Beck caught my eye. “I know you’d do the same for me. Now, be good to my cousin. I don’t wanna have to kick your ass.”
“I promise.”
With that, I hustled inside. Josie swung the door open as soon as I crested the top of the stairs. I stepped over the threshold and kicked the door shut behind me before sweeping her into my arms. When I lifted her close, she tucked her head into the curve of my shoulder as she murmured, “I love you. I’m so glad you’re home.”
I held on tight, soaking in the feel of her. It felt as if we were communicating silently. Home was more than a place; it was Josie.
Moments later, I eased her down and stepped back. She ran her hands over my arms and my chest, as if checking to make sure all of me was in working order.
“Don’t you ever do that again.” She wagged her finger at me, her eyes shining with tears.
“Do what?”
She took a shaky breath. “I don’t know. Go away for work, get caught in some drama at the airport, and drive off the road with Leo. All of the above.” She flung a hand in the air.
“Can we clarify that I had nothing to do with Marnie showing up? That was her whole scene.”
Josie blinked up at me. “I know. Get out of your wet clothes.” She gestured to my jacket, which was pretty soaked, and my boots. My legs had gotten wet from walking through the embankment of deep snow drenched with icy rain. “I made chicken and dumpling soup. It’s not completely ready. It’s on simmer, and I’ll add the dumplings in a minute. Hop in the shower and get comfortable. Do you need to call Kara at your parents’?”
I called my daughter, then did exactly as ordered after that. A while later, I leaned back into the couch cushions, rolling my head to the side and feeling my lips curl into a smile. “That was amazing.” I patted my stomach.
Josie smiled. “Chicken and dumplings are perfect when it’s cold and wet out.”
I lifted a hand, curling it lightly and trailing my knuckles along her cheekbone. “I missed you.” My throat felt thick with emotion. I had missed Josie so fucking much.
“I missed you too.” Her eyes were bright. “I’m sorry I took off at the airport. I didn’t realize who Marnie was at first.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek as she studied me.
My hand dropped, catching hers where it rested on her knee and curling over it. Her fingers laced with mine. “It’s okay. Honestly, I figured something like that would happen someday. I told her that if she really wanted to connect with Kara, she should contact my attorney. We’ll do it the official way.”
“You don’t have to do anything legally, though, right?”
“Nope. Like I told you before, she relinquished her rights. I didn’t ask her to, but she didn’t want to deal with court monitoring. That was her choice. But I always told myself I’d let her have a relationship with Kara if she showed it mattered and had her life together. We’ll see what she does next.”
Josie looked at me, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “Before I say this, I want to be clear I’m aware this is my baggage. I know Marnie had nothing to do with it.”
“Okay?”
“Kayla came into Firehouse Café the other morning. She made it seem like she knew what you wanted and that it wasn’t me. It’s not like I don’t know she was always the prettier one. I’m the tomboy skier. When I saw you with Marnie and saw how gorgeous she was, I got all up in my insecurities.” She paused and let out a sharp sigh. “That’s it. I’m fine now, but that’s why I bolted.”
I turned to face her fully. “Look at me,” I said when her eyes dipped down.
She cleared her throat and brought her eyes to mine. “What is it?”
“Josie, you’re beautiful. You always have been. I love that you’re an athlete. Kayla is not who I want. She’s just a high school girlfriend who screwed around on me. Don’t let her get into your head. And Marnie? Just seeing her made me angry. Kara is everything to me, and she couldn’t even be bothered.”
“But—”
I reached for her hand. “I don’t want you to ever worry like that. It’s not that I don’t get it. Kayla’s dealing with her own mess now, and she’s stirring up shit because she’s unhappy. If we ever hear from Marnie again, we’ll deal with it together. You’ve been more a part of Kara’s life than she ever was.”
Josie blinked, her shoulders rising as she took a breath. “Okay. I’m sorry I took off. I just felt so stupid and didn’t know what else to do.”
“Hey, I sure as hell didn’t know what to do when Marnie came walking up to me. You don’t need to apologize. If you’re worried about what she said, ask Beck. He was there for the whole thing.”
Her lips curled in a sheepish smile. “I trust you, Tate.”
I reached for her hand. “If you doubt how much I want you, this should be all that you need to consider.” I placed her palm over my rock-hard arousal.
Josie’s eyes widened.
