“That’s . . . Jesus, Tess. That’s how you think we all think of you? As merely some background support to lean on when it suits one of us?” Charles spat a curse under his breath. “I can’t believe you could even say that. Don’t you know what you mean to us?”
Tess smiled gently. “Yes, Charles, I do. But—”
“But nothing. You’re not some Greek chorus for the Harrison brothers, dammit.”
“Aren’t I, though?” she said. Only as she said it did she realize how true it was. Maybe that was why she didn’t want to reveal her dreams just yet. The bit of resentment on her part astounded her. She’d never thought that consciously, but it had flown out of her mouth. And now that Charles had said it . . . “In a way, I have been. And now you’re all fine, and you don’t need me around like you did before, and it’s time for me to do something for myself. You’re all busy, you’ll barely miss me.”
“We all love you, Tess,” Charles said. “We’ll always need you. You’re our only sister, and our trusted friend. Sure, we’ve grown to count on you, because the four of us are a team. But we adore you. Hell, Dane named his hotel after you, for Pete’s sake. You’re our best girl. Always will be.”
Tess didn’t say anything, but something in her warmed at his words.
Charles continued, “No one’s begrudging you having something for yourself. We’re just concerned because it’s unusual behavior for you, and I know there’s something behind it. Something specific is driving this and you’re not telling me. I’d bet that ski house on it.”
She bit down on her lip. He knew her too well. “I’m fine. I promise you that.”
“Nice deflection. It only confirms my suspicions, Tess,” he said. “But I’ll respect your privacy for now.” He grunted softly in frustration. She could hear him shuffling papers, likely at his desk. “I don’t know what’s going on now any more than when you picked up the phone, and that bothers the hell out of me. But I hope you know—I thought you did—that I’m here for you always, when you’re ready to tell me whatever’s going on. I am, Dane and Pierce are, even Lisette, Julia, and Abby would be. We all love you.”
“I hear you,” Tess said. “And I love you all too. Now stop worrying about me.”
“Well, now that you’re at least answering your calls, I feel a drop better,” Charles said. “But only a drop.”
“You’ll be fine,” Tess assured him. “How are the kids, big ones and baby one?”
“Everyone’s fine. But I think Charlotte misses her favorite aunt.”
“Aww, my little bean. I miss her too.” Tess heard the slam of a heavy door outside, likely a truck, and realized it was probably Logan. Her heart gave a strange tiny flutter at the thought of him. “Look, I have to go. Logan Carter just got here.”
“Ah, Logan. Good to know he’s around. Tell him hello for me.” Charles paused. “You sure you’re all right?”
“Stop mothering me!” Tess said with a laugh. “That’s my job, being the mother hen of the family.”
“Well, with you leaving town,” Charles said, “guess I’ll have to pick up that title for a while. I am the oldest.”
“Go for it. If you want to wear the tiara, it’s somewhere in my basement.” Tess sat up just as the doorbell rang. “Talk to you soon, sweetie. Gotta run.”
“Yes, we will talk again soon,” Charles said. “Take care.”
“I will. You too.” She set down the phone beside her water glass on the coffee table, then went to answer the door.
“Hey, Tess,” Logan said with a twitch of a grin. “Just wanted to let you know I’m here, so when you hear noises out back you won’t worry.”
“Hi yourself. Okay.” She did a quick once-over. The ends of his thick blond hair peeked out from beneath a navy wool cap, brushing just past his strong chin, and he wore his usual work attire of hoodie under his royal-blue jacket, jeans, and work boots. His ruddy cheeks and gloves on his hands were the only things that hinted he might be cold, though it hadn’t even reached thirty degrees that day. “Long day at work?”