Page 134 of Shadowing You

“Thorough,” Ethan said.

“He saved Cici’s life. He works for me now. Wright Industries is building an elite security division, and he’s putting it together. He’s an impressive kid.”

Ethan wondered how Asher would feel about being referred to as a kid.

A moment later, the man returned and opened Mei Lin’s door. “All clear. I’ll tell you the key code, but I don’t want you going anywhere without me.”

Mei Lin said, “Okay.”

Ethan climbed from the other side. “Yes, sir.”

Asher’s lips tipped at the corner but didn’t turn into a smile. Maybe smiling was against the rules.

Inside, the door opened to a foyer with a study off one side. Straight ahead, a wall of glass ran the whole back of the house.

Mei Lin stepped in beside Ethan, muttering something in Mandarin.

“Have a look around,” Gavin said.

That seemed to be all the invitation she needed. She slipped off her shoes and started moving.

Ethan removed his shoes as well before following her into the great room. The living area to the right had a stone fireplace that climbed two stories to a ceiling crisscrossed with cedar beams. The kitchen on the left had an island larger than Ethan’s bed in his apartment back in Virginia. A small table surrounded by four chairs was tucked into an eating area near the windows.

Beyond the glass, the hill dropped off, giving them an expansive view of other mountains and a green valley. In the distance, miles away, a white-capped mountain rose, this one higher than the tree line.

Mei Lin stood beside him, staring. “It is beautiful.” A moment’s pause, and then she returned to her tour.

Ethan followed.

She popped her head into the study, which had another fireplace, then walked down a hall lined with framed photographs of the view in different seasons. She opened a door at the end of the hall, and Ethan spied a garage where a pair of snowmobiles took up one bay.

She closed the door, smiling at him as she passed down the hall again.

He enjoyed watching her take in the space, her hand drifting across walls and furniture as if she wasn’t quite sure any of it was real. She looked out every window, though the scene outside didn’t change. Gray trees, dark green needles, and snow-covered ground.

Mei Lin seemed charmed by all of it.

Back in the great room, Gavin was unloading paper bags onto the kitchen counter. Eggs. Bread. A whole roasted chicken that filled the air with its savory scent. There was fruit, a few boxes of tea, and a carton of oatmeal, not to mention pill bottles filled with various medications and vitamins—everything they could want and more.

“Those clothes are for Mei Lin.” Gavin indicated a large shopping bag on one of the barstools. It had woven handles tied together by a ribbon and holding a note.

I hope everything fits —B

Before he could ask, Gavin said, “They all do that—sign with their initials. That’s from Brooklynn. She loves to shop.”

Ethan’s half sister had gone shopping for Mei Lin? Unless he counted that awkward moment in Virginia when Gavin’s daughters had caught him and Gavin having lunch, Ethan had never met her. He could picture her, though. Long curly brown hair. She’d worn a bright pink dress with white polka dots and looked like the kind of person who smiled a lot—though she hadn’t been smiling that day.

Mei Lin peeked into the bag. “This is all for me?” Her voice held a tone of wonder.

Gavin smiled at her. “Let us know if you need anything else.”

Alyssa had helped them escape that Chinese village whose name he couldn’t remember. Cici’s fiancé was hauling groceries into a New Hampshire kitchen. Brooklynn had picked out clothes for a half sister-in-law she’d never laid eyes on.

Ethan had a family, and they were here for him. At one time in his life, it had been all he’d wanted.

Asher came in, carrying more paper sacks and set them on the island. “The front office is mine. There’s a sofa in there. I’ll sleep during the day and be up at night.” He met Ethan’s eyes, then turned to include Mei Lin. “If anyone comes near, wake me, even if you think it’s nothing.”

“Got it.”