Page 85 of Wilder Heart

“Oh.” That wasn’t exactly on his agenda for the day, but he doubted Wilder would mind. “Yeah, we can do that.”

Lain’s head tilted. “We?”

Shit. “Um. I’ve actually got Wilder with me. He’s waiting downstairs to drive me back home.”

Lain winced. “He didn’t want to come in,” he guessed.

“No, not especially.”

“I can’t say I blame him.”

“You two really need to talk.”

He sighed heavily. “I know. Mary-Beth’s been telling me the same thing.”

“There are a lot of things going unsaid between you two.”

“I know.” Lain drew himself up. “Once I get Mary-Beth and the boys home, we’ll talk. I’ll make sure of it.”

At this point, Cash didn’t think Wilder would accept anything else. They had a plan, and Wilder seemed keen to stick to it.

“Good. Is Annalise ready?”

“Yeah, let me get her.”

When Cash walked out of the hospital with a bouncy Annalise clinging to his hand, her blanket draped over his free arm and her dead tablet in hand, Wilder emerged from the truck with a careful smile.

“You picked up a stray,” he called as they approached.

Annalise laughed. “I’m not a stray!”

“How’re you doing, wild thing?”

“Good! I got to meet my brothers. Then it got kind of boring.”

Wilder snorted. “Are you tired? Hungry?”

“Not tired. I slept in the room. Can we get ice cream?”

“I don’t see why not. Hop in the back.” When they got her buckled in and closed the door, Wilder turned to Cash. “Guess we’ve got to pencil a little babysitting into our day?”

“I hope that’s okay. I couldn’t tell them no. She’s been stuck in that hospital room since last night.”

“No, it’s fine.” Judging by his easy smile, he meant it, and Cash relaxed. “She’s one of the few who actually likes me.”

“Hey now,” Cash said, pressing him lightly against the truck. They were just out of sight of the backseat, unless Annalise unbuckled herself and leaned way over to look at them through the tinted window. “All the best people like you.”

“Absolutely,” Wilder breathed, giving him a quick peck on the lips. “Ice cream?”

“There’s a place downtown. Lots of crazy toppings. She’ll love it.”

“Great. Then maybe we can put her to work helping move my stuff.” Wilder waggled his eyebrows.

Cash grinned. “You’re okay with her knowing about us?”

“I’m ready to scream it from the rooftops.”

Cash couldn’t resist tasting his bright smile.

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