Page 86 of Saddle Storm

“It’s so nice to meet you.” She pulls me in for a hug instead and whispers in my ear. “Don’t tug on that, it’s perfect and you’ll ruin the fabric.” She pulls back with a wink.

“It’s too short,” I say, surprised at my ease with her.

“Oh please, honey, I went to see Chase’s family wearing a black silk curtain around my waist.”

I laugh. “I’m sure it wasn’t a curtain.”

“It was a curtain!” Chase confirms. “She pulled it off my deceased brother’s windows and sewed it on.” He walks over to where we’re standing, reaching his hand out to me. “Storm, it’s a pleasure. We’re headed to a family dinner too,” he cocks his head back to his wife’s outfit. “As you can see, she hasn’t leveled up much.”

Pepper smacks his arm and I chuckle. She looks adorable in a mini skirt, boots, and cashmere sweater.

“You always look amazing, but I’ve only seen you in the one uniform.”

Her eyes light. “You watch the games.”

“You watch the games?” This comes from Silas.

I flick my eyes at him. “I watch the intermission.”

There’s about ten more minutes of this and even though it’s not his family, somehow it puts me at ease about tonight’s dinner.

“Oh, and you guys can drive that SUV right on out of here, Silas can’t be driving.” That thing is heavier than his sports car and he’s already pushed it driving that thing around.

Pepper frowns. “But the car’s for—”

“And that’s our cue, Pinky,” Chase says, taking his wife’s arm and leading her toward the door.

She glances back. “See you soon.”

I smile and wave as they rush out. “I like them,” I say coyly and reach for my boots. “Why’d they rush off?”

“Probably running late—as are we.” He fiddles with the keys, then crosses to me, holding them out. “Mind driving over there?”

“It’s a full house,” I say, partially to myself and partially to Connor, sitting at the head of the table to my right.

Mr. Thorne lets his gaze drift around the table as people slowly scatter. Ginger and Rose, clearing dishes, Dallas preparing dessert and Willow tending to Emmit in the living room. “Doubled in size in just over a year,” he rasps.

I smile softly. “Must be strange for you.”

“It’s . . .” he nods like he’s placing the word, “different. Louder . . .” he trails off.

Ginger places a pot of tea in front of us and sets a hand on his shoulder. “Happier.”

He grumbles, glancing at Silas who moved to the opposite side of the table to engage in a game with Max and Ellie. “Yeah, happier.”

Silas seems to lose the game but laughs through his defeat along with the kids. He whispers and points to Wilder and the kids run off in giggles.

My heart warms watching my kid. Max never gets this. Big family dinners, sleepovers, maybe a sense of belonging to something bigger than Dad and I ever offered him.

Our family dinners were quiet. It’s been the three of us since Max was five. And it’s never been this . . . happy, lively . . . fun. They mostly consisted of Dad grumbling over something or Max filling the silence with stories from school.

“How’s your dad?” Connor asks with a tired sigh. His tone laced with regret.

Silas moves back to the seat next to me, setting a hand on my thigh.

“Better,” I say honestly. “Just went to see him a few days ago.”

Dallas and Rose return, setting a few dessert platters on the table. “We should try and pay him a visit soon, too, huh, Dad?” Dallas looks at me. “If you think he won’t mind.”