As he watched the water, the birds went silent. He heard the approaching noise of one—no, two—four-wheelers coming down the nearly impassible dirt road to the cabin.

Stepping inside, he pulled his old Mossberg shotgun off the rack and returned to the porch.

Just inside the clearing, two men dismounted from their ATVs and approached the cabin. One bear-sized man. One shorter, more slender guy who moved with the deadly grace of a lynx.

Jesus. Fuck.

Shoving back his hood, Caz eyed the shotgun. “Buenos días, ’mano. Are you shooting visitors now?”

Bull snorted. “He always did take after the sarge.”

Gabe’s brothers sauntered up to the porch.

With a grunt of irritation, Gabe went inside to put the shotgun back in the rack as the two pulled off their boots and coats in the entry. “What the hell do you two want?”

“Wanted to make sure you were alive.” Bull walked into the main cabin.

“I’m alive.” Gabe motioned toward the door in a not-so-subtle hint.

They didn’t leave.

“Nice try. Won’t work.” Bull pulled him into a one-armed hug.

Gabe froze. It’d been a long winter without people. But okay, okay, he loved his brothers. With a sigh, he hugged back. “Hey, bro.”

“I’ve missed you, viejo.” His other brother grabbed a hug too. A medic first, then a nurse practitioner, Caz had the biggest heart of them all and the hottest temper. “It’s been too long.”

Yeah, from fall until… “What month is it anyway?”

Caz shook his head. “May. Happy Cinco de Mayo in two days.”

May? It had been awhile. He snorted. “I’m surprised Zachary Grayson didn’t show up. Last fall, he said that if I didn’t leave after break-up, he’d come and dig me out.”

Bull grinned. “He called me last week, actually, to ask if you were out. His wife just gave birth, so he couldn’t leave right away but said you’ll be getting a visit in a few weeks, if you’re still holed up here.”

“Damned psychologist.” Yet it felt…good…in a way, to know that Grayson had worried about him even with a new baby in the house.

Wait. New baby? He counted backward on his fingers. “Jesus, she must’ve been pregnant last fall.” Back when Grayson’s stalker had almost shot her. The thought shook him to the core, and he pulled in a harsh breath.

At ease, MacNair. Baby was born. Everyone was good. He looked at Bull. “So you’re here to answer his questions on how I am?”

“Nope. We want to talk to you about a problem we’re having.” Bull walked over to the kitchen area.

The two extra people made the cabin feel much smaller. “I don’t do problems. Not anymore.”