Page 98 of Bargain With the Boss

My heart kicked. “Is that…”

“It only seemed right that we were all here for this momentous occasion. The project that started it all for us.” He turned the stone around to show FHK engraved into the smooth surface along with the current year.

“We finally got the go ahead to do the stonework for Lakeview Terrace. We don’t generally take the time or the expense to make a cornerstone, but this building is different.”

“It’s where we started. Where we’re going to continue to build off of.” Gavin’s voice roughened before he cleared his throat. “I didn’t think I’d ever have brothers, but you two have become that for me. And now with Sydney on our team we’re finally getting some traction on this damn property.”

Sydney backed away from us. “I shouldn’t be here for this.”

Jude turned to her. “Of course you should. You’re a major reason we’re actually moving forward for the first time in three years.”

She shook her head. “No. This is for you guys.” She rushed off as Jude frowned after her.

“I don’t understand her sometimes.”

I glanced to where she was struggling up the hill to the walking path. Everything inside of me was screaming to follow after her. To make sure she was all right. To drag her back here and make her see that Jude wanted her here.

God help me, I wanted her here.

Even after the lies.

But I fisted my hands under my arms.

Gavin pulled the box forward. “I keep trying to get through to her. She’s become invaluable in a few short weeks.”

Jude sighed. “She’s hard to get close to. I used Owen to get her out here last year, but it was only an excuse to get her away from our mother. I hoped that when she saw Crescent Cove she’d fall in love with it like I did. But she went back anyway.”

“Pretty sure it was Maddie you fell for, pal.” Gavin slapped his arm.

“And it was a big reason she didn’t think you needed her, Jude.” I dropped my arms.

“What? Where would she get that idea?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Owen, Maddie, then news of a baby the day she got into town? Then you guys went right into bringing the Hamiltons to dinner. Where would she feel welcome?”

Jude turned to me. “Did she tell you that?”

“Not in so many words, but ever since you found out about your real father she’s been left to deal with the aftermath. I don’t know exactly what’s happening in Seattle, but she feels pulled in two.”

“Shit.” Jude drilled his fingers through his hair. “Bringing her here was supposed to be a good thing.”

“You brought her here for you—not her. At least from her point of view.”

“That wasn’t my intention.” He laced his fingers behind his head. “She wouldn’t think that.”

“You sure about that?”

“Now I’m not.” He paced away, then back. “She’s my sister. Of course I want her here with me.”

“Did you make room for her? I mean really make room. Not just distracted moments.”

Jude cracked his knuckles. “I meant to. Everything got crazy with Nessa coming.”

“There were months before the baby, Jude.” I said it quietly. “I get that Maddie took over your life, but she’s not the only one who was counting on you.”

“Fuck.”

“Go on after her.” Gavin pushed the box back into the bed of the truck. “We can do this later.”