Teague (The Family Simon 4)

“Bowen must have been pissed,” Jack said.

“He’ll get over it,” Teague replied, his face darkening. The guy hadn’t given up, even after Teague had rushed into the water for Sabrina. Bowen had followed him up to the house and if Teague hadn’t threatened him with bodily harm, the guy might still be here.

“So what are your plans?” Eden asked, coming over to join her husband. A small smile lit the corners of her mouth. “Are you coming back to Florida?”

“No.”

“No?” Noah asked. “Where to then?”

Teague hadn’t been to Florida in ages. He had a condo in the keys, but even he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been there. It hadn’t been his home in a good long while and if anything, Teague had learned that home is where your feet are planted.

And right now, his were planted firmly in Gravenhurst.

“Well, I’ve got a job lined up in New York.”

“New York? But…” He saw the confusion in his mother’s face and slid his arms around her.

“I only have to be there three days a month for taping.”

“Taping?” Jack asked.

“A news show I’ll be collaborating on and hosting. It’s something new and I decided to give it a shot.”

“Sounds like a good opportunity,” his brother replied.

“It will be different, that’s for sure.”

“So when you’re not in New York City you’ll be…” Eden Simon arched an eyebrow. His mother wouldn’t give up.

Teague smiled and dropped a kiss onto her cheek. “I’ll be right here. I can work remotely on the stories we’ll be using for the show and I can concentrate on other things.”

“Like what?” Jack asked. There was concern there and Teague got it. Jack cared a lot about Sabrina and the twins.

“Photography for one.”

“Photography,” Jack repeated, a small frown on his face.

Teague was enjoying himself. “Yeah. I like to take pictures.”

“We know,” Jack said.

“Thought I might work on a book. I’ve had a few publishers bugging me to write about my experiences. Thought I could call it Hot Zone .” He arched an eyebrow. “What do think, Jack?”

“I think you’re being a dick.”

“Boys,” Eden groaned. “Language. There are children in the house.” She hugged Teague once more. “And you! Don’t tease us like this. We’re glad that you’re in a good place right now. We just want you to be safe and happy.”

“I know,” he murmured. “I only need one more thing in my life and I’m done looking for that elusive piece of me.”

“And what’s that?”

The words were hoarse, kind of breathless and he jerked his head up. Teague’s eyes slammed into Sabrina’s. She stood on the top stair, her hair a disheveled mess, her cheeks pink, and his old Seal sweatshirt hanging down to her knees.

His heart leapt at the sight of her and he took a step forward.

“That’s a good look for you,” he said roughly.

Sabrina came down the stairs and paused on the bottom step. She looked scared and unsure and he needed to make that go away. Teague strode over to her, his eyes focused, because this was it. He paused at the bottom step, his eyes softening and his heart pounding.