Paul joined them, only to heckle Knox. “You’re hopeless.” He physically turned his friend, took his drink from his hand, and gave him a light shove. “Go, don’t ask, just start helping.”
Skeptical, Knox glared at him. “You’re sure that won’t irritate her?”
Skye whispered, “I’m pretty sure it will.”
“Shh,” Ford said, amused. Then louder, “Trust Paul. He’s her buddy now.”
With a roll of his eyes, Knox started forward, but growled to Paul, “If you’re wrong, I’m going to kick your ass.”
Paul grinned, then reassured everyone by saying, “He’s joking.”
Marcus and Bray just lifted their brows.
Frowning, Paul muttered, “He better be joking.” Then he took off to follow Knox.
Marcus pulled her into a hug. “In case I haven’t said it, welcome to the family.”
Bray got her next. “Ford is a brother, whether we’re blood related or not. So that makes you a sister.”
“Well,” she said, “I already adore you all. Plus my family loved Ford on sight.”
Ford glanced over to where her relatives lounged on lawn furniture beneath a shade tree, all of them fawning over Maybelline. His dog loved it. “I’m pretty damn happy with them, too.”
All around him, chaos reigned. Tank ran with the other dogs, and even Lucy’s cat was in attendance, sprawled on her lap while she talked with Skye’s cousins.
Dog fur clung to most of his furniture—and his black wedding slacks.
He and Skye constantly worked with the animals, reassuring them, loving them, teaching them better habits.
And every night, she slept in his arms.
Together, they’d created the perfect life for them.
Together, they had a home.
