AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Archer
It’s been three weeks since the funeral and bit by bit we’ve been getting our Brayleigh back. Something broke in her during her mom’s eulogy, something that only time and love could heal. We’ve been staying at the ranch with her in a rotation, helping her with the upkeep until she gets her feet under her. None of us want to leave her, the need to stay close and be around her is a constant struggle for all of us.
Brayleigh took a few days to let herself grieve before she jumped into working in the ranch office. She’s been doing an amazing job, something her dad would be incredibly proud of. Her mom went to stay with her aunt for a while, the house still too hard for her to be in. She did leave the condition that at least one of us stay here with her though. She really didn’t have to twist our arms to get that to happen, all of us are more than happy to be here for our girl.
Since it’s Friday, we all decided to stay here this weekend. We’re making Bray take time off from the books to relax and unwind with us. We have a weekend of relaxation and fun planned to help get our girl out of her funk, even if it’s just for a little while. I got here about an hour ago from the office, Colt and Grayson were already here since they help with the technical running of the farm during the week.
“Hey, Archer. What are you making?” Bray asks, walking up behind me and kissing between my shoulder blades.
“I’m just making tacos,” I say with a small chuckle. “Something easy and filling.”
“Mmmm. That sounds delicious. Just a heads up, my mom is apparently stopping by the house to talk in a bit.” Bray smiles softly when I turn to her.
“Okay, babe. I’ll keep dinner warm until you’re ready to eat,” I murmur, kissing her.
“Thanks, love. She actually wants you guys there as well. Do you know when the others are getting here?”
“They should be here soon. Colt and Gray are working here so you just have to holler for them and Tuck was coming here straight from the shop. Mason is just down the road at our family’s farm.” I check my phone quickly, sending a message to the guys to let them know to come here. “I messaged them for you. The only one who won’t answer is Tuck.”
The way Bray smiles at me in that moment makes me feel like I just hung the moon for her. She has a way of brightening even the darkest of rooms with that smile, it’s absolutely stunning. I smile back, my hand moving to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. I’m definitely head over heels for this girl.
“You’re the best.” Bray hugs me tightly, her head laying perfectly on my chest.
“What about me?” Tuck speaks up from behind us. “I’m better! Look at how fast I got here.”
“You probably almost killed yourself and others driving the way you do though,” Bray shoots back, a teasing lilt to her voice.
“Fuck that! I’m an awesome driver,” Tuck growls. He walks over, pulling her from my arms into his own. “Take it back.”
“No,” Bray says with a small giggle.
“Take it back or I’ll tickle you until you pee!”
“NO! Tucker Wild, you put me down right this instant. Don’t you dare tickle me!” Bray wiggles, trying to get loose from Tuck’s arms to no avail.
This is what she needs, the ease and simplicity of life with us. The best medicine for her grief right now is love and of course some laughter as well. Watching her laugh and play around with Tuck is enough to make my heart swell with so much love I may just drown in it. I can’t get enough of her, I wouldn’t want to even if I could. My brothers and I are what she needs, screw what everyone around town is saying right now. It’s something we’ll need to talk about, but I refuse to let it affect the relationship we have with her.
“Tickle Bray?” Gray asks as he walks in the kitchen. “I want to tickle Bray! She makes the funniest sounds.”
“That’s very true,” Tuck quickly agrees. “When she makes that cute snort sound, it’s enough to make a serial killer say awe.”
I laugh along with my brothers at that. Tuck has a way with words sometimes, you know when every other word isn’t fuck. It’s true though, Bray’s snort is the cutest damn thing I’ve ever heard. Almost makes me want to jump in and join the tickle attack. Almost.
“Someone save me, please! If any of you tickle me I will not talk to you all weekend!” Bray switches between pleading for help and threatening everyone.
“Do you need me to come save you?” I tease.
“Yes, Archer! Please, save me. These guys are mean,” Bray pleads. It’s then that Grayson moves behind, tickling her sides while she’s trapped by Tucker.
Bray squeals, laughing her ass off as she twitches around. Tuck and Grayson are laughing with her, their eyes sparkling as they play around with her. Colton and Mason walk in then, talking and looking over at the situation with small smiles.
“What is going on in here?” Colt asks.
“Help. Me. No more tickles,” Bray wheezes out between laughing fits.
“Should we help her?” I look over at Colton and Mason. “Or should we help them?”
“That’s quite the conundrum,” Mason surmises. “I’m really not sure.”
