him as our baby doll. He has a bald spot on the back of his head thanks to us.”
The younger man grimaced at the reminder. “I threw the pictures away, so don’t think you’re going to be able to pull them out and show him.” Ezra’s voice boomed across the distance separating them.
“I have backup copies,” she informed him serenely.
Topaz eyes glittered in challenge. “Where are they?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” Ginny crooned, trying to spark an argument with her brother.
“Careful. Want me to show him the pictures of you playing dress-up?”
Ginny hastily shook her head. “We’ll talk later.” Pretending to put her phone to her ear, she said, “Call me.”
The easy teasing was unusual with them being separated for so long. Reaper surmised with them being closer to age, they must have developed a close bond before she’d been taken away.
Ezra didn’t resemble any of the family. His coal-black hair and topaz eyes were striking but somehow didn’t have the stand-out features of Moses, while his body was almost the same size.
“And last but not least, Fynn is the baby in the family.”
A grimace showed his appreciation at being called a baby.
From Shade’s information on Ginny’s family, the boy had been born right before their father’s death. There was some resemblance to Jacob, but the still growing boy was lanky and he awkwardly shifted on his feet next to Ezra, as if he was finding hard to stay still.
“Do you ride a motorcycle like the other Last Riders?” Curious, electric blue eyes stared at him from across the lawn.
“Yes,” Reaper answered, expecting the next question to be the one children always asked: if he could be taken on ride. Already planning his refusal, he was shocked at the sad expression that crossed Fynn’s face as he turned to his brother, hiding his face in Ezra’s chest.
Ezra put an arm around the Fynn’s shoulders.
“Fynn’s afraid of motorcycles,” Silas explained, coming up behind the group of men. “Boys, better be getting on home. Fynn, you pack your suitcase? Don’t want you trying to sneak back in just to see Ginny. She’ll be staying for a while; just want to make sure her cooties don’t get you sick.”
The boy didn’t need another prompting. Running off and up the steps, he disappeared into the dark in a matter of moments.
“I’ll catch up with him.” Matthew jumped up the porch, taking off after his little brother.
“Fynn’s afraid of anything resembling a four-wheeler,” Silas explained as his other brothers took off at a slower pace.
“How did he find out?” Ginny unhappily stared out into the darkness.
“The children in school,” Silas answered. “I blame myself. I should have told him. The kids turned it into a joke. How many Colemans does it take to ride an ATV?” Lines of pain laid heavily on Silas’s face. “Three.”
“They didn’t!” Ginny angrily started up the steps once her brothers were far enough away.
“Leave it alone, Ginny. It happened a while ago. Fynn has been making the kids pay for it ever since, even the ones who didn’t take part in the teasing. He’s been pulling mine and Matt’s old trick of getting thrown out of school. He’s been suspended for fighting.”
“Oh …I might have gotten in trouble once or twice that way myself.”
Carrying the box, Reaper followed Silas and Ginny into the house.
The inside was huge. A massive stone fireplace took up the center wall with two couches placed on two opposite ends. Comfortable chairs were scattered around, leaving enough room to walk. Framed pictures filled the walls at various stages of Ginny’s family members added to the cozy, comfortable atmosphere that beckoned anyone entering to feel at ease.
Going to the table with her, Reaper found a spot at one end of bench, opposite from the one Ginny sat on.
“I’m not that hungry.”
Silas set a pot down on table. The aroma changed his mind.
“I’ll show you to your room, then.” Silas started to move the pot toward Ginny.
“I could eat a small bowl.” He reached for serving spoon before Silas could take it away.
Taking a piece of cornbread from a platter, he took a bite before spooning a taste of the mouthwatering stew. The warm stew slid down his throat with a delicious blend of spices and chunks of meat and vegetables. The stew was home in a bowl. It was a meal perfect for a cold night, comforting ….
“Do you like it?” Ginny asked, refilling his bowl for him as he reached for