“Stop staring, Austin,” Nana said while smacking my arm.
I couldn’t help it. Nina looked absolutely amazing in her Grannie’s issued cowgirl costume. The short skirt showed off her sexy legs, and the gingham button up she wore over a tank-top was tied at her waist and displayed her already tempting chest in ways that made me tent my pants and want to bail on our plans.
Turns out losing half a leg didn’t diminish my desire for Nina, and we’d found creative ways to satisfy our needs.
Gibson wasted no time crossing the distance to the kitchen after hugging Nina.
“Looking good, Winchester,” G said, blocking my view of the woman I loved more every day.
“Thanks, G, you look good too.” Like the good date he was, and at Nana’s insistence, he’d also dressed as a cop.Only his gun is real.
Mine was too. My Glock messed with the cowboy aesthetic, but I didn’t care.
G bent down and kissed Nana on the cheek. “You look fabulous, my dear.”
She blushed and patted her short, gray hair.
“Do you mind if I steal Austin for a minute?”
“No, dear, you boys go talk.”
Gibson walked me outside, which meant he didn’t want Nina or Nana Sue overhearing.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing’s up. I wanted to ask how you’re doing.”
We didn’t need privacy for that.
He added, “And I want you to be honest.”
There it was, he thought I’d lie to save the girls from hearing the truth.
“Most days I’m good. Still adjusting to my temporary fake leg.” I knocked my cane against the metal that represented a calf. I was now at least partly a robot, much to Bryce’s amusement.
“And the nightmares?”
“Less frequent.” Knowing he’d ask, I added, “Nina’s are too. She’s a trooper.” Dr. Lassiter, the team doctor Rogers had mentioned, had recommended PTSD specialists in the area and Nina and I still went regularly.
“Tell me something I don’t know.” His smiled showed off his white teeth.
Nina and I had frequently woken each other up when we tossed and turned from our nightmares, but thankfully, we were sleeping better now.
I always sleep better at her side. The three nights a week I stayed in Dallas, while I worked part time, were the worst.
My retirement couldn’t come fast enough, and I counted down the days until I lived in Weatherford full time.
It wasn’t just about Nina; I’d grown a lot closer to my family during my medical leave. They’d stayed by my side while I recovered, encouraging and teasing me in equal measure as I relearned how to walk.
Except Ethan. We called and video chatted, but his baseball schedule kept him away from home. But the season was ending soon, and I looked forward to reconnecting in person.
“Any news on the internal affairs investigation?” I asked. We expected to hear any day, but I hadn’t checked my emails since leaving the office on Wednesday.
He laughed, “It’s good to hear that you’re checking out during your time off.”
I laughed with him. There was a time I’d be glued to my laptop twenty-four seven. And while I wanted to know the results of theinvestigation, I trusted that my continued employment meant we weren’t in too much trouble.
“So?”
