There with You (Adair Family 2)

Brodan shrugged. “I like it. I’ve been filming in a desert for months. This is refreshing. It’s home.”

The sound of longing in his voice made Thane frown. “Then why are you never here?”

“Because I have a life, a career.”

Thane made a huffing sound but didn’t reply.

“Anyway, you’re all doing well without me. I’ve never seen Lachlan so happy.”

“Aye, Robyn is good for him.”

“She’s pretty great.” He flicked Thane a smirk. “Her sister is tasty. Can’t imagine it’s a hardship having her around.”

That jealousy and anger flared inside him again. “You’ll stay away from Regan.”

Brodan snorted. “It’s just harmless flirting.”

“It’ll stop. You’re making her uncomfortable.”

“I’m making her uncomfortable, brother, or I’m making you uncomfortable?” All amusement fled Brodan’s expression as he stared into Thane’s eyes. “I’m not an idiot. Our family might not have noticed, but I certainly have. You watch her like a hawk. And she watches you back. A man doesn’t look at his brother like he wants to rip off his head for staring at a woman, unless he himself is fucking said woman.”

“Brodan,” he warned.

His brother held up a hand to cut him off. “I won’t tell anyone.” He stood and stared down at Thane. “But have you really thought this through, Thane? She’s a lot younger than you, she’s gorgeous, and she’s barely experienced life. I just …” he sighed heavily. “I don’t want you to get hurt. Watch yourself there.” He patted Thane’s shoulder and strode back up onto the deck to disappear inside.

Thane bowed his head, fighting a million emotions, few of them pretty. Finally, knowing they’d all wonder where he was, he took a deep, calming breath before he forced himself to return inside.

32

Regan

While our mom expected way too much from Robyn in all things, she expected very little from me. I didn’t know what was worse—the pressure, or the lack of faith?

What had started out as a joyous reunion at Inverness Airport, a giddy drive to Ardnoch, and a lovely dinner with our mom and dad had changed somewhat the next day. It was Christmas Eve, and while Mac would attend Christmas dinner with us, he’d decided to not be there on the evening of the twenty-fourth. He’d offered to not attend Christmas Day, too, because he didn’t want to make Mom and Dad feel weird, but Robyn put her foot down. It was her first Christmas with her father in years, and she wasn’t missing out.

Ery and Arrochar had also forgone Christmas Eve dinner with us.

Mom and Dad were, like almost everyone on the planet, charmed by Eilidh’s effervescent personality and Lewis’s reserved adorableness. At the dinner table, I sat next to Dad. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed his big, solid presence in my life. You only had to take one look at us to know where I got most of my genes. Dad was a good man. His work got to him more than I liked, but that was because he was honorable, and unfortunately, sometimes the justice system wasn’t. I know he often felt helpless, but he made up for it by being the best goddamn detective he could be.

I was proud of him.

Dad squeezed me into his side, telling me he missed me too. “You seem happy.” He grinned with those dimples he’d bestowed upon me.

“I am.”

“Good.” He kissed my temple and returned to his plate.

I knew that my being happy in Scotland must’ve been a scary prospect for Dad, but I believed he wanted the best for me, even if that meant there was an ocean between us.

“You’ll come stay the night with us at Robyn’s,” Mom said as we discussed plans for the next day, “after Santa’s arrival.”

Eilidh’s ears pricked up and she looked at me, her eyes big.

“I’m staying here,” I replied for more than just my mom’s benefit.

Mom frowned as she swallowed a bite of the steak pie we’d bought from the village butcher. “But it’s Christmas Eve. You should be with your family. We’ve come all this way, Regan. Don’t be inconsiderate.”

My spine snapped at her tone.

“Stace,” Dad warned quietly.

“I’m not being inconsiderate,” I replied calmly. “I promised Eilidh and Lewis I’d be here to open presents with them first thing in the morning, and that’s where I’ll be.”

“And what about us?”

I could feel Eilidh watching.

“Mom, the kids will be up super early. You won’t even be awake. I’ll come over after to open presents with you then.”

“You’re going away?” Eilidh frowned. “You can’t go away on Christmas Day! You have to come to Mummy’s with us, Ree-Ree.”

My plan had been to visit with my family at Robyn and Lachlan’s while Thane took the children to the cemetery to visit Fran’s grave. They put flowers on her grave once a month, a trip they always took on the weekend and one I’d never taken with them out of respect. They also visited every Christmas, New Year’s Day, and on her birthday.