“What are you doing here?”

Alanna was shaken that who she had been starting to think was a figment of her imagination actually wasn’t. The misgivings she had been experiencing since leaving the courthouse were right.

Taking her eyes off the two men standing by the building, she cast a quick glance at Silas before jerking her eyes back to the other two men. None of them seemed shocked at her abrupt question.

“I live here.”

“Alanna, these are my brothers, Matthew—”

The one she had seen at the sheriff’s office nodded his head at her.

“—and Isaac.” Silas’ voice grew reprimanding. “Matthew only told me this morning, when I was leaving, that he had gotten arrested and might have spoken to you while he was there.”

Matthew made a face. “I knew the cat would be out the bag when you saw me. I hope I didn’t say anything to put you off taking the job. I’m afraid I don’t remember much about that night. I’d had a few too many drinks, coupled with one of Greer’s greens, so I have to admit that night is kind of a blur.”

The embarrassed way he was looking at her lessened the tension she was feeling.

“The deputy gave you a joint?”

Matthew laughed at her shock. “He wasn’t on duty at the time.”

Silas took her arm. “We’re keeping the others waiting.”

Isaac gave her a bashful smile. “We were going to wash up. Give us five, and we’ll be there.”

Alanna let Silas lead her to the house. As they passed his truck, she gave it a wistful glance.

“You don’t have to worry. Matthew doesn’t make it a habit to light up. He was celebrating.”

“Oh … okay.” Alanna looked to where Silas’ brothers were splashing water at each other from a barrel next to their building.

Silas noticed where she was staring as they walked up the steps. “Matthew and Isaac are very close. They spend the better part of the day cutting up with each other.”

“I see that.” Alanna felt a familiar tightening in her chest. How many times had she spent regretting not having siblings? Even now, as an adult, she would wonder if her parents had planned to have more children. Would their marriage have lasted? She mourned not only the parents whose memories grew fainter each year, but also the future they would have had if they had lived.

Silas cast her a worried glance as he grabbed the doorknob. “Ready?”

Alanna frowned at him quizzically. “Is there something I should be prepared for?”

“Only that we can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many of us.”

She loosened her guard, seeing Silas wanted her to like his family. He was making inroads in her desire to keep a professional distance between herself and all the Colemans. He was the type of brother she had always longed for.