Ryder whistled.
“I almost wish I hadn’t asked because now I’ll be worried when you leave again,” Dan said. “But thanks for telling us, Jay.”
“So we good now?”
“Not by a long shot, and there will be more questions, but we’re better,” his friend said.
“Blue’s back,” Sawyer said, joining their group. His daughter, Sadie, was holding his hand. She released her father and climbed onto Uncle Dan’s lap.
“’Lo, Uncle Jay,” she said, holding out her hand to him.
“You want to shake or high-five?” He loved this kid, like he did all of them. It surprised him how he felt around them, considering he’d decided not to have kids of his own.
He’d told Dan that one day, and his friend said that might change, but if it didn’t, then all good, as there would be plenty in the family.
Jay had wondered if meeting a woman he could spend his life with would alter that view, but so far, he hadn’t come close to meeting her.
“Hold my hand,” Sadie said, yawning.
“Please,” Sawyer said to his daughter.
He was the grumpy Duke—or had been once. Big, gruff, with a beard and tattoos, the man had a bark that was a lot worse than his bite.
Jay held the little hand in his. Sadie smiled, and his heart melted some more.
“So what’s Blue’s deal?” Ryder asked. “Birdie said she was traveling but isn’t sure why, as she has a job in a fashion house in New York.”
She’d been traveling.Jay had wondered where she’d gone, because that night, she’d told him she wasn’t going back to work.
“Yes, I think she’s been on the move for a few months now,” Sawyer added.
“Alone?” Jay asked before he could stop himself.
“Pretty much, from what I understand. You know those McAllisters. They may say they’re not free spirits like their parents, but it’s in there. I think she caught up with Lynx for a few of his concerts too,” Sawyer added.
Jay has seen the bad in this world many times over, and the thought of Blue out there traveling around the country alone turned him cold. It didn’t show on his face, however.
“How long is she back for?” he made himself ask.
Sawyer shrugged. “Not sure, but there’s something going on, or so Birdie thinks. She hadn’t mentioned taking leave from work, and according to my girl, that’s not her sister’s way. She’s the McAllister who likes stability, from what I understand, and loves her job.”
Jay ran a finger over the soft little hand, the texture warm. Lying back on her uncle, Sadie now had her eyes closed too.
“Your round, Jay,” Dan said. “Go make us coffee this time.”
“Coffee?” Jay asked. “Shouldn’t you get Ryder to do that, seeing as he’s the cafe owner and barista?” Jay protested.
He had two reasons for not moving. One, he didn’t want to talk to Blue yet because he was a coward, and two, he didn’t want to let go of Sadie’s hand.
“You can work my coffee machine better than me,” Ryder said, still rocking from side to side with Leo. “Get up there, bud. I take sugar and milk.”
“Black,” Dan said.
“Same,” Sawyer grunted. “I’ll keep your chair warm and hold her hand until you get back.”
Jay knew when he was outvoted. If he didn’t move, they’d pick him up and throw him in the water. “Fine.”
He watched the gaggle of women and Hamish McAllister ease back slightly and got his first look at Blue. Tired, he thought. She had bags under her eyes, and her hair was messy. In fact, all of her was messy. She was definitely not the put-together woman he’d met that day in New York.
