Read, Write, Love at Seaside(73)

Kurt took stock of him in three seconds flat. Wide smile, dark tan, longish, sun-streaked, brownish blond hair that fell almost to his eyes, broad shoulders, and eyes that didn’t hold a threat. Kurt had never been a jealous man. He assumed that not having a steady girlfriend helped in that regard. Despite the lack of threat in Tony’s eyes, his gut clenched.

Tony waved. “Hey, man. Sorry we didn’t get to meet while you were here. I slept for, like, two days. Jet lag, man, it’s a killer. I was whipped.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll connect the next time Leanna and I are up.” He couldn’t help it; he had to claim her.

“Great. I’m looking forward to it. According to these goofballs, you’re, like, Mr. Perfect. I’d be glad to break you of that nasty habit.”

Tony laughed, and Kurt couldn’t help but like his easy nature.

“I fear they have a limited stock of men to compare me to. I’m far from perfect, and trust me, they think the world of you, too.”

Tony lifted his beer with a nod, and Leanna’s face appeared on the screen again.

“Hey, babe. I just got to Treat’s, and I just wanted to say hi before I went in. I don’t know what they have planned for tonight, but I’ll text you when I settle in for the night, and if you’re still up, you can call me.”

Three hard knocks on the car window drew his attention away from Leanna as she spoke.

“Sounds great. Thank you for the dress, and I love the card.”

“Hold on, babe,” he said as he stepped from the car, and Siena flew into his arms.

“Oh my gosh! I’ve missed you so much! I can’t believe you’re finally here. I’ve waited all day to see you. Look how tan you are. Everyone’s inside and—”

“Siena.” He held up his phone and wiggled it.

“Hi, Siena!” Leanna said loudly.

“Oh my goodness! Leanna?” Siena’s baby blues widened as she took the phone from Kurt’s hand. “Hi. It’s so nice to see you. Wow! You’re really pretty.” Siena wore a pair of white shorts and a pink T-shirt. She looked happy and full of life, reminding him of Leanna.

“Thank you. So are you. I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the wedding, but I was honored to have been asked.”

Kurt shook his head and smiled at the instant kinship between his sister and the woman he loved. He heard the smile in Leanna’s voice, and despite wanting to give them time to talk, he was anxious to see her face. He grabbed his bags from the backseat and leaned against the car until Siena and Leanna paused to take a breath; then he reached for the phone.

“I’ll give you back to Kurt, but I can’t wait to meet you.” Siena held a thumbs-up at Kurt.

“Me too.” He heard the smile in Leanna’s voice.

“I love her,” Siena whispered when she handed him the phone. “I got your house all set up. She’ll love it.”

“Thanks, Siena. I’ll be in as soon as I’m off.” He turned his attention back to Leanna. “So, now you’ve met my sister.”

Siena waved over her head as she hurried inside.

“And I love her. Kurt, she’s so nice.”

“Yeah, she’s a pistol.” He wondered if his siblings could see how much he adored Leanna. He couldn’t imagine how they could see anything else.

“I know you have to get inside with your family. I wish so much I was there with you. I feel like I’m missing out on such an important event, and I miss you like crazy. I can’t imagine going to sleep alone tonight. I’m going to have to cuddle up to Pepper.”

Oh, I love you. “At least you have Pepper. I’ll have to be content thinking about you.” He saw the front door open, and his younger brother Sage stepped onto the porch of the two-story, stone and cedar-sided home and waved. Kurt waved back, watching Sage approach in his cargo shorts and tank top. He was as religious about his exercise as Kurt was, and it showed in his powerful frame. “Sage just came out on the porch, which means he either wants a peek at you or he’s anxious to see me, and since he’s walking across the driveway, I have a feeling—”

Sage snagged the phone from his hand.

“Dude,” Kurt snapped, although he knew his smile betrayed him. He was enjoying this new and different attention from his siblings, and he was proud to show off Leanna. He knew his family would love her as much as he did. She was easy to love.

“Leanna? Hi, I’m Sage. I wanted to meet you for myself, even if over FaceTime.” Sage’s dark hair had grown in thick and wavy over the summer.

“Hi, Sage. It’s nice to meet you,” Leanna said.