Page 144 of Stables

Char giggles. “She’s going to fall in love with a chef one day, I swear.”

“Better than a rancher,” Sawyer grumbles, ducking to get in the door without bumping Paisley on the frame.

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Char threads her arm around my waist and she gazes up at me. “There are perks.”

“Damn right cowgirl.” I squeeze her hip before heading into the kitchen to unload the food we brought.

Libby rushes through, gripping Char in a tight hug. Her eyes are red and puffy when she pulls away.

Has she been crying?

I catch a glimpse of Blue watching her pull Char to the hall.

What the hell is going on?

Snagging his elbow, I drag him the other direction until we’re out of earshot.

“Did you hurt her?” Anger works its way through me.

I don’t want to pummel my friend, but I will if he did something.

“What? Fuck no. She just found out her dad has cancer.” Blue shrugs out of my grip. “But nice to know you’re watching out for her.” He readjusts his shirt and gives me a lopsided grin before his lip drops to a frown. “She’s gonna need it.”

He pats my shoulder, then works back into the room.

Mason must have seen me, because he appears at my side. “You good?”

I take a deep breath, the rage shifting to concern for Libby. “Yea. Fine.” I’ll have to ask Char tonight for more details.

“Was wishing Ford was here if you and Blue were getting ready to throw down. It’d been like old times.” Mason grins, handing me a glass with amber fluid.

I take a sniff before I sip.

Bourbon.

“Have you heard from him since he’s been up on the hill?” I take another swallow, then set the tumbler down. I don’t want to drink and ruin my chances at dessert later.

Mason shakes his head, then scratches the gray whiskers on his jaw. “He’s been at the cabin since before Halloween. I figure he’ll call down on the sat phone if he needs supplies. I think he only touched in maybe three times last winter?”

Ford’s the only person I know who looked forward to five months without people.

Not that I blame him.

“I guess we’ll find out in the spring if he survived?” I pull out my chair at the extended table and sit, draping my arm over Char’s empty seat.

Wade chuckles between mouthfuls of crackers with cheese. “Ford? I swear he’s impossible to kill. If he could survive that—” He stops mid-chew and looks around, raising his eyebrow when he sees Lori and Sophia listening. “—well, he’s tough as nails. Even if he needed help, he’d never ask, though.” He pushes a square of cheddar into his mouth, then slides the plate towards Sawyer.

“Here, kiddo. Put some meat on your bones and save me from eating it all.” He leans back and runs his fingers through his rusty hair. “Thanks again for the invite. It’s great to see the house full again.”

Paisley appears next to Sawyer, sneaking her hand over the lip of the platter to snag a cracker before running to Caesar and sharing the crumbs with the dog.

“It is nice,” Mason says as he slides into his spot. “Just imagine next year with more kids running around.” He leans over to drop his palm on Lori’s thigh. “I can’t wait.”

I catch his wink toward her.

I know how he feels now.

Char has become the center of my world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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