“Later!” Ronan said, as he headed toward his truck again. He got in the truck and turned the key to start the ignition.
Havoc’s front door opened and he peeked out, then ran down the steps to catch Ronan before he left.
“You aren’t even wearing shoes, Havoc,” Ronan said.
“I don’t need shoes. I’m a Wolf. You know that, so are you,” Havoc said.
“Don’t mean you don’t get cold in the cold weather.”
“It was warm today.”
“Yeah, but the sun’s setting. It’s getting cooler.”
“Yeah, yeah. So, Emmalyn give you the land?”
“She did. She was very gracious about it. Didn’t hesitate.”
“Good.”
Ronan chuckled and shook his head. “She said to tell you that while you offered to sell me, your own brother, a parcel of land, she gifted me the land, free of charge.”
Havoc laughed. “Why do you think I told you I’d sell you some land? She’ll outdo me at every turn. Loves it more than anything else.”
“So you find things for her to outdo you at?” Ronan asked.
“Yep. Even pretend I’m irritated when she comes over first thing in the morning with the kids.”
“Those are some seriously well behaved kids.”
“I know! Who’d have thought mine and Analise’s would be the wild ones and hers would be the calm ones?”
“Anybody that knows you,” Ronan said.
Havoc laughed for a second or two before it cut off suddenly. “That ain’t right. But the point is, you needed some land, and beside her across from me is actually the best place for the reasons you already pointed out.”
“You’re right. But why do you give her the opportunity to outdo you, and pretend you’re irritated when you’re not?”
“It’s almost the only time we get to see the old Em. I miss her sometimes, you know? And all it takes is to leave myselfopen and she’ll slide in and torque me a little just like the old days,” Havoc said with a sad smile.
“I missed a lot being away so much. I just assumed that she’d healed,” Ronan said.
“She has to a point, but it’s hard to catch her in a completely carefree moment. Sometimes you do, but not like before. It’s hard for any woman to rebound from that kind of trauma. She’s okay. She’s happy, adores her babies and Barron. She and Analise are as close as ever, but there will always be something that keeps her looking over her shoulder, keeps her from the completely carefree, fearless female she was. And if I can give her stupid little things to come at me over, I love to see that fire rise to the surface again. And I think she does, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s aware and just let’s me get away with it, because she needs it sometimes, too,” Havoc said.
“Yeah. I need to be home. I need to be a part of all this, not just learning about it as I go.”
“Problem solved. You’re home.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Don’t forget to talk to Brandt.”
“I won’t. Heading over there now.”
Chapter 8
“Y’all home?” Ronan called out, tapping on the door of Brandt’s home.
“Come on in!” Brandt answered.
