Page 54 of Pucks and Coffee

“Yes, they are.”

“Good,” she says as Coleson looks over at her. “I’m glad you’re keeping your word about not hurting my sister. Though, it’s only been a week.”

“Over a week,” he corrects as he tucks me into his side. “And I don’t go back on my word.”

Even I hear the promise in his voice, and I can tell it pleases Elliot. It tickles my gut, for sure. She cocks her head to the side. “I don’t regret hitting you, though.”

I roll my eyes as Coleson chuckles. “I would expect nothing less. I deserved it, even if I didn’t know that you two were related.”

Elliot gives him a look. “He really didn’t,” I interject. “He thought you were a Davenport.”

She doesn’t seem convinced, but she shrugs. “Either way, it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen my sister smile like she is, so I won’t kick your ass again.”

“You’re so kind,” Coleson says dryly, though his voice holds a bit of humor.

I pat his arm that is at my hip. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“You can’t protect my face, little wife,” he teases, and I shake my head, this time jabbing him playfully in the side. His laughter is deep and warms my belly in the way only he can. I love that he hasn’t stopped touching me since he kissed me back at home.

Wow, now I’m calling his place home… I’ve fallen more than I thought.

“Stop calling me little,” I demand.

To my surprise, my sister betrays me by saying the same thing he does, “But you are little.”

“Assholes,” I say to them, but they both just laugh. I can tell they had a rapport before me. Not that I think they were attracted to each other; Elliot isn’t into blonds, but I can tell they got along before Coleson and I were married. I know if she just trusted me and believed that I could handle whatever Coleson threw my way, she’d love him the way I do.

Damn it, I can’t think that way.

“How are you handling her OCD?”

“Elliot!” I snap. “Hush.”

But Coleson laughs. “So, she does have OCD?”

“Not fully diagnosed because she won’t go get the diagnosis, but I’m sure you’ve dealt with it.”

“Oh, absolutely. I knew it was coming, though. She’s too put together not to want things to be the same.”

“Right? When we were living with our peepaw, she’d rip me apart for dishes in the sink.”

Coleson nods, pointing to his clean face. “Facial hair.”

Elliot winces. “Oh my. Did she kill you and then bring you back?”

“No, but her eyes did turn as red as her face.”

“Oh, so you haven’t experienced the true wrath of Eliza?”

“Elliot,” I protest, and she just laughs.

Coleson’s grin is unstoppable. “I don’t know. I may have gotten a taste today.”

“Coleson,” I start, but he ignores me as Elliot grins.

“Do tell!”

“She’s got a thing about the bathroom.”

---