Page 61 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

“We came as soon as we saw the news,” she said, pulling back to study her brother’s face. The family resemblance was striking in the morning light. “About Mom...”

Van stepped forward, clapping Hunter on the shoulder while giving me a warm smile. “We thought you could use family right now.”

Family. The word echoed in my heart as Hunter pulled me closer, his arm steady around my waist. Baby Chad reached for his uncle with tiny hands, and Taylor’s eyes filled with fresh tears as Hunter gently took him.

“Actually,” Taylor said quietly, watching her brother cradle her son, “there’s something else. The evidence Mom gathered about Crystal Ridge—she made sure some of it would be safe with trusted friends. People who could testify when the time was right.”

Hunter’s hand found mine, squeezing tight as hope and fear warred in his eyes. Baby Chad snuggled against his chest, completely trusting.

***

The afternoon sun warmed Pine Haven’s conference room as Taylor settled in to share what she knew. Van cradled their now-dozing son while Hunter paced, his nervous energy drawing me like a magnet. Without thinking, I moved to his side, my fingers lightly brushing his arm. He stilled at my touch like a stormy sea finding its shore.

“Mom made connections with people she trusted,” Taylor said, twisting her wedding ring—a gesture so like her brother’s nervous habits. “Store owners, local environmentalists, people who kept records. She’d visit them during our shopping trips, sharing copies of evidence, making sure everything was documented.”

Hunter stilled beside me, tension thrumming through him. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“She made me promise.” Taylor’s eyes filled with tears, the same green-gold as Hunter’s sometimes. “Said someday you might need to know, but only when it was safe. After yesterday’s press conference...”

“It’s safe now,” Van finished, gently rocking Chad. His protective stance over his family spoke volumes.

The tenderness in his movement caught my eye—here was a man who adored his family, who’d built his world around them. The same way Hunter looked at me when he thought I wasn’t watching like I was the answer to questions he’d never known to ask.

As if reading my thoughts, Hunter’s thumb traced circles on my palm, the small gesture grounding us both. Afternoon lightcaught his mother’s photo on the wall behind him, her smile holding secrets we were only beginning to understand.

“All these people Mom trusted,” Taylor continued. “They’ve kept evidence about Crystal Ridge, about everyone involved. Records and testimonies that could expose everything.”

“And they’re still protecting it?” Hunter’s voice was rough.

“Protecting it for us.” Taylor stood, moving to her brother. “Mom knew someday we’d need to face Crystal Ridge. She made sure we’d have help when that day came.”

“But all this time... all these people knew?”

“Not about the whole picture. Each person only knew their small part—Mom was clever that way. She protected them too.”

Hunter swayed slightly. I stepped closer, letting him lean on me, offering silent support.

“Where is she?” he whispered.

Before Taylor could answer, Claire burst in. “Sorry to interrupt, but the local news crew is here for the marketing campaign launch. They’re setting up in the lobby.”

Reality crashed back. We had a resort to run, a future to protect.

“Go,” Taylor said firmly. “Do the interview. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

Hunter hesitated. I touched his cheek, turning him to face me. “Hey. One thing at a time, remember?”

The love in his eyes made my heart skip. He covered my hand with his, turning to press a kiss to my palm. “What would I do without you?”

“Let’s never find out,” I whispered.

Van cleared his throat, grinning. “You two are worse than Taylor and me in the beginning.”

“Are not,” Taylor protested, but she was smiling as she took Chad back from him.

The baby’s soft snuffle broke the tension. Hunter straightened, but his hand stayed linked with mine.

“The campaign,” he nodded. “You ready?”

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