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“Jack!” said his mother, setting down her salad tongs and wiping her hands on the kitchen towel tossed over her shoulder.Shecame over and gave him a hug, and he wrapped her in his arms.Herdark curls were shot through with gray, and gathered into a low ponytail.Thetop of her head barely grazed his chin as she gave him an affectionate squeeze. “Hi, baby,” she said, pulling back and pinching his cheek.
“Hey,Mom,” he said, and the expression on her face shifted as she studied him.Butshe didn’t say anything, just patted his arm and returned to tossing the salad on the large island in the middle of the kitchen.Inthe far corner,Chloewas animatedly showingBecketther newNintendoSwitchgame while he nursed a beer and asked questions.Oliver, the family’s resident chef, was crouched in front of the oven, peering inside.Jackcrouched down beside him, the scents of melted cheddar and garlic making his stomach growl.
Oliverchuckled. “Theseare for everyone,” he said, still peering at whatJackcould now see were twice baked cheesy garlic potatoes.
“NotifIhave anything to say about it,” saidJack, clappingOliveron the shoulder. “Smellsamazing.”
“Youwant a glass of wine, or some beer?” asked his brotherAdamfrom the other side of the kitchen, where he had the fridge open.
“Abeer, thanks,” saidJack, crossing the space to where his brother was extending a bottle towards him.Hetook it and twisted the cap off. “So, how’s the book going?”
Adam, the oldestShephardbrother, had been in charge of theShephardInnnot that long ago, but everything had changed whenHazelWoodward, the famous author and nowAdam’sgirlfriend, had come toGossamerFallslooking for inspiration.They’dfallen in love, and were writing a book together, revivingAdam’sonce dashed hopes of being a published author.He’dwritten mysteries several years ago, but the trilogy had flopped, mostly because of his publisher’s ineptitude and ridiculous expectations.
Butnow, thanks toHazel,Adamhad rediscovered his creative spark, and was madly in love.Honestly,Jackhad never seenAdamso happy, so smitten, so light and carefree.Andit had only increased afterHazelhad permanently leftNewYorkCitytoGossamerFallsa few months ago, moving intoAdam’scabin on the edge of theHudsonHighlands.
Hazelappeared from around the corner, andAdamimmediately slid his arm around her, tucking her against his side.SomethinginJack’schest twisted at the casual, loving gesture.Itwasn’t jealousy.Notexactly.Hewas happy forAdamandHazel.Afterall, he’d played a role in helpingAdamget his head out of his ass when it was obvious toJackhow much he likedHazel, and how perfect they were for each other.
“It’sgoing pretty well,Ithink,” saidAdam, taking a sip of his wine. “We’reprobably about a month out from having a finished first draft.”
“Howis it, living with this guy?”JackaskedHazel, half-joking. “Nowthat you’ve been here for a couple of months, is he driving you nuts, or what?”
“It’sperfect,” saidHazelsimply, leaning her head againstAdam’schest, a slightly dreamy look in her eyes.
Jackswallowed thickly.HadNorahever had stars in her eyes for him like that?
Ormaybe the better question was: had he ever had stars in his eyes for her?
Thenagain, maybe it wasn’t fair to compare a couple in the thick of the honeymoon stage to over ten years of marriage.
“Andyou know why it’s perfect?” saidAutumn, breezing into the kitchen with a wine bottle in each hand. “BecauseI’malways right about these things.”Sheset the wine down on the counter, and his motherJulieimmediately scooped one of the bottles up and started opening it. “Fromthe momentImetHazel,Iknew she andAdamwere going to fall in love.”
Jackarched an eyebrow at her. “Oh, really?Youknew, huh?”
“Yep.Fromthe very start.”
“Idon’t know that being right once constitutesalwaysbeing right,” he teased, grabbing a crouton from the salad on the counter and popping it into his mouth.Juliesmacked at his hand with the salad tongs.
“It’snot just once.”Shesent him a knowing look that pinned him in place.Wasshe talking about him?
“Oh, yeah?” askedBeckett, sauntering over.Chloeslid onto one of the stools lined up against the island,Switchin hand.
“Chloe, honey, let’s turn the game off,” saidJack, and she nodded.
“Lemmejust get to a save point and thenI’llput it away.Iswear.”
“Deal.”
“Yeah,” saidAutumn, seamlessly picking up the thread of conversation.Theywere all used to talking around each other, in between other conversations.Whenyou grew up in a family of eight, it was just the way things went.
“Whatelse have you been right about?” askedBeckett. “HaveImet my true love yet?”
“Nope.Notyet.ButIhave a feeling someone else here has.”
Oliver’shead whipped around so fastJackwas surprised he didn’t hurt his neck. “Who?”
Autumnmimed twisting a key shut over her lips. “Timewill reveal all.Besides, the falls haven’t had a chance to work their magic on these two yet.Butthey will.”
“Areyou talking about yourself?” askedAdam. “BecauseIknow you?—”
