Page 91 of Stolen Hearts

Theo laughed. “Really? That easy?”

Denver sipped. “I’ll let you get a big head if it keeps you out of danger.”

There was silence for a beat, the kind that was laced with deep understanding—the kind you didn’t get outside of war zones, blood bonds and brotherhoods.

“I love this place, man,” Theo finally said, his voice quieter. “I didn’t think I would enjoy being back here. Not after all the bad memories our father built for us. But it feels…cleansed. It feels right.”

“It is.”

Willow appeared then, swaying to the music with a wine glass in hand. “Well, well. Look at the stoic warriors getting all sentimental.”

“You’re sentimental every time you walk past a bakery,” Theo shot back.

She grinned and smoothed a hand down her slender hip that wouldn’t hold an ounce of fat even if she ate everything a bakery had to offer. “I do love donuts. Now, Theo…” She turned toward him with a predatory twinkle in her eyes. “When are you getting married?”

He choked on his drink, violently sputtering bourbon. “Jesus, Willow!”

Denver tried not to laugh but failed.

“I don’t even have a woman,” Theo protested.

Willow waved him off. “Minor detail. Listen, when you do get one, I have a very specific order.”

“Anorder?”

Willow began holding up fingers. “She has to be a country girl at heart. But also a fashionista. She should know how to two-stepandhow to thrift. Be able to ride a horse but also rock high heels. Bonus points if she can make killer cinnamon rolls and shoot a gun.”

Denver let out a low whistle. “You trying to find Theo a wife or describing yourself?”

“I’m rounding out the crew,” Willow said, dead serious. “I love every single one of my sisters-in-law, but I like to shake things up with variety.”

Theo looked helplessly at Denver. “Can she do this?”

“It’s Willow,” Denver replied. “The woman who thought the town of Willowbrook was named after her. She does what she wants.”

Willow raised her glass in triumph. “Exactly.”

They shared a laugh, and Denver let the warmth of it soak in. It had taken them a long time to get here—to this place where the ghosts were fewer and the laughter came easier.

He looked across the dance floor at the two most important people in his life. Rhae smiled at him easily, as if she could breathe without scanning every shadow. Navy’s head rested on her shoulder, her eyes shut, content in her mother’s arms.

Willow tilted her head at him, mischief returning. “So…when are you going to announce your engagement?”

Denver paused a beat. “What engagement?”

“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “I put two and two together the first time I saw you and Navy side by side. I knew she was your daughter in that moment. And you think I didn’t notice Rhae’s wearing aring?”

Theo’s lips twitched and his attention bounced between Denver and Rhae. “Do tell, brother.”

Denver took another sip. “I’ll announce it when I’m ready.”

“Well, good,” Willow said with a sly smile. “Because that time is now.”

“What? No, Willow. It’s Carson and Layne’s day—”

She gave him a pointed stare. “Layne’s the one who suggested it, silly. Did you think most of your sisters-in-law didn’t already see that rock on her hand?”

Before he could process that thought, Willow had him by the arm, dragging him toward the DJ booth. The man behind the mic handed her the microphone like she was royalty, which—all of them had to face it—she kinda was in these parts.

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