Page 275 of Steamy Ever After

“No, sweetheart. I’m here, what do you need?”

“Brodie?”

“Yes?”

When she closed her eyes and fell asleep, he wondered if she’d remember it later.

The doctor came in before seven, checked Finn out, asked what he wanted for breakfast, then requested Peyton meet him in the hall.

“I’ll wait here,” Brodie offered.

“Would you mind joining us? Would it be okay with you, Finn?” Peyton asked.

Finn nodded, so he followed.

“He’s doing well enough that I think he can go home after lunch. I want to see how he tolerates food after going under anesthesia,” the doctor said before walking away.

“What a relief. He’ll feel better in his own bed, and honestly, so will I,” said Peyton.

“You were dreaming last night. Do you remember what about?” he asked.

“Same thing I always dream about, Brodie.” She sighed. “Although my dreams have been different in the last few days.”

“How so?”

“I used to dream about Kade.”

“And now?”

“I dream about you more.”

“Based on how restless you were last night, I don’t know whether that’s good or bad.”

“I dreamed about both of you.”

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

“I think so, but not right now. Okay?”

“Of course.”

“Mom, I’m starving, and I want to go home,” Finn said when they returned to his bedside.

“You sound like my ma.” Brodie laughed. “She’s upstairs, and she wants to go home too.”

“Did she break her leg?”

“No, she had a problem with her heart, although she didn’t have surgery like you did.”

He should probably check on her, as much as he didn’t want to leave Peyton’s side. If Finn went home this afternoon, he’d have to let her go anyway, and then there was no telling when she might want to see him again.

“It’s okay, Brodie. Go see her. We’ll be fine.”

He tousled Finn’s hair. “I shouldn’t be gone too long. Take care of your mom, okay?”

The boy’s eyes filled with tears, and Brodie knelt down and kissed his forehead. Finn’s arms went around his neck, and he held on.

“Finn,” Peyton began.

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