Harry swallowed, because he wanted only the best for everyone he loved, OJ included.Bailey too, he thought, realizing she’d been as much a part of the family as any of the rest of them since she and Bryce had dated almost fifteen years ago now.
“What else did I miss on the family text?” Harry asked, not wanting to spend his time on his phone today. He just wanted to be with people he loved, in a warm, safe environment where he could make memories and take the experiences home with him.
“Not the main one,” Bryce said. “But Cash texted about cousin night up at the McClellan’s place in December.”
Harry grinned at him, because besides making sure Belle knew about his undying love and devotion, ensuring his cousins understood how valuable they were to him, to the family, to the world had become Harry’s mission.
“That man can cook. If he wants to host cousin night, I’m not going to say no.” Besides, his new house wouldn’t be done, and Harry would welcome the change in venue.
Bryce grinned and tapped his phone. “We’re all waiting for you to confirm.”
Harry rolled his eyes, though he knew he was the unofficial leader of cousin night. “I’ll text him. I thought they were doing dinner about now.”
“Yeah, because he made that gourmet breakfast.” Bryce pushed away from the table and reached for Harry’s plate before pulling his hand back empty. “You didn’t eat your pie.”
Harry shook his head. “It didn’t sound good.”
Bryce sat back down, concern now creased around his eyes. “What’s?—?”
“Don’t,” Harry said over the top of him. He shook his head. “I’ll come out to the ranch, and we’ll ride.”
That was code for,I don’t want to talk about this in front of all these ears.
He shot a look over to his father, who held Kassie’s little girl on one knee and baby Avery on the other. Of course, Avery was four now, and not a baby, but Harry still thought of her like that.
His father had mellowed the older he’d gotten, though Harry still saw his protective Daddy Bear streak roar to life when it came to his kids. But he wasn’t so intense, as he wasn’t traveling for the band, and constantly writing and rewriting lyrics.
He hoped that wouldn’t change as they worked on the Christmas album together. Harry and Belle had already started scheduling venues for next season’s mini-concert series, as well as drumming up publicity about the announcement of the album.
Tomorrow, in fact, would be a very busy day for him, as he’d go live to announce the album first, personally, on his own social media, where he had over a million followers. The uncles would follow with their own announcements, with Adam running the band account.
Harry wanted all traffic directed to Country Quad, where they’d have a Black Friday sale on tickets for the online performances a year from now.
Work like this used to exhaust him, but he found this energizing, and that alone told him that God had led him here, and he was doing work he could be proud of.
Bryce heaved a sigh as he got to his feet. “Okay,” he said. “But I don’t want to go riding in December. It’s wicked-cold. Let’s go to lunch or something.”
“I like lunch,” Harry said, and he smiled as his cousin turned and went to get more pie.
Joey sat down across from him, her phone poised in her hands. “What do you think of a White Elephant gift thing atcousin night?” she asked, barely looking up. “I think it would be fun, and Cash can do the food, and I’ll do the activity.”
She looked at him then, and Harry’s heart throbbed with love for her. She’d come alive with Adam at her side, and Harry hadn’t even realized she’d been muted until then.
“Yeah,” he said. “That sounds amazing.”
“I’ll tell Cash,” Joey said, a little squeal following. “This is going to be our best cousin night ever.” She left, and Harry wondered who’d rotate over to him next.
Turned out, it was his lovely Belle, and she laced her arm through his and laid her head against his shoulder. “You didn’t eat your pie, and you won’t move from this spot,” she murmured. “I think it’s time to use my pregnancy as a reason we need to leave early.”
“Mm, sounds nice,” he whispered. Harry pressed a kiss to his wife’s temple and stood up. He took her hand and helped her up too before turning to where Reggie stood in the kitchen.
“Thanks, Uncle Reg.” He moved over and drew his uncle and friend into a hug.
“Heading out already?”
“Yeah,” Harry said. “Belle and I just want a quiet day before the craziness of tomorrow.” He stepped back and grinned. “Everything was amazing. What can I do to help clean up before I go?”
“Nothing,” Reggie said. “We’re headed to Kentucky tomorrow, and Kassie called someone to come clean while we’re gone.”
