Page 68 of Not A Whisper

Given the picture we all got from Trip earlier, and what I know of Garry, that’s probably wise. I nod once.

“I won’t say a word, I swear.”

Grant gives me a half-smile. “I know you won’t. This is just a reminder and kind of a warning. Theywillpush for information, whether in front of us or if they ever get you alone. So just prepare for that. Luane is especially talented at coaxing out information.”

He chuckles warmly. The sound is short-lived but endearing. Nice Grant is so strange. Will I ever get used to this side of him?

“Right, so don’t get fooled by Luane’s puppy-dog eyes. Got it.”

Grant nods as he turns and presses on the horn to honk it twice. A minute later, the front door opens. Trip and Jason emerge but they’re not alone. Trip pushes his father in a wheelchair while Luane and Kai follow Jason.

Trip says something to Jason who tosses him a set of keys. The families break apart, Jason and the Nani’s coming toward us, Trip and Carlos heading over to Jason’s truck. The back door of Grant’s cab opens and Kai climbs in first, then Luane and finally Jason.

“Took you guys a while,” Jason complains as I turn in my seat to greet everyone. Before I can say anything, he leans forward and kisses me.

Butterflies take flight in my gut even as I cut the kiss short by pulling away. I’m not sure how his parents feel about public displays of affection. Turns out, they don’t mind. They both chuckle at the two of us, while Jason grins.

“The delay is my fault. I figured everyone would be hungry. Once we get a second, I can grab the food from the back.”

Luane hums in approval as she beams at me. “Howthoughtful of you, Bri. I hear this second surprise the boys have in store for us is all thanks to you.”

“The boys are lying.” I roll my eyes but smile. “It was all them.”

Jason snorts, all signs of his distress from earlier gone. “Wellthat’snot true since she designed the surprise herself. But Bri hasn’t seen it either, so you’ll all get to experience it firsthand together.”

“The first surprise was Briella’s doing too,” Grant adds as he turns the truck back on. “She helped us find this piece of property.”

Again, I deny my involvement but this time with just a shake of my head. Grant, Jason, and Trip had already narrowed down their options. Any credit should go to them.

“Sounds like you’ve been a real help in the boys’ life, Bri.” Kai leans forward, reaches out, and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m glad there’s someone else looking out for them.”

The backlights of Jason’s truck light up in front of us before it takes off. We follow close behind. Rather than head back up the driveway, both trucks drive onto the grass and head around the back of the house.

“Oh, so we’re going on an off-road adventure, huh?” Kai chuckles. “We haven’t done one of these in a while, have we Luane?”

Luane giggles like a teenager as the truck rocks and jostles us around. “No, and I think I may be too old for it now.”

“We’re working on a different way to get to our destination. It should be ready in the next week or so,” Jason assures them. “This is just the fastest route this evening.”

I stare ahead at Jason’s truck in front of us. In my head, I try to picture the map of the property. But trying to determine where we’re going on a piece of land that’s over thirteen thousand acres is difficult. Especially in the dark. Howthe guys know where they’re going is beyond me too. Over hills and down a beaten trail through the woods and around a pond we go.

“Good lord, I’m all turned around. If we break down, I’ll have no idea how to get back,” Luane teases.

Kai laughs softly. “Darling, you’d be turned around even if you had a map, compass, and it was broad daylight.”

“Honestly, if you gave me a working GPS with a clear signal, I’d still get lost.”

“That’s why I put a little tracker on your keychain.”

The two of them laugh at one another and I can’t help but smile. They’re adorable.

As I stare out at the darkness, I’m not expecting Grant’s hand to land on top of mine where it rests on the center console. Then, almost naturally, our fingers weave together.

I don’t look over at Grant. I’m sure if I did, the others in the back would be confused by my expression. Since when did we hold hands?

A few minutes later, lights come into view. The tree line parts, opening up to a clearing and to the surprise the guys put together.

My gasp is echoed twice in the car. Straightening and leaning forward, I stare at the sight before us. Sitting on the edge of one of the few ponds on the property are two quaint, craftsman-style homes. The one story houses are surrounded with simple yet beautiful landscaping, with shrubs and small pines. Inside, lights are on in each house. It bleeds out of the windows, allowing us to catch glimpses of the pretty wood and stone along the exterior.

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