Page 43 of Holden’s Resurrection

Faith squirmed uncomfortably. He wasn’t sure what that meant but he did know he didn’t want to discuss Paul. At least, not until he figured out a way to lock his hatred for the man down so Faith would never know what a douche the guy had been.

Shit. He shouldn’t have even been thinking that while Faith was on his lap.

What was wrong with him?

The man was dead and gone.

Years had passed but Holden still couldn’t forgive Paul for what he’d done. Especially what he’d done to Charleigh.

Not knowing what else to say, Holden’s gaze slid to Charleigh. She stared back at him with a look that said help me—or maybe it said go to hell. Whatever the message, the tears brimming in her eyes were Holden’s undoing.

In an effort to move the conversation along, he rewound to breakfast.

“Are you ready for pancakes, syrup, and sausage?”

“Bacon,” Faith corrected.

“Oh, right, bacon.”

Holden winked and Faith was back to smiling.

“Leigh-Leigh?”

“I’m not hungry.”

Faith leaned in close to Holden. In a horrible attempt at a whisper, she announced, “Mom’s grouchy before coffee.”

“She is,” he readily agreed.

So many memories assaulted him; bringing Charleigh coffee in bed; watching her shuffle into the kitchen, her hair disheveled but never looking so beautiful, wearing a deep frown until she saw coffee was made; Leigh-Leigh kissing him sweetly when he made her a mug just the way she liked it.

Holden could recall everything about Charleigh. Every single little detail. From her favorites, to the freckles on her stomach, to the places she loved to be touched.

“How about we get her some?”

Faith nodded and smiled. Without delay, Holden grabbed his phone off the roll-table that was covered in Faith’s medical records from the night before and dialed Nixon.

“Everything good?” Nix’s tired voice came over the line and Holden internally frowned.

Damn. It was still early and his friend hadn’t left the hospital until late.

“Yeah, sorry, brother, I should’ve checked the time. Go back to sleep—”

“I’m up. What do you need?”

Not for the first time, or even the hundredth, Holden thought about how lucky he was to have such good friends.

“Faith’s up and hungry. I don’t want to leave. Would you mind picking up pancakes and bacon and don’t forget the syrup?”

“Yup. What else?”

“Two extra-large coffees. One black, one with about two inches of creamer and five sugars. A toasted everything bagel with extra cream cheese. Oh, and an orange juice.”

“Got it. I’ll swing by Sam’s then be in. We need to talk about where Charleigh and Faith will be staying.”

Shit. Goddamn. Holden had forgotten about that. Charleigh would be released today and there was no way in hell they were going back to that apartment. But Holden’s Airstream was barely big enough for him.

“I’ll make some calls.”