Chapter 7
Seven
This had to go well. Liam’s gut twisted as Nimue’s earlier words echoed—wanting to meet his family someday.
That simple wish had detonated something in his chest, a longing so fierce it caught him off guard.
He wanted her to meet them more than he’d wanted anything in recent memory.
He navigated his old Bronco through the campground toward the nearest parking lot to his parents’ site.
He wasn’t ready to analyze why. When Logan had called with their surprise arrival, it had felt like divine timing. But now, as they passed site after site of families gathered, laughing together, his stomach clenched.
They’d adore her—no question. But that was the problem. The way he’d leaned over her shoulder, grabbed her hand, held her when she’d nearly plunged into the canyon—he was getting attached. Falling for a woman he knew almost nothing about.
Maybe it was the way she’d listened to him and not judged. Or her story, her vulnerability.
Maybe he simply felt like she’d let him inside her walls.
He felt trusted.
And no, he hadn’t possessed the courage to round back to his question about what she was really doing here, but maybe that was okay. Maybe it didn’t matter.
He liked her, and maybe, if he could continue to earn her trust, she’d tell him.
Or maybe it didn’t matter.
Then again, that was a lot of maybes.
He pulled into the parking spot closest to site twelve and got out. They navigated a small trail through a few sites, but he had no doubt he was going the right way when his family’s familiar laughter grew louder as they walked.
The campsite glowed with firelight as they approached. Half the kids chased each other in an epic game of tag while the others concentrated on not incinerating marshmallows.
Roman’s toothless grin blazed when he spotted Liam first, the boy’s dark red hair catching the glow of the flames as he launched from a log and sprinted toward them.
“Uncle Liam!”
Liam caught him mid-leap, swinging him into a hug that triggered four-year-old giggles.
“Getting big, kiddo.” He ruffled Roman’s hair before setting him down.
“Liam!” His mom rose next, straight gray hair dusting her shoulders, eyes bright with joy. She crossed to him, enveloping him in a hug that smelled like home—vanilla and contentment.
“Can’t believe you didn’t warn me you were coming.” He squeezed her tight, then stepped back, nodding toward Nimue. “This is Nimue, a friend.”
Nimue offered a small wave, deep-brown eyes cautious. “Good to meet you all.”
Hannah bounced up, smile radiant. “Nimue! We’ve heard about you. I’m Hannah, Luke’s wife. Come on, we’ve got s’mores supplies.”
Liam didn’t miss Nimue’s surprise. He should’ve known that Logan’s lack of filter would mean the whole family already knew about her and about Liam’s possible feelings for her. Awesome.
She hesitated, then followed Hannah to the fire, where Alani tugged her toward a log, voice barely above a whisper.
“Do you like marshmallows?”
Nimue knelt to Alani’s level, shooting a quick glance at Liam. “I love them and s’mores.”
Alani’s grin could’ve powered the campsite. Liam’s shoulders relaxed. His family had a gift for making people feel welcome. He hoped Nimue felt it too.
Logan clapped his shoulder. “Where’s your ranger uniform? You look so…normal.”
“Night off. How long you guys here for?”
“Just a few nights, then we are driving over to Mesa Verde before heading home. Not all of us can camp for a living.” Logan looked settled, content, with Devin and the kids nearby.
“Says the guy who makes a living making things up.” Liam’s brother-in-law, Austin, sat across the fire, grin wide, three-month-old daughter sleeping in his arms.
Liam claimed an empty chair but kept tracking Nimue. Four kids surrounded her now, and she seemed to be enjoying herself. He turned back to Logan. “How’s the book coming?”
“Better than ever.” Logan’s gaze flicked to Devin, who was rescuing Tyce from a flaming marshmallow disaster. “Thanks to some inspiration.”
Devin looked up. “Don’t let him fool you, Liam. He’s rewriting half the scenes because he’s a perfectionist. But it’s a good story. You’ll like it.”
“Hope the publisher agrees.” Logan’s hand raked through his hair.
Easton approached, licking marshmallow from his finger. “My baseball team won the championship.”
“Expected nothing less.” Liam offered his fist for a bump. “You pitch all season?”
“Backup pitcher. But Dad said we can set up practice space at the new house when we get home. Next year I’m starting every game.”
The word Dad hit something raw in Liam’s chest. It wasn’t news that Logan and Devin were adopting Easton, Alani, and Tyce.
But knowing that his twin would soon officially be a dad to a twelve-year-old struck deep.
All of his siblings seemed to know exactly what they wanted, had grabbed their futures with both hands.
He was still drifting.
Not that he didn’t enjoy being a ranger, but was this what he wanted to do for the rest of his life? He’d basically followed the wind since college, and for the first time, that didn’t feel like enough.
His gaze drifted to Nimue again. Alani had claimed her lap while Roman regaled her with some elaborate story.
Their eyes met across the flames. Hers softened for a heartbeat before she caught herself, darting her attention back to the kids. Something indefinable tugged at him—maybe the need to know her better. Clearly, the little she’d told him had just whetted his appetite.
A small hand landed on his knee. Sophie’s gray eyes peered up at him. “Up.”
He lifted her onto his lap. She snuggled into his shoulder as he smoothed her blonde ringlets, dropping a kiss on her head. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his family until tonight.
He didn’t know what came next, but family would be central. And what if it involved the woman across the fire?
The thought moved inside him, hit a soft place. She intrigued him, yes, and she was clearly resilient. And kind. And maybe by the look on her face, charmed by his family.
She looked up right then and met his eyes. Beautiful. Accepting.
Yeah, he might be falling for the woman in the green bus. The one with surveillance equipment and secrets.
Oh, this might be a very bad idea. But he just smiled back.
“So, Nimue.” Libby leaned forward, blonde hair gleaming in the firelight. “That’s a unique name. Where’s it come from?”
“My father was a literature professor and a big fan of Arthurian legend.” Her face bloomed with a genuine smile. “Nimue is the Lady of the Lake.”
“You here with family?” Hannah’s question seemed casual, but Liam tensed, his attention snapping to Nimue.
“Just me and my trailer.” She had some hurt lingering in that answer. She set down her marshmallow stick, expression neutral. “Needed a change. The canyon’s good for clearing your head.”
A dodge. He didn’t expect more, not really, but when she looked away, her expression had gone hooded.
“It’s beautiful here.” Libby nodded, not pushing, but Liam didn’t miss the look she exchanged with Hannah. They weren’t buying the vague response, but they wouldn’t pry. His family was nosy but knew when to back off.
“Liam’s always been drawn to wild places.
” His mom’s voice carried warm pride. “Ever since he was little—climbing trees, jumping off things he shouldn’t.
I think that’s why I first memorized our family verse—Isaiah 43:2.
‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.’ Every time Liam took a leap off something, every time I imagined us ending up in the ER”—she gave him a pointed look—“or worse, I said that verse.” She sighed. “Still calms me.”
Maybe, but his shoulders went rigid, snagged on her words. I imagined us ending up in the ER, or worse. Like the day when Logan had broken his leg. Sheesh, he didn’t know why that story—ages old—seemed to be thrumming through his brain these days.
His gaze found Nimue, and she was watching him, her expression clearly communicating: Don’t go there. It wasn’t your fault. They don’t blame you.
Funny that she’d been a stranger a week ago and now could read him better than anyone in the circle. His attention flicked to Logan, who was also watching him. Okay, almost anyone.
“Actually,” Nimue began, drawing everyone’s attention, “the first time I saw Liam, he was rappelling down a cliff rescuing a little girl who’d fallen.”
“Oh my.” His mom’s hand touched her chest. “Was she okay?”
“Broken leg, but healing fine.” Liam met his mom’s eyes. So he was right—Nimue had witnessed more than just him discovering her camera. Interesting.
An hour later, after plenty of sugar and way too many family stories, he caught Nimue’s yawn and stood. “Ready?”
She hesitated, then nodded. They said goodbyes, Liam making plans to see everyone tomorrow before they slipped away from the fire, noise fading as they walked toward his Bronco.
The sky stretched deep velvet overhead, studded with stars that seemed to pulse with life. Liam stopped at the parking lot’s edge, hands in his pockets, glancing at Nimue. Her face tilted upward, eyes wide, and for the first time since he’d met her, she looked unguarded. Almost peaceful.
“Wow.” Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “It’s so clear tonight. I feel like I could touch the stars.”
Liam nodded, taking in the sweep of the Milky Way. “Makes you feel small, but in a good way.”
She stepped toward his Bronco. “Thanks for inviting me tonight. Your family’s…”
“A lot.”
She released a soft laugh. “They are a lot, but they’re wonderful. Makes me miss my sister.”
“What did you say her name was?”
“Emberly. She’s in Florida. Sometimes being here feels lonely.”
“Why don’t you go back?”
Her steps faltered. For a fraction of a moment, Liam thought she might open up. Spill the secrets, Nimue. You can trust me.
But she shook her head. “I need to stay here.”