AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s wrong with the home he has?” I asked tersely. I might not be an expert on canines, but these dogs thrived under the care they received here.
“Nothing. We love the guy.” He scratched behind Muffy’s ears. “We want the best for him.”
I set the box down next to Teague’s.
“You’re staying for supper.” Miss Adeline was a master at getting her way. “We’re having Lucky Charms.”
Lexie needed something more substantial than that. She hadn’t eaten all day.
I’d planned to take Lexie and Eric to my favorite steakhouse but couldn’t reject Miss Adeline’s invitation. I wanted to spend more time with my brother too.
My thoughts darted to the grill Pepper and I had put together at their old place. It had ultimately been a gift of destruction. I hadn’t set the fire that had nearly cost them their lives, but wondered if I hadn’t given Teague that grill, would that have happened?
“Don’t tell me you’re a bran flake fan too, handsome.”
I blinked at Miss Adeline when I realized she was speaking to me.
I cleared my throat. “No.”
“I knew you lived on the wild side too.” She linked her arm through Eric’s. “What about you? Lucky Charms or bran?”
“Donuts!”
“A man after my own heart,” she said as she steered him toward the dogs. “Millie wants to see you.”
When she was out of earshot I leaned closer to Teague. “Will she be offended if I need more than cereal? I missed lunch.”
“I’ve got a brisket in the oven.”
I narrowed my gaze. It amazed me how we could be so much alike and so different at the same time. I barely knew how to operate a coffee pot, yet he was proficient in the kitchen.
Lexie leaned on the counter as if she were finally running out of steam.
“I’m famished. Do you mind if we run upstairs and ransack your kitchen?”
Now Teague was looking at me strangely. “Uh, yeah. Be my guest. We’ll bring Eric up after we feed the dogs.”
I nodded and touched Lexie’s elbow. “Teague asked us to set the table. Eric can play with Millie.”
She looked uncertain. “I rarely leave him.”
Guilt that I’d put her in an uncomfortable position regarding her brother swirled within me.
“He’s in good hands.” If she didn’t want to leave him, I understood.
“I know,” she said quietly.
Eric sat on the floor and Millie crawled all over him. He let out a happy laugh as he rubbed her sides.
“Lincoln, come see Millie.”
“Looks like setting the table will have to wait.” Lexie smirked.
It was probably for the best I wasn’t alone with her. Muffy trotted beside me as we waded through the sea of dogs.
When we reached Eric, he shot off the floor and threw his arms around my waist. I kept my arms stiffly at my side, taken aback by the display of affection. I wasn’t sure what to do. The only people I ever hugged were my brother and sister.
Eric’s affection was different, though I couldn’t decipher why.
I felt all the eyes in the room watching the scene, but I refused to make eye contact. Eric’s head was against my chest, and he clung to me like I was an anchor.
No. It was as if he sensed I needed the embrace.
I was uncomfortable and uncertain, but he wasn’t.
Slowly, I lifted my arms and returned his hug. Muffy nudged my leg as if to encourage me. Awkwardly, I patted Eric’s back, and he showed no sign of letting go.
And oddly, I wasn’t sure I wanted him to.
