AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This guy is,” I informed him. “I’m hoping he’ll stick around for a long time. You’re going to have to figure out how to get over his last name and past that’s more than a year in his rearview and get to know Miles for who he is. That is, if you want anything to do with me.”
“Daisy,” he croaked. “I was worried about you.”
I put my hands on my hips, trying to keep my defenses up. “Funny way of showing it.”
“Flowerpot.” He came at me with his arms wide, and I let him envelop me in them.
“Beau-ses,” I mumbled into his chest. “Nick’s an asshole.”
His rumbling laugh vibrated my cheek. “I’m getting that now. And your boyfriend’s…not an asshole?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“Good.” He took me by the shoulders and peered down at me. “You look happy. And Reed looked…happy too?”
Landry squeezed in between us to get a Beau hug. “That’s because Miles adopted a dog to share with him.”
Mama thumped Beau on his big arm. “We like Miles. How about you be on your best behavior so he still wants to come around every once in a while.”
Beau’s gaze traveled around the room, to most of his family who was still sort of angry at him, and he exhaled a long breath.
“I’m sorry for the reason I came, but I’m glad to be here.”
Dad spoke for all of us. “You’re always welcome, Beau. We’d like to see you a lot more.”
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his thick neck. “Me too.”
Calm settled over the Dunham house once more. Until Solomon returned, dragging Miles and Reed with him. He immediately went to sniff Beau, giving him a thorough check.
Miles pulled me into his side. “You okay, Cupcake?”
I let myself melt into him, thinking of the way my family had defended him. The night hadn’t gone as planned, but I couldn’t be mad knowing my family sincerely approved of the man I absolutely adored.
I smiled up at him. “I am now that you’re here.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Miles
I pulled Daisy to the side of her bed I’d claimed as mine. Eventually, I’d have to go back to my place, but I wasn’t interested in being where she wasn’t. “Your brother’s big as hell. A literal mountain.”
She snickered. “Did I not mention that?”
“You didn’t. It’s a good thing I treat you right. He could crack my head like a walnut with one hand.”
Things could have gone either way tonight. What Nick had told Beau hadn’t been factually wrong. I’d been a drunken womanizer, I wouldn’t deny it. But the Dunhams knew me now and gave me a lot of grace for my past. They were good people who understood what it meant to screw up, and they actually liked me. Whitney Mae had even threatened to give me Beau’s portion of pie for being a dick to me.
For a guy who’d grown up in a freezer, getting used to hanging out by the hearth wasn’t easy, but I craved the warmth.
“I’m sorry that happened.” Her head banged on my chest. “I love my family, but there are times I wish we had a little distance.”
“You know…you could move in with me. Then you wouldn’t be living in their backyard.”
She raised her head, squinting. “Is your house still a wreck?”
“You know damn well it is.”
“I’ll pass. Besides, they’d just show up there unannounced too.”
