Page 129 of Peppermint Bark

I broke the kiss to see those magical hazel eyes with flecks of gold in the moonlight. “So is that … what did you just agree to?”

She rolled her eyes softly. “Always needing to define the terms.”

“This is important, Grace,” I said. “I need to know what you want.”

“All of it. The house, the parenting, the … the future.” Her face flushed that nervous way, her gaze dipping to my mouth, pulling me closer. “Move in with me. Raise a family with me. Spend your life with me. I want all of it with you.”

I felt a surge of warmth as she shivered in my arms. “Come on darling, Mom’s been in there all week making updates for you and I can’t wait to see them.”

“You haven’t been inside?”

“I wanted to do it together.”

I interlaced our hands and let her lead the way up the steps, where she smiled before opening the door to her house. Our house. Our future.

Our eyes instantly lifted to the fireplace mantle, where Kate’s painting hung in the place of honor. Beneath it, Mom had staged framed photos: the selfie Grace took on the ski lift was the biggest one, a goofy picture of Mallory picking Grace’s nose, childhood photos of …

I picked up a photo I’d never seen. “Is this you and Elijah?”

A male voice startled me. “It sure is.”

I spun as Grace gasped. “What are you —?”

Out of the kitchen stepped a man I would have recognized anywhere as Grace’s twin: an inch taller, with a well-trimmed beard and side-swept hair … but those same unmistakable eyes.

My sister walked out next to him, doing a slow clap and pointing a teasing finger at me. “What, you’re the only one who gets to plan a big surprise?”

I ruffled her hair, then reached to shake Elijah’s hand. “Nice to meet you, man, I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Likewise,” he said, looking me up and down skeptically then turning to his sister. “So we’re not moving to California?”

“No, you’re moving here. And the perfect studio apartment just opened up." Her eyes crinkled as she tilted her head toward the garage.

His smile widened, less restrained than hers, and I found myself looking forward to getting to know him. Although if he was already plotting with my sister, we were in trouble.

“Do you need a place to stay?” I asked. I wanted to be alone with Grace, but knowing how much her brother meant to her and how long they’d been apart, I could put aside my desire for the night.

“No, I’ve got a place for tonight,” he said, his eyes shifting over my shoulder. I turned quickly to see a shadow moving towards us, and stepped in front of Grace protectively as another man entered our living room.

“You broke my sister’s heart,” he said. From her stories, I instantly recognized Isaac, looking slightly older than me. His hazel eyes weren't menacing like Levi’s, but protective. He stood with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

I dropped my arms at my sides and nodded in confirmation. “A mistake I want to spend the rest of my life making up to her.”

When her hand slid into mine, I pulled her forward and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

His chin tilted back so that even though he was shorter, he could look down at me. “And you broke my brother’s nose.”

“Nobody speaks that way to Grace,” I said, then felt her elbow in my ribs. “Although I shouldn't have resorted to violence.”

Isaac cocked his head in agreement to what neither of us would speak aloud: I’d stay civil, but if Levi ever stepped out of line around Grace, I’d punch him again in a heartbeat.

Unless Isaac got to him first.

He lifted a brow. “She’ll have a daughter soon. You up for it?”

“Why do you think we’re in this six-bedroom house? I know she’ll fill it.”

His eyes glimmered in appreciation before he held out a hand, which I shook forcefully. “Welcome to the family.”

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