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“Surprised you made it back here in that thing,” Hunter called out to his brother as he exited on the driver's side of the Jeep.

“Surprised you're still not buying American,” Braxon drawled as he cast a dismissive glance at the Kawasaki.

“It's nice to know some things never change,” Joshua said with a cheeky grin as he bounded across the yard and pulled Hunter into a bear hug. It always amazed him how massive Joshua was, both in height and breadth. At six foot four he was the tallest of the brothers. His wide shoulders were strong and steady. Physically, he was a machine, which was one of the reasons he'd been such a successful soldier. His skin was a warm cocoa color, and his caramel colored eyes were his most dramatic feature. The cleft in his chin lent him the look of a wayward angel.

The brothers hugged it out for a moment, exchanging a few private words between themselves. Braxon stood off to the side, silently observing the joyful moment between his brothers, the beginnings of a smile making his mouth twitch.

“Give your brother some love,” Mae admonished as she wagged a finger at Braxon. Hunter pulled his younger brother towards him so that all of them were entangled in a three-way hug fest.

“Aww, you guys,” Sadie said as she burst into tears, surrendering to the emotion of the family reunion. Mae put her arms around her daughter and squeezed her tightly, her eyes misting with tears as she surveyed all four of her children back in the fold.

“God is good,” she said as she raised her hands up in praise to the heavens.

Hunter stood shoulder to shoulder with his family, soaking in all the love and attention he'd craved for years. There was nothing like this in the world – not climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, not dating a supermodel, not making his first million dollars. This rush of feeling coursing through him was invigorating. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been filled with so much joy. For the first time in a very long time he didn't feel so achingly alone.

“Love comes when you least expect it. When it does, remember to grab ahold of it. And no matter what happens, don’t let go.” Callie Duvall Holden

Chapter Four

“Tell me everything. And don’t leave out even a sliver of information.” Callie’s beautiful face was animated. She leaned forward across the table and stared at Olivia with unbridled enthusiasm. With her eyes wide, mouth slightly open, Callie resembled her eight-year-old self. Olivia began to chuckle.

They were sitting in Callie’s light and airy kitchen in the guest cottage at Savannah House, the property they had recently inherited on Tybee Island, a small barrier island twenty minutes from downtown Savannah. Callie had been living on the property of the estate for several months now, just prior to Miss Hattie’s passing. She hadn’t yet decided if she would stay on at the cottage after her marriage to Jax, who owned a condo right in the city.

“He’s as gorgeous as ever,” Olivia acknowledged, letting out a small sigh as Hunter’s face popped into her head. “Would you believe he drove all the way here on a motorcycle? And he looked like the original bad boy when he roared away on it,” Olivia said with a chuckle. “All swagger and confidence.”

“Sounds like the Hunter we know and love.”

Olivia wagged her finger at her best friend. “Don’t tease me.”

Callie giggled. “It’s just an expression, although something tells me it’s not far from the truth.” Callie wagged her eyebrows at Olivia.

Olivia raised a hand to her heated cheeks. “I’ll admit my heart was racing the whole time. It felt surreal. After all these years he was standing in front of me, laughing and talking. And he looked different, but the same if that makes sense.” Olivia shook her head. “I know it’s crazy, but it felt like no time at all had passed since we’d last seen each other. I was a little nervous, but we fell right into a natural banter.”

Her best friend sent her a knowing glance. “I’ll bet. That’s how it is sometimes when you really truly have bonded with someone. And from what I remember, the two of you shared something special.”

Olivia bit her lip. “We did. I was head over heels in love with him.” Tears swam in Olivia’s eyes as she remembered how deep her feelings had been for Hunter. They had been so very real. It had broken her heart when Hunter had left Savannah.

Callie reached across and squeezed her hand. “I know you were.

In case no one has ever told you, Olivia Renault, you wear your heart on your sleeve.”

Olivia let out a sigh. “Ain’t it the truth. I suppose that’s the way the good Lord made me and there’s not much I can do about it. Although sometimes I wish there was.”

Callie made a tutting sound. “He made you into the wonderful woman you are, Olivia. Having a heart as big as the ocean isn’t a bad thing. Matter of fact, I think it’s pretty terrific.”

Olivia shook her head. “Let’s change the subject. We need to get down to business about Savannah House. The renovations are almost finished, which means we have to figure out our timeline as well as the different roles we’ll be playing.”

Callie nodded. “We need to have a meeting with all of us present so we can discuss this in further detail. Sooner rather than later. After that, I have to admit I’m going to be tied up with the wedding and my honeymoon. But I think we have some wiggle room since the renovations are still ongoing.”

Olivia let out a squeal. She was so happy for Callie and Jax. They made such a beautiful couple. Jax had loved Callie from afar for years and years, yet it had only been recently that Callie had given in to her feelings and fallen for her childhood buddy.

One day I’ll find my Prince Charming too. Olivia blinked away the image of Hunter that passed through her mind. How was it possible that after all these years she still thought of him that way? If Prince Charming rode fancy motorcycles and wore leather jackets, she thought with a smile.

“It shouldn’t be a problem,” Olivia reassured Callie. “Hope has her hands full with the baby and Fancy is still trying to wrap up things in New York. We’ve got a little time to play with. But let’s get together in a few days and get things moving.”

“I agree,” Callie said with a nod, her red hair tumbling over her shoulders. “Thankfully, everything is structurally sound. Miss Hattie did a good job of keeping everything fairly up to date, especially considering the fact that Savannah House hasn’t been used as a resort for several years.”

“I still can’t believe what a wonderful gift she bestowed on us,” Olivia gushed. “And I can’t help but think she wanted us to renew our friendships. She was making sure that we would be a united front. Miss Hattie believed in us.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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