Page 166 of Sunkissed Colorado

We sat around the table. Passing dishes and filling our plates and carrying on different conversations. Piper was sitting across from us, and I passed her the green beans.

“You good, Piper?” We hadn’t had a chance to catch up today, and she seemed distracted. Barely smiling at all, which wasn’t like her. “Everything okay?”

She glanced over at Ollie sitting with Maisie at the other end of the table. “Just some stuff with Danny,” she replied under her breath.

Her ex-husband. Ollie’s dad. An asshole if there ever was one.

Zandra touched my wrist, probably seeing the way I’d just frowned.

Then the doorbell rang. I lifted my chin and said to my sister, “Expecting anyone else?”

Grace shrugged, hands full as she ladled gravy to Maisie’s plate. “Can you get it, Cal? You’re the closest.”

My lips brushed against Zandra’s temple as I set my napkin down and jumped up. Covered the few strides to take me to the front door.

But when I opened it and saw who stood outside, my whole body jolted with shock.

He looked older. More than just the years could account for. His hair was longer, and his beard was thicker. But I would know my big brother anywhere.

“Grayden?”