AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What did you do to her?”
“What?” Ryan dragged his eyes from Faith and the little girl, who was now being spun in circle by Aunty Faith.
“Faith. She reserves that particular look for people who really annoy her,” Jake said.
“I didn’t see a look.”
“The no-expression look.”
“Ah, right. She thinks I’m neglecting Hope and Mom.”
“Makes sense now,” Jake said.
“What makes sense?”
“She’s protective of Hope.” Jake shrugged. “You’ve been gone fourteen years—”
“Eleven.”
“There is no substitute for a face-to-face with the people you love, no matter how many times you use technology to stay in touch.”
“I’ve been busy.” Ryan tried not to sound annoyed.
“No way, what you been up to?” Buster said reappearing. “I just talked to Macy, and the cabin’s yours, but seeing as you’re indecently rich, it’s a mill a night.”
Jake snickered.
“Key’s at Macy’s shop. She said Syd’s food is in the fridge, and seeds are in a jar on the shelf,” Buster added.
“Syd?”
“African parrot. He moved into the cottage and never left. Likes the quiet, which is weird considering he never shuts up.”
“Okay, thanks,” Ryan said, sure Buster was winding him up.
He’d heard about Macy’s shop and her transformation from Hope. That, plus the fact her asshole ex-husband had abused her.
“So how long you back for?” Buster asked.
“Not sure. A few days maybe.”
“Shame if it’s only a few days after fifteen years,” Jake said, needling him.
“Eleven, and I’m here, so I at least get points for that.”
“You pissy, Ryan?” Noah asked, making the last cup and putting it in front of him. “Because you sound snippy.”
“He does sound pissy.” Jake took the mug Noah placed on the counter as Ryan reached for it.
He remembered that about these guys. Annoying each other came as natural as breathing.
“What possible reason would I have to be annoyed?” Ryan asked.
“He’s pissy because I got into him earlier, and now you lot are questioning him about how long he’s been gone,” Faith said.
“I’m not pissy. Who gets pissy, or for that matter snippy, anyway?” Ryan protested, feeling the leash on his temper slip slightly. “Angry, annoyed, and pissed off, but pissy is not for men.”
“Valid point.” Jake raised his mug in a salute. “Branna started using it after she read this book, and it just kind of stuck.”
