Ethan lost himself in the rhythmic sounds of the churning wheels of his bike as he rounded the first bend of a ten-mile ride. He enjoyed the feel of the cool air on his face as he rode, pushing himself hard to help take the edge off his mood, but so far it hadn’t helped.
* * *
Jordin hummed softly as she strolled into the lobby of the building where she worked. She was joined a few minutes later by an associate. “Good morning, Keith.”
“Morning,” the man uttered in response with his jaw clenched.
She knew that his scowl wasn’t aimed at anyone or anything in particular, but she did not try to initiate him in conversation. Jordin moved out of his way as he stabbed the elevator control panel. Keith was a brilliant lawyer and charismatic in the courtroom. Outside of this, he was not necessarily a people person.
The elevator doors slid open minutes later to reveal the reception desk and waiting area of the DuGrandpre Law Offices. Keith’s nod to the receptionist was curt but polite as he moved past her toward his office.
Jordin smiled. “Good morning, Charlotte.”
The woman smiled in return. “It’s always nice to see your sunny smile, especially after a cloud blows through.”
She knew Charlotte was referring to Keith and chuckled softly. “Be nice...”
Jordin stopped in front of her father’s secretary. “Is my dad in yet?” She asked as her fingers drummed distractedly on the desk.
“He should be here within the hour.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Humming softly, Jordin made her way to her office, shutting the door behind her.
Ethan was opening a gym in Charleston. It was a great opportunity to try to reconnect with him, she considered. Then she could find out why he hadn’t kept his promise to stay in contact.
She sighed softly.
Jordin missed her best friend and longed to see him again, but it was best not to get her hopes up. The pain in her heart was like an old wound that ached on a rainy day.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her telephone.
It was her father’s secretary.
“Your father has arrived and he would like to see you.”
“I’ll be right there, Charlotte.”
Jordin left her office and walked the short distance to the large corner suite. “Good morning, Dad.”
Etienne smiled warmly. “I heard you were fantastic in court yesterday.”
She sat down in one of the visitor chairs. “I believed that my client was the best choice to raise his son and the judge agreed in light of the evidence.” Jordin paused a moment before adding, “I felt bad for the mother though, but she still has a lot to do before she can handle parenting.”
“How is the boy?”
Jordin smiled. “He’s happy. His mother will have supervised visitation every other weekend once she completes rehab.”
Her father nodded in approval. “That child’s happiness and safety is what is most important.”
She agreed.
A slender woman strolled into Etienne’s office without knocking.
“Good morning, Aunt Rochelle,” Jordin greeted.
A flash of annoyance crossed her father’s face. She knew that he only tolerated Rochelle out of respect for his brother. His sister-in-law was a great attorney, but otherwise a selfish and inconsiderate person.
“Hello, dear,” Rochelle responded. “You were on my mind last night, Jordin. I’m really surprised that you haven’t gotten married already. You’re pretty enough and I know how much you love children—”
Jordin quickly rose to her feet, and cut her off by saying, “I don’t want to hold you up so I’ll leave so you can talk with Dad.”
“Hon, can you drop these off with Ryker?” Rochelle asked, holding a thick folder.
“Sure.” Jordin cast a look of sympathy at her father before exiting his office. Her aunt had a good heart but she was snobbish, opinionated and very protective of her children. When Ryker and Garland first got married, her interference almost ruined their relationship.
Jordin walked briskly down the hall to where Ryker’s office was located. “These are from your mother.”
“Hey, did you know that Ethan is back in town, cousin?” he inquired when Jordin set the folder containing legal documents on his desk.
She felt a warm glow flow through her body and responded, “No, I didn’t know he was here. Have you see him?”
He shook his head no. “Garland and I ran into Chandler Morris last night while having dinner. He told us that Ethan was moving back permanently.”
“That’s great news about Ethan,” she murmured. “I’d really like to see him.”
Ryker didn’t blink when he looked at Jordin and broke the news. “Then you’ll be thrilled to know that he’s moving his corporate offices here, as well. His office is in the building on the corner.”
Jordin’s heart sang with delight. “Now that I know where his office is located, maybe I’ll drop by with a gift to welcome him back to Charleston, and then I’ll fuss him out for not keeping his promise to me.”
Ryker gave her a knowing smile. “Why am I not surprised?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m going to forgive him because he has always been my best friend. I can’t wait to see Ethan again.”
“I understand. I’d like to see him as well.”
“We can go there together,” Jordin suggested.
Ryker shook his head no. “I’m sure you’d like to have some time alone to get reacquainted with Ethan.”
Her smile broadened in approval.
“Oh, before I forget, the girls want to spend some time with you this weekend,” he announced. “What’s your schedule like?”
“I don’t have anything special planned. Why don’t I come get them Friday after work and keep them until Sunday? You and Garland can have some couple time.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
Jordin met her cousin’s gaze. “I want to do this. I love spending time with Kai and Amya.”
“Maybe you can explain to them that while they have the same birthday, they are not twins. They know that you and Jadin are twins as well as my dad and your dad.”
She laughed. “They are just trying to figure all this
