“Pfft. I’m trying, but I have a ranch to run.” Crompton pointed his cane at Santino. “You gonna hurt him again?”
A year later, and Crompton was still asking that question. “No. We’re building a life together. I have no intentions of leaving him. I needed time to accept my feelings for him, but that’s all in the past now.”
“Good. I don’t want to see him hurt again. He’s had enough of that, and I like you. Hate to have to shoot you.”
“Crompton.” TJ came over and stood next to Santino. “How are you?”
Crompton snorted. “Where’s Cody? I like him.”
“He’s inside helping Orsen. Toni’s in there too. She brought food.”
Crompton snorted again, then left them as he headed inside.
“He’s in a cheerful mood,” Santino said.
TJ chuckled. “That’s his normal mood. You should know that by now.” They both walked to the house. “Are you ready for this?”
“We’ve been living together for the last few months.”
“How is he handling the extra year in school?”
“He knew it was likely, but he expected to repeat a couple of years, so he’s okay with one. He’s still in touch with his friends, so he’s in a good place.”
“They’re here?”
“Inside now. They’re entertaining Arthur and Lincoln. Macy and Christian are causing havoc while Toni ignores it and sorts the food out. I’m sure you know all this because you know Toni is here.”
“Toni called to let me know they’d arrived with food. Cody went straight inside, but I thought I’d save you from Crompton.”
“Mama and Jed make it back okay?” Santino had met them a couple of times when they came to visit Cody and TJ, and liked them. Their three boys were nice too, and Santino could see why Cody loved them the way he did.
“Yeah. We’re planning to go over for a long weekend next month. Now that I have two extra officers, it means I have a life away from the station.”
“One you and Cody are enjoying.”
TJ smiled and looked up, watching a flock of birds fly overhead. “It’s beautiful out here.”
“You guys are always welcome.”
TJ’s smile became a grin. “I think I’ll give you two a few weeks to christen all the rooms.”
Santino chuckled and walked into the house, pausing when he heard all the screaming and laughing. “Sounds like they’re having fun.”
“Regular weekend at my place.” TJ patted him on the back and left him to find Cody. Hearing Orsen’s voice, Santino walked into the large kitchen and watched Orsen cook with his mother, Luna. When she’d met Orsen, Santino had known she wasn’t happy with their age gap, but it hadn’t taken Orsen long to win her over. Now, they talked more than Santino talked to her, but he liked that. Orsen needed a motherly figure in his life, and it helped that he shared her passion for cooking.
“Santino! Where have you been?”
“Mamma.” He bent and kissed her cheek. “Crompton is here and not happy with his cane.”
“At least he had the operation.” Orsen reached up and kissed him. “Can you get everyone? We’ve finished all the cooking, so it’s time to eat.”
“Music to my ears.” Another kiss, then Santino rounded everyone up, and they spent a wonderful evening eating and talking and laughing. By the time everyone had left and the house was cleaned, Santino was ready for bed, but he had something to do first.
“Orsen?”
“Out here!”
Following his voice, Santino stepped out onto the porch and sat on the swing next to Orsen. Orsen wrapped the blanket around them both and Santino sighed. It was a beautiful clear night. The stars shone brightly, and Santino took Orsen’s hand and placed a box in it. Orsen took it and Santino watched as he opened it. Orsen’s mouth fell open, and he looked at the box, then at Santino, then back at the box.
