Page 39 of Heart to Heart

“Yeah, I know he is.” I knew it before, but if I’d had any doubt about it, today would have blasted that doubt into smithereens because,damn.

Liam grunted again and ran his hands into his hair. I could tell he was trying to calm down before he said anything else. Every muscle in his body was strung tight and I watched his jaw tick as he ground his teeth together. I wanted to help him calm down, but I had no idea how when I was about to freak right the fuck out. Plus, I was still skating on the edge of my own temper. I was halfway tempted to march over to Owen’s house and finish kicking his ass. What the hell had gotten into him?

“Let’s all settle down and go sit at the table.” Gram suggested. “I called Cade and your daddy so they can take care of Owen.” My older brother, Cade was a Sweetbriar cop, and my dad was the chief. “Now we can call Luke, and you can tell him you told him so, Liam. There’s a certain satisfaction in being right about something, even if the proof is a pile of shit. That’s just the way it is, am I right?” Gram and her unique sense of logic to the rescue.

Liam cracked half a smile.

“Gram, I freaking love you.” I was so glad I had her in my life.

“Well, I love you too, honey and you’re going to be okay. I promise you, you will be okay.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away before they had a chance to fall. “I know. I always am.”

“I shouldn’t have let him go,” Liam finally stated. “I should have beat the shit out of him. I’m sorry.”

“Uh, do not apologize. What you did was perfectly fine with me. In fact, it was better than beating him up. Like, how embarrassing, right? He’s a grown man and you picked him up like a little kid.” I covered my mouth as a hysterical laugh burst out.

Suddenly Liam was right in front of me, hands cupping my face as he stared intently into my eyes. “He’s full of shit.”

I shrugged and looked away. “Yeah, I know.”

He lowered his head so his gaze was level with mine. “Holly, look at me. What he said is bullshit. Utter garbage. Do not take it in, do you hear me?”

Still shaken from what happened, I looked at him. “I hear you, Liam. I promise I do.”

“Good. I’m sorry, but I have to go. I have to cool off before I find him and finish this how I should have before. I have to talk to Luke. I will lock up behind myself. Do not open that door for anyone. I’ll pick up a temporary security camera and install it tonight. The shop’s cameras are on backorder. I shouldn’t have waited for them. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing to me. None of this is your fault. I’m not your responsibility. I’m a grownup. Cade will take care of Owen and it will be fine. My dad will probably insist on sleeping here for at least a week,” I joked. “Plus, I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years.” I knew my smile was shaky, but I had to reassure him.

He stepped closer. “No, you don’t take care of yourself when shit like this happens. Not anymore. From now on it’s me you come to when you need anything. I’m the man you run to. Not your father, not your brothers.Me. Do you understand?”

“Oh snap,” Gram said under her breath.

“I understand,” I whispered.

“Good.” He traced a fingertip down my cheek, ending beneath my chin to tip it up before placing a gentle kiss on my lips. “Have breakfast with your grandma, sunshine. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay...” I breathed out.

Gram and I watched as he quickly strode to the door. We heard the locks turn into place and the beeps beep into—whatever, as he set the alarm.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“That was the sound of your man telling it like it is, honey.”

“Pfffft...” I deflated, knees bending until I was sitting crisscross on the floor with my head in my hands. This was too much. The day had barely started, and I was already in over my head. What in the hell had gotten into Owen? He had to be on drugs or something.

“Listen to me, Holly. You don’t find the man of your dreams, he finds you. And he’ll wait if he has to.”

“Holy shit,” I mumbled into my hands.

“Damn straight. You got yourself a good one, too. I’ve had my eye on him since he started coming around with Luke. Lily just adores him, the kids do too. He’s a good man. I knew it—just like your grandpa, that one is. Sweet to the core. Good men wait for what they want because they always know what they need.”

“Well,Ineed coffee.” I stood.

Gram patted my back. “Go to the table, sugar pie. I’ll get you fixed up.”

“I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t want to have to—”

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