CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RAINA TRIED TO ignore the feeling of dread that settled in her stomach as they drove down the dirt road leading to the farm. He’d said his mother was upset, but was she mad at Raina for bringing the tabloids into their lives?

Would his family even be happy to see them?

“Nick, maybe you should go talk to everyone first.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Why would I do that?”

She looked at him in annoyance. “I’m sure they don’t want to see me right now, Nick. Their lives were peaceful before I brought all this tabloid garbage into the mix. I’m probably the last person they want to see right now. Especially your mom.”

He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “I can guarantee you that no one is mad at you. My family adores you.”

“That was before. Now they have people stealing their emails and publishing their private thoughts. I know how invasive it is when it happens to you.”

“I know you do, sweetheart. That’s why you’re the best person to talk to them right now. You know what it’s like better than anyone else here. You can help the rest of us get through it. You’re an Alexander now and we stick together. So if it’s a problem for you, it’s a problem for us. None of us would have it any differently.”

He opened his door and climbed out. Raina followed reluctantly. The front door was open, so they walked through to the backyard. Bennett, Laura, and Nick’s parents stood at the railing, looking out onto the lawn.

“Hey, Dad. Mom. We came as soon as we heard,” Nick said.

His mother turned to face them and Raina sucked in a shocked breath. Julia’s eyes were puffy and red. She was filled with anger and shame all over again. Someone like Julia only wanted to help people, to show kindness to her neighbors and her family. She had no defense against mean-spirited journalism. She shouldn’t have to guard herself against it, either.

“Mom, are you okay?” Nick asked.

She nodded then glanced over at Raina. “I’m fine.”

Raina’s heart sank. It had been a long time since she’d cared about what the tabloids printed about her. They were going to make up something to get their story no matter what she did, so she’d long ago learned to tune it out. What they did had simply ceased to matter in her world.

But it was totally different when people who’d been nothing but nice to her were being harassed. It mattered when the lies they spread hurt family. The Alexanders, she realized, weren’t just Nick’s family now.

They were hers, too.

“I have something I want to say.” Raina turned to the rest of the group.

Laura reached over and turned the music off. “I’ll just go supervise the kids so they stay out of the way.” She gave Raina a sympathetic smile and skipped down the steps into the yard.

It was suddenly extremely quiet.

“I want to apologize for the invasion of your privacy,” Raina said. “I’m so used to the tabloids that I don’t even think about them anymore, but I remember what it was like in the beginning. It was awful. I really wish this wasn’t happening.” She didn’t look at Nick as she said, “But perhaps if I go stay in my apartment in D.C. for a few months, it’ll help. Maybe they’ll focus on what I’m doing and not bother you if I’m not here.”

Nick’s head shot up and he looked like he was about to speak when his mother beat him to it.

“You shouldn’t have to exile yourself because of those miscreants.” Julia’s chest heaved as she stomped her foot. “They’re the ones in the wrong. We want you to stay right here with your family.”

Raina twisted her fingers together. “But I’m the one they’re targeting. You all didn’t ask for any of this. I’m going to have my security guy look into how they got their hands on that email. I’m sure some laws have been broken.”

Julia’s eyes suddenly filled with tears. “I wrote that before I ever met you, honey. I would never say that now. I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Nick.”

Raina stepped forward and then shocked the hell out of both of them by pulling Julia into a hug. It probably looked as awkward as it felt, like she was trying out a skill she rarely used. She was so much taller than her mother-in-law, especially in the super-high heels she’d worn that day, so she ended up patting Julia on the back clumsily while looking down at her.

But the smile on her mother-in-law’s face was worth it.

Raina looked back at Nick and said, “I think he might be the best thing that ever happened to me, too. Partially because he comes attached to all of you.”

*   *   *   *   *

IT NEVER FAILED. Whenever he really needed to be somewhere, a client wanted to ask questions. No matter what else was going on in the world, this was the one rule that Nick could always count on.

“So, I’m thinking about buying more investment property. I was going to wait until next year when I have more cash on hand. But I heard that congress might not extend the current bonus depreciation after this year. Should I buy now?”

Nick cleared his throat and tried to focus on Ian Williamson, one of his oldest clients.

“Oh, look at the time. We’ve run over.”

Nick’s head snapped up. “Yes, we have, and unfortunately I really do need to run. My wife is having her first sonogram today,” he found himself saying. “We get to hear the heartbeat.”