“Of course, I hate to lose. Who likes losing?” Liv glances at me, but her attention falls to my mouth quickly. I hadn’t realized that I was smiling while watching the exchange. “What?”
“Nothing.”I missed this.
Her.
Almost as if she could read my thoughts, she busies herself in the kitchen again, actively avoiding any opportunity to look in my direction.
“So, Hayes, Jesse told me that you helped them find Dec last year when he was lost at the sanctuary.”
Dec is Natalie’s brother and Sheriff Malec’s new little brother-in-law.
“We all did. As soon as we found out he was in with the bears, none of us hesitated.”
Thea sits down on the bar stool at the kitchen counter and pats the counter top opposite her, and I feel like I’m taking my seat for an interview.
“After I saw how you guys operated, Lochlan did me a solid by hiring Curtis on,” Jesse says. “He swears he’s still glad Lochlan gave him the job, even after everything that happened.”
Curtis was badly injured by Jeremiah Porter when he terrorized the sanctuary.
“How’s he doing? I haven’t made it to the hospital in awhile.” I sigh. “If I were a couple of minutes faster, I would have been there, and he wouldn’t have been alone. Hell, it should have been me.”
“Still a long road to recovery, but he’ll get through it. He always has good things to say about you guys. He respects you a lot, Hayes.” Jesse pats me on the shoulder, and I nod my head in appreciation.
“He’s one of my key witnesses,” Liv says from her corner of the kitchen. “If he’s well enough to testify.”
“He’s hard-headed. He’ll be ready,” Jesse assures her.
I feel tugging on my pants and look down at the head full of blonde curls. “Hi,” I say softly, hoping not to startle her. I don’t know if she meant to grab me or if she thinks my leg belongs to her dad.
Her big green eyes stare at me as she bounces in place, gripping my leg. I put my hands out, and she reaches for me instantly, accepting it as I pull her onto my lap.
“I think she was feeling left out,” Thea coos at her daughter. “She just started trying to walk, but luckily, she isn’t much of a climber yet.”
Her little palms beat on the counter, and she squeals. “I think that means she’s hungry,” Jesse says suggestively since Liv is the dinner host.
“Oh, right.” She pulls her eyes off of baby Kate and me. “Let’s eat!”
* * *
12 years ago…
“You know what I think?” Liv states suddenly, curling her knees up in the center of her bed.
“What?” I throw my crumpled paper ball again, trying to get as close to hitting the ceiling without actually touching it.
“I think the boys at school are too immature for me. I need someone older.”
The paper ball comes down and smacks me in the face. My hand is still open.
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve always been wise for my age, that’s what everyone says. An old soul. Why not date someone older?”
“Because you’re 17.”
“So?”
“Liv, be serious. You have no reason to worry about dating when you’re about to leave for college in a few months.”
