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Viv nodded and wondered if he realized he’d called the dog a little boy. “You’re going to make him so happy.” The trio headed to Viv’s brother’s cabin in the woods. “It’s been a great day so far.”
“It has. Do we really need to ruin it by going to your brother’s place? My jaw can’t take another Armstrong punch.”
She reached over and pinched his cheek. “You thought that was a punch? That was a love tap.”
“That was client abuse.”
“You want to see abuse? Let me tell my brother that you tried to kiss me and see what happens.”
He gasped. “You wouldn’t.”
She laughed. “No, I wouldn’t because a dead client isn’t a paying client. Besides, I like Lucky too much to orphan him.”
“Thank you.” Red pulled up in front of the house but turned his truck around, so it was facing the exit. “Just in case I need to make a quick getaway.”
“Don’t worry, I signed on to protect you and that means against everyone, including my brother.”
He looked around. “We’re in the woods. He could murder me and say it was a bear attack.”
“He could, but he won’t.”
Viv led Red up the steps to the porch and knocked on the door. A few moments later, it opened to reveal Val.
“Viv,” he said, his tone cordial but distant. “What brings you here?”
“I just need to get my clothes,” Viv replied, trying to hide her disappointment at her brother’s lack of enthusiasm.
Val stepped aside, gesturing for them to come in. “Everything is where you left it.”
Viv made her way to the spare room, with Red following closely behind her. She opened her bag and began packing up her things. As she did, she couldn’t help but notice the sound of the baby crying in the next room.
She turned to Red. “That’s Natalie,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. “Let’s go see her.”
Red looked hesitant, but Viv didn’t wait for an answer. She made her way to the nursery, where Cameron was cradling the crying baby in her arms.
“Hi, Cam,” Viv said, leaning in to kiss her sister-in-law on the cheek.
“Do you want to hold her?”
“Oh, I don’t know. She seems unhappy.”
Cameron smiled, holding out her arms. “She’s been fussing all day. Maybe you can calm her down.”
Viv hesitantly cradled the baby in her arms, rocking her gently. Natalie’s cries turned into coos, and Viv felt a sense of joy spread through her. “Look at that. She likes me.”
Cameron laughed. “Well, you are her favorite aunt.”
Viv smiled. “I’m her only aunt.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re not the best.” Cameron looked past her to Red. “Hey, Red. What have you got there?”
“Just a dog we found on the side of the road.”
“You rescued him?”
Red lowered his head, but Viv could see the tops of his ears turning pink. “Yeah. Took him to the vet and everything. It’s like having a kid.”
Cameron laughed. “You can say that when you start breastfeeding him.”
