Page 56 of Colt

“Yeah,” he muttered, pulling me off the wall and turning back the way we came.

“Tell me about Ed,” I asked gently as we walked toward the garden. “Is his diagnosis similar to Kit’s?”

“His PTSD was caused by combat, same as Breaker’s, but Ed’s been living on the streets for about fourteen years too. He’s been the victim of some terrible shit. He also lost his family years back. The hospital contacted his ex-wife and kids, but she remarried, and his boys don’t wanna know. Apparently, Ed was a mess when he came outta the Special Forces, and they saw him at his worst.”

I nodded, trying to understand Ed’s situation.

It took a complete breakdown for Kit to get help, so Ed must’ve been strong to survive worse. Colt had let slip in the car that Ed was thinking of relocating to Hambleton when he finished treatment. I knew he’d be okay there. As much as I resented my dad for his dismissive attitude toward me, I couldn’t help feeling proud about how he provided a family for those who needed one the most.

“There they are,” Colt muttered, nodding toward a bench where Atlas and Cash were sitting alongside a man with buzzed dark hair. I could see the guy was tall. His frame was too thin, probably from malnourishment.

My heart immediately went out to him. Although Ed had company, he seemed so solitary that I could almost feel his disillusionment.

Atlas looked up and saw us approach. He said something to Cash, who stood and made his way toward us.

“Yo,” Colt called out. “How’s tricks?”

Cash gave Colt a clap on the shoulder and turned to me. “Sight for sore eyes, Sis. You get prettier every day.”

Reaching up, I gave him a hug. “How’s Cara and Wilder?”

“Fuckin’ perfect.” He pulled away and puffed his chest out proudly. “My boy’s growin’ like a weed. Can’t wait for ya to get home. He misses his auntie.”

Turning toward the bench, I gave Ed a smile and a low wave. “Hi.”

“Who’s this?” he asked Atlas, who’d stood to greet Colt.

I walked toward him and held my hand out. “Freya.”

Ed stood to shake my hand, but I gently batted it away, slid my arms around his back, and hugged him. “Nice to meet you.”

He froze.

I pulled back slightly, searching his face for a sign he felt uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. Was that too much? I’m a hugger.”

He looked dazed. “No. Not at all. It just shocked me a little. It’s not every day a beautiful woman comes to visit and gives me that.”

I went to Atlas and kissed his cheek. “You okay?”

“Yip,” he replied. “Glad you’re here. My Stitch has been threatenin’ to come down and get those notes she needs. Told her, while she’s knocked up, she ain’t steppin’ foot outside Hambleton.” He gestured for me to sit. “How ya doin’, Princess?”

“Good.” I smiled, taking the spot next to Ed, who turned to me.

“You’re this one’s sister?” he said incredulously, looking between me and Cash.

My brother laughed. “She sure is. Freya’s trainin’ to be a doctor in Denver.”

“Is she yours?” Ed asked, looking at Colt.

My heart dropped into my ass, and I felt my cheeks heat.

“Not in the sense you mean,” Colt replied calmly. “But I look out for her.” He glanced at Atlas, who stared back, lips set in a thin line. “We all do.”

I swallowed a gulp, desperately thinking of how I could change the subject. This was way too close for comfort. “How’s your treatment going?” I asked Ed.

“Okay,” he replied thoughtfully. “I’m still finding it hard to make friends, but I’m more social than I was. I had a couple of buddies on the streets, but they both died. It seemed easier to stay solo after a while. Less heartbreak that way.”

“I’m sorry, Ed,” I murmured. “People need to do more. I volunteer at a drop-in clinic in Denver to help with minor ailments. I see so many cases like yours. I wish I could help more.”

---