Did she have the courage to face her worst fears?
When they got to the house, they filed through the back door. Dillon bent to take off her boots while Seth took her sweater after Michael unwrapped her from his coat.
She headed for the kitchen, thinking hot chocolate would be nice, but then she stopped and turned, cocking her head.
“What are you all doing home so early anyway? At the same time, even.”
One of them being home early was nothing uncommon. But all three at the same time?
There was definitely something up, and the more she caught their gazes and the determination etched in their faces, the more she realized that she was the reason for their early arrival.
Seth caught her hand as she reached for a mug. He gently took the cup away and kissed her forehead. “If you want hot chocolate, I’ll get it for you. Why don’t you go into the living room? Dillon will build a fire so it’s warm. We want to talk to you.”
A nervous flutter rose from her belly into her throat.
“O-okay.”
He gently nudged her in Michael’s direction and set about making the hot cocoa. Michael twined his fingers with hers and pulled her toward the living room, where Dillon was already lighting the kindling under the logs in the fireplace.
Michael guided her toward the big, fluffy chair that was her favorite, and she reluctantly let him settle her down. It took all her control not to fidget. She wasn’t sure she could sit here calmly and have a rational conversation like they were obviously wanting.
She needed to pace. To work out some of her nervous energy. How could she sit here and look them in the eye when her heart was about to beat out of her chest?
Dillon stood up from his crouch in front of the hearth and turned just as Seth walked in carrying her mug of chocolate. She took it with shaky hands but quickly set it on the table next to her chair before she sloshed it all over herself.
She pushed herself out of the chair, not able to sit still another moment. Michael caught her hand in his firm grasp as if he was afraid to let her go.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked quietly.
Her first instinct was denial, to say nothing, act as if she had no idea what he was talking about. She tugged her hand away instead and turned, only to land against Dillon’s muscled chest.
His agitation was evident in his tense, coiled muscles. For a long moment, he held on to her, his chest heaving against her as he gripped her. He buried his face in her hair and stroked one hand down her back.
“What’s going on, Lily?” he asked. “Whatever it is, tell us so we can make you happy again.”
She pulled away and smiled. That part was easy even when her insides were in such turmoil. Because all she had to do was think about them and their unwavering love and it brought her instant joy—and peace. Then she reached up to frame his strong jaw. “You always make me happy, Dillon. Always.” She took a deep steadying breath before she made her confession. “I’m just scared right now, and I don’t know what to do.”
He gathered her hands in his and pulled them down between their bodies. His gaze pierced her, right to the heart, so intense. “You don’t ever have to be afraid.”
The vehemence in his voice was reassuring. And she knew. She knew all of this logically. If there was one thing in this world she was sure of was that they’d always protect her and she really didn’t have to be afraid. But sometimes logic was so simple. Sometimes fear overran all else. Even common sense.
She swallowed hard and then turned so she could see the others. Seth was staring at her, his blue eyes fierce, but he waited. Tense. Stiff. As if he feared what it was she had to say.
She’d made such a muck of this. Because of her fears, she’d made them afraid.