“Listen,” I breathed out. “I know that when you talk like that, you're coming from a good place. But we've known each otherfor a very long time. By now, don't you think I know how to handle myself?”
“It's not a matter of handling yourself,” he said gently. “You can handle anything in the world, darlin’, but a tornado is a force none of us can fight. I know storm chasing means you’re chasing it, not the other way around, but you know how fast things can change.”
“And what about Sky? It’s their profession. Are you going to give them the same lecture?”
He didn't say anything, but he looked up at them. The firelight flickered, casting a warm glow on his jaw and sharp cheekbones, dancing in his softening eyes. The way he looked at them made my heart skip a beat.
God, how many times had I dreamed of him looking at me that way? Countless.
For a moment, I wondered why we'd never crossed that line. I wasn't stupid. I knew there was tension between us. But neither one of us had ever dared to pass it.
“I don't know what to say,” he murmured. “We’ve just met them.”
“Yeah, but I have eyes,” I muttered. “I see the way you look at them. They're going to be gone in the blink of an eye, you know?”
His shoulders deflated on a heavy sigh. “I know. Don't you worry about anything with that. But, to answer your question, I don't like the idea of Sky storm chasing alone either. It sounds like they had an assistant, and they had a falling out. So now they've been doing this alone in a state that isn't very friendly to any of us. Storm chasing is dangerous. We all know how unpredictable the weather could be. So yeah, maybe I’ll end up giving them the same lecture too, even though they barely know me.”
“Your big heart must be a heavy burden, Beau Adams,” I said.
Beau leaned over, surprising me by resting his hand on my knee. He gave me a gentle squeeze, and then drew back to stand.
Even though there was a fire burning right in front of us, it felt like he took the warmth away with his touch.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you,” he said. “You know I trust you. You know I believe in your instincts. You know I think the world of you. And you know it’d break me if something ever happened to you.”
My eyes widened in surprise. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. He placed his hat back on top of his head, and then strolled over to his sister and Winnie. They were playing a game of poker, and within a few seconds, he’d been folded in.
Well, damn. I was speechless. What the hell did he mean by that?
I shook my head and stood up to stretch my legs. I wandered around the fire to where Boone and Wylie were snuggled up.
“Look at you two,” I said. “All damn cozy.”
Boone grinned. “Want a s’more?”
“Of course I do,” I said.
He lifted a plate, offering me a skewer with a marshmallow on it.
“How about you take one to yourfriend?” Wylie asked, wiggling his brows.
Boone’s brows shot up. “Oh?Oh.”
“Shush,” I muttered, but I took a second skewer and marshmallow. “Mind your business, both of you.”
That earned a few mischievous giggles as I turned and walked over to Sky. They looked up at me with a smile as I offered it to them.
“Thanks,” they said. “Can’t remember the last time I’ve had one of these.”
“Oh yes. It’s been far too long since I've had a good s’more. And by too long, I mean it’s been a week. Boone’s homemade graham crackers with the melty chocolate are always the best.”
Sky laughed as they took the skewer and scooted their chair forward. We both leaned in, casting our marshmallows over the open flames.
“So, bonfires once a week?” Sky asked.
“Usually,” I said. “In the summer, we’ll do more than one a week. Especially if we have guests. There are times we’ll host retreats or have picnics, like the Y’all Pride Picnic coming up. People like to visit this place.”
“Of course they do,” Sky said. “I’ve only ever heard good things.”
