Page 89 of Bronco

He laps it up like a big ol’ golden retriever, wagging his tail with excitement. He’s putty in her hands.

“Way to go, bud,” Amber laughs. “He is just the sweetest.”

I turn to look at her. “He’s a fierce, combative guard dog with a nose for trouble like you wouldn’t believe.” Just as I say it, he flops over, landing on his side and then rolls onto his back, begging for tummy rubs.

I slap a hand over my forehead as Amber and Olive both laugh.

“You were saying?” Amber nudges me in the ribs.

“Okay, he didn’t really get that whole combative thing, unless it’s someone he really doesn’t like,” I argue.

They laugh again.

“Let’s eat. Olive, would you like to get the plates out and set them on the table?”

I’ve literally never had pizza on a plate before, but if this is what they do at mealtimes, who am I to argue?

“Okay, Aunty Amber, can Titan come, too?”

“Of course he can, but no feeding him,” Amber warns.

“Even if he gives you those cute, sad, puppy dog eyes,” I join in.

“Okay, I won’t,” she promises, skipping off to do as she’s told.

I glance at Amber. “How’s she doin’?”

She shrugs. “She misses her mom. I don’t know how long I can keep lying. I know it’s to protect her, but she needs hermom.” Tears start to well in her eyes. “She’s asking questions, Bronc, and I don’t know how to answer them.”

I’m crossing the floor in a few paces. Folding her into my arms, I kiss the top of her head. “It’s gonna be okay. From what you’ve told me, Erica is a smart woman. I know this is hard, but you gettin’ worked up won’t help nothin’, it’ll only make you sad and stressed. Gotta be strong for her.”

“I’m trying,” she whispers. I can hear the tears in her tone.

“I know you are, and keeping things as normal as possible for Olive is the right thing to do.”

“I was hoping it would buy me some time.”

“It will. It’s best to shield her from the truth, she’s just a kid.”

She nods. “I know that, I just have this awful feeling in my bones.”

I pull back and she looks up at me. “Like I said, try not to worry. I know that’s easy to say, but whatever happens, we will find her.”

I don’t expect what happens next… Amber reaches up onto her tippy toes and kisses me. It’s chaste, but full of that sweetness that I adore about her. “Thanks, Bronc. Your pep talks always perk me up.”

I place my hands on her hips and rub my nose against hers. “Anytime,bestie.”

“I felt you today,” she whispers.

My eyebrows raise. “Where?”

“You know where.”

My sly smile slowly turns into a full-fledged grin. “See, you can take nine inches. I don’t know what you were worried about.”

Her eyes widen as Olive comes running back into the kitchen, my dog on her tail.

We spring apart and I turn to Olive. “I got a tub of double chocolate chip ice cream for dessert from this amazing placenext to the pizza shop,” I tell Olive. “You’re gonna love it. That’s if you like chocolate?”

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