Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Hush.” Maverick shook his head at Adler before turning back to us. “You should go say hi to Colt.”
“Suppose it’s that or dance.” Jude gestured toward the nearby family room, where the teen girls were showing Faith some dance moves. Adler was quick to join in the fun.
“The girls are obsessed.” Maverick gave a fond smile at their antics. “The latest episode of their favorite show dropped a new song, and the dance has gone viral. You should try it.”
“We’re good.” I tugged Jude toward the back porch, where the grill and smoker were located. I’d much rather deal with Colt than attempt some teen dance craze.
Laughing, Jude dug a heel in by the back door. “Hey, I like dancing.”
“We can two-step later.” I gave him as heated a look as I dared with others nearby.
“Guess that answers the question of whether you want to come over after dinner.” Jude blushed, a rarity for him, and I couldn’t resist a fast kiss.
I never would have figured myself the public-affection type, but I’d waited long enough for this. I was damn well going to enjoy it.
Naturally, Colt chose that moment to open the back door.
“Fair warning.” He gestured for us to join him on the deck. “If you kiss in front of Mom and Aunt Georgia, they’re gonna start planning a wedding.”
“Uh. Um…” Jude looked nauseated, complete with a hand on his stomach, like I’d just asked him to drive a tank. I couldn’t resist having a little fun.
“Spring sounds good,” I deadpanned. Jude gulped. I nudged him with my shoulder. “You can laugh.”
“Oh. You’re joking. Ha.” Several emotions passed over Jude’s face, and I couldn’t tell whether he was relieved or disappointed.
“You sure you’re up for this?” Colt waved a pair of tongs in Jude’s direction.
“I’m sure.” Jude got more serious in a hurry. “I care about your brother.”
“Oh, I’ve got a lecture waiting for you. Don’t worry.” Colt gave an ominous chuckle. “But I meant the big, crazy family. We can be a bit much.”
“I’m ready.” Jude offered a small smile. “I’ve missed having family around.”
I hadn’t thought of that before. Jude was alone out on his property, the last of his family in these parts. I’d grown up with an excessive amount of relatives, but I couldn’t imagine life without them either.
“I can share.” I grinned at Jude. “Got aunts to spare.”
“Thanks.” Jude relaxed enough to join my chuckle.
“You could skip the lecture,” I suggested to Colt. I’d rather Jude stay loose like this than have to suffer some dire warning from Colt.
“I could.” Colt pursed his lips, considering Jude and me through narrowed eyes. “But I’d be falling down on my big-brother duty.”
I was about to snap at him when Colt’s shoulders sagged. He’d carried such a weight since our father died young. I hadn’t always seen it. Take off that heavy pack, soldier. The officer at the support meeting had been right, and I wished Colt could hear that advice. He didn’t need to keep trying to live up to—
Oh. Carson, you idiot. I’d been doing the same exact thing, trying to make Colt proud, trying to outrun Kane’s reputation, trying to prove a point I didn’t even fully understand. Colt and I were two sides of the same coin. Stepping away from Jude, I clapped Colt on the back.
“You’re already the best brother.” I said each word slowly so he’d get the fullness of my sincerity. “Always have been.”
“Oh.” Colt sucked in a breath so hard his abs visibly contracted under his T-shirt. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“World is full of hurt, Colt.” I moved so I could hold his gaze. We both knew that all too well, and I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.
“True. I can’t protect you from all hurt.” Colt’s nose wrinkled like the admission had a bitter taste. “But I can warn Jude not to add to it.”
“I won’t.” Jude nodded his head with almost comical sincerity. “I want Carson happy.”
“See to it.” Colt gave another wave of his tongs.
“Okay, Sheriff Scary.” Adler came bustling out with a large empty platter. “What’s the status on the meat?”
“I’m not being mean.” Colt made an indignant noise. “Much.”
“We’re good.” I tried to beam that message directly to Colt’s overprotective soul.
“Excellent.” Adler grinned. The conversation moved on to brisket and bratwursts.
More family arrived shortly, and the afternoon drifted into evening with way too much food, but it was more fun than I’d expected. Turned out, I kind of liked showing off Jude. For his part, Jude got more comfortable as the dinner wore on. I waited until he was in a long conversation about horse lineage with Grayson before going to help my mom and aunts put away the food.
However, partway to the kitchen area, Maverick snagged my arm, tugging me into the dining room instead.