Page 49 of Long Hard Fall

Abbi hooked an arm around Cash’s back, her grip tight, like she was anchoring herself to him. Was she nervous to talk to Dillon?

Her smile was hesitant. “I came to Moore to find you two and learn more about him.”

Dillon’s gaze softened. “I’m sorry about his death, Abbi. I wish…I wish I could’ve done more. I’ve never felt so paralyzed in my life.”

She shook her head. “I know it wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry, I didn’t come here to break open old wounds.” She shuffled her feet and pressed closer to Cash. “I just wanted to know about his last day. He was here one day and the next he was—” She cut off with a choking sound.

Cash squeezed her shoulder and kissed the top of her head, a move that earned him a hard look from Dillon. Cash countered it with his own challenging glare.

“I can try to answer any questions,” Dillon said. “But I doubt I have much more to tell you than Cash has.” He shot Cash a look that said, Have you even told her anything?

Cash rolled his eyes as if to say, Of course, I’ve talked to her but I haven’t told her that.

Abbi drew in a stilted breath. “You know what, I think I’m okay. Cash has told me some stories about Perry and I really don’t want to make you two relive that horrible day.”

Dillon ducked his head. “Daniels was a good soldier.” Cash nodded, too, because he had been until his last few days. “But feel free to talk anytime. Cash can give you my number.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. I can see why he talked about you two all the time. Said both of you should buy a lotto ticket for getting stationed together.”

It’d definitely been unusual, but Cash wouldn’t have survived the eight miserable years without Dillon, even if they weren’t stationed together they still coordinated their leave. At the time, he’d told himself he was staying in the army for Dillon, but it had really been because he hadn’t wanted to come back home and be the mediator between his parents again. And it made him feel like utter horseshit that the only reason his parents had moved away and left him the house was because Dillon’s dad had gotten sick and passed away, showing them life was too short to be miserable together. All his uncles must’ve been going through some shit because they’d agreed to sell the farm and ranch operation to Cash and his cousins.

“You gonna be okay here while Dillon and I head out? Make yourself at home and—” he dug his keys out of his pocket, “—take the truck if you need to run any errands.”

Abbi peeled away, letting go of his hand last. “Nice to finally meet you, Dillon. You boys have fun.”

Cash watched her sway into the house and gave her a final wave. Dillon watched him.

“I don’t fucking believe it,” his cousin muttered.

Cash snapped his gaze back. “What?”

Dillon shook his head. “I saw you two and thought you were stalling and bluffing and using her until she lost interest and went back home. But you really like her.”

Cash glanced at the house again. Abbi was inside “making herself at home” and the rightness of it settled deep into his bones. “Yeah. I do. Mom wasn’t thrilled.” He winced. What had made him confess that?

“Aunt Patty’s not the one dating her. Look, I know—”

Cash arched a brow for him to finish, but Dillon grimaced like he’d swallowed pickle juice.

“I know,” Dillon continued, “your parents have had shit going on and it’s more than affected you. But I don’t want to see you in forced isolation because of their drama.”

“I am their drama.”

“No.” Dillon vehemently shook his head. “You’re their child. Whatever happened was between the two of them, but even I could see you took the brunt of it.”

Cash took his hat off and swiped his hand through his hair before putting it back on. “I told them about meeting Frankie every week.”

“Good.”

“I’d like to invite her out, you know, sometimes—for meals and shit.”

“Good. She’s your grandma, too.”

“It’s just…when I think about the shit I went through, I think of her. She lost her daughter and her grandson for almost twenty years. She just has two fat cats for company.”

Dillon clapped him on the shoulder. “Not anymore.”

Cash sucked in a deep breath and shook all the emotion off. “Let’s grab our tools and I’ll tell you about Sissy’s new escapade.”

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