ChapterOne
Jacinta
Ifly home from Hawaii the next day, accompanied by everyone except Harlow and the boys. I offered Alex, Shane, and Jace a lift, but they already had flights booked, and Shane needed to stay another night, so I kissed them all goodbye midmorning and headed to the airport.
The flight home is uneventful. I actually get to sit down and read for the first time in ages. I’m reading a new author to me, Kerry Keller. Who doesn’t like a good paranormal academy book?
“What are you reading?” Cole asks, sliding onto the sofa next to me. The rest of my family is watching a movie in the back of the plane, but I really wanted to read this book. He’s got a coffee in one hand and the kindle I used when we read Spencer a story last night. It has aPaw Patrolskin on it that, according to him, his son picked.
I feel a slight blush heat my face but quickly shake it off. I’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about. “It’s a reverse harem paranormal romance.”
“Reverse harem?”
“Ah, yeah. Usually, it’s a relationship with one woman and multiple men. Sometimes the men are involved with each other as well.”
“Oh. So… like your relationship with the guys.” There’s no judgment in his tone for a change, which is nice.
“Yeah, I guess. I’ve been reading this genre for a while. Jilly put Nana and me onto them when Nana was curious about her relationships.”
“You have to recommend a good starter book.”
“You want to read one?” I can’t keep the surprise from my voice.
He shrugs. “Yeah, why not? I like paranormal romance. I readTwilight, and I really liked the booksTrue Bloodwas based on.”
“Huh, you like vampires.” You could knock me over with a feather. I would never have guessed. “I would have picked you as a Tom Clancy or James Patterson fan.”
“Oh, I do like them, but I love supernatural stuff, and vampires are sexy. All the blood drinking is sexy.” It sure is. I’m looking at Cole in a different light. I don’t like to judge a book by its cover, but I’ve judged people a few times based on the books they read. If he’s open-minded enough to have that variety on his virtual bookshelf, maybe I’m as guilty as he is for making assumptions.
“What are you reading at the moment?” I nod at his kindle, and an excited gleam enters his eyes.
“I’ve found this Aussie author Matthew Riley. He writes these fast-paced, high-impact, action thrillers. This one is set in an ice station in Antarctica, and there’s a government conspiracy and orcas and mutated elephant seals. It’s really good.”
He’s so animated as he tells me about the books, hands flying and leaning forward in his enthusiasm. I do love a man who reads.
We settle down and spend the rest of the flight keeping each other company while we immerse ourselves in our books. I also make sure to fill him in on everything that happened with Ash and the plan going forward. He’s supportive and assures me that it should still help our family, which gives me an unexpected burst of comfort. I shouldn’t care about his approval, but I have to admit that it feels nice to have him agreeing with me, validating that I’ve made the right choice.
* * *
Idon’t return home once we arrive back with the others.
“Aren’t you coming?” Dad asks, leaning against the door of the limo. Nana, Poppy, Emma, and Molly are already in it, and Cole and Hope are waiting back with me.
I shake my head. “No, I’ve got plans this week. I’ll see you down in New Orleans this weekend.”
“Oh, okay.” He sounds disappointed. “I feel like I barely see any of you anymore. With the boys and Harlow gone, and you and Hope so busy, I’m feeling a little lost.”
“Aww, Dad, I guess it’s hard when your kids grow up. But you’ll have two new ones to shower with love soon, not to mention two grandchildren.”
He pouts ever so slightly. “Doesn’t mean I don’t miss my others.”
“Thanksgiving is coming soon. You’ll get to spend the weekend with us all, then there’s Christmas and two whole weeks with us at the cabin. We’ll skate and ski and play games. You’ll be sick of us by the end.”
“Never.” He gives us both a kiss and waves goodbye to Cole before he hops into the limo.
“Right, have fun, stay safe, and be careful,” Hope warns me. “Our family won’t want you doing something that makes you unhappy. We can come up with another solution.”
“It’s fine.I’mfine. I’ll do anything for my family. You know that. I don’t want Dad or Poppy stressing. Didn’t you notice how stressed the two of them looked this weekend?”
