Page 96 of Juniper Hill (The Edens 2)

“She’s proud. She should be. She’s worked hard.” He waved it off. “Anyway . . . I wanted you to know. Get your thoughts. We don’t have to talk about it today.”

The nerves I’d been battling all morning spiked as we drove underneath a log archway. At its apex was the Eden ranch brand.

“Why am I nervous?” It wasn’t like I hadn’t met Knox’s entire family. His siblings were often at the hotel. His parents were too. Talia was Drake’s doctor.

But today was a family function at Harrison and Anne’s home. And I was the girlfriend joining a holiday gathering for the first time.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about. Well, except Eloise mentioned baking cookies. Steer clear of those.”

I giggled as he rolled down a gravel road bordered by barbed-wire fences. Beneath the evergreens that towered over the land, the ground was covered in a blanket of snow. It was peaceful. Serene.

“This is lovely,” I said.

“It’s a beautiful slice of the world.”

I smiled. “It is. But I love your slice on Juniper Hill more.”

“Me too.” He winked and drove the rest of the way while I studied the countryside.

My heart raced when a log house with a wraparound porch came into view. The home stood proudly in a clearing through the trees. Beyond a wide, open lot was a shop building. Opposite it was an enormous barn and stables.

Every roof was dusted with snow. A plume of smoke came from the house’s chimney. A string of vehicles was parked outside.

“Are we late?” I asked.

“No. We’re not eating until later,” he said, parking the car. “But I’m guessing everyone’s been here most of the day, hanging out.”

“Okay.” My fingers shook as I unclipped my seat belt.

My family’s holiday meals were usually short and quiet. We’d sit around the table, staring at our phones through the meal. After our last Thanksgiving, the staff had barely begun clearing the empty plates before we’d all scattered.

Dad and Houston would disappear to Dad’s office to talk about work. Mom would drink too much champagne and go to bed early. Raleigh and I had never been close. Not as little girls, certainly not as teenagers. She loved shopping and traveling with her friends. She wouldn’t do anything to risk her trust fund.

We’d all been our own islands.

Except I was tired of being on an island. Today, I wanted to belong.

Knox climbed out of the car and retrieved Drake. He had the diaper bag over a shoulder and I was still stuck in the passenger seat. He bent, staring at me from his open door. “Need a minute? I can tell them you’re on the phone.”

He’d make excuses while I got my shit together.

“No.” I took one last fortifying breath and stepped outside.

The front door opened as we climbed the porch stairs. Harrison, tall and broad, like his sons, filled the threshold. The bright winter sun brought out the gray strands threaded through his dark hair. “Hope you two are hungry. Anne’s cooking enough to feed a hundred people.”

Knox laughed. “Sounds like Mom.”

“She made me buy all new plastic storage containers at the store so she can send the extras home with you kids. Which means if I want leftovers, I’m going to have to drive to your house.”

“I’ve got leftovers from the restaurant.” Knox clapped Harrison on the shoulder as we reached

the top stair. “So you can keep ours. I’ll hide them in the garage fridge for you.”

“Attaboy.” Harrison laughed and pulled me into a hug. “Glad you’re here, Memphis.”

“Thank you for having us.”

“Come on in.” He shifted to tuck me against his side, making the squeeze through the door a tight fit. But he didn’t let me go as he led me through the entryway to the kitchen. It smelled as fantastic as the restaurant. “Make yourself at home. I’m not much for house tours so just poke around until you find what you need.”