Second Chance at Love(58)

Starr was just as stunned as everyone else when she found out all the ugly things her brother-in-law had said and done. She couldn’t even get angry with her sister for not sharing that part of her life. She understood all too well the embarrassment and humiliation that came along with a messed up relationship. Except for in her case, she didn’t have to go through her drama raising two children.



After marrying Kevin, she knew what it felt like to be truly loved. She knew what it was like to have someone make you feel like you were the most important person in the world. She knew what it was like to know your man would lay down his life if it meant saving yours.



She also knew her sister had found the same crazy love in Dom. Every time she saw him look at her sister, she knew Karen had found her true soul mate.



Becoming alarmed, Karen grabbed her sister’s hand. “What’s wrong, Starry?”



Oh boy, she thought when Starr wrapped her arms around her and started to cry. “Hey, what’s going on?”



“Nothing. I just love you so much.” Hiccup. “And I’m just so happy for you.” Hiccup. “Dom is such a good man.”



Karen hugged her sister close. Tears began to sting her eyes. In so many ways their lives had mirrored each other’s when it came to love. They both had unselfishly given their hearts to men who hadn’t appreciated them. And they both had been given a second chance at love.



“Oh, Starry he is a good man.” Hiccup. “And he loves Ashley and Kyle so much.” Hiccup. “I love him so much.” Hiccup. “And I love you, too.”



The sisters stood there hugging each other just a little longer. Starr hadn’t said all she’d meant to say. She wanted to tell her big sister how proud she was of her, how she was making the right decision letting Dom into her life. She wanted to tell her how although she was a grown woman, she still looked up to her and admired her. But then she became emotional and the waterworks started. I knew I should have written a letter. I’ll write it later.



Karen took a step back. At the same time they reached up and began to dry the other’s tears. Starr smiled at Karen. This wasn’t the first time they’d dried each other’s tears. “Just like when we were little,” Starr said.



Karen smiled back. “Except this time it’s happy tears.”



Taking her sister’s hand as they walked down the hallway, Starr said, “Yup, happy tears.”





Chapter 27





Walking through the completed site, Dom smiled with satisfaction. The business complex had been completed on time as scheduled. The weather had cooperated; no major snowstorms to slow down progress.



As Dom continued his leisurely stroll, he reminisced about the impromptu engagement party thrown for him and Karen at Nick and Summer’s home in Chestnut Hill. Instead of the couples mingling, somehow they went their separate ways. The guys ended up in Nick’s man cave in the finished basement. And what a man cave it was. Plush leather furniture, seventy inch flat screen with surround sound, pool table, card table, a bar, cabinets stuffed with snacks, and a fridge full of ice cold beer occupied the space.



The afternoon started off with the younger men playing a competitive game of pool. After much trash talking and ribbing one another, the talk turned to their women. Dom appreciated the other men’s candidness about their relationships and how they’d all sworn off serious relationships and marriage. That is, with the exception of Langston. A tiny smile curved Dom’s full lips. His brother-in-law had been a goner the first time he laid eyes on his sister.



It felt good to be able to unload his fears and concerns where Karen and the kids were concerned. As he was telling Nick, Kevin, and Langston about the Johnstons threats, his father, along with Henry, Patrick and James walked in on the conversation. Immediately, retired federal judge Henry Stiles whipped out his cell phone, walked over to a corner, and placed a call. Ending the call, he slapped Dom firmly on the back. “Son, I just gave you an early wedding gift.”



At Dom’s skeptical look and raised brow, Henry told him, “That call I made was to a golfing buddy who just happens to be a family court judge. It’s taken care of. Plan your wedding with your beautiful bride-to-be and don’t worry about those jackasses.”



Nodding his head approvingly, Dom shook the older man’s hand. “Thanks, Mr. Henry.” Dom wasn’t above any favors from a well respected retired judge. If he had connections and was willing to make his and Karen’s life easier, so be it.



“I’ll get Frank Bass on the case, too.” Nick chimed in, explaining to Dom that Bass was the best private investigator in the business. If there was a hidden agenda in Karen’s former in-laws wanting to claim grandparents’ rights, Bass would find it.