Page 138 of Heart & Hope

“True, but when we created this event and catering partnership, I was imagining me doing the planning part, not the cooking part.”

She laughs and whips her tea towel at me. “You do just fine. Anyway, I think both sides are a two-woman job. I’ll teach you food, you teach me events.”

“Sounds amazing.” I can’t wipe the smile that has spread over my face and Lou rests her hand on my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Silver lines her eyes.

Tears burn. “Wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

Strong arms slide around my waist, and the smell of Reed tangles through my senses, shrouding out the Italian fragrances we have been working on for over an hour. His face buries into my neck. “Don’t go gettin’ all emotional on me, baby. The day is only just started. Long lunch, lazy supper, and then wine by the fire. I don’t see us fallin’ into bed any time before midnight.”

I lay my head back on his and close my eyes. Louisa chuckles, clicking the stove off. I cover Reed’s hands with my own. He pushes upright and spins me round to face him before pushing me into the counter beside the stove. He kisses me with equal parts hunger and playfulness. Fingers crawling through his hair a second later, I forget we are smack bang in the middle of his ma’s kitchen.

“Alright, you two. Save it for later.” A familiar chuckle.

Breaking apart, we turn to find Hudson carrying in the tray of cooked meats. The door stays open behind him as Lawson files in with Harry.

I release Reed and skirt the counter as Lawson pulls me in for a hug. “Hey, Ruby.”

“Lawson, you made it. Merry Christmas.”

“We did,” he whispers with a wink. When he loosens his hold, I step back, and Reed grabs his hand, and they pull in close for a one-arm man hug. At least, I think that’s what it is.

“Can you give me a hand, Ruby?” Addy pipes up. I wander to the hearth where she sits stacking logs. The Christmas tree that almost touches the ceiling stands over a pile of presents. Another thing the Robbins family never does—gifts.

Reed and Hudson talk to Lawson, cracking beers as they sink into the sofa. But my smile fades as I realize not every Rawlins made it.

“You okay, Rubes?” Addy says softly.

I glance at Reed. “Yeah, I wish Mack was home.”

I force a happy face. I know how much Reed loves his brother and worries when he is on tour. The stress eats at him. He tries to hide it, but I notice it slip through some days. What I wouldn’t do to make that go away.

The wind picks up outside, a low whistle funneling past the snow-coated windows as the white fall gets heavier.

“Dinner, y’all.” Lou stands by the counter. The men file into their seats like they have since they were small, and Addy and I take our places by Hudson and Reed. Lawson sits by his mother, Harry at the head. One seat remains empty beside Reed. Mack’s.

Harry holds out his hands on either side of his plate. Lou slides her hand into one. Hudson places his hand in the other. We link hands until everyone is joined.

The soft twang of the country Christmas songs fills the quiet moment as we hang our heads and Harry starts. “With these and all his merc?—”

The door swings open. Snow swirls inside around a camo silhouette. The tall figure of dulled green and greys moves. “You not startin’ without me, are you?”

Mack.

Emotion bubbles up my throat as I look to Reed. His face is wrecked in an instant. He is up and across the floor before the next heartbeat. Mack drops his duffle bag and hugs his brother tight. Louisa stands, hand over her mouth as she sucks back small sobs.

“Hey, Ma. Merry Christmas.” Mack folds her into the hug.

“They let you off early, Mackie?” Lawson says, pulling Mack’s seat out.

“We got pulled out.”

Louisa fusses over him, and Reed comes back to my side, dropping into his seat with a kiss to my cheek. His hands tighten to fists on his thighs. I slide my hand under his and lace my fingers with his. “Breathe, gorgeous.”

He huffs a strangled laugh.

We eat, chatting and laughing, wine and whiskey flowing. Mack entertains us with his funny barracks prank stories. Reed hangs on every word. And when my gaze tracks back to Louisa, she beams at me. She raises her glass, and the table goes quiet. “Toallmy beautiful children.” She gives Addy and me pointed looks, and the men chuckle.

“Welcome to the family, darlins’.” Harry’s blue eyes sparkle and Louisa stares at her husband with something so ethereal it sends butterflies soaring in my stomach.

---