Page 111 of Doing Life

His heart felt like it might stop, but this time in a good way. “I want you there too. We’ll figure out the logistics.” He swallowed hard. “And I figured out something today too.”

“Yeah?” Lance held onto his hips, hands solid, hot.

“Uh-huh. I’m giving notice when I get home. I want to work with search and rescue. With Maynard. Maybe train scent dogs for non-police work. Airport sniffing. Rescue. That kind of thing. I want to be with you more and not get shot at.”

Lance tilted his head. “That would make you happy?”

“If it doesn’t, I can always go back, but yeah. Training dogs is…this is what I do. You should have seen Maynard out there. He was so happy, so joyous, so proud of himself.”

Lance grinned at him. “I heard him, and I was so goddamn thrilled. I knew y’all were coming to help us. I was—I just wanted to keep them alive.”

“You did. You did it, honey. And I think massage therapy or some kind of physical therapy work would be perfect for you. You help people. You’re a medic. It’s what you do.” He lathered up Lance’s hair, which was sticky with mud.

“Yeah. I just…you came for me. Just like every time. You came for me after the bomb. You came for me here. You came for me at the ranch.”

“I’ll always come for you, baby. You’re it for me.” He tookone more kiss, which was a little soapy, but not gritty anymore. Lance’s bad leg was shaking, though, and it was time to eat. “Let’s get dried off and get some food.”

“Hell, yes. Then we feed the dogs, then you hold me until tomorrow.” Lance kissed his jaw. “Then we’ll get ready to go home.”

“Together.” The thought suited him to the ground.

“You know it. You, me and the dogs.”

Yeah, like it was supposed to be.

Epilogue

“Matty, I got a text from Lance. He’s starting massage school there in Santa Fe.”

Matt blinked down at Luke, trying his damnedest to remember which one was Lance. “That’s pretty damn cool. I like Santa Fe.”

“He’s the one who helped me after my wreck, man.”

Matt glanced at Boone, trying hard not to look too hard or too long. “Oh, the blind medic.”

“Yeah.” Boone rolled his eyes. “That’s the one, boss.”

Luke chuckled. “He’s doing really well. So is Sloan. His cop boyfriend? I think we’re invited to the wedding.”

“No shit. Well, good on them. You gonna go up?”

“I think it’s over, boss.”

“Shut up, Boone.”

Boone chuckled, ducking his swat. “I better get back to work. Thanks for lunch. Luke.”

Oh, the little fucker. Matty was the one who had made grilled cheese.

“You know it. Grilled cheese is my spush-i-al-i-ty.”

“Oh, very nice.” Boone limped out of the kitchen, waved, leaving him alone with Luke.

“Seriously, bro, you gonna go?” Matt asked.

“Nope. Once we set them free, they’re free. I got too much to do, and a hot son of a bitch at home. How about you?”

“Nah. I mean, they’re nice guys, and I love Santa Fe, but I’d rather go up for the rodeo and say hi when we’re up there. But I wouldn’t want you to get all weird.”

“Me? You’re the one who can’t even remember names and faces,” Luke teased. “Except Boone’s.”

“Fuck you. And also? I made the sandwiches.”

“Yeah, they were good, too. But I’m happy to take the credit.”

“Dickhead.” Matt winked. “So, tell me about the new guy…”

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