It might have helped Jared if he’d had support, but Mara noticed that Evan didn’t go there. She assumed it was because the incident was over, and he didn’t want his brothers taking on any guilt for what Jared had gone through alone, just like he didn’t want them to have excessive remorse over what had happened to Hope.
Grady glared at Evan. “Why didn’t you tell us about Hope and Jared?”
Evan shrugged. “Neither of them were my stories to tell. I knew you’d all know the truth someday, and there wasn’t much you could do after those things had already happened.”
“How did you think we were going to find out?” Dante asked.
“We’re Sinclairs,” Evan drawled. “We might be separated by distance, but we’re bound by blood and our histories.”
“And because you all love each other,” Sarah added fiercely. “You’ve always been there when you needed each other. Maybe it wasn’t the time for Jared and Hope to share, but we all know now. And you’re all supportive.”
“I’m so glad you’re all together again,” Emily said with a sigh before looking at Mara expectantly. “Does this mean you and Jared are getting married and staying in Amesport?” Her voice was hopeful.
“No,” Mara replied hastily, not wanting Emily to have any expectations. “I mean, we’re just . . . um . . . dating.”
Sarah snorted. “He said you’re the woman who has changed his life. That doesn’t sound like a ‘just dating’ scenario to me.”
“Leave the poor woman alone,” Evan said imperiously. “Taking Jared on for life would be a big decision for any woman. Sinclairs aren’t easy to deal with, and Jared’s no exception. He’s a pain in the ass.”
Dante chuckled. “Don’t say that too loud. I’m getting hitched tomorrow.”
“I have no doubt that Sarah heard me, and that she’s well aware that you’re a pain in the ass, too,” Evan answered, deadpan.
Sarah giggled. “He can be occasionally.” She exchanged a sultry look with her fiancé.
“It’s a damn good thing that I’m perfect,” Grady commented in a cocky voice.
Emily trilled with delighted laughter. “Only in your dreams, big guy. But I have to admit you’re pretty close.”
Mara’s heart swelled as she watched the whole Sinclair clan rib each other good-naturedly. It was remarkable that after a night of so many shared secrets, so much drama and pain, all of them could come together again so seamlessly. They were all survivors, and so resilient that Mara admired every one of them.
She now saw being a part of Sarah’s wedding taking place tomorrow as an honor instead of a chore or a favor. This was a special family, born of wealth and privilege, but all with good hearts.
Hopefully, meeting with Selena’s mother would be a turning point for Jared. Every day he had become more and more open, but she could tell he was still struggling, still hesitant. Tonight might have finally brought him absolution, his way back to living a normal life again. She wanted that for him so desperately that her heart ached.
“Anybody up for dessert now?” Emily asked loudly. “Mara made a chocolate turtle cheesecake. I can make coffee and we can dish out dessert.”
“I’ll dish it up,” Dante offered hastily, springing out of his seat.
“I’ll help,” Jason insisted, springing to his feet.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Hope said as got to her feet with a delighted laugh. “It will be gone before it’s on the plates. Chocolate addict,” she accused, following her husband toward the kitchen.
Sarah and Emily came over and each of the women grabbed one of Mara’s hands. “Come on. We’d better hurry before your dessert is gone. Poor Jared doesn’t even have a shot because he stepped outside. Dante and Grady are playing dirty,” Emily said jokingly.
A giggle escaped Mara’s mouth as the two women pulled her to her feet. “Evan?” Mara looked over at the eldest brother. “Would you like some?”
“No thank you,” he answered haughtily. “I try to avoid carb- and sugar-laden products that have no nutritional value whatsoever.”
“No junk food?” Mara gasped. “You’re missing out on something good.”
“I’m accustomed to that,” Evan mumbled under his breath.
Mara heard him, or she thought she did. Maybe she hadn’t understood him correctly. “Did you say something?”
“No,” Evan answered cantankerously.
She looked at him quizzically, trying to figure out the oldest Sinclair brother. If she took him at face value, he was actually a jerk, and she had no doubt that arrogance and testiness were genuinely parts of his personality. But there was something else, something she couldn’t quite put a finger on. During certain moments, Evan was so much more than he seemed, most of those instances revolving around protecting or shielding his family. Did anyone else see how dedicated he was to his siblings? Or was she the only one who could see something else beneath his finely sculpted image of snobbery and control?
Her heart went out to Evan, sitting by himself there in the family room, his face devoid of emotion. He seemed so separate, so . . . lonely. Honestly, she didn’t think he was happy that way, either. So why was he continuing to live that way?
“Mara, are you coming? Grady’s got the pie!” Emily’s laughing voice floated out to her from the kitchen.
Shaking off her desolation from watching Evan Sinclair sitting isolated in the family room, she smiled as she walked to the kitchen. Once there, she realized pandemonium was breaking out, everyone fighting to take possession of the pie.