Page 36 of Echoes of You

“What did she say?”

“Wanted to know what it was and why I had it. I think she thought I was sneaking out.”

“How’d you get out of that one?”

Nash’s grin widened. “You know I have expert acting skills. I told her watchingBackdrafthad freaked me out and that I was paranoid about getting stuck if our house ever caught on fire.”

I gaped at him. “You didn’t.”

He shrugged. “My acting skills were a little too good on this one because she made me go see a therapist about my fear of fire.”

Laughter bubbled out of me. “And how did that go?”

“Two sessions, and I was miraculously cured.”

“God, your mom deserves angel wings for putting up with all you guys put her through.”

“Hey, we kept life interesting for her.”

I shook my head. “You gave her gray hair.”

“That, too.”

Nash pulled into a makeshift parking spot. A handful of vehicles were already parked in front of the massive home. I’d always loved this place. My escape and safe haven. Even though it was large, it never felt sterile. It was warm and homey. And the structure itself, a blend of wood, stone, and glass, felt as if it had sprung from the mountain itself.

“You ready?” Nash asked.

Anxiety swept through me, and I wiped my hands on my jeans. “Why am I so nervous?”

Nash slipped a hand under my hair and squeezed the back of my neck. “It’s been a minute since you’ve been here. But you know that chaos will soon ensue, and you won’t be the focus of attention any longer.”

He was right. There had always been so muchlifein the Hartley gatherings. Yelling, teasing, and so much laughter my stomach hurt by the time I left. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”

“That’s my girl.”

His words hurt in the best way. It was a claiming. But I wanted them in a way Nash had never intended them. Wanted to brand them on my soul. Instead, I opened the door and slid out of the SUV.

Nash draped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me to the front door. Voices sounded from inside, boisterous and achingly familiar. Nash didn’t bother knocking, he just opened the door and stepped inside. “I’m here, you can all stop your pining.”

Holt snorted. “We’ve all just been wringing our hands, waiting for your arrival,” he called from the living room.

I followed Nash into the space, and he clapped his brother on the shoulder. “You can breathe easier now.”

Nash’s mom, Kerry, shook her head but made a beeline straight for me. “The one I’ve been pining for is this one.” She pulled me into a tight hug. Thankfully, her arms went around my shoulders instead of my waist. “I missed you so much. I’m so happy you’re home.”

My eyes burned. “I’m happy to be here.” As she released me, I handed her the bouquet. “For you.”

“Oh, these are just stunning. But you know you didn’t have to bring me anything.”

“I wanted to.”

Lawson gave me a mock glare as he crossed to me. “Always putting the rest of us to shame.” He grabbed me in a hug. “Missed you.”

His tight hold had me tensing, and Lawson didn’t miss the move. His grip on me gentled, and he pulled back, studying me carefully.

I forced a wide smile. “Missed you, too, Law. Where are the boys? I bet Charlie has grown a foot.”

The concern melted from Lawson’s expression, and he inclined his head toward the basement door. “They’re probably battling to the death over a video game controller.”

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