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Max releases his hold on me and pats Aiden on the back. “You did good, brother.” Aiden pulls him in for a tight hug. They give each other a silent nod that says so much. The love and friendship between them rivals mine and Sydney’s. There isn’t anything that could come between us.
“Okay, you two newlyweds, we’re going to take Sleeping Beauty here to bed,” Ted says, holding Lexi. Lexi yawns and puts her head down on Ted’s shoulder.
“You’ve had such a big day, Lulu, you’ve been a trooper,” I say and push a piece of fallen hair behind her ear. She manages a small smile. Her eyes flutter as she tries to hold them open.
“You can put her to bed in her room,” Max says from behind us. We all look at Max and stare at him. Her room? I glance up to the house and wonder what the hell he’s talking about.
He shrugs. “I had a room set up for her.” He’s very factual about it…like we should have already known. Lexi’s head bobs.
“I have my own room?” She perks up, wide eyed and awake.
“Just for you, Lulu,” he says. “I also thought about getting a couple horses.” She gasps and I look at him. How often does he plan on us being here? He lives in a freaking different state, for God’s sake.
“Can I bring Ketchup up here?” Her hands clap.
“Ketchup has to stay in Texas, Lulu,” I say quickly before Max can say yes. The horse that helped both Lexi and I during our time of healing is currently a therapy horse on Amy and Ted’s ranch. Amy works with a team of therapists who bring their clients to the ranch for animal therapy. The work they do there has a special place in my heart. I made a huge donation when Amy started up the nonprofit business.
“Oh,” Lexi says, disappointed.
“Sweet girl, you know Ketchup is helping a lot of kids, just like he helped you.”
“I know,” she pouts. “I just miss him.”
“Tater Tot, I’m sure he misses his girl, too.” Aiden pokes her nose. She softly giggles and nods her head. We’ve talked a lot about what Amy is doing on the ranch and how important it is.
“How about you go with me to pick out a horse that’ll be just yours?” Max says.
I hit Max on the shoulder. “Max! Would you stop spoiling her?”
Lexi reaches her hand over and puts it across my lips to silence me and giggles. “He’s not spoiling me. It’s just a horse.” I roll my eyes. “Please, let Max get me a horse?” she says, her innocent eyes plead.
I sigh. Like I can say no. I’ll forever be the villain who didn’t let Max get her a damn horse. I look at Max and narrow my eyes. He laughs out loud. Oh, you can laugh now, Max, but later we are having a little talk. I hear Aiden chuckle, too.
“You are in so much trouble,” he murmurs to Max. That makes Max laugh louder.
“Lulu, right now, let’s just worry about getting you into bed,” I say. Brooks walks over and joins us.
“In my new room?”
I look at Aiden and he shrugs as I look up at the ginormous house. We’re not staying here tonight, so I don’t know how I feel leaving her here. What if she gets scared or has a bad dream? Will she ever be able to find Max?
“Robin is up there with Presley in one of the rooms. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind watching over Lexi, too,” Brooks says.
“The room is actually right by Lulu’s,” Max adds. Lexi looks at me with hopeful eyes.
“Okay,” I resign. “But Amy and Ted will come get you later to take you back to their hotel since we’re not staying here tonight.” I look at Max, biting my bottom lip. I hope he doesn’t think I’m being a bitch by not letting her stay here. “It’s unfamiliar—”
“It’s alright, Addison. I understand,” Max says, stopping me. His lips curl into a smile and he nods, reassuring me that it is okay.
“Okay, Lulu, let’s take you to see your new room.” Ted puts her down, and she hops over to me, slipping her little hand into mine.
“It’s three doors down from where you were today,” Max explains.
“So, top of the stairs, do I go left or right?”
“Left,” Max and Aiden say simultaneously. I quirk an eyebrow, looking between the two.
“Secret spy business on the right. Got it.” I chuckle.
