Page 150

We’re halfway to the door when Gouta appears from the direction of the barn like a small furry welcoming committee. She trots straight up to me and headbutts my knee.

I bend and scratch her under the chin.

“Gouta, I need you to be on our side today.”

She bleats at me.

“That is not a firm yes.”

She bleats again.

Finn watches the exchange with amusement.

“Come on,” he says.

We climb the porch steps together, and Finn’s hand finds mine.

The kitchen door opens before we’ve reached it.

Sylvie is there in her red Christmas apron. She looks at us and then at our joined hands.

Her whole face crumples.

“Oh, my boys.” She opens her arms and pulls us both in at the same time. Both hands on the back of our heads. Her cheek against Finn’s temple, mine tucked against her shoulder somehow.

“My poor sweethearts,” she says quietly. “Hiding for so long. Oh, I am so glad you’re not hiding anymore.”

I don’t trust myself to answer. I meet Finn’s eyes over the top of her hair and his are shiny.

“Come on, come in. Get out of the cold. Dinner is almost ready. Foster, please tell Nikko he is not allowed to touch a single thing on the table until I’ve said grace, no matter how many rolls he thinks he can smuggle.”

“Yes, Sylvie.”

“Griffin, coat off.”

“Yes, Mom.”

She sails back into the kitchen, leaving us behind.

Finn helps me out of my coat and hangs it beside his.

Then he takes my hand again and pulls me toward the noise coming from the living room.

Everyone is there.

Bastian is in the big armchair, legs stretched out, socked feet crossed at the ankles. Taylen is on the arm of the chair. He’s got one hand resting between Bastian’s shoulders and looks perfectly at home there. Kay is on the floor while Mik and Tyler share the loveseat. Stone is stretched out along the entire length of the couch with his feet on Nikko’s leg. Nikko is on his phone, half-listening to whatever Stone is saying, and looks up when we come in.

He grins.

“There they are.”

“Please be nice,” I say.

“When have I ever been anything but nice, big brother?”

Stone sits up. “Finn. Fox.”

“Hi, Stone.”