Page 43 of Unbound

Maybe Sterling sent out a group text to let them know I don’t want my brothers to know and she’s practicing the act.

Through everyone’s chatter and the sound of the twins’ laughter, the doorbell rings. If I thought I needed to vomit before, the urge is worse now.

I might crap myself and then vomit.

Sterling grabs my hand, leading me toward the front door. “You ready?”

I nod, gripping his hand tightly. I swallow over the lump in my throat as we walk toward the foyer. I have to force myself to release the exhale in my lungs as he opens the door.

“Hello. Welcome to the ranch.”

My two brothers, Adam and Dan, along with their wives—Harley and Lucy, respectively—are standing on the front porch. A wave of relief passes over all their faces when they see me standing beside Sterling.

“Eden,” Adam says, his voice shaky. His eyes travel over my frame, taking stock of my appearance.

Emotion swirls inside of me, a mix of guilt and anxiety.

“Hi.” I step out, crushing him and Dan in one big hug.

My two older brothers squeeze me tightly. Adam sniffles into my hair while Dan does his best to hold back his tears.

“I’m sorry,” I cry.

“It’s okay, sis. It’s okay,” Dan says, emotion clouding his voice.

Finally, they both pull back. I see their red-rimmed eyes, wiping the tears away from my own.

“We’re just glad you’re okay,” Adam insists, patting my shoulder.

Harley and Lucy step up next, crushing me into another hug with more sniffles and tears. Even Harley, who usually has a tough exterior, is crying now.

“Sometimes, you just gotta run away to find yourself, right, sis?” Harley whispers.

She and Lucy have been amazing sisters-in-law over the past few years after marrying my brothers. Harley and Adam fell in love after she ran away from her abusive foster home, and Lucy and Dan were roommates and best friends before slowly falling in love with each other.

“I’m okay now, I promise. And I want y’all to meet Sterling. This is his family’s ranch. I haven’t known him for long, but he’s been helping me out and taking care of me pretty much since I disappeared.”

Adam and Dan turn their eyes on Sterling, the softness disappearing. My brothers aren’t violent men by any means, but they can be protective.

Sterling extends a hand to Adam first. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Adam Wesson. This is my wife, Harley.”

Dan steps up next, shaking Sterling’s hand. “Dan. This is Lucy.”

“We’ve got a brisket smoking and a bunch of food. Is it just y’all four?”

Adam nods. “We left the kids with our friends, Kenna and Levi.”

I wish they’d brought them, but I understand why they felt it would be better to come alone, not knowing exactly what they were getting into.

“Um, before we go inside, there’s one more thing I’d like to tell you.” I wrap my hand around my lower belly.

Harley gasps, eyes widening. Adam and Dan both look confused.

“You’re pregnant,” Lucy guesses with a knowing smile.

I nod.