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“I got the loveseat ready for you,” Levi tells me, before addressing Banner. “Just bring her blanket out. It’s cold as shit today and I don’t want her catching a chill.”
When he leaves, Banner helps me up from the bed. I’m still stiff from the bruises and aches in my back and chest but moving around is easier than it was before.
“I swear, I have two dads in this house,” I mutter under my breath.
“I hope I’m not included in that,” Banner says, his voice high-pitched.
I glance over at him as I slide my feet into my slippers, winking at him. “Oh, the last thing I want to call you is daddy.”
His eyes widen at my flirting before a smirk crosses his lips. “Well, in the bedroom you can call me whatever you want.”
I laugh, clutching my side when it hurts a little. “Thanks—I think.”
“Pleasure,” he says, chuckling. He holds his arm up and I tuck mine around it, letting him lead me out into the living area.
Gasps echo around the room as soon as I enter. I look up, finding my nan with tears in her eyes, her hand over mouth, watching me. She looks devastated, broken.
“Nan, I’m fine. I swear,” I tell her, glancing to my granddad for help. He looks furious, his hands clenched tightly and his jaw solid. His gaze turns hard as he turns to Levi. “Are you sure you don’t know where he is? I have a right mind to get my hunting rifle and shoot the fucker.”
I gasp at my granddad’s words. “Granddad!” He’s never violent. Ever. Seeing this side of him is shocking. Banner chuckles at him, and when my granddad narrows his eyes at him, he shuts up, standing straighter.
“And you, boy. You’d better take care of my girl, otherwise I’ll shootyou.”
God, someone shoot me.
“Granddad, stop it.”
“Oh my, Emma. Look what he did to you,” my nan cries, stepping forward to hug me. She barely touches me, probably too afraid of my injuries. When she pulls back, a few tears slip free. “Maybe you should come stay with us on the farm. You grandfather is right. He has a rifle he can protect you with.”
I roll my eyes. “That thing hasn’t been used for a long time, ever since they banned fox hunting fourteen years ago. He’s more likely to shoot himself.”
“I’ll have you know I still take it out every now and again. We have a few pheasants on our land that need a little warning.”
I’d laugh at his expression, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings. “All right, all right. But I’m not coming to stay with you. I really like it here.”
My nan takes me in, a small smile spreading on her wrinkled face. “You do look different. You’re glowing again.”
“You’d better not be pregnant,” my granddad booms, staring daggers at Banner.
Banner, ever the soldier, just shakes his head, looking bored. Levi, on the other hand, drops the cup of tea in his hand.
“You’re pregnant?”
Banner chuckles. “No, she’s not. Chill.”
“Oh,” Levi mumbles, before heading back into the kitchen.
“Good. I want my grandchild married first, just like we were.”
Banner nods, not saying anything. Me? I want to die of embarrassment. I glance at my nan, pleading with her to change the subject.
She doesn’t.
“He’s right. And you’d make such a beautiful bride.”
“Me and Banner aren’t together,” I squeak out.
“Yet,” Banner mutters, looking away when I glance at him.
