Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(76)

“Not our whole family, Mom,” Clay said.

May’s happy expression shifted to wary. “No,” she said quickly. “I mean the four of us. Of course Evangeline isn’t here. Which is too bad.”

Shane felt the familiar boil of anger. “I’m going to check on the horses,” he said, heading for the door. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”

“I’m just putting on the potatoes,” his mother called after him. “Twenty minutes. No longer.”

Shane went outside and drew in a deep breath. He told himself getting pissed off wouldn’t help anyone. That a case could be made he was as much to blame.

Behind him, the back door opened. He turned. Rafe stepped out beside him. The brothers stared at each other.

“It’s not your fault,” Rafe said quietly. “None of it. You were a kid.”

Shane shrugged. “If I hadn’t brought him home,” he began.

Rafe grimaced. “Don’t make me beat the shit out of you.”

“You really think you can?”

“I could make a dent.” Rafe moved next to him and leaned against the back porch railing. “You were eight, Shane. Eight years old. You’d lost your dad and heard your mom crying herself to sleep every night. You were trying to help.”

“It didn’t help. It made things worse. I’m glad we have Evie, but that guy…”

Some twenty-six years ago, after the death of their father, Shane had met a cowboy in town. At eight, he’d been unable to understand everything happening around him. All he knew was that his mom missed his dad and Randy, the cowboy he’d met, was nice and had agreed to come over for dinner.

Apparently Randy had stayed for more than dessert. Nine months later, Evangeline had been born.

“She should have given Evie up for adoption,” Shane said flatly.

Rafe stared at him. “How can you say that? She’s our sister.”

“I know who she is and I know what she’s been through. The youngest by enough years that we were all too busy for her. Mom never bonded or connected with her, or whatever you call it. Evie spent her whole life knowing she wasn’t welcome, wasn’t wanted. You think that was easy for her? Better for her to go to a family who wanted her.”

“She’s our sister,” Rafe insisted. “We love her.”

“Sure. From a distance and when it’s easy. I talk to her maybe once a month. Clay does the same. You haven’t spoken to her in what? Eight or nine years? And Mom does her best to pretend she doesn’t exist.”

“I saw her a couple of months ago,” Rafe said.

Shane turned and stared at him. “What?”

“Drove down to L.A. and found her. We had coffee.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “She wasn’t exactly happy to see me, but we’ve stayed in touch since.”

Shane had a little trouble believing the words. “You’re stubborn and pigheaded. She didn’t do what you wanted. Are you saying you’ve forgiven her?”

Rafe looked at him. “I’m the one who needed forgiveness. She was a kid who lost her way. I should have been there for her and I wasn’t. I feel bad about that.”

“None of us were really there for her,” Shane said.

His sister had always been the guilty secret of the family. May had always acted as if Evie didn’t exist and he and his brothers hadn’t done a whole lot better.

“Maybe you’re right,” Rafe said slowly. “Maybe adoption would have been a more rational choice. She would have felt that she belonged. I asked her to come to the wedding. She said no.”

Shane was impressed that Rafe had even bothered with an invitation. “You can’t blame her for not wanting to be here. I’m sure she doesn’t remember much about Fool’s Gold, so the town’s not a draw. As for a family event, that has to be her idea of hell.”

“I know, but it would have been nice to have her around.”

The back door opened again and Clay walked out. “Mom wanted me to check on you two.” He lowered his voice. “Talking about Evie?”

“Yes,” Rafe said. “I was telling Shane I invited her to the wedding but she refused.”

“Would you want to come if you were her?” Clay asked, then seemed to brace himself. “Hell, I wasn’t sure I would be welcome here.”

Shane knew the comment wasn’t directed at him. He waited while his younger and older brother faced each other.

“I’m glad you’re back,” Rafe said quietly.

Clay waited.

“I mean it,” Rafe added. “It’s good to have you home.”

Clay relaxed. “Okay. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Clay turned to Shane. “I can’t believe you drove my car to San Diego.”

Shane grinned. “You said for me to take care of it and I did. You never said not to drive it.”

“Didn’t think I had to.”

“Then that’s your problem.”

Clay started to say something else, then turned slowly and stared past the barn. “Is that an elephant?”

Rafe laughed and slapped him on the back. “Welcome home, kid. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”