Page 98 of His Boys to Protect

Charlie gave achirpof agreement.

Ward held up a little scrap of paper. “And we made a shopping list. I figure we'll make a quick run to the store, then grab some takeout for lunch on the way back. That sound okay?”

Skylar managed a nod. He could barely think straight through the heavy fog of emotion.

“You wanna come with us? Or would you rather stay here and take a nap?”

“Um.” Skylar tightened his arms around his bag as he shifted from foot to foot. A part of him didn't want to let Ward and Charlie out of his sight, not even for a second, but another part of him couldn't let go of his bag, either. It was all he had left in the world. It would be stupid to haul it along just for a trip to the grocery store, though.

Charlie thrust out his arm, signing,Stay.Then he added,Nap!

Ward chuckled.

But Skylar hesitated. “Charlie hates grocery shopping.”

“I know,” Ward said with a nod. “But he insisted we have to get the right eggs for breakfast. And the right creamer for his coffee.”

“Ward, you don't have to do all this.”

The big man shot him a look that was so gentle yet full of command that it made Skylar's knees go weak. “Sky, enough.You let me worry about me, okay? You don't have to worry about anything but resting and recovering.” Ward reached out and ran a hand through Skylar's damp hair. “Now, why don't you go lie down, okay?”

Despite being formed as a question, Skylar could tell that it was nothing short of an order. He swallowed hard and nodded, taking a step back and turning towards the bedroom. There was no chance he'd be able to sleep, though.

Hell, he wouldn't be able to breathe until Ward and Charlie got back.

Chapter 36

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WARD

WARD HAD never made it through the grocery store so fast.

Charlie visibly tensed the moment they stepped inside. Then he became impatient when people blocked the aisles. At one point, he got distracted by something he wanted and wandered off.

After Ward found him—following the sounds of a brewing fit—he put Charlie in charge of pushing the cart, telling the boy to keep at least one hand on it at all times. Charlie could point if he wanted something, but he wasn't allowed to leave Ward's side.

And the boy obeyed.

Thank goodness. He'd told Skylar that he could handle this, and he was determined to follow through. Still, Ward kept a close eye on Charlie as they continued to rush through the store.

They got eggs and fruit and vegetables. Then Charlie found the coffee creamer he wanted, the last one remaining of that kind. He pointed emphatically until Ward snatched it down. They skipped almost every other aisle, the various boxes, bags, and cans not interesting Charlie in the least. The only time they slowed their pace was when they reached the cookie aisle. Charlie stopped there, head tilted, eyeing one of the shelves.

“You like those?” Ward asked.

Charlie scowled and shook his head.Junk, he signed. After a pause, he added,My Sky like.

“Yeah? We can get those for him,” Ward suggested. He waited while Charlie considered that, then added, “He's had a rough day. How about we spoil him just this once? Then he can eat some good, healthy stuff tomorrow. How's that sound?”

Charlie rolled his head, let out a littlechirp, and grabbed the bag.

They headed down the canned soup aisle next, and Ward slowed, fully expecting Charlie to stop and point. When the boy didn't so much as glance at the shelves, Ward put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Hey,” he murmured. “You wanna get some hungry soup while we're here?”

Charlie shook his head.No space, he signed.

Ward frowned. “No space?” Charlie shook his head again but didn't otherwise explain. “Why don't we get one can–”

No space!Charlie insisted, then started off again.

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