You Own My Heart (The Blackwells of Crystal Lake 4)

“I did.”

“And how old were you when this happened?”

She cleared her throat and said something under her breath.

“I didn’t hear that.”

“Five.”

Nash blinked. That was unexpected. “You were five years old.” Who the hell gave a five-year-old access to a gun?

“Almost six.” Her chin jutted forward. “It was a BB gun.”

“What’s a BB gun, Uncle Nash?” Tink squirmed until he managed to wiggle his way from Nash’s arms. He ran to his mother, who was watching the entire conversation from the sofa under the window.

“Well, Tink. A BB gun can be as dangerous as a real gun. It’s why they should always be locked up somewhere safe and not left lying around for a five-year-old to grab.”

“Almost six.” Honey got to her feet.

“And what happened to the robber?” Nash had to ask.

Honey shrugged. “I missed and broke two bottles of my mother’s finest gin, and he got away.”

“And the bear?”

She shrugged. “He managed to grab my mother’s stash but left the bear behind.”

Nash got the feeling there was more to the story, but it was getting late, and he had places to go and people to see. He kissed his nephew and promised he’d have him to the cottage one night for popcorn and the game. He hugged his sister and, when she pulled away, decided to poke the elephant in the room.

“Where’s Jason at?”

She glanced at her son, but Tink was busy looking through the bin of old toys that used to belong to Nash and Cam.

“Probably with his girlfriend.” She exhaled and shook her head. “Don’t tell Mom. No one knows.”

His heart fell. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

She was silent for a few moments and then nodded. “So am I.” She gave him a quick kiss, put a big smile on her face, and called Tink for bed.

“Everything all right?” Honey asked after his sister left the room with his nephew.

“Not really.”

“I’m sorry.”

He looked away and clamped down on the anger inside him. Wouldn’t do anyone any good for him to dwell on his brother-in-law’s actions. At least not right now. If he ran across the sonofabitch, well, that was an entirely different story.

“I’m headed out.”

“Okay.” She slid past him. “Let me thank your mother for dinner.”

“Hey,” he found himself saying as his gaze rested on her. Honey paused and looked at him over her shoulder.

Take her home.

It was a good plan and one Nash should have listened to, but for some reason, he was distracted by her eyes. The curve of her cheek. The shape of her mouth. Suddenly, he didn’t want the night to be over. At least, not the part where she was involved. He found himself doing something he didn’t normally do, which was to mix his work life with his down time.

“I’m going to Hudsy’s place to watch the game.” Shit. Was he really going to do this? Nash hesitated. He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie.