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“Newt’s what they class as high-functioning.”
“And that means what?”
She shrugged. “He can do what he needs to and appear okay. Except he’snotokay, because the rest of his life is falling apart, a total shambles.” Butch put his arm around her, and she tilted her face upward, her eyes warm. “Thanks. That does help, you know.”
“He taking anything for it?”
She nodded. “He has his meds. Plus, he goes to therapy. I go with him too sometimes, because as he says, it affects my life too.”
“It can’t be an easy life.”
“I hate the days when he’s under a black cloud that’s so thick, it’s as if I can’t even see him.” She scowled. “I tried sharing how I felt with a friend once, over coffee. Her response? ‘Can’t you just tell him to pull himself together and snap out of it?’”
He snorted. “Yeah, that’s really helpful.” Butch knew he could be an asshole a lot of the time, but even he wasn’tthatmuch of an asshole. And he could be there for Diana if she needed a shoulder to lean on.
“Listen. Any time you wanna bend my ear, you know where to find me.”
Her smile lit up her face, washing away any sign of the discomfort that had lurked there mere seconds ago. “Thanks, Butch. I’m sort of surprised we’ve never talked like this before now.”
“You mean, given our history?”
She chuckled. “Ancient history, at that. Yeah, I guess so.”
“You’ve had your life to lead, and I’ve had mine. And then there’s the fact that you’re the boss’s sister.”
“You’re not scared of Robert, are you?”
“I wouldn’t say scared, but I don’t think he’d be happy about you sharing personal stuff with one of his hired hands.”
She gave him a mock glare. “You’rewaymore than that, and don’t you forget it.”
He shivered. “Whoa there. Robert might not scare me, but whenyoulook at me like that…” Butch grinned. “You always were feisty.”
Diana preened. “Good to know I’ve still got it.” Her eyes twinkled. “You know, it’s not too late for you to make some woman a wonderful husband. A lot of women out there love a silver fox.”
Butch laughed. “What woman would put up with me?”
“Iwould have, given the chance.” Before Butch could utter a word, she held up her hand. “I know, you thought I was better off without you. But you turned out to be a rock-solid man.” She grinned. “In more ways than one.”
Behind them, the stable door creaked open, and Butch withdrew his arm. He didn’t turn to see who approached. Diana twisted and glanced over her shoulder. “Hey Zeeb. How’s it hanging?”
“About a foot off the ground, same as usual.” They laughed.
It was their standard greeting, one that never failed to raise the boss’s eyebrows.
Diana was something else.
Yeah, and she could’ve beenmysomething else.
Except Butch knew better now.
Then he shoved that thought out of his mind.
Nope. That’s not what I am.
There were days when Butch wasn’t sure what the fuck he was anymore.
Diana’s phone buzzed and she removed it from her jeans pocket. She smiled. “Looks like I’m safe to go on up to the house.”
