Wendy throws her arms around me, the top of her head at my chin as she hugs me tight. I remember walking into the hospital room the day she was born. She was this tiny, wailing thing, all pink and wrinkled. Lawson had tears in his eyes as he held her out to me.
I had wondered at her then. At this miraculous little human.
Over seventeen years later, and a tear slips down my cheek, the same as back then.
Family is a funny thing. The way it grows. How it adapts. It’s not the same for everybody, but I think that’s what makes it so great.
You can always gain new family. Wendy joined mine long ago.
Proof, Lawson said, that helived.
Proof, too, that he loved.
And so do I. So do I.
Lawson and I arrive at Jackson’s house as the sun is dipping below the mountains. The bonfire is already roaring out back, his brothers’ chatter drifting across the yard as we approach.
It feels like every summer I’ve lived in Montana. The crisp night air. The smell of the outdoors. The sound, even, of the boisterous Darling family.
It’s so damn good to be home.
“Hey,” Colton calls out. “You guys are finally here. Saved you a chair, Oakley.”
I glance at the Adirondack chair Colton indicates, which is set apart from the others, almost like…
“Oh, good grief,” I mutter. “Is this a goddamn interrogation?”
“What? No,” Colton protests, even as he sits forward with his hands steepled over his knees. “We’re just gonna have a friendly chat.”
“Lawson?” I plead.
The man squeezes the back of my neck, tugging me in for a brief kiss that has Jackson grunting. “You knew what you were getting into, Oak.”
I stare at the back of Lawson’s head as he leaves me to my fate.
Ash hands me a whiskey tin, winking before he steps away.
With a sigh, I seat myself across from the others, the fire crackling between us. Ash sits beside Jackson, the man’s feet crossed at his ankles. Remi has a gentle smile on his face that looks like it’s meant to reassure. Colton is still staring me down with intense blue eyes, even as Noah, seated next to him, is shaking his head, bemusement on his face.
I take a sip of my whiskey before clasping my hands together. “All right. Lay it on me.”
Colton knocks his hat up with a knuckle. “What, exactly, are your intentions with our older brother?”
Remi groans, Noah loses his battle not to laugh, and Ash is outright grinning now. I find Lawson’s eyes, somehow knowing from just one look that I have permission—encouragement, even—to answer however I’d like.
Refocusing on Colton, I say, “Are we talking about when he’s tied up or not?”
There’s a beat of silence before a collective groan rings out.
Colton scrubs his face, muttering, “Nope, sure didn’t need to know that.”
Noah supplies a helpful, “You did ask.”
Remi looks as if he’s contemplating what choices brought him here.
Ash hollers suggestively, adding a, “What? That’s hot,” when Jackson glares his way.
I, for my part, kick my boot over my knee, enjoying the Darling Whiskey in my tin as the flames from the fire turn the night orange.
