Page 45 of Return By Fire

“Then what’s holding you back?” Before I can get a word in, she holds up her hand. “Or would you like me to make you a list?”

I cross my hands behind my head. “Be my guest. Tell me why I didn’t call and tell you to hire more people to run Smith’s.”

“One, Brad. Two, Nick—though, for the record, the idea of you giving up love for that prick drives me insane. Three, Kody. And the most important—at least to you. Four, Jennings,” she ticks off. Then she gets nose to nose with me. “Why do you think I kept it from you for so damn long?”

I choke out, “Why did you?”

She cups my cheeks. “Because I knew the guilt would consume you. They’re your brothers, Jed. Though I could never have predicted you and Dean falling in love, you just walked away from the one man you’re dying to introduce them to and never can because it will mean hurting the man you love.” She climbs off me before leaning down to brush a kiss against my cheek. “You’ve been blessed with the most exquisite, toxic, complicated gift we could be given—love.”

“What would you do?” I manage.

“You mean what would I do if Nick were to come flying through that door and pledge his heart to mine?” she bites out.

I nod tentatively, knowing how much effort it took for my sister to admit what she’s kept buried in her heart all these years.

Her head twists until I’m left staring at her profile. Agony that has nothing to do with a broken heart wafts over her features. “I believe I tried that years ago. Only, I didn’t get the guy.”

“His loss,” I declare loyally.

“So you say.”

“So I know.”

She returns to my original question. “Back then, nothing would have kept me in Alaska. I’d have kissed the brewhouse goodbye so fast that your head would have spun.”

“Is that what you think I should do? Run off and chase love?”

“Is there a better reason to run away?”

I sit up and throw back the covers. I glance around the room and ask, “Will you help me pack?”

“Did you ever unpack?” she returns.

“Well, crap.” It’s then I realize all my possessions I give a damn about are still in the suitcases I hauled back from Florida. “It really, really bothers me you’re smarter than I am.”

“Good.” She leans over and presses her lips against my cheek.

I wrap her in my arms. “I love you, Little Mari Sunshine.”

Her sigh ruffles my hair. “I love you too, Jed. Promise me you’ll take care of our family.”

Family. At first it was Maris and a band of brothers. Now, it’s shifted to be the man I love, our sisters, and the nephew that binds us all.

Someday, let that be the catalyst to bring us all back together, I pray silently.

Maris pipes up, “By the way, your Florida Relator called.”

My breath catches. “Did she say what about?”

Maris’s smirk precedes her informing me about the meeting she agreed to for me for next week with my new potential investors. “Since you have a new source of income, I’m taking a raise out of petty cash.”

“Deal.”

Even as we continue talking and making plans, I have one thought at the forefront of my mind.

I’m coming home, Dean.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

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