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Gavin leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. Lila squirmed a bit before stilling and staring back at them all.
“Lila seems to be under the mistaken impression that she owes us,” Trace said. “And I told her that if she tried to give us any of her money then I would spank her butt bright red. What she doesn’t understand is that we like taking care of her, that it fills something inside us to look after her, protect her, making sure that she has everything she needs.”
Lila remained silent, nibbling on her lip.
“Lila?” Gavin questioned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she told him, sounding uncharacteristically grouchy. This wasn’t the Lila they knew and something was wrong. Very wrong.
“Lila, eat your breakfast,” Gavin bossed.
“I’m not hungry.” She stood, her chair scraping back. “Nothing’s wrong. I just don’t feel like talking, all right?”
She turned away, but Gavin grabbed her around the waist before she could flee. Ignoring the way she fought, he stood and dragged her against him, her back to his chest.
“Shh, shh, shh,” he said. “Calm down. Calm down.” All of a sudden she burst into tears, sagging against him. Gavin sat and pulled her down onto his lap, rocking her.
All three men looked at each other with worry.
“Oh, baby girl, you’re overwrought, aren’t you?” Gavin crooned to her.
“I-I’m s-sorry,” she sobbed.
Collin crouched down in front of them. “What happened, Lila?”
She just shook her head and buried her face against Gavin’s chest. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.
“Little one,” Colin said. “We just want to help you. Tell us what’s going on. Please.” He couldn’t stand seeing her like this. “Did something happen last night?”
She shook her head. Everyone remained silent for a long moment before Colin sighed and ran his hand over her back. “Want to lie on the couch with me for a while, Lila?” he asked her.
Lila nodded and he scooped her up, carrying her down to the living room and settling her on the couch. He lifted her head then sat, settling her head on his lap so he could rub her temples.
Switching on the TV, he turned it down low. They sat there silently for a long time. Gavin and Trace popped in from time to time. About an hour after he’d settled them in, he glanced down to find her fast asleep.
What the hell happened last night?
Trace stepped into the room, sitting on the coffee table as he stared down at Lila, a look of love and concern on his face. Colin knew how Trace felt, he couldn’t imagine his life without her now. He couldn’t believe that he’d almost pushed her away.
Trace sighed. “Duncan just called. Said he ha
d to chase some cowboy away from the girls last night. Apparently there were a few strangers in town because of the rodeo in Freestown. Duncan reckoned Laken was about to have the guy’s balls. Think that could be the problem?”
Colin frowned. “Maybe. Did Duncan say if she seemed upset?” He wondered why the other man didn’t call them straight away.
Trace shook his head. “No, he reckoned they were fine. Laken was plenty angry, but he said Lila was calming the situation down. Said he would have called us if he thought there was a problem.”
“Next time they want a girls night one of us will be going to watch over them,” Gavin said emphatically from the doorway.
“They’re not going to like that,” Trace warned, ever the peacemaker.
Gavin shrugged his shoulders. “Their safety comes first.”
“They had people looking out for them,” Colin said. “But I’d rather one of us had been there, even if we’d just watched over them from afar. Then we might have some idea of what is wrong with Lila this morning. I don’t like seeing her like this. She seems dejected. Maybe Savannah can shed some light on things.” Colin shifted Lila’s head off his lap. “I’ll go talk to her. I’ve wanted to talk to Max about a hunting trip anyway.”
*****
“Savi, you still in bed, darlin’?” Logan called out.
