AllFreeNovel
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“I don’t know what to think of the beard. It’s more mountain man vibes than you ever put off. Like you need a flannel and work boots.”
“Shut your mouth. You know I’m too pretty for that.”
“God, I’ve missed you. Glad you’re back. Seriously. And, apparently, so is Luna. Did you know she comes in and sleeps in your room each morning?”
That surprises me. “No. When did that start?”
“Your first morning back. You sleep like the dead. She whimpered and scratched, and you never opened up. So Pop cracked the door, and she assumed the position. We couldn’t coax her to come out. We still can’t. Every morning when we get to the ranch, I go to the barn, and she comes here. Pop gives her what she wants.” She rolls her eyes. “Shocker. She usually comes back to the barn with me after lunch. She spends hours guarding you every day.”
If I let that sink in, it will do a number on me. “One night she jumped up with me.”
“Pushy bitch. She knows better.” She looks over my shoulder and bites her lip. Her face is serious when she looks back at me. “Why didn’t you call or text me? Do you know what it was like to get on that plane, knowing you were unconscious and have to come home, not knowing…” Her voice hitches, but she swallows forcefully, fighting for composure. “Not knowing if I’d see you again?”
I clench my right fist and grit my teeth, afraid to speak, afraid to face it. “You were there?”
“Of course, I was there, Layton!” She tosses the towel on the counter and crosses her arms, facing off against me. “You think life was just going on as normal? We were eating pancakes and joking and going about our days while you were fighting for your life? Fuck you.” She shoves my chest. “The whole world stopped. The oxygen was sucked out of our lives until you woke up. We’ve had way too much shit in the last two years, and then you almost... I won’t say those words aloud. Yes, I was there.”
I wrap her up in a hug, wobbling a little with the force of her grip, my leg burning with the exertion. “I’m sorry, Bright. I’m sorry.”
I pretend I don’t hear her sniffle. Brighton hates to show weakness.
When she lets go, she searches the floor for a moment, finding her composure. “Now, when are you coming to the house for dinner?”
* * *
Me:This is more than you signed on for.
Me:Thank you. I mean it.
George:This is exactly what I signed up for. It’s what I do.
Me:I know better, but thanks. And thanks for the package.
The bubbles bounce, but I’m tapped out. I haven’t been awake and peopley for this many hours, aside from Lucifer’s taint, as I now refer to the trip with Exton and Pop.
That was forced. This is, too, but in a different way.
It’s not long before the door opens and closes, and Luna runs in with Pop on her heels. She plops to her butt in front of me, tail dusting the floor.
“I can’t get to you, Looney. Can you come up?”
“She knows better,” Pop says from the kitchen.
“Sorry, pretty girl. The grumpy old man is trying to keep us apart.”
“Yeah. It’s a regularLady and the Trampsituation.”
“Which one are you?” I ask, watching her brown eyes hold mine. Her pants make her look like she’s smiling.
Pop comes into the living room with a glass of iced tea in his hand. “That should be obvious, son. Do we need to watch for signs of a concussion?” Pop’s voice has his sharp wit and dry humor back in it. I haven’t seen him this relaxed since Exton’s wedding.
I pat the sofa. Luna looks at Pop for a split second before leaping to my side and sitting tall, eating up my pets and praise.
“Both of you are spoiled and don’t mind worth a damn,” Pop offers as he plops in his recliner. There’s no sharpness in his voice.
“That’s not true, is it, Luna girl? You’re smart and you listen.” I stroke her short, slick fur. “You just love me and couldn’t resist. Isn’t that right?”
“Sure.” Pop draws out the word before quickly falling into a nap.
