Page 97 of Road to Absolution

Even though it was years ago, it felt so tangible again as I relived it. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.” Tuck lifted his head, wiping tears. “You need to understand that your smile is just as important.”

That caught my breath.

He nodded. “You have to learn to talk. Scream if you have to, but express your needs, too.” He touched my chest. “The light that comes from here, the one always trying to shine a path for others, needs to also shine on you.” He wiped under his nose. “You want to help Maverick?”

Desperately, I nodded but was too moved to speak.

“Lead by example.”

My mouth fell open.

“Show him how to ask for help,” struggling to speak, he shrugged, “by doing it yourself.”

I covered my mouth. He was right. He was so right.

Smiling, the rest of his tears fell away. “So, what does my Light want?”

I smiled, too. “That cheeseburger.”

My brother and I sat together, laughed and talked, and I had the best cheeseburger of my life.

Viola had returned to the clubhouse with treats. A desert for Tuck and me—that we were supposed to share, but, well, he lost, and preggers devoured most of it. Then she handed me a gift bag.

Digging in it and feeling silk, I giggled. “Why do you wrap deliveries?” I knew our small town didn’t have a true lingerie store.

Standing at the end of my bed, Vixen rolled her eyes, her hand waving through the air. “And hand it to you in a box with stamps, stickers, and fingerprints of every person who has handled it? That just zaps the fun right out of it.” She gestured to her body, then took on the voice of a southern character from “Steel Magnolias.” “Propper wrapping counts.” She winked.

Tucker rumbled, “I like your wrapping.”

“Of course, you do. I’m hot as sin.”

I gasped as I pulled the ivory nightgown with black lace from the bag. It was gorgeous! And maternity! “Vixen! I’m not allowed to have sex!”

Tuck nodded in approval. “I really like your doctor.”

V ignored him and leaned forward, resting her hands on the bed. “No, but there ain’t nothin’ wrong with some good ol’ torture to keep your man’s undivided attention.”

Crossing his arms, Tucker’s head tilted, and his finger tapped his lips. “Why do I feel like I am a regular victim of yours?”

Without standing back up, her head lolled to see him. “Is there any other woman you even think about in this town?”

“Not even in the whole world.”

“Damn straight. That’s because I know what the fuck I’m doing.”

I started laughing so hard, I yelled, “Oh no!” and ran to the bathroom.

Tuck watched me. “There goes Puddles.”

From the toilet, I heard V say, “We really need to get her some of those dog training pee pads. Like, no joke. Put one under her butt in this bed.”

Lying in bed, my heart pounded with hope when our bedroom door opened. I was so excited to hear how his ride went. The shy, dimpled-smile Maverick shared with me, when he finally came back, was earthmoving.

Until he eyed what I was wearing.

His nostrils immediately flared as if inhaling me.