Kayden held out his hand to Liam. “It’s good to finally meet you in person rather than over video calls.”
Cody had almost forgotten that he was the only one who’d met Liam in person.
“You too,” Liam said as he shook Kayden’s hand, then Eastern’s.
“So, you said things in Cradle Mountain have been good?” Eastern asked.
“Yeah. Quiet.”
“Great, otherwise we’d have to drag Ny back,” Kayden said.
They all smiled at that, because everyone knew Nylah had a strong mind and did what she wanted, not what others dictated.
“How’s it been here?” Liam asked.
“We could use a little quiet,” Cody said before he could think better of it.
The easy expression slipped from Liam’s face, and his brows tugged together. “Nylah mentioned something. What’s going on, exactly?”
“Just had a bit of trouble with Harper’s family, a town firebug, and a drunk guy I can’t seem to shake.” So, plenty had been going on. Certainly more than usual.
Liam’s frown deepened. “Anything my team can help with?” Liam’s security business, Blue Halo, was one of the best. Although, they were based across the country in Idaho.
Cody shook his head. “Not at the moment. Eastern and his officers are watching things, but we’ll let you know if that changes.”
Liam dipped his head.
The next hour was a mix of catching up with Nylah and chatting with locals. When the music quieted, everyone looked toward the front as one of the employees at the center gave a speech about Linda. Harper leaned into his side, and Nylah stood at his other, her hand in Liam’s.
When it was Linda’s turn to speak, visible tears shone in the older woman’s eyes. “Thank y’all for coming. I’m not going to speak for long because you all know I’ll become a blubbering mess. But I will say that it’s so nice to see so many familiar faces here tonight. You’ve all become like family to me. I’ll be sad to leave my position as the manager here—it’s been rewarding and challenging and I’ve met the best people. I’ll still be around town, bothering everyone and getting into your business…after my big vacation, that is.”
The crowd laughed before Linda continued. “What makes this move easier though, is knowing that this place will be in good hands once I’m gone. I’m so excited to announce my replacement—Matilda Taylor.”
There was a collective silence, only broken by a couple of gasps. The smattering of applause from the crowd came later than it should have, and it wasn’t as loud as it should have been.
Linda hurried to continue. “Tilly has a business and marketing degree and special interest in the Smoky Mountains, as this is where she grew up. I trust her to run the visitors center with care and passion, and I know she will take it places I never could.”
Cody shot a look at Kayden to find his brother’s jaw locked and his knuckles white around his beer. The man did not look happy.
CHAPTER 26
“Um, no, he absolutelywasafraid of lizards,” Nylah argued from across the bar. “I loved reptiles and got one for my tenth birthday. Cody wouldn’t go near it for the first year.”
Harper grinned at Cody. It was the middle of the day, and she sat on a stool beside Nylah, while Liam and Cody stood behind the bar, Cody with his eyes narrowed on his sister.
“Is that true?” Harper asked, surprised that the seemingly fearless man in front of her had ever had a fear in his life. “I thought you weren’t scared of anything?”
“First of all, I was ten,” Cody began. “Secondly, I’m pretty sure that phobia was caused by Nylah putting the thing on my face while I slept and having to wake up to this creature crawling over my nose and mouth.”
Oh, God. She’d probably have a fear of lizards too if that happened to her.
Nylah bit her bottom lip, probably to stifle the grin. “The things we do to our brothers when we’re ten.”
“That story almost makes me glad I’m an only child,” Liam said, shaking his head.
Cody bumped his shoulder. “Don’t fall asleep around her and any reptiles, man.”
They all laughed. It was the day after the retirement party, and Nylah and Liam had stayed over in the guest room upstairs. They were only here for one more night, so Harper was sucking up the time she got to spend with Cody’s twin and her partner before they left. The morning had been slow, with a late wake up and everyone preparing breakfast together. Nylah had been sharing so many stories of her and Cody’s life growing up, and they all made Harper laugh.
