Page 8 of More Than My Hometown

3

EWAN

It is a damn good thing for Huxley Adams Hayes that today is the happiest day of his life. Or else, he might have ended up a dead man.

Actually, he still might.

There is still a very good chance he does not live to see his honeymoon. Because he dead-ass stood there, looked me in the eye mere hours ago after hugging me like I was dying, and told me he “understood” and the “right woman is out there.” But didn’t have the balls to give me a heads-up that she would be here.

And since I’m the brother that owns the hunting gear store, he should probably worry.

A store that she named.

Fuck me…

Squeals fill the tent, wafting through the spring air, drawing the attention of everyone in attendance. The women responsible for the high-pitched audible attack don’t seem the least bit bothered, however, all five of them too busy jumping up and down in a group hug, caught up in their own excitement of being reunited. My heart squeezes, the sight evoking so many emotions all at once. Including a whole bunch I’m not sure I have names for.

More than anything, it’s the reminder to breathe at the sight of the blue-eyed blonde at the center of the hug huddle. Something I may or may not be failing at right now.

A heavy hand lands on my shoulder, and I flinch, the weight of it catching me off guard.

“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world…” Milo mutters.

“…and she walks into mine. Ours,” I correct. “She walks back into ours.”

It’s just as much her hometown as it is mine…

My eyes are still trained on Maisey—I couldn’t look away if you paid me—as the girls finally separate. The versions of Alice Evans, Rose Adler, Emily, Dolly, and Maisey gathered on the parquet dance floor look the same as they did when we were teenagers, the same mile-wide smiles on their faces and mischievous glints in their eyes. The ones that come when a girl squad is together and joins their powers together like Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

From our spot nestled next to the bar, we have the perfect view of the whole tent. The event of the season, most of Hickory Hills is in attendance, spread out across the tables, finishing up their meals and heading out to the dance floor to party the night away. Most of the major moments of the evening—first dance, speeches, cake cutting—have already concluded, so from here on out, it’s pure party time.

Or if you’re the family introvert, sit back and observe.

“You talk to her yet?” he asks, not even trying to pretend to be nonchalant about it.

“And say what?” All the things I should have said ten years ago?

“I can think of a couple things.”

I can think of more than a couple. Problem is, they all should have been said a long damn time ago. And since I didn’t say them then, I don’t get to say them now.

“Can’t avoid her forever,” he continues.

“I’m not going to avoid her for forever. Just for tonight.” And then tomorrow. And however long she’s in town for after that…

“Ewan,” Hux says, coming up behind me.

I whip around, glaring at him. Immediately, he stands his ground, raising his arms. I’m a big guy, but Hux is easily the strongest of the family. That’s what happens when you’re the family lumberjack—running the lumber and paper division of the family business. Push comes to shove, I can hold my own against him, especially if I’m pissed enough, but I’d never win. We both know it.

“A heads-up would have been nice,” I seethe through gritted teeth.

“I didn’t know, I swear,” Hux tells me. “Honest to God. If I knew, I would have told you. Promise.”

I tighten my fist, wanting so bad to believe him. To know that my brother has my back.

Another squeal rips through the air, stealing my attention. I look over my shoulder, waves of golden hair reflecting in the dim lights catching my eye immediately, and I know exactly who that sound came from. That knowledge solidifies something else in me—a truth that this whole town knows soul deep and is celebrating today. The love of Hux and Dolly.

And Hux is standing next to me right now, worried about my feelings, with his brand-new bride across the room. And there is only one way that would happen.