Page 104 of Wrecked for Love
Noah winced, his concern deepening. “Right…sorry. Just…don’t laugh, okay?”
I raised an eyebrow. “What exactly did she do to you?” I could picture Claire slipping right into protector mode, probably thinking she was guarding me from an intruder.
Noah grinned, shaking his head. “She wouldn’t let me get anywhere near you, that’s what. Like a damn Cerberus.”
I almost laughed but couldn’t resist reminding him, “Hey, she’s my girlfriend, not a guard dog.”
Noah’s eyes widened. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. She was just…fierce. But in fairness, I wasn’t exactly nice either. Figured flowers might help. Think they’ll work?”
I glanced at the mix of lilies, daisies, and other cheerful blooms. “Yeah, she’ll love them.”
“Good, good,” he muttered, his eyes lingering on the flowers like he was marveling at his own handiwork. “Where’d you find her? She was like?—”
“A chili pepper?” I finished for him, grinning.
Noah burst out laughing. “Yeah, exactly. Wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.”
“That’s Claire, Noah. You’d better get used to it because she’s sticking around.”
Noah’s smile softened, the playfulness in his tone giving way to something real. “The married-to-the-Moose Elia Lucas, finally tamed. I’m glad. Really, El…it’s good to see you, brother.”
The word “brother” hit me hard, and for a moment, I couldn’t respond. The last time we spoke, things ended badly. He didn’t want anything to do with Dad or me. He’d just…left. But now, standing here, he’d grown. And not just older—he’d grown up.
Noah exhaled. “I knew you called me. However you got that number.”
I’d figured as much. But I let him go on.
“My friend picked up and didn’t give my name away. She knew better,” he revealed. “Look, I’ve thought about you. I never called you back because I didn’t want to have to explain myself. But I did talk to Log. I asked about you.”
“Huh. So you trusted your brother’s best friend more than your own brother?”
Noah shrugged. “Something like that.”
I let out a breath. “However it happened, Noah, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Logan called me a couple of days ago and told me you were in bad shape. I came back to Buffaloberry as fast as I could.”
I blinked, touched by his sincerity. “Where’ve you been?”
“Everywhere.” Noah gave a faint smile. “But this time, I flew in from Salt Lake.”
The door creaked open, and Claire stepped inside. “Oh! You’re back,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and caution as her eyes flicked between us, silently gauging if I really wanted Noah here.
Noah stood up, offering her the bouquet. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I’m Noah, Elia’s brother.”
Claire’s expression softened as she accepted the flowers. “Noah?” She stepped toward him. “I’m Claire.” She welcomed him with open arms, and they shared a brief but polite hug.
“I really am sorry. I wasn’t exactly friendly yesterday.”
“Apology accepted,” she said, her tone light and genuine.
The three of us fell into easy conversation, exchanging small talk. Noah asked about how the ranch was holding up, and even made Claire laugh with some teasing remark about how she probably had me wrapped around her finger already. I noticed how Claire’s hand slid to her belly, and we shared a look.
The doctor had made it official last night, confirming the pregnancy.
I turned to her, a silent question in my eyes. “Can I tell him?” I asked.
Claire’s face lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.
