I could never resist spending a night with her. That part wasn’t about sex. It was about holding her close. It was about savoring our connection and the way our time together stitched our intimacy tighter and tighter, strengthening our bond.

  Yet… her brother had been skeptical for a reason when I told him we were seeing each other. I preferred to keep my distance in relationships. As much as I loved my mother and my siblings and our close-knit family, we carried secrets and baggage, which often bounced off each other. It wasn’t just Jake’s death or his abuse at the hands of our grandfather. It was our father dying when we were young. McKenna was just a toddler and barely remembered him. It felt like so long ago. Losing him had changed our lives irrevocably.

  My mother’s grief had been a palpable weight in the house. Our parents had truly loved each other. I would never know whether our grandfather had abused our father. My mother said they had a tense relationship, but she wasn’t aware of any physical or sexual abuse. We all wondered about it after things came to light about Jake.

  A lesson meted out to me at a young age had been that losing someone you loved was painful, made worse when someone you should trust was abusive. While I hadn’t been the target of my grandfather’s abuse, beyond him being verbally gruff and intimidating with occasional slaps and strikes, I knew what he did to Jake. I’d seen him slap Jake so hard that Jake’s head whipped back with such force his ears were ringing hours later.

  In unconscious defense, I’d taught myself to keep my emotions quiet. Even though I knew I loved Haven, I’d kept a part of myself tucked away. If I wanted to make this work with Haven, I had to let myself be vulnerable in a way that hadn’t been safe for me before.

  She shifted in her sleep, letting out a soft sound. It felt as if the sound slung a silk lasso around my heart, cinching it tighter to her. I slid my hand up her back, sifting my fingers through her soft and fine curls. She often fretted that they were too messy, but I loved them. Their wildness was so much of her. Even when she was guarded, Haven’s heart was apparent—her kindness, her sharp wit, and the edge of her loyalty ran deep. That loyalty was how I understood why she’d been hurt by her ex before and why she reacted so swiftly and protectively when she thought I’d hidden a massive secret from her.

  It stung a little that she thought I could’ve ignored my son like that if I had one. I was already worrying over how to ensure Cathy didn’t try to keep Matthew from us, and he was my nephew, not my son.

  I took a deep breath, letting it out as I rolled my head to the side to look out the windows. The bedroom was at the back of the house with a view of the town harbor. The moon hung low in the sky, almost full and casting a pearly shimmer across the water. I fell asleep a few minutes later, feeling at peace for the first time in too long.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Rhys

  My sense of peace shattered the following morning. Haven had risen early, as usual, to go open Spill the Beans Café. I had walked down there with her, savoring the fresh, early spring air and the way the streets of downtown Fireweed Harbor were quiet and still. An eagle had called in the early morning with a raven taunting it.

  Haven had made me coffee. I felt gratified at the pink flush on her cheeks when I kissed her goodbye before I left to go to the office.

  A mere hour later, I was trying my damnedest to keep my cool. Our attorney had scheduled a meeting with Cathy and her attorney. When I asked where Matthew was, she’d looked over and said, “Not here.”

  I could handle her being snippy, but my mother was beside herself. She believed Matthew was her grandson, and she wanted to get to know him. Colin had told me to keep my mouth shut, and I was trying.

  Colin’s sharp gaze flicked from Cathy to her attorney. “Here’s the thing. This all started because your client demanded child support from Rhys Cannon. He’s not the father. I think it’s apparent why your client insisted the more in-depth paternity test was unnecessary. Had we done that, she may have been able to convince everyone that Matthew was Rhys’s son. He’s very likely Matthew’s uncle, which means your client needs to come clean about who else in the family she had a relationship with. There are six brothers to choose from. We suspect the father is the deceased Jacob Cannon Jr. Now, either we set up a parade of DNA tests or your client can be honest. The family has already offered to cover child support and costs. Clara Cannon”—he gestured to my mother sitting beside me, her features drawn tight with tension—“would like a relationship with her grandson.”

  Cathy’s attorney shifted in his chair. “This, I’m sure you’ll agree, is a formidable family for my client to be going up against.”

  “Up against what?” My tone was icy cold and low. “I didn’t even know my alleged son existed. He is ten years old. Now, to act like she’s being attacked is complete bullshit. There’s nothing wrong with us wanting a relationship with our brother’s son.” I looked toward Cathy. “I’m not sure what game you’re playing here, but let’s figure this out fast. If money is the issue, we’ve already made it clear we will provide the money even though Jake is dead, and we owe you nothing.”

  I felt my mother almost imperceptibly flinch at my words. I wanted to apologize to her, but I was too furious to focus.

  Cathy straightened in her chair, her eyes a little wide. “I honestly didn’t know which one of you was the father. I have not had a relationship with anyone else in the family.” She looked offended that we’d even suggested it. I didn’t give a flying fuck that she’d seen fit to be involved with both Jake and me at the same time. We’d been young. I was pissed off because I didn’t know what she was after.

  Holding her gaze, I replied, “We appreciate your honesty. What exactly did you want if it wasn’t money?”

  “I wanted my son to have a relationship with his father. Clearly, that’s not possible. I thought it was you. I really did.”

  I wasn’t sure I believed Cathy on that count, but it didn’t really matter now, so I simply nodded. “Well, he’s not my son. He’s my nephew. As we have already stated, we’re happy to provide financial support toward his care. All of that to say, we would also like the opportunity to build a relationship with him.”

  Cathy glanced from me to her attorney to my mother and back to me. She carefully guarded her expression. It had been over ten years since I’d seen her, but she was different. Back then, she’d been a party girl in college. Not too wild and rather practical about what she wanted. I knew from our attorney’s detective work that she worked in marketing in San Francisco now.

  “I’m not opposed to that,” she said carefully.

  I glanced at my mother. Her hands were resting on the table, laced together. Her fingers tightened. This entire situation had torn open the lingering wounds from my brother’s death. His death had been painful for all of us.

  “I would hope that since you’re seeking child support, you would’ve expected the family to want a relationship. You told no one about him. To try to play the victim is disingenuous,” I replied.

  The corners of Cathy’s mouth tightened, and she lifted her chin slightly, a subtle flush on her cheeks. I sensed she hadn’t been prepared to be confronted.

  “I’m not trying to play the victim,” she finally said.

  “When can we meet him?” I cut through the dance of this conversation to the heart of the matter.

  “Tomorrow, if you’d like. Where shall we meet?”

  “At our offices.” My mother and I had discussed this. She had originally proposed the house, but I still didn’t trust Cathy’s motives and preferred to start on more neutral territory.

  Her attorney interjected, “We’d like to settle the terms of the child support first.”

  “It’s technically not child support,” Colin replied. “Jake Cannon is deceased. I suppose you could call this a simple agreement to provide survivor’s benefits.”

  Cathy’s eyes widened as she swallowed. I looked straight at her. “You said the relationship was important to you. While Jake isn’t here to form that relationship, the rest of the family is.”

  We made arrangements and confirmed a meeting time at our family’s offices the following day. Cathy reportedly had plans to leave in the next few weeks, although she hadn’t confirmed travel dates.

  After Cathy walked out with Colin and the other attorney conferring in the reception area, I turned to my mother. “How are you?” I asked quietly.

  She finally unlaced her fingers and slid her palms down her slacks before angling her chair to face me. “I’m okay. Something feels off about this.”

  “Agreed. Regardless of her motives, the worst would be that she wants money. She’ll get money.”

  My mother pressed her lips together before letting out a sharp sigh. “I don’t like being so casual about it. Other people in this situation wouldn’t be able to just toss money at it.”

  No one in my family felt particularly comfortable with our family’s wealth. Be that as it may, the situation was what it was.

  I held her gaze and shrugged. “I know. It’s okay. We can provide support of some kind. Not a lump sum, just funds that go to his care. We can set up a trust, one that will transfer to him when he’s an adult and be managed. That way, he’s cared for in college and so on. Depending on how things turn out, we can consider whether he works for the family later. We have years before we have to sort that out.”

  My mother’s eyes met mine. “I miss Jake,” she said simply.

  “We all do.”

  Moments later, I left, immediately walking toward Spill the Beans Café. I knew Haven was working, so we wouldn’t be able to talk about this, but I needed to see her.

  Main Street was starting to get busier in Fireweed Harbor. Although the cruise ships weren’t coming every week now, they would be soon. Now that the snow was melting on the mountains and the days were getting warmer, tourists started crowding the streets. Already, the days were getting longer.

  The sign for the café glinted as the sun angled across it, illuminating the shimmery pink lettering. Turning off the sidewalk, I smiled when I saw the bustling outdoor seating area under the covered porch. Customers were enjoying late-morning coffee and brunch.

  I pushed through the doorway, my gaze arcing about the space when I didn’t see Haven behind the counter. She was over in the corner collecting empty plates and mugs from a table. She wiped it down with one hand as she held the tray with dishes in the other.

  I got in the back of the line, smiling at Phyllis when she looked up to see me. By the time I reached the front of the line, Haven was there with Phyllis taking the tray from her and saying, “I’ll take this to the back. You take care of Rhys.”

  Haven bit her lips, pink tingeing her cheeks when she met my eyes.

  “Hi,” I said. My heart felt lighter just seeing her.

  The urge to lean across the counter and kiss her was fierce, but I held back. Even before our recent breakup, she’d scolded me more than once for that. She smiled over at me, and my heart flipped in my chest. Fuck me. I had missed her. It was a relief not to be facing her icy coldness.

  “Hey.” Her voice was husky.

  My need sharpened its claws. “How late are you working today?”

  “Until four.”

  “Blake texted me. I was thinking we could go to the tasting tonight at the winery.”

  “I’d love that.”

  “Then we have a plan. Meanwhile, I’ll take—”

  My brother Kenan’s voice came from over my shoulder. “I need coffee.”

  I glanced back, casting him a grin. “I do too.”

  He stopped beside me. “I know, so go ahead and order. Plus, I think you should get mine because you’re taking too long.”

  I chuckled. “Happy to get yours.”

  Kenan glanced at Haven, waggling his eyebrows. “And how are you?”

  She grinned. “Well, and yourself?”

  “I’m freaking great. I’m headed out for some fishing.”

  “Oh, I love the first fishing trip of the season,” she replied. The bell above the door chimed behind us. “So what can I get you?”

  We gave her our orders and stepped to the side as Phyllis came out to help Haven. Kenan glanced from me to Haven and back again. “It looks like you two might have sorted things out?”

  Kenan and Adam were fraternal twins and the middle brothers. Kenan was older by a whopping three minutes and relished the opportunity to remind Adam of that time and again. He had my mother’s coloring with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Adam shared my coloring. While Blake ran the winery, brewery, and restaurant, I headed up the headquarters for the corporation, and Adam was the CFO of everything, Kenan referred to himself as our “catch-all” because he did whatever we needed. He was flexible and easygoing. Wyatt and Griffin were my youngest brothers and also twins. They were just shy of two years younger than Adam and Kenan. They had eschewed working for the family because they both loved the outdoors and chased after adrenaline. They’d gone to hotshot firefighting training and landed on a crew up north for now.

  Griffin was looking to score a spot on the hotshot crew here in Fireweed Harbor, although Wyatt stayed quiet on his plans. My mother still fretted and wanted both of them to come work for the company. Our only sister, McKenna, headed up our fundraising operations and public relations.

  “I hope so,” I said in reply to Kenan. “Speaking of the issue that interfered with Haven and me, Mom and I met with Cathy this morning. We’re going to meet Matthew tomorrow.”

  “How is Mom?” Kenan asked, his gaze sobering.

  I shrugged, rotating a hand in the air. “This whole thing has brought up Jake and missing him. I think she’s a little angry about the situation. Honestly, something just feels off.” I let my breath out in a puff. “There’s no doubt Matthew’s related to us, but I don’t trust Cathy’s motives.”

  “I know exactly what’s going on,” Kenan said.

  “You do?”

  He nodded. “Dude, she wants you.”

  I eyed him skeptically, my brows hitching up. “Seriously? We’re offering her money. If that’s what she’s after, she’ll get it.”

  “She’s going to get way more money if she hooks you,” he pointed out.

  I shook my head. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Believe it. I saw the way she looked at you. She wants the cachet, but I don’t know why she waited so long.”

  “I don’t buy it,” I said flatly.

  “Mark my words. She’s going to make a move.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Haven

  That evening, I stood in my bedroom, eyeing myself in the mirror mounted on the back of the bathroom door. I fretted about my appearance. Rhys had texted me, pointing out that he considered tonight a date.

  Something about this—trying again, him insisting he was going to court me, to woo me—had my nerves dancing.

  For years, Fireweed Winery had weekly tastings. They were events. In addition to the yummy drinks, they used it as an opportunity for local artists to display their artwork. There were hors d’oeuvres for the tastings, and many stayed to have dinner in the restaurant.

  While the Cannons certainly didn’t need the money, these events bolstered the reputation they cultivated in the community. Supportive of the town, they often allowed non-profits to use the events to host fundraisers and the like. It was the place to see and be seen. Even though I had tried to avoid the gossip, I knew, without even the tiniest sliver of doubt, that my breakup with Rhys had run rampant like a brushfire.

  With us going out tonight together, I wanted to look good. My skirt hugged my hips and flared around my knees, and I paired it with cowboy boots and a silky blouse with a little tie between my breasts.

  I had just stepped into my boots when a knock sounded on the door. My belly fluttered, and my pulse kicked off. I’d actually missed the anticipation of seeing Rhys. It was a visceral experience. I nervously smoothed a hand over my hair as I approached the door. When I opened it, my belly swooped.

  Rhys’s intent gaze held mine for a beat before his eyes swept up and down my body. It felt as if he was taking my measure. Being the subject of Rhys’s undivided attention felt much too good.

  His lips kicked up at one corner when his eyes met mine again. He stepped closer, lifting a hand and palming my cheek as he dipped his head, murmuring, “Nice to see you, sweetness.”

  When his lips brushed over mine, it felt as if a hot flame raced through me. When he straightened, I took a quick breath. “Nice to see you.”

  His hand fell away from my cheek, and he reached for one of mine, curling his warm grip around it. “I don’t really want to go anywhere,” he said with a sheepish grin.

  I didn’t, either. I bit my bottom lip before releasing it as I replied, “We could stay in.”

  He lifted my hand, turning it over in his and dropping a kiss in the center of my palm. It felt like a hot pebble, sending ripples of heat radiating outward.

  “We could, but I told Blake we were coming. And I promised to woo you.”

  Anticipation fizzed through me like bubbly champagne. My entire body celebrated, cheering at his presence and the way I felt when I was with him.

  “Well, then we’d better go. I don’t want to let Blake down,” I teased lightly.

  Rhys chuckled, lowering my hand but holding it firmly in his. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Let me get my jacket.” I looked down at our entwined hands. “I need my hand,” I added regretfully.

  He released it, and I snagged my jacket off the hook by the door and lifted my keys and wallet to tuck them in my pocket.

  “Dinner is on me. You don’t need your wallet,” he commented.

  I looked up at him. “Maybe so, but what if they ID me?”

  His low chuckle sent a hot shiver over the surface of my skin.