Page 21 of Butcher's Honor

I've had women before—plenty of them. Quick encounters in nameless motel rooms, club girls looking for a thrill, even a few attempts at relationships that never lasted.

But this... this feels different. This feels like coming home, like finding safe harbor after years at sea.

With her tucked against me, her gentle weight anchoring me to this moment, I feel a peace I haven't known since before my first tour in Afghanistan. Maybe even before that. Here, in this too-small bed in this too-small room, the violence that usually lives under my skin seems distant, tamed.

Sleep claims me eventually, my body curled protectively around hers, one hand resting near the gun I placed within easy reach on the nightstand. Old habits die hard.

Morning

The bed bouncing wakes me what feels like minutes later. Morning sun streams through the windows as Tommy launches himself between us.

"Mr. Joey stayed!" he exclaims, practically vibrating with excitement. "I knew it! I knew you were going to be my mom's boyfriend!"

Ruby sits up, tugging the covers higher. "Tommy, honey, Mr. Joey just wanted to make sure we were safe after yesterday—"

"Nuh-uh," Tommy says with all the wisdom of his five years. "Only boyfriends sleep in the same bed. That's what Billy at school said. And you were hugging like in the movies!"

I can't help but chuckle at his logic, earning a mock glare from Ruby. Tommy bounces again, clearly thrilled with this development.

"Does this mean you'll be here for breakfast every day?" he asks hopefully. "And dinner? And can you teach me to ride a motorcycle when I'm bigger?"

"Tommy!" Ruby looks horrified at the thought.

"Maybe when you're much bigger," I say diplomatically. "Like thirty."

A knock at the front door saves us from further negotiations about Tommy's future biker career. Ruby quickly pulls on her robe and hurries to answer it.

"Rose!" I hear her exclaim, followed by my mother's familiar laugh.

"Good morning, dear. Is my son decent? Actually, don't answer that." Mom's voice carries down the hall. "I'm here to take Tommy on a picnic. The park has a duck pond, and I made sandwiches."

"Really?" Tommy bounces off the bed. "Can I go, Mom? Please?"

I pull on my jeans and join them in the living room, finding my mother looking entirely too pleased with herself.

"What are you doing?" I ask her suspiciously.

She gives me an innocent look that wouldn't fool anyone. "Creating opportunities. Now Tommy, go get dressed. The ducks are waiting."

As Tommy races to his room, I narrow my eyes at her. "You planned this."

"Of course I did." She pats my cheek. "Someone had to give you two an extra push. Consider this my contribution to your happiness." She turns to Ruby, who's blushing prettily. "And don't worry, dear. I'll have him back by dinner. You two should talk, rest, maybe actually eat something at some point."

"Mom!"

But she just laughs, herding an excited Tommy out the door with promises of duck feeding and flower lessons, leaving us alone with a whole day stretching ahead of us.

As they leave, I hear him asking Mom if this means he can call me Dad now. The door closes before I catch her response.

Ruby and I stand in the sudden quiet, the morning sun streaming through the windows.

"So," she says finally, "your mom's subtle."

I laugh, pulling her into my arms.

"About as subtle as a brick through a window." I press a kiss to her temple. "But I can't say I mind having some time alone with you."

She tilts her face up to mine, smiling. "No? And what should we do with all this time?"

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