Page 146 of Burning Skies
Someone knocks on the front door. Rhett and Paige are in the kitchen with the kids, so I get up to open it.
A man stands there, holding a little girl. He seems so familiar and yet not. I squint at him a second. His dark eyes crinkle in the corners as he smiles. Fucking hell. “Isaiah?”
“That you, Beau? Jesus, you’ve grown.”
’Cause I’m not a kid anymore. I pull him into a hug. “We allthought you were dead, since you haven’t been responding to our texts for a while.” Because he used to pipe up every now and again in our family chat.
He pats my back with his free hand. “Had spotty coverage. Sorry about that. I’m happy to say I’m alive and well.”
I look at the little girl, who’s sucking her thumb. She looks like she’s maybe two or three. “And who’s this little angel?”
He nods slowly. “This is my daughter, Everly.”
Holy shit. I don’t really know what to say. But Rhett does. He stands next to me and crosses his arms. “You had a kid and didn’t tell anyone?”
Isaiah grins. “Good to see you too.”
Rhett shakes his head and pulls him into a bear hug as he mutters asshole. Then he turns to Zey’s daughter. “Aren’t you beautiful? Hi, darlin’. I’m your uncle Rhett.”
She burrows her head in her dad’s neck, and Zey strokes her hair. “She’s shy, and it’s been a long few days.”
Paige pushes us out of the way. “Isaiah! Oh my God. I’m so glad you made it for the wedding.”
He pauses. “Little Paige Lewis, is that you?”
“Yup!”
“You were a kid last time I saw you.” After he hugs her, he tilts his head. “You’re married to Rhett now, right? Or Beau?”
Rhett growls. “She’s mine, asshole. And it’s PaigeWalkernow.”
I chuckle at my possessive brother and hold out my hand for Honey, who tucks herself under my arm. “I don’t know if you remember my girlfriend, Honey McAllister.”
Zey’s brows hike up. “As in Trig and Cash’s little sister?” He heads outside again and looks at the house. “Had to make sure I’m at the right address. Didn’t realize we were tight with the McAllisters now. Guess I’ve been gone for a while, huh?”
Honey laughs. “The Walker-McAllister treaty is a work in progress. I’d consider this a cessation of hostilities.”
I kiss her forehead. “I’ll take what I can get.”
Especially if it means her brothers help me tonight.
A few hours later, I’m still reeling over the fact that Isaiah came home with a fucking kid in his arms, but I have to shift my focus.
I wipe my palms on my jeans. This has to work.
As Cash pulls up to the mansion, Trig smacks the back of my head. “Don’t lose my money.”
“I won’t, asshole. Stop hitting me.” I turn to glare at him in the back seat.
“You fucked my girlfriend.”
This again. “I’ve scrubbed it from my brain. Mel’s all yours.” And her baby, thank God. Hopefully, Melissa and Trig will work out their issues.
“Children, behave,” Baylee tuts. “Y’all don’t know Beau like I do. He’s a hundred percent trustworthy with your funds.”
I smile at my soon-to-be sister-in-law. “I hope Honey’s not mad about this. I had to tell a white lie and say I was running an errand for Rhett.”
“She’ll understand. Just make sure you don’t go home smelling like another woman’s perfume.” Her stare turns menacing as she makes the universal symbol with her fingers that she’s watching me.
