Across the Vanishing Sky (Starlight Grove, #1)(68)

“I, uh, like making creative cookies. My friend Nova calls them comic cookies. I’ll make them for any occasion,” I cut in.

Maverick’s amused gaze moved back to me. “And what was the occasion for boobie cookies?”

My face was so hot I could’ve baked another set of boobie cookies on it. “There was a little cabin snafu the day we moved to Starlight Grove, and I walked in on Dex coming out of the shower.”

Wylder fought a laugh. “You mean he thought you were breaking in, and your dog thought he was a threat, and a towel was lost in the process?”

“That’s the gist of it. Anyone want a Bigfoot cookie?” I shoved the plate into the middle of the group, praying for a change in subject.

A big, broad man wearing Carhartt overalls brightened. “Did you say Bigfoot?”

A smile finally found my lips. “I did. There are also cookies in the form of hot sauce bottles, peppers, and a few clocks. Wylder told me some family interests.”

“Bigfoot is all Waylon,” Kol grumbled.

I glanced over at the towering man. “You don’t believe?”

“You do?”

I straightened, squaring my shoulders. “The human race evolved from apes. Is it that much of a stretch to think there’s a species out there that evolved differently? Plus, it’s fun.”

Waylon bit into a cookie and pointed the other half at me. “I like her.”

Kol scoffed. “Won over in two seconds by Bigfoot.”

“Did you hear about the sighting in the town a couple miles outside of Anchorage?” I asked.

Waylon nodded enthusiastically. “That video was wild.”

“Videos can be doctored,” Dex reminded us.

I sent him an annoyed look. “Don’t be a buzzkill.”

Waylon barked out a laugh. “Okay, I really like her.”

“Bruh, is that a cow?” Owen asked, walking toward the back doors.

“That’s Tink,” Waylon informed him.

Owen shook his head in wonder. “A tree growing out of your freaking house and shaggy cows in your backyard? This place is doing the most.”

“Doing the most?” Wylder asked, confused.

One corner of my mouth kicked up. “He means it’s cool.”

“Doing the most,” Mav muttered. “I gotta keep up on my slang.”

Dex clapped him on the back. “Good luck with that.”

The sound of a screen door smacking against the frame sent everyone but me and Owen on alert. Dex moved in an instant, positioning himself next to me but also between me and Owen and the sound.

Confusion swept through me as heavy footsteps sounded. Then, a new figure stepped into the entryway to the kitchen. He filled more of the frame than the other Archer brothers would’ve. His shoulders were a bit broader, and his height topped them all by an inch or so. But he had the same hazel eyes—though maybe a little darker, the deep green snuffing out most of the gold.

And those eyes were pointed at me with suspicion.

I swallowed hard, assuming this was Orion. Some people would’ve been scared of someone that size glaring at them like they’d stolen their last Twinkie. But all I could think about was what Dex had shared. Orion’s story and what he’d been through.

Instead of seeing the slightly scary man in front of me, I saw a boy. One who’d given everything to protect his brothers.

I lifted my hands to sign as I spoke. “Hi, Orion. It’s nice to meet you.”

Surprise washed across Orion’s features, but he didn’t say a word or even make a move to sign.

My hands lowered. “I looked up how to sign a few things, but I don’t know much. Sorry.”

Dex’s hand found the small of my back, the heat of his palm bleeding into me. “It’s nice you made the effort.”

“It is,” Wylder agreed, sending Orion a pointed look.

“I think it’s really dope you talk with your hands. I wanna learn. Mom said me and her could take classes,” Owen cut in, showing zero fear.

God, I loved my kid. He was the absolute best.

Orion’s gaze traveled to Owen, curiosity there. But still, he said nothing.

Owen didn’t seem to mind.

“Well,” Waylon cut in, “brisket’s been cooking for the past day, and it should be ready. Mashed potatoes and rolls are in the warmer.” He sent Dex a chastising look. “Unless Cleany McGee over here moved them.”

I tipped my head back to look at Dex in question.

He sighed. “Rolls and mashed potatoes in the oven make sense. I didn’t move them.”

Waylon just let out a harumph. “Let’s eat.”

It took a second for everyone to find their spots, Kol calling Skylar in from outside. She and Owen instantly began chattering about camp, and it helped to ease a little of the tension in the room. But I didn’t miss that Orion sat directly opposite me, in a spot that gave him an easy exit out the back or front doors. I couldn’t help wondering if that was intentional.

Skylar glanced up at him, pausing her animated conversation with Owen. “Can you teach us how to booby-trap a water balloon with food dye? There’s a real meanie at camp who could use it.”

“Absolutely not,” Kol cut in.

There was the barest twitch to Orion’s lips as his hands began to move in reply.