Whispers of You (Lost & Found #1)(28)

She sent me a sheepish smile. “Was weak-a biznatch too much?”

I grinned. “That was my favorite one.”

“Come on. Let’s get a drink.”

She ushered me to the kitchen, and I was proud that my steps only faltered slightly as my eyes locked with deep blue ones. Holt’s stare was like a force field I had to fight against to make any forward progress.

“Hey, Cricket.”

A flash of agony ripped through me, but I simply nodded. “Holt.”

“My girl’s here,” Kerry crooned, pulling me into a hug. “Now all is right with the world.”

“I didn’t bring anything, but I’ve got two hands that can help.”

“All I need is you in this space, and I’m happy as can be.”

Warmth filtered through me, easing the worst of the pain of hearing my nickname on Holt’s lips.

“What’s up, Little Williams?” Nash asked, popping a cherry tomato into his mouth.

Kerry smacked his hand with a towel. “Wren, you can help me by guarding the food from these two heathens.”

Holt’s lips twitched into that devilish smile I’d always loved as he snagged a roll off the cooling rack. “It’s a compliment, Mom.” He popped a bite into his mouth. “I never eat as well as I do here.”

Nathan shifted in his seat. “If that’s the case, you’d think you would’ve made it home for more than twenty-four hours once a year.”

Pain lashed Holt’s face. It was there one second and gone the next. But the depth of it was so intense, I’d never forget the image.

“Nathan…” Kerry said in a low voice.

“Not holding my tongue in my own house,” he grumbled.

I sent Grae a sidelong look, and she gave a small shake of her head. My gaze shifted back to Nathan, the man who had been nothing but an overgrown teddy bear to me. He’d occasionally been hard on his kids, but it was always when they’d done something boneheaded. And he always ended every lecture or punishment by telling them how loved they were.

Sure, Nathan had gotten more cantankerous as his recovery dragged on, but this was harsh—even to my ears.

Holt shifted on the stool at the counter. “You can say whatever you need to, Dad.”

Nathan snapped his mouth closed and turned back to the TV.

Roan stared at his father. His eyes darkened as he took the man in, but he didn’t say a word either.

Lawson’s jaw worked back and forth as he stared at his boots.

What had happened to this family I loved so much? Had I been oblivious to them falling apart right under my nose? I knew that I wouldn’t let any of them talk to me about Holt, but they told me about their holidays, ones I knew Holt was present for, and I’d heard nothing but happiness and hilarious stories afterward. This tension had to be new.

Kerry threaded the towel through her fingers, casting a worried look in her husband’s direction. I gave her arm a quick squeeze and started for the couch. Looking down at Nathan, I inclined my head toward the hall. “Take a spin with me.”

“Haven’t you heard? I broke my leg.”

“Please,” I huffed. “That was months ago. And I know for a fact that your physical therapist wants you taking loops on solid ground several times a day. You going soft on me?”

Nash covered his laugh with a cough.

Nathan arched a brow. “You checkin’ up on me?”

“You’re more of a father than I’ve ever had. So sue me if I’d like to keep you around a little longer and stop you from biting everyone’s head off. It’s gonna be real cramped quarters if Kerry kicks your butt out, and you have to come stay with me.”

He tried to glare but it was no use, his lips twitched. It was so similar to how Holt’s fluttered it made my chest ache.

Nathan reached out a hand. “Help an old man up.”

I wrapped my fingers around his, but he really didn’t need my help.

“Seriously, Dad?” Nash gaped. “I’ve only asked you three times to walk with me since I got here.”

Nathan shrugged. “She’s better company than you.”

Grae chuckled. “I could’ve told you that.”

“Come on,” I urged.

Nathan and I moved down the hall, away from the soft sounds of some sports game on the television and the muted conversation. It would take us all the way to the opposite side of the house.

“They’re all talking behind my back now,” Nathan grumbled.

“Only because you gave them a reason.”

His jaw tightened.

“What gives? I’d think you’d be happy to have Holt back.”

“I am.”

His voice was gruff like he’d been a smoker in another life.

“You weren’t acting like a man thrilled to see his son.”

Nathan was quiet for a moment as we walked, his gait labored but better than the last time I’d been here. “He won’t stay.”

“So what?”

His head jerked up. “I want time with my son. I put up with him chasing every life-threatening situation he could find all over the globe, but I’m done with it. I don’t know how much time I’ve got left on this Earth, and I’d like to actually get to know my boy before I’m gone.”