Page 31 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

He, too, liked the idea that it was going to a local. Nina was all class, so anything she did to the place would look good. That being said, Finch hoped she didn’t do anything drastic.

When he stepped inside the cottage, the warmth from the woodstove felt good. He found Sawyer and Jay Haddon, Blue’s partner, with the other kids in the family.

His mother headed for the kitchen and began fluttering around in her colorful kaftan.

“Does Nina know anything about running a place like that?” Sawyer asked. He was holding Blue’s boy Troy on one hip.

“I don’t think anyone would know about running a place like Circle Left,” Jay said.

“Hospitality,” his dad said. “It’s something she’ll need to learn.”

“Well, she’s got plenty going on at the moment, but it might help her get through losing her mom,” Blue said. “Nancy and Hank want to make it a quick transition, I believe. JD is going to be pissed at having her leave The Gnat,” she added.

“Maybe she won’t leave,” Jay said. “She could just get a manager.”

After lowering his niece to the floor, Finch took the coffee Jay handed him.

“So, if you’re building the coffee hut extension, do you want to come and build for us?” Sawyer asked.

Finch shot Birdie a look, which made her blush. She’d obviously set her man up to ask him that question.

“No, thanks. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet.”

“Always need help at the timber yard,” Sawyer added.

“I’ll stop you there, bud,” Finch said, raising a hand. “I don’t need an intervention. What I need is for my family to back off.”

“Mine never have. Not sure why you think yours should,” Sawyer said, not offended by his words. “It’s well-meant, Finch.”

“I know, but I don’t need it.” He looked at the faces around him. “I’ve got this. Just give me time.”

Time was all he had these days.

Chapter 9

“Do I hear the dulcet tones of my big brother?”

Finch knew that voice. Looking left, he watched his brother walk into the room.

“Lynx!” Birdie ran to hug him.

“Seriously? You brought him home to help with your intervention?” Finch demanded, glaring at his family. “This has to stop.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, pretty sure they were going to give him a headache soon.

“I’ve just finished touring, bro, and I’m home for a break. Nothing to do with you,” Lynx said over Blue’s shoulder as she hugged him. “And just in time by the look of that hat and outfit, Blue Jay. You’ve turned into a fashion disaster.”

“Hilarious. Another coffee, Jay,” she called to the man at the coffee machine.

“Of course. Your wish is my command,” he returned.

Lynx was in a band, and they’d made it big over the past few years, which meant he toured a lot. The McAllister brothers were close and talked on the phone all the time, but they hadn’t lived near each other in years.

He wasn’t as big as Finch, but no one could mistake them for anything but brothers. Same hair and eyes, and apparently, they shared a smile.

“Do I get a hug?” Lynx came to where Finch stood, worry in his eyes that matched his sisters’. “Good to see you, Finch.” Lynx had been the first person Finch rang after the accident when he regained consciousness. His brother had then called him daily to check in.

“You, too, Lynx.” He gripped the hand his brother held out, pulling him in for a brief hug. “Tell me you really are here, just taking some time away from being a rock star and not because our sisters lured you back to look after your broken older brother. I’m doing okay,” he added, because he was. Well, doing as okay as he could be, at least.

“We all need a family intervention occasionally, bud. It tells us we’re loved,” Lynx said.