Page 46 of Stray

“You like my boy?” He asks, and I stare straight into his eyes.

“Morris, I think I’m in love with him, and I’m fucking terrified.” He stares at me so long and hard, I feel myself growing nervous. Should I have kept my mouth shut? Of course, I should’ve. He doesn’t want someone like me to love his son.

I watch a soft, wistful smile fall to his lips, and his eyes almost look as though they are misting over.

“Morris?” I go to stand, but he shakes his head.

“I got to meet my first grandbaby and two of my boys’ loves.” His smile widens as he closes his eyes. “What an absolute gift this is.” I feel my treacherous bottom lip wobble, and I try to force down the lump growing in my throat.

“Morris,” I laugh to cover my sob. “Just because I might love him doesn’t mean he feels the same about me.”

“Sweetheart, he would be a fool not to, and you would be a fool to believe for one second he isn’t crazy about you. Now, let me go to sleep.” I chuckle lightly as I stand, giving his gnarled and papery-thin hand a squeeze.

“You better wake up for dinner, old man,” I whisper before walking out of the room.

Jackson

“Here,” I grumble, shoving the paint can at Adam, one of our ranch hands. “Start painting that room, and you,” I say to the blond one, Steven. “You start tearing up the floors so that as soon as the new flooring is delivered, I can start laying it.” I turn and walk away from the men, knowing they are probably snickering at my bruised cheek courtesy of Theo. Thankfully, my beard covers most of it.

As per Pops’ request, we’ve been working on fixing up Derek’s old house for Ozzy. The house is small, more of a cottage. We’ve busted the walls down to make the living room, dining area, and kitchen all open. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower, while there is a half bath down here. This was the house Pops built for Derek when he and his ex-wife were together. Then it was used by all us brothers when we needed time out of the main house and Theo when she needed somewhere to fuck.

Walking up the steps, I go into the bare primary bedroom and look out the bay window. This house has a view of the wide open pasture, far from the tree line.

“It’s weird being in here,” Derek mutters, leaning against the doorframe. I give him a slight nod while looking out at the yard.

“I think Ozzy would enjoy a garden,” I say more to myself. Derek walks over to the window and stares out at the yard.

“It gets great sun back here for wildflowers.”

Sighing, I turn back to my brother. “It’s time to take you to the airport, huh?” Derek gives me a pained look.

“If you cry and hug me, I’m kicking your ass.” He mutters, and I laugh, following him out of the house. I look at the concrete step and frown.

“I should build her a porch,”

“Maybe apologize to her first.” He chuckles, and I groan, still unsure how I’m going to fix what happened yesterday.

Ozzy

“It’s going to kill me,” I mutter, staring at the hissing bird.

Carter shrugs, continuing to feed the chickens. “If Henrietta tries to kill you, not only will I not save you, but I’m going to laugh as you die.” I glare at him as I slowly reach under the chicken, trying to retrieve her eggs. Henrietta lets out a god-awful squall before biting me, jumping off her nest, and running after me with her wings spread. The rational side of my brain tells me the small bird can’t do much of anything now, but my much louder side is screaming that a fucking Pterodactyl is about to kill me.

“Carter!” I scream at the cackling man as I trip over one of Wyatt’s toys and fall on my ass. “Get her!”

“Oh, my god!” He wheezes as he ushers the winged spawn of satan away, and she trots over to grab her lunch. “I damn near pissed my pants!”

“I swear to god,” I growl, standing up and pointing at the evil bitch. “I’m taking your ass to McDonald’s. You’ll be a chicken nugget by lunch tomorrow bitch!”

“Zeze!” Wyatt’s sweet voice grabs my attention. I look at his scrunched-up face. “Zeze poopy hand.”

“Huh? Oh god!” I groan as I look at my shit-covered hand, causing Carter to cackle more. “Don’t you have something better to do?” I ask him while limping over to the hose. I’ll at least wash the big parts up before going to the house.

“Fuck no,” he laughs as Wyatt tsks.

“No-no word Daddy!” He scolds, and Carter rolls his eyes.

“Why Mama told him that, I don’t know, like I have control over what this mouth does.” I snort before grabbing the basket of eggs and heading back to the house. It’s been quiet today. I thought after the fight yesterday, Jackson and I would talk. But he never came to see me, and today, everyone left to take Derek to the airport.

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