Page 43 of His Boys to Protect

They continued around the edge of town, then turned onto Vine Street, not far from Ward's apartment. Up ahead, the Pratts' minivan pulled over to the curb. Ward scanned for another empty space and parked his truck. He barely got the emergency brake set before Charlie was throwing off his seatbelt.

“Put on your hat and gloves, Charlie,” Skylar said.

Charlie scowled.

“Yep, come on,” Skylar said. He leaned forward and pointed at the temperature reading. “See? It's already ten degrees colder than it was at the house.”

Charlie's eyebrows went up, and he gave a littlechirpbefore digging into his jacket pockets. He pulled out a knit hat and gloves, fussing with them for several seconds while he worked to get them situated just right. Finally, the boy reached for the door handle, and Skylar followed suit in the back seat.

Ward got out and walked around the truck, meeting the boys on the sidewalk. They caught up with the rest of their party, who were alreadyoohing andaahing over the light display on the nearest house.

Charlie surged past everyone and started up the walk to the house's front porch.

“Whoa there, squirmy worm,” Dakota said, rushing after his brother. He caught Charlie by the hand and hauled him back. “You gotta stick with us, okay?”

Charlie scowled and pointed. “Hhnn.”

“What is it?” Dakota asked.

“That reindeer is crooked,” Skylar answered for him, gesturing at a set that were balanced on the porch railing. “He wants to fix it.”

Charlie nodded.

“Not on somebody else's house, okay?” Dakota said. He tugged Charlie back a few more steps, then spotted Ward. A smirk came over his face. “Here,” Dakota went on. “I want you to hold Ward's hand while we walk.”

Charlie rolled his head in Ward's direction, looking like he had to think about it.My Sky?he signed.

Ward knew that one.

“He's right here,” Dakota assured him. “You can hold his hand, too.”

Charlie considered that for a moment before he gave achirpof assent and held out his hands.

Skylar took one, and Ward had to take a deep breath before he grabbed the other. Even through their gloves, there was something electric about the simple contact. Ward fought to restrain a smile.

Just holding Charlie's hand felt way too good.

Chapter 18

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SKYLAR

SKYLAR CLUNG to Charlie, walking just behind the boy since all three of them couldn't quite fit abreast on the sidewalk. It gave him a perfect view of Charlie and Ward holding hands.

He muttered a curse under his breath as a bittersweet pang hit him square in the chest. This was exactly what he wanted. What he needed. It would be easier to walk away if he knew Charlie was settled with someone else. Hell, even if it was nothing more than the possibility of someone else, he'd take it.

But he knew it was going to hurt.

Skylar took a deep breath and tried to focus on the moment. He'd never get to experience a night like this again. Not with Charlie, at any rate. They came to a stop at the next house, and Skylar glanced at Charlie's face, seeing wonder and joy there. Skylar turned away, sniffing and blinking rapidly. He couldn't cry. Not now. There would be no way for him to explain what was wrong.

They moved on to the next house. As soon as they all came to a stop, Charlie gave a tiny grunt of annoyance.

Skylar blinked, then jumped back. “Sorry, Charlie. Here.”

Charlie shifted his stance, and the frustration vanished from his face as he looked up at the light display in front of them.

Ward turned, studying them both in silence for a moment. “Everything okay?”

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