Jace (Kings of Country 1)

She dropped the dress and tugged on the pants, pulling the drawstring tight. “Thanks. Is she upset?”

“Heather?” He shook his head. “If she is, she’s not acting like it. Pretty sure having your brother and sister pick her up from the airport makes my being a dick brother okay.”

“You are not.” She hugged him. “You need to charge your phone. Or maybe get an alarm clock. But you’re a good brother.”

He sighed, accepting her kiss on the cheek before they ran down the stairs.

“Nice pants,” Travis said.

“Thanks.” Jace laughed, knowing damn well he was teasing Krystal.

“Krystal.” Heather was hugging her. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too.” She hugged his sister. “I can’t believe you got Travis out of bed before noon.”

Heather shrugged. “Well, I appreciate it.”

“So do I,” Jace added.

“Thank you. Seems to me you should be too, Little Sister?” Travis’s brows rose. “Instead of poking the bear. You’re going to poke this bear? The bear who knows and sees all?”

Jace saw the exchange—Krystal’s panicked look and Travis’s triumphant smile.

“I think Travis is the bear,” Heather whispered.

Emmy Lou laughed. “Siblings,” Emmy Lou murmured. “Bacon’s almost done.”

“Toast.” Heather was spreading butter on slices she’d already toasted.

“I’m hero of the day, so I’m eating,” Travis said, sitting in one of the leather recliners.

Heather giggled. “Want some coffee?”

“That’d be nice, Heather.” Travis was all smiles. “And I will share my donuts with you.”

“You and your donuts.” Krystal opened the pastry box. “I think there’s enough for everyone in here. To have two. Or three.”

“What?” he asked. “I like my donuts.”

“I like my eggs.” Jace chuckled. “Scrambled okay?”

“Sounds good.” Heather nudged him. “Feels like old times.”

He winked. “Especially if you leave your dishes piled in the sink.”

Heather shook her head. “Well, now you have a dishwasher so that won’t be a problem.”

He chuckled.

“You didn’t have a dishwasher?” Travis looked dumbfounded. “What the hell kind of place did you live in?”

“Travis,” Emmy chided.

Jace shrugged. “My grandmother was a diner waitress; she didn’t have much.” He’d never be ashamed of where he came from. “It was a clunker of a trailer, but it had its charm.”

“Charm? With its leaking roof, rusty window panes, and air conditioning unit that squealed?” Heather shrugged. “I have to say, this place is a little nicer. And don’t forget how it leans to one side. And rocks like a seesaw when the wind picks up.”

“When you put it like that.” Jace nudged her. “Still, it is—it was home.”