Page 96 of Cabin Fever Baby
“Sometimes it isn’t about facts.” Ocean’s voice came from behind me. “Sometimes it’s about a deep knowing.”
I shut my eyes.
That was it.Exactlyit.
A deep knowing that couldn’t be explained, if you trusted your gut.
I turned around to find her in the doorway, her angel-bright hair wild around her face, and those endless blue eyes shining.
“I love you too, Hudson. And I’m so sorry I hurt you. I didn’t trust myself to open up to you.” Slowly, she walked toward me. “I was afraid I’d be wrong again.”
The boulder-sized ball of ice in my chest crumbled. We were all made up of our past mistakes.
But my hurts didn’t have consequences like hers probably did.
“But I can’t keep living for my family. I’m always going to want to protect them, but there’s room for me take something for me too.”
“Of course there is.” Quentin shot up from the couch before I could reply to her.
We both turned to face him. This time, she was by my side. Lightly, she touched my hand with her pinky, and I twined our fingers together.
“You don’t have to protect me all the time, Ocean. I appreciate that you do, and I don’t know how I would have gotten through the last few years without you. But I’m good, I promise.”
She sniffled a little and nodded. “I’m glad. And I’ll always be here for you. But I don’t think I can live on the road with you anymore.” She glanced up at me. “I want to figure out what I amwith this guy. Who I am when I’m not only a big sister and a feral guard dog.”
I grinned down at her, brushing her tears away with my thumb. “How about a partner? An equal one at that.”
“That sounds pretty amazing.” She squeezed my hand, before she let me go to hug Quentin. “I’m so proud of you, Q. And I’ll be here for you every step of the way. Just maybe not on that stinky tour bus.”
He laughed and hugged her back. He met my gaze over his sister’s shoulder. “I have an exceptional security team. You mess this up and your body won’t be found.”
Ocean slammed him in the side. “Hey!”
I laughed and drew her back against me. “Understood.”
Rio came up behind Q. “I also know how to break about 43 of the bones in your body with the blade of my hockey stick.”
“Good to know. And I bet your growly brother Kent near the fireplace has things to dismember me or will threaten to toss me in a woodchipper.”
Kent grunted. “I didn’t think about the chipper. Good one.”
Levi had wandered off and came back in with cookie. “Well, I’ve got arson covered. I know how to start a fire without accelerant.”
“That’s great,” I said dryly. “None ofmybrothers are so murderously inclined.”
“Oh, I’m not so sure.” Ocean laughed as she wrapped her arms around my middle, resting her cheek against my chest.
River linked her arm through Quentin’s. “And I could get all of them off in court if it ever got that far.”
“The Hawkins clan is kinda terrifying,” I said, firming my grip around Ocean.
Ocean patted my chest. “Don’t you forget it.”
“Not a chance.”
Ocean went on her tiptoes to kiss me. “Now scram, I want a few minutes alone with Hudson,” she said to the room.
“Do not defile the couches again. I’m running out of throw blankets to cover them,” Q said morosely.