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Tempest might take. But not tonight.
We settle into chairs around the firepit, Delilah on my lap. Stars twinkle high above in the onyx sky. More beer, whiskey, and wine are poured. Wells strums our father’s old guitar. Lively twangs fill the air.
Even though I’m beat and River’s news about the run eats at me, I set it aside. Right now, there’s no place I’d rather be than here with my family.
“We all set for the whiskey review?” Ezra asks Delilah.
She nods, relaxing against my chest. “Yep, Nolan gets in tomorrow at seven.”
“I’m picking him up from the airport,” Hassie says, flashing a look at me, and I nod. “Then I’ll drive him to the distillery, where Delilah will work her magic.”
Delilah smiles. “Rather, the whiskey will.”
A round of laughs goes up.
I scrub a hand over my mouth and take it all in. The distillery, the ranch, its peace warms my hard heart. Despite the danger that lurks, life almost feels back to normal. I’m grateful to my brothers for understanding. For giving Delilah a safe place.
The last two weeks, I’ve been working at the ranch and at the Coop with Delilah by my side. Langford kept his end of the bargain, getting the USB to his FBI contact, all while conveniently keeping the death of Dino to himself. In less than four days, an agent from DC will be out here to interview Delilah. A conversation I intend to sit in on.
I don’t trust the peace, because it’s something that has never lasted for long. But right now, I’ll enjoy it.
“You’re a natural at the distillery.” Ezra’s tone has reverence and pride filling my chest. He stares into his whiskey before looking up. “How’d you like to take over as manager?”
“Really?” she breathes.
“Really.” Ezra smiles, and I know it’s his way of apologizing for saying she should leave. “You’re staying, aren’t you?”
“I am.” Her cheeks flush pink.
“Congrats, Del.” River lifts his glass with a tattooed hand. “You wrangled the distillery, and you wrangled Cole. Truly, a miracle worker.”
“Thanks, asshole.” My tone is gruff, but I’m smiling.
“I’m sure he wasn’t always this grumpy.” Delilah jumps at the crackle of an ember.
“He was.” My uncle looks to me, trying not to laugh.
“Let’s face it,” Warren chimes in. “Cole came out of the womb with a scowl and a bottle of whiskey.”
Delilah and Hassie descend into giggles.
I laugh, full and genuine, and the sound turns heads. Vaughn gives me a nod. The way Wyoma leans into Delilah looks like she’s ready to start talking about wedding plans. I won’t lie. So am I.
Wyoma scoots closer and presses a palm to my knee, her eyes watering as she looks up, giving me a smile. “It’s about damn time you came home, Cole.”
She says it soft, hushed, just for me and Delilah to hear.
With a rough swallow, I take in her words, take a second before saying, “It took long enough.”
“But you did it,” Wyoma says as she looks at Delilah on my lap, and then back to me. “You let go.”
“Yeah,” I rasp, biting back raw emotion. “I did.”
It’s clear now.
There are more important things than looking for ghosts.
My brothers.
