Page 164 of The Persistence of Thornes
“Yeah.” Casen taps his fingers on the table. “You’re happy and that’s all that matters to us.”
“If we thought Caleb was a bad guy, we’d tell you.” This from Quinn.
“He makes you smile,” Casen says softly. “Most people don’t do that.”
His words hit me solidly in the chest, pushing me back in my chair. “I don’t smile?”
“You do now,” Quinn says, tone just as quiet as his brother’s. “But for a long time, you didn’t. I think Caleb makes you feel safe, the same way you’ve always made us feel safe.”
Talk about a stab to the heart. I have to fight the urge to rub at my sternum. “You guys feel that way about me?”
It’s hard, this role I’ve slipped into, where I’m their sister but also their authority figure. I’ve always taken care of them, but before Mom went to prison, I was careful not to step on toes. I didn’t want to lose that sibling relationship, but I didn’t have a choice.
“Yeah, Hal,” Casen says, his irises dark, swimming with sincerity. “You’ve always looked out for us. We know how much you love us and how far you’d go to protect us. We might not always say it, but we love you, and you deserve to have your own life separate from us.”
There goes the pain in my chest again. “I don’t want it to beseparate,” I whisper.
Quinn laughs, shaking his head. “I guess it’s more like two worlds becoming one, huh?”
I nod, giving a watery smile. Ugh. Leave it to my brothers to make me cry. It’s not something I do too often. I’ve always had to keep my wits about me. I’ve rarely ever had time for a breakdown.
Once they start, I can’t seem to stop the tears. The two of them get up and wrap their arms around me, only making me cry harder.
“I love you, guys.”
“You’re going to let us walk you down the aisle, right?” Quinn asks, rubbing my earlobe between his thumb and forefinger like he did when he was little.
My responding laugh is punctuated by a sob. “I’m not sure there’s going to be much of an aisle. We’re just going to the courthouse.”
The boys sit again, and Casen laces his fingers together, laying them on the table like he’s about to give me a very serious talking-to. “Whatever there is to walk down, we’ll go with you. We have to stick together.”
I reach across and take his hand and one of Quinn’s too.
“Yes, we do.”
I should’ve known our simple courthouse ceremony would be thwarted. But honestly, I can’t say I’m mad about it. Salem, Thayer, Cynthia, and Thelma showed up, along withSeda and the boys, of course. For the first time in my life, I’m surrounded by people who care about my brothers and me. That’s worth more than any smidge of annoyance.
Family has always been important to me, and while none of these people are of blood relation, I know they’ll be in my life for the long haul. In the lives of my brothers too.
Since it’s warm in the courthouse, I pass my thick white shawl to Cynthia.
She drapes it over her arm and gives my cheek a tender pat. “Take care of our boy,” she says before disappearing into the room where the ceremony will be held.
“You needed a bouquet,” Thayer says, holding out a beautiful arrangement of flowers. His voice is deep and almost jarring after the soft sweetness of Cynthia’s. “I put this together from my greenhouse.”
Salem watches her husband with stars in her eyes. I fear if they’re not careful, they might have another kid on the way soon.
“They’re a mix of white roses and blue hydrangeas. Caleb said your dress was blue, so…” He shrugs and steps away.
It takes a minute to collect myself and find my voice after such a sweet and unexpected gesture. “Thanks. This is so kind of you.”
Salem waves a hand in the air. “My contribution is cupcakes for after.”
“After?” I ask, looking between her and her husband.
She sighs like she’s exasperated with me. “You didn’t think we’d let you get away without having a reception, did you?”
My heart trips over itself. “Oh, no. Really, that’s fine.”
