CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Saying goodbye to Cole the next morning was the hardest thing for Annie. It should have been easier since their relationship was more solid than ever, but for some reason, that made it even harder.
Annie stood by the car, fighting the urge to cling to him as the frosty January air swirled around them. The morning had dawned crisp and clear, the winter sunlight doing little to warm the day but casting Cole’s handsome features in golden light.
“Text me when you land?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Cole nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “Of course.” He reached for her hands, unclasping them and threading his fingers through hers. “This isn’t getting easier, is it?”
“No,” she admitted with a small laugh that caught in her throat. “I thought it would, but…”
“But now that we’ve spent more time together, we know what we’re missing,” he finished for her.
Her family had given them space that morning, so they’d shared a quiet conversation over breakfast, savoring their final moments together before Thomas would take him back to her dad’s private jet which would whisk him back to his other life—the one filled with games, practices, and media obligations. The life she only glimpsed through screens and photographs.
Cole pulled her into his arms, his familiar warmth enveloping her, chasing away the cold, if only temporarily. “I had an amazing time with you these past few days.”
“Even with all the family drama?”
“Especially with the family drama,” he said, his voice rumbling against her ear. “It’s all part of who you are.”
Annie leaned back to look up at him. “You’re too good for me, Cole Halverson.”
“Not possible.” His hand came up to cradle her face, thumb brushing across her cheekbone. “I’ll be counting the days until we see each other again.”
The driver cleared his throat discreetly from beside the car, a gentle reminder that time was slipping away. Cole had to be back in LA for team practice later that day, so he couldn’t put off leaving.
Cole cupped her face in his hands. “I meant what I said on New Year’s Eve. I love you, Annie. That’s not changing whether we’re together or apart.”
“I love you too,” she whispered, blinking back the threatening tears. She refused to send him off with the image of her crying. “Go be amazing. I’ll be watching.”
His kiss was tender, lingering—a promise rather than a goodbye. When he finally pulled away, his thumb brushed her cheek. “Pray for me?”
The simple request caught her by surprise. They’d talked about faith, certainly, but this felt different—more intentional.
“Every day,” she promised.
“And I’ll pray every day for you, too.” With one last kiss to her forehead, Cole stepped back, shouldering his carry-on bag. “I’ll call you tonight.”
Annie watched him slide into the waiting SUV, staying rooted to her spot even as the car began to slowly move away from the house.
She stood there long after the car had disappeared, her arms wrapped around herself against more than just the cold. The mansion felt emptier somehow, despite being filled with her family.
“He’ll be back before you know it.”
Annie turned to find Elizabeth standing in the doorway, a sympathetic smile on her face.
“I know,” Annie sighed as she climbed the steps to where her step-mom waited. “It’s just… having him here felt right.”
Elizabeth wrapped an arm around Annie’s shoulders as they walked back inside. “It felt that way with your father when we started dating. Every goodbye felt like torture.”
“How did you handle it?”
“One day at a time,” Elizabeth said simply. “And lots of phone calls.”
Annie nodded, grateful for her stepmother’s understanding. As they entered the warmth of the house, Annie’s phone buzzed with a text.
Cole: Already missing you. Thomas says I’m pathetic.
A smile spread across Annie’s face as she typed back.
Tell him that makes two of us.
“There’s that smile,” Elizabeth noted. “Come on, your father wants to speak with us all.”
Annie’s stomach tightened. “About Angelica?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Jude made contact this morning.”
Annie’s heart raced as she hurried alongside Elizabeth toward her father’s study. The warmth of Cole’s goodbye still lingered on her lips, but the mention of Angelica immediately refocused her thoughts.
“Did Dad say anything about how Jude made out?” she asked, quickening her pace.
“Only that he had some interesting information to share,” Elizabeth replied, her voice carefully neutral.
When they reached the study, Julian and Benji were already there. Julian slouched in one of the leather chairs, scrolling through his phone with feigned disinterest, while Benji sat perched on the edge of his seat, fingers drumming nervously against his knee.
Her dad stood behind his desk, phone pressed to his ear. “Yes, I understand. Keep me posted on any developments.” He ended the call just as Annie and Elizabeth entered the room.
“Ah, good. We’re all here,” he said, gesturing for them to sit.
Annie took the armchair beside Benji, who gave her a small, encouraging smile.
“Jude spoke with Angelica—or Angela, as she knows herself as—this morning,” he began without preamble. “She agreed to meet with him tomorrow at a cafe near where she works.”
“And?” Julian prompted impatiently, finally looking up from his phone.
Her dad’s expression remained calm. “Like us, she’s cautious. Jude presented himself as a representative of the family who might have information about her origins.”
“Did he tell her who we are?” Annie asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Not specifically, no.” Her dad’s fingers tapped thoughtfully on his desk. “She mentioned recognizing Annie from the gala photos and said she was sure that it was more than just a fluke how much they looked alike.”
“So she doesn’t know yet that she’s a Burke?” Benji asked.
“No,” her dad confirmed.
Julian leaned forward. “This is ridiculous. We should just tell her and bring her home.”
“It’s not that simple, Julian,” her dad replied sharply. “We need to understand who she is now, what her life has been like. And more importantly, we need to determine if the people who kidnapped her are still part of her life.”
“What else did Jude learn?” Elizabeth asked, redirecting the conversation before Julian could argue further.
Her dad’s expression softened slightly. “She works at a bakery, as we already knew. Lives in a small apartment above it with a woman she calls her sister.”
Annie felt a strange twist in her stomach at the knowledge that while she’d lost her sister, Angelica had grown up with one. Would she want another one?
“Did she say anything about… who raised her?” Annie asked softly.
Her dad shook his head. “She was guarded about her past. Jude didn’t push. He wanted to establish trust first.” His expression darkened. “But he did note that she seemed… wary. Careful about what she revealed. That suggests to me she might be protecting someone.”
“Or she’s just naturally cautious about strangers asking personal questions,” Elizabeth offered gently.
“Perhaps,” her dad conceded, though his tone suggested he wasn’t convinced.
Annie tried to imagine what her sister might be feeling—approached by a stranger claiming to have information about her past. Of course, she’d be guarded. Annie would be too.
“What happens after tomorrow’s meeting?” she asked.
“That depends on how it goes,” her dad replied. “Jude will try to gain her trust, learn more about her circumstances. If things progress well, he’ll reveal more about who we are.”
Julian made a dismissive sound. “This cloak and dagger routine is unnecessary. We should just tell her the truth.”
“And if the people who took her are still in her life?” Her dad countered with the same argument yet again. “What then, Julian? Do we risk them disappearing with her again? Or worse?”
The room fell silent as the implications of her dad’s words sank in.
“Do you really think that’s possible?” Benji asked, his voice small. “After all this time?”
“I don’t know,” her dad admitted. “But I’m not willing to take chances with any of my children’s safety.”
Annie felt a chill run through her. She hadn’t considered that the people who had taken Angelica might still be in her life.
“What if…” Annie began, hesitating before continuing. “What if she doesn’t want to know us? What if she’s happy with her life as it is?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with possibilities none of them seemed ready to face.
“Then we should respect her wishes,” Elizabeth said firmly. “But she deserves to know the truth about where she came from.”
Her dad nodded in agreement. “Let’s see what tomorrow brings. Jude will call me immediately after the meeting.”
As the family dispersed, Annie lingered behind. “Dad, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Things are going to change, aren’t they?” she asked. “If she comes home.”
“Yes,” he admitted. “They will. But change isn’t always something to fear.”
As Annie left her father’s study, her phone buzzed with another text from Cole.
Cole: Just boarded. Thinking of you. How are you holding up?
She paused in the hallway to respond.
Missing you already. Just got out of a family meeting. Jude contacted Angelica/Angela and is meeting her tomorrow. Will call you tonight with details. Safe travels ??
She slipped her phone back into her pocket, feeling simultaneously lighter and heavier. Cole's messages were a bright spot, but the reality of what was happening with her sister weighed on her.
Annie made her way back to her bedroom. Nyla greeted her with enthusiastic tail wagging, clearly ready for their morning walk. The routine would do her good—give her something normal to focus on while her world tilted on its axis.
She packed up the things she’d brought to the house for the past few days, then carried the bag downstairs, Nyla at her side.
After letting her parents know she was returning to her cabin, she put on her warm winterwear and slipped out the back door with Nyla.
Outside, the crisp January air filled her lungs as she followed the road that wound through the estate grounds to her cabin. Snow crunched beneath her boots as Nyla kept her nose to the ground, sniffing at something that had attracted her attention.
With each step, Annie found her thoughts drifting between Cole and Angelica. Two people who had entered her life in completely different ways, both changing everything.
Her mind stuck on Angela—Angelica—her twin. What was she thinking right now? Was she nervous about tomorrow's meeting? Excited? Suspicious?
Annie tried to imagine what it would be like to suddenly discover she had an identical twin, wealthy parents, a whole other life that had been stolen from her. It seemed overwhelming, like something from a movie rather than real life.
“Annie!”
She turned to see Julian jogging to catch up with her, his breath forming clouds in the cold air.
“What do you want?” She wasn’t in the mood for another of his tirades.
“Here, let me carry that for you,” he said, reaching out to take her bag.
Annie was so surprised by the offer that she let go of the handle without argument.
As she began to walk again, Julian fell into step beside her. “I want to apologize. For yesterday with Benji.”
Annie raised an eyebrow. “That’s… unexpected.”
“I know.” He bent his head. “I was being a jerk.”
“You usually are when it comes to Benji.”
Julian sighed. “Look, I’m trying here. With Angelica possibly coming back into our lives… I’ve been thinking about family.”
They walked in silence for a moment, the only sounds their footsteps and Nyla’s occasional snuffling in the snow.
“Do you remember her?” Annie finally asked. “I don’t. Not really.”
“Yeah, I do.” Julian’s expression softened. “You two were inseparable. Always whispering and giggling together. Dad used to say you had your own language.”
Annie tried to picture it—herself and another little girl, mirror images of each other, sharing secrets and laughter. The image was both foreign and achingly familiar.
“I’ve spent most of my life being told that something was missing,” she admitted quietly. “That there was an empty space beside me that should have been filled.”
Julian nodded. “I know. For me, it was different. I was older. I understood more of what happened. The way the tragedy broke everything apart.”
“Do you think Mom was right for leaving?” Annie asked, voicing the question she’d never dared to ask before.
Julian was quiet for so long, Annie thought he might not answer.
“I don’t know what truly went on with her and Dad, so it’s possible that leaving him was the best thing for her,” he said slowly, as if considering each word. “But leaving you? I don’t think she was right for doing that, even though I understand why seeing you was so hard for her. She should have risen above that. She was an adult—a parent—she should have done what was best for her child.”
Annie had never considered that Julian wasn’t one hundred percent behind what their mom had done.
“But you keep trying to force me to see her,” Annie said. “And I don’t want to.”
Julian sighed, a puff of white cloud forming in front of his face. “It’s just that over the years, she’s become more and more insistent about seeing you. It drives me nuts. I just figured if I could get you to see her, she’d lay off me.”
A selfish motivation that fit what she knew of Julian.
“Well, stop trying,” Annie said. “If I decide I want to meet with her, I’ll let you know.”
“And if Angelica wants to meet her?”
“I’m not trying to control anyone else,” Annie told him. “If she wants to meet her, I have no issue with that.”
“Okay.”
They’d reached her cabin by then. But when Annie invited Julian in, he shook his head.
“I need to get back to the house,” he said, setting her bag on the floor of her foyer.
“Hopefully to apologize to Benji,” Annie said as she unwound the scarf from around her neck.
Julian rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’ll do that too.”
Annie wasn’t going to bug him about it, but just like her mom was an adult responsible for her actions, so was he. Benji shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of whatever issues Julian had with their dad.
Once he’d left, Annie settled at her desk with a cup of tea. She’d been neglecting her work, and focusing on sewing might help distract her from constantly checking her phone for updates from her father or from Cole.
Hours slipped by as she lost herself in fabrics and patterns, the familiar rhythm of creation soothing her racing thoughts. It wasn’t until her stomach growled that she realized she’d worked through lunch.
She was just debating going down to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich when her phone chimed with an incoming video call. Cole was pretty much the only person who communicated with her that way, so she was already smiling when she accepted it.
“Hey, love,” Cole said, and Annie could see by the angle of the phone that he was in his car. “Just on the way to practice.”
Annie leaned forward on her worktable, propping her chin on her hands so she could stare at her phone where it was attached to the stand she’d placed it on. “How was the flight?”
“Great,” he said with a grin. “Your dad is going to spoil me for commercial flights.”
“Don’t your team charter planes already do that?”
“Oh, your dad’s plane is far more comfortable than those flights.” He looked over at her as the scenery beyond the windows of the vehicle came to a standstill. “How has your day been?”
Annie gave him the details of the meeting with her dad, then showed him the projects she’d been working on.
“Well, I’m here, babe,” Cole said as he turned off his car a few minutes later. “I’ll try to give you a call when I get home later, but Marcus asked if I’d go to his place for dinner with him and his family, so it might be late.”
Annie felt a pang of regret at not being included in his social life when he was in LA. He had people in his life who were important to him that she hadn’t met yet. Hopefully soon that would change.
“That’s fine. We can chat tomorrow.”
Cole smiled at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After they said goodbye, the screen went dark. Annie stayed where she was, blankly staring out the large window over her worktable.
How long would it be before she and Cole didn’t have to constantly say goodbye? Before they could live closer together? What would that even look like? Because she had a hard time imagining herself living in LA, especially on her own, since there would be no living together until they were married.
When her stomach growled again, Annie sighed and got up from her chair. She removed the phone from the stand and headed down to the main floor.
Since she knew she’d be eating at the main house again for dinner, she just made herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As she ate it, she wondered what type of food Angelica liked. They might be physically identical, but would that similarity reach to other parts of them?
Only time would tell.
The next day, they received news from Jude that he’d be arriving back in Serenity with both women by the end of the week. Angelica and her sister.
Her dad had seemed worried about something, but when pressed, he’d refused to give any further details. He just said that it was the best course of action.
Elizabeth had given instructions to the household staff to prepare two of the suites next to the one Cole had used.
Unlike when Cole had been there, however, Annie didn’t plan to spend her nights at the house. Already, she was starting to feel the pressure of the upcoming meeting.
Everyone seemed to assume she should be excited about welcoming her sister back into her life. However, no matter how much she tried to attach the love she felt for Benji or even Julian to Angelica, it wouldn’t click.
Angelica was a stranger to her. Having a twin had always been something of an abstract thing for her.
Yes, she’d had an awareness that someone was missing. But it seemed that awareness had been knowledge based, not an emotional reaction, because there was a disconnect for her that her dad and Julian didn’t seem to have.
Even Benji, Elizabeth, and Cole seemed to be happier than she felt. She was trying her best to hide her feelings, and so far no one had called her on not acting right.
She was starting to feel the strain though, as she struggled to sleep. Every time she laid down, her mind would whirl with all the possible ways the meeting could go.
It felt selfish to be so worried about how her life would change because of Angelica’s return when her twin’s life was undoubtedly going to change even more than hers.
The only time when she could be one hundred percent genuine about her emotions was when she watched Cole play. Her dad had even surprised her when he’d announced that, as a family, they’d be watching Cole’s first game since he’d left, in the theater room.
Annie wasn’t sure how she felt about that when it had always been just her and Benji. But as it turned out, her dad and Julian were quick to cheer Cole on. No doubt because, as she’d recently learned, her dad owned part of the team.
But when she returned to her cabin at night, she was alone with her thoughts and worries.
Not for the first time, she wished she had a friend to confide in. But would anyone understand what she was feeling? Or would they just call her selfish?
She didn’t want Cole to think that about her, so she didn’t even feel comfortable sharing her confused feelings with him. And he had left on another road trip, which meant that their conversations would be shorter and not as frequent.
On one hand, it made it easier to hide her feelings, but she also missed him terribly.
She spent a lot of time in prayer about it, but if God was answering, she didn’t see or feel it. Each day, she woke up as worried and confused as when she’d gone to sleep.
When the day of Angelica’s arrival dawned, Annie woke from a restless night, reluctant to get out of bed. Maybe she could just hide under the covers and let everyone else meet Angelica and her sister with the excitement that Annie just couldn’t seem to muster up.
But Annie knew her dad wouldn’t accept her doing that, so instead, she tried to psych herself up for what lay ahead.
Jude was supposed to arrive by helicopter with the women at the estate around eleven, so Annie had a few hours to get herself together. And she’d need every single one of them.
Annie finally dragged herself out of bed, stepping into the shower where she let hot water cascade over her tense shoulders. As steam filled the bathroom, she pressed her forehead against the cool tile, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
“Lord, please help me,” she whispered. “I don’t understand why I’m feeling this way.”
After finishing her shower, she toweled off, then stood before her closet, suddenly overwhelmed by the simple task of choosing what to wear. What did one wear to meet their long-lost identical twin? Something casual might seem dismissive of the momentous occasion. Something too formal might make her seem unapproachable.
Her phone buzzed with a text, and she turned to pick it up from the bed.
Benji: You almost ready? Dad’s getting antsy.
Annie sighed and finally selected a soft blue cashmere sweater that Cole had said brought out the blue in her eyes, pairing it with black slacks. She applied minimal makeup and left her hair loose. Her only jewelry was the bracelet Cole had given her and the cross necklace she’d bought for herself after becoming a Christian.
Nyla sensed her anxiety, pressing against her legs as Annie gathered up her things.
“What do you think, girl?” she murmured, scratching behind the dog’s ears. “Will she like dogs? She’d better, or we’ll have some words.”
The walk to the main house felt like a march to judgment. The sky above was a perfect winter blue, the air crisp and clean—a beautiful day for a family reunion that Annie couldn’t bring herself to fully embrace.
Elizabeth met her at the door, her warm smile faltering slightly as she observed Annie’s expression.
“You look lovely,” she said, taking Annie’s coat. “But you also look like you haven’t slept.”
“Is it that obvious?” Annie asked.
Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “Only to someone who knows you well. Come have some tea before everyone arrives.”
In the kitchen, away from the formal rooms where they would later gather, Elizabeth prepared two mugs of tea. The familiar ritual soothed Annie’s nerves slightly.
“You know,” Elizabeth said, sliding a mug toward Annie, “it’s okay if you’re not feeling what everyone expects you to feel.”
Annie looked up, startled. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that everyone—your father, Julian, even Cole—they all have expectations about how this reunion should go. But none of them are you.” Elizabeth wrapped her hands around her own mug. “Your feelings are valid, Annie, whatever they may be.”
Annie felt tears prick at her eyes. “I want to be happy about this. I should be happy.”
“There’s no ‘should’ when it comes to emotions,” Elizabeth said gently. “Especially with something this complex.”
“I feel like I’ll let everyone down if I’m not ecstatic about this.”
“You won’t.” Elizabeth reached across the island to touch Annie’s hand. “Whatever happens today, just be honest—with yourself, if no one else.”
Annie nodded, grateful for Elizabeth’s understanding. They sat in companionable silence, sipping their tea until her dad’s voice called from the hallway.
“They’re about ten minutes out,” he announced, stepping into the kitchen. Though his voice remained steady, Annie could see the tension in the set of his shoulders. “Is everyone ready?”
Elizabeth offered him a reassuring smile. “We’re just finishing our tea.”
Her father’s gaze settled on Annie, his expression softening. “Are you alright, Annalisa?”
“I’m fine,” she said automatically, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.
“Where’s Julian?” Elizabeth asked.
“Already out on the helipad,” her dad replied. “Probably pacing like a caged tiger.”
Despite her anxiety, Annie felt a small smile tug at her lips. At least she wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure of the moment.
“And Benji?”
“In his room. He thought it might be overwhelming for our guests to have everyone there at once.” Her dad checked his watch. “We should head out now.”
Annie rose, her legs feeling strangely weak beneath her. As they walked through the house toward the back doors, she felt as though she was moving through a dream—everything slightly off-kilter and unreal.
The cold air hit her face as they stepped outside, grounding her momentarily in reality. In the distance, she could make out the approaching helicopter, a dark speck against the winter sky, growing larger with each passing second.
Waiting nearby was an SUV with a driver who would take them to where the helicopter would land. It wasn’t far from the house, but Annie appreciated not having to walk there in the cold.
Julian stood at the edge of the helipad, hands thrust deep in his pockets, his breath forming clouds in the cold air. He turned as they approached, his face a mask of forced casualness.
“About time,” he called over the growing noise of the helicopter. “Thought you might chicken out, sis.”
Annie didn’t rise to the bait, recognizing his teasing for what it was—his own way of dealing with nerves.
The helicopter descended, wind whipping around them, forcing Annie to gather her hair into her hand. Her heart hammered against her ribs as the aircraft touched down, its rotors slowing gradually.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the door slid open, and Jude emerged, turning to offer his hand to someone inside.
Annie held her breath as a slender figure stepped onto the helipad.