Page 89 of Love in the Wild

But that didn’t matter much when the news about what happened at Bruce’s garage had been reported on various local news channels. The story was on repeat, and Hadley had overheard plenty of people talking about it out in public.

When would the town get used to seeing the Howards and the Pattons together? When would they accept them as part of the community? They were survivors, and they could use some encouragement.

Gage would never admit it, but his whole countenance changed every time she reminded him he was on the right track or recognized his efforts to leave the past behind.

Everyone needed that sometimes. Cheyenne had spent their entire childhood building Hadley up, and she was only recently starting to believe it. She knew good and well how hard it was to believe in yourself after you’d been told you were worthless.

The group gathered up their food and surrounded the table. Brett took the lead and blessed the food before they dug in. Gage inhaled his sandwich and gathered a tray full of trash before heading to the garbage can. He stopped by the checkout counter and said something to the owner, Tracy, before heading back to his seat beside her.

“What did you need?” Hadley asked when he sat down.

“Just had to tell her that sandwich was the best I’d ever had.”

Hadley rested her head on his shoulder. “That was sweet of you. Tracy is awesome. I’m sure you’re one of her favorites now.”

The door opened again, and Travis walked in. He spotted them and headed their way instead of taking his place in line.

“What’s up? How’s everybody doing?”

“Couldn’t be better,” Brett said.

Travis laughed. “I bet. Congrats to both of you.”

A faint blush colored Thea’s cheeks. “Thanks.”

He turned to Gage and slapped a hand on his back. “Been missing you at the gym this week.”

“I’ll be back soon. We’ve been getting Emerson moved in with Hadley today.”

Travis turned to Emerson and extended a hand. “I saw you at the garage, but I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself. I’m Travis.”

“Emerson.” She shook his hand but quickly turned away when she released it.

“Glad you found somewhere else to stay. I assume you were living with one of the incarcerated folks.”

“Not with anyone, but my dad owned the house.” She shrugged. “I didn’t want to be a sitting duck if he gets out and isn’t too happy with me for…”

“Gotcha,” Travis said, offering her an out from the conversation. “What about you, man. You still living on Howard lands?”

Gage made a clicking noise behind his teeth. “Unfortunately.”

The house he lived in technically belonged to his mom, but Tommy considered everything that had once belonged to Gage’s dad as his these days. Rules on paper didn’t mean much to the Howards.

“You need a place? I have an extra room that’s yours if you want it.”

Gage tilted his head and lowered his brows. What was with the confused look? Travis seemed like a friend. It wasn’t outrageous for friends to offer help when it was needed.

“Thanks, man. I’ll give you a call about that tonight.”

“Sounds good. Think about it and let me know.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the checkout counter. “I’m gonna grab a bite, but it was good to see you.”

“Want to join us?” Hadley asked.

“I would, but I gotta run. I’m teaching a class at the gym in a few.”

Gage narrowed his eyes. “I thought the afternoon classes were for kids.”

Travis grinned. “You’d be right. I have a herd of seven-year-olds waiting on me.”

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