Page 80 of Love and Memories

Anna rolled over and settled onto her side of the bed. “Good night. Sleep tight knowing your knight in shining armor is standing guard outside your door.”

“Okay,” Bella whispered. If she said much more, the tears would start up again.

Anna flopped back over and propped up on her elbows. “Oh, and don’t forget to thank the Lord for that man. They’re not all so devoted.”

Bella didn’t get a chance to ask if Anna was worried about her own relationship or if she was just reminding Bella to be grateful, because Anna rolled over and pulled the covers up around her shoulders.

31

TRAVIS

Travis tightened the spark plugs with the ratchet and reconnected the coil pack. With one more thing checked off his list, he stood from where he’d been bent under the hood of the car and stretched his back.

Beau walked over and tossed a grease rag at Travis. “What’s next?”

Travis wiped his hands. “Change the air filter. New tires.”

“Complete interior overhaul,” Gage shouted from the next bay.

“Not a complete overhaul, but it could use a shampoo. The old owner must have been a smoker,” Travis said.

Beau crossed his arms and rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I’d let Hudson Jett take care of the interior. He works full time for Grady now, but the kid’s always looking for something to do.”

“Good idea.” Not only did that take about five things off Travis’s plate, but it freed up more of his time to spend with Bella.

He hadn’t left her side in two days, then Anna ran him off when Dean showed up. She claimed Travis needed to showerand shave at his own house, and she hadn’t relented despite his protests.

He didn’t want to leave Bella. He hadn’t wanted to say anything, but Dean was a poor excuse for security. The guy barely looked up and noticed his own fiancée.

Thankfully, Anna’s kitchen sink clogged up last night. Travis had planned to fix it this morning, and after getting run off, he had a perfect excuse to send his friend Asa over to help with it.

Problem solved. Anna was getting her sink unclogged, and Travis was at peace knowing Bella had someone to look out for her.

“How long until it’s up and running?” Beau asked.

“Three days or so,” Travis guessed.

Hadley walked in carrying big bags filled with to-go boxes. “Dinner is here!”

Gage stood and wiped his hands. “Show time, boys.”

Beau slapped a hand on Travis’s shoulder. “Come on. I’ll help you out after we eat.”

“Nah. I think I’m going to work a little longer.”

Beau’s grip on Travis’s shoulder tightened. “Come on. We’ll knock it out in no time.”

“I really need to get this done.” Travis jerked a thumb toward the car.

Beau shook his head. “Fine. I’ll help. What’s next?”

“Let’s get these tires changed.”

Olivia came in through the garage wearing scrubs and power walking toward Beau. The siblings were as different as night and day, yet they somehow managed to get along most of the time.

“Ugh. Dean is on my last nerve,” Olivia groaned.

“Tell me something we don’t already know,” Beau said.

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