Page 43 of When We Dare

On the heels of a breath, it felt like my entire body was breathing her in. My lips brushed over hers, once and again. That was all it took before I tumbled into the fire with her.

We had an unbroken record of breaking our first rule. Although I suppose it was no longer a rule. Yet, we still hadn’t definedusmore than that. A corner of my thoughts worried over this as we fell asleep a little while later. Butter and Biscuit curled up together between our feet. Even that seemed to be a clue that my heart understood and yet my mind shied away fromit.

The following morning, we drove into town together since it was a weekend. Stella had a regular office job, so she actually took Saturdays off. As I drove, I felt her eyes on me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I talked to Parker. He was worried I didn’t know your history.” She let out an annoyed huff. “You guys have a similar story. I don’t know why he would be so worried about that. I also pointed out that he was my brand-new brother. I’m not used to having a brother who thinks he has a say in my life, not like that. Honestly, the whole thing is annoying.”

I chuckled at that. “I suppose it is. When I knew Parker when we were younger, he didn’t know he had any siblings.”

“We could have more,” she said. “My mom texted me. Now that she and my dad have reconnected, she’s all about love.” Stella’s sigh was resigned. “I guess they want to come to visit. I plan to ask my dad if he’s aware of other siblings out there.”

“When you and your mom did the DNA tests, did anyone else show up?” I asked. I slowed as I approached Main Street in the downtown area.

Glancing over, I saw Stella’s curls swinging as she shook her head. “But then, you never know, Parker found me because he did a DNA test after my mom uploaded our info. These days, people should be smarter about secrets,” she said dryly. “Notlike I was a secret, but it’s not hard for people to figure out their family history on their own now.”

“No kidding. Although it doesn’t sound like your dad was trying to hide things, more that—” I paused as I considered how to frame what I meant.

Stella jumped into the gap, “My dad wasn’t making the best choices and, as a result, he wasn’t around to be a dad for me. It sounds like he stepped up for Parker, but even then, Parker said he stayed with his aunt whenever his dad ended up in jail.”

I turned into the parking area for Firehouse Café. When I stopped, Stella was looking over, her gaze was somber. “What is it?”

She shrugged. “I guess you do understand what my dad’s like based on what you’ve shared about yours.”

I smiled wryly. “I think I probably do.” Impulsively, I leaned across the seat and planted a kiss on her. “I’m glad you don’t think I am an awful guy because I got in trouble in high school.”

Her gaze was warm as she studied me. “I think you’re a pretty good guy, Hudson.”

It felt as if she had stuck out her foot and my heart tripped over it, stumbling and nearly falling. I swallowed through the sudden rush of emotion.

“Let’s get coffee,” Stella said as she began to climb out.

I was relieved the moment passed swiftly.

A few minutes later, we reached the front of the line, and Casey greeted us. “Hi!”

Stella was eyeing the display case of baked goods while I ordered our coffees. Janet came walking out of the back. She caught my eyes, her smile wide. “You know Stella’s favorite coffee,” she said by way of greeting.

I managed a low laugh. My heart was still scrambling and trying to recover from its fall. I had never in my life unintentionally memorized someone’s preferred food, coffee, oranything. I’d never been involved with someone long enough to reach that point.

Stella glanced over with a cheery wave.

Janet gestured toward Casey who had already started to prep our coffees. “You’ve met Casey, right?”

“Of course!” Stella grinned at Casey. “She makes amazing coffee.”

Janet winked as she walked by. “She raises the bar for that. She’s even taught me some new things.”

“How do like it here now that you’ve been here more than a minute?” Stella asked.

Casey adjusted one of the knobs on the espresso machine. “I love it so far.”

“I told you so.” A teasing voice came from behind us. Maisie stopped on Stella’s other side, adding, “I promised her she’d love Willow Brook.”

Casey smiled between Stella and Maisie. “You did! This town is great, and this job has made it easy to settle in. It’s the perfect place to get to know who’s who.”

Beck arrived just behind Maisie and the group expanded a little further when Parker and Griffin appeared. Parker’s eyes bounced from Stella to me and back again. I was relieved for the conversation carrying on around us.

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