By the time Jane drove the ten minutes from her house to Genevieve's, beads of perspiration had formed on her upper lip. Her car's air conditioner struggled any time the outdoor temperature rose above ninety.

The heat radiated over her body when she opened the car door. If this was Nebraska in late June, she hated to experience July. She'd been warned it would get far worse before cooler days returned in September.

When she pushed the door shut, she startled to see an unfamiliar man step off the front porch. As he walked towards her, she took in his build, his gait, and finally, his short dark hair, dimpled grin and bright blue eyes.

"Danny?" she exclaimed with disbelief.

He swiped his hands over his shorn head. Even his beard was gone. "Ah feel so nekked."

"What happened!"

"Ah got too close to Cady."

"She did this?"

"Came at me with a shaveh. Said it was her biwthday pwesent. Sheaed me like a sheep."

"I don't believe it," Jane said, staring at his hairless cheeks and quarter-inch butch cut. He truly was a gorgeous man without his mane. "I didn't even recognize you."

"Ah twied to get away. But GiGi and Holly held me down."

Jane laughed.

"Ask 'em," he said.

"I will."

He turned to leave.

"Say, could you look at my car this weekend?" Jane asked. "The AC isn't working right."

"Shaw thing. Text me latah."

"Thanks." Jane headed towards the porch. Then she stopped. "Hey," she called, "does this mean you lose the game?"

Danny turned and walked backwards. "What game?"

"The hair game or bet or whatever it was." Jane grasped a few strands of her hair and let them fall back in place.

"Naw. Means ah win."

"What was the bet, anyway?"

Danny only grinned before turning back around. He strolled towards the tree line, whistling a cheerful tune.

*****

Jane checked the time before placing another of Wiley Marvel's wartime love letters in the scanner. 10:14 p.m. The long hours took a toll on her, but the extra money meant she could make headway on her credit card debt. As the scanner whirred, Val pushed open the office door.

"Quitting time," he said.

"This is the last one for tonight. Why are you here so late?"

"Miss Cadence had me move the piano so she and Holly could vacuum behind it. Just moved it back."

Jane shook her head. "I don't know why she's up in arms about the house looking perfect for her party. It's just us. I had to convince her to stay out of here and not mess up my system."

Val took in the jumble of boxes and folders. "You have a system?"

"There's a method to my madness," Jane said with a smile. She opened the scanner lid, flipped the letter over, and started a new scan.

Val settled into the chair opposite her, crossing his arms. He and Prett still had their beards and long hair. Jane had learned that Cadence had, in fact, shaved Danny, but at his insistence, not hers. No one had held him down, though Holly and Genevieve had watched, laughing and clapping as each clump of hair dropped to the floor. Danny had told Cadence it was "part one" of her birthday present.

Jane tapped the laptop keys, renaming the scanned file and dropping it into the Wiley Marvel - WWII love letters folder. The current scan finished and Jane replaced the letter with its envelope. As she started the new scan, she noticed Val watching her with more than a mere interest in her process.

The last time he'd done this he'd told her about his father.

She didn't want to hear any bombshells at this late hour, so she ignored him. She renamed the letter's second scan and placed the letter in a plastic sleeve, smoothing out the wrinkles in the tissue-thin paper. When the scanner finished scanning the envelope, she snatched it from the glass and placed it in the sleeve next to the letter.

Val would have to wait.

Though he'd likely stare at her all night if necessary.

Jane inwardly sighed. She renamed the last file, moved it to Wiley's folder and closed the laptop. She tugged off the 1950s-era cotton gloves Genevieve had given her to handle the precious documents and with slow reluctance swiveled her office chair to face Val.

At least his expression wasn't as serious as it had been that night. He looked, if anything, amused.

"Things are ab-b-out to ch-change," he said, his voice carrying an ominous tone despite his smile.

"Oh?" Jane waited for a response, and when none came, she added, "How so?"

He unfolded his arms so he could sign his words. "Our trio will soon break apart."

Jane's eyes widened. "What happened?" She wondered if it had anything to do with Danny cutting his hair.

Val smiled. "I'm sworn to secrecy. You'll find out tomorrow. I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"For breaking the logjam."

"You're just going to talk in riddles again, aren't you?"

He grinned.

Jane waited, but he said nothing more. She broke the awkward silence that ensued. "I enjoyed meeting Kylie. She's a cutie."

"She liked you, too."

"Only because I have the same hair color. And because I'm not much taller. She thought I was another playmate."

"You gave her a confidence boost. Made her see she shouldn't be ashamed of her freckles. Not that I want her wearing such a skimpy bikini."

Jane flushed. "Yeah, well, Alex liked it. Prett was concerned my strings wouldn't hold."

"That would concern him."

"I wish you'd have told me about Jamie, though. I thought she was your ex. I felt like such an idiot."

"Sorry. I didn't get a chance to explain beforehand. Though she's such the spitting image of her mother sometimes I forget she isn't."

"So...Suzanne was lots older than you?"

"Fifteen years. Didn't know it at the time. Thought it was only five. She was using a stolen ID."

"Is...did you marry her because..." Jane reconsidered the wisdom of broaching this topic.

Val cocked his head. "Because Holly turned me down?"

"Yeah."

"P.J. isn't the only one whose secrets are being revealed around here." Val looked away, nodding. "It wasn't so much her rejection as everything else she said. I thought there was a chance P.J. was the father. That was a betrayal I couldn't abide. When I came to my senses months later, I realized I'd misinterpreted her words.

"But I hadn't misinterpreted what else she said. That I was dependent on him. That I followed him like a puppy dog. That I needed to grow a spine and make my own decisions. She was right. I'd gone to Penn State like him. I'd moved to Lincoln with him. Where he lived, I lived. He paid for my education, my clothes, my lodging. He dictated my every move. I reacted against that." He stared at the floor, his brows knitting together. "I was twenty-four years old. Far time to live my own life.

"The one thing he had never allowed was alcohol. So that's where I started. And that's where I met Suzanne. In a bar. She was beautiful, charming. I obsessed over her. Thought she was the one. She fed my anger, my sense of injustice. P.J. warned me she was bad news, but I was too far gone by then. He didn't stand a chance." Val wiped his beard and looked at Jane. "By the time I got arrested I didn't even recognize my life. Four months. Four months from graduating summa cum laude to coming close to killing someone in a drunken brawl. I had enough time behind bars to sober up and examine where it had all gone wrong. Holly had only been the tipping point. I'd been building up to this for years. P.J. had always kept such tight control because he knew how easy it would be for me to spiral down. It was in my DNA.

"Then Danny was wounded. He was taken to Germany a couple days before I was released. While he was being flown to Fort Sam Houston, P.J. picked me up from the correctional center and drove us to Texas. We didn't discuss what I'd done. Didn't need to. I could choose to be like my daddy or not."

He returned his gaze to the carpet.

"Is that why you stopped talking?" Jane asked at length.

He gave a nod. "I was ashamed. Horrified. Of how little it took to send me over the edge. I didn't want to talk about it. P.J. was focused on Danny, anyway. We both were. And then...Danny spiraled down with his own depression and addiction, bringing me with him." Val glanced at Jane. "Mentally. I was clean and sober, but...we'd never dealt with our childhood, P.J. and I." He shook his head. "That's when I realized I had inherited more than my daddy's alcoholism. If Prett hadn't been clear-headed...Danny and I wouldn't be here today." He let out a breath. "After that I decided it was better if I never spoke again."

"Did you ever get counseling?"

"P.J. did once. Soon after he shot my daddy. The therapist suggested he shouldn't have been taught to use a gun. When Jimmy found out, he put an end to it. Declared all therapists gun-hating charlatans and no son of his would have his brain washed. P.J.'s been prejudiced against them ever since. Instead, we researched depression and PTSD for ourselves. Did our own therapy. It worked, for the most part. But that's why I gave up Kylie. It's one thing to work through our traumas as adults. It's another to help a child through it. And I was afraid one or all of us might descend into madness again. Thank God that hasn't happened. Though we've gotten stuck different times." He smiled at Jane. "You helped us get out of our latest rut."

"I broke the logjam."

"Yup."

Jane smiled. "Thanks for telling me these things. And...about what happened to your dad. I know it was hard for you. I wish Prett was more forthcoming. He hardly tells me anything. He leaves it to others."

"Yes." Val gazed at her with intensity, as if wanting to say more. When he did speak, he said, "Someday he'll tell you everything. He has to build up to it first."

Jane nodded.

Val jutted his chin at the binders on the table. "GiGi might be old, but she's still shrewd. She knows what you'll find. P.J. squirreled away some boxes, but he can't hide it all. She's using you far better than I ever thought to."

"Using me for what?" Jane asked with alarm.

Val smiled. "To free us all from the past."

*****

"I love it!" Cadence held up the floral-print blouse and capris pants for the others to see. "Thanks, Jane."

"I considered getting you scrubs but decided to buy you something more fun," Jane replied.

"Great minds think alike," Holly said, handing a wrapped box to Cadence. "Open mine next."

Cadence ripped the paper off and opened the box to reveal a dress in a floral print similar to the blouse. "Beautiful! I love it."

"She loves everything," Alex whispered to Jane. "Sixth time she's said it."

Jane jabbed him with her elbow.

Cadence picked up another gift and looked at the tag. "This one's from Prett."

"Miss Jane and Miss Holly stole my flower clothes idea," Prett said. "I was forced to go in a different direction."

Cadence unwrapped a purple stethoscope. She gave Prett a shy, grateful smile. "Thanks. I love it."

"Told you," Alex whispered to Jane.

"Eh?" On the opposite side of the room, Genevieve turned to Lindy. "What did she say?"

"She loves it," Lindy replied in a loud voice.

"Well, lands yes! She's going to be a nurse, isn't she? Why else would she want a stethoscope?"

"Is that it?" Cadence asked, picking through the multiple open packages on the coffee table. She sounded disappointed.

Holly, who sat next to her on the sofa, also looked through the gifts. "I don't see any others."

"There's one more," Prett said. "From Danny." He handed an envelope to Holly, who handed it to Cadence.

"Where is Danny?" Lindy asked, glancing around the room. "He was just here."

Cadence looked at the empty spot next to her with slight distress.

"He left when Cady started opening presents," Jane said. "I assumed he went to the bathroom."

"He's been gone an awfully long time for the bathroom," Lindy retorted.

"I'll text him," Prett offered. "See if he fell in." He sent the message and received a quick reply. "He says open the letter." Prett's phone pinged again. "And he says read it out loud." Prett held up his phone as if to record. "Unless it gets too sappy. I prefer my cake and ice cream to stay in my stomach."

Cadence took more care opening the envelope than she had with her previous gifts. She unfolded the one-page letter and read in a soft tone, "Dearest Cadence, These past few months have been the happiest—"

"Eh?" Genevieve leaned forward, holding her hand behind her good ear. "Speak up, dear. I can't hear a word you're saying."

Cadence cleared her throat and almost shouted the words, "Dearest Cadence, These past few months have been the happiest in my life. I bless the day you accepted my apology. I bless the day you allowed me to court you. I bless my grandparents for writing letters during the war and for cherishing them. I bless G.G. for never throwing anything out, Jane who gave me inspiration and hope, and Jill for her writing expertise. Cadence, you are the most..." —tears formed in her eyes as she stumbled on the words— "beautiful woman I have ever met." She sucked in her lips and stopped reading.

"Quite right," Genevieve said, leaning back in her chair, apparently believing that was the end of the letter and nothing more needed to be said.

Cadence took a deep breath and continued, her voice still wavering. "I bless the day of your birth. I bless every day you have lived on this earth, and I bless every one of those days you have spent with me. I will devote my own remaining days striving to be the man you once imagined I was and long wished I could be. Happy birthday, my dearest love. With much fearful anticipation I offer you my humble gift. I pray you accept it. Ever yours, Danny."

"I might retch," Prett said, still holding up his phone. Holly threw a wadded ball of gift wrap at him.

Cadence furrowed her brow. "P.S.," she read, "Sit at the end of the sofa and look to your right." She lowered the letter and scooted onto the cushion Danny had occupied, leaning over the sofa's armrest. Jane, who sat catty-corner to her on the other sofa, also looked, but saw nothing. Cadence gave her a puzzled glance before lifting her eyes to look past Jane towards the hallway. Cadence's eyes grew big as saucers and she went still.

Jane twisted around and peered over Alex's shoulder. A solemn man walked behind the length of the sofa, wearing an army green service uniform and black beret. Danny. Jane felt as shocked as Cadence looked. Other than the one photo, Jane had never seen Danny in uniform, and she still had trouble recognizing him clean-shaven. This is why he had her cut his hair.

As Danny drew closer, Cadence shrank into the sofa, her eyes still huge.

Danny pulled off his beret and knelt on one knee in front of her. He took her free hand—the other still held his letter—and said, "Miss Cady, Ah offah yah my life, my absolute devotion, and my hawt." He released her hand and produced a box from his pocket.

Cadence dropped the letter, covering her mouth with both hands.

"Will yah do me the honah of becomin' my wife?"

"Are you sure?" Cadence's hands muffled her high-pitched voice.

Danny's somber face brightened in a grin. "Will yah...marry...me?"

After a moment's hesitation, Cadence sprang forward and flung her arms around him. She kissed his ear and temple several times in rapid succession.

Prett stood to get a better angle for his recording. "Should we take this as a no?"

Danny lost his balance, and the two tumbled to the floor. He lay on his back, his arms straight out, laughing as Cadence continued her assault of kisses.

"Maybe we should leave the room before this gets indecent," Prett said.

"Or r-r-rescue him," Val said. He, too, was recording the couple.

Danny raised his palm towards Val. "Don't wescue me."

"You sure?" Prett asked. "She hasn't said yes yet."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" Cadence said amidst her own tears and laughter.

The rest of the group laughed too, including Alex, who lifted Jane's hand to his lips and kissed it, flashing her a happy grin.

*****

Jane piled Cadence's new clothes into one box then held out the empties to Holly. "Here's some more."

Holly swiped away a tear before pasting on a smile and accepting them.

"You okay?"

Holly nodded. "Just reminds me of..." She stuffed the boxes into the trash bag before taking a deep breath. "Too many memories." She gave Jane another sad smile.

"How are you holding up? Have you found an attorney yet?"

"Maybe. Alex is contacting a law school friend of his."

"It's too bad he can't be your attorney."

"He's too nice, anyway. P.J. says I need a pit bull."

Jane looked towards the foyer where the men were conversing with George and Val. Lindy was helping Genevieve into bed while Danny and Cadence had slipped away for a romantic walk around the pond. Jane turned back to Holly. "How are your parents taking it?"

"They're not thrilled, but at least they agree it's needed now. And it helps that Perfect Adair started shacking up with some guy. That's got them freaked out. Takes the focus off me." She stuffed a last bit of wrapping paper in the bag and tied the flaps. "I'll take this out to the bin."

"I'll take Cady's things up to her room," Jane said, stacking the remaining two boxes on top of each other.

"Need help?" Prett asked as she walked past the men.

"No thanks," Jane replied, ascending the stairs. "I've got it." She delivered the boxes to Cadence's bed and smiled when she saw Danny's military photo still on the nightstand. She picked it up, comparing his youthful image with today's appearance. His cheekbones and jaw had more defined edges now, and he had developed laugh lines. Twenty years prior, he had projected a stern demeanor, but Jane now saw the underlying callow bravado. Experience and maturity had etched a haunting wisdom into his eyes.

Jane set the photo back in its place, with the knowledge Cadence was getting a far better version of her dream man.

When she returned downstairs, the foyer was empty. Jane heard voices in the kitchen, but as she headed there, she saw Prett walk out the living room's patio door onto the deck. She remembered his offer to help carry the gifts upstairs and wondered if he'd wished to speak to her. Val's pronouncement the previous evening still weighed on her mind, though now she knew he'd meant only Danny's impending marriage.

Prett stood with his hands on the railing, looking past the backyard to the inky trees along the edge of the Platte River. The sun had set, painting the sky with colors: indigo overhead and amethyst beyond. Along the horizon a tangerine glow hovered above a thin line of fiery orange. The oppressive heat had lessened, but the air remained muggy.

Jane stepped up beside him. "Beautiful," she said of the scenery, her words mingling with the happy frogs chirping their mating call up and down the riverbank.

He turned his head slightly to look at her. "Yeah."

They stood together in silence a long moment. "Things are about to change," Jane said.

Prett gave a nod.

"How does that make you feel?"

He said nothing at first. "I don't know what I feel. I know what I think."

"What do you think then?"

He ran his hand down his beard, staring at the deepening horizon. "I think I need to start carving a dragon mantel."

Jane laughed. "You think they're doomed?"

"They'll do fine if Cady doesn't kill him."

"Why would she kill him?"

"Why wouldn't she? I want to kill him at least ten times a day."

"You're going to miss him. When he leaves."

"Not at all. I'll finally get some decent sleep. Now Cady will be the one to suffer his snoring."

Jane shook her head, sweeping her gaze over the backyard. "I don't believe you. You'll miss him."

"If you say so."

She turned back to him. "How will this affect Val?"

"I don't see that it would."

"It'll just be the two of you."

"I don't snore. Neither does he. We'll be fine."

"He might be thinking of leaving, too."

Prett raised his eyebrows and looked at her. "He dating someone I don't know about?"

"No. But you said yourself it was time for change. That you were holding them back."

He gave a nod and looked away. "He might move back to the apartment."

"And how would that make you feel?"

"It makes me think it'll be nice to be alone for once."

"I don't think you like being alone."

"They won't be that far away. Vel will move in here." Prett jerked his head towards the house.

Jane sighed. She should have known Prett wouldn't admit feeling a sense of loss amid the joy of his brother's happiness. She herself felt bittersweet about her part in the couple's reconciliation. Their bliss portended the brothers' separation. Val may have wanted this too, but at what price? She stared at the dark grass below.

Prett turned and leaned against the railing, crossing his arms. "How's it going with the hot-shot lawyer?"

"Good. I've never dated anyone like him before."

"A bottom-feeder?"

Jane laughed. "No. A Christian. He treats me...with respect. Like you guys have. Makes me see what a bunch of losers I've been with before. Even Brandon." She shook her head. "Half my dates with Alex revolve around church events." She turned her body to face Prett. "I like his church. It's contemporary. They have a band. It's like going to a Sunday morning rock concert."

"Drums are the work of the devil."

Jane laughed again, knowing he didn't believe that.

Prett examined his work boots, giving one of his rare full smiles. As his smile faded, he looked at her with affection. "Are you happy, Miss Jane?"

The question took her by surprise. She considered it a moment. "Yeah. Yeah, I am."

He nodded and returned to staring at his feet. "Then my work here is done."

Jane tilted her head. "Sometimes I just don't understand you, Prett Marvel."

He looked at her. "I'm the least complicated person you know."

"You are a riddle wrapped in a mystery hidden inside an enigma. But Val says I'll find out more in Genevieve's treasure trove of family history."

"I'm sure you will. In fact, I'm going to make it even easier for you. Once you finish with GiGi's photos and Jill's diaries, I'll let you sort through my boxes, too."

Jane widened her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"That's what Cady asked Vel before she attacked him. Should I be worried what you're going to do?"

Jane grinned. "Are you afraid I might kiss you?"

"Doubt the holy rocker you're dating would approve."

"I could kiss your cheek."

He gazed at her. "Only that?" he asked quietly.

Jane sucked in her breath. They studied each other, but neither made a move.

The French door opened, startling them. Alex poked his head out. "Here you are." He stepped out onto the deck and walked over to Jane, taking a deep breath as if inhaling the scent of the rose bushes and cut grass. "Beautiful night."

Prett shifted his position. "It's a little stuffy yet."

"It'll cool down," Alex said with confident cheer.

"Mosquitoes are out."

"Not too bad," Alex replied. He looked at the sky. "That might change if we get more rain."

"We can only hope."

Alex grinned at Prett before capturing Jane's hand with his fingers. "Ready?"

Jane took in his carefree smile and nodded. She turned to Prett. "I'll be back in the morning to do more scanning."

Prett returned her gaze with his inscrutable expression. "I'll be around."

Jane slipped her hand into Alex's and they turned towards the French doors. Just before they stepped inside, Jane caught Prett's reflection in the glass. He still leaned against the porch railing, his arms crossed, watching her walk away.

THE END
(until Book Two)

Fun Fact: I picked Train's Marry Me for this chapter's theme. And click the Continue button to find out what happens next in my writing journey...

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