Page 184 of Rescuing You

“It’s not nothing.” Michael had no idea what it cost to charter a jet, and even if Derrick only charged him for expenses…expenses on a jet were a lot.

“You saved my family,” Sam said. “I’ll never be able to repay you for that.”

“That’s not how families work,” Michael said. “We don’t keep score.”

“Unless it’s pool.” Bryan’s best sport because it didn’t require the use of two strong legs.

“Or ping pong,” Grant added, winking at his wife, who was very good.

Sam said nothing, just held Michael’s eye contact.

Michael couldn’t comprehend it. The debt was paid?

Just like that?

“Thank you.”

Sam dipped his head. “It’s the very least I can do.”

They resumed eating while Michael told them about how he’d rescued Leila and Jasmine from the boat in the middle of the Mediterranean. Most of the story up until now, he’d downplayed, but he didn’t downplay this part.

Maybe he wouldn’t mind if his brothers were a little impressed.

When he was finished, though, Bryan said, “That’s almost as cool as when Grant took down those drug dealers all alone.”

“Almost,” Grant said, smiling, looking smug. “You helped, though.”

“A little.”

Michael had no idea what they were talking about, but sheesh. What did a guy have to do to get some respect in this family?

Mom was looking from Bryan to Grant and back, and she was not happy. “What happened?”

“You should’ve seen it, Ma,” Bryan said. “Grant swam out to this yacht off the coast of York, climbed up the outside⁠—”

“Okay, I think we’ve had enough horror stories for one family dinner.” Dad shot Bryan a shut-up look.

He lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Just don’t want Michael to get the big head.”

“Apparently,” Michael said, “the size of Grant’s head isn’t a problem.”

“What?” Grant feigned offense. “I’m the humblest man here.”

Michael lifted his garlic bread, prepared to throw it across the table.

“Don’t you dare,” Eliza said. “Some of us are trying to teach table manners.”

Levi looked so excited that Michael almost did it just to see the kid laugh.

But he set the bread down. “I guess I’ll have to be the bigger man.”

Michael wasn’t sorry when the meal was finished and everybody stood to help clean.

While most carried dishes into the kitchen, he took Leila’s hand and tugged her into the living room, away from his nosy brothers—and nosier mother. They walked to the slider and gazed past the trees—some still hanging onto their colorful leaves, but most bare. Soon enough, snow would fall. There’d be trips to the family camp, bonfires and table tennis tournaments and Christmas. The future looked beautiful from where he stood.

There’d be storms coming, no doubt about it. But today was perfect, the water in Shadow Cove smooth as glass.

“It’s beautiful,” Leila said.