Warmth wraps around me immediately. The house smells like roasted chicken, fresh bread, and something sweet baking somewhere deeper in the kitchen. Voices drift down the hallway, overlapping laughter and conversation echoing through the high-ceilinged entryway. Framed photographs line the walls, kids, horses, family gatherings, graduations, weddings. A whole life lived together.
Something shifts inside me.
I think I forgot what home felt like… until now.
When you live without a real family for years, you forget how wonderful and loud it can be. The Hawthornes move around each other like they’re all connected, in tune without even trying.
And I can’t help but wonder if Mason and I lost more than just a father… and then a mother.
We lost ourhome.
A small blur of movement rushes past me.
“Uncle Dex!”
I turn just in time to see Dex scoop up a little girl with dark hair and bright blue eyes, spinning her in the air while she giggles.
“Uncle Dex, who did you bring?”
She turns toward me immediately.
“She’s pretty!”
I laugh, the sound surprising me.
“This is Lexy,” Dex says, pointing at me before gesturing toward her. “And this is Mia.”
He tickles her, and she squeals.
“Nice to meet you, Mia.”
She smiles at me like we’re already friends, then leans close to Dex’s ear to whisper something. She tries to be quiet, but we all hear it clearly.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
Dex shakes his head. “No. Lexy works for me.” He sets her down.
Heat floods my cheeks.
Mia studies me carefully, then sighs dramatically.
“Are you sure?”
She scrunches her tiny eyebrows at Dex.
“Because she’s very pretty. She looks like Elsa.”
I have absolutely no idea where to look.
“Mia, stop bothering Lexy.”
Summer steps forward, smiling softly at me.
“I see you met my daughter.”
She hugs me.
“I did,” I say, smiling back. “And she’s gorgeous.”
