Page 15 of Sheltering Lawson
“I heard. The joys of motherhood.”
“Yeah, wait until it’s your turn, big brother.”
“Verity, I’ll be there.”
“Great. Love you. Bye.”
The rest of the day blended from one hour to another. When Chase got back he made his deliveries and our night person came in for his shift. After gutting plenty of fish, I wasn’t fit to go into polite society. It was a hot shower for me. I headed toward the back of the store and entered my apartment. Once inside I stripped off everything and got into the shower, thinking again about Lawson and wondering how she was enjoying her place. I was sure it was much better than sleeping in her car.
All this time, I had been focused on getting her a better living situation, but I wondered again what she was running from and how I could get her to stay here in Suttontowne long enough to tell me what it was about. Part of it was purely selfish because I wanted her here where I could…keep an eye on her.
I rolled my eyes as I dried off. Right. I was so pathetic. I wanted more than my eyes on her.
As I was getting in my truck and preparing to drive to my parents’ house, I grabbed my phone and dialed.
“Outlaws.”
The sound of Brax’s harried voice made my conscience twinge. I hoped he wasn’t short-handed.
“Hey, everything going okay?”
“You mean am I suffering without you, huckleberry?”
“Shoot, Brax. Are you?”
I heard the grin in his voice. “No, just messing with you. You can go to your family lunch. You work hard enough for me, Ethan. Have some fun.”
“With my family?” I asked deadpan.
“Oh, um, yeah, right. Well, Boone will be there. I’m sure nonsense will ensue. He can’t go anywhere and not cause a ruckus. That’s something to look forward to.”
“Ha, you’re right. Hopefully, he’ll be in fine form.”
“Is that all? I’ve got a full house.”
“No, could I speak to Lawson for just a minute.”
He chuckled, then said, “Hang on.” After a few minutes, I heard her voice.
“Lawson, it’s Ethan.”
“Yes, I know,” she said warmly, and I felt my whole body infuse with happiness, my attraction to her thick in the air between us.
“How was your first night in your new place?”
“It was heavenly. I don’t think I could thank you enough.”
“How about tonight? I was wondering if you’d like to see the bayou after you get off from work?”
“A trip into the bayou? Was that some kind of ambush, Ethan?” she asked, her voice soft and breathy.
“What if it was?” I asked, holding my breath.
There was silence for a minute.
“Throw the guy a bone,” Brax said in the background.
I swore softly under my breath. “Tell him to stay out of it.”
