Page 34 of Coming Home

The five of them laughed, trying the different pastries. Liam copied Todd taking thoughtful bites, followed by a nod of his head, and a thorough assessment of the consumed baked good while tapping on his chin.

The smile Summer beamed was unguarded. It wasn’t like she never smiled, but they were tight or cautious, as if she didn’t deserve to smile or was scared each smile would be her last.

“Have you noticed Todd doesn’t give me shit when Summer and Liam are around?” Noah bent, whispering in Nat’s ear.

The low vibration of his voice ignited a crackling heat inside her. “He’s on his best behavior,” she whispered back.

Their joint gazes dropped on Todd, who had a light blush on his cheeks as Summer giggled about something he’d said.

Nat looked back to Noah. “He’s a good guy.” It was a quiet statement laced with inquiry.

“He’s the best,” Noah reassured her with a pat on her upper thigh.

The former chemist had a good reputation in town. Nat knew that, but she needed the confirmation. Todd and Noah had become closer after they both moved back to Perry around the same time. A few years ago, Todd had left his job at a lab in Rochester to work with Noah.

Like most people in the village, there were six degrees of separation from either one of the Owens siblings or their parents. Todd had been in Evan’s class, but they weren’t close. Evan was the Noah Wilson of his class. The good-looking, popular jock who was nice to everyone. Even the scrawny band geek that Todd had been in school.

Just like Summer, Todd wasn’t the same person he’d been in high school.

“We’re going to need all the broccoli tonight. Too many sweets,” Summer laughed, leaning back in her chair.

“I make a mean broccoli casserole,” Todd offered with a waggle of his eyebrows.

“I’m not a fan of casseroles.” Summer flipped her chestnut hair as if flicking the veiled date request away.

Noah and Nat’s eyes met. Both smirked as Noah squeezed her shoulder.

This is why she couldn’t stay away from him. Despite the crush that left her feeling—well, crushed—an easiness always remained between them. An ability to fall into step with one another. To know what the other was thinking just by reading each other’s glances. That’s how she knew that day he held her after Evan’s funeral, his blue eyes burdened with regret…that he didn’t want her. It was a moment clouded with mutual grief and sadness.

Nat understood regret. It flooded her after having sex with Duncan. The same regret that had dulled Noah’s eyes glistened in the remorse filling her eyes with tears as she’d looked in the mirror two days after having sex with Duncan, knowing she’d made a huge mistake.

“Natalie.” Duncan’s voice pierced their little group and her thoughts.

Nat raised her head. Had she conjured another man? Maybe she should start thinking about Henry Cavill to see if the manof steel would walk through the bakery door. Her gaze darted to the door, but a stocky man in his sixties shuffled in.No Henry Cavill.

She stood up. “Duncan.”

Duncan dipped his head, giving her a kiss. “I thought I saw you when I walked by.” His palm settled on her lower back as he turned with a charming smile. “I’m Natalie’s boyfriend, Duncan.”

Boyfriend?Nat gaped.

Todd stood, a tight smile on his face, and held his hand out. “Todd Krueger.”

“Sheriff Krueger’s son.” Duncan’s eyes widened, shaking Todd’s hand.

“Yep,” Todd grunted.

Nat’s eyebrow ticked up at the chilliness from Todd. None of his trademark playful sass had filtered into the greeting.

“Hello, Duncan. I am Liam. Nice to meet you.” Liam looked to his mom as he held out his hand toward Duncan.

“Nice to meet you.” Duncan formed a fist with his left hand, reaching across the table to fist-bump Liam.

A scrunched-faced Liam stared at the fist. The wrongness of the gesture danced in his frustrated eyes. Liam had a particular way of doing things. A script to follow.

Duncan didn’t know the script. Didn’t know Liam. But when someone reaches their hand out, the polite thing to do is to take it. Nat bristled at the portrait of a boy offering his hand and a man’s outstretched fist, almost saying, “No…No that’s not good enough.”

Summer swiveled in her seat, facing Duncan with a firm line and narrowed eyes. “He was trying to shake your hand, not fist bump it.” Her tone was clipped.

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