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“Me too. We’re just going with the flow.”
She stood up and stretched, rocking from side to side. Observing her moving around the dark bedroom, just a hint of daylight coming through a crack in the drapery, he knew he didn’t want to live without her.
“Can we get married?”
She spun around and looked at him. “You don’t want to marry me, Alphé. Trust me.”
“I can’t live without you.”
He lay back down, trying not to whine. He’d never whined with Lola, as awful as she had been. But the threat of losing Katrina, now that was real. He needed her strength and her presence. He needed her in the lives of his children. He needed her money.
“And you won’t have to. The way things are right now is best for us. Marriage isn’t necessary. Lola can see the kids daily, and we don’t have to deal with her. Calista is there to clean up after Lola and pick up the slack. Once I’m moved, I’ll see where I fit in. The kids are already crazy about the bunk room. It’s got just enough privacy for each kid, but they’ll be together. It’s perfect.”
“I’ll come straight there tonight,” Alphé said. “Calista will have the kids, so it’ll just be us.”
“That sounds perfect.”
She quickly dressed before Lola got there, aware of a small but growing sense of suffocation.
Maggie and Justin spooned, the ceiling fan blowing a gentle breeze on their naked bodies. The sound of Spooky and Dale whinnying meant the wild horses might be close by.
“Is it time to get up? Your alarm didn’t go off,” Maggie mumbled.
Moaning, Justin held her tightly, nuzzling the back of her neck.
“Your beard is picky.” Giggling, she pulled her shoulders up to her ears.
“You liked it last night.”
“Ha! Yes, I did.”
“I guess this means I have to get up. Today is surgery day.”
“You’re saving lives. And I’m caught up. I might go for a trail ride.”
“Take your phone,” Justin said.
“It doesn’t work out in the field.”
“Oh, right.”
He climbed over her, and she glanced up just as his man parts were eye level, making her bury her head in the pillow to laugh. As much as he wanted to tell her she shouldn’t ride alone, he knew it would tick her off if he said anything.
“I’ll let Kelly and Annie know I’m going out.”
“If you get thrown and don’t come back right away, they’ll know to look for you.”
“Right, Justin. And I’ll take Brulee. She’ll fetch someone. Of course, now I’m going to be nervous because you just can’t be happy for me.”
“It’s not that, Maggie.”
“Dale is about as trustworthy as a horse can be. He will not throw me.”
“What if Raven approaches while you’re on horseback?”
“Well, that’s a point. I’ll get down if I see her.”
“Good idea. See? You always think of the smart thing.”
