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“Good. I’m glad you agreed to come back with me.” I pulled into the driveway of the ranch house where I’d grown up. Reese was already stepping out of the car when I came around to get her door. Her white cowboy boots clacked against the cobblestone walkway leading to my parents’ house.
“Looks like everyone is here.” She smiled as she pushed open the door.
Loud chatter came from the kitchen, just like it always did. My family home was a gathering spot for anyone and everyone in Cottonwood Cove who wanted a good meal on Sunday. Olivia, Reese’s little sister, came charging around the corner and wrapped her arms around her.
“Well, if it isn’t the British prince himself,” Cage said with one brow raised as he walked toward me.
“Hey, what can I say? I ooze royal charm.”
Cage wrapped one arm around Reese’s shoulders, giving her a bit of a man-bro hug before turning his attention back to me. “Well, you made quite the impression with your quick weekend jaunt abroad.”
The dude oozed sarcasm.
It was his love language.
“All for the greater good.”
“I’m sure it is.” He smirked.
The cocky bastard.
Before I knew it, little Gracie was hauling ass as she ran toward me, all wobbly and adorable. Her arms flailed as I scooped her right up and spun her around. My niece owned my heart in every way.
“You smell like pumpkins,” I said, kissing her cheek.
“Grammie and Pops and me carved pumpkins today.” She placed a hand on my cheek and smiled before reaching for Reese.
My best friend scooped my niece into her arms and hugged her. Reese had babysat Gracie dozens of times over the years, as she was one of the few people outside of our family that Cage trusted with his daughter.
“I’m happy you’re home, Ree Ree.” My niece settled her head of curls on Reese’s shoulder.
“Me, too, Gracie girl. I’ve missed you big.”
“Are you Uncle Finny’s girlfriend now?” she whispered, and I raised a brow at Cage.
“Don’t shoot the messenger. The whole town is talking about it.” He shrugged.
Reese’s sage-green eyes found mine, and for the first time, I saw the doubt. This was all fun and games, but she’d never do anything to hurt Gracie.
I gave her the look that I knew she needed from me.
It’s fine. There won’t be any broken hearts when it’s done.
We’d always been able to communicate without words, and she nodded.
This was temporary.
No one was going to get hurt.
There would never be anything that could come between me and Reese. Not even her dickhead ex-fiancé.
When we entered the kitchen, all hell broke loose. We made our rounds hugging everyone, and in typical Reynolds-Murphy fashion, we all talked at the same time, but somehow it worked for us.
When they were all done fawning all over Reese, we made our way to the table. My mom had made chicken marinara, and after the long flight, I was ready for a home-cooked meal. The dinner conversation was light as Gracie, who was sitting between her dad and Hugh, filled in Reese on how her first few weeks of kindergarten were going.
“I can’t believe you’re in Mrs. Clifton’s class. She’s been teaching for so long. She was my favorite,” Reese said, shaking her head. We’d all been in her class back in the day.
“She’s the best,” I agreed.
