“Can I help with anything?”
He shook his head, his gaze appreciative as he turned his attention back to the stove. I took that as an opportunity to make my way back to the rest of the group.
Charlie offered me a warm smile as she gestured toward the island. “Want something to drink?” she asked. “There’s orange juice and sweet tea, or if you’re a coffee drinker, Mav started a pot already. I’ve got some of Mrs. Mooney’s hot cocoa too. Oh, there’s also some Monsters in there.”
“Hey, those are mine,” Ryder groaned, even though warmth lit up his handsome face.
Charlie rolled her eyes and leaned into him. “Oh stop. She can haveone.”
Ryder sighed, but a smile spread wide on his lips as he spoke. “Fine.”
I grinned and moved toward the island, grabbing an empty mug. “I’ll have some coffee, thanks.”
At least the two of them seemed normal enough. I felt their worry still, but it wasn’t like last night. I appreciated the semblance of normalcy, though. Tension like this tended to trigger the fight or flight response in me, making me want to run away. It’s what I was good at. What I’d always done.
But while Ryder and Charlie tried to be normal, Cash was sullen, broody. It was so unlike him, and it made me fidget with nervousness.
The roomdescended into silence once more, the tension so thick I could cut it with a knife. Having poured myself a cup of coffee and mixing in a bit—okay, a ton—of creamer, I made my way to Cash’s side. Dipping my voice down low, I asked, “Has he been like this all mornin’?”
Cash’s hazel eyes settled on me, a what-do-you-think look on his face. “It’s like he’s here, but not,” he murmured quietly.
I held the coffee mug up to my lips and blew out a breath before taking a tentative sip. The first sip of coffee was always my favorite. That shock of heat, of sweetness, of delicious goodness. “What can we do?”
Cash’s face softened and he sighed. “Not much more than what we’re already doin’. He’ll open up when he’s ready.”
I frowned. “What if he doesn’t?”
Cash’s eyes hardened with determination as his gaze shifted to his cousin. If Maverick heard us, he didn’t let on. He worked in silence at the stove. Flipping French toast, scrambling up the eggs, checking the hash browns. “He will. Give him time.”
I took another sip of coffee worry swirling in my chest.I sure as hell hope so.
Cash nudged my shoulder a moment later, an appreciative look on his face. “Thank you, for last night. I can’t imagine how hard that was for you too.”
I shrugged. “I just feel bad. I wish I could do more.”
Cash dipped his head like he knew exactly what I was talking about. He probably did. “You’re doin’ plenty. Thank you.”
I nodded and leaned against the wall beside him. Brandy ambled about the kitchen, going back and forth between checking on me and Maverick. Oh God, I hadn’t even asked if Charlie and Ryder allowed dogs in the house. I know Ryder had a dog, but I hadn’t seen her.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, drawing Charlie and Ryder’s attention, “I didn’t even ask if y’all were okay with Brandy being in here. I can put her in the room or the truck if you want.”
Charlie’s smile was soft as she waved a hand at me. “It’s fine. Dutch is outside in the yard for now. We didn’t want to introduce them without you here. We can let them out together later.”
I sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
Maverick moved away from the stove and started putting things onto platters and plates before bringing them to the kitchen island next to all the drinks.
“Looks like breakfast is ready,” Charlie said, slipping out of her chair and grabbing plates and utensils for everyone.
Maverick hung back, gesturing for everyone to grab food before him.
“Want me to make you a plate?” I asked.
He shook his head, the look on his face grateful though. I almost did it anyway, as Charlie handed me a plate, but in the end, I wasn’t sure what all he wanted. The scent of food filled my nose, making my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten since early yesterday evening, and my stomach growled in answer.
Each of us sat around the dining room table in silence, the tension growing thicker and thicker by the moment. Maverick was the last to take a seat—at the opposite head of the table from Ryder on either side of Cash and I. I stole a quick glance at Cash, his gaze burning bright with frustration as he glared at his plate.
The only sound was that of forks and knives scraping against the glass plates. Cash’s shoulders were tense. He wasn’t even eating his food. He just shifted his gaze between Maverick and his plate, the tension rising. Rising. Rising. Until…
