Page 120 of Stolen Moments

Fair. I’m not her favorite brother-in-law at the moment.

“I’ve been better.” I decide to go with the truth, hoping it softens Rylann to me. I don’t want things to be weird between us.

“Hmm.” She hugs me and then holds out Riah for me to take. “Here is your niece. I need to use the restroom.”

She rushes out of the room while I hold a drooling Sariah in my arms.

“Sorry, Mase.” Jace takes a seat on the couch. “She’s a little annoyed with you.”

“Yeah, I kind of figured that out.”

My niece coos, pulling a smile at my mouth. She’s fucking adorable.

“It will pass. She just cares about Emery. That girl has been through a lot.” He mumbles the last part under his breath, but it catches my attention.

She’s been through a lot.

What the fuck does that mean? Is she hurt? Did something happen with her fiancé? Did she marry him? The questions swirl in my head, but I play it cool.

I can’t stop myself from asking, “Is Emery okay?”

“Oh, yeah. She’s fine. Nothing for you to worry about.” Jace looks away before standing and heads toward the rest of our family in the kitchen, leaving me alone.

Nothing for me to worry about.

Why do those words feel like a bloody knife to my heart? She’s the one that broke my heart. Not the other way around.

Because you love her?

My mother calls out that dinner is ready as Riah slaps my cheek with her wet drooly hand, stopping my head and my heart from spiraling.

“Thanks, baby girl. I needed that.” I wipe the slobber from my face and blow a raspberry on her cheek.

She giggles, wiggling in my arms like a worm as I make my way to the table.

I place Riah in her highchair, strapping her in, before taking my seat between Cam and Eli, and across from Rhys. The little testicle-kicking turd grins at me, flashing me a gap-toothed smile.

Dad holds up his wine glass. “Before we eat, I just want to say a few things. First, boys, thank you for being here. Times are changing, but it means a lot to your mother and me that you spend the holiday with us. Second, let us welcome the new addition to the Miller clan, Sariah. My sweet girl, you complete us.”

“For now,” Jace not-so-subtly whispers into Rylann’s ear, making her blush and the rest of us groan.

“Heard that,” Dad says with a chuckle. “Rylann, I know I said this last year, but sweetheart, thank you for making Jace happy and bringing Rhys into our life. Rhys, my number one grandson, I love you, kiddo.”

“Love you too, Granddad!” Rhys shouts.

“Happy Thanksgiving!”

We all raise our glasses and get to eating.

“Gee, Pop, what about the rest of us?” Cameron asks, sipping his wine.

“Find a woman and give me some grandbabies, and you’ll get a special shoutout.”

“Pass.” Cameron piles food on his plate like the glutton he is, hoarding all the potatoes.

“What about you, Eli, any prospects?” Mom asks. The poor woman is obviously tired of her sons being single.

She and my father met and fell in love in college. They’ve been together ever since. My dad always said he knew instantly that my mom was the one, and as she looks across the table at him, I understand. There is so much love between them. True, unconditional love.

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