Page 23

CASE

Once we finish up in the records room and return the keys to the Mayor’s office, we head back up the mountain to update the family, taking Birdie home with us.

“You’re not goin’ to tell me anythin’ ? she moans from the backseat.

“Nope. You’ve got to wait just like everyone else,” I tease, laughing at her groan.

“Come on, B. You know you love the suspense. That’s why we’re such mystery buffs, right?” Isla chimes in from the passenger seat, turning to give her friend a playful wink.

Birdie huffs but eventually gives in with a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I suppose the anticipation will just add to the drama of it all. I hope whatever you found out is worth it though. That’s all I’m sayin’.”

When we pull up to the ranch, the house is lit up on one side. Birdie hops out and goes on ahead of us while I lead Isla toward the steps. I can’t help but sneak a quick kiss… which turns into a not-so-quick one, my lips tingling and my body demanding more as she shoots me a knowing look.

“Save it for when you say goodbye, curious,” she murmurs against my lips.

Birdie sighs dramatically from the front doorway. “I swear, Will and I have never been this bad. The mountain either likes torturin’ the rest of us or you two just have no self-control.”

Isla smirks before turning her best friend’s way. “Don’t know what the mountain has to do with anythin’.” Birdie and I share a look. “I blame the pheromones,” Isla adds.

Birdie grins. “It’s always the pheromones. And believe me, Iz. These Cooper men have them in spades .”

“Technically, if we’re talkin’ about the chemistry of love, there’s more than just pheromones at play,” Sutton says, appearing next to Birdie.

“There are also the standard hormones–testosterone and estrogen–then there’s oxytocin and vasopressin which help with feelings of attachment.

Lastly, you’ve got all the things that add to attraction. ”

“OK, Doctor Cooper. Care to tell us what they are since we’re gettin’ all scientific ?” I say, scaling the steps and stopping on the porch.

“Mainly dopamine and serotonin. Then you add–”

“Nope, that’s enough of a psychology lesson for today,” I reply.

He narrows his eyes my way. “You’ll keep, brother. I’m only lettin’ you get away with it this time because dinner’s bein’ served and we all want to know what happened at City Hall.”

He hugs Birdie as she walks past, and holds out his arms, giving Isla the choice of a hug–which she accepts.

When it gets to be my turn, he goes to walk off. “Hey! Where’s the love, Sutt?”

“Oh, so now you want me to talk?” He playfully slaps my shoulder before shutting the door behind me. “Rudely interruptin’ my lesson on the science of love .”

“Sounded more like lust to me.”

“You’d know,” he shoots back before cocking his head. “Unless there’s somethin’ you’re not tellin’ me? You have been rather happy of late.”

My gaze drifts over to the direction of the dining room where I can hear Isla and Birdie talking with Will, Jude, and Wyatt. “No point denyin’ it. This is it, Sutt. And it’s like nothin’ I’ve ever felt before. With anyone.”

Sutton’s smile is full of understanding. “Have you told her about the Call yet?”

I shake my head. “I like how things are. The direction we’re headin’ in. I can be me around her and I know she feels the same. It feels natural… right…”

“ It , as you say.”

“Yeah. There’s no rush though. I know we’re headin’ in the direction we were always meant to. Even if there was a big break in between.”

He grips my shoulder, getting my attention. “From what I’ve read in the books, the mountain always has a plan. Maybe yours was meant to take some time.”

“Unlike Will who met his One in the furniture store.”

Sutton smirks. “Somethin’ like that.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

He rolls his eyes. “Case. We shared a womb.” That’s all he says.

“OK. Well, with all the pheromones, hormones, and everythin’, is that why I can’t stop touchin’ her or wantin’ to kiss her? It’s all I can think about. I made out with her on Restaurant Row, in front of Birdie .”

My brother’s eyes flash with amusement and I swear I can see pride there too.

“Nice.” He holds up his closed fist for a knuckle tap.

I stare at his hand then back to his face.

“OK, leave me hangin’. But to answer your question, yes and no.

All of those things are makin’ you feel good, and they can be better than any medication I could ever prescribe.

There’s also the fact that the Call heightens your feelin’s.

Your heart, your soul, and every other part of you knows she’s your soulmate.

It makes sense you’re goin’ to want to be with her. In every way, all the time.”

“You two comin’ or are we movin’ this dinner to the hallway?” Will calls out.

“Guess we’re bein’ missed. But Case, a word of advice?”

“Yeah?”

“Stop overthinkin’ it,” he says matter-of-factly.

“I’m not. That’s what’s throwin’ me. For the first time in a long time, I’m not worried about anythin’, not with Isla,” I tell him.

“Except the fact that you’re not worryin’ about it?”

I sigh. “OK. Point made.”

“Good. And if you want to know more, just steal some more of Birdie’s books. They’re like a manual for the Call. Now let’s go eat. Wyatt made his stepmother’s Corned Beef Hash and I’ve been tortured with the smell of it all afternoon.”

“Are you goin’ to tell us or do we have to torture it out of y’all?

” Birdie asks from across the table. Isla snorts and I can’t help but nudge her thigh with mine, not missing the smirk playing on her lips.

Our eyes meet and for a moment, I lose myself in her gaze.

It’s not until a throat clears that I snap out of it.

“OK. I guess we can tell you now,” I tease, laughing at my family’s groans.

“We started by lookin’ up anybody with the last name Cooper.

That led us to Henley, who we already knew about.

He was born in Timber Falls in the late 1800s and tragically passed away in a military trainin’ accident at the age of twenty-four. ”

“Wow, a soldier,” Will says, looking around the table. “We should call Mom and Cap. They might be interested in this news too.”

“Hold that thought.” I push my chair back and rush out of the room, returning moments later with my tablet and its stand. Once I’ve set it up at one end of the table, I get Jude to video call our parents. After a few rings, our father’s deep voice fills the air.

“You’ve got Cap.”

“Hey. You’ve got Cooper Ranch,” Will replies with a laugh. “Ever think of answerin’ the phone like a normal person and sayin’ hello?”

“Now why would I do that ?” he jokes. “This is a pleasant surprise. Hey Cooper Ranch. What’s happenin’?”

“We’re just havin’ dinner. Case and Isla were just about to tell us about what they found out at City Hall this afternoon about the mysterious HC and MW, Thought you and Mom might like to hear too,” Will tells them.

“Isla? Is that the woman Case can’t stop talkin’ about? Oh, your mother will be pleased,” Cap says while I groan, dropping my chin to stare at my plate and waiting for the ribbing to begin.

Isla drops her arm below the table and rubs her hand over my knee. A glance her way has me locking eyes with her warm ones and that beautiful smile that heats my core every single time I see it.

“How are you not freakin’ out about this?” I whisper.

“Were you when you were pickin’ wildflowers like a swoony book boyfriend with my mom?” she shoots back. Touché .

“But I like knowin’ I’m not the only one. Power in numbers and all that,” she whispers for my ears only. Well damn, that feels better than an ice-cold beer on a hot summer’s day.

“You’ve made him blush now, Cap,” Sutton muses. I flip him off for his troubles as our father’s deep chuckle fills the room.

“I only speak the truth, you boys know that. Anyway, where are my manners. Hi, Isla. Nice to meet you—well, talk to you—anyway.”

“Hi, Isla,” Mom says in a singsong voice. “I’ve heard so much about you too.”

"I’m right here, Mom,” I add.

“I already know you, Case. You and your brother had me in labor for thirty-one hours. No way I could ever forget that .” I look over at Sutton as we both groan

“We’re all here too, Ma,” Jude adds with a grin. “Remember me, your favorite son?”

“Yes, Yes. Hi, Jude. Is Wy there too?” Mom asks. “Tell me my sons are treatin’ you well.”

“Just the same as Cap did,” Wyatt replies with a shit-eating grin.

Cap barks out a laugh. “Must be workin’ you hard then. Good to know.”

Then Mom’s voice takes over. “It’s nice to hear from all of y’all.

I was startin’ to wonder if you had no coverage up there on the mountain.

But then I remembered that Case lives there and he wouldn’t survive a day without the internet.

No doubt you’ve already installed a satellite dish that would have Riddles rollin’ in his grave. Am I right?”

Sutton rolls his eyes. “We called you last Sunday, Mom.”

“A week is like a lifetime to a mother, Sutt. Believe me,” she says. “And Birdie, we can’t forget you. We must talk about the weddin’ plans soon.”

“Sure thing, Mary-Lou. You name a time and I’ll make sure I’m home to talk,” Will’s fiancée replies.

“And Isla.” Mom’s voice softens when she says her name. “Welcome to the Cooper Family. Was startin’ to think my Cayson would never find the woman of his dreams. I’m glad I was worryin’ about nothin’.”

Birdie grins, Isla’s fingers flex against my jeans, her eyes a little wide with surprise but she doesn’t look terrified by it. She seems…. happy. Just seeing that has all my worries vanishing into thin air.

“Hi, Mary-Lou. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Manners and she’s pretty,” mom whispers. “You did good, Case.”

I can’t help but grin at first my Mom and Dad on the screen, then turn to look at my girl.

“What were you sayin’ about City Hall?” Cap asks.