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and not only because I was pretty sure I knew the fate of his missing person.
    Joshua came running from somewhere out back and pounded up the porch steps, and I could have sworn he was going to hug me, but he skidded to his knees and hugged Myrtle instead. His smile was huge and aimed up at me, though. “Hey, Rachel! Where you been? It’s been like ages. ”
    I went soft inside at the enthusiastic welcome. “I’ve been busy jetting around being a famous author. I would so much rather be hanging out with you. But I brought food so you’d forgive me.” I held up the bags and nodded at Misty, right behind me, who was carrying two more. “This is Misty, my niece.”
    “Hi, Josh,” she said.
    Josh said hi, getting to his feet but keeping one hand on Myrtle’s head, scratching while she wriggled in delight. “If there’s hash browns, you’re my favorite writer,” he said and, Myrtle at his side now, he opened the door and we all trooped inside.
    “There are indeed hash browns,” I promised.
    “Yeah, and at least two sandwiches for each of you,” Misty added.
    At that moment Mason came down the stairs pulling a green shirt over his head, his chest and abs bare. My stupid stomach clenched up into a hard little knot, and I was still staring at his chest like my bulldog would stare at a steak—well, if she could see it—when his head popped into view. Misty elbowed me in the rib cage, and I dragged my focus from his chest to his face.
    “Rachel.” Mason seemed surprised and maybe a little flustered, but his smile was genuine. “What are you doing here?”
    “I needed to talk to you about something.” I tore my eyes away from him, glimpsing Jeremy, who was gaming and hadn’t even said hello. “The gorgeous blonde bearing additional food is my niece Misty.”
    Just as I had intended, that got Jeremy’s attention. He looked our way, and then he paused the game and got to his feet. “Hey, Rachel.”
    “Hello, Jeremy,” I replied. Then I turned to Misty and said, “This is the young man who saved my life.”
    Misty smiled. And there had not been a teenage boy born who didn’t turn to mush at that smile. It was bright and white and made her vivid blue eyes, fake tan and white-blond hair even more attractive. “So you’re the one. Thanks for saving my aunt.”
    Jeremy shrugged and looked at his sneakers. At least he was on his feet now.
    Mason clapped his hands together and said, “Well, let’s eat. Fast food is best served piping hot, right?”
    The kitchen table only seated four. Mason and I unloaded the bags and stacked the food in piles on paper plates. McMuffins on one, hash browns on another, French Toast Sticks on a third. The younger crew helped themselves and headed back into the living room, where Josh served as the ice-breaker, getting the conversation going while plying Myrtle with way too many treats. Pretty soon it was noisy in there, which was good, because it gave me an opportunity to say what I’d come here to say.
    But Mason spoke up before I had the chance. “Look at Jeremy,” he said in a stage whisper.
    I glanced through into the living room, where the kids were all on the couch, wolfing junk food, playing with Myrtle and yacking, the Xbox still paused and possibly forgotten.
    “I haven’t heard him say more than two words at a time since October,” Mason marveled.
    “My niece has that effect on many of the male species.”
    “You should bring her around more often.”
    “I will.”
    He looked at me, our eyes locked and I stammered, “You know what I mean. If it would help Jeremy.” Damn, Rache, idiot much?
    “It would.” He held my eyes a beat too long, and I looked away to pick out a breakfast sandwich.
    “I, um, noticed the Jeep. Yours?”
    “Yeah. I finally broke down and bought something more suited to winter driving. The Black Beast is going into the barn for a well-deserved winter nap soon.”
    I smiled. “I did the same.”
    He glanced out the kitchen window at