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“Your sister did a pretty damn good job of that herself, but I would’ve gladly taken that credit if it were warranted. Had I not come, she would’ve gotten herself out on her own,” I explained to him. “And from what she tells me, you taught her a little bit of self-defense, so you should be thanking yourself for having the foresight to teach her how to move like that.”

Downy looked down at his hands.

“I feel like a fool,” he said. “I should’ve tried harder to see her when we were younger…when it counted.”

I laughed then.

“You stupid dumb shit,” I said. “All she wants is for you to be there with her now! She doesn’t hold grudges. She’s nervous and scared that she might’ve inadvertently pissed you off by not telling you she was your full sister. Something she still doesn’t know any more about than you do.”

Downy frowned.

“Guess my mom owes all of us some explanations,” he muttered. “Do you mind sending her over here to me? I want to talk to her before I leave. Privately.”

I nodded and offered him my hand, which he took with ease.

“Thanks,” he muttered, shaking it once.

Once we disengaged, I slammed my hand down once on his back and left, careful of the snow that was still piling up around us.

Why we weren’t inside, I didn’t know, but it was what it was.

And if everyone felt more comfortable being outside bullshitting around a fire, then I was down.

Especially with the woman of my dreams in my lap helping me keep warm.

When I reached the seat I’d previously occupied, which was now missing Aspen, my brows furrowed.

“Where’s Aspen?” I asked Booth.

He pointed to where my daughter and Mace had been sitting in the back of the ambulance, which now only held Mace.

“Where’d they go?” I asked him once I reached them.

He pointed to her house.

I nodded my thanks and went inside through the carport door, finding the two of them in the kitchen looking through the cabinets.

“Can I help you find something?” I asked the two.

Aspen smiled at me over her shoulder but didn’t stop looking, Attie, however, stopped and smiled.

“I told her about the stuff we bought to make s’mores last week, which you stashed over here since you were convinced I’d eat the ingredients,” she explained. “And she’s looking for it.”

I snorted and walked into the pantry.

I kept it hidden away, because if it was out within reach, I’d eat the fuckers.

Pulling it off the top shelf, I handed it to Attie.

“Take this outside,” I ordered. “The sticks are right inside the carport door right next to the dryer.”

Attie smiled at me and took off, leaving me alone with Aspen.

“What was that about?” She asked once the door slammed shut.

“Your brother?” I confirmed.

She nodded.