Page 85 of Loud Unspoken Memories

“Come on,” Asher urges. “One drink. Maybe a sandwich. You’ll be out of here by seven.”

Dallas blows out a long, drawn-out breath. “Alright. I’ll just go park.”

I could kill Asher for strong-arming him into staying. But I could also kiss him, because it means we don’t have to say goodbye quite yet.

“Be nice,” I tell Asher as the truck pulls away.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He stares me down. “Any reason in particular?”

I shrug. “There are just… things.” I glance at Charlie. “I’ll tell you later.”

“Things. Right.” He shakes his head. “Listen, I saw the way you two were looking at each other. It’s pretty obvious what happened in that cabin.”

“Please don’t be hard on him, Asher. He’s lost a lot. Much more than you and I have.”

He cocks his head. “Morethan you have, Marti?”

“His wife and son died a few years ago. It’s just him now. And his son would be Charlie’s age, so give the guy a break, okay?”

“Damn.” He watches Dallas as he approaches, rolling my suitcase behind him, Bex on a leash at his side.

I elbow Asher in the ribs. “Donotsay anything about it.”

“I’m not an insensitive prick, Martina.”

“Mommy! A doggy!”

I set a squirming Charlie down on his feet. “This is Bex,” I say. “He’s very nice. Hold out your hand so he can sniff you.”

Charlie does what I ask, and Bex licks his hand, much to my son’s amusement.

My eyes swing to Dallas’s when Charlie giggles in delight. Dallas is watching the interaction as if he’s looking at an accident. He doesn’t want to see what’s happening, but he just can’t look away.

After Charlie has his few moments with Bex, the question I’ve been dreading arrives.

“Mommy,” Charlie says looking up at Dallas. “Who’s that?”

My heart lurches, because I’m about to introduce my son to the man who lost his.

“Charlie, this is Mr. Montana. Mommy’s friend.”

“Dallas,” he says. “It’s just Dallas.” He looks at my son, his eyes gutted with pain. “Nice to meet you, Charlie.”

It was almost imperceptible—the hitch in his voice—but I noticed it. And it wrecks me.

“Can I play with Bex?” Charlie asks.

“Later,” I say. “We need to go to Anita’s for a while.” I turn to Dallas. “Will you be here when I get back?” Then I mouth the word,please.

He nods, albeit hesitantly.

Asher takes my suitcase from Dallas and hands me a set of car keys. “It’s the silver Camry over there. There’s a car seat inside. The address is programmed into the GPS.” He gives me a hotel key card. “Your room number is 417. You have a connecting room to where Charlie and I have been staying.”

“Thank you for coming.” I give Asher a hug. “I want to stay,” I say, blinking over at Dallas. “But I have to see Anita. How’s she doing?”

“As well as can be expected. She’s got family around. You as well as anyone know what a comfort that can be. I’ve kept my distance though. I’m here for Charlie. You’re more of a friend to her than I am. I don’t even know her all that well.”

I lock eyes with Dallas. “So, I’ll see you later?”

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