"It's so sexy when you get all Dr. Marshall," I teased. "Do it again, Cy!"
"Ok." And he turned his brown eyes on me. "You're throwing yourself into Southwind as hard as you can, hoping it will distract you from the pain of losing Gran. I'm betting you haven't even stopped long enough to cry, right?"
"I don't cry," I reminded him.
"Doesn't mean you shouldn't. It's cleansing, and not just for the eyes, but also the soul. Vi, you need to mourn her. That woman was our mother, and we all miss her, but she was yours most of all. She represents so many big changes in your life, and when she died, that cut you off from all of them. Take some time and mourn her the way she deserves."
"I don't think I like this game anymore," I mumbled, trying to sit up.
He just wrapped a strong arm around me and pulled me back against his chest. "Listen to me, babe. Luke's a distraction. A hot one, and you're going to jump in too fast with him because you're trying to plug this hole you can feel, but it's not gonna work. It's not his job to replace Gran. He can't, and you're just dooming him to fail. Never mind Ash. I'm sure you didn't sort things out with him before he left. He's bending over backwards to give you everything you need - money, space, time, or whatever - and you're just taking, taking, taking, never realizing that he might need something back too."
"And you?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm just a brokenhearted fool who came home to start again. I know my shit. Also gonna have to teach your hot piece of ass out there that I can use a few tools too. I took woodshop and shit."
I scoffed, knowing very well that he'd done a little more than that. "Please be nice to him?"
"Nah. He doesn't need me to be nice. That boy needs to figure out if he can handle Southwind, and all the freaky that comes with it. I'm not gonna break him, but I might help you break him in. Promise it won't be a hardship, just don't get pissed when I flirt."
"And us?" I asked.
His hand moved to cup the back of my neck. "Well, first you're going to have to show me what room I get, then you'll need to tell me what you will and won't eat." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "How you doing with that, anyway?"
"Ok," I assured him. "Not good, and not bad. Ash told Luke to make sure I eat, and he's been helping."
"Cooking for her too." The voice came into the room just as Luke rounded the corner. He saw the pair of us curled up and a muscle in his jaw tensed. "Round baler's working. Need to grease the rest, and we can start cutting hay tomorrow." He turned away, clearly intending to leave.
"Hey?" Cy called, stopping him. "Cowboy, I'm gonna stop you right there."
"What?!" Luke snapped, spinning back to face him. "I didn't say shit."
"No, but you thought it. Don't blame you, but figure you might want to know that we were just talking about me breaking up with my fiancé, losing my job because of it, and why I'm here. And thank you for making sure she eats." Cy eased me up then sat up at the edge of the bed. "I've known Violet since I was a kid. The last time I saw her was at Gran's funeral, and she wasn't doing so well, so I just wanted to make sure she had a shoulder to cry on."
Luke nodded. "And this is me trying." He spread his hands and then just let them fall. "Is that what you wanted? I didn't say shit, but that doesn't mean it's easy to ignore the fact that some strange man's groping the woman I'm interested in. Anywhere else, I'd put my fist in your face to remind you to keep your hands off, but shit don't work that way around here."
"Hard, isn't it?" Cy asked as he pushed himself to his feet. "Imagine how I feel. This girl I'd kill for..." He moved closer to lean right into Luke's face. "Literally kill for, and you're acting like she's some trinket for you to use and throw away. Not asking what she wants. Not giving a shit that we're family. To you, she's an object to brag about possessing. To me, she's someone I trust who I don't ever want to see hurt."
Luke didn't back away. "Which is why I didn't say shit. I know you're right."
"Mm, so you're not just pretty," Cy teased. "And no, I'm not gonna stop hugging her, holding her, or anything else. Get fucking used to it."
Luke nodded. "You gonna lose your shit if I try to spend the night again?"
"Again, huh?" Cy glanced back at me. "Just tell me he's hung?"
"He is," I promised. "And now you're just being an ass."
"Yep." Then he pushed past Luke and straight across the hall. "I think I'll take this room, Vi. Just remember that I'll be jerking one out every time you start screaming."
"You're not helping!" I yelled after him.
"Kinda am," he promised, then his feet tromped down the stairs.
Luke just ducked his head and laughed. "I think I like him more than Ashton."
"Mm," I said. "Yeah. Not sure you'll feel that way in a week, but sure." Then I sighed. "Thanks for trying."
"Yeah." He stepped back. "Just remind me every so often that I'm not being replaced, ok?"
