Page 39 of Absolution

"Yeah," I hesitate. I'm just not there yet with her, so I hold back. "I think I might run over to Boone's. Any idea if he's in town?"

"Funny you should ask; he's coming over for dinner. Craw and I thought you might like to visit with people your age and not just us oldies." Her eyes light up when she smiles. A warm sensation fills my chest. She's a beautiful woman, who obviously doesn’t realize her own strength.

"Nice, thank you." I turn to go grab Doc's food but stop at the door. "Kathryn, I appreciate the effort you've put into my being here."

"Always, Creed."

I want to say more, but I'm not quite ready to open up. I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing or not how the old me would say it. Then again, what do I know about who I used to be? Kathryn and Crawford have to realize something's up for me to have come back this soon. And that makes me feel like shit.

After I feed Doc, I freshen up and get ready for dinner. I asked Kathryn if I could help, but she had everything under control. I'm a little nervous, I've never met my cousin's wife or his children. Boone's been to visit me several times, it'll be good to see him.

I join Crawford on the deck, where he's tending to the grill. "Hey, Craw. Kathryn seems to have everything under control, I was wondering if you needed an extra set of hands."

"I sure can," he points to the outdoor fridge. "there's a beer in there that needs to be in your hands."

"I guess I should be polite and say thank you." He laughs. "Can I get you one?"

"I do have a free hand."

I grab two, handing him one before opening mine and sitting across from him. "I'm a little excited to talk with Boone this evening."

"Yeah, Kathryn thought you might enjoy having some time with him."

"Just so you know, I'm okay with just visiting y'all."

He chuckles. "Those 'y'all's' are coming naturally now. I like it."

"Kinda like the asshole's said it his whole life, right?" I spin in my seat, pleased to hear Boone behind me. Offering him my hand, but he comes in for a hug. I forgot he's a hugger.

"Dude! Why do you insist on hugging?"

He slaps my back, laughing. "Mainly because I like to watch you gag a little every time, and I know they won't make you."

"Well how about that, you don't know it all. Mom hugs me all the time." The words spill from my mouth before I can stop them, as natural as the day is long. But the look on Kathryn's face is worth everything. "I meant to say, Kathryn, I suppose both apply."

"Naw, the baby has come home." Boone wraps his arm around my head, pulling me into a headlock.

"Would you control yourself?" A gorgeous blonde pops him in the back of the head. "All you talk about is wanting to hang with him, and when you do, you pick on him. Hey, Creed. I'm so happy to meet you."

"I'm assuming you're Mackenzie, and that you're insane for marrying him, let alone procreating with him." I stand, kissing her on the cheek.

She returns my gesture with a snicker. "I'm here to tell you, it's a strong woman that can resist one of The Hatcher Boys."

"Odd, that's the second time I've heard that while here. There's only three of us, how much trouble can we cause?"

"Rush causes enough for all of us." Boone punches my leg. "So, who was the other person to bring it up?"

I glance around, making sure no one is listening. "Care to take a walk?"

"Let me get a beer." He grabs a drink, kissing Mackenzie. "We'll be right back, then you can school him in corn hole."

She winks. "You got it, babe."

Boone follows me out of the back gate and onto the beach. He gives me space, as he always has since I met him a few years ago. He came as soon as I was stateside with Crawford and Kathryn.

"Last week, I came down for a few days, and Doc got hurt."

"Yeah, Aunt Kathryn mentioned something. Is she doing okay?"