Defender (Seattle Sharks 9)

“You are such a liar!” I play smacked her arm, glancing up at Nathan. “Please don’t believe a word she says. She’s the favorite in the family.”

“You’re totally full of sh—”

“Language,” I cut her off, glancing behind her to Ally. She was locked on her tablet though, and hadn’t even registered we’d arrived.

Nathan took the exchange in stride, as usual, that calm, confident comfort couldn’t be shaken.

“You’re a defender, right?” Clark asked, and I left the two to take a seat next to Ally, Anne following close behind.

“You brought a Shark to our Thanksgiving.” Anne didn’t pose a question, just stated it out loud.

“And?”

“You’ve never brought a guy home. Not even your totally adorable, platonic roommate.”

“Sawyer has family to spend time with, too.”

“And Nathan doesn’t?”

“Not in Seattle,” I said, then tilted my head back and forth. “Well, that’s not true. He has his teammates here, but…”

“But what?” she prodded when I didn’t finish.

“He wanted to be with me,” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “But not in that way, so calm down.” I loved Anne more than anything, but she continuously tried to fit me into the same mold as her—a marrying mold.

It was perfect for her—the relationship, the mom life, but that wasn’t me. I wasn’t traditional. I had just opened up to the idea that love was more than a chemical reaction, and was nowhere near ready to think that putting a ring on a special finger changed anything between a couple.

“Whatever you say,” she said, eyeing around me to where Nathan and Clark had taken seats on the chairs across from the couch we occupied.

“Where are mom and dad?”

“In the kitchen, where else?”

I shrugged. “Could’ve been out back in their guest-house-turned-lab for all I knew.”

“They were about an hour ago. Came in to check on the food.”

“Nice,” I said.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “Big brother can’t make the trip.”

“I figured he had his hands tied up in Charleston.”

Anne nodded, then her eyes fell on Ally, who had yet to tear her eyes from the screen. “She’s missed you.” There was a tension to my sister’s tone, one I’m sure only a few people could detect.

“I’ve missed her,” I said, my eyes scanning her. “How is she doing?”

“Better,” Anne said quickly.

I wrapped my arm around Ally, who finally glanced up at me, a smile shaping her tiny lips. “Aunt…Har…Harper.” She worked her mouth around the words, a crease forming between her brow before she threw her arms around my neck.

“Ally Bear,” I said, squeezing her. “I missed you so much, girl!”

“Too,” she said simply and released me enough to lean back.

I pointed toward Nathan but kept my focus on her. “Want to help me show my friend around the grounds?” I cast a questioning glance toward Anne, who nodded.

Ally bolted off the couch, excitement filling her crushing blue eyes. I hopped off the couch, still gripping her little hand in mind. “Nathan,” I said, who had stood at the mention of the tour. “This is my niece, Ally.” I glanced down at her. “Ally, this is my friend Nathan.”

She grinned up at him. “Meet…” she huffed. “Nice to.”

Clark and Anne shared a look filled with hope and love and warmth.

Something flashed in Nathan’s eyes, the gears churning without the full story, but he smiled down at her. “Can’t wait to see the rest of this place,” he said.

Ally motioned for us to head out the front door, and we followed.

First on the tour was the immaculate lawns and gardens, then the separate warehouse that housed my parents’ toys—motorcycles and a sailboat—and then finally the custom waterfall and koi pond on the west grounds, which were my favorite. A small garden—which my mother meticulously tended—surrounded the pond. Rich wooden chairs were placed strategically around the water so guests could enjoy the tranquility. That was something my mother never failed at, creating spaces of serenity for her chaotic and constantly moving children.

Nathan and I stood near the edge of the pond as we watched Ally check out the brilliantly colored fish. When she was a decent distance away, I leaned closer to Nathan.

“She had a horrible bicycle accident a few months ago,” I whispered. “She was wearing a helmet, but the angle of impact wasn’t as fully protected and she suffered an intense concussion.” Without looking away from the pond, from Ally, Nathan intertwined his fingers in mine, that small show of support was almost enough to bring tears to my eyes. “She’s recovering,” I said, my chest tighter than it was moments before. “But at a slower pace. She completely understands everything, is cognizant, but when she tries to relay the information it gets jumbled.”

“When do the doctors expect her to fully recover?” Nathan’s voice was soft, sad.

I squeezed his hand, knowing his thoughts had to be flashing back to his brother…who had not been so lucky.