Laiken’s eyes twinkled. “They’ll be watching you now.”
“On my best behavior,” I said, making an X over my heart.
We headed up the path, and the door opened again. This time, a blonde and a man with dark features filled the space. The woman grinned. “Are you two causing trouble?”
“Duh, Mom,” Birdie said.
Sage giggled. “Birds was threatening Laiken’s new boyfriend.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Sorry about that. They love their Laiken.” She stepped forward, extending her hand. “I’m Hadley, and this is my husband, Calder.”
I shook both their hands. “Nice to meet you. And I like that they’re looking out for their girl.” No, I loved it. Knowing that others had Laiken’s back and cared for her.
Calder chuckled. “Just don’t step out of line. They can get vicious.”
“Dad,” Birdie moaned.
“It’s the truth, kid. Now, let’s get inside before we all freeze to death.”
We followed the family inside to the sounds of laughter and the faint strains of music.
Hadley motioned us along. “Everyone’s in the kitchen.”
As we stepped into the space, my gaze swept the room. I recognized Addie and Beckett. There was a blonde woman I didn’t recognize, and another who I registered with a flash of shock. The same one I’d seen on the hill at Ramsey’s ranch. The one who’d had the playful tussle with the dog.
Her eyes widened a fraction, and then she quickly averted her gaze. I noticed that she was on the outskirts of the group, rubbing the head of a German Shepherd while sitting at a breakfast nook while everyone else gathered around the kitchen island.
Laiken tugged me forward. “You know Addie and Beckett. This is Hayes’ fiancée, Everly.”
I shook the woman’s hand, who was sitting on a stool at the island. “Nice to meet you. I’m a fan of your fiancé’s.”
She grinned. “I am, too. Even though he didn’t believe there was a movie star in our midst. He made me think I was losing my mind.”
I chuckled. “Now you can hold this over his head for years to come.”
“I like the way you think.”
Laiken led me towards the familiar stranger. “This is Shiloh, the last of the Easton clan. Shy, this is Boden.”
The woman didn’t stand or offer a hand. She simply dipped her head in a sort of greeting. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” I crouched to greet the gorgeous dog. “Is he yours?”
Shiloh shook her head. “Koda belongs to Hayes.”
“Nice to meet you, Koda.” I gave him a scratch behind the ears.
“Can I get you a beer?” Beckett called.
I straightened, heading back to the island with the rest of the group. “I wouldn’t turn one down.”
“You?” he asked Laiken.
She shook her head. “I’ll take a soda if you’ve got one.”
“Get her a Cherry Coke,” Addie ordered.
Beckett’s lips twitched. “That’s her drug of choice.”