Page 80 of Falling Back to You

Amusement gone, Greyson grunted. “I have to head out.”

Khia scampered over and demanded a hug.

He swung her up easily, his flinty expression easing, and a small sliver of me twinged. Greyson was great with her. With all his nieces and nephews. He didn’t talk about it much, but I knew it cut him and Paisley both up that they weren’t able to have kids. They’d be incredible parents.

After peppering her cheeks with kisses and promising to come back soon, Greyson set her down and nodded at me. “See you later.”

“Wait!” Noelle hurried after him to the door, holding an olive branch of the buttery, chocolatey morsels. The little traitor, those were my snacks. “Here.”

He accepted the container slowly. “Thanks.”

She smiled, but he didn’t return it. Simply nodded and strode out the door.

“Hey.” I hobbled over to her, nudging her shoulder. “Don’t let him bother you. He’s just an uptight ostrich who needs to pull his head out of the sand.”

She shook her head. “He’s right not to trust me.”

“Self-deprecation doesn’t look good on you, sweetheart.”

She shot me a look.

“There’s my girl.” I winked at her. “And don’t worry about Grey. He’ll come around. He’s . . .” I trailed off, not quite willing to spill my brother’s secrets. Even when we were little, he’d always been protective. But in the last few years, it had gotten worse. Losing his buddy Liam on a mission overseas during his last deployment five years ago had started it, and Paisley’s accident this summer had brought it out in full force. He was right to be protective, but his ire was misplaced.

Not being able to fix something killed him. Which gave me an idea.

“How do you feel about bribery?” I asked.

Noelle blinked at me. “What?”

“Bribery. You know, the action of influencing someone to your side with money or some other bargaining chip.”

“I know what bribery is, Cap. You perfected it into an art form when it came to me and tacos.”

“Yes, well, how about you use that brilliant logic on my brother. Your millionaire shortbread bars are something he can’t say no to.”

“You want me to bribe a retired Marine with baked goods? Don’t they have some sort of training about that? How To Not Be Taken In By A Bribe 101?”

“I think that’s the police.” I waved a hand. “Besides, if there’s one thing about Satterfields, it’s that we can absolutely be bribed with food. Ask Jules. She lives for my pancakes.”

“Uncle Grey’s are better!” Khia said, without looking up from her colouring book.

I shook my head. Kids—they kept you humble. “I’ll convince her of the truth one of these days. So, what do you say? Ready to win him over?”

Noelle worried her lower lip between her teeth. “And you expect me to show up at their house with a plate of sugar and all will be well in the world?”

“That’s the CliffsNotes version. I expect Grey will glare a bunch like the grouch he is, but after he eats a few bars, the sugar will hit his system and you’ll be in the clear.”

“You have a lot of faith in sugar.”

“Nah.” I leaned closer. “I believe in you, Elle. It’ll work out.”

Her eyes softened. “I don’t want to force it.”

I cupped her cheek. “Hey, if you’re not ready yet, that’s okay, it was just an idea. I know my brother. He’s stubborn as a mule with a toothache, but he’s got a good heart. And an apology goes a long way with Grey. I’m not saying sweets will fix it, but it can build a bridge. That’s how trust starts. One step at a time.”

“Build bridges, not walls,” she murmured, leaning into my touch.

“Exactly. We’ve got enough crocodile-infested moats in this family.”