Page 107 of The Wayward Son

When Esty’s cries came over the baby monitor, Ember got to her feet. “That’s my cue. I’m glad you’re both home safe.”

Jake took her hand for a moment. “I’ll be up in a minute.” Ember left, and Jake looked at Sawyer. “You can take tomorrow morning to unload your trailer. Then I’ll need you and J.T. to unload the hay order.”

“Man, those horses eat a lot of hay.”

“It’s an endless job, son. But it’ll give you a good workout.”

“I am in need of one of those. Even though I hauled boxes down all day yesterday.”

Jake stood. “Welcome home, son.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Jake smiled at Jade. “I hope you’ll be staying around a while, Jade.”

“I have no immediate plans to leave.”

“Good.”

Jake left the kitchen and Jacob came over and scowled at Sawyer. “You best get over to your sister’s house. She’s probably tired of waiting for you.”

“We’re going.”

He and Jade went out the back door and walked to the truck, which was parked near the barn.

“I need to unhitch the trailer, but I want to go say hi to Huston.”

“Seriously?”

“Just come to the barn with me.”

“Oh, right.” She smiled and took his arm. “Let’s go say hi to Huston.”

They went into the barn and Sawyer took Jade in his arms and kissed her. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”

“You kissed me on the road.”

“We could run upstairs for a minute. Or an hour.”

She kissed him, then patted his chest. “Your granddad is right about Sage. She’ll be anxious until she sees you.”

“So I need to go hang out with my sister instead of hanging out with you?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Totally not the same.”

“I’ll come see you in the morning.”

“Are you going to help me empty the trailer?”

“Eventually.”

He grinned. “Okay. I like that. Let’s go see my needy sister.”

“She’s not needy. She just loves you.”

“No. She’s needy.”

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