I smiled as Nate hugged Gran before the sound of the screen door caught my attention.
Like a punch to the gut, I struggled to take a breath again. It didn’t matter how many photos or video calls we made. Nothing could have prepared me for the tight squeeze of my heart at seeing my sister all grown. And a mom to boot.
Ivy was on Amber’s hip. With the sun shining down on what looked like whisper-soft hair, Ivy all but glowed. My heart melted in an instant, and I couldn’t take my eyes off my niece.
Finally in front of my sister, I refocused on her. “Hey,” I offered lamely.
Amber’s bright eyes, the same shade as my own, raked over me. “You look older in the flesh,” she deadpanned, “more haggard.” Her lips twitched.
I took her sass and that one tell as all the invitation I needed. I angled around to hug her without squashing Ivy, who wriggled between us, babbling. I grinned at the sound and eased back, staring at the pretty baby in my sister’s arms. Curiosity filled her eyes, and my heart stuttered. “She looks so much like you.”
“Thank God, right.” Amber tickled her daughter under the chin. A giggle of delight followed.
“And where’s my little hoodlum?” The sound of Nate at my side eased muscles I hadn’t realized had tensed. I wasn’t the only one affected by him. Ivy’s head whipped in Nate’s direction, and she all but lurched out of my sister’s arms to get to him.
I smirked and held back my chuckle.Me too, kid.I totally understand the draw.
Once in Nate’s arms, my niece cooed and jabbered on in the cutest of ways as he smothered her with kisses. When he pulled back, he side-hugged Amber and planted a brotherly kiss on top of her head.
The whole reunion between them was natural. A pang of longing hit me hard. It didn’t matter that I understood why or was responsible for the distance. The emotion was there, raising its jealous head and making me feel crap.
I had to look away, my gaze settling back on Gran, whose unwavering focus was on me.
“Come on. Let’s go in and get some tea on the go.” She took my arm, and I smiled, my forehead smoothing out. I needed to get over myself and enjoy every moment I could get with my family, and most definitely Nate.
Already I could see my month home racing by too quickly. No chance would I waste that by wishing things were different.
* * *
It wasno hardship sprawling on the soft rug next to Ivy. She was adorable and into everything and did this whole cute push-up thing.
The only time I took my eyes off her was when I couldn’t resist a glance at Nate.
For the past couple of hours, we’d been talking about Nate’s visit, omitting the obvious. That didn’t stop me from thinking about all the time we’d spent together, though, or the soft touches and fierce kisses.
I’d never been so grateful to be able to afford business-class tickets before. Between snoozing and murmuring to each other on the flight to Brisbane, I’d captured as many kisses as possible.
There was freedom being back in Australia. Here I wasn’t anybody noteworthy—not really. The status of grandson, brother, and uncle was pretty much it. I couldn’t even consider what label I’d put on Nate and me.
It was early afternoon, and both Gran and Amber were taking it easy on me for some reason. Twice I’d caught a shared look between Amber and Nate, but if he was the reason they weren’t littering me with questions, or worse, giving me the telling off I deserved, I was grateful. I had no issue with Nate running interference.
“What do you think, Ryan?” Gran’s voice pulled me away from my thoughts and the bunny I danced in front of Ivy.
“Huh? Sorry, I missed whatever you said.”
Gran smiled. “Nate needs to head and see his folks.” My heart constricted, hating the thought of missing out on a moment of his time. Not only that, but Nate leaving meant I was open to interrogation.
“Goodness me, Ryan, you’re wearing the same look you had when I grounded you for a week for skipping off school that one time.” Gran rolled her eyes, and heat filled my cheeks. “Nate’s still staying here a while, unless the plan’s changed?” She eyed Nate, whose gaze darted from me to Gran.
“No plans to move back to my place yet,” he answered quickly. The news did the trick, loosening my chest and helping me breathe easier.
“Good.” Gran nodded and refocused on me. “You see. He’ll be back, so you don’t have to arrange an escape or have Nate try to climb the veranda to your room or anything. We all know how that worked out last time.”
I chuckled at the memory, more than aware this was a very different house, but the visual remained.
Nate’s laughter joined mine. “In my defense,” Nate started, capturing my attention fully, “my sneaking in when Ryan was grounded would have gone totally unnoticed if it hadn’t been for that possum.”
At the memory and with the laughter surrounding me, all the tension eased out of me.
