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My sister was obviously in on all this too. My body is sore, but more than anything I want to check out. I reach into my right pocket to find it empty. When did I stop restocking every morning? This morning, apparently. I left my room for coffee. Coffee was an acceptable risk yesterday morning. This morning it turned into… this.
Luna runs ahead and comes to stand at my side, her eyes focus on mine as she laps up all the pets I can offer.
Kyle perks and returns to the front door, eventually pushing his chest to the ground, butt up, tail spinning. Luna jumps back and barks. They circle one another, sniffing and testing the air. Faster than I could’ve imagined, Kyle and Luna are running and chasing each other, using me as the fixture around which they bait and play.
I use the jamb to brace myself, hoping neither sniffs out my weaknesses.
My sister bounds up the stairs. “That’s a gorgeous Dane that just went streaking by.”
“That’s a wounded Dane. I don’t know what or when, but I’m hoping your services aren’t needed if they play too rough.”
She claps me on the shoulder. “Are you going to introduce me?”
“Et tu, Brute?”
“My Spanish is rusty. Try again.”
I shake my head as Colt fights to slide down from her arms. “Unca Lay,” he cheers and continues babbling as he toddles inside.
Undaunted, Bright ducks under my outstretched arm before turning to me. “You’re letting all the bought air out.”
“You sound like…” I don’t finish that sentence. I know. She knows. No need in saying it aloud.
“Bright, this is Livy Morgan. Livy, this is my annoying sister, Brighton. Don’t ask her about Dolly Parton.”
“Why not Dolly?” Livy’s eyes bounce between mine and my sister’s.
“Well,” Bright begins, and Braxton’s groans echoes my own.
“Now you’ve done it,” Brax says, just as Brighton goes on. “I love Dolly. Dolly is the consummate professional. She’s done it all. Name one artist who has remained so relevant for six decades. I’ll wait. Nope, I don’t have to. No one! And I sang with her in March. Did Lay tell you?”
“He spent his time in yoga trying not to swear or fall over more than talking about his family or their amazing achievements. That’s incredible. And you’re a vet, right?”
“I am,” Brighton replies.
At the same time, Braxton scoffs, “Yoga?”
“I may ask you to take a look at Kyle’s incision, if that’s okay. I know some wound care, but it was deep, and I want to make sure he’s okay.”
“Sure. He’s gorgeous, by the way. He took off with Luna. They’ll be back. Layton’s her favorite. She won’t stay away for long.”
“He did well on the plane, but I’m glad he’s getting some energy out.”
Livy turns to Braxton who has Emberleigh tucked into his side. Colt sits at their feet, slapping Braxton’s boots.
“Yoga is genius for core strength and grounding. Layton”—her head whips to me—“was probably there more on a dare from me or because I challenged his ego.” She smiles at me, making me want to kiss her, before returning her gaze to my brother. “It’s a different use of muscles and muscle groups. Box jumps serve their purpose. So does child’s pose.”
Emberleigh cuts in, “I know there’s a lot going on here, and it’s not a priority, but if you’re willing to work with me, I’d be happy to pay you as a trainer.” She reaches out a hand level to the sofa she sits on. “I hope I’m not insulting you. I know you’re a DPT. I would love to learn yoga and I don’t want you to think I expect your time and expertise for free.”
“Well, you stole my thunder,” Bright puts in. “I was going to ask the same.”
“I hear barn yoga is a thing,” Braxton quips. “Do I need to buy goats?”
“Goats,” Colt says. “Feck cue, goats.”
Livy sucks in a breath while Bright fights a snicker. Braxton turns sharp eyes on me.
I shrug as Emberleigh coos, “Colt, we don’t say that. It’s mean, and we don’t like mean, okay?”
