“Same. Hope you’re ready for lunch. I told my brothers that you were coming and they’re all excited to catch up with you.”
“I can’t wait. It’s been too long since I saw them last.”
Arlowe’s brothers are kind of like my brothers. I talk to them a few times a month and send them gifts for their birthdays and Christmas.
Arlowe pulls into their drive and I smile as I look around the familiar setting. I had spent all of my free time running around these hills and playing with the animals in the pastures.
Jax and Deacon are just heading up the front porch steps when we pull in next to the porch. Both of the boys grin and wave as I climb out of the truck.
I rush up the steps and throw my arms around them.
“Harvie!” they shout in unison.
“Deacon! Jax!” I shout back.
“It’s so good to see you,” Deacon says, squeezing me tighter.
“You too. I missed you guys.”
They usher Arlowe and me inside, and I grin as I follow them into the kitchen. Wesley is there laying out a bunch of food already, and I rush to give him a hug.
“Good to see you, Harv.”
“You too, Wes.”
He ruffles my hair, and I smile as I take the plate that Jax offers me.
“What have you been up to?” Deacon asks me as we start to make sandwiches and pile our plates with pasta salad and chips.
“Working, mostly,” I tell them.
“Yeah, how’s New York?” Jax asks.
“And Paris?” Wesley asks.
“And every other exotic place you’ve been lately?” Deacon adds and I laugh.
“It’s not that exciting. I spend most of my time in each city working or ordering room service.”
“Still, it must be a little nice,” Jax argues.
“It was…” I say, trailing off.
“Are you thinking about retiring?” Arlowe asks, and I can see that she’s excited about the idea.
I can’t blame her. I’d love to spend more time with her.
“Maybe,” I admit. “I’m getting older.”
Jax snorts out a laugh, and Deacon and Wesley look at me like I’m crazy.
“Yeah, we should be looking at nursing homes,” Jax jokes and I laugh.
“For a model. I’m getting old for a model,” I add, and they roll their eyes.
“So, retire then. You can stay with us until you get a place of your own,” Deacon offers.
“Yeah, we’ve got the room,” Wesley adds.