Page 107 of Sunrise & Serenity

I’m not sure why I hold out hope that my parents will understand why I walked away from Graham. Or understand me at all.

Maybe it’s time I accept they never will.

CHAPTER 28

SAGE

“Are you excited to see River?” I ask Holden as we carry heaped salad bowls to the tables set up behind the ranch house.

In the week since we stopped fighting this thing between us, his smiles have come more easily, and the one that spreads across his face now makes warmth bloom in my chest.

“Don’t know if ‘excited’ is the word I’d use, but the place is certainly livelier when River’s around.”

The ranch already feels different, louder somehow, as if in anticipation of the second-youngest brother’s return. Harrison insisted I invite Mia, Ruby, and Greta to today’s celebration as well, though they haven’t arrived yet. Neither has the guest of honor.

“What’s he like?” I ask as we place the bowls down.

“Young, cocky. Thinks his duty is to flirt with every woman who crosses his path.”

“Oh yeah?” I laugh. “Will he try to flirt with me?”

He surprises me by nudging me behind a bush, blocking any view from the ranch house windows.

“Holden…” My protest doesn’t carry much weight. Part of me—who am I kidding, most of me—doesn’t really want it to.

His big hand cradles the back of my head while his other hand gathers up the hem of my skirt. “I can guarantee none of my brothers could make you feel as good as I can.”

He brushes his knuckles over the front of my panties, and my breath stutters.

“We should probably keep helping.” Eyes closed, I clutch his biceps.

With a hum, he slips one finger inside me. “There are plenty of people to help.”

He silences any other protest my brain was trying to form by pressing his mouth to mine.

Before we get any further, Taryn’s voice comes from the other side of the bush. “Where did Sage and Holden go?”

Catching my lip between my teeth, I stare up at Holden, wide-eyed. There’s a lightness in his expression that I can’t help but smile at. He’s enjoying this way too much.

“Don’t know,” Harrison replies. “Maybe they went around the front. I thought I heard River’s truck coming.”

“Really?” Taryn squeals. “I’ll go see.”

Her footsteps fade, and Harrison clears his throat. “If you two are out here, you might want to reappear before everyone shows up.”

Oh god. Cheeks blazing, I drop my head against Holden’s chest, which vibrates as he chuckles.

He withdraws his finger and smooths my skirt before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Come on,” he says, leading me out of our hiding place.

Thankfully, Harrison’s already gone back inside, so I don’t have to face him.

“Do you think he was telling the truth about hearing River’s truck?” I ask.

He presses his lips together. “Let’s go see.”

We head back through the house and out the front door, where we find the whole family, along with Riley and Knox, gathered beside a dusty blue truck.

McBride cookouts might be a more-the-merrier affair, but this feels different. I hang back as Holden heads toward the group. The last thing I want is to intrude on the moment.