But then, Bryan thought, he was sitting next to the ghost of Cara Barton. She was leaned against the ghost of Jeremy Highsmith, who was holding her hand and resting against the window of the plane, a look of bliss on his face.
Cara had hoped for empty chairs in first class. There were none. Bryan, with the aisle seat a few rows ahead, could look back down the aisle and see the two of them.
Marnie could not—not from her place by the window.
“I’m thinking we should have given up our seats for them,” she murmured, coming in close to him.
“Wouldn’t have worked,” Bryan said. “The airline would have just given them to someone else with enough points to upgrade. Besides, this flight serves a great lunch. It would have been totally wasted on the two of them.”
“True.”
She smiled.
He marveled at that smile.
She really seemed fine with going to Virginia with him.
Leaving Hollywood behind.
Of course, a lot of what happened had to hurt. It always hurt to understand that someone you had called a friend, cared for and worked with, could be willing to kill.
He hoped that she truly was in love with the offer that Adam had given her. He was sure that she would adore the group of women opening Adam’s theater—they were wonderful.
He truly hoped that she was in love with him.
“What are you thinking?” he asked her softly.
“I was thinking about Bridget—driving to Virginia with Madison and Sean. And George.”
“You didn’t want him in cargo. And Bridget was due a vacation. And Madison was happy to spend a few more days in Hollywood, seeing old friends and learning new things.”
“Yes, I agree. So, anyway... I’m a little nervous. About meeting your parents,” she said.
He laughed. “And your folks are coming to see you and meet me in less than a week. And,” he added, “they’re alive.”
She grinned at that. “I wonder which is going to be more nerve-racking. The living—or the dead.”
She was casual now; she had accepted her strange abilities.
“Of course,” she said. “This is madness. Completely. We’ve known each other just a few weeks altogether now. And yet...”
“Yet I know I want to spend my life with you,” he told her. He pulled away slightly. “I don’t think you appreciate yourself enough, Marnie. I’m afraid that...maybe you’ll want the limelight again.”
She was thoughtful. “I was lucky. I had a big break when I was very young. I enjoyed Dark Harbor. I never imagined... I will go back out and do that one show. But after that... Bryan, I knew what I wanted before I met you. I didn’t know that I wanted you, but I wanted my theater. I think that living in Northern Virginia is going to be fine. I think this theater is going to be wonderful. I’m ready...really, truly, ready. And you... Are you ready for the Krewe?”
“You’ll meet my parents, and you’ll meet Bruce and Brodie, both of whom are disturbed that they weren’t around to come out and help. They both know Adam and Jackson. I have a feeling that the Krewe of Hunters will wind up using three brothers.”
It was a long flight. There was time to talk. Bryan told her about the cabin they’d had all their lives, and he talked about the things he loved in Northern Virginia and DC.
“The Smithsonian,” she said, her voice happy. “The monuments. So many museums. Ford’s Theatre! I have been to the area, you know. I will love it. Except...do you hunt?” she asked worriedly.
He shook his head. “Fish now and then,” he told her. “I do love camping with a great camera for whatever wonders one comes across.”
“We can do that!”
When the plane landed, an airline’s escort was there to make sure that Marnie made it easily from the plane and down to the baggage claim area. Having some star power still had its perks.
Bruce and Brodie were waiting by the baggage carousels as prearranged. The brothers were waving, curious to meet Marnie.
They weren’t alone.
Maeve and Hamish were with them, waving madly.
“Your brothers,” Marnie said and laughed. “I would have recognized them anywhere.” Then she whispered, “I didn’t know your parents were going to be here!”
The McFadden boys did all look alike. Bryan was six-four, Bruce a little under and Brodie just a hair taller. Each had a headful of dark hair.
Bryan’s eyes were the color of their dad’s—green. Bruce and Brodie had blue eyes. The color was their mom’s.
He’d nearly forgotten that Cara Barton and Jeremy Highsmith were with them—right behind them in the cart—a little awkward since the airport escort had put Marnie’s travel bag in the back seat of the little cart, too.
Bryan was barely out of the cart before he was nearly knocked over by his mother.
Then he was hugged by his father.
The airport escort was looking at him as if he were certainly worrisome—as if he might have balance problems. Bryan gave his mom a fierce look.
“My dear boy! You’re all right. And you saved Marnie. And you didn’t just save Marnie, you brought her with you. There’s hope. Oh, Hamish, there’s hope. We might have grandchildren after all.”
“And they just might be actors,” the ghost of Hamish McFadden said drily. “I’m proud of you, son,” he added.
Then the ghosts all greeted each other.
“Cara!” Maeve said delightedly.
“Maeve, you wonderful soul. You sent him out to us.”
He didn’t get to see the ghosts kiss and hug; he was then greeted by quick hugs from both his brothers, and he introduced Marnie. They were gathering a crowd and Bruce said, “Let’s get you all out of here.”
“I’ll run to the car. I’ll be right outside. It’s an Escalade—it will fit us all.”
Marnie seemed delighted with his family.
Bruce drove to the house in Alexandria. Inside, they talked about Adam and the theater and the Krewe of Hunters, and then Bruce and Brodie rose simultaneously.
“We’re going to get out of here,” he said.
“But they just came home,” Maeve protested. “Oh, you boys run along—”
“Maeve,” Hamish said firmly. “We’re all going. Come on, we have a lot to catch up on. We have guests ourselves. Cara and Jeremy are here.”
“I’m not sure we’re staying,” Jeremy said.
“We keep fading. I mean, I was never really good, but now...” Cara murmured.
“You were the best, my love,” Jeremy told her.
“We keep seeing a light.”
“We want to go together,” Jeremy explained. “But hey, maybe we have tonight.”
“Yes, maybe you will have tonight,” Brodie said. “Come on, have it at my place.”
“Sunrise?” Jeremy asked Cara.
“Oh, yes, sunrise,” Cara agreed. “With beautiful and perfect natural lighting. So...I guess that’s goodbye.”
They both turned to Marnie. It was obvious she felt their hugs.
“Love you,” Marnie said.
“And you...you’re the best. Oh, and I must make a dramatic exit before—before I cry,” Cara said. With that, she whirled out for a very dramatic exit—going right through the closed door.
“The best,” Jeremy told Marnie. He looked at Bryan. “And you, young man. Thank you.”
Bryan nodded.
“Don’t lose her,” Jeremy said.
“I will not,” Bryan swore.
Then he was gone, too, his exit almost as dramatic—except that he seemed to slam into the door.
Brodie opened it for him.
“Outta here!” Bruce said. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
At last, Bryan and Marnie were alone.
He looked at her, suddenly awkward.
“So...you’ve met the parents.”
“They’re incredible.”
“And my brothers.”
“Completely impressive,” she said.
Marnie walked to him. Slipped her arms around his neck.
“But never so impressive as you!” And she kissed him.
The house was a historic Colonial. He swept her up into his arms.
Her kiss was hot, sloppy, deliciously wet. A promise.
Her eyes met his as he headed for the stairs. “Very dramatic,” she told him.
“Buckle your seat belts,” he said.
“It’s going to be a bumpy ride!” she said.
“Yes, it is,” he vowed.
They were both smiling, very much in love, as he carried her up the stairs.
It was the first night of their new lives.
*