?”

“When she was trying to tell me all the reasons I should consider marrying Sara, who would be my partner just as Mom was to Dad. Fidelity didn’t seem that important to her.” Up ahead, they could see the guys already in position, ready to tee off again. They didn’t have much time. “So what now? Because as I see it, you’re running out of opportunities to tell Janie the truth. The wedding is tomorrow.”

“I know, it’s just that every time I tried today, something came up. I will. I’m just glad I no longer have to worry about how this is going to affect you, affect us, because I owe you so much, man. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“It’s all right. Just do the right thing. And grovel. A lot.”

“Speaking of groveling… You and Anna seem to have reached some sort of truce yourselves. You know, if things work out the way I’m hoping with Janie, we could always try and do the whole Brady double wedding thing. Mom would love it.”

Nick chuckled at that image, but he quickly sobered at the thought of standing next to Anna, saying he was ready to commit to her for the rest of their lives.

It didn’t sound so funny anymore.

* * *

While Jake gave a rambling toast to the happy couple—clearly imbibing more of the wine than the food—Anna studied the room where tonight’s rehearsal dinner was being held, still in awe of the transformation that Lorenzo had given the wine cellar in one day.

It was better than she’d hoped.

Candles and pendant lighting warmed the dark recesses of the subterranean room. Linens as red as the burgundy wine in the glasses and peonies and roses in white and pink covered the tables. The vibe was romantic, the heady aroma of tonight’s food was enticing, and the best man sitting next to her…intoxicating.

It had been jarring seeing him again at the church after having spent hours thinking about him thanks to too much downtime at the spa. It had helped her put things in perspective. About their history, about his so-called charmed existence growing up a St. Claire, and, most particularly, about how quickly she was discovering she cared about him and wanted the best for him.

No, how she wanted…him.

Not that she could tell him that. She was grateful she hadn’t done anything stupid when their eyes met for the briefest moment as she walked down the aisle during the rehearsal and a rush of crazy emotions flooded her.

But here, right now, his arm just a few inches from hers, his fingers clasping the stem of his water glass as he kept his eyes trained on Jake, she was aware of every detail about him. The jagged edges of his cuticles. The way he rubbed his fingers over his chin when he was deep in thought. The way his bottom lip puckered in in the middle as if inviting someone to tease it with their tongue. The heat that seemed to emanate from his skin that made her want to reach out and touch him and feel its warmth.

All combined gave her a heady, giddy feeling.

Raising her gaze, she caught sight of another person who appeared to be studying…her. With her silvery-gray hair, a teal-colored shawl that complemented her coloring, and a calm aura about her, the woman was the epitome of elegance and beauty. Probably close to her late sixties, the woman was seated next to Elise Van Hollins, who, thankfully, along with Kathryn St. Claire, was seated at a separate table this evening.

Anna wondered who the woman was and why she had attracted her attention. Nervously, Anna pulled her gaze away and brought it back to Jake, who was wrapping up his story, encouraged by the audience’s applause.

“Everything all right?” Nick asked near her ear, his breath a whisper that tickled the sensitive skin under her lobe.

Even though she hadn’t said anything or thought she’d acted any differently, he’d picked up on her unease. “Just a lot more people around tonight who I don’t know.”

His arm moved closer to hers, subtly, so that their forearms were nearly touching. Then his pinky stretched the last inch until it touched her.

“You belong here, Anna. Don’t doubt that for a minute.”

His voice was like butter, and she was instantly comforted. She risked a glance at him and was nearly undone by the warmth in those dark eyes. Not just warmth, but need. For her.

She swallowed. Her heart was beating loud and fast, and she took a breath to calm it. He’d grown bolder and covered her hand with his, the gentleness of his fingertips across the top of her hand mesmerizing her.

“Anna, Nick,” Janie said loudly enough to have Anna pulling her hand away from Nick. “I can’t thank you two enough for finding this place. It’s exactly what I wanted for tonight. Inviting, relaxed, and so romantic,” she said, tucking her arm into Dax’s, who was sitting on her other side. “I especially can’t wait until Dax and I can get away to find a certain apple tree I hear is positively magical.”

Dear God. She hadn’t just said that.

What had Anna been thinking when she confided that intimate detail with Janie after showering the remnants of the seaweed mixture from their bodies and taking a few minutes to sit in the sauna together? The peppermint tea must have been drugged. That’s it.

“Magical, huh?” Nick asked and returned his hand to hers, this time capturing both Dax’s and Janie’s attention.

She couldn’t look at him. “I don’t remember putting it exactly like that.”

“I think I’m missing something,” Dax said.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll fill you in as soon as we can get away for our own little magic,” Janie said and nuzzled his jaw.

The moment was broken when a new voice rose above the din, another offering of a toast to the future bride and groom. Sara.

Anna looked at Dax, whose face seemed to have drained of blood, while Janie leaned forward in anticipation of what her friend might say.

Anna held her breath.

“Janie was a worldly thirteen years old that day she caught sight of the worldlier fourteen-year-old Dax,” Sara said, smiling easily. “Over a late-night campfire with s’mores and hot chocolate, the two of them decided they were meant for each other. Over the years, as they both grew older and wiser, they also grew apart. But the moment they set eyes on each other that night in Mexico, nearly ten years later, they both swore that the years melted away and, once again, they only had eyes for each other. Or at least, that’s how they’ve told it all these years.”

Sara paused, and her gaze fell on Dax, an unspoken message passing to him. A warning. A reminder of the eloquent words he’d claimed at their engagement party that Janie wouldn’t find so romantic and heartfelt, especially once she learned he’d slipped away only hours after their reunion to spend the night with Janie’s best friend.

“And now, two years later, we’re finally going to see the real-life fairy tale of their love come true as they get married. I’m sure all of us would like to raise our glasses again to wish our best to the happy couple on the eve of their wedding.” She raised her glass. “To true love.”

Man. She was good.

Anna glanced over to Janie, who beamed at her friend before kissing Dax loudly on the cheek.

“Thank you, Sara,” Janie said, having risen to her feet. “You’ve always been such a good friend and I’m so happy you could be here today. That all of you could be here. I know that tomorrow is going to be absolutely perfect, just like my love for Dax.” More oohing and aahing as everyone raised their glasses again. “So, please, feel free to relax and enjoy another glass of wine or more of this delicious food. There’s also a table filled with chocolate temptations waiting up the stairs if you care to hang out a little longer, or maybe take a walk under the stars. I’ll see you all tomorrow. I’ll be the girl in white.”

It was the cue people seemed to be waiting for as many of them rose, taking a second to shake hands, give hugs, and move around to speak to those they might not have had a chance to before.

Nick stood, too, buttoning his dinner jacket as he did. “I’ll be right back. I need to go speak with Sara. Will you be okay?”

What on earth could he say to Sara that would make any of this better? But she didn’t ask, just nodded. It appeared that Janie and Dax had also slipped away, something that brought Anna a sense of relief. The dinner had at least reached its end before disaster, though the knot of anxiety in Anna’s stomach made her question what was still to come.

If she was worried she wouldn’t have anyone to talk to, she could have saved herself the concern, for the older woman who’d been studying her before sank into Janie’s seat and positioned her shawl around her. Jasmine. She smelled of jasmine and…honeysuckle.

“Good evening, dear,” she said and raised her blue eyes to Anna’s, an easy smile on her feathery-thin lips. “You must be my niece, Anna. I would know those Van Hollins eyes and those cheekbones anywhere. I’m Lenore, Malcolm’s sister. I’m happy to finally meet you.”

This was the woman who used to bring Janie cotton-candy-flavored jelly beans and take her to the Space Needle and the carousel in the park? Anna felt a sudden strange sense of loss at not having the same opportunity.

“Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed meeting you sooner,” she continued, not waiting for Anna’s response. “But I was told in no uncertain terms that Rachel was raising you alone and my interference was the last thing anyone needed. Although I may not have been actively involved in your life, I did follow your progress all these years.”

“You knew about me?” Anna asked in surprise.

“I did. I was fond of your mother back when she and Malcolm were together and was disappointed when they ended things. Rachel always liked her independence and Malcolm needed someone who…well, needed him. Rachel certainly did not.”

That about summed up her mother.

The old woman continued to study Anna’s face. “I am glad to finally make your acquaintance, Anna. I hope you’ll give us the chance to get to know each other.”

“I…I would like that.” Oddly enough, she meant it. Coming into this thing, she’d had no intention of having a relationship with any of these people. Her purpose was to get in here, do her time and get the story, and get back out, returning to her normally scheduled life.

Then, little by little, she’d found herself opening up thanks to a sweet but pushy and somewhat needy younger sister, not to mention an enigmatic man who made her see everything from a different perspective. He opened her eyes so she could appreciate her past and the people who’d made her who she was, for better or worse.

“I’m glad to hear that. I didn’t know what you’d say when you met me. I half feared you might tell me go to hell and you would have been completely entitled. I’m glad that you’re far more clear-headed than me.”

Anna managed a smile, but something the woman said was niggling at her. “You mentioned that you’d been following my progress? How do you mean?”

The woman pursed her lips in a secretive smile. “Let’s just say I have a lot of friends in San Francisco, friends with influence, who kept me apprised of your progress. And when that little kerfuffle between you and the St. Claire boy came up, I might have had a hand in making sure you were equally represented at the school’s disciplinary board.” She looked over at Kathryn, who was speaking to a few older men Anna didn’t recognize. “Kathryn St. Claire always did have too high of an opinion of herself.”

Anna didn’t know how to react. She was stunned. She supposed she should feel grateful for her interference, if what she said was true, but instead, she felt even more cheated. If this woman cared, why hadn’t she made her presence known then? God knew that Anna could have used an ally back then. She loved her mother and was very proud of all that Rachel had accomplished, but she was busy with her work and Anna’s life had been, at times, lonely.

“I guess I owe you a thanks.”

“Please. That was the least I could do and you very well know it. Now, I can see that the passage of time has changed a few things, not the least of which is your feelings where the St. Claire boy is concerned. He’s really quite the charmer. He reminds me a bit of my late husband.”

How could she even know this? It wasn’t like she or Nick had been flirting or kissing. Heck, they’d barely touched in the space of time they’d sat next to each other. Were her feelings that obvious to everyone?

A sudden rising inexplicable panic gripped her.

Air. Anna needed air.

“As much as I’d like to catch up, I’m supposed to be helping with the dessert table if you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course,” the older woman said, her eyes too understanding.

Anna pushed away from the table and looked for the stairs and the way up and out of the suddenly suffocating atmosphere of the room.

The cold Napa night air was a welcome sensation from the earlier heat, and she gasped in its sharpness.

There was a burning sense of emotion thrumming through her that she hadn’t previously recognized. Anger, frustration, and incredible sadness.

Emotions directed at a father who’d abandoned her and who she couldn’t confront since he was gone, but she also could recognize anger that she’d been holding on to for her mother.

Rachel had been independent. Stubbornly so. If she had relinquished some of that independence, especially with regard to rearing her daughter, what would Anna’s life have been like? Would she have known Janie? Lenore? Maybe even Malcolm?

A hot tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it away.

She’d always felt rejected by her family. Unwanted. Not worthy. Could things have been different?

From behind her, a warm hand rested on her shoulder and she looked up to find Nick staring at her in concern. “Hey. You okay? What happened?”

“I…I just needed to catch my breath is all.”

Only, for some crazy reason, the tears she’d held back were flooding her eyes and raining down her cheeks, and she strangled back a sob.

It was mortifying.

But instead of appearing disgusted or embarrassed by her show of emotion, Nick’s face was one of concern as he came forward and wrapped his arm around her.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here. My car is around back.”

Thank God. There was no way she was going to be able to stop this torrent of tears in time to board the bus. The last thing she wanted was to have to explain her breakdown.

“Here.” Without even asking, Nick was shrugging off his jacket and placing it around her shoulders.

Instantly, she was blanketed in its warm, protective softness that smelled distinctly like Nick. She instinctively brought it tighter around her.

Needing the comfort. The familiarity.

Knowing that, for the first time, she was with someone who really cared.

Against her will, a fresh bout of tears appeared.