Page 99 of Smooth Sailing

She shook her head and inched back. “I’m not ready for that.”

As I’d guessed.

“I told him that was probably your response. I just want you to know what’s going on.” Or most of it.

“Okay,” she muttered.

“Okay,” I said. “Now, you wanna come out and maybe have some lunch?”

“I’ve been crying so much and doing that always takes it out of me. I think I need to doze for a little bit.”

Tears healed. Rest healed. Talking healed. And with their response to finding where their daughter was, I was hoping seeing her family would assist in healing too.

This reminded me Hugger needed to do the same. His nap hadn’t even lasted an hour.

We’d wait for Big Petey to get back from the Apple store for that.

Funny how Madison and I had been going it alone for a while, and now, even after only a few days, it didn’t feel right not having the guys around.

But the simple matter of it was, it didn’t.

“I’ll come out later, all right?” she asked.

“Anything you need, honey,” I answered. “Before I go, can I hug you?”

She looked surprised at the question then she nodded and pitched toward me.

I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a careful, but tight squeeze.

I was about to let her go when she said into my ear, “I’m glad I trusted you too.”

Of course, this meant I gave her another tight squeeze.

I let her go, got off the bed and was halfway to the door when she called, “Di?”

I turned. “Right here.”

She hesitated before she shared, “There’s more I haven’t told you.”

I knew there was, and she might be a tiny thing, but she was strong. She was a total warrior.

But enough was enough for one day. I suspected even Alexander the Great took chill time.

That wasn’t my choice, however.

“Do you want to do that now?” I offered.

“I don’t think…” There was a long pause before she finished, “Today has been a lot.”

“It has, and I’ll take this opportunity to share that what you have is yours to give. There’s no rush. Since it’s yours, you can give it when you want.”

She sagged with relief. “Thanks, Di.”

I smiled at her. “Rest. Anything special you want for dinner?”

“Are the guys coming over again?”

“Do you want them to?”

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