Page 15 of Silver Sanctuary
“Bitterroot.” Nash’s heart skipped a beat looking at the painting. Two vibrant pink bitterroot flowers filled the space. “My Nanny used to take all us kids—my cousins and I—outside every year to see it in bloom. You made artwork of the state flower of Montana for me.”
“Just thought you might want a piece of home here in Texas.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever given me artwork before.”
Lacy smiled, her hand resting on his forearm. “I know it’ssilly. Embrie’s getting into painting and we wanted to try this… Don’t feel like you have to display it anywhere.”
“It’s not silly; it’s so incredibly sweet. Thank you.” He turned to Embrie. “Thank you, Brie. I’m going to hang this up in my office, right under a photograph I have of Montana. This is my favorite piece of artwork ever.”
She hopped up and down, her smile truly infectious. “Did you know that bitterroot can be found in California at elevations around twenty-five hundred feet, but can also grow in Utah at elevations close to ten thousand feet?”
“I didn’t know that,” he admitted.
“Mom helped me research it!”
“Your mom’s pretty incredible, Camembert.”
“French! You’ve used that one before! And yeah, she is. Are we going to have dinner yet? She told me I couldn’t have a snack because we’re going to have dinner with you.”
“Embrie!” Lacy scolded, and he had to fight not to laugh.
“Yeah, kiddo. I’m starving, too. Let’s go!”
Nash pushed open the door to the rooftop deck and heard Lacy gasp from behind him.
“What is all this?” she asked as he took her hand and helped her step over the cement block edge. He was lucky to live in the same building where he worked. Montgomery Defense—the gym and their offices—was housed on the bottom floor of the renovated building. But above that were apartments where everyone on the team lived. Gunner and Lily were on the top floor, across the hall from Hawk and Mae. How the two siblings lived together without killing each other, he had no clue. Nash’s apartment was one floor down, across the hall from Gage and Sloane, and Stone’s apartment was the last one on thatfloor, too.
“Careful, Brie. Watch your step, and stay clear of the edge, okay?” He helped her step over the barrier, following quickly behind them both.
“Okay.”
Nash stood still, watching them both take in everything he’d been busy putting together over the last few days. The roof space needed work, but it wasn’t much more than tidying up when it came down to it. And after he’d finished sweeping off some leaves and washing down the brick, Nash spent the previous night setting everything up. A simple outdoor table with chairs, and a white screen on the far wall, with cushions and a small fire pit, perfect for the movie he was planning to put on after they ate.
Both Embrie and Lacy were looking up, staring at the twinkling lights the store manager in Rogersville had told him were absolutely necessary to make the place feel cozy, and maybe just a little bit romantic.
“What do my girls think?”
“Your girls?” Lacy’s eyebrow did an adorable little quirk as she questioned his words. But he didn’t care. He’d made up his mind weeks before—he was all in with these two.
“Hi, hi!” Mae came into view, holding a familiar tray from his oven before he could answer Lacy.
“Here.” Nash turned, hustling over to her. “Thank you for bringing this up,” he whispered.
“No problem. Good luck wooing them.” Mae winked, waved over his shoulder, and then disappeared back down the stairs.
Nash walked over to the dining table and smiled. While he’d been picking up Lacy and Embrie, Lily and Sloane had all volunteered to put the final touches on the decorations while Mae waited with the food.
“Where did you get all this from? It looks homemade.”
“It is.”
“Nash, what? Did Mae do this?”
He shrugged. “No, I did. I like to cook. And this way, I knew everything was safe for you to eat. I cleaned out my kitchen Monday night, and followed a tutorial online that showed how to properly decontaminate things. Nothing has sesame or sesame byproduct ingredients. It’s all safe for you.”
“I can’t believe you would go through all that trouble for me.”
“It’s no trouble. I want you to be safe.” He clapped his hands together. “Speaking of that…”
