The Sunstone Brooch : Time Travel Romance by Katherine Logan (comprehension books .TXT) 📗

fog that kept her from connecting to what Pops was saying. “I still don’t get it. We’ve never met.”

“I’m a cop, Ensley, and while I’m mostly a grandfather now, I do help Braham with security around here. The first time you and your cousin came to Mallory Plantation with JC, I did a background check, and I’ve kept up with you because you remind me of my late wife, Maggie.”

Pops shoved his hand in his pants pocket and moved his fingers around, clicking something that sounded like rosary beads. “In the interest of full disclosure, I consulted with David about agents and publishing companies and called in a favor to get Austin’s manuscript in front of you.”

Her mouth fell open. “I’ll be damned. I ruined your plan.”

“No, you didn’t, my dear. Even though you didn’t accept Austin’s manuscript, you saw the heart laid bare in the story, and your mind wanted to know the ending. So when you met him, you didn’t see the asshole. You saw the unfinished man and fell in love with him, warts and all.”

A tear streaked down Ensley’s face, and she gazed up at her man, the love of her life. “That’s exactly right, sir.”

Austin wiped away the tear and hugged her. “I didn’t know any of this.”

“I know you didn’t.”

“Maggie loved Austin,” Pops continued. “And even though he was only a baby when she died, our last conversations were about him. She made me promise to guide and protect him until he found the love of his life. Nobody else thought he was in any condition to be part of a rescue team. But Maggie knew, and at the planning meeting, she tugged on my heart until I had to overrule my children and give my grandson the toughest love of his life.”

Austin looked heavenward for a second, then back at Pops before hugging him. “Thank you for knowing me better than I knew myself. And thank you for Ensley.”

Pops reached in his pocket for a handkerchief and blew his nose. “I spent more time with you than I did with the others because I made the time. I did it for Maggie at first, but then I discovered how much you were like her. You have her gentle soul, and I knew I just couldn’t fail you.”

“You didn’t fail me, Pops. You did everything right. And I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”

“You didn’t cause any more trouble than the others.”

JL had tears in her eyes, too. “You always know just the right time to pull out a Maggie story, Pops. Thank you.” She looked at her dad and then her son. “I love you both, and I’m sorry that I can be such a bitch at times.”

Austin hugged her. “You know, don’t you, that I talk to Blane and Lance every day and have for the last year?”

She knuckled away a tear. “They disappeared about the same time every morning, and I couldn’t figure out what they were up to. Then several months ago, I overheard a conversation between them about keeping their secret with you. I didn’t want to do anything to interfere, so I kept quiet.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Did you know they call me JL?”

Austin nodded. “If you don’t stop it now, they won’t ever make the switch.”

“They want to do everything you do.”

Austin massaged the back of his neck, obviously struggling with something. “When I’m around them, I’ll call you Mom. That might help.”

More tears leaked from the corners of JL’s eyes. “It would make a huge difference. It just kills me when Lance tells people he doesn’t have a mom. He has a JL. It’s just what you used to say.”

The pain in JL’s voice made it clear how much it had hurt her to be unable to claim Austin as her child. And when Blane and Lance didn’t call her mom, it brought that pain front and center again.

Kenzie whispered to Ensley. “I can’t take all this soul-wringing.” She took Ensley’s arm and dragged her out of hearing range. “There’s a girls’ outing at two o’clock. We’re taking the pontoon out for a couple of hours, and you have to come. We’ll drink some beer, gossip about everybody who’s not there, and soak up the sun. What do you say?”

Ensley looked over at Austin. JL and Pops had left him for the food tables, and he was coming toward her. “What are you two cooking up?” he asked.

“Are you okay? That was a rough conversation.”

“Whenever I’ve veered off course, Pops has always reminded me of what he promised Mom, and it always makes me feel cheated because she died before I knew her. But you know what? JL, Jeff, Shane, Connor, and Rick loved her and lost her, and her death broke their hearts. I got to love her through their eyes without the grief of losing her. Maybe I wasn’t cheated after all.”

“I wish I had someone around to tell me stories about Erik. I feel cheated.”

“Maybe Tavis knows more about him,” Kenzie said.

“Maybe.”

“So what were you two talking about when I walked up?” Austin asked. “It looked like you were plotting something.”

“We want to take Ensley out on Charlotte’s pontoon this afternoon,” Kenzie said.

“You should go. You’ll have a blast. From what I hear, there’s lots of beer, nude sunbathing, and gossiping about sex.”

“I don’t know about the nude sunbathing, but beer and gossiping works for me. But what are you going to do?”

“The guys are planning to go fishing, drink beer, and talk about sports.”

“Are you going?” Ensley asked.

“Only if you’re going with the girls.”

“Geez,” Kenzie said. “You should hear yourselves. You’ve spent way too much time together lately. Take a break. When you see each other again, it’ll be twice as hot.”

Matt Kelly approached them and introduced himself to Ensley. “I heard you spent a few weeks with Teddy Roosevelt. I’m a huge Roosevelt fan, so I hope you’ll share your experiences with me.”

“I’ll be thrilled, Mr. Kelly—”

“Matt,” he said.

“Okay, Matt. I have