A Family, At Last

“All right.”

She took a couple of steps then stopped. “I look horrible, don’t I?”

Honestly, she looked like she’d been wrung through a wringer. “You look tired.”

She sort of laughed. “That was kind—thank you.”

His parents were on the porch saying goodbye to his other sister, Haley.

“Thank you for including me,” Karyn said to his mother. “I’m sorry I conked out on you.”

Dori pulled her in for a hug. Vaughn was afraid it would set Karyn off again, but she did okay.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Dori said.

“I’ll try to stay awake. Good night, sir,” Karyn said to Jim, shaking his hand. “You have a wonderful family.”

“Appreciate it,” he said.

Adam shut the back door of the truck as they approached. “She’s out cold.”

“Thanks. See you later.”

The drive was quiet. No conversation, no music, and the weather crystal clear. When they reached his house, he carried Cassidy while Karyn teetered on those amazing high heels. They climbed the stairs together. Karyn opened Cass’s door for them.

“Thanks.”

“Thank you, Vaughn. You’ve been very thoughtful. Good night.”

“Sleep in. We won’t have to leave until eleven.”

She nodded then disappeared into the guest room.

* * *

As he tucked his daughter into bed, his thoughts kept going to Karyn. He couldn’t let himself get attached to her—he knew that for a fact. If she was Cass’s aunt, she would be in their lives forever. If she wasn’t related, this would be it, a one-time visit. They lived too far apart. She had a career in Los Angeles. His was here.