He took a bite and moaned. “What’s that unique flavor?”
“Vanilla. Lots of vanilla. There’s a tablespoon in here when most recipes call for about a teaspoon in a similar bar.”
He took another bite, and the flavor seemed to explode on his tongue. “I take it back. Go ahead and cater to all of us all the time.”
She laughed and finished filling the plate. “It feels good to be living a normal kind of life. I forgot what it was like not to have to worry.”
“I’m glad Tarver is in custody. It makes me happy to see you happy.”
She picked up the plate and a napkin that she’d placed a single bar on. “Then follow me. Cooking for others is my love language, and I am about to love all over your brother and team.”
She laughed and the joyous sound trailed her out the door. She handed the bars to Dev. “Share with others, but don’t eat too many if you want to stay fit.”
He chuckled and took one, then passed the plate to Nick, who was on his computer. He grabbed one, but she doubted he would even taste it.
Dev swallowed. “Oh, man, there goes my girlish figure. I’m going to need another one. Give me the plate back. Or that one in your hand.”
“It’s for your mom.” Brooklyn jerked her hand back. “You’ll have to fight the others for one.”
She went to the living room and sat down next to Sandy. Colin followed to sit in the leather chair. He only hoped Brooklyn didn’t think he planned to follow her like this every day, but he couldn’t get enough of being with her. Of seeing her happiness and relief.
She handed the bar to his mom. “I’m sure you heard everything.”
“Oh yeah, but I had to turn the TV down to do so.” She laughed and took a bite of the bar. “Oh, Dev is right. This is wonderful. You are spoiling us, but you know that’s not really part of the job, right?”
“I do, but it’s my pleasure.” She smiled at Colin’s mom, and his heart filled with gratitude.
His mom held the bar but didn’t take another bite. “And you’re really going to stay here for a while?”
Brooklyn gave an enthusiastic nod, warming Colin clean through. “I contacted my favorite company I worked for in the past three years, and they’ll let me work remotely. So unlessthings change, I’m good to be here for you and still do some hacking.”
“I promise not to be too needy.” His mother took another bite of the bar, then set it and the napkin on the table.
Brooklyn took his mother’s hands. “That’s not possible. And don’t hide things from me just because I am hacking. Hacking can wait. You can’t.”
“But I?—”
“But nothing. Promise you won’t hide things from me, or I can’t stay. I need to know I’m taking care of you in the way you deserve.”
“I promise.” His mother’s eyes filled with tears, and she gently drew Brooklyn into a hug. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you, but I am most blessed.”
Colin understood her emotions. He could get teary-eyed, too, if he let himself. He hated that Brooklyn had gone through such a terrible situation with Tarver, but it brought her to him and his mother, and for that he was forever grateful.
No matter how bleak things looked—like facing a jaguar that wanted to chow down on you for a snack—God could and would work everything for good. Colin just had to remember that. Let go of any residual issues from his time at the Bureau. Release his need to let his mother’s health consume him. Allow himself to follow these feelings for Brooklyn and fall for her.
No matter the situation, God would work it out. He always did.
25
The Saturday before Father’s Day, Brooklyn took a deep breath of the glorious sun-warmed air. She kept one eye on Shadow Lake Survival’s driveway and one on Colin, where he stood on the other side of the lakeside pavilion. Picnic tables covered in dishes of food filled the large structure. The Shadow Lake Survival team members and their families gathered around, the children were running and playing without a care, adding to the festive event. Just outside, a smoking grill held hamburgers and hotdogs that Reid had charge of grilling.
Brooklyn didn’t think she would ever see this day. They’d done it. Had Kane in custody. Her life was her own again. And as a bonus, they’d done it before the big Father’s Day gathering. Just barely. But in enough time for her to call her parents and invite them to today’s celebration. Her mom just texted that they were turning into the driveway.
Brooklyn’s heart pounded. Her palms were moist. She was both excited and nervous about seeing them again. Three years was a long time to be separated. They would both have changed. What wouldn’t have changed was the love between the three of them, and that could overcome anything else.
A white SUV drove up and parked. Ah, she was right. Change had occurred. The first one—a new car. Life had gone on for them. For her. Didn’t mean they didn’t miss each other. Just that they’d lived their lives as she would expect them to, and hopefully, they were happier than she’d been.
The doors opened, and her dad slid out from behind the wheel, and her dear, sweet mama out the passenger side. She retrieved a casserole dish from the back and handed it to Dad. Brooklyn had told them not to bother bringing anything for the potluck, but she knew her Southern-bred mother could never come to a potluck empty-handed.
