It All Started Here

Chapter Twelve

Kara:

            In an instant, Jax and Kara went from standing in front of the airport in Oakland to standing in front of the Moore’s house in Oregon.

            “Told you I wouldn’t drop you,” Jax said.

            “Thank you for that,” Kara said and stepped out of his embrace. “I guess we should go inside.”

            As soon as the words left her mouth, the front door opened. Kara expected to see Radu coming for their suitcases, but it was Ethan on the other side of the door. The look on his face was an equal mixture of relief and sadness. He moved toward her but stopped short of hugging her.

            “I’m really glad you came,” Ethan admitted. “I was kind of worried you wouldn’t.”

            Kara dropped her bags and threw her arms around him. “Oh, Ethan, of course I came. I’m so sorry about your dad.”

            “Kara, please reverse the orders now.”

            The vulnerability in his voice tore at her heart. She wanted to reverse the orders so everyone knew they were still together, but it wasn’t that simple.

            Ethan sighed and took a step back. “Jax, would it be all right if Kara and I took a walk on the beach?”

            “Uh, yeah, okay,” Jax said.

            “Thank you. Everyone that can be here right now is inside. The others will come tonight, but we’ll be back before that.”

            “Okay.”  

            “And would you mind asking Radu to bring in Kara’s luggage and take it to my room?”

            It was strange to hear Ethan asking Jax for permission to do things, but it wasn’t the right time to ask him about it.

            “Can I hold your hand?” Ethan asked once they were alone.

            In response, Kara reached to lace her fingers through his. Ethan offered her another tired smile. They walked in silence out the back gate and down to his family’s private beach. As they strolled hand in hand on the shore, her thoughts drifted back to the last time they were here. It was only a few months ago, but it seemed like ages had passed. She never imagined she’d have to come back for Nathaniel’s funeral.

            “Are you all right?” Kara finally broke the silence. 

            “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I still can’t believe it, you know.”

            “What happened?”

            “Somebody staked him last night. Radu found him on the stairs this morning.”

            “Do you know who did it?”

            “No, and I honestly don’t have any idea.”

            “Is your mom okay?”

            “She’s not hurt if that’s what you mean.”

            “I was actually asking about how she felt. She and your dad were together for a long time.”

            “She doesn’t know he’s dead.”  

            “What?” Kara gasped.

            “She and my dad are nights,” Ethan reminded her. “My dad was killed sometime last night, and he wasn’t found until this morning. My mom is still sleeping.”