Page 67 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

“Big bro!”

I pat Josh’s stomach after he hugs me. “What’s this? Looks

like you put on some weight there, lil bro.”

“Fuck you. I have the body of an Adonis.”

“If anyone’s an Adonis, it would be me!” Michael shouts as

he enters the room.

If Casey thinks I’m conceited, just wait until she

meets him. Before he even closes the gap between us, Andrew and Taylor

walk in, howling at the top of their voices. It’s times like this when I

realize how much I miss them. When Kyle died, they all left Canid, moving to

different parts of the state. After a round of hugs, we head to the kitchen for

some beers. As soon as we get there, they start munching on the loaded nachos

Casey left on the counter.

“So, Ethan, when do we get to meet this human woman we’ve heard

so much about?”

“Keep your voice down, Michael. She’s upstairs.”

“You moved her in?”

“No, she came by to help. In fact, she made those nachos

you’re all scarfing down. She’s getting dressed.”

“You know Mom called all of us to talk some sense into

you, right?” Andrew asks.

“I figured, Andy… but nothing in my life has ever made more

sense.”

“She must be something. I can’t wait to meet her.”

I hear her footsteps coming down the stairs and smile

proudly at my brothers.

“Here she comes.”

She steps into the kitchen, and her smile brightens the

room. She looks amazing and—my personal favorite—covered up. Her breasts are

hidden away in her white sundress, and it is also an appropriate knee-length. A

broad, brown belt sits around her small waist, accentuating her hips, and she

completes the look with brown sandals and fashion jewelry. Her eyes widen as

she looks around the room.

“Wow… I must have died and gone to hunk heaven.”

“A woman who appreciates true beauty. I thank you, madam,”

Michael says as he approaches her.

He bows low before her, and she curtsies, a soft giggle flowing

from her lips.

“That would be Michael,” I tell her.

“It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”

“And I, you, kind sir.”

“Funny, Michael.” Josh steps forward. “But I think she was

referring to me.”

She smiles and offers him her hand as I introduce him. I

move next to her and place my arm casually around her waist.

“That’s Andrew and Taylor.” I point to them.

“It’s nice to meet you. And, for the record, I was referring

to all of you,” she says.

“Boys, this… is Casey.”

I watch happily as she’s passed from brother to brother,

getting the life squeezed out of her. Then it occurs to me they might hurt her

if they underestimate their strength.

“Careful,” I warn.

“It’s okay, Ethan. I’m not made out of porcelain.”

“Yeah, Ethan, chill!” Taylor says with a grin.

I look at Taylor, but they know my warning applies to them

all. “You hurt her, I kill you.”

“For a sheriff, you sure have some murderous tendencies,”

Casey mumbles.

“When it comes to you, I do.”

I wonder what she would say if she knew I’ve already killed for

her. She walks back to me and wraps her arms around my waist.

“I know.”

“Will you look at Ethan McKenzie? Never thought I’d see the

day.”

“Shut up, Michael,” Josh warns him.

“Nah, I’m sure Casey knows of his philandering ways.”

“Actually, I don’t. I’ve never seen that side of him.”

“Really?” Andy says, his eyes wide.

She smiles at Andy’s shocked outburst. “Really. In fact, he

made me wait.”

They all get a big laugh out of that. Great. Now I’m

never going to live that down.

“It’s okay, boys. He was worth it.”

Ahh, sweet redemption.