Page 44 of Sizzle

“Or the time that Liam lost a bet about a football game and had to wear a pink visor to work in the fields for two weeks straight.” Evan giggles, not deterred by our parents scolding him.

“Hey, I looked damn good in that visor.” I point my fork at him.

“I’m sure you did.” Gabrielle presses a kiss to my cheek.

This is all I can ask for; my family ragging on each other as I sit next to the woman who is quickly becoming my everything, holding her hand under the table during dinner as my grandmother talks about memories from growing up in the restaurant, while Alana and Warren chat with her about the theater’s next production.

“Boys, will you clear and bring in dessert?” Mom turns to Patrick and me, and of course, we oblige.

My brother gets to clearing the dishes as I break out the dessert plates and spoons, then hit the drip button on the coffee pot.

Just as I’m about to enter the dining room with the first of several cakes Mom baked, my phone goes off. And the notification is from the security company Cass set me up with.

“What’s wrong?” Patrick asks as soon as he sees my face, another one of the cakes in his hands.

“I got an alert from one of the cameras out on the farm.” I look down at my phone, studying the video.

“Let’s go.” Evan jumps up like he’s ready to go to war.

Around the table, everyone begins to rise. We all know the kind of danger this can cause, and I’d say my family is spooked after what has happened to us in the last two years.

“Hold on a second, we should alert the company, go over the video …” Dad steps in as the voice of reason.

“Except what if whoever it is didn’t leave yet? We should go out there.” Warren puts in his two cents.

“No, I don’t want you going out there.” Alana places a hand over his heart.

“Get the BB guns. Mom has a Taser in the drawer in the hall. Grab them both. Then we’re going out.” I make the executive decision because there is no way I am letting someone come onto our land and mess with us again.

“This confirms someone really is trying to steal our crops, right?” Cassandra’s voice wavers as she holds Rebecca close.

“It’s going to be okay. Let’s call the authorities while they go out.” Gabrielle goes over to rub Cassandra’s back.

Mom joins them, offering to take the baby so Cass can breathe for a moment. “That’s a good idea.”

My eyes connect with Gabrielle’s, and I see real fear there. Not caring that this room is full of my family members, I cross to her and take her into my arms, pressing a kiss against her temple as I breathe her in.

“Be careful, okay?” she whispers.

And this is why I love her; instead of telling me not to go and dissuading me from my gut instincts, she gives permission while wanting me to be safe.

I love her. I am in love with this woman, and I need to tell her as soon as I feel she won’t run away from me at the mention of that phrase.

Right now, though, I need to go out and protect what belongs to my family because someday, she’ll be a part of this.

“I will.” I kiss her once more. “You stay safe in here, okay?”

“I’m just waiting for you, hero.” She makes a small joke and it cuts a little of the tension.

Those words are the thing pumping blood to my heart as I head outside with my brothers, not knowing what we’re about to encounter.

20

LIAM

Somewhere in the distance, past the rows of our crops and through the woods we played in as kids, a coyote howls.

The sound sends a chill through my bones as my father, brothers, Warren, and I walk through our family property, stepping over the plants sprouting up all around us.

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