"Damn. I can relate."
She sat up, staring at him with pinched brows. "Cancer?" She gulped, squeezing his hand. "Mrs. Brighton has cancer?"
"Had," Swift emphasized, then pushed out a puff of air. "She's good, though. Been a few years, but Moms is one hell of a fighter."
"How are you so strong?" Starlah asked, swiping her cheeks. "I don't know if I'll ever be okay."
"Love," he relayed, lowering his gaze. "That keeps me going, Star. It will keep you going, too."
Star's shoulders trembled, a soft wail escaping her mouth. She had no one left around to love her, not the ones she ever saw herself living without.
"Like who?" Her voice croaked when he passed her his handkerchief.
"Blow, Star, and breathe. I'm not going anywhere." She blew a few times as Swift softly patted her back. "And Chevy loves you," he offered.
She smiled.
"He's probably upset with me."
He rubbed her arm, pulling her to him. Her head rested on his shoulder as she pushed out a bout of air.
"He's good."
Swift smiled, then patted her leg just above where her skin was. She didn't move. In fact, she seemed to lessen the space even more when he did. He slightly smirked yet left his hand there.
"And he's a good pup."
"He is," she agreed. "They say Shepherds are good for protecting you. Maybe Chevy's my angel left to protect me."
Swift had no clue what was going on, but all the unknowns made him want to be by her side while she fought her demons, even keeping her safe. His gun was in his truck, but he made a mental note to keep it on him until someone was in custody.
"He looks for them, too," Swift told her. "I keep him busy with Papa, but trust, his ass gives me and Papa a run for our damn money. Imagine two of them — Anatolian Shepherds. I wasn't expecting what great company they would make, but I'm glad they're around."
Starlah didn't say it, but she wanted to confess that Swift was good company, too. She wasn't looking forward to when he went back to his life in Cedar Spike. She had an aunt there who flew in only for the funeral. She hugged her, then sat in the back theentire time. Starlah felt slightly shunned but then accepted it was needed since her aunt and Lucky never saw eye to eye. That, and she didn't need negative energy around her, not when her heart was bleeding.
"Why'd you choose him?" Starlah probed, referring to Papa.
Swift laughed, considering Money had asked him the same question. His initial answer still resonated with him, but once he came back to Pellum, he figured it was fate.
"Papa needed a home, and I had one to give him," he offered. "Kind of what you give to Chevy."
She nodded, although her home didn't feel much like a home most days, not when she was in her room alone. She made a mental note to do less of that when Swift roped his arm around her neck and sighed.
"I'm here as long as you need me to be, Star. Healing takes time. I'm grateful I have the time to give as long as Chevy doesn't run me and Papa's asses off."
"He won't," she whispered, drawing small circles on her dress.
Soon, Star's hand landed on Swift's. He looked down, and his brows furrowed, but his heart leaped when she eased her fingers through his. Their eyes met, and she tucked her lips, wondering if he was feeling what she was feeling.
Swift quickly looked straight ahead, warding off thoughts that he shouldn't have. He knew if he looked at Star any longer, he'd do more than hold her hand. He'd put her in the back seat of his truck and climb inside of her, ramming his dick so far within her that the tip of his dick would touch her heart.
He cleared his throat and stood.
"Ready?" he asked.
Star wasn't, but she'd never be, as she stared at the two caskets once more. Instead of punishing herself even more, sherose and followed his lead, her heart bleeding with each step she took that led her away from them.
"What happens with the farm?"London asked once they made it back from the repast.
