Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

“Nothing much. Just wanted to see if you had plans with your friends or anything tonight. I was going to throw some chicken on the grill. Zeus has some energy to burn. He asked me to call and see if you wanted to play catch.”

Roe didn’t have to see his son to know he rolled his eyes. “Dad…you’re such a dork. That wasn’t funny.” Then he yelled, “Mom! Dad wants us to go over for dinner!”

Well, he hadn’t asked about Lindsey specifically, but he obviously didn’t mind if she came too.

“She said yeah. We’ll be there soon.”

“Okay, see you in a bit, buddy.” Roe hung up. “Zeus! Come on, boy!” The dog had more energy than Roe knew was possible. He came running back, ears flopping. Zeus was good and didn’t leave the property, but Roe didn’t want to take chances. If he or Wyatt weren’t out there with him, he only let him out in the fenced area.

He put the rolls on the counter, washed his hands, and pulled the chicken from the fridge so he could season it. He was already curious about Holden. He hadn’t talked to his sister in years, though through no fault of his own, yet he’d dropped everything to come and help her. But she also sounded convinced he wasn’t the staying type. Not many were, when it came to a place like Harmony.

All Roe could do was hope that when Holden eventually left, it wouldn’t hurt Marilee as much as it had killed him when Richard had.

CHAPTER FOUR

Holden

Holden had just pulled into Harmony, and it already reminded him of where they grew up. It immediately made his skin feel too tight. From the outside, it looked like a postcard—main street with decorated storefronts, people strolling down the sidewalk, talking, sitting in chairs outside of stores, and eating meals on patios. The mountains in the background topped off the picturesque feel.

Holden knew better. He’d felt like shit about himself living in a town like this. He’d dealt with people being hateful of his sexuality, and judging him and Marilee based on their father’s actions.

He followed the navigation directions. It led him out of town and down a highway before he turned right on a gravel driveway with a sign that said: FIREFLY LANE. Holden cocked his head at the name, memories he hadn’t thought about in years running laps through his head—back to when he and Marilee were kids, when things were always so damn hard, except those moments chasing light. He hadn’t let himself think on it in years.

He could see the house in the distance, a large farm-style home painted a soft yellow. He didn’t know how many acres it was, but it was a lot of them. Behind the house he saw pens and stables. Off to the right was a barn, then on the other side, a small cabin, which he figured was where Marilee and Sean were staying.

Shit, his sister and his nephew were so close. Holden’s stomach twisted up in knots as fear and want collided. He wanted this, his family, but he was scared as shit of fucking up or losing them a second time.

When his gaze caught on the barn again, Holden noticed a boy walk out of it. His pulse skyrocketed as the truth of it hit him—he didn’t know what his own nephew looked like. He couldn’t look at that boy and say for sure if he was his own family or not.

Jesus, what had they done? He and Marilee were supposed to stick together. He should have found her sooner, been there for her, done fucking something.

The kid—it looked like he’d been feeding animals or such—gave a small wave, but then moved toward the main house. The people who rented the cabin to Marilee must be a family, then. He probably should have assumed that.

Holden parked and turned off the car. He wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans, trying to ignore the uncomfortable flutter in his gut. He hated this, hated that he had to be nervous to see his own sister.

He got out of the car. The second he closed the door, he heard, “Holden?” and turned to see Marilee standing on the porch. She looked older, of course she did, but she also looked tired…sad…like the years had been harder on her than he wanted to imagine.

“Marilee…”

Then the two of them were heading for each other. She hurried down the porch steps and began to run. His little sister launched herself into his arms, and Holden caught her, held her tight as the years washed away while also seeming to stretch out between them, a reminder of the time they’d lost.

Her shoulders shook as she began to cry. Holden squeezed her tighter, rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Shh. It’s okay. I’m here now. We’ll figure it out, okay?”