Page 274 of Steamy Ever After

Brodie stepped forward, but his mother said to wait in the hall.

“It’s okay,” Peyton told him.

While Brodie did as his ma asked, he left the door open enough to hear their conversation.

“Sit down for a minute, lass.”

“Mrs. Butler?—”

“Call me Sorcha.” Brodie pictured her patting Peyton’s hand. “There have been many times I wished we knew you better, but now, I see why we didn’t. You weren’t ready to become a part of our family then; it wasn’t right. But now, it is.”

“I don’t know what to say. This is all so?—”

“Let it happen, Peyton. Kade wants this for you both.”

“It seems wrong,” he heard her whisper.

“Wrong? Love is never wrong, lass. Sometimes, we love the wrong person at the wrong time, but it isn’t ever the love itself.”

“I’m sorry about my ma,” he said when Peyton joined him in the hallway.

“Don’t be. She’s very sweet.”

“And a meddler.”

She smiled. “She cares about you.”

“You too.” He wiped away a tear with the pad of his thumb. “You’ve been crying.”

“Haven’t I been all day?” She laughed. “This time was different. They were good tears.”

“Ready to go?”

“Yes. Listen, Brodie, you don’t have to stay. My parents will, and I doubt Alex will leave either.”

He rested his forehead against hers like he had earlier. “I promised Finn I’d stay with you, and I won’t break it, no matter what.”

“Okay, but?—”

“I’m staying.”

Peyton laughed. “You’re bossy sometimes.”

“Sometimes? Always, sweetheart. It’s part of what makes me so lovable.”

When Peyton said she agreed, he beamed.

Her parents took Jamison home after Finn was out of the surgical recovery area and in a room on the pediatric floor of the hospital. Since it was customary for parents to stay overnight, the space had two sleeping recliners.

When she tried again to get him to leave, Brodie reminded her he’d promised to stay, and he meant it.

“But Finn’s out of surgery now. We’ll be fine.”

He didn’t answer. He’d inherited his father’s scowl, and knew how to use it. He only wished he could be closer to her, hold her, comfort her. The recliners were good sized, but not big enough for two. He moved them closer together so he could reach over and hold her hand until she fell asleep.

Brodie dozed off and on, but the slightest noise would rouse him. The nurses came and checked on Finn throughout the night, waking him each time they did.

Finn slept soundly, but Peyton was restless. She talked in her sleep, and while he couldn’t decipher her words, it was obvious her dreams were troubling. Around three in the morning, she sat straight up and looked around the room. “Kade?”

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