Free Midnight Sons Volume 2 by Debbie Macomber

moved into the room reserved for family to wait for her parents. Her heart felt heavy, burdened with her mother’s loss more than her own.
    Footsteps alerted her to the fact that she was no longer alone. When she glanced up, she saw Charles O’Halloran.
    “Oh, Charles,” she whispered, jumping to her feet. She needed his comfort now, and before another moment had passed, she was securely wrapped in his embrace.
    The sobs that shook her came as a shock. Charles held her close, his strength absorbing her pain, his love quieting her grief.
    “How’d you know?” Although tempted, she hadn’t phoned him, even though he was currently working out of Valdez.
    “Sawyer.”
    She should’ve guessed his brother would tell him.
    “Why didn’t you call me?” he asked.
    “I…didn’t think I should.”
    Her answer appeared to surprise him. “Why not?”
    “Because…I know how you still feel about Grammy. I don’t blame you. She hurt you and your family.”
    They sat down together and Charles took both of Lanni’s hands in his own. “I stopped hating her this summer. How could I despise the woman who was ultimately responsible for giving me you?”
    Lanni swiped at the tears on her cheeks and offered a shaky smile to this man she loved.
    “And after my mother told me the circumstances that led to her marrying my dad,” Charles went on, “I have a better understanding of the heartache Catherine suffered. My father made a noble sacrifice when he married Ellen. I know he grew to love her. But in his own way, I believe he always loved Catherine.”
    “I’d like to think they’re together now,” Lanni said. Charles’s father and her grandmother. “This time forever.”
    “I’d like to think they are, too,” Charles said softly, and he dropped a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
    Lanni pressed her face against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
    “The memorial service will be in Hard Luck?” he asked.
    “Yes. And Grammy asked that her ashes be scattered on the tundra next spring.”
    He nodded. “Do you know when the service is?”
    “No.” The details had yet to be decided. Lanni lifted her head and looked up at him. “I’m glad you came.”
    “So am I,” he said. “I love you, Lanni. Don’t ever hold anything back from me, understand?”
    She nodded.
    He stood, giving her his hand. “Now let’s go see about meeting your brother’s plane.”
     
    Mitch heard via the grapevine that Bethany had a date with Bill Landgrin. Bill’s pipeline crew was working at the pump station south of Atigun Pass. The men responsible for the care and upkeep of the pipeline usually worked seven days on and seven days off. During his off-time, Bill occasionally made his way into the smaller towns that dotted the Alaskan interior.
    What he came looking for was a little action. Gambling. Drinking. Every now and then, he went in search of a woman.
    Mitch didn’t know when or how Bill Landgrin had met Bethany. One thing was sure—Mitch didn’t like the idea of his seeing Bethany. In fact, he didn’t want the man anywhere near her.
    Mitch understood Landgrin’s attraction to Bethany all too well. It had been hard enough to sit idly by and watch her date John Henderson. The pilot was no real threat; Bill Landgrin, on the other hand, was smooth as silk and sharp as a tack. A real conniver, Mitch thought grimly.
    There was no help for it. He was obligated to warn Bethany of Bill’s reputation. Someone had to.
    He bided his time, waiting until two days before she was said to be meeting Bill. As if it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, he’d stop by to see her after school. He’d make up some fiction about being concerned with Chrissie’s grades—which were excellent.
    He waited until he could be sure there was no chance of running into Chrissie. The last thing he needed was to have his daughter catch him seeking out Bethany’s company. The kid might get the wrong idea.
    Mitch had intentionally avoided Bethany since the