Page 298 of Steamy Ever After

“Thanks, man. I appreciate this.”

His brother sat on the edge of the bed like Maddox had and wrapped his hand around the back of Brodie’s neck. “I’m so fucking glad we found you. For now, that’s all I can think about. There will come a day, though, Brodie, when I have every intention of kicking your sorry ass.”

“I’m sorry, Naught.”

“I’m not the one you owe an apology.”

“What aren’t you saying?”

“It isn’t my story to tell.”

“Is she okay?”

“Okay is relative, brother, and that’s all I have to say. If you keep pushing me, I’ll cancel the medevac, and you can stay here until the doctor thinks you’re well enough to fly commercial.”

Naughton got up and left before Brodie could respond.

PEYTON

“Can I come in?”

“Of course, Dad. I was about to come downstairs anyway.”

“I’d rather talk privately.”

Peyton sat up in bed and scooted over so her father could sit next to her.

“I received a call from Laird Butler. Brodie will be home tomorrow. They flew him to Miami yesterday. He’ll stay in the hospital there overnight.”

“I see.”

“He’ll be in the hospital here for several more days. From what I understand, he was very close to death when they found him.”

Peyton’s hands rested on her stomach. It was too early for her to feel the baby move, but there were times when she could swear she felt her kick.

“Have you made any decisions, Peyton?”

“No, Dad. I haven’t.”

“I’d like to suggest you consider seeing him.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask.

Instead of getting up, Peyton stayed in bed longer. The boys were off school today. Soon, they’d come tumbling in, excited to talk more about Brodie’s rescue.

They knew he’d been in Argentina when the plane he was on crashed. Their previous assumption that Brodie would never return, like Kade hadn’t, left them giddy with the excitement of his homecoming. They understood their mom was having a baby, but had few questions about what that meant for them as a family. Again, they incorrectly assumed that, once Brodie returned, they would be a family.

They fought over who would be her primary caregiver on the weekends. Finally, in order to stop their bickering, her mom had assigned Saturdays to Jamison and Sundays to Finn. On their “day,” they brought her meals either in bed or on the sofa and were responsible for checking on her at least once an hour to see if she or the baby needed anything.

While Peyton thought her family was taking her bed rest too seriously, the two times she’d thought she was losing the baby, had devastated her. If keeping the little girl growing inside her safe meant she had to stay off her feet, avoid stress, and allow her family to care for her, that was what she’d do.

Jamison came in, sat on the side of her bed, and snuggled her. “Morning, Mama.”

“Hi, sweetheart. You could’ve slept in. I know you were up late last night.”

“It’s my day.”

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