Page 127 of Small Town, Big Storm

But I don’t ignore it, don’t shove it away.

It’spartof me.

Part of why I’m going to break this fucked-up cycle.

“But I will be here for her first hockey game and to threaten her first boyfriend within an inch of his life, and I’ll watch movies and cook meals and play games and fend off Gerald and the rest of the fucking mafia from taking her bubblegum ice cream.”

He remains silent.

“I’m not leaving Cedar Hollow,” I tell him.“And I don’t need you to give me a house to make up for you just living your life.”

“You didn’t feel that way a few weeks ago,” he mutters.

“No, I didn’t.Because I was still trying to make Norm Harrison stick.”I smirk.“Turns out, I can be even more stubborn than the dead bastard.”

He chuckles.

“Still, I need it to be clear.I don’t need the house, don’t need you to do all the work—and not because my bank account is bigger than yours,” I add when his chest puffs up.“But because I’mstaying.”

Quiet falls between us.

Sits heavy for long, long moments.

Then he nods and turns away.

But his terse words as he walks toward Main Street make me smile.

Make mehope.

Because they are?—

“I’ll see you tomorrow at the house.”

“Nah,” I call.“Let’s meet at the lighting store.We’ll pick out some fixtures that will make the bastard squirm in his grave.”

Rain stops under the streetlight, looks back at me over his shoulder.

He’s smiling too.

Because for the first time in a decade we’re in perfect harmony.

Watch out Cedar Hollow, the Harrisons are fuckingback.

Thirty-Four

Poppy

The door opensand Storm walks in, coming right behind the bar and into my space.

He brushes back a strand of my hair.“To bed for you.Shep and I will finish this.”

There’s something in his eyes that confuses me, like he’s both frustrated and happy, content and agonized, all at the same time.

“Are you okay?”I whisper.

He sighs softly.“Yes and no.”

“Rain?”I ask.