January and February flew by. Normally, this was the time of year when Nash was itching to get out of Crystal Lake and do something. Something big and exciting, like the time he’d gone deep-sea fishing in the Caribbean or scuba diving in Belize or exploring caves in Thailand. But for the first time in years, he was content to stay put, enjoy life, and maybe set down more permanent roots.

There were several reasons for that, but the main one, the one that mattered most, was about five foot eight, sexy as hell, with a laugh that made his heart sing. Honey Harrison had come out of nowhere and had this confirmed bachelor thinking things he’d never thought before. Things that could change everything.

He smiled at the thought and parked the last sled in Hudson’s heated shop. There were at least ten snowmobiles parked there, a testament to what had been an amazing day. It was Friday, but there’d been no school, and with Honey’s organization, a bunch of them had hosted kids who frequented the drop-in center to a day out in the bush surrounding Hudson’s resort. They’d enjoyed snowmobile rides and a sugar shack. It was early March, and the weather had cooperated, meaning the red maples had been tapped early and the maple syrup was flowing. It brought back memories, and he realized how much this life, one he’d been so damn eager to run from for years, had to offer.

Nash Booker had a love for Michigan, for these mountains and lakes, that ran deep. He was a four-season kind of man, and now it seemed he was willing to sit still and enjoy it. He glanced up at the sky, noting early evening was creeping in. He was chilled, but that was okay since he had plans later that would be guaranteed to warm him up.

“Uncle Nash. I don’t want to go.” He turned and was immediately hit by his firecracker of a nephew. Tink wrapped his little arms around Nash’s legs and stamped his feet. “I don’t want to go with Mommy. I want to stay here with you.”

The poor kid wasn’t handling the move back to Crystal Lake all that well, and Nash felt for him. Hell, he felt for all of them. His sister and his former brother-in-law. The man might have got it wrong—cheating was never the right answer—but after a heart-to-heart one night with the guy, Nash understood that not all love was forever. At the moment, his sister and brother-in-law were taking a break and Nash hoped that one day they’d find their way back to each other.

Life was a crapshoot, and a smart man grabbed what was right and good and held on as long as he could. If that man was lucky, it was forever.

“Uncle Nash?” Tink’s tearstained face looked up at him. His nose was running, and Nash hunted through his parka until he found some tissue. He bent down and helped the kid blow his nose.

“You got to go, kiddo. Your mom is waiting.”

“But I don’t want to go with her. I want to stay with you.”

Nash took a moment to consider his words. Tink was young enough to pick up on the tension and upheaval in his young life. He was focused on Nash because his dad was living out of state until the family home could be sold. He got it. But the kid had to understand that a mother’s word was law.

“We had a good day, bud. We’ll do it again. But in the meantime, it’s getting late, and your mom probably wants to get you home to eat.”

“I’m full of maple of syrup. I don’t want to eat supper. I don’t want to go home. I want to come back to your house for a tubby.” Nash had had the little guy out a few times for hockey and a hot tub, but it wasn’t happening tonight. Nash decided to try a different approach.

“Are you missing your dad?”

Tink was silent for a few moments and then slowly shrugged. “He doesn’t love me anymore.”

Nash’s heart nearly collapsed in on itself. He knelt down until his face was level to Tink’s. “Your dad loves you, bud. Don’t ever think he doesn’t. Your parents are going through some adult stuff, and sometimes that adult stuff takes time to work itself out. Sometimes it means your dad won’t be living with you, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think about you every day or miss you as much as you miss him. It means when you guys are together, you gotta make every minute count. Just like when you’re with your mom. She drove all the way out here to pick you up and take you home with her. She’s probably been looking forward to seeing your face all day. Don’t you think?”

Tink scuffed his boot on the floor. “I guess so. Adult stuff sucks.” Tink sniffled and grabbed for another tissue.

“It does,” Nash said. He hugged the kid close and stood. “But it’s Friday, right? Isn’t that pizza night?”

Tink nodded and wiped at his nose. “Yes.” His brow furrowed. “I think Mommy said Joe could come over.”

“Who’s Joe?” Nash asked as he got to his feet.

“Just my friend.”

“Yeah? He’s a cool guy?”

Tink shook his head and laughed. “He’s not a guy. Joe’s a girl.”

“Wow.” Nash laughed and looked up. His sister, Honey, and Brooke all watched them from the shop door, and he gently herded Tink back to his mother. Melody mouthed thank you and dropped a kiss to the top of her son’s head. With a wave of her hand, she disappeared.

Honey smiled up at him. “You have the magic touch.”

“Kids like me.”

“Huh.”

He moved closer. “Adults too.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “Especially the ladies.”

“Gross.” Brooke looked at the both of them as if they had two heads. “Get a room. Geez.”

Honey laughed and gave him a look that would start a fire in any sane man’s pants. “I’m taking Brooke back to town and then swinging by my place to pack a bag.”

“Yeah?” This was different. “I thought we were heading back to the Coach House for dinner and—”

“No.”

“No?” He was confused. He hadn’t slept in his bed in weeks. Hell, he was pretty damn sure the spider plant in the kitchen was dead.

“I thought we could spend the night at your place.”

Nash played it cool. Hell, on the outside, he was Mr. Freeze. He’d given up asking her to come to his place because she always said no or avoided the question. For Honey, his place was the last frontier of whatever it was they were doing. So this meant something, her wanting to spend the night.

It meant something big.

He didn’t reply. He leaned in and kissed her hard. A full-on, knock-your-socks-off, spread-the-fire-in-your-gut kind of kiss.

“Guys. Again. Ew.” Brooke rolled her eyes and groaned.

Honey broke the kiss. Her cheeks were pink, and she worked to catch her breath. “I’ll see you in a bit,” she said before heading toward her car. Nash watched her go. How could he not? She had the nicest ass he’d ever seen, and he was going to kiss every damn inch of it—and more—in a couple of hours.

“You guys seem pretty hot and heavy.” Hudson walked up beside him, his son bundled in winter wear, cradled in his arms. The guy had been cool toward Honey for a while now, and Nash couldn’t figure it out. Just last week, he’d called him out on it, but Hudson had told Nash he was imagining things that weren’t there.

“She’s from Missouri, right?” Hudson sounded conversational, but Nash wasn’t fooled. His friend was fishing.

“Louisiana, I believe.”

“Huh.” Hudson rearranged his son and pulled down on the baby’s hat. Now that the sun was setting, the chill in the air was intense. “Could have sworn she told Dad she was from Missouri. You know she was up there, right? At the house? Visiting him the other day?”

Nash hadn’t known, but what the hell did that have to do with anything? John was helping out the support center, and she was heavily involved. So what if she went to see him?

“What are you getting at, Hudsy?” He frowned and turned to his friend.

“I’m just saying we don’t know much about her.”

Incredulous, he opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. What the hell? “I know enough, trust me.”

“Is this serious?” Hudson was dogged and looked equally pissed as he faced Nash. “You and her?”

“Define serious.” Nash was in no mood to play games, and anger thrummed in his chest.

“Serious is more than just a fuck.”

Nash saw red. Absolute crimson. If it weren’t for the baby in Hudson’s arms, he would have taken a run at the guy.

“I’m going to forget you said that, because I’ve known you my whole life and you’ve always had my back. Just like I’ve had yours.” Nash wasn’t just angry as hell, he was confused by Hudson’s behavior. This didn’t feel right.

“I don’t know what your problem is, but I need you to understand something. Honey has always been more than that. I don’t what the hell is up your ass, but get used to her. After the gala tomorrow night, I plan on making things permanent.”

“You don’t know anything about her, Nash. I’m just trying to look out for you. It’s what we do for each other.”

“Do you know something I don’t?” The air was charged between the two men, and Nash took an aggressive step forward. The baby, sensing turmoil, let out a big yelp and started to cry. “Dammit, Hudsy. Where the hell are you going with this?” Nash was pissed. Pissed at Hudson. Pissed at himself. And maybe, if he were totally honest, pissed at Honey. In many ways, Hudson was right. He didn’t know much, only what she shared and that was on the lean side.

“Look. You need to get over whatever this is, because she’s going to be around for a long, long time.”

“You sure about that?” Hudson asked, his face dark and serious.

“Yes.” Nash’s answer was clipped. He pulled on his gloves. “Tell Becca I said goodbye. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Nash strode to his Jeep and headed out into the early evening, his mindset a complete one-eighty to what it had been less than half an hour earlier. A quiet disenchantment settled over him. He didn’t know it yet, but it was one he wouldn’t be able to shake for long time.