“There are lots of tourists who come in for the winery and stuff like that. It’s like Almstead Island or Tannenberg, which are close to the Seattle airport. People still come there.”
“Usually, to visit Seattle, and then they find the smaller towns.”
“Well, they’re gonna find me too.”
I tried hard to keep the defensiveness out of my voice, but the struggle was real. A heavy hand plopped down on my shoulder, and immediately, I knew the touch. My body swayed involuntarily toward the warmth radiating behind me.
“They’ve already found him,” Hank snapped. “He’s already booked up for the Fourth of July weekend.”
“Have we met?” Dad asked, perplexed.
“No, but I’m Jasper’s boyfriend, Hank.”
“Pardon?”
“Which part didn’t you catch?”
“Status.”
“His boyfriend.”
They stared at each other like two tomcats on the backyard fence. Neither wanted to move and let the other one win. This felt out of character for Hank, but damn if I wanted it to stop. It wasn’t often anyone outside of the family got one over on my dad. And I never did. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the place, even if I wanted it to be the time. I’d be a peacemaker even if it killed me. And it likely would.
“Dad, this is Hank. Yes, we’ve started dating. It’s new…ish. It’s, uh, yeah, newish.”
“Hank, this is my dad, Dr. Greer, and my brother Gage. He’s also a Dr. Greer, but definitely don’t call him that.” Gage mean-mugged me, but I stuck out my tongue at him. “Did Rowan not come?”
“Yeah, he’s around here somewhere,” Gage said absentmindedly. The pastries he’d shoved in his mouth were way more interesting than wherever his other brother had wandered off to.
“He’s right here. The place looks amazing, Jasper.”
I whirled around at the raspy voice. Rowan picked me up in yet another bear hug. Normally, I hated it when they treated me like a damned mascot, but I’d make an exception today. Because it really did look fantastic, and I was happy the work was obvious. I’d poured my blood, sweat, and tears into this place, and this house was as close to perfection as I could make it.
“Thank you! I’m super proud of how she turned out. Sissy gave me a head start, though, so I can’t take all the credit.”
“Yeah, you damn well can. Sissy knew what she was doing when she left you this place, and don’t you fucking dare sell yourself short,” Gage piped up from where he’d landed next to the food table.
My dad and Daddy—please don’t let me get them mixed up aloud—continued to circle each other for the rest of the afternoon. As much as I would’ve loved to try and sort it out, I was too busy being pulled in a million different directions during the open house. There’d be plenty of time tomorrow, when it was quiet again, to reintroduce them and start over.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Hank
When we finally got back to Jasper’s cabin, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought that he hadn’t eaten all day. I’d kept an eye on him through the chaos, and not once had I seen him sit down with a plate. The man had been running himself ragged, making sure everyone else was fed and settled.
“Did you actually eat anything today?” I asked, watching the way he all but collapsed onto the couch.
He sighed, tired down to the bone. “No. I was too busy feeding everyone else and forgot.”
Forgot. Lord. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes half-lidded, and his body looked like it could fold in on itself at any second. My heart gave a squeeze. Jasper might’ve been proud of how much he’d gotten done, but all I saw was someone I cared about grinding himself into dust.
“That’s what I was afraid of, sugar.” I sat beside him and pulled him into my arms, feeling the sharp edges of exhaustion all over him. “You need to pace yourself. That was too much, even if it had to be done. Here’s what we’re gonna do: first, food in you. Then a bath. And then”—I tipped his chin so he’d have to look at me—“you’re gonna let yourself relax. After today, you deserve to turn your brain off.”
His lips parted like he wanted to argue, but all that came out was a soft, “How did you know, Daddy?”
“Because your eyes are droopy and your feet are dragging.” I smoothed a thumb across the tired lines on his face. “The last couple of weeks, you’ve barely had any little time because you’ve been too busy. You’re getting some tonight.”
There wasn’t a hint of protest in him. He just melted against me, and for a long moment, I held him there, grateful he was letting himself lean. These were the moments I craved—the quiet in-betweens where I could feel him breathing, where I knew he was safe.
