CHAPTER SIX #2
He’d done both of those things, and soon he’d be turning over the care of Angela and Kiara to Duncan.
And though he’d still see them, he wouldn’t be dealing with them directly, for the most part. He wouldn’t be responsible for Angela. Anything she needed would be taken care of by someone else now.
The thought shouldn't bother him so much. It was just a job. A mission completed successfully.
Yet as the helicopter began its descent toward the estate's helipad, Jude found himself oddly reluctant to let go of the connection he'd formed with Angela.
In just a few days, he'd watched her world turn upside down, had been there as she’d said goodbye to her old life. He’d watched the shifting emotions cross her face as she processed what was happening. Had seen her strength even as she struggled.
He might witness more of her adjustments, but it would be from a distance. Just as it should be.
"We're landing," he said, his voice gentler than he'd intended.
Angela's eyes flew to his, wide and anxious. "Already?"
"Already," he confirmed, nodding toward the window where the Burke estate was coming into view.
The main house stood proud against the backdrop of mountains, its stone exterior dusted with snow.
It wasn’t as large or lavish as one might expect someone of Duncan’s financial status to own, but it would still be awe-inspiring to the average person.
Especially someone who had just recently been living in a one-bedroom basement apartment with her sister.
Smoke curled from one of the chimneys, a welcoming sight in the winter landscape. The helipad was situated a short distance from the main house, with a road leading to it.
"Oh my goodness," Kiara breathed, pressing her face closer to the window. "It's like something out of a fairy tale."
Angela finally turned to look, her hand still gripping Jude's arm. He felt her fingers tighten even more as she took in the sprawling estate.
"That's… where they live?" she whispered.
“Yes, that’s the home Duncan had built when he moved his family from New York to Idaho.”
“You said your house is on the estate too?”
“Yep.” Jude pointed out the opposite window. “My cabin is over there. Annie has a cabin as well, but hers is a bit closer to the main house.”
“Is that where we’re going to stay?” Kiara asked.
“Definitely.” Jude couldn’t imagine a scenario where Duncan wouldn’t want them close. “They have plenty of room.”
Angela looked away from the window and bent her head. As she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, Jude had a momentary reminder of who she was.
Annie’s twin.
It seemed strange not to have that be uppermost in his mind every time he looked at her. Instead, her relationship to the family formed in his mind as Duncan’s daughter. Not as Annie’s twin.
But now he was reminded that Annie was waiting down below, along with Duncan.
He thought about what Duncan would feel when he saw his twin daughters together for the first time in over two decades. Though they might be identical at the DNA level, they were also different.
Both had a gentle air about them, but Angela’s came with the addition of vulnerability. Annie, however, didn’t have that same vulnerability. She would go head to head with her dad—and, to Jude’s dismay, even with him—when she felt she had to, without fear of anything happening to her.
Annie knew that regardless of what they might argue about, her dad loved her and Jude cared for her. Something told Jude that Angela had never had that sense of security.
Jude prayed that would be something that Angela came to understand as well.
The helicopter began its descent toward the large helipad near the main house, and Jude felt Angela's grip tighten further.
"Almost there," he said, keeping his voice soft.
As they hovered over the landing pad, the snow swirled in miniature cyclones beneath them. Marcus brought them down with practiced precision, the skids touching ground with only the slightest bump.
"We've arrived at the Burke Estate," Marcus announced through their headsets. "Please remain seated until the rotors have stopped completely."
Jude watched as Angela took rapid breaths. Her eyes were closed, her lips moving slightly as if in prayer. When the rotors finally slowed to a stop, she opened her eyes and met his gaze.
"You did it," he said.
A small smile flickered across her face. "I survived."
"More than survived. You were brave."
She looked down at where her hand still clutched his arm, quickly releasing it. "Sorry."
"Don't be," Jude said, unbuckling his harness. "That's what I'm here for."
He took their headsets and returned them to their storage spot, then helped both women with their harnesses. When the door opened, the crisp mountain air rushed in, carrying the scent of pine and wood smoke. Angela remained in her seat, and Jude understood why.
On the edge of the helipad stood a group of people. His quick glance over the group showed him that all the Burkes were there except for Benji.
He climbed out of the helicopter, then turned to offer his hand to Angela. After a brief hesitation, she grasped it and took cautious steps down the small flight of stairs. She held onto his hand tightly for a moment before letting go and stepping to the side.
Kiara also took his hand, but she released it as soon as she was on the helipad.
Angela glanced at him briefly, then she walked towards the group. At first, her steps were tentative, but as Kiara joined her, they grew steadier.
Jude wasn’t part of this reunion, so he stayed where he was, watching.
He had expected Duncan to be the one to approach Angela first, but it seemed Angela’s attention was on Annie. Since he’d stayed at the helicopter, he was too far away to hear anything that was said.
But it seemed that introductions were made, even without his help. There were, however, no attempts made to hug Angela, which Jude thought was perhaps a good thing. They were still strangers to her.
Thankfully, she had Kiara at her side. She wasn’t alone.
Jude struggled with the position he currently found himself in as he watched Angela meet her family.
For years, he’d been perfectly content to live his life on the sidelines, keeping watch for anyone or anything that might harm the members of the Burke family.
It had always fulfilled him to continue in the position his father had once held. He’d followed the advice the man had given him, both personally and professionally. And it had always brought fulfillment.
Until that moment.
There was an ache in his chest as he realized that in the current situation, he was no longer needed. He would be expected to step back. To fade into the shadows once again.
And he would do it.
But for the first time, he felt a strange reluctance to take that step back.
Which was probably why it was a good thing he had to. Being there to support her through such a challenging time in her life had felt good, and he’d gotten closer to Angela than was probably wise.
Now that she was back with her family, it was time for him to get back to his life. Such as it was.
Spotting a UTV approaching from the direction of the security building, Jude moved toward it. As he passed the group, his gaze caught Annie’s.
He could see the strain on her face and realized that perhaps this reunion wasn’t all sunshine and roses for her either. Giving her a small nod, Jude hoped that somehow, the two sisters would find some common ground on which to build a relationship.
They’d been close at one time. Inseparable as toddlers. Now, they were strangers with no memory of each other.
Sharing a bloodline didn’t necessarily mean people loved each other or got along. Julian and Annie were proof of that.
But Annie was a warm and friendly person, so Jude thought she might try to get along with her twin, even if they might feel like they had very little in common at first.
Jude just hoped that Angela didn’t get too overwhelmed by everything and everyone.