Page 174 of Eight Years Gone

Logan had been healthy and thriving in the footage—just a few weeks before their final game. Before all their lives had changed. “I didn’t expect to come home to that.”

She shook her head. “He seems to have a soft spot for Logan. He’s protective of him if that makes any sense.”

He nodded. “They look a lot alike. They sound a lot alike. The big brother he never got the chance to know.”

“I think he’s mad at my dad—our dad—for Logan.”

Jagger pulled her close, knowing she was just as shaken. “I think he’s mad at Steve for all of us. He’s lived with a lot of illusions. He’s quickly seeing the truth for what it was and is.”

She wrapped herself around him, settling her cheek on his chest. “My dad left so much pain behind. But he also left me another brother. I know it hurt my mom, but I’m glad Colton’s here.”

He returned her embrace, perfectly understanding Grace’s sentiments. “The one and only time your dad’s selfishness worked out for the better. Plus, all those nights he stayed in Philly so you could sneak into my bed. That worked out pretty well too.”

She chuckled as she hugged him harder, then met his gaze. “I don’t want Colton to hate him. He wasn’t all bad. Dad had a way with people, too—not just Logan. But he’s not ready to hear that.”

He nodded his agreement. “He probably won’t ever be able to see Steve the way you did. He never had the opportunity to experience your dad’s softer side. To know how funny he was.”

“Yeah.” She sighed as she settled her forehead against his chest. “I don’t want to think about the past anymore. Seeing that was more than enough.”

He eased her back to look at him again, well aware that the happiness they’d walked through the door with had dimmed a little. “We could always wash off the worst of this massage oil that feels pretty gross now that it’s all said and done.”

She sent him a wry smile. “Or we can take care of a few things to get ready for this next week.”

He shrugged. “We could, but that doesn’t sound like as much fun.”

She grinned. “No, it doesn’t. I will concede to a shower before we fold laundry and make dinner.”

He scooped her up, making a beeline for the master bedroom. “Done.”

He grinned as she laughed. He’d be damned if they wouldn’t take back every ounce of the happiness their relaxing day had brought them.

Forty-Five

Grace sang along with her favorite playlist as she lit the candles on the mantle. She gave her hips a little shimmy as she glanced toward the window, thrilled to see that it was still snowing.

All in all, the day had shaped up to be perfect. The forecast was calling for two to four inches before the small storm passed. It had been her scheduled afternoon to leave the shop at one, and Jagger had taken the morning classes at the dojang so he could enjoy a couple of nights at home now that Todd was feeling better.

Grabbing a couple of the board games from the cabinet, she looked at the clock, eager to share one of her favorite traditions with Colton.

With the games on the coffee table and everything else in place, she headed for the kitchen with hot cocoa on her mind.

Just then, Jagger walked through the door with Colton following behind. “Honey, we’re home.”

She grinned, hurrying his way, throwing her arms around him. “It’s snowing.”

Jagger chuckled as he returned her embrace, kissing her. “One of your favorite things.”

“Mmm,” she agreed, holding him tighter as she stared into his eyes.

Colton frowned as he looked at them. “Haven’t you lived in Pennsylvania your whole life?”

She laughed. “I have. But there’s something magical about the first snowfall. Everything’s so pretty and fresh. My mom loved it as much as I do, so we made it a celebration of sorts.”

Jagger pressed his mouth to hers for a second time. “It’s an occasion.”

Grace laughed again. “It is. The candles are lit, and the games are on the coffee table. I was just about to make us some hot cocoa. And I picked up some of the chocolate chip cookies you guys like at Brew.”

Colton perked up. “Cool.”

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