Page 71 of Tracing Holland

“Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“You have a family now.You know that, right?The real kind.The kind that loves you and will protect you.The kind that chose you.”

She searches my eyes and that strange warmth begins to spread through me again.I can’t even respond at first, her words sinking deep into my soul and taking root.The emotion starts to rise and I have to swallow to keep my hold.

“Thank you, Holland.”

She gives me another quick kiss before we spot Callie and Casey, the rest of my little family, making their way back to us.

“We come bearing gifts,”Casey says, climbing into the driver’s seat with two giant plastic cups.He passes one to me and one to Holland.“How much do you love me right now?”

I stare at the brown liquid in awe.“Is this…no…”

He grins and nods.“It is, my friend.The nectar of the gods itself, Abby Barrett’s lemonade iced tea.”

“It’s pretty good,” Callie assures us.

“Pretty good?”Casey cries, staring at her in disbelief.“Pretty good?It’s freaking life-changing!”

Callie rolls her eyes.“Hon, it’s extra sweet iced tea.”

Casey groans.“You aresucha tea snob!It’s sweet, tart, refreshing and amazing.Seriously, I’ve been bugging her to bottle it for years.The world needs to know about this.”

“Oh my gosh…Casey!It’s.Iced.Tea!”

Casey shakes his head sadly and turns to us.“It’s so unfortunate.Please try not to pity her.It’s because she considers cold tea an affront to the very concept of tea.She can’t cope.”

Callie shoves him, and he grins.“I already said it was good!Sorry if I’m not ready to trade my firstborn child for it!”

“Really?Don’t I get a say in that?”he teases, and she glares at him.

I can feel Holland’s eyes and exchange an amused look with her.

“Thanks, guys.This is great.We were thirsty,” Holland adds, taking another sip.

When the mood settles abruptly, I suck in my breath.

“We heard what happened, man,” Casey begins softly after a pause.“I’m sorry.Nate said it was brutal.”

I nod and instinctively stare out the window again.I can’t even begin to respond to that right now.“Thanks.Can you just take us back to the hotel?”I plead, meeting Casey’s gaze, and I swear ten years pass between us.I hope he understands how much I love him.

“Of course, bro.We got you.”

I force a grateful smile and turn back to my window as Casey straps in and starts the car.I feel pressure on my hand and close my eyes as the tension starts to melt from my body.Holland squeezes, and I squeeze back, protecting her hand with everything I have left.

I’m notup for anything else after we return to the hotel, and Callie and Casey seem just as happy to retire as well.They have the dreaded funeral the next day, and I’m sure they’d appreciate an evening of peace to prepare for that trial.After today’s adventure, we all agree I should sit this one out.

Holland follows me into my room and drops to the bed, grabbing the remote in one fluid motion.“So, what’s it going to be?Long, involved conversation saturated with feelings and angst, or TV?”

I give her a look, and she chuckles, patting the space beside her.

“Come here.”

I lower myself to the soft comforter and close my eyes, suddenly so tired I think I’ll fall asleep before she even finds a show to watch.I can hear the channels change and finally stop on what sounds like a cooking competition.The warmth of her body soon follows as she snuggles against me, and I tuck my arm around her, holding her close.She intertwines her fingers with mine and kisses my hand.

“Did you know I wanted to be a chef before a doctor?”she asks.