Page 154 of His Boys to Protect

Charlie strode by and set his bag down by the front door.

“You all set, little mouse?” Ward asked.

Charlie nodded.

“Okay.” Ward turned back to Skylar and wrapped his arms around the boy. “I should be back in time for dinner, but I'll let you know if I get held up in traffic or something.”

Skylar nodded and hugged him back.

Ward paused. There was something desperate in the way Skylar held him. More so than any other time Ward had made this trip. He waited, letting Skylar be the one to pull away first. Ward studied the boy's face. There was something off there, but Ward couldn't put his finger on it.

Then Skylar yawned.

Ward breathed a laugh. That had to be it. The boy was just tired. Hell, they all were. Ward grabbed a travel mug that he'd filled with coffee, knowing he'd need it for the road. He set it by Charlie's bag and pulled on his boots, watching as the boys embraced.

Skylar visibly tensed the moment his arms went around Charlie. Ward frowned, watching them. The hug lingered, just like it had with him.

This time, Charlie pulled back first, rolling his head and rocking on his feet. He turned away and picked up his bag.

“Okay,” Ward said, resting a hand on Charlie's shoulder. “We're off.”

Skylar nodded. “Drive safe.”

“Will do,” Ward promised, then turned to Charlie. “Come on, buddy. Let's get going.”

Charlie gave a littlechirp, then waved at Skylar before he walked out the door.

Ward looked back at Skylar, seeing a strange tension on the boy's face. “I'll lock the door, sweetheart. You'll be safe.”

“Okay.”

“Get some rest,” Ward suggested again, then gave Skylar a smile and stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind him.

He locked the deadbolt, then did the same with the security door. Ward paused there. He felt a sudden, clawing urge to go right back inside. To insist that Skylar come with them. Or to insist that Charlie stay, after all. But he couldn't force them. He knew that.

Ward turned away and got into his truck.

Charlie climbed into the passenger seat and set his bag on the floor. He fussed with the seatbelt for a moment while Ward started up the truck, letting the engine warm. As soon as Charlie seemed satisfied with the way he was sitting and the placement of his bag, Ward pulled out of his parking spot and turned onto the road.

They got onto Spring Street and followed it north. It was the straightest, simplest way to get to a northbound freeway on-ramp. Ward idly looked around as he drove. Downtown Paso Robles was quiet and empty, being Sunday morning. Very littlewas open yet. A few diners were packed with people getting Sunday brunch, but otherwise, there was hardly any traffic to speak of.

All around, Christmas decorations were already going up even though it wasn't quite Thanksgiving yet. Ward found himself smiling. He couldn't wait for Christmas. To share it with his boys? He couldn't imagine anything better. That was assuming Charlie would get to come down again for the holiday, though. Ward thought of last Christmas, when they all went for a tour of Vine Street. Maybe they'd get to go to the Showcase itself this year. It would be crowded as hell, which Charlie would hate, but maybe the boy would find something to enjoy. The lights? The music? They could get hot chocolate and watch Scrooge's performance. That never failed to entertain.

They could go to one of the local Christmas parades, too. Those were always fun. And a little bit different. Instead of riding in a sleigh or on some kind of traditional float, Santa rode on top of a vintage firetruck, painted green and covered in strands of lights. The crowds always loved that.

Ward grinned. He'd have to see if he could convince the boys to go.

At the northernmost end of Spring Street, the road transitioned seamlessly into the freeway on-ramp. Ward pressed on the gas pedal, getting up to speed. Paso Robles slipped away in his rearview mirror as they merged into the sparse traffic and settled in for the long drive.

Ward set the cruise control, then glanced at Charlie. The boy was oddly still. Charlie sat with his hands pressed between his thighs, his head not even moving. Ward frowned with concern. He'd gotten so used to Charlie's wandering gaze, it was unsettling not to see it.

They were about an hour out of Paso Robles when Charlie suddenly pointed.

“What's up, buddy?” Ward asked. When Charlie groaned and then pointed more insistently, Ward asked, “Pull over?”

Charlie nodded.

“Okay.” Ward glanced ahead, unable to slow down in time for the upcoming exit. “Hang on, buddy. We'll get the next one.”

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