Page 132 of Need You Now

It hits Seth then that they haven’t seen Beau in a couple of days. With any luck, the guy tucked tail back to Nashville.

“And listen. Emmy Lou doesn’t know about the phone calls, so don’t go tellin’ her.”

Seth jerks his head up. “Why the hell not?”

Jace makes a sound of disgust. “She finally trusts me again. We’re back to where we were before everything happened with Luke. Before I got our farm in trouble.” Jace grimaces. Seth feels for the guy. He knows Jace doesn’t like to talk about the painful parts of his past. “I don’t want her to think I can’t keep it together.”

Seth’s throat tightens. “You should tell her, Jace. Keepin’ secrets ... that ain’t no way to live.”

He’s a fine one to talk. He can’t even tell his own brother the truth.

Jace gives him a frown, picking up on his mood. “You okay?”

A halfhearted shrug. “Still workin’ on it sometimes.”

Jace nods, then laughs. “Good to know we’re both fuckin’ messes.”

Seth cracks a grin. “Same shit, different day.”

The front door swings open. Luke stands in the doorway.

Jace swallows like he’s caught, his gaze dropping on the ground.

“Seth,” Luke says, his expression grim. “Lacey needs you.”

Inside, the living room’s quiet. The mood somber. The group gathers around the crackling fire, listening. From Seth’s periphery, Griff and Alabama lean back against the wall. Luke and Jace at the fireplace. But Seth only has eyes for Lacey.

She stands in the middle of the room, phone pressed to her ear. Her grip tight. Her eyes are closed, as if bricking away whatever is being said.

Stomach dipping, Seth goes to stand next to Sal. “Who is it?” he whispers, his eyes on Lacey.

“The police,” Sal says quietly. Her brow’s drawn in concern.

His spine stiffens. Shit.

Seth aches to go to Lacey but forces himself to stay put. She has to handle this. Lacey’s strong. A fighter. Capable of so damn much and whatever the news is, he’s got her.

“Yes. I understand.” A bob of Lacey’s blond head. She swallows. “Okay. Thank you.”

She ends the call and stares at the phone.

And then she looks up. Tears glisten in her eyes.

Every breath in the room is held.

“Lace,” Seth says carefully, taking a tentative step toward her. He reaches a hand out. Waiting. Worrying.

“They caught him,” Lacey announces, her face dazed. Her voice trembles. “They caught the mugger.” She smiles at Seth and then turns that dazzling smile to the room. “He confessed. He’s in jail.”

A joyous cry escapes Sal, and she launches herself at Lacey and embraces her.

Luke lets out a hoot, pounding a palm against the fireplace mantel. Together, the room erupts as one. Comes alive. Whoops of relief, rejoicing. Griff growls, “Glory fuckin’ hallelujah,” and squeezes Lacey up in a big bear hug. A jubilee right in the middle of the living room.

And then, though the room is abuzz with excitement, Lacey finds Seth at last. Her turquoise eyes fixed on him. “Seth,” she says, and it’s all she needs to say.

For a long moment, he stares at her. Wrecked. Relieved.

He sees Lacey then. Steady. Safe. Strong.

---