Page 35 of Forbidden Love

“With four boys, I don’t know how we survived the grocery bills,” Dad said gruffly.

I listened to the familiar talk around me, content to be home. I think it helped that I wasn’t sleeping in my childhood bedroom. I’d insisted on my own space when I asked if I could move home for a bit.

“Is anyone else coming to dinner?” I asked Mom.

She pointed her wooden spoon at Xander. “Who knows? I didn’t invite this one, but here he is.”

Xander pressed a hand to his chest in a show of mock hurt. “You don’t want me here?”

Mom sighed. “You know I do, but maybe Kylie wanted to visit by herself.”

I swallowed over my suddenly dry throat, surprised Mom was so in tune with my feelings.

Xander moved close to ruffle my hair. “That’s not true, is it, Baby Wilde?”

“It’s fine.” It was better that my brothers were here to act as a buffer between me and my parents. Maybe with Xander present, they wouldn’t ask me any questions about what I was doing with my life.

Xander grinned. “See? Baby Wilde said it’s fine.”

“Treat your sister with respect,” Dad reminded him again, and it felt good.

Maybe if he’d done this more when I was living here, I would have been prompted to stick around. Or maybe not. I had been a bit of a wanderer back then. I’d wanted to see the world outside Telluride.

Now that I had, I could appreciate Telluride for what it was. A beautiful town, hidden by the mountains, and only known by a few. I felt lucky to have grown up here like I had. We’d always had space to run, and the lodge was a blast for games like hide-and-seek and people-watching. My friends loved hanging out here. I tried not to be bitter about the fact their interest was more about my attractive older brothers than me.

I helped Mom get the stir-fry onto the table.

“Mom wants to eat healthier,” Dad said as we sat down to eat at the large wooden farm table that we’d used as kids. It was worn in spots, but it held a lot of memories from holiday dinners to epic board games that went on for days, and finally, thousand-piece puzzles when it snowed.

Mom gave him a look. “Dad went to the doctor recently and had some bloodwork done.”

“Is everything okay?” I asked, concerned. Had I been so wrapped up in myself that I’d neglected to check in with my parents?

“His cholesterol is high. He needs to make some changes to his diet,” Mom said grimly.

“She’s got me eating vegetables like I’m a rabbit,” Dad grumbled.

Xander didn’t seem to be concerned about it, so he must have already heard this development. Why hadn’t anyone called me? “You should do whatever the doctor recommends.” There was a sharp pain in my chest. I hadn’t thought of my parents as getting older. I’d never felt guiltier for focusing on myself.

“It would be nice if your father listened to the doctor,” Mom agreed.

The meal was a little different from what we’d had in the past. It was brown rice and veggies with no sauce. It was healthier. If it helped Dad, then that was all that mattered.

“Enough about me. What’s going on with you, Kylie?” Dad asked.

Tension formed in the space between my shoulder blades. “I’m enjoying some time off.”

“But what are your plans? You can’t hide out in my rental cabin forever.”

This was what I’d hoped to avoid. “I’m working on a new fundraiser with Fletcher & Sons Contracting.” I didn’t want to say it was with Tyler. Not that anyone thought something was going on between us, but I didn’t want the scrutiny.

“How’s that going?” Xander asked over a mouthful of food.

“I was supposed to meet with the mayor to discuss additional townspeople who might benefit from our ski equipment drive, but he’s already rescheduled. I was hoping to bring up my plans for additional fundraisers. But he’s a busy man.”

“I’d call some of the community programs that provide outreach. I’d think they could help you,” Mom said.

I smiled, grateful for the suggestion. “I’ll do that.”

---