“Can’t believe you didn’t warn me you were coming.” He squeezed her tight, then stepped back, nodding toward Nimue. “This is Nimue, a friend.”
Nimue offered a small wave, deep-brown eyes cautious. “Good to meet you all.”
Hannah bounced up, smile radiant. “Nimue! We’ve heard about you. I’m Hannah, Luke’s wife. Come on, we’ve got s’mores supplies.”
Liam didn’t miss Nimue’s surprise. He should’ve known that Logan’s lack of filter would mean the whole family already knew about her and about Liam’s possible feelings for her.Awesome.
She hesitated, then followed Hannah to the fire, where Alani tugged her toward a log, voice barely above a whisper.
“Do you like marshmallows?”
Nimue knelt to Alani’s level, shooting a quick glance at Liam. “I love them and s’mores.”
Alani’s grin could’ve powered the campsite. Liam’s shoulders relaxed. His family had a gift for making people feel welcome. He hoped Nimue felt it too.
Logan clapped his shoulder. “Where’s your ranger uniform? You look so…normal.”
“Night off. How long you guys here for?”
“Just a few nights, then we are driving over to Mesa Verde before heading home. Not all of us can camp for a living.” Logan looked settled, content, with Devin and the kids nearby.
“Says the guy who makes a living making things up.” Liam’s brother-in-law, Austin, sat across the fire, grin wide, three-month-old daughter sleeping in his arms.
Liam claimed an empty chair but kept tracking Nimue. Four kids surrounded her now, and she seemed to be enjoying herself. He turned back to Logan. “How’s the book coming?”
“Better than ever.” Logan’s gaze flicked to Devin, who was rescuing Tyce from a flaming marshmallow disaster. “Thanks to some inspiration.”
Devin looked up. “Don’t let him fool you, Liam. He’s rewriting half the scenes because he’s a perfectionist. But it’s a good story. You’ll like it.”
“Hope the publisher agrees.” Logan’s hand raked through his hair.
Easton approached, licking marshmallow from his finger. “My baseball team won the championship.”
“Expected nothing less.” Liam offered his fist for a bump. “You pitch all season?”
“Backup pitcher. But Dad said we can set up practice space at the new house when we get home. Next year I’m starting every game.”
The wordDadhit something raw in Liam’s chest. It wasn’t news that Logan and Devin were adopting Easton, Alani, and Tyce. But knowing that his twin would soon officially be a dad to a twelve-year-old struck deep. All of his siblings seemed to know exactly what they wanted, had grabbed their futures with both hands.
He was still drifting.
Not that he didn’t enjoy being a ranger, but was this what he wanted to do for the rest of his life? He’d basically followed the wind since college, and for the first time, that didn’t feel like enough.
His gaze drifted to Nimue again. Alani had claimed her lap while Roman regaled her with some elaborate story.
Their eyes met across the flames. Hers softened for a heartbeat before she caught herself, darting her attention back to the kids. Something indefinable tugged at him—maybe the need to know her better. Clearly, the little she’d told him had just whetted his appetite.
A small hand landed on his knee. Sophie’s gray eyes peered up at him. “Up.”
He lifted her onto his lap. She snuggled into his shoulder as he smoothed her blonde ringlets, dropping a kiss on her head. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his family until tonight.
He didn’t know what came next, but family would be central. And what if it involved the woman across the fire?
The thought moved inside him, hit a soft place. She intrigued him, yes, and she was clearly resilient. And kind. And maybe by the look on her face, charmed by his family.
She looked up right then and met his eyes. Beautiful. Accepting.
Yeah, he might be falling for the woman in the green bus. The one with surveillance equipment and secrets.
