Page 39 of High Frequency

“That’s a nice-looking house.”

I turn around to find Sully walking up the driveway.

I saw him briefly late yesterday afternoon when Sloane and I got back to the ranch, but we didn’t really talk. I have a feeling that’s about to change. Sully is not the type to drop in to be neighborly.

“Thanks. I’m surprised they got the roof up so fast. Turned out good.”

He steps up beside me and takes a long, hard look at the house.

“How many bedrooms?” he finally asks after a lengthy silence I just let play out.

“Four.”

I can feel him turning his eyes on me, but I keep mine fixed on the house. If he has something he wants to talk about he’s gonna have to come out and say it.

“You planning for a big family?”

“I’d like a family, eventually, yes.”

Another pause.

“With Sloane.”

It was more of a statement than a question, but it definitely requires a response. I turn to face him.

“In an ideal world.”

Sully frowns. “I don’t even know what the fuck that means.”

“It means I would like to think it’s possible, but it’ll take a bit of convincing to get Sloane to believe it is.”

He’s still frowning at me, so I decide to elaborate a bit.

“I fucked up.”

Sully snorts. “That’s a given.”

“Eight years ago, I had no idea. Had no clue why she took off, and up ’til the day before yesterday, I still had no clue.”

“I assume you have a clue now.”

“Yup.”

“You plan to fix it?”

“Already working on it.”

Sully turns back to the house, tilts his hat back a little, and scratches his forehead.

“She’s stubborn.”

“I know,” I confirm.

“She’s not gonna make it easy, especially if she’s been hurt by you.”

“Know that too.”

He adjusts his hat, shoves a hand in his pocket, and turns to me.

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