Page 101 of Daybreak

“I’ll do that. Can’t leave Pearl alone too long in the Weed. She’ll have the men all using napkins and bringing their dirty glasses to the bar,” Jacob said.

Gunner was still smiling when his dad disconnected, and moved a pillow so Holly could sit beside him.

Gunner took his first bite of ice cream. “Dad called. He said we have a good water source for the build, and the man will be sending me details via email.”

“One more step accomplished,” she said, but still chose the seat closest to him. Bruises and stitches aside, he would always be her safe place to fall.

* * *

Jacob ate his way through supper and finished it off with a bowl of banana pudding. Pearl never made a meal without dessert, which made him a happy man. When he finished, he rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, then went back into the bar.

“Thanks for standing in for me, and for that good food,” Jacob said and kissed Pearl on the cheek.

She turned a sweet shade of pink and hustled out before the crowd got rowdy again.

* * *

The thunderstorms over Dallas passed with nothing more than minor wind damage, most of which consisted of trampolines blowing into neighbors’ yards and dead or dying trees finally giving up the ghost.

Gunner woke up, heard Holly in the shower, and went to the guest bath to wash up. When he came back to the room, she was getting dressed for the day.

“Hey, honey, do you want me to wrap your arm again for the Jacuzzi?”

“I do, but I need my wake-up kiss first,” he said.

“Your wake-up kisses make me wish for so much more,” she said and then put her arms around his neck and leaned in for the onslaught of emotions she knew were coming.

And they did, like an avalanche.

The thudding heartbeat.

A growing ache without release until they stopped.

“Good morning, love. The storms are gone, and it’s a new day,” Gunner said.

Holly felt like a leaf, still floating in the wind, still trying to fall to earth.

“Yes, it is. I’m going to get the plastic wrap.”

He went into the bathroom and started filling up the tub. The skin still pulled a little beneath the bandages, but he was sure ready to get them off. Maybe today was the day.

As soon as she had the arm wrapped up again, he got in the tub and turned on the jets.

“Take all the time you want,” Holly said as she put out a fresh bath towel and handed him a washcloth. “I am going to verify the appointment time that was made with your doctor,” she said and turned to walk out.

“Hey, Holly.”

She paused and turned around. “Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“I don’t need thanks for taking care of the man I love.” And then she was gone.

He emerged later with the whisker stubble gone, actual clothing, and slip-on loafers, minus the socks.

Holly was impressed. “Gunner, sweetheart! Look at you! I’m as proud of your progress as I was when Travis finally learned to tie his shoes.”

Gunner laughed. “Darlin’, your analogies are bumper stickers for life.”