Page 83 of Coming Home

“I think your brother would be happy with this.”

“Now I know you’re having a stroke,” she guffawed. “Think about how he interacted with all my boyfriends through the years.”

"Perhaps he didn’t like them because none of them were Noah.”

Nat rolled her eyes. "If only that were the case.”

Dad opened his mouth, shut it, and then furrowed his brows. “I know he didn’t like Duncan.”

She pointed at him. “That one he was spot on about. Duncan was an asshole.”

“Do I need to speak with Duncan? Was he not a gentleman?” Eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.

“He’s a dick, but I took care of him and I’m okay. Plus, Noah put the fear of the goddess into him.”

Like a proud peacock, he puffed up at that. “That’s my Noah.”

She fought the urge to correct him that he washerNoah and not his, but the warm feeling spreading within her with that statement was too intoxicating. Her concern about telling her family had very little to do with Dad. Deep down, she knew he’d be the one to embrace her relationship with Noah. It was Clayton she was most concerned about.

“Dad, it wasn’t just Duncan. When I dated Tim in undergrad, Clayton called him Tom for two years and said two words to him when they met. Then there was Jacob when I was in medical school. I believe Clayton threatened to grind him into dog food. Anytime I’ve mentioned going on dates, he’s lectured me. Hell, at the engagement party, he told me to put a jacket on, because he thought my dress was too short.”

Dad frowned. “That dress was a little short.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I know…not the point.” He raised his hands in defense.

She smiled.

“You’re right. Clayton is a tad overprotective. It may be best to strategize how best to tell him this.” He tapped the fingers of his right hand on the table and then raised his hand, presenting his pinky to her. “I promise to keep it between us ‘til you’re ready.”

A soft laugh escaped her. It was just like when she was a little girl, and she’d make him pinky swear not to spill the beans about a crafting project she was making to surprise Mom or one of her brothers.

“It’s a deal,” she said, linking their little fingers.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“I know I shall be homesick for you…Even from heaven.”~Louisa May Alcott,Little Women

The night air caressed Nat’s exposed arms, its cool kiss causing goosebumps to bloom. It had been warmer when she’d first come out to sit on the dock. The Boston College hoodie she’d worn with her shorts was draped over her legs as she lounged in the white Adirondack chair, sipping from a bottle of cider. She should go inside, but the serenity of the stars scattered across the velvety sky and the hum of acoustic music from her phone kept her in place.

It was needed respite after the good but emotional talk with Dad earlier today. Eyes closed, Nat leaned back in the chair as the music thrummed through her, easing the tension that had tightened her muscles.

Talking to Dad had been a huge step, but there were so many more steps to go. Goddess, there was a whole staircase. They needed to talk to Clayton and figure out a strategy to approach Mom about Evan. It wouldn’t be enough for just Dad and her to talk about Evan. The only way for them to move forward was asa family. Evan wasn’t just her loss but their whole family’s loss. Therefore, the entire family needed to handle it together. None of them would be free if one of them remained imprisoned by grief.

“You look cold,” Noah’s deep baritone called Nat away from her thoughts.

Nat blinked her eyes open. Noah stood, hands in pockets, at the edge of the dock on the stone path. With Elle out of town for the week for work, Clayton and he had hung out. When Nat had returned home from dinner with Summer she’d found Noah’s SUV parked in front of the farmhouse.

She waved to her lap. “I’m using my sweatshirt as a blanket.”

The heat of his gaze dragged along her bare arms and shoulders in her pink tank top.

“I was too wiped to get up and get a blanket.” Exhaustion dragged down her tone.

“Are you okay?” he asked, seeming to study her with shrewd, assessing eyes.

“Yeah. Dad and I had a heart-to-heart at lunch. It was good, but it was a lot. We talked about Evan and about how I’ve been feeling at the clinic.”

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