Whispers in the Dark (KGI #4)(75)

He shrugged. “It’s actually kind of cool. I think it’s neat that you and Nathan can communicate while you’re apart.”

“Thank you. For saying all of that.”

He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “No, Shea, thank you. I feel like I’m getting my brother back and I owe that to you.”

As he pulled away, he glanced back toward the house. “Now let’s get back inside before Nathan paces a hole in the floor. I’ll talk Van into pulling out the grill, and we can do burgers and hot dogs.”

She blinked as she tried to wrap her head around doing something so normal. Granted they weren’t moving out until the next day while Nathan’s brothers took the time to do more investigating, but somehow she’d imagined being huddled in some closed-off room, hiding under a bed or something.

An afternoon of freedom sounded next to heaven.

She followed Joe back inside to find Nathan waiting, his brow furrowed as he observed them walking up. Shea slid her arms around Nathan’s waist and laid her head against his chest.

He instantly relaxed and rubbed his hand up and down her spine.

“How about doing some burgers, Van?” Joe called. “We’re starving.”

Donovan came out of the kitchen and gave Joe a look of exasperation. “Is there anything wrong with your arms?”

“I cook a mean burger,” Swanny spoke up.

Everyone turned to the other man in surprise. He so rarely spoke that he tended to blend in.

“My grill is your grill,” Donovan said with a grin. “I never turn down a meal I don’t have to cook.”

“I can help you make the patties,” Shea offered.

Swanny smiled. “I’d like that. Thanks.”

She was positively gleeful over the simple idea of an afternoon barbeque. It was just so normal and mundane. She actually loved to cook, loved spending time in the kitchen, but she hadn’t done so in a long time. She ate on the go mostly, just like she lived her life. Always on the run.

“I’ll take some burger out and do a quick thaw on it,” Donovan said. “I should have everything else, but if not, we’ll send Joe up to the grocery store.”

“Love how I got volunteered for that,” Joe said dryly.

Donovan’s cell rang and he instantly picked it up. “Hey, Ma,” he said in greeting. He grinned. “Yeah, he’s here. Back safe and sound. Did you doubt us? I told you we were going to drag him home one way or another.”

Shea glanced at Nathan to get his reaction and found him smiling, his eyes soft with love. Her heart squeezed a little.

Donovan listened a moment and then glanced quickly in Nathan’s direction. “Uh, yeah, that’s true, but I’m not going to speculate on anything, Ma. You need to hear that from Nathan.”

“Uh-oh,” Joe said in a low voice. “Busted.”

“Lunch? Well, we’re doing burgers or about to. Um, hang on, okay? Let me ask.”

He put the phone over his chest and whispered in Nathan’s direction. “Ma wants to come over. To eat with us.” He glanced apologetically at Shea. “But you know she just wants to meet Shea, whom she’s already heard about. Are you up for this? I can always tell her no.”

Shea glanced up at Nathan, suddenly nervous and unsure.

Baby, stop.

Nathan’s gentle words spilled through her mind, filling her with warmth and love.

We don’t have to do this now.

No, it’s okay. I mean I don’t mind as long as you don’t. It’s kind of a big step to introduce a girl to your mom, you know.

Then he smiled at her, and the depth of emotion in his eyes blew her away. If there was any doubt before, it was gone in an instant. His gaze was so tender, so full of love, that she felt near to bursting.

She’s going to love you. Just like I do.

She hugged him tighter and buried her face in his chest.

Donovan cleared his throat. “Um, if you two are finished, Ma is still on the phone.”

Heat stained her cheeks as Shea looked up, but she saw teasing in Donovan’s eyes. She relaxed and leaned into Nathan again.

“Of course she can come,” Nathan said. “Maybe she won’t worry so much now.”

Then to Shea, he turned and tipped up her chin. You’ve got to relax, baby. Stop worrying every time my brothers know we’re communicating. They aren’t going to think any differently of you because you’re different.

I’ll try. This is all just so…baffling.

He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. Wait until you experience the entire family together.

She sighed wistfully. I think I’d love it.

She’d been so wrapped up in her conversation with Nathan that she hadn’t realized Donovan was already off the phone.

“Okay, so Swanny, all we’ll need are the burgers. Ma is sort of taking care of the rest. You know her. She always comes bearing enough food to feed an army.”

“She does feed an army, doesn’t she?” Shea asked.

Donovan looked at her in mock horror. “Bite your tongue, woman. She feeds Marines. Well, and she feeds these army rejects too.” He gestured toward Swanny, Joe and Nathan.

“Watch it, Bo Peep,” Joe drawled. “Not only is your Marine ass outnumbered, but we’re bigger than your scrawny ass. You don’t have Garrett to back you up this time.”