Page 186 of Ransom

I press my lips together, fighting back a laugh at his grumpy expression.

"Don't even start," he growls, catching my expression. "I saw you sneaking out."

"Smart move on my part." I bump his shoulder with mine. "So, how are you doing?"

He shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets.

I grab his arm, pulling him to a stop under a streetlight. "Not going to work every day’s a bit of an adjustment, I know. Are you regretting it?"

His stormy eyes meet mine, uncertainty written across his features. "Abby goes to work every day. Even if she works from home, she does. And I sit on my ass."

"Stop that." I poke him in the chest. "You’re retired. Yeah, you’re a little young, but I don’t think she would judge you. She could stop working too, if she wanted. She knows you guys have plenty of money."

"Yeah, we got money, but people need a reason to get up in the fucking morning."

"Are you bored? I thought with the committees and the kids you wouldn’t miss the restaurant. Are you sorry you sold it?"

He scowls. "Maybe. I liked feeling useful. And I like cooking."

"I know you do. You do it very well. My ass can vouch for it."

That gets a grin. But it fades quickly. "A man should provide for his family."

"Right. Roof over their heads, food on the table, and a little money to buy a castle or two. I think you’re good."

He side-eyes me, then pulls me into a walk again. "You’re kind of a pain in the ass, you know? Can’t a man just wallow every once in a while?"

"Forgive me. My bad. Continue wallowing."

"You fuckin’ ruined it."

Laughing, I nudge him with a shoulder. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to love all my brothers-in-law. They’re all so different, all of them so caring, I feel pretty lucky to have them in my life.

"Do you think you might like to start something up in town?"

"Nah. I didn’t like being the boss. I liked being in charge in the kitchen, but running a business is a fucking pain in the ass."

A conversation I had with Macy last week pops into my head. "You know, I was talking to Macy at the diner. Her Mom and Dad are getting tired. They’re talking about stepping away from the diner. They’ve owned it for over thirty years. Macy wants to keep it running, but she’s going to need someone to replace her dad in the kitchen. Would you ever consider doing something like that?"

He scowls, stopping, staring at his feet. "I don’t know if I want to work every day. I like being home when Abby’s home."

"Well, maybe pop in and chat with her. Maybe you guys can work something out."

He grunts and plants his hands on his hips. "I’ll think about it."

"You do that."

There’s a whistle from somewhere on the property, and John jogs off, giving me a wave.

The gravel crunches under my boots as I follow the winding path toward home. No fences mar the landscape—just carefully planned security systems that let the kids roam freely. The BMX track looms ahead, dirt jumps casting long shadows in the fadinglight. Squeals and shouts echo from that direction as the evening crew gets in their last runs.

"Higher, Uncle Colton!" Max's voice carries across the property. I smile, knowing he's probably getting launched off the half-pipe again. That kid has no fear.

The sky stretches endlessly above me, painted in brilliant oranges and pinks. I scan for the familiar shape of Ransom's helicopter—he's been gone a couple of days this time. Sometimes I still can't believe this is my life now: living in this ridiculous compound with this ridiculous family, married to the boy who broke my heart and then spent twenty-five years becoming the exact man I always knew he could be.

More laughter rings out, followed by the distinctive whoop that means someone just landed a trick. I pause to watch the kids racing their bikes around the track, their silhouettes backlit by the setting sun. Mia leads the pack, her pink helmet glinting as she takes the turns with the confidence of someone who practically grew up on two wheels.

A distant thrum catches my attention and I tilt my head back, searching the painted sky. There—right on schedule, coming in from the east. My heart does that silly little flutter it always does when I spot him coming home.

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