Page 73 of Montana Mystery

“Small detour,” I said.

“I’m sure it was,” Harlan said with a raised eyebrow, and Kate’s cheeks turned pink.

Pulling her a fraction closer, I whispered, “If their teasing upsets you, I’m happy to drag them out back and teach them a lesson.”

“I heard that,” Grant said from the kitchen. “As if you’d be able to take on all of us.”

“Try me.” But I was smiling. This was what I loved. A real family. No matter where we’d been born or how we’d made our way here, we all belonged here together.

Brandon stood in the far corner, looking out of place.

“I’ll be right back,” Kate whispered, excusing herself to go talk to her brother.

I went over to the table, where Lucas sat with Evelyn on his lap. They didn’t fit into the dining chair in any way, but that didn’t stop them. If they were in the same room, it was a marvel if the two of them weren’t touching.

A couple of weeks ago I’d thought it was a bit much, although sweet. Now I felt Kate’s absence where she’d been pressed against my side like a physical ache, and all I wanted was to go over and make sure that she was real again.

Lucas, perceptive bastard that he was, caught the line of my thoughts. The corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement, and I cleared my throat before any of them could make another joke about Kate or me. “Has he been okay?” I asked softly.

“He’s more skittish than some of our new intakes,” Lucas answered at the same volume. “But fine. Quiet.”

I nodded. For all that had happened with the Riders, Brandon wasn’t someone who actually wanted trouble. I recognized the deep hurt he was trying to reconcile, and it wasn’t an easy thing.

Kate reappeared at my side, taking in the way Evelyn and Lucas were entwined. Then, her gaze bounced to Grant, who was working at the counter, and Cori, who was teasing him while stealing bites of food. I caught a flash of longing there before she glanced at me and smiled, any trace of that disappearing.

Lena was sitting at the table too, while Jude was over by the bar—watching her, as he always did when we were in a group.

Kate leaned up and kissed my cheek. An excuse to whisper. “I see what you mean about them.”

I laughed quietly enough that only the two of us heard.

“Grant,” I called. “What’s for dinner?”

“Steak, potatoes, and greens if someone doesn’t stop stealing them.”

Cori didn’t look guilty in the slightest. “I can’t help it that you’re an amazing cook.”

“I am,” he said. “Don’t forget it.”

Liam stepped inside, shivering and grinning before he took off his coat. “So Kate survived the lion’s den.”

“If that’s the new nickname for Deja Brew,” Lena called, “then I’ll take it.”

“I don’t know,” Kate said, leaning into me. “Lion’s den seems a bit harsh. I would have expected you to at least try to fight me. Maybe take my bones for a soup or something if that were the case.”

Lena sighed. “Yeah, I haven’t cornered the soup market yet. Unless you’re willing to volunteer some bones for the broth?”

They both broke into laughter like they’d known each other for years, and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Hope I hadn’t known I needed bloomed in my stomach, the idea that not only would Kate fit in here, but that she’d want to be here. Everything between us so far had been rushed and circumstantial. But as the days passed with no more contact from the Riders, my mind had started to relax.

Started to think about the future, and what it meant that Kate had folded into my life so easily it seemed like she’d always been there.

“Do you want a drink?” I asked.

“Sure.”

It was an effort not to get lost in those eyes. “What would you like?”

“Umm.” She glanced toward the bar. “I’m a bit of a lightweight, so if you have wine or something, that’s perfect.”

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