Turning this old plantation into a bed and breakfast had forever been my brother and his wife’s dream, since they’d first met when we’d moved to this small town when I was sixteen.
Our mama had gotten another wild hair, moving us out of the city and thinking we would actually find a better life. Like she wouldn’t be the same useless mess wherever we went.
We’d only been here for a short time before things had gone south for Jace, but during that time, he’d found his destiny.
His fate that had been stolen from him.
The guy had fought for it until he’d claimed what was always meant to be, even with years of heartache and loss separating the two of them.
I’d call bullshit on the whole happily ever after bit except for the proof of it that was standing right there. Shining from their faces, so real it was impossible to miss.
I moved to Grace’s door and opened it.
I extended my hand to help her out.
A flashfire raced my arm.
Every fucking time.
Every touch.
Every brush.
Nervously, she stood, a little more flustered than I’d ever seen her. “Grace, this is my brother Jace, and his wife, Faith.” My tone was a gentle encouragement.
“Welcome to our home,” Faith said, stepping forward. The girl was all warmth. Oozing comfort.
Grace stepped forward and accepted her embrace, the baby snug between them. “Thank you so much for having us here. I’m so sorry to wake you in the middle of the night.”
Faith giggled a soft sound and bounced Benton. “Oh, not a whole lot of sleep happening around here these days, anyway. This little guy thinks the only time he can sleep is when I’m rocking and pacing with him. Second I put him down, he starts to scream.”
Jace wrapped an arm around his wife and nuzzled his face along her cheek. “My little man has good taste.”
Grace glanced at me for reassurance. No doubt, she’d thought I’d steal them away to somewhere secret and far, where no one could find her. But if anyone would stand up and fight with me for them it was Jace, Mack a phone call away.
Without a doubt, we were going to need those connections.
“Why don’t we get everyone inside so y’all can get some sleep?” Faith offered. “We only have one other guest right now, and he’s checking out in the mornin’, so it’ll just be you and your family staying. My daughter Bailey is going to be beside herself when she finds out she has a friend to play with.”
Faith’s gaze turned to the backseat of the car where Grace’s little girls were conked out, Sophie’s head dropped all the way forward in her car seat and Mallory with her mouth gaping open wide where she was buckled in her booster.
And Thomas.
Thomas was watching us with all that worry and speculation.
My chest tightened.
The kid had had to grow up too fast. Had seen too much. Hated it in a way that few could understand.
My hands fisted with the thought that he’d ever have to endure any of the pain and agony that had been inflicted on me.
Just the thought of someone striking him was more than I could tolerate.
It was instant.
Fury clenching down on my ribs and twisting in my stomach.
It wasn’t going to happen.
I jumped when I felt the hand on my arm. Grace looked up at me, worry swimming in the depths of those teal eyes. “Are you okay?”
Not even close.
I cleared my throat and roughed a hand through my hair. “Yeah. Let’s get them inside.”
“I have all the rooms ready,” Faith said, turning for the porch steps.
Jace went to the trunk and pulled out the bags.
I opened the back door, and Grace leaned in and unbuckled Sophie, shushing her and whispering at her temple when the tiny girl whined in her sleep. “It’s okay, Sophie Marie. Mommy’s got you. Shh.”
That meteor in my throat raced faster.
I moved around the car, opening the other door where Thomas waited like the poor kid didn’t know if he belonged.
I fucking hated that, too.
That he ever had to question who he was. Question his worth.
“Come on, buddy, let’s get inside so you can get some sleep.”
His eyes darted around the property, into the billow and rustle of the leaves of the trees. “Are you sure this is a good place?”
“I’m sure. My brother is the nicest man you’ll ever meet.”
He looked up at me, blinking, his question all too genuine. “Nicer than you?”
The laugh I choked out tasted of bitterness, and I knelt so I could help him gather his charger and tablet that he seemed to cling to like a lifeline. “Yeah, buddy, nicer than me.”
A million miles and a lifetime away. Our paths, which had once seemed linear, diverted. Parting in the middle. Him going one way and me the other.