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There was a rustling on the other end of the phone. She was speaking to someone, likely her boyfriend, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. “I’m so happy you’re out and about. Have fun and give the girls my love. I’ve got to go. I love you.”
“Okay, Mom. Love you too. Bye.” I disconnected the call and stared at the back end of Duke’s SUV.
That was easier than I’d thought. I hadn’t anticipated a full-on interrogation, but I thought she would be more curious. She probably expected I had Jeff with me and everything was going well.
The rest of the drive was uneventful. My old beat-up car ran better than it had in years, making me think Chase did more than he let on. When we pulled up, Liam was waiting outside.
“How was it?” he asked when he opened my door to help me out.
Duke had disappeared into the house the second we arrived. I tried my best to cover the hurt feelings that surfaced. He hadn’t even checked in with me when we pulled in after being so worried about me following him. He was hot and cold. Case in point, he’d just vanished without a word.
Liam caught my gaze lingering on the front entryway. “Don’t mind him. He’s always in a bit of a mood when he comes back from town. Too many people, too many questions.”
I smiled. “It was fine. I got a temporary phone, we had lunch, and then we got my car.” Liam took my bag and slung it over his shoulder before resting his hand on my lower back and steering me toward the house.
“At least you made it back before dark,” he said with a smile.
“Why is everyone so worried about driving in the dark around here?”
“There are no lights and animals run into the road. It can get very dangerous.” He stopped and stood directly in front of me. “Deer pop out of nowhere, and you could end up in a ditch or wrapped around a tree. Abbey, please don’t drive at night around here,” Liam pleaded.
“I don’t have any intentions of driving anywhere at night.” Why would I when everything I needed was right here?
Liam let out a deep breath. “Good. The girls are waiting for you inside.”
I squeaked, dancing in place. I could get used to seeing them all the time. I’d missed them so much.
“Go inside,dulcinée,I’ve got your bag.”
“What does that mean, dulcinée?”
“I’ll tell you another time. You don’t want to keep the girls waiting.” He nudged me to door, and I ran inside, excited to see them.
LIAM
Iwouldn’t admit it to anyone, but I had missed Abbey’s warm presence in the house when Duke had taken her to town. It didn’t matter they were only gone for a few hours. I’d wanted to go with them but didn’t want to overwhelm her.
One look at her, and I knew Abbey was going to be special to us, but I needed Duke to see it. He thought he was too broken for anyone, even though he had openly invited her to stay with us and took her to town. Not to mention, he invited her into his bed. He might not be able to see what she did to him, but I could.
It didn’t help the twinge of jealousy pitted in my stomach. I’d let the grumpy bastard have all day with her. Then the girls showed up and said they were taking her.
When I entered the house, I could hear the girls laughing. They were in Abbey’s room, no doubt. Didn’t matter how old you were, girl time was girl time.
Duke was on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV. “Did everything go well in town?”
He huffed, “It’s never good when I go to town.”
“So you say.” I plopped in my spot and watched as he went back and forth, never landing on something to watch. “You’re making me dizzy. Will you just pick something to watch?”
“There’s nothing good on.” He tossed the remote onto the cushion beside him.
“It’s Sunday, Duke. Find a game.” Something wasdefinitelygoing on with him. There was always some sporting game on TV on Sundays.
“Right.” Duke returned to flipping through the channels until he found a game he liked. “I forgot what day it was.”
“What happened in town?” I looked closer at his body language—the stiff set of his shoulders, the restless tapping of his foot. “What are you not telling me?”
“I almost kissed her.” He didn’t elaborate.
