“Never too late.”

Luke’s plate arrived loaded with bacon, eggs, hash browns, tomatoes, and toast.

“I’m coming here tomorrow for breakfast.”

“Best in town.”

“My mother tried to feed me oatmeal. I managed to resist, but the scone from Tea Total was pretty awesome.”

“Not enough to keep a man going though,” Luke said, shoveling a heaped forkful of food into his mouth.

“You want to order something?” Piper said, smiling, and it reached her eyes.

“That.” Dylan pointed to Luke’s plate. “Please, and coffee.”

“You just ate a scone.”

“Place the order, woman,” Luke said, then winked at Piper. “Man needs real food.”

She ruffled her cousin’s hair, then walked away.

“Hi.”

Bailey was the next Trainer to arrive.

“Oh hey, Bays, grab a seat.” Luke urged his sister-in-law onto a stool next to him. “You want coffee?”

“And a donut,” she said.

She wasn’t as tall as Piper, but she was definitely a looker, although Dylan didn’t get that little charge of energy from being near her. With silky black hair and smoky gray eyes, she would have broken a few hearts during the years she performed, was his guess.

“I saw you perform in New York. It was something.” He’d worked out who she was after hearing her play last night in Joe’s bar.

“Thanks.” Her smile was shy.

“You still ride, Dylan? I remember Joe telling me that was one thing you always did that he didn’t.”

“He’s lying if he thinks it’s the only one,” Dylan said.

Luke laughed softly.

“You know my brother, he has to be the best at everything, so we let him think he is.”

“That’s my husband you’re discussing, and he rides well now, FYI.”

“Sure, but you know what we’re saying is the truth, Bailey. Joe’s fiercely competitive.”

“The hell I am.”

Joe Trainer appeared at Dylan’s shoulder, looking down at the heaped plate that had just arrived before him. He stole a rasher of bacon, then proceeded to touch base with each family member. A squeeze of Luke’s shoulder, leaning over the counter to kiss Piper, then a lingering kiss on his wife’s lips.

It wasn’t possession, or a controlling gesture, it was as natural as breathing to Joe Trainer. I’m here, family, just letting you know.

The bolt of longing nearly had Dylan getting off the stool and sprinting back out the café. Why did he want to be part of something like that now when he’d stayed away from Ryker deliberately? He’d never wanted or missed close family connections before.

I’m worried about Dad, that’s all.

“You keen for a ride while you’re here, bud? I can keep up with you now.”

“Yeah, your wife was telling me how good you are, but your brother said you still suck at it.”