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people simply don’t have any manners, and don’t even think about protocol,” Liam finally said as he tossed down his napkin with some vehemence.
    His father made a valiant effort to look serious and then his lips twitched before he burst into laughter.
    “I’m sorry, son, but I think you need to lighten up. They’re a delight, and you wanted them here as much as I did, so you’re just going to have to deal with it.”
    “I don’t think I like their effect on you,” Liam said with all the power he could manage in his voice.
    “Well, you’d better get used to it, because I’m hoping and praying that they don’t want to leave right away.”
    Liam said nothing further. What would be the point? His father was obviously amused by the rude behavior they’d both witnessed, so what good would it do to say anything more?
    The funny thing was that as he and his father sipped on their after-dinner cognac, Liam’s gaze kept returning to the open doorway. He wanted to hunt down a certain woman and see what she planned on doing next.
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Whitney tucked Ally beneath her beautiful pink satin coverlet and sat there while the child said her prayers. Bedtime was special, and the part of the day she enjoyed with the kids the most. She loved the intimate time with her innocent niece, and Brayden also seemed to let his guard down just the tiniest bit, sometimes even enough to allow his aunt to kiss him on the forehead.
    “Please bless Mommy and Daddy, and watch over them. And please take care of my new family, especially my grandpa. Oh, and please keep Aunt Whitney safe, too. Amen.” Ally’s words brought a tear to Whitney’s eye.
    “That was a beautiful prayer, my sweet angel.”
    “I love you, Aunt Whitney,” Ally mumbled sleepily, and she rubbed her eyes.
    “I love you, too.” Whitney read Ally her favorite Snow White princess story, and, after giving her a goodnight kiss, went to find Brayden. He was sitting in his room, listening to music, and he refused to acknowledge her.
    “Oh, Brayden, you don’t have to be so distant,” Whitney said as she sat next to him. “This is your family. They want to know you.”
    “They sure didn’t want to know us for the past nine years,” he said with a pout.
    “Honey, they didn’t know you were alive until now, and look how quickly they begged to see you. Maybe it’s time for you to let go of the past and focus on the future instead.” If only she could simply erase all the hurt from her nephew’s life.
    “What does it matter to you?” he asked with suspicion. And then fear entered his eyes. “Are you just trying to get rid of us?”
    “You know I wouldn’t ever do that. I love you so much,” she insisted. She grabbed his hand and was surprised when he didn’t brush it off. “I just want for you to not be so angry, Brayden.”
    “Whatever. You’re not my mom, not even kind of close to her, so why don’t you quit trying to act like it?”
    That broke her heart in half, and she had to fight not to cry.
    “I know I’m not your mom, and I would never want to replace her. But I do love you and your sister more than anyone else on this planet, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss your parents as much as you do.”
    “Well, I think you just want these strangers here to take us so you can go away like my mom did.”
    “Brayden, I can’t even imagine my life without you. I have loved you from the moment I first held you in my arms, and that was when you were only a few minutes old. I love you even more as I watch you turning into a young man. I will never leave you, not ever. I know you’re having a hard time trusting people right now, and you’ve been through more than any child should ever have to deal with. But in time you’ll know that you can trust me to never leave you. Give things time. As an old saying tells us, time will heal your wounds, I promise.” Whitney leaned in and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
    “I want to go