AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But I could admit something was missing. Noa and Cam hadn’t really left their marks yet. We were living in the catalogue home Lucian and I had randomly picked out. In retrospect, it gave off a few bachelor vibes—if the bachelors loved naked walls and cherrywood all over.
Greer had a number of dogs he’d adopted over the years, so I wasn’t surprised that our arrival was announced. Greer, Sloan, Archie, and Corey were waiting on the porch when I slowed down in front of the gate.
Finlay Ridge Family Farm.
From here, even in the dark, we could see the expansive front yard, the vegetable garden, the chicken coop, swing set, and creek.
Cam climbed out as I killed the engine, and Noa offered me my cane between the seats.
“Are you sure you should get out, Daddy?” he asked. “You’ve been on your feet all day.”
“Another five minutes won’t make a difference—but I’ll be cuddling you half to death in our bed as soon as we get home.”
He flashed me the first genuine grin all evening and zipped up his jacket.
Greer was there to open the gate for us, and Noa and I trailed a few paces behind Cam.
“How you doin’, pet?” Greer flashed him a look of sympathy.
“Ugh, Sir. The answer is ugh.”
“I bet.” Greer ruffled the boy’s hair a bit, then nodded toward the porch. “Archie’s ready to fuss over you.”
“Hi, Noa!” Corey waved from the porch. He was appropriately dressed in a green onesie—with a hood and everything.
Noa waved back.
Cam returned to me and dropped his bag before he hugged my middle, and I squeezed him tightly. When he wriggled inside my jacket, I understood it wasn’t going to be the briefest hug, so I nudged Noa and told him it was okay to go say hi to Corey.
Noa nodded and greeted Greer on the way too.
I kissed the top of Cam’s head and rubbed his back. “Everything’s gonna work out, little one.”
He sniffled and nodded against my chest.
Greer cleared his throat. “Any updates on Lucian?”
I lifted my head. “Not really. He was out like the light when I left a message in his room—but the blood work confirmed the EKG, at least. No sign of a heart attack.”
Greer released a breath. “Thank fuck. So he’s comin’ home tomorrow?”
I inclined my head and rubbed the back of Cam’s neck. “Noa and I will pick him up pretty early.” I dropped another kiss to Cam’s hair. “You ready to go in, pet? You need to get some rest.”
Cam nodded drowsily and took a step back. “I love you,” he mumbled and wiped at his cheeks.
“I love you too.” I cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead. “Don’t feel bad, okay?”
He let out a tearful chuckle. “I’ll try.”
“I mean it,” I murmured. “You did the right thing. As much as this pains me, I think it’s good for all of us. We don’t wanna taint anything by acting out of guilt and sympathy. You need this break—and when you come home again, you’ll’ve had a day or two to prepare.”
He nodded jerkily, eyes welling up again, so I reckoned he’d needed to hear that. “Thank you,” he croaked.
I gave him a final squeeze, then let a chunk of my heart walk away from me with an overnight bag he’d gotten from Lucian and me for Christmas.
I blew out a heavy breath and gripped the cane a little harder.
“I’d appreciate if he didn’t stay up too long tonight,” I said. “He needs to relax—which I’m not sure he’s done in weeks.”
