Page 58 of The Weekend Getaway

“It was bad enough losing Dad, but it felt like our entire family was ripped apart at the same time.”

“Sorry,” she whispered.

He smiled bashfully. “I’ve killed the mood again.”

“You haven’t. I like finding out more about you.”

“About my dysfunctional family?”

“Your family are grieving. It’s not the same as being dysfunctional. If you want to know about dysfunctional families I can introduce you to mine.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Okay.”

“I was joking.”

“It only seems fair though. You met mine, I should meet yours.”

“That’s not going to happen.” She tried to break free of him, but he tightened his arms around her middle.

“You don’t have any siblings so how bad can it be? Or are you one of those families with loads of aunts and uncles and cousins?”

“No. There’s basically only my parents who I see regularly.”

“So, when do I get to meet them?”

“I don’t know. Why do you want to meet my parents?”

“Mostly because it seems as though you don’t want me to meet them … which intrigues me.” His grip on her loosened as his features turned serious. “Or is it that you don’t wantthemto meetme?”

“I’m freezing,” she said, leaning into him when she couldn’t come up with an answer. “Let’s get out of the water and get warm.”

The way he let the subject drop felt more ominous than if he’d continued to bug her about it. She should have reassured him that it wasn’t him that was the problem … but that would lead to questions about her relationship with her parents. And she’d rather avoid that conversation. It was too soon in the relationship for him to meet them. It probably always would be.

As they walked out of the water, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze, not entirely sure if she was trying to reassure him or herself. Once they were back at the blanket, they wrapped themselves in towels to dry off in the sun. Worried that she’d ruined the relaxed atmosphere, Keira was relieved when Noah sat behind her and pulled her against his chest as he rubbed at the top of her arms.

She leaned her head back against his shoulder. “My family aren’t like yours,” she said quietly, feeling she should offer some sort of explanation.

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have been so pushy. You already said you want to take things slow, I just …” He rested his cheek against the side of her head. “Things already seem pretty serious between us. At least from my side.”

“From my side too,” she said, feeling a flutter of happiness in her chest. “Not wanting you to meet my parents has nothing to do with our relationship. Or with you.”

He kissed the side of her head and they fell into a companionable silence. As she watched the gulls soaring overhead, Keira tried to imagine introducing Noah to her parents.

Just the thought of it made her palms sweat.

Chapter Nineteen

The conversation around the solid oak dining table in Mirren’s kitchen moved so quickly that Keira had to concentrate hard to keep track of it. The banter that bounced between the three brothers was amusing, even though she didn’t know the people or events they talked about. Now and then one of them would take the time to explain, but she was happy to let it all wash around her as she ate.

“What’s up with you?” Kit asked Seren, giving her a friendly nudge.

“Nothing.” She scowled at him. “Why?”

“Because usually you don’t shut up and today you’ve hardly said a word.”

Again, the look she gave him was full of contempt. “It’s difficult to get a word in with you three jabbering away.”

“Doesn’t usually stop you,” Kit retorted.