Page 18 of Shadows of You

I slowed as I approached the massive gates for the Hartley property. It shouldn’t have surprised me. Grae had told me once that her father had started an outdoor gear company. It grew incredibly popular, and when he sold it years back, it left him and all his children with more than enough money in the bank. Yet all the Hartley siblings I’d met had regular jobs like the rest of us.

“Wow,” Cady breathed.

I rolled down my window and hit the intercom.

Kerry’s cheery voice filled the speaker. “Hartley residence.”

“Hi, Kerry. It’s Aspen.”

“Oh, good. I was worried you might not make it with the snow. Drive on up.”

A buzz sounded, and the gate began to open.

“Thanks.”

I rubbed my palms on my jeans before placing them back on the wheel and continuing on. The drive wound through the trees, and I nearly gasped as they thinned. The house on the mountainside was something out of an architecture magazine.

A massive blend of wood and stone nestled into the incline. It seemed to be separated into two parts with a glass walkway connecting them. It was absolutely stunning and more than a little intimidating.

“Is this a castle?” Cady asked, awe filling her voice.

I chuckled. “Kinda looks like one, huh?”

“No wonder Charlie likes it here,” she mumbled.

It wasn’t as if Charlie’s house—where he lived with his dad, Lawson, and his two older brothers, Drew and Luke—was anything to sneeze at. It just wasn’t quite as imposing as this one.

I pulled into a makeshift parking spot next to a row of vehicles. My pulse thrummed in my neck, but I did my best to keep my breathing even.

Climbing out of the station wagon, Cady met me around the side of the vehicle. “Careful,” I warned. “It might be slippery.”

I grabbed the cookies I’d baked earlier in the day from the back seat, and we headed toward the porch. When we reached the steps, the door flew open. Grae’s petite form barely filled the space, but her smile was ear-to-ear. “There are my girls!”

“Miss Grae!” Cady yelled, running up the steps.

Grae lifted Cady into her arms. “I’m soooo happy you’re here. I’ve missed you like crazy.”

Cady giggled. “You saw me two days ago.”

“Waytoo long.”

Cady ran her fingers through Grae’s pale blond locks. “Your hair is so pretty.”

“Thank you. So is yours. I love these braids.”

Cady beamed. “Mama did ‘em for me. Look at my sparkles.” She showed Grae the glittery ties at the ends of her pigtails.

“Fabulous, girlfriend.” Grae grinned at me. “So glad you could make it.”

“Me, too.” My voice wavered slightly, but I hugged Grae quickly to cover it. “Thanks for having us, G.”

“You know you’re welcome anytime.”

We headed inside the large but welcoming home and toward the sounds of chaos and conversation. As we stepped into the living space, a dozen faces greeted us. I swallowed hard, trying to take it all in.

But Cady was already moving, shimmying out of Grae’s arms and running toward a large, imposing figure. “Mr. Grizz!” she shouted, skidding to a halt in front of the man. “You’re here!”

He was here. My grumpy, brooding savior from the night before was standing in the Hartley living room.

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