Page 98 of Second Start: Family
He stopped beside the desk, not sure why. He stood there, just breathing, aware of the irritation in his lungs.
Letters scattered atop his mother’s diaries looked exactly as he’d left them … when? When was that? Today? Yesterday? Did it matter?
He grasped letters in his left hand, picked up three of the small leatherbound diaries in his right and held both handfuls to his chest. Keeping them like that, he went up the stairs. In his room he stood in front of the unmade bed, then bent over low to let the letters and diaries slide out of his hands.
He undid his jeans, let them slide down, raising a puff of faint ash and smoke. He stepped out of them. Found the battery-operated lantern on his shelves by touch and flipped it on.
He pushed in amid the papers and crumpled sheets, picked up the little leather book closest to his hand and opened it.
*
Word reached Mason Schoolhouse that the fire was contained, thanks to the quick response and so many volunteers.
The headquarters for the volunteers fighting the fire had shifted to the Q-T Ranch hours ago. Vicky was among those who’d gone there to provide support.
Kenzie and a few others, including Cambria Weston, remained at the schoolhouse with the kids.
They’d straightened the schoolhouse and put the kids to bed in sleeping bags and cots.
Now, as Kenzie sat on edge of her desk, looking over the sleeping kids, the adrenaline and worry waned … letting in other thoughts.
I love you all.
Hall said that. Looking at her. But in a moment of stress. A moment when no man could possibly sayI desire you, I like spending time with you, especially in your bed, but I’m not looking for any future with you,even if that were the truth of the situation.
So it didn’t really mean he loved her.
That Hall Quick loved Kenzie Smith.
That he wanted a future with her.
That he was committed to a future with her.
No, it definitely didn’t mean that.
Cambria sat beside her.
Kenzie glanced at her, then away.
She knew the other woman —her sister-in-law— had something to say.
She braced for it.
“Did you know I have a brother, too?” Cambria said.
She needn’t have braced for that. “I heard about a brother. Pete, right?”
“Right. He’s in the Air Force. A pilot.” Her mouth quirked up. “Only because pro baseball didn’t come calling, or so he keeps saying.”
“You must be very proud of him.”
“Always have been, always will be. Also protective. He’s my little brother and it doesn’t matter how grown up he is or what amazing things he does as an adult, he always will be my little brother.”
Thiswas what she should have braced for. Kenzie let a sigh out between barely parted lips.
“Cambria, it’s natural that you see this from Bodie’s point of view—”
Cambria chuckled.
