I look toward Josie. “Why would Raven be outside? Her party starts in less than an hour.”
Josie shrugs and grabs her wrap off the hook by the door. “Let’s go find out.”
Truthfully, I’m afraid to know. At twenty-one, Raven has grown more independent of the family, and lately, that independence is scaring the hell out of everyone around her. I guess that’s the prerogative of a twenty-one-year-old girl, but as an honorary uncle it’s been hard to watch her struggle needlessly, as she insists on rejecting help from everyone around her. That said, I follow Josie outside.
By the time we are on the front porch, the boys are already talking to her. She still looks like the same sweet Raven, except now she’s all grown up and close to graduating college.
“Hey, Raven. Is everything okay?” Josie reaches out to wrap her arms around the birthday girl.
Raven smiles, twisting her long dark hair with one finger like she always does when she’s nervous. “I thought I’d stop and see if the boys wanted to ride over to the stables with Gage and I. We were on our way back from the lake.”
“Gage?” Josie asks. “Who’s Gage? We didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
Raven shakes her head as we look up to the driver seat of the black pickup truck that’s waiting for her at the end of the driveway. “Yeah, we met at the university.” She says it as though she’s holding something back.
“Oh,” Josie says, readjusting her pashmina over her shoulders. “Well, can we say hi?”
Raven looks back toward the truck and waves the man in. I can already see he’s older and I know that despite the age gap Henry and Cami share, it’s going to piss Henry off.
“Nice to meet you,” Gage says, holding out a firm hand. I’d guess the man is at least fifteen years older than Raven. He’s tall and bearded with thick shoulders and tattoos inked up and down his forearms. It’s hard to believe she met this guy at a university.
Josie looks toward me, her eyes wide, but I can’t figure what’s wrong. She looks back toward Gage. “Is that a ship on your forearm?”
“It is. Are you a fan of vintage sailboats?”
Josie’s face goes blank. “No. I mean… it’s nice. I just—”
“What is it Aunt Josie?” Raven tips up onto her toes as she talks.
“Nothing, kiddo. It’s just a cool tattoo. You know what? We’ll follow you back to the party. Your mom wanted some help with decorations, anyway. Let me just grab my purse.” Josie turns toward me. “Wyatt, can you help me inside for a second?”
“Great to meet you, Gage,” I say, shaking the man’s hand before following Josie inside.
In eight years with Josie, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this much concern on her face.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I hold her against my chest the second the door closes to the house.
She looks up at me. “Wyatt… your grandma saw that tattoo eight years ago. She predicted that the man who had it would beobsessedwith Raven, remember? Cami was so worried about it back in the day.”
My brows narrow. “I remember, but grandma’s visions weren’talwaysright.” I kiss her forehead. “Maybe he’s a good guy. Raven’s a smart girl. She can take care of herself.”
Josie’s eyes roll. “I know, but this isn’t a coincidence. Cami is going to lose it! What if this guy wants to hurt Raven?”
“Did grandma say he was here to hurt Raven?”
Josie shakes her head. “No. She said he was obsessed in a caring way.”
“Well…”
“Well, what?”
“Well,” I say, pulling her into my chest tighter, “maybe he is then. Maybe he’s going to love her the way I love you. That would be a blessing, right? Grandma was right aboutmytattoos andourlove.”
Josie smiles and slaps my chest playfully. “You really didn’t use grandma to set me up??”
I grin. “No! I didn’t even know you were coming. That was pure psychic ability.”
“You’re going to have to remind Cami of the caring part at the party today,” she says, leaning her head against my stomach. “And it wouldn’t hurt to have your grandma out to get a vibe on the guy.”
“Whatever you say, sweetheart.” I kiss the top of her head and sway back and forth, trying to soothe her fears. “Look at this life we created. Three boys, a cabin by the river, a little bakery, and a love stronger than any I know. If Raven gets half of that, she’ll be lucky as hell.”
Josie looks up toward me, her emerald, green eyes shining in the light. “Don’t forget the racoons we have in the shed outback.”
I kiss her lips gently, savoring the subtle flavor of vanilla and spice. “How could I ever forget the raccoons?”