arrived with Maggie. Both Chase and Brian had confessed that they couldn't get over the change in their oldest brother since Maggie Morrison had come into his, Trey's, and Kevin's lives. Of course, they'd also heard from Julia and her fiances exactly what it was Richard had done to avenge his sister's honor after Clarence Conrad had tried to use her as a meal ticket last year.
Carrie had never had any other impression of Richard Benedict except that he was a very caring, if sometimes too serious and socially awkward older brother. And despite the bit of a hard time he'd given her men over their desire to resurrect the Benedict North Ranch, she understood that he was the way he was because he worried about them, and he cared.
She guessed her insights came as a side effect of having been raised in a series of foster homes. She knew real love from phony platitudes when she encountered it.
"Have these old men done the honorable thing yet and agreed on a wedding date?" Chase asked Maggie.
Maggie Morrison laughed. "They'd have had the ceremony months ago if they'd had their way," she said. "I've been the one giving them the runaround, I'm afraid."
"Don't worry about it, love," Richard said. He slid his arm around her. "If anyone can understand your desire to get the bed-and-breakfast established and running smoothly before taking time off, it's the three of us."
"That's right, sweetheart." Trevor nodded. "We're more than a little devoted to our own business, ourselves. That's one of the things that makes you so perfect for us."
Maggie leaned into Richard and caressed Trevor's cheek. "You've all been very patient, and I appreciate it."
"All part of the master plan, baby." Kevin grinned. "Which is to keep you happy and fulfilled for the rest of your life."
"It's working." She leaned over and kissed Kevin's cheek. "Anyway, I feel the business is sound enough now I can hire an assistant. I'll be putting out feelers for someone with hotel experience, maybe someone from Waco or Houston or Dallas who wants a slower pace. Hopefully, it won't take long."
Richard stepped forward. He laid his hand on Chase's shoulder. "I owe you an apology, little brother. I know I gave you a hard time over becoming a full-time cowboy. I apologize. You and Brian were never happy in the corporate life. I can see you're happy here. That's the most important thing. And I can see you're doing a good job with that ranch."
Carrie thought both of her loves looked not only stunned and pleased, but very moved by their brother's words.
"Thanks, man. That means a lot to us both." Chase and then Brian hugged him. She met Maggie's gaze and smiled, and felt a little misty-eyed herself.
Carrie watched as Maggie and the triplets made the rounds, visiting with cousins and other family members. There was only one member of the Benedict clan she'd hadn't yet met.
"Is your other brother going to be coming tonight?"
"No, darlin', Greg's not in the country at the moment." Brian ran his hand down her back. "We actually don't know exactly where he is, come to that."
Chase reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "The last we saw of him was when he came home for the triplets' and Maggie's engagement party. When he was leaving, he said something about Alaska." Chase shivered. "Makes my Texas-bred blood run cold just saying the name of that state." Then he grinned. "Some of the cousins call him a nomad, but he calls himself an adventurer."
"Grandma Kate said that in every generation one or two are born who're meant to roam." Carrie had also known Kate had been thinking of her grandson, Greg, when she'd said that.
"True enough," Brian said. "And here comes another of them, now."
Carrie followed Brian's line of sight just as the door opened and four people entered Lusty Appetites. Jillian Gillespie had her arm linked with a young woman Carrie hadn't met yet. With long and straight black hair, blue eyes, and a nearly waiflike appearance, the woman looked stunning. Dressed in a long top with flared sleeves and leggings, both in unrelieved black, Carrie would have taken her as a Goth, except she wore very little makeup. When she turned her head to hear something David said, Carrie caught a flash of sparkly, dangling earrings.
Jillian released the woman to hug Carrie. "This is Becky - Rebecca Jessop, artist extraordinaire, and minor hermit."
Carrie laughed. She'd heard Rebecca had returned