“You still have feelings for Seth.”
“I never denied that. How could I not still care about a man who’s been such a part of my entire life?”
Carmella took Julianne’s hand. “For some reason, no one knows exactly why you broke up all those times. Or a year ago, apparently for good.” Her dark eyes dulled. “But I’d guess my son did something to cause the split.”
Julianne’s pulse sped up. “Why do you think that?”
“Because you made the decision to call it quits every single time. I don’t want you to break confidences, but let me tell you one thing. Relationships are hard, and people fight. Lord knows Tomaso and I did. There were some big issues, too, and we came close to separating. But I’m happy I stayed with him through it all.”
“Hey, Mama,” they heard from the mud room. “We’re here. I put dessert in the fridge in the garage.”
The twins, raced inside and hugged her. Their smiles came easily. But then a scowling young man came in. Julianne’s mouth dropped. “Petey?”
“Pete, please. Hey, Jules.” What Seth called her.
“You’ve gotten so big. You’re a young man.”
“That he is.” Alessia went to ruffle his hair, but he moved back. She rolled her eyes, but Julianne knew her well and she could see the hurt there, too.
Julianne stood and hugged Alessia warmly, missing the friendship they’d had. “Hey, Ali.”
Ali hugged her back. Maybe she missed Julianne too.
Pete turned to his mother. “Can I go play Mutant Forces on grandma’s TV in the bedroom?”
“Ask her.”
“Yes, honey, you can. I’ll come with you to make sure you can set it up.”
A flash of annoyance flitted on Pete’s face. But to his credit, he turned and walked out with his grandma.
Ali got a cup of coffee and sat down. “I’m so sorry about the break-in. You must have been scared, probably still are.”
“Yeah, I was. I’m calmed down now and am going home.”
Her old friend frowned. “I noticed the tape’s still up.”
“The crime scene cleaners are there.”
“All the guys are going to Billy’s parents’ house.” Ali had lost her high school sweetheart and husband at an early age. “I’m sure they would keep them for a few days. I could come stay with you for a bit.”
Julianne felt her face turn soft. “That is so sweet of you to offer. I wouldn’t ask you to give up all that time, but maybe we can start seeing each other more.”
“I’d like that. Let’s make plans.”
“Tell me about you. Have you started fall classes yet?” Carmella had told Julianne Ali was finishing up her teaching degree at City College. Mostly done online, but she had to go into the city once a week.
“Wednesday. I did well on the one over the summer.”
“I expect no less.”
“And I’ve seen Finn when I’ve had to stay overnight.”
“That must be really fun.”
“Is it hard being here with Seth?” Ali asked, quietly.
Alessia was the only one in the family who knew the whole story about her relationship with Seth.
“Yeah, but I’m dealing with it.”
“Good for you.”
They heard noise in the mudroom, then, “Hey, everybody. It’s us.”
A little boy raced in. “Hello. Aunt Ali, are my cousins here?”
“Mike and Mattie are upstairs in the playroom, Tommy.”
Rafe and Kate walked into the kitchen. “Can I go, Dad?”
Kate grinned at her son. “Sure, buddy. Go ahead.”
Julianne got up and hugged Kate, then her gaze dropped to her belly. “Wow.”
“Yeah, big, I know.”
“About right. You’ve started your sixth month, haven’t you?”
“I have. And I’m not complaining. I’m thrilled about her.”
While they sat at the table, Rafe took the bags he carried and put them on the counter. Then he kissed Kate’s cheek. “Me, too.” He squeezed Julianne’s shoulder “How’s it going, honey? Gideon told us you can go home tomorrow.”
“I can.”
Kate took her hand. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”
“You’ve had worse happen as a firefighter.”
“Maybe, but a burglary is worrisome.”
She smiled at the woman who could have been her sister-in-law. “Are you still working now that the summer is over?”
“Hale’s Haven doesn’t have camps through the fall and winter, but they do have some support groups going on. I’m not involved in them, though.” The Hidden Cove fire and police departments had set up a camp for kids whose parents had died in the line of duty. Kate helped manage the main summer program.
“Ah. So, you’ll stay home?”
“I asked for a desk job and Mitch said he’d look for one.” She and the fire chief were close.
“Kate needs activity.” Rafe gazed at her with a sappy grin. “We agreed you’ll stop working at eight months, right, babe?”
“Yes.”
Carmella called for the twins and Tomaso to help set the table in the dining room. It was easier to have pot roast in the house though the weather was sunny and warm today.
Julianne got up, too. “I’m going to help with that.”
All the family closeness was hurting her heart.
* * *
Seth sat outside under the umbrella table on the patio, feet propped up, reading his phone messages when someone came around back.
“Hi, little brother.” Gideon was dressed in denim shorts and a navy T-shirt, which was damp with sweat. He’d been out front tossing a baseball with his oldest, Cory.
“Did the kid wear you out?” Seth asked.
“Not yet.” He shrugged. “He doesn’t have anybody to hang out with here.”
“Not interested in a 13-year-old?” Petey’s age.
“He will be, once they’re older.” He sighed. “It makes me think about our cousins.”
“Those were great times out at the lake.”
Gideon took a seat and Seth sat up and poured him some lemonade. “How’s Julianne?”
“Not good. I’m worried about her.”
His brother sighed. “The police still haven’t found the guy.”
“I know. It drives me nuts.”
“Excuse me.” Someone spoke to them from out on the lawn. Neither Seth nor Gideon saw the young man enter the premises. “Do you know what happened next door?”
Both he and Seth stood. The man started to walk to the patio and Gideon raised his palm out. “Hold on. Who’s asking?”
“I’m a friend of Julianne’s. I heard about the break-in and wanted to check and see if she’s all right.”
“Wait right there.” Gideon pulled Seth aside, whispered, “Go inside. Criminals often return to the scene of the crime.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“He might have a gun.”
“You don’t have yours.”
“Call 911. And get my son and the other kids into the house.”