Page 97 of Beautifully Broken Redemption

Tuck let out another of those whistles. “All right, team, fall in. Let’s get our camping on.”

Justin and Lyla gave me and Mason quick hugs and then piled into the large SUV after Drew and Noah. Tuck gave us a salute, and Jensen waved her phone in the air. “Call anytime.”

We watched them disappear down the lane, Mason’s arm going around my shoulders again. I sniffed. “Why do I feel like I need to cry?”

He choked on a laugh. “Seriously?”

I gave him a light elbow to the ribs. “Not nice. It’s emotional. Their first camping trip.”

“We’ll have to go on our own trip.”

“I’ve never been camping.”

Mason tugged me in closer. “Really?”

“Nope. But I could get behind some starry skies and s’mores over a fire. Just as long as you bring me one of those air mattress things.”

“Noted.” He checked his watch. “I have to get going, I have a meeting at nine.”

“What time is it?”

“Eight forty-five.”

“Shoot. I’m supposed to meet Kennedy at the bakery at nine for a breakfast meeting.”

Mason gave me a little tap on the ass. “Better get going.”

“I’m gonna get you back for that,” I warned, heading for the house.

“Promises, promises.”

I slidinto a parking space a couple of blocks down from the bakery. The tourists were out early this morning. Trying to hold onto the last tendrils of summer, I guessed. In two weeks, Justin and Lyla would start school at Sutter Lake Elementary. And not long after that, the leaves would turn. The kids couldn’t wait for the snow. They’d gotten a couple of inches here and there back home, but nothing like what we got in the mountains.

I bumped my door closed with my hip and beeped my locks before shoving my keys into my purse. “Late, late, late,” I muttered as I hurried down the street.

My bag slipped from my shoulder, and as I moved to catch it, I knocked into someone. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going—” My words cut off as I took in Juliette’s angry snarl.

“Of course, you weren’t.”

I straightened, doing my best to keep my expression neutral. “I’m sorry.”

“You ruined my relationship with my brother. The only person I’ve ever had to count on. But you don’t care about that.”

The cup of coffee I’d had a few hours ago soured in my stomach. “I don’t think it’s ruined. Mason loves you.”

She scoffed, but I saw the angry tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. “Not as much as he loves you, apparently.”

“It isn’t a contest.”

Her eyes blazed now, a heat that looked as if it could burn anything in its path. “You have no idea what we went through. All you see when you look at him is dollar signs.”

“I love him.”

“Bullshit.”

“I do. I know nothing I say will convince you of that, but maybe you’ll see over time. I love him because he’s the kindest man I’ve ever known. I know what mean feels like, and there isn’t a speck of mean in him, Juliette. He’s everything I was too scared to reach for, and now that I know what it’s like to be loved by him, I’m never letting go.”

Juliette’s face turned the shade of a tomato. “I don’t know what kind of con you’re running, but—”

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