Hold Me Close (Ryker Falls #5) - Wendy Vella Page 0,45

was in a single braid again, and she wore jeans and a red sweater with a white heart on the front. Looking at her tugged at something inside his chest. Looking at both of them did that, if he was honest.

Maggs had those lovely legs crossed at the ankles and appeared to be focused on Mallory. He’d had her full attention before and knew how it felt. He also knew she had a way of getting people to feel comfortable and clearly had done that with his sister.

His sister.

“Hey.”

Maggs gave him a smile that reached all the way to her eyes. So sweet, he thought.

“Hi, Fin. Come and sit. Mallory is just telling me about her hobby. Did you know she loves nature like you?” Maggs patted the seat beside her, so he took it.

“I didn’t know that.” He smiled at his sister. She was nervous.

“I need to go to bed. Mom and Dad think I’m there.” She began to rise.

“Don’t go,” Fin said softly. “Please.”

She sat.

“Tell me about this hobby you have, Mallory.”

Her eyes shot to Maggs, who nodded her encouragement.

“I like to go rock climbing.”

“No way.” Fin smiled. “I love that stuff.”

“Really?” Mallory looked hopeful.

“Really. I don’t go inside much these days, but I climb over the mountains here all the time.”

“He does,” Maggs said. “He’s a regular mountain man. Me,” she tapped her chest, “I’m not big on exercise.”

Fin snorted. “Now that’s an understatement.”

“But I’m trying to do more,” Maggie added.

“I love the mountains here,” Mallory said.

She’d relaxed again, and Fin knew that was because she was talking about something she loved. He understood passions, as he had his own. Art, his mountains, and the woman beside him, to name a few.

“Would you like to go hiking with me one day, Mallory?”

The flash of excitement in her eyes told Fin he’d said the right thing.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Her excitement fell away. “Mom and Dad are protective of me. I don’t think they’d let me. Mom doesn’t like my hobby, and Dad thinks it’s dangerous but comes with me when I go to the rock climbing center.”

Fin swallowed down his resentment that his father had never put the time into him that he obviously did with Mallory. He was a man now; he didn’t need his father, but Mallory did.

“Do you want me to talk to them?” he said. He’d do this for his sister because he’d never done anything else, and maybe it was now time to step up as a big brother.

“I’m not sure that would work,” Mallory said. “I mean—”

“I don’t have much of a relationship with them, but it’s worth a try, right?”

“I think it could work. I mean, Fin’s a really good man. He’s the head ranger here in Ryker Falls and is always doing a lot of good stuff for others. Plus, he’s respected in the community. I think your parents will see that he’ll look after you,” Maggs said, championing him, which felt ridiculously good.

“I’ll come by tomorrow and talk with them, Mallory,” Fin said. “Now you need to go to bed, because it’s late, and if we’re going hiking soon, you’ll need lots of energy, because I won’t go easy on you.” Fin got to his feet as his sister did.

“Thank you, Fin.” She stepped closer, surprising him by wrapping her arms around his waist. “I like having a brother.”

Before he could hug her back, she’d gone, long legs running away from him. Fin stood there watching her, feeling a mix of emotions.

“Nicely done,” Maggs said.

“You were right in what you said. She is not to blame for what happened and deserves more from me.”

“And what you just did is a start to building a relationship with her, Fin.” He felt the warmth from Maggs’s palm as it rested on his arm.

“I hope so, but now I have to actually speak with my father and stepmother to get them to let her go hiking with me. If they agree, then I have to find something to speak to Mallory about while we hike.”

“You’re a natural at talking.” Maggs squeezed his arm. “Talk about school, fashion, and boys.”

“Right, because I’m proficient in all of those.” He looked down at her. “Don’t suppose you’d come with me?”

“Maybe.”

“Really?”

“I’ve been walking.” She punched him lightly as he scoffed.

“I believe you, and now we need to get back before your big bad brother comes looking for you.”

“Nash is a pussy cat.”

“With claws.” He took her hand in his.

“You remind me of him, actually.” Maggs tried to get her