Page 111 of Gifts

I feel her exhale. “With all that’s happened, we need to plan something for Levi’s graduation. A party, or whatever he wants.”

My arms constrict around her, fucking happy she’s making plans, too.

“Unless that’ll step on Danielle’s toes,” she continues. “I’m new to this whole sharing kids gig.”

“Can we talk about this when you’re not half naked and just came, looking sexy as fuck in your barn?”

She presses into me and I hear the smile in her voice. “Sorry.”

“While we’re talking about plans, though, we’re adding onto the house and I want it done before the first snow.”

She looks up and frowns. “The house is too big as it is.”

I raise a brow. “But your garage is not.” I’ll tell her about the media room later. Or after they start working. The kids need a space of their own. “Go get in the shower. I’ll bring the animals in for the night and finish here.”

She smiles up at me. “I’ve turned you into a farmer. I’m so sorry.”

I grin and smack her ass. “I’m also the proud owner of a poodle named Ryder. Your charms are fucking strong.”

She laughs and I feel it everywhere. “That’s not my fault. I blame that on Saylor.”

I lean down to kiss her before letting her go and helping her right her bra. “I do, too. Now go.”

She peeks over her shoulder as she walks away from me and smiles. I shake my head, leave the barn, and put two fingers to my mouth to whistle.

And as I stand here, watching goats hustle my way followed by a geriatric donkey, I realize she’s right. I’ve become a ranch-hand, rounding up livestock for the day.

But for her—I’d do anything.

Chapter 28

Undeliverable

Asa

“No one can find Raymond Wallace,” Grady informs me. “Not the detectives—not even Jarvis, and he’s been looking for two days.”

I sigh, standing in Keelie’s backyard—our backyard—with Emma’s puppy as I watch the parade that is our family carrying shit into the house from my truck, Keelie’s Infiniti, and Levi’s Jeep. This is our third trip, for fuck’s sake. I thought we didn’t have much—I don’t know where it all came from.

I had to take a call from Grady and didn’t need to worry anyone with the details of the missing Raymond Wallace.

“What about Dooley?” I ask.

“Dooley and Jarvis have hit it off or some shit now. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had each other on speed dial. I don’t know how he did it, but Jarvis has Dooley looking for him, too. This is why I called—you’re not going to like it.”

I tense. “What?”

“Dooley doesn’t know much, or at least that’s what he’s telling Jarvis. But he thinks bigger shit’s going down than teenagers sowing their oats and experimenting. He thinks girls are being targeted for more than dealing. Months ago, Raymond went to Dooley with a prospective customer and when Dooley started asking questions, it came out that some asshole was doing all the buying and wanted Wallace to deliver to specific girls at your kids’ school.”

It takes about two ticks for me to realize he’s talking about Beth Thorton, probably Maggie, and who knows, Emma could’ve been on that list. Beth is still in the hospital, recovering from the huge dose of fentanyl that shit was laced with. As a parent, I can’t imagine. To think that could’ve been Emma makes me want to kill someone and lock her away from the world in one fell swoop.

I watch Emma talking to Keelie—smiling and happier than I’ve seen her in months since she got rid of the worry she was hauling around. She’s put on some weight in the last couple weeks and her grades are trending up. Both she and Levi weren’t surprised when I told them we were moving in for good. They were happy and we’re making the two third-story bedrooms theirs.

Keelie is finally happy. Knox and I are bonding. Saylor has three more people to boss around so she’s happier than ever.

Things are good.

But knowing this shit isn’t over does not make me happy.

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