Page 189 of Liberating Lily

“They just want to beat on him a bit without us around,” Clem said.

Yeah, that’s what Lily had figured.

“You can’t do that,” she said to Harvey. “You’re going to get into trouble.”

“Not my fault he got beaten up a bit by a steer.”

“I can’t believe this douchebag really threatened a guinea pig in order to get you to do what he wanted.” Beau shook his head as he stared down at him. “He deserves a few kicks to the ribs. Wish Chuck Roast had given him a real going over.”

“Chuck, you’re getting a good meal tonight,” Tanner said with a nod.

Jaret had obviously told them everything over the phone.

“I’ve got a question for you, Clem, while we’re waiting,” Harvey said.

“Ooh, Clem, sounds like you’re in trouble,” Tanner sang.

“How can I be in trouble? This has nothing to do with me.” Clem waved a hand down at the guy on the ground.

“It’s not about this situation,” Harvey said. “After I discovered Lily was gone, I called you and asked you to contact me if she turned up at your place.”

“And I did,” Clem said.

“Five days later,” Harvey said.

Jaret turned to Clem. “What? That isn’t what you told me. You said you called him the day after Lily arrived.”

“Technically, I believe I said I messaged him.”

“I never received a message,” Harvey told her.

“Well, that’s your fault, isn’t it? For not understanding telepathy,” Clem huffed.

“Really, Clem? Telepathy?” Jaret said with a frown. “You told me that Harvey said he couldn’t come for a few days. I’ve been calling him all sorts of names in my head.”

“Someone isn’t going to sit well tomorrow,” Tanner sang.

“Who? You?” Clem asked.

“No, you,” Jaret told her before turning to Harvey. “Look, I’m sorry about that. You must have been really worried about Lily. But the truth is, Clem’s heart was in the right place because she and Lily needed this time together.”

Harvey glanced over at Lily. “I can see that they did and I’m not angry. It was just a long five nights.”

“Sheriff’s coming,” Alec said as another truck made its way down the driveway. Suddenly Rump Roast appeared out of nowhere, moving in front of it and stopping the sheriff from getting any further up the driveway.

Jaret sighed. “There are some days when I question my choices in life.”

“You’re not questioning your choice to be with me though, right?” Clem asked.

Jaret gave her a fierce look. “Never. I’d never question that, Clem,” he said as he, Tanner, and Beau walked over to move Rump Roast.

“So, does this mean you’re going back with Harvey?” Clem asked Lily, as Harvey wrapped his arm around her.

“Yeah, I am,” Lily said. “But I’m really going to miss you, Clem.”

Clem nodded. “Yeah, I’ll miss you too. So will Crackling.”

“Yeah, about Crackling . . .”