Page 63 of His Boys to Protect

Skylar told Ward all about the hundreds of books he'd read over the years, practically living in the library when he wasn't asleep or on a job.

Ward told Skylar about going to college to learn about wine-making. About getting his job at Vista Robles Vineyard. Ward also talked about his brother, who was gay and happily married.

And, apparently, they'd talked about Charlie himself a lot. Skylar told Ward about memories of the two of them, growing up. Told Ward all about Charlie's quirks and rules and needs.

Ward was even learning sign language. Had been, in fact, ever since Christmas. That first visit, back in February, they'd still had to rely on Charlie texting his part of the conversation. The second visit, in March, Ward had been able to understand about half of what Charlie signed. It helped that Skylar had apparently warned him not to bother learning ASL's grammatical structure. Charlie didn't follow it. He'd use various signs when he had to, but only to a minimalist extent. He could usually express his needs just fine with a simplehungryorpottyornow.

But the fact that Ward was learning? Was trying, just for him? That was enough to make Charlie smile.

A white pickup appeared. Charlie gave a start and leaned forward, nearly pressing his nose to the glass. He watched as the familiar truck pulled over to an empty section of the curb. Ward got out, looking towards the house. Charlie had to squeak as he bounced in place. Ward was there!

Charlie ran to the front door.

“Hey, pal,” Dad said. “What's the rush?”

Ward here! Ward here! Ward here!Charlie signed. He didn't have to finger-spell the man's name anymore. Charlie had given him a name sign and taught it to his parents. It was the sign forman, but modified with the letterWinstead of an open hand.

Dad chuckled. “Okay. Easy, pal. No running in the house, remember?”

Charlie remembered. He'd slipped and fallen more than once in his excitement. But how could he not run? Ward was there! He stopped at the front door, rocking on his feet and waiting for Ward to knock. Ward had to knock first. Charlie was tempted to open the door already, but that would mess up the order of things.

Heavy footsteps approached. The knock sounded. Charlie opened the door.

He glanced at Ward's face without making eye-contact. Ward looked happy. Maybe tired, too, but definitely happy. That was a good sign.

“Hey, Charlie,” Ward murmured.

Hi, Charlie signed. He stepped back and added,Come in.

“Thank you,” Ward replied. He entered the house, stopping just inside the doorway, and dutifully removed his shoes, following Charlie's rules.

Dad came over and held out his hand. “Hey, Ward. Good to see you again.”

Ward's face did a funny thing, just like it always did whenever he saw Charlie's parents. His cheeks turned red and his smile got tense. But he gave Dad a handshake and greeted him politely in return.

Charlie bounced in place and reached for Ward's hand.

“Hey, pal,” Dad said, stopping him. “You wanna offer Ward some coffee or anything first?”

“Hhnn,” Charlie whined. He knew that was the polite, correct thing to do, but he was eager to get Ward alone. Besides, coffee time had ended hours ago. Dad knew that.

“I'm fine, really,” Ward said. “Thank you.”

“Make yourself at home,” Dad replied, giving Ward a nod before he wandered off.

Charlie didn't wait. He grabbed Ward's hand and led him to the living room. They only had a few hours before Ward would have to leave so he could drive back home. Charlie didn't want to waste a second.

He stopped at an armchair and bounced in place, squeaking and pointing. Ward now had to sit in that chair and nowhere else. It had been a struggle, the first time the man visited, trying to decide where Ward would fit in Charlie's order of things. He'd wanted to have Ward come to his bedroom so they could talk in private, but Ward had gotten that same funny look on his face and declined. Charlie still couldn't understand why. So they'd made do with the living room.

But now, Ward was part of the context of that room. That chair, now his. Charlie bounced with excitement until Ward sat, then settled himself in the man's lap.

“Hhng.” How had he gone a whole month without this?Hell. A whole lifetime, for that matter? It was like a missing piece of his life had fallen into place. Ward justfit.

“Hey, buddy,” Ward murmured. “Comfy?”

Charlie nodded.

Ward smiled. “Good. Having a good day so far?”

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