Lightly kissing Tony’s lips, she lifted Nichol’s head and they simultaneously moved, as they’d done so many times, instinctively knowing the other’s action. This time they worked in unison not to disturb their sleeping daughter. Within moments, Tony was sitting with Nichol serenely snuggled into his lap. “She’ll be fine,” Tony whispered. “Now go—rest.”
“I know she will.” Stroking Tony’s arm, Claire whispered, “There’s nowhere that I feel safer than in your arms. She’ll know that feeling too. The way she just sighed, I’m pretty sure she already does.”
Tony’s dark eyes shone, taking in both of his ladies. “I wish we were home in our big bed so I could hold both of you.”
“Me too,” Claire admitted. “But I’ll settle for watching the two of you from over there, until I fall asleep.”
Before Claire could walk away, Tony reached for her hand. “Mrs. Rawlings, we can go back to paradise anytime you need that feeling of security. You just say the word, and we’ll be in the air.”
“Thank you. I may take you up on that. But if I do, it’s because I love the island, and I love Madeline and Francis, not because I need to be there to feel that way. Honestly, with you and Nichol, Eric and Phil, I know I’m safe. I know Nichol is safe. Besides,” she added with a snicker, “it’s difficult to make snowmen in the South Pacific.”
Tony grinned. “Hmmm, I think sand angels sound more appealing than snow ones.”
She squeezed his hand before making her way back to an empty seat beside John. As she buckled her seatbelt, Claire glanced back to see Tony’s eyes close. No longer did she see sadness or even the need to control. She saw peace: a quiet, accepting peace, as his fingers brushed Nichol’s fine hair. Contentedly, she followed suit and drifted off to sleep with visions of sand angels dancing through her dreams.
HOURS LATER WITH snow falling and coating the Iowa ground in a blanket of white, the tired friends bid each other goodbye as their luggage was loaded into various cars at the Rawlings Industries private airstrip. While Eric and Phil warmed the car, Claire helped Nichol secure her winter coat, hat, and gloves.
“Momma?” Nichol asked. “Do you like warm or cold better?”
Claire giggled. “Oh, honey, I like warm.” Remembering her wish, she added, “But that doesn’t mean I don’t like cold.” She lifted her face to the sky. “Look how beautiful these snowflakes are. See how they shine and glisten?”
“Yes, but I like bathing suits instead of winter coats.”
“Look at your pretty pink coat. Don’t you like it?”
“I guess.” Nichol looked at her mother’s coat and her small voice rose. “You need a pink coat too. Then we can be twins.”
Just then, Emily came up behind Nichol. “A pink coat is definitely what you need, Claire.”
“Only if all three of us can match?”
Looking down at her growing midsection, Emily laughed. “Oh, I’d be a sight in pink.”
“Are you feeling all right? The travel wasn’t too much for you, was it?”
“I’m fine. I’m just tired,” Emily said. “I don’t think that it’s the pregnancy as much as the time difference. Thank you, sis, for this amazing getaway. We’ve had a fabulous time. The island was everything you said and more. I can’t believe you left that paradise for John and me…” Her voice trailed away until she straightened her shoulders and went on, “I’m sorry. These stupid hormones are making me sentimental.”
Reaching for her sister, Claire embraced Emily. Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, she replied, “We’re both so happy you could be there with us. The children had so much fun.”
Emily nodded. “I know we owe you both—”
“Stop that. We can never repay what you’ve done for us and for Nichol.”
“Well, thanks anyway. The getaway was great, and for such a long trip, traveling on your plane sure beats the heck out of flying commercially.”
“Having everyone together made Nichol’s birthday even that much more special.”
Emily bent down and hugged her niece. “I love you, sweetheart. Be good for your mommy and daddy.”
Nichol grinned. “I’m oways good.”
Emily’s brow rose as she peered up toward Claire.