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“If I were any more relaxed, I might be comatose.”

“Then sleep. Tomorrow, you’ll meet my sisters and my extended family. Gavin and Penny will Zoom in when they can. They’re gonna love you. I know it.”

She snuggled closer. “That’s good, because I love you.”

I pressed a kiss to her head.

“I know.”

She punched my arm and I chuckled. “I love you, Madison Tate. Never gonna stop.”

She sighed. “Good.”

CHAPTER 25

MADDY

Iwalked along the beach, taking in the view. It was so different here from BC. Much flatter, yet there were hills and inclines, although not the vast mountains we had out west. The water lapped at the shore in lazy swells, the sound soothing. I lifted my face to the sun and smiled at the peace and tranquility of the spot. I glanced behind me at the various houses dotting the community that Matthew’s extended family had created. All family, all together, yet living their separate lives, coming together to celebrate, mourn, laugh, cry. Or simply to be there with each other. Recharge and head back to the world waiting for them outside the gates, for some. Dwell and create their lives here, for others. They spent time together, time apart. Privacy was valued, but being alone or lonely was not the norm.

I was in awe of the structure and scope they had built of found family. The love that saturated the entire world they had created.

One I had been welcomed to so warmly. I had never known anything like it. My own parents had never even bothered with me, and while Sue was wonderful, the sheer number of people here who loved and cared for one another was overwhelming and, at times, unbelievable.

Yet it was there.

Love flowed freely here. Families gathered. Supported. Those here and those who chose a life outside of the “compound,” as they all referred to it.

I called it heaven.

I sat on a boulder on the rockier side of the beach. The surface was smooth from hundreds of years of waves washing over it, softening the rough edges. Far to the right of me was a long dock where a couple of small boats bobbed, ready for fishing or a trip on the water. To the left was an open expanse of water, the view endless and the sunsets spectacular.

I heard voices and shouting above me, and I knew soon the beach would contain Aiden and the men getting ready for a bonfire this evening on the sand. I had watched the gun show yesterday as they took turns chopping wood, the older generation taking on Matthew’s generation in contests. He was ticked off he couldn’t compete and leaned over at one point, looking serious.

“I won last time.” He flexed his arms. “I’ll take them next visit.”

I patted his shoulder. “I have no doubt. Your, ah, stamina is coming back strong.”

His eyes darkened. “Wanna go for a nap and I’ll show you how strong?”

I glanced over to see his sister Gracie watching us, her eyes dancing.

“Um, no. Your family would see.”

He dropped a fast kiss to my mouth. “My family would applaud.”

“I doubt that.”

“The menfolk would. The women would laugh and call me names. I can handle that.”

“We already made love this morning,” I hissed. “And I gave you a blow job in the shower.”

“Hmm. Spectacular. I love seeing you on your knees with my cock in your mouth,” he whispered into my ear. “I could return the favor in the library while everyone is busy.”

I pushed him away. “Stop it.”

“You’re tempted. I can tell.”

“And how is that, Mr. Know-It-All?”