Page 34 of Chasing the Sun

I wondered if Mary had known Elodie, and whether they had been friends. “Growing up, was she always so ...cheerful?”

He shrugged again. “I didn’t really hang around with her back then. Hayes and I ran in different circles, and the Darling girls are younger than us.” He looked out onto the farm, and my irritation grew when his eyes landed on Elodie in the distance. He let out a soft whistle. “Though I don’t know, man, maybe I should have been paying better attention.”

His arm playfully bumped mine. My eyes darkened, but I didn’t say a word.

Wes nudged my arm again. “I mean, c’mon, you have eyes, right?”

“I have a brain too,” I grumbled. “And it tells me she’s a pain in my ass.”

“Sure.” Wes stretched the word out, letting it settle between us before adding, “Is that what you were just staring at? Her being a pain in your ass?”

I scowled, shoving him hard enough to send him back a step. “Go build something.”

“Unless,” he continued, watching me, “you were thinking of going for it.”

I scowled. “Going for what?”

Wes rolled his eyes. “Asking her out, dumbass.”

I stared at my friend. I had been married to his sister, for fuck’s sake. Sure, at the time I had only asked her because she was pregnant, and I thought it was the honorable thingto do, but love and respect had grown there. Mary had been an amazing mother. She deserved better than the hand she had been dealt.

Specifically, better than a man like me.

When I remained silent, Wes shook his head. A seriousness dropped over his features that meant I wasn’t going to like what he was about to say. “Mary’s been gone a long time. I know things weren’t perfect, but you’ve done right by her.”

The throb in my temple was back. Wes knew as well as anyone that a life in Delta Force always meant collateral damage. How he’d ever managed to forgive me for what I’d put his sister through was beyond me.

Hell, I hadn’t even forgiven myself.

I shook my head. “I’m not asking anyone out.”

His seriousness evaporated and a chuckle rumbled in Wes’s chest. “I’m going to hold your hand when I say this.” He clamped a hand on my shoulder. “You’re an idiot.”

I shrugged him off and took a cheap, playful shot with my elbow to his ribs. Wes reacted, pulling me into a headlock. Wes was taller, but I had bulk on him, and we were evenly matched. Despite our military training, this was pure fucking around, and we both knew it.

I laughed as Wes tried to wrestle me to the ground. I changed levels, throwing him off guard until we both tumbled into the grass, splayed out on our backs. Out of breath, we panted, staring up into the bright, cloudless sky.

A genuine laugh broke free, and a lightness I hadn’t felt in days rolled through me.

“Want to get a few beers once your housework is done?” Wes teased.

I grinned. “You bet.” I sat up and sighed before slappingthe back of my hand against his gut in a cheap shot and running off across the grass.

The Lantern had been crowded,a popular local band drawing in a healthy crowd. Brody joined us after work along with his half brother, Austin. Hayes had gotten a flat tire on his way out, but once that was sorted, he came too.

I nursed a beer on the outskirts of the bar, happy to observe a Thursday night in Star Harbor unfold. The warm temperatures drew out the crowds, and the back patio was filled with patrons. I would have been happy finding a quiet corner, but I had been outvoted.

Hayes was content to brood with me while the rest of our group took turns buying rounds and striking out with the tourists. I had no interest.

Then the energy in the room shifted. I didn’t even have to turn my head to know she was there—I felt it.

Ellie stepped into the bar like she belonged there. Which, I supposed, she did.

She was laughing, something bright and easy, already caught in conversation as she wove through the crowd. She greeted people as she passed—old classmates, neighbors, familiar faces from her childhood.

“Ellie! I can’t wait to bring the kids to the farm,” a woman called, raising her wineglass as Elodie passed. Elodie grinned, tossing back something in response, her enthusiastic energy contagious.

Her sister Kit was with her, but Elodie was the one who drew attention without even trying. She reached Hayes first, giving him a quick, familiar squeeze on the arm as she passed. He responded with a nod, smirking slightly. Thenshe turned toward the rest of us, scanning the table, her eyes flicking to me for a beat too long before moving on.