“Good.” Calder wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me back to the counter. “Now, let’s finish our breakfast.”
I couldn’t breathe. My lungs refused to cooperate. It had been so long since I’d felt this kind of warmth from Calder. I wanted to sink into it and never come out. But I knew that would be a mistake. Because it could break my heart all over again.
6
Hadley
I satin my SUV and stared at the ranch house. This property had been in my dad’s family for generations. The house itself was full of history. I couldn’t count the number of nights I’d spent on the porch swing outside, staring at the stars.
There were a million beautiful memories contained in those walls. And a million more hard ones. But now, every time I walked inside, it was charged. As if I had to don armor before I could cross the threshold.
I had no choice tonight. And if I waited another few minutes, I’d be late. Everyone else was already here. Everly and Hayes. Shiloh. Addie. My parents. Calder, Birdie, and Sage. I was the only one waiting on the outside.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to find my way to that inner circle. Part of me wanted to be there more than anything, and another rebelled at the very idea.
Instead of trying to explore the whys of that, I grabbed my bag and hopped out of my SUV. As I headed towards the steps, Hayes appeared from the shadows of the porch.
“I was starting to wonder if you’d turn around and leave.”
“Checking up on me, Bubby?”
“Just catching my breath after a long day.”
I climbed the first few steps, taking in my brother’s face. “Everything okay?”
“Just small-town politics.”
It wasn’t a job I’d want. I’d be horrible at trying to soothe tempers and getting people to see reason. “Better you than me.”
He snorted. “You’d end up in lockup on day one.”
I gave Hayes an elbow to the gut. “Hey, now.”
He wrapped an arm around my neck and pulled me in so he could give me a noogie.
“I’m gonna tell Everly that you’re picking on me.”
Hayes released me with a little shove. “That’s not playing fair.”
“Nope. But it’s smart.”
He pulled open the door for me. “Vicious.”
“Damn straight, and don’t you forget it.”
“Hadley!” Birdie yelled as she caught sight of me.
I lost a lungful of air as she wrapped her arms around me. “Are you taller since last week?”
She giggled. “I dunno. Maybe. If I’m taller, you think Dad will get me a skateboard?”
I glanced at Calder, whose gaze was zeroed in on me and his daughter. Skateboards or anything that reminded Calder of our past daredevil antics was likely a no-go zone. But that didn’t mean Birdie should let him off the hook. “I don’t know, Birds. You should ask him.”
She grinned up at me. “I’m gonna ask on the drive home.”
“Good luck,” I whispered.
Everly rose from the couch, crossing to give me a quick hug. “So good to see you.”