Page 127 of Sunkissed Colorado
It was either charge back to Hearthstone like a battering ram and demand that Zandra talk to me—which would have been my usual strategy—or sort things out with my sister instead.
And I had a feeling Grace would at least be in the mood to listen.
When I knocked on the door, Dane was the one whoanswered. He was dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, looking like he was unwinding from a day of video calls with international investors. Or whatever the hell it is a billionaire business mogul does.
“Callum?” Dane’s brow furrowed immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Everybody’s fine,” I said quickly.
“Then what…” His voice trailed off as his concern shifted gears. “Something happen with the brewery? With Zandra?”
Grace appeared at the door. “Cal? What are you doing here?”
“There’s no emergency. Both of you can chill.” I couldn’t say there was nothingwrong, because there was plenty. But I didn’t want to worry my sister either. “I just wanted to talk to you.”
Grace stepped back and waved me toward the living room. No further questions asked. “Then come on in.”
Dane followed us. “You want a drink? I’ve got a bottle of Macallan 25 that’s been waiting for the right occasion.”
I shook my head. “No. Don’t feel like it.”
Grace stopped in her tracks and stared at me. “My brother just turned down expensive scotch. Now Iamgetting worried.” She settled onto the couch and patted the cushion beside her. “Did something happen with Zandra?”
“Yes. And no.” I scratched my nose. Grace was several years younger than me. My baby sister, who I’d never hesitated to protect. But right now, I was the inexperienced one.
I wasn’t here for relationship advice though. My heart was thumping Zandra’s name with every beat, yet I hadn’t come here to talk about her.
This was something else that I had to do.
The couch cushion bounced as I sat down heavily. Rested my elbows on my knees. “I’ve been thinking about what you asked. About Grayden.”
Dane hovered nearby, watching us. Grace sighed. “You must have something important to say if you showed up this late.”
“I do. We’ve been waiting a long time to have this conversation.Longer than you think, in fact.” I knew I was stalling, so I decided to just come out with it. “Grayden came to Silver Ridge after he was released from prison.”
Grace went very still. When Dane came closer, she put up a hand, not taking her eyes off me.
“He wanted to talk, to see us, and he came to me first.” There was a faint scratching sound as I rubbed my palm over my jaw. “I told him to leave and not to contact any of us again.”
“Cal.” Grace’s voice was barely a whisper. She stared at me, her face cycling through hurt and confusion. “You never told me.”
“No. I didn’t.”
“Why?” The question came out sharp, wounded. Dane took another step closer to her, but we both ignored him.
“Because I knew you would’ve wanted to see Grayden. And I thought I was protecting you.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make.”
“I know, G. Iknow.” The words felt heavy in my mouth. “I made that decision for all of us, and I’m sorry. I knew you’d get pissed off about me being overprotective. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Didn’t even tell Ashford. He doesn’t know either.”
She was quiet for a long moment, processing. “When Grayden and I got back in touch a few months ago, he never mentioned coming here. You realize why he would do that?”
I nodded, but Grace still spelled it out.
“He didn’t want me to be mad at you. He’s still our big brother, Callum. He loves us.”
My hands covered my face, my eyes stinging. Fuck, I wanted Zandra here. Just seeing her, feeling her near me, would make this easier.
