Chapter 1 #2
He had the same dark hair and beard, and if it wasn’t for the blue eyes he shared with Willow and their mom, he’d be the spitting image.
It wasn’t like their dad was a bad guy. He was a loving father who just happened to be a tad old-school, that was all. Dallas instantly pictured Bailey’s look of irritation at the understatement.
Okay, fine. He was very old-school. He’d made it known from the start that the oldest boy would take over the family business.
It’d never been a question. Much to Bailey’s frustration.
But honestly, it wasn’t like she’d been treated badly. To hear her talk, she was the family Cinderella. In reality, she’d always been Dad’s little princess. She could do no wrong and get away with murder…
All while he’d had to prove himself time and again.
So yeah. He loved his dad—and his mom, obviously—but he still didn’t relish being compared to the old man.
“How are things back home?” Antony’s voice sounded a little distant. Like maybe he was in the middle of fixing his bike or about to brush his teeth or something.
“Maybe you should come visit and find out.”
Antony grunted at his big brother’s teasing.
“Mom would love it if you could swing Christmas this year. You wouldn’t even need to buy her a gift. You’d be plenty.”
He laughed and conceded, “Christmas might be doable.” He went silent for a beat. “Yeah, I could maybe make that work.”
Dallas bit back a laugh— might and maybe were two of Antony’s favorite words. He never liked to fully commit to anything. Didn’t want to lock himself in. The guy was a cheetah and had to be free to roam.
But Dallas wasn’t about to let him get away with it, so he pressed. “I’ll take that as a yes, then?”
“Uh…yeah, maybe.”
“No, I’m looking for a plain old yes . It’s just three little letters, dude. Come on, you can do it,” he goaded.
And Antony finally gave in with a sigh. “Okay, fine. Yes. I’ll be there. You happy?”
Dallas grinned. “It’s not about me , it’s about my mama and her happiness.”
“ Our mama.” Antony got a little snippy.
If there was one woman on this planet Antony would do anything for, it was his ever-loyal mother.
She’d defended him on more than one occasion.
No matter what he’d gotten up to, she was his biggest supporter, and he knew it.
“Now, enough talk about Christmas. Update me on real-time life, bro.”
Dallas gave in with a sigh, swiveling in his chair to look out the window again. “Things are the same. Nothing new going on around here.”
Was it just him, or had that come out sounding…depressing?
Antony didn’t call him on it. “Anything new on Willow?”
Now that had Dallas straightening, fidgeting with his tie and gazing out the window with narrowed eyes. He’d told Antony all about Willow’s weird behavior, and his younger brother had been just as concerned as he was.
It really wasn’t like Willow to be secretive.
And he’d tell himself that Bailey and Brandon were looking out for her except…well, they both had a lot on their plates. Bailey with her new boyfriend and running the inn, and Brandon with his new family.
He couldn’t blame them if they didn’t notice Willow’s weirdness.
“…she didn’t say a word, but she got weird.” Antony was still talking, and Dallas had to catch up.
“Sorry, who got weird?”
“Willow.” Antony’s voice grew closer again, like he’d just put the phone back to his mouth. “She called yesterday just to say hey, and I asked her what she’s been up to…”
“You didn’t tell her what I said,” Dallas confirmed.
He didn’t really have to.
“Of course not.” Antony’s response was quick and annoyed.
As it should be. The other three were talkers. Big talkers. They loved nothing more than to hash things out, clear the air, and—in Brandon’s case, at least—keep the peace.
But he and Antony were a different breed. They’d taken after their dad like that.
Dallas winced as he eyed the traffic below. Great. One more way he was like their father.
He turned his attention back to Willow and her weirdness. “But you picked up on it too?”
“Yeah, man. She got all cagey when I asked about what she did in her free time out there in the middle of nowhere.” Antony exhaled loudly. “It was offbeat, bro. Not like Willow at all.”
Dallas nodded. That was it exactly. From anyone else, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But Willow was different. She was open and cheerful and…
And their baby sister, dang it.
He frowned, and Antony stayed quiet.
“You think something’s wrong?” Antony finally asked. “Should I be coming back sooner than Christmas?”
“Nah.” Dallas relaxed into his seat. “I wouldn’t worry too much. It could be nothing…”
“You don’t think that.” Antony said it like a statement, and Dallas didn’t deny it. “Why don’t you go back out there?” A door slammed in the background on Antony’s side. “You’re close enough, and I think we both know you could take the time off work since you’re so bored.”
“I’m not—” Dallas couldn’t finish. And besides, his chest was starting to swell again. That hint of excitement he’d felt earlier when Bailey had texted was back.
He liked it at the inn. Heck, he’d always liked it out there, even when they used to go as kids to visit their grandparents during the summer and holidays.
But being out there now, when it was an inn still trying to get on its feet…
It was exactly the sort of excitement he needed.
And Willow really was acting strange. She did need someone checking up on her. And that was what big brothers were for, right?
The thought of Bailey’s response gave him pause. “They don’t need me filling in anymore…”
Antony scoffed like this was the dumbest excuse he’d ever heard. “It’s an inn, man. Owned by our family and run by our sister. Just go.”
He hesitated, wanting to say yes. He just needed the right excuse.
“You have vacation time saved up, right?” Antony asked. “Use it already.”
Dallas’s face split with a grin. He’d needed an excuse…
And there it was.