But my eyes searched for one figure in particular, and when they locked on her, my whole body tightened. She was standing away from the bonfire, arms wrapped around her middle, in what appeared to be an intense discussion with my brother.

Hunter reached out, his hands gripping her upper arms as he seemed to implore her to listen to him. I took two steps forward before stopping myself, the urge to rip his hands from her body so strong. But why? He wasn’t hurting her. They obviously had shit they needed to work out, but seeing him touch her…it burned low in my gut.

They both seemed to freeze as Hunter said something I couldn’t hear to Bell. After a moment, her head dropped to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. I’d never been an overly jealous person. But there was no denying that’s exactly what thrummed through my veins right now.

I forced myself to turn away, to head towards the fire. Crosby lifted a hand in a wave and beckoned me over. I gave a chin jerk to him and Ethan. “Hey, guys.”

Ethan held up a beer. “You want one?”

I shook my head. “Naw, I’m good.” A beer would only sour in my stomach at this point.

“Ford, you do any paddleboarding?” Crosby asked.

“It’s been years, but I used to.”

“You wanna go tomorrow morning? I’d ask this knucklehead, too, but he starts work too early for me.”

Ethan chuckled. “Some of us have to work regular hours.”

Crosby grinned. “Perks of running my own firm.”

Ethan tipped his beer in Crosby’s direction. “I don’t think a cottage behind The General Store and one lawyer counts as a firm, buddy.”

“Hey, now,” Crosby groused, “I have an assistant, so technically, there are two employees. Therefore, firm.”

I kicked at a rock by my feet. “Good to know I have someone who can bail me out if I get in trouble.”

“Anytime.”

My gaze caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. It was as if my brain was already trained to seek her out. Bell appeared by the fire again, Hunter at her side, not touching but close. Bell took a step towards the flames, holding her hands out to warm them. She needed a damn jacket. We were almost into summer now, but it was still freezing at night.