Page 149 of Thaw My Heart

My heart warms at his response. How did he always know what to say? He is a complete cowboy dream. Perhaps I should make a T-shirt⁠—

“Sadie?” A familiar voice calls out my name, sparking my heart. My brother Jaxson North walks out of the crowd, wearing jeans and a black leather jacket. The rebel he’s always been.

“Jax?” I say his name, and then I’m running towards him.

All of the pieces of my heart feel like they are put back together as he hugs me.

“I can’t believe you’re here. How did you⁠—”

“I told you I was going to visit for Christmas,” he laughs.

I haven’t seen him in a year, and yet he looks the same. Clean-shaven face, short brown hair, and green eyes. The same as our mother’s. Eyes that narrow to slits as they dart to Kit, taking him in. “So, this must be Kit Harlow. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Jax,” I scold.

My brother smirks. “I’m kidding.” He reaches for Kit’s hand. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”

“You, too,” Kit smiles, taking his hand.

“And uh… Sadie told me what you did… about Markus.” Jaxson’s green eyes shine with emotion. “I’m very thankful that you protected her and finally rid us of that asshole.”

Kit chuckles. “My pleasure.”

“It’s nice to have someone looking out for her. I’m always fussing over her,” he rubs his knuckles on the top of my head. The same annoying brotherly gesture he’s done for as long as I can remember.

I smack his hand away.

“I understand the feeling,” Kit replies.

Great. They’re going to bond over my safety.

They begin talking about his role in the army, how he joined, and then Jaxson asks Kit a few questions about the ranch. Happy to hear that Kit’s hired more security and is invested in keeping me safe for the foreseeable future. Though I’m slightly annoyed, seeing Kit and my brother in the same space is euphoric. Two souls that I hold close to my heart, and they’re getting along just as I’d hoped.

Maybe even too well, to be honest.

I’m teary-eyed, heart swelling with emotion when my eyes snap to shiny blonde hair moving through the crowd.

“Averie?” I blink rapidly, questioning if I’m dreaming. As if my heart was missing its other piece, and she magically appeared.

“Go on,” Kit smiles at me, nudging my arm. “We’ll find you later.”

“And you’ll be nice?” I arch a brow.

“Of course I will,” Kit brushes a steady hand on my arm, confirming his words.

“It’s not you I’m worried about.” My eyes zero in on my brother, practically threatening him with my stare.

Jax sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, I’ll behave. We’ve still got lots to talk about anyway,” he smiles, throwing an arm around Kit as they walk away.

Averie smiles once more, and then I’m running to her, wrapping my arms around her. “I can’t believe you’re here!” My voice muffles in her shoulder, breathing in the exotic floral scent of her perfume.

“I’m so sorry, Sadie. I should’ve been here sooner.” She squeezes before letting go, stepping back to view me. “Kit told me what happened. I’ve been gone merely a week, and you’re already running into open flames. Do you have any respect for my love for you?”

I laugh, and we fall back into the same comfortable friendship. The same openness, love, and appreciation as if she’d never left.

Christmas music floats in the air as we drink hot chocolate and fill our faces with peppermint bark and sugar cookies, talking about music, clothing, and a new album that she pitched to her agency. Apparently, it was just what they were looking for, and I can’t wait to listen to it until my ears bleed.

“I think this will be the one that changes my career. I’m thinking world tours, sell-out concerts in Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium...” she drifts off.