The older woman nodded. “And we all know how much Xander needs her. I was afraid she’d be too late.”
Beatrice turned back toward the door, waving at another woman around her age. “Oh, there’s Elsie. We need to talk. It’s been nice meeting you, dear. Welcome to Amesport.” She patted Julian on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re happy now, Julian. Take care of your beautiful wife.”
“You know I will,” he answered.
I watched as the petite, elderly woman made her way back to the door and embraced her friend.
I clutched the stone tighter in my fist, trying to get rid of the weird feeling that it was meant to be mine. “Did that really just happen?”
Julian chuckled. “It did. I think you’ll find out that Amesport is a colorful town. But there’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
“Did she really predict your soulmates, or is she delusional?”
“Actually, she did. None of us know if it was coincidence or psychic magic, but we’re too happy to care.”
“Interesting,” I mumbled, knowing that Beatrice would be disappointed this time. I quickly dropped the stone into my handbag, which was hanging on the back of my chair.
“I think so,” Julian teased. “Honestly, I hope she’s right.”
I stood, sucked down the last of my coffee and grabbed my purse. “Why? The last thing your brother needs right now is a relationship. And I certainly don’t.”
Julian rose. “I don’t have a damn clue what my brother needs, Samantha. There’s not much we haven’t tried.”
“Please call me Sam.” I held out my hand.
Julian reached out and shook with a firm grasp. “Sam,” he corrected. “Honestly, I don’t care how you help Xander. I just want my little brother back.”
I nodded. “It could be a twisted road,” I warned. “And if he doesn’t want to talk to me, then I can’t be a companion to him. You’ll have to settle for his house being clean.”
“I’m willing to wait,” he answered hoarsely as he released my hand.
“I’ll be in touch.” I put the cross-body strap of my bag over my head.
“Do you want me to drive you?” he asked as he accompanied me from the building.
“No, thanks. I’ll find him.” I was better off approaching Xander alone. If he wasn’t thrilled about having company, I’d rather choose my own methods of persuasion.
I’ll figure it out when I meet Xander, but I am getting into that house.
“Take care,” Julian said as we parted ways outside. “If things get rough, call me.”
I nodded as I made my way to my compact car, hitting a button on the keychain to open the door as I absorbed the scent and warmth of a perfect summer day on the Atlantic coast.
The town was packed with tourists, most of them heading to the beach. I was momentarily diverted as I listened to the sound of the waves, and the smell of salt water lingering in the air.
I wanted to explore all of the little shops along Main Street, but a different, more intense mission was calling me, so the town and the beach would wait.
With one last deep breath of the outdoors, I situated myself in the driver’s seat and maneuvered my car out of town.
I was beyond ready to meet Xander Sinclair.
I just hoped he was ready for me.
Chapter 2
Xander
All I wanted was a goddamn drink! Why in the fuck was I still fighting falling off the sobriety wagon?
The seduction of successfully blocking out reality with alcohol or drugs haunted me every minute of every day, taunting me to give in. I wasn’t bullshitting myself into thinking that one drink would help. I wanted the whole fucking bottle.
Yeah, I’d been through the Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous routine. More than once. I’d never made it past the first step in the twelve-step programs. I’d given my counselor the necessary assurance that I had so I could get the hell out of rehab. And I could admit that I was powerless in the face of alcohol and drugs. But that was it.
There was no sanity for me.
I couldn’t give my shit over to a power greater than myself.
And I sure as hell had never made some kind of fearless and moral inventory of my actions. If I tried to search my soul, all I’d find was an all-consuming darkness.
My moral compass was all fucked up. The only thing keeping me from shooting up, popping some pills or swallowing a pint was my two older brothers. They’d been through enough, and they were finally happy. I didn’t want my stupid ass to mess up their well-deserved peace. Julian and Micah had put up with enough of my bullshit—everything from overdoses to near-lethal alcohol limits that put me in the hospital or rehab.
I could take care of myself now, and I was trying to prove that point to them by staying sober and clean.
Even if it killed me.
And to be honest, I kind of felt like I was dying right now.
But I sure as hell didn’t want a babysitter. The last thing I needed was somebody here in my house day and night.
I didn’t particularly like company; I preferred to wallow in my misery alone.
A cook and a housekeeper? Why did I need to give a shit if my place wasn’t a showplace? I wasn’t exactly entertaining. I didn’t have guests except my brothers, and occasionally Liam Sullivan.
“Housekeeper, my ass,” I mumbled as I tossed an empty soda can toward the overflowing trash, not surprised when it bounced off the pile of rubbish and landed on the floor.
I ignored it, just like I always did.
Julian had mentioned some guy named Sam was coming over today, but I’d told him not to send him. I didn’t want a roommate, even if the man cleaned and cooked. Did my brothers honestly think I was that stupid? I had no doubt my brothers wanted someone to watch over me, make sure I didn’t fall off the wagon.
I didn’t like people.
I didn’t like loud noises.
And if I got hungry, I could eat a sandwich or something I could toss in the microwave.
The doorbell rang, and I hauled my ass off the couch reluctantly, hoping to hell my older brothers hadn’t really followed through on their threat to send me a housekeeper. If they had, I’d send him packing. Or maybe he’d take one look inside the house and run away screaming. Either way, I’d make sure he had no delusions about working for me.
It wasn’t happening.
I was accustomed to drowning in my despair alone, and that was the way I liked it.
I tripped over some junk on the way to the door, and kicked it aside as I made my way to the front entrance. Some small part of me wished it was one of my brothers or Liam. Damn! I missed seeing Julian and Micah, but I was fucked up company right now.
I pulled the door open…then stood absolutely still as I saw the woman on my doorstep. It was impossible not to notice the wheeled suitcase she was dragging behind her.
My housekeeper?
No fucking way!