Page 118 of A Love Like Candle Light

“So much better.” I lean over the console, grab her chin, and pull her into a quick kiss. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t even do much,” she mumbles against my lips, her pupils darting from my left to right eye.

“You were there,” I whisper and wipe a lone raindrop off her forehead. “And that meant everything.”

Chapter 41

Kylie

The campfire crackles in the fireplace I set up in my garden. It’s a beautiful spot facing the lake, far enough away from the house to not have to bother about getting smoke-scent inside. This will probably be the last time this year I get to use my outdoor armchair, before tucking it safely under my porch roof for the winter.

Autumn is nearing its end, and for some reason I felt compelled to spend a bit more time with it. The golden hour sends a beautiful glow over the orange leaves and reflects sparkles across the water.

A car pulls into my driveway. I know who it is without needing to turn around. Who else would it be but Erik? Kieran, Lauren and Nic never bother to come here by car.

So I keep watching the water, take a sip of my hot chocolate, pull the blanket tighter around me and wait for him to come here.

“Hey, babe.”

I lift my face for a quick kiss. He grabs a chair from the other side of the fire and drags it over to take a seat beside me.

“How was your day?” I ask him. As soon as he sits, he leans down and carefully pulls my legs into his lap.

“Uneventful,” he mumbles and lets his hands glide up and down my calves and shins. “Logan called. The distant O’Brien relative from Scotland signed off on the bones being buried here with her husband.”

“That’s wonderful news.” I reach for his arm and take another sip of my hot chocolate. “You have to tell the others. I’m sure they’ll all want to be there.”

“Yeah.” Erik nods and starts massaging my calf. “I’ll tell them the next time I run into them.”

A comfortable silence settles, only disturbed by the fire crackling and the wind blowing through the branches and making them shed their dry leaves. Abby rolls up behind my chair, away from the fire.

I can watch Erik lose himself in his thoughts. His hands might still wander over my leg, but his mind is very, very far away. No wonder. These past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions I don’t envy him for.

His sister contacted him only a day later, and they set up a date for her to meet their aunt. He must be so nervous about it, even though there’s barely a reason to be.

But it’s the unknown. I get it.

When life is in uproar and many changes befall upon you, it’s scary. However, what’s even scarier is being alone with your thoughts and fears surrounding it.

So I pull my legs out of his lap, get up and place my almost empty mug on my now chair.

“Hey,” I whisper and stop right in front of him. He blinks. I wait for his attention, then climb into his lap sideways and sneak my arms around his neck.

“You’re thinking very loudly today.” I wipe a strand of hair out of his eyes. “Talk to me.”

“Sorry,” he mumbles and nudges my nose with his. “I’m not trying to shut you out or anything. I’m just…” He lets out a deep sigh. “Overwhelmed. Yeah, I think that’s the word.” He closes his eyes as I run my fingers through his hair. “And all the thinking is taking up so much of my mental space, I forget to talk.”

“That’s why I’m reminding you.” I lean my head against his shoulder.

Most importantly, he’s here. Even if he’s struggling to make sense of his own thoughts or emotions, he’s here. The realization sends waves of warm happiness through me so comforting they almost make me tear up.

“I keep wondering how my life will change since I’m now someone’s little brother,” he mumbles, pulling me closer. “So far, it’s incredibly hard to tell. But also, I don’t know what to expect. Will we even get along? What if we’re just on fundamentally different wavelengths? And when do I even see her? Do we spend Christmas together? Thanksgiving?”

“Nic and Lauren invited us,” I let him know in a whisper. A leaf blows over to us, and settles on his shoulder. I pluck it off his jacket. “You know, if you don’t have any other plans. It’s a big affair. Henry’s parents are going to be there too. If your aunt wants to join, I’m sure there’s enough space.”

“I’ll have to ask her.” He nods, his thumb drawing circles over my thigh. “But I can already tell you the prospect of getting to share all the cooking is enough for me to know she’ll be happy to join us.”

“Great.” I nudge my nose against his neck. “And if your sister wants to join, I’m sure we’ll find a chair for her, too.”