Page 39 of Finding Forever

His big, warm hand landed in the small of Fern’s back as he directed her through the house. He seemed to know exactly where they were going and Fern was happy to have him steer her.

She halted in the sitting room, as her eyes fell on the artwork adorning the wall.

“Oh, these are amazing,” she said, moving away from Cade as her feet took her toward the many framed pictures on the wall. She soon recognized that most of the art was of Beth, in various guises and poses. In one she had horns, a tail, and a pitchfork, with a wicked smirk on her lips, and she was wearing a tiny, tight outfit that made Fern blush.

“Gideon’s work. He insists on drawing these ridiculous images of me, then framing and displaying them where everybody can see,” Beth said with a dismissive wave of her hand, even though Fern could see she liked it and that she felt loved because of it.

“My wife is hot,” Gideon said with an easy shrug. “You can’t blame me for wanting to showcase that.”

Fern had known that Gideon was an artist of course, but this was simply beyond anything she’d imagined.

“They’re brilliant,” Fern said, her eyes bouncing from picture to picture. How did it feel to be loved like this? She felt a tight ache in her chest, something that could only be described as longing. “I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that you’re immensely talented, Gideon.”

“Yeah yeah,” Cade muttered, his voice sounding uncharacteristically snide. “My brother draws pictures for a living. He’s a fucking national treasure.”

“That’s really rude,” Fern muttered beneath her breath, sending Gideon an appalled look of apology. He ignored her, instead levelling a steely glower on his older brother.

“Everybody knows that you’re my biggest fangirl, Niall,” Gideon mocked and to Fern’s surprise, Cade’s lips curled at the edges before he shrugged. Not confirming or denying his brother’s words.

“Ugh, ignore these two idiots, they enjoy p-pretending they don’t like each other. When, in fact, Gideon hero worships hisbig brother, and Niall is in awe of his baby brother’s insane talent.”

It was jarring to hear them refer to him asNiall. What was up with that, anyway? “Hero worships?”

“Hardlyin aweof.”

The responses, both muttered in almost identical tones of disgust, came simultaneously and Beth snort laughed, before hooking her arm through Fern’s and tugging her toward the open patio doors.

She fussed over Fern, leading her to a comfortable chair and prompting her to sit down. She refused any offers of help with the food preparation.

“There’s not much to do. The sides are done, I just need to finish seasoning the meat. Kenny will be here soon as well. I think maybe you two will have a lot in common.”

She sounded uncertain about that, but after a moment’s hesitation, her smile brightened again and she excused herself to retreat back inside.

“I’m gonna give Beth a hand,” Gideon said, throwing the words over his shoulder as he hastened to catch up with his wife. “Can I get you guys anything to drink?”

“Beer,” Cade called back, he eyed Fern who mouthedwaterin return. “And water for Fern.”

Gideon lifted an arm and gave them a thumbs-up without turning back, leaving Cade and Fern sitting in awkward silence in the pretty backyard. It was leafy and green and peaceful out here, with a beautiful, tranquil koi pond right in the center of it. There was a bench swing underneath a massive oak tree next to the pond and it was easy to imagine Beth and Gideon cuddling up on the swing on warm summer evenings, just spending time with each other.

“They’re really nice,” Fern ventured. Meaning it. She really liked the couple. Beth especially. The woman was a contradiction,talkative, yet oddly bashful at the same time. She had a barely noticeable stammer.

The other woman’s innate shyness made her very relatable to Fern. More so than if she’d been brimming with self-assurance. Beth was quietly confident in her relationship and the love she shared with her gorgeous husband, and she was affectionate toward Cade, but Fern could tell that the woman was slightly uncertain around her and she wasn’t sure why that was.

Cade made a noncommittal noise in response to her words, settling back on his seat, crossing an ankle over his knee, and tugging his sunglasses down from the top of his head back over his eyes. His head turned toward the oak tree and that, combined with the dark glasses, felt like a deliberate attempt to shut her out, and discourage further conversation. Taking the all-too-obvious hint, Fern retreated into silence.

She nervously smoothed her skirt down over her thighs and knees, while surreptitiously studying her husband from beneath her lashes. He was clothed in his version of casual wear—navy blue chinos with a crisp, blindingly white dress shirt—and still managed to look ridiculously formal next to Gideon. The shirt was unbuttoned at the neck, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing those strong, corded forearms. Just the sight of his strong arms, dusted with dark hair, no nonsense midnight blue watch strapped around one wrist, and a thick silver chain around the other, was enough to make her throat go dry.

He looked so strong and capable, and she liked that about him. Liked that she felt safe with him, even though she barely knew him, and wasn’t sure she could trust him. She still felt so…safe. His quiet competence, and the power he exuded comforted her.

He checked his watch and his big hand dropped to his taut thigh, where his fingers tapped a slow, repetitive beat. Inanyone else Fern may have interpreted those drumming fingers as nervousness, but what did Cade have to be nervous about?

There was a commotion at the patio door and his head jerked toward the noise, his entire body going rigid—very odd—but his face relaxed into a warm smile at the sight of his sister McKenna.

“Kenny,” he said, his voice soft with affection as he pushed to his feet to hug the woman.

McKenna Hawthorne-Jennings was the type of woman who made Fern feel horrendously inadequate. She was tall, beautiful, intelligent, accomplished, and exuded self-confidence. At only twenty-nine she was already a renowned and respected gynecological oncologist at a public teaching hospital. She’d created breast and female reproductive cancer awareness programs and outreach centers in some of the most impoverished communities in the country.

Fern watched uncertainly as the siblings exchanged a long, silent hug. Her new sister-in-law was about five-ten, with a long, sleek fall of black hair, slender, and while she bore a remarkable resemblance to her older brothers, on her those assertive Hawthorne features translated into stunning beauty.

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