Page 62 of Shades of You

“Doing all right?” The low rumble of Hunter’s voice cut through the chatter and whirr of my thoughts. His hand found mine, his calloused fingers interlacing with my own.

I gave his hand a quick squeeze. “Yeah. I am.”

But even as the words left my lips, a niggle of worry wormed its way back in. How would my family fit into this equation? The Coleridges were far more accustomed to brandishing harpoons than olive branches where the Markhams were concerned. And though Ben had surprised me, I had a feeling my three other brothers would treat Hunter with more than a little skepticism. But that was a problem for future Brenna. Now I was determined to enjoy the warm breeze against my face.

Half an hour later, April emerged from the steps leading up from the cabin. She moved slowly over the deck toward us, rubbing a hand over her wide belly. She dropped into the canvas chair with a sigh. “I never thought I could pee so much.”

Gabe hovered protectively from the seat next to her, his brows drawn together in a frown. “Come here. Put your feet up.”

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid.” April huffed, but a smile played at the corners of her mouth. Gabe leaned over to remove her sandals, then set her swollen feet in his lap to massage them. April sighed contentedly, her eyes fluttering closed.

Hunter laughed softly beside me, then leaned close. “I can’t believe that’s my big brother. You might be right about this wholepeople changingthing.”

“It’s sweet. They’re such a cute couple together.” The wind whipped strands of my hair across my face. I brushed them away, my attention drawn to movement at the rear of the boat. Evan leaned against the rail near the stern, his posture stiff as he observed our little group. Liv came up beside him, slipped an arm around his waist, and stretched up to press a kiss to his clean-shaven cheek. Some of the tension bled from Evan’s shoulders as he sent a smile her way. After a murmured exchange, Liv floated toward me, her gauzy sundress billowing around her knees, and Hunter took the opportunity to talk to Maia.

“I’m so glad you could make it,” Liv said, engulfing me in a lavender-scented hug. Wisps of her curly hair tickled my cheek.

“Me too. Thanks for having me.” I returned her embrace a bit uncertainly, conscious of Evan’s appraising gaze. She might be a friend, but he was all Markham.

Liv pulled back, her green eyes sparkling. “You’ll have to stop by Sweet Dreams soon! I’m working on some new cupcake flavors I need a guinea pig for.”

“I’m always happy to lend my taste buds to the cause.”

“It’s set, then. I’ll hold you to that.” With a last friendly squeeze of my arm, Liv sauntered off to where Maia and her family stood at the bow.

In her wake, Evan approached, hands shoved in the pockets of his shorts. “Brenna.” He inclined his head, the greeting polite.

“Hi, Evan. It’s been a while.”

Discomfort rolled off him in waves, but I caught a flicker of curiosity in his eyes as they flicked between Hunter and me. “I have to admit, I admire that you’re taking on the mammoth task of burying the hatchet between our families.”

“It’s about time someone did, don’t you think?” Smiling softly, I tilted my head and studied him for a moment. Despite his reserved demeanor, there was sincerity in his gaze.

Evan’s jaw tensed briefly before he nodded. “Yeah, there’s been a lot of ill will between us.”

A surge of gratitude warmed my chest for the people surrounding me. “Right. It’s time to break the cycle and choose a different path.”

I could sense Evan’s internal struggle, the weight of his family history pressing down on him. But he was here, making an effort to support Hunter and me. “We learned firsthand recently that people can change. Ben did a standout job while he worked here.”

“And that’s how change begins. Maybe I’m just picking up the torch my big brother set down.”

I shot a quick glance at Hunter, who was now talking to Gabe and April. As if sensing my attention, he looked at me, stiffening when he saw who I was talking to. For a moment, heat blazed in his eyes until I gave him a nod to let him know I was fine. And as quick as it appeared, the angry expression fled and he turned back to Gabe. His reaction was curious, but I accepted his unpredictability—another facet of this complicated man.

I turned back to Evan. “Your brother means a lot to me.”

Evan gave me a long, evaluating stare. It was intimidating, but I stood tall and met his gaze. He must have approved because the skin around his eyes softened to give him a more relaxed look. “Having Hunter around again has taken some getting used to. But I have a feeling you’ve helped with the transition. So for that, you’ve got my thanks.” After a nod, he turned and strode back to Liv’s side.

I blinked in his wake. Evan wasn’t exactly friendly, but of all of them, he had the most complicated relationship with Hunter. I decided to call our exchange a win. In fact, the whole experience made me wonder why no one had tried to end the family hostilities before now.

Maybe because Hunter and I are something special together?

As the boat gently rocked on the waves, Hunter appeared next to me. He took my hand and drew me away from the others to the railing. The sun was just kissing the horizon, painting the undulating waves in strokes of brilliant gold and deep pink. Leaning into his solid strength, a profound sense of rightness stole through me.

Hunter pressed a kiss to my temple, his beard tickling my skin. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“Just… savoring the moment.”

“You seem more relaxed now.” His fingers idly stroked between my shoulder blades in a comforting rhythm.

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