Page 70 of Nothing to Fear

“Brant, sweetheart,” Alice said. “You know I don’t like that kind of talk.”

“Sav-nah,” little Buoy said, pushing his plate away to get at the papers beneath. “I brought you one special.”

He scraped through the various pictures until he found the right one, which he held up in triumph.

Accepting it from him, she gasped. “Oh my goodness, I love it!”

His proud smile glowed. “It’s a tiger, for you.”

“It’s amazing!”

“You can keep it forever.”

“Thank you, beautiful boy.”

Leaning in, she kissed his hair.

“Hey, those are for me.”

Darroch’s voice drew her attention to the door he’d snuck them out the night of the prize dinner. Caber sauntered at his side until Darroch peeled away to join her. He put a hand on the back of her chair and bowed to kiss the top of her head.

“Uh, discretion.”

Darroch descended into the seat by hers. “This is discretion,” he said then cleared his throat to address the table. “Sav and I are keeping us under wraps for a while.”

“Because she’s screwing the boss?”

“Brant!” Alice chastised. “What is wrong with you this morning?”

“Watch your mouth,” Benedict said, his voice deep. “Apologize to our guest.”

Brant exhaled. “Sorry, Savanna.”

Darroch’s hand slid down her thigh beneath the table.

“It’s okay,” she said. “Thank you.”

Benedict wasn’t done with his son. “And your mother.”

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Brant said. “I don’t get why they’d lie about being together.”

“Would you admit to dating Roch?” Caber asked, grabbing a croissant. “I wouldn’t.”

“Hey, she’s never kissed me at the breakfast table.”

She held up her picture. “You never colored me a beautiful picture,” she said, proud and touched Buoy thought of her. “Even the littlest Breckenridge is generous.”

“I’m not worried about the competition,” Darroch said with an exaggerated throat clear. “I can reach the top shelf. Boo Boo can’t beat that.”

A dope, but a sweet one. His hand remained there on her leg, warm and heavy.

Didn’t beat the picture that still held her in rapture. “Can we put it on the wall upstairs?”

“Anything you want, baby.” Darroch squeezed her leg. “Want me to get it framed?”

She blinked around at him. “Would you honestly or are you making fun of me?”

“No, baby, I’ll do it.”

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