Page 100 of Shelter from the Storm

Theo didn’t need the rest of the blanks filled in, because he was well aware of Remi’s penchant for throwing punches whenever someone she loved was hurt or threatened. While she was the most fun-loving, easygoing of his cousins, none of that was present when it came to defending her family and friends.

The girls continued recapping the night, how Charlie and Shaw had been forced to drag the women away from each other. Theo kept a close eye on Gretchen, trying to make sure she wasn’t putting on a good front over the confrontation. In the end, he could see that she really wasn’t upset by the unwanted visit or the woman’s cruel words.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you,” he murmured in her ear.

“I had the girls and Shaw. Remi…” Gretchen glanced at his cousin, who was exchanging barbs with Shaw. “She really had my back. She’s a good friend.”

After too many years of isolation and being let down, Theo knew how much it meant to Gretchen to have a friend she could trust.

With the recap of the previous night finished, Theo and Gretchen took a few minutes to officially introduce Shaw to his family.

“How about that tour?” Theo said.

Shaw nodded. “Sounds good.”

He and Gretchen led Shaw to the kitchen first, introducing him to Mom and Dad, before leaving by the back door and taking the path to the brewhouse.

Shaw seemed as impressed by Gretchen’s office as she had been, marveling over the view. “Nice to see fall colors again. It’s been a while.”

Shaw was closemouthed about where exactly he was deployed, maybe a requirement of the job or maybe because he had as many trust issues as his sister. As Gretchen told her brother about her role on the farm, Theo took a moment to study the man’s face. Shaw had dark circles under his eyes, which made sense, considering the late night spent reconnecting with his sister…but there were deep creases around them that said his weariness wasn’t the product of one night’s lost sleep.

Shaw looked like a man who’d been tired forever.

Like Gretchen when she’d first arrived at the farm, Shaw’s smiles were few and far between and very brief. Theo got the impression he wasn’t used to smiling or laughing. God only knew what things he’d seen during his time in the military.

When they left her office, they walked to the large brewing room. Jace and Sam were there, checking on their latest IPA, drawing Shaw into a conversation about the brewing process.

Shaw, clearly interested, asked a lot of questions. So many, Sam invited him to join them at the brewery tomorrow for a tasting, promising to explain what was in each beer and the process used to create it. Shaw readily accepted, then belatedly looked at Gretchen. “Unless you’d rather do something else,” he said to her. “My flight out isn’t until Sunday morning.”

“My plan was for you to do tastings at the brewery and the winery,” Gretchen replied, with a laugh.

“Perfect. I look forward to it,” Shaw said to Sam.

Theo glanced at his watch. “I think we’d better head back to the house or risk being late to dinner. We can save the rest of the tour for tomorrow,” he said to Shaw. “And then maybe Gretchen and I can show you around Gracemont.”

Shaw nodded, the warmth he’d shown to his brothers fading a bit. The man was determined to make him prove his worth. Not that Theo minded or even disagreed. Shaw had learned last night that his sister was trapped in an abusive relationship for years. It made sense that her brother circled the wagons tighter around her, wanting to make sure she was safe with him.

Trust was a hard-earned thing for the Parker siblings, and for good reason.

Once they returned, everyone sat down for dinner. While the farmhouse dining room had a big-ass table capable of seating fifteen people, his mother had set up an extra folding table they all jokingly referred to as the kids’ table, when four of the youngest Storms—Remi, Jace, Nora, and Grayson—sat down.

As was tradition, once everyone’s plates were filled, Dad lifted his glass and said the same things he did every year. “I’m thankful for this family, these friends, and our home. No man was ever more blessed than me.”

Those words were the cue to go, so Mom went next, saying what she was thankful for.

Levi, who sat next to Mom, kept the game going, wrapping his arm around Kasi’s shoulders. “I’m thankful for Kasi. It took me too damn long to open my eyes and see what was standing right in front of me.”

Kasi smiled, then went next. They continued, each person taking their turn.

When it got around to Shaw, he said, “I’m thankful to Theo for placing the call that brought my sister back to me.”

Gretchen wiped her eyes, smiling widely, as her brother fondly shoulder-bumped her.

When it was her turn, it took a moment before Gretchen could find her words. But when she did, they didn’t stop flowing, as she thanked nearly every single person sitting at the table. And her heartfelt gratitude had Mom and Edith surreptitiously wiping away their own tears. She gripped Shaw’s hand, and said she was thankful to have him back in her life.

Then she turned her attention to him.

“Theo, there isn’t a word strong enough to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Honestly, you saved my life.” It looked like she wanted to say more but couldn’t, too overwhelmed with emotion.

---