Page 154 of Kylie

“What’s on your mind?”

I looked over at Travis. “Just thinkin’ about how blessed we are.”

“Damn straight we are,” Travis said, tipping his beer bottle to his lips. “And I won’t fuckin’ take it for granted ever again.”

No, none of us would.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, drawing my attention. I watched the doorway, waiting.

Kylie appeared, and just like every time I’d seen her for the past two months, my heart swelled. The feeling was more than an emotional kick. My chest filled with warmth and what I could only describe as hope for the future we’d thought we had lost.

She looked tired, but there was a smile on her face when she noticed us.

God, I loved that smile.

“You wanna sit for a while?” Travis asked.

“I’d love to.”

“You wanna beer?” I offered.

“Nah. I’ll just take a sip of yours.”

When she settled between us, I passed mine over. She took a sip and passed it back before turning so that she could rest her head on my thigh and drape her legs across Travis’s lap.

Instantly, my throat tightened, and I fought the emotion that bubbled down deep. We’d done this so many times before. It was a comforting reminder of the important things in life.

“So, I noticed y’all cleared out the guest room today,” Kylie said casually.

Travis’s head snapped at the same time mine did, our eyes colliding.

“Oh, come on, boys. Y’all really didn’t think I’d notice?”

“Well…” I chuckled.

Travis grinned. “We were hopin’.”

“You’ll have to get up earlier in the mornin’ to get one over on me.”

“Or maybe we’ll just make it so you’ve got to stay in bed longer.” Travis took a pull on his beer. “Got any ideas on how to do that?”

The question was aimed at me, but before I could respond, Kylie raised her hand. “I’ve got several.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded, her head shifting on my thigh.

“Do any of ’em require you to be dressed?”

She flashed a wide grin. “Nope. Not a one.”

God, I loved this woman.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Kylie