Page 28 of Truck Stop Titan

“Dane, can we get a fruit pop from Grandma? She keeps them special in the freezer for me.”

Hell, the thermometer had read close to ninety degrees in the sun. I needed a refreshment myself. I studied Little One to make sure she was okay, half expecting a meltdown, but she only kicked at the grass, her hand squeezing tight around Rocky’s.

“Sounds good. Let’s go.”

The two of them took off again, at a slower pace than before, the heat taking its toll.

We entered through the front door and headed for the kitchen. I stopped short at the conversation ringing through the hall.

“Outside, really? That’s good, right? Really good.”

That voice sent a shiver through me. A full body jolt that hit me straight in the balls.

“Yes,” came from Leticia. “And she smiled. And laughed today.”

“And I missed it? Oh, God. I shouldn’t have left. I knew I shouldn’t have left.”

Shit. The aunt.

“Grandma. Grandma!” Rocky bellowed, drawing attention our way before I could duck around the corner. “Can Mim and I have a fruit pop?”

Familiar eyes locked on mine, more gold than green when the light hit them right. Sweet Jesus, her face glowed, those freakin’ sexy freckles spread across her sun-kissed cheeks.

No fucking way.

“Trailer?” fell from lips that only days ago had wrapped so perfectly around my cock.

“Moriah.”

“Mim?” Lettie asked, halting Rocky’s dash to the fridge with a death grip on his shoulder.

Rocky nodded.

“Wait.” Moriah shook her head, tearing her gaze from mine. “How do you know her name?”

Rocky wiggled free of his gran’s hold. “She told me, at the beach.”

“She talked to you?” asked Moriah and Leticia simultaneously.

“Yeah.” He shrugged, leading Little One to the freezer, clueless to the bomb he dropped.

“My sister called me Mim,” Moriah whispered, watching the kids, tears spilling. “That was my nickname.”

Rocky climbed up the stool and dug through the freezer like a pro, Mim at his side.

“Wait.” Lettie gripped each side of her head, then pointed first at me, then Moriah. “You two know each other?”

“We’ve met,” I grunted, yet to move from my spot in the hallway, unsure I was able.

“Mim.” Moriah choked out a sob, her hand coming to her throat. “She named her daughter after me.”

“Grandma, how many can we have?”

“One!” Lettie shouted. “Just one. For the love of Pete.” She grabbed the box of frozen treats out of Rocky’s grip. “Get down before you fall.”

Rocky hopped down and led Mim to the sink, dragging the stool behind him. “Here, Mim. We have to wash our hands first.”

Lettie helped the kids, while Moriah broke down in the center of the kitchen, her silent sobs gaining power.

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