Page 75 of High Side
She would just have to be careful this winter.
“I’m so damn glad you decided to stay, baby,” she told Brit.
“I am too. I couldn’t leave—I know when I’ve found a good thing.” Brittany kissed her chin. “I’m young, but I’m not stupid.”
“I’m in love.” Kylie thought it was important to keep saying it. She knew that from her parents. The words meant something, just like actions did.
“Yeah? I love when you tell me that.” Brit just beamed. “We’re building a life, huh? You, me and Sadie?”
“We are. Hot tub and all.”
Brittany laughed with her, and they looked at each other when they heard Joe’s pickup pull up. He’d managed to give them ten minutes. Everyone was worried about both of them and wanted to know what had happened with that asshole, Josh.
So it looked like they were about to get their cookout on.
It was fair, she guessed. If it had been Joe, Kylie might not have lasted anywhere near as long.
Joe came breezing in with a cooler in hand, tossing a cookie to Sadie. “Okay, so tell me everything.”
Brittany laughed. “Come sit. Crazy man. I can’t believe this is the family I’m choosing.”
“We’re amazing,” Joe said, flexing after he set the cooler down.
“We’re more than amazing. We’re river guides!” Kylie managed a reasonable cheer, she thought.
“Uh-huh. You were. Now you’re walking wounded management.”
She flipped Joe off. “One-legged I’m still twice the guide you are.”
Joe hooted, and Jilly breezed in about then, two big bags in her hands. They smelled like tacos.
“Are we dick measuring?” Jilly asked. “Ky will win.”
Joe stumbled back, hands on his chest. “You wound me!”
“I do. I know. Tacos?”
“God yes. Smoking meat takes hours.” Joe grabbed a bag.
Kylie met Brittany’s gaze and rolled her eyes. Maybe they ought to leave Joe and Jilly to entertain everyone and actually get that nap.
“Once your folks get back, they’ll send us to rest. It’ll be great, because they’re the grown-ups.” Brittany almost hid her giggle.
Almost.
Still, her girl had a point. Her folks could boss Joe and Jilly around for a bit. In fact, she loved that idea a lot. She might just text her mom and see where they were in the process. Holding her girl was always the perfect prospect.
Even if she had to listen to Joe crunch tacos while she was doing it.
Epilogue
“God save me from kids who aren’t of age trying to apply to be guides.”
Brittany looked up from her book, smiling wryly at her lady. “God save me from a woman who would rather bring work home and go over applications rather than come sit in front of the fire and cuddle with me.”
Kylie waved a hand at her over the top of her laptop case. “Liz said I had to go over them by Monday. Since we’re going to see your mom this weekend, I need to get them done tonight.”
“Well, if you want I can help weed some out.” She put her book aside and grabbed her phone. She had Kylie’s work email on her app just in case something happened and she had to sub in.
