“Your timing is perfect,” Haven added.
“It is?” Rowan asked.
“Yeah, this looks like a good sunset for Heartfire Falls.”
As we climbed out of the truck, the whole family was waiting on the porch. Elsa came running down the steps. “Are you okay, Adele?”
“I’m fine. I swear. Just a little scare.”
“She is fine,” Rowan added calmly.
My mom wasted no time herding us all inside the house, insisting on feeding us. “Dinner. I know you’re starving. Even if you ate at the hospital, the food isn’t great there.”
Adele rolled her eyes, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. My mom placed her hands on Adele’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. “We love you, and we want you to be okay.”
Rowan rolled with the chaos of my family and fit in easily. My heart felt warm to see Adele so pleased her sister was here.
“Look who’s here,” Mom said as we walked into the family part of the kitchen, her eyes twinkling.
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused. Until I turned and saw him.
“Oh, hey, Ford!” I pulled him into a back-slapping hug. “Haven’t seen you in maybe two years.”
“Took a position with the hotshot crew in Willow Brook,” he said with a sly grin. “Still living in Anchorage, but I’ll be out here full-time soon.”
“Awesome! If you ever want to guide trips for us…” Haven chimed in.
“Already heard,” he replied, sliding into a seatnext to Rowan,whose cheeks tinged with pink.
When Adele sat down beside me, I slid my hand onto her thigh and gave it a squeeze. “I missed you,” I said, leaning close.
Her eyes were bright. “You’ve been with me all day.”
“I know,” I murmured. “But I missed you last night. You were avoiding me.”
She rolled her eyes, smiling sheepishly. “Maybe a little. But I’m done with that.”
“Good. Because I’m coming over tonight.”
When I leaned close and kissed her, Asher whistled. “You areso gonefor her.”
I glanced across the table and shrugged. “I am.” I was head over heels for Adele. Forever.
My mom clapped. Adele blushed deeper. I didn’t care. I wanted to savor her.
Tommy had ideas. “We should have a celebration!”
“A celebration?” Adele squeaked, glancing from Tommy to me.
“Yes! You guys are in love. Excellent reason to celebrate,” he explained. “I’ll make a cake. I have a new recipe to practice.”
“You do?” Haven asked.
“Yep. I saw one onThe Great British Bake Off. That’s my new favorite show. I want to be one of those bakers from that show.”
“I love this!” Adele whispered.
“Ohhh…” Asher rubbed his hands together. “The food is about to geteven betterhere.”
