Page 71 of Head Over Feels
Aftera long soak,FelixandIhauled ourselves out of the hot tub.Okay,Ihauled myself out withFelix’shelp.Felix, being younger and nimbler, practically jumped out.Hisbruises were still about same, but hopefully they were less tender now.
Wesat on deck chairs and let the sun dry us.Atsome point we’d need to shower, butIdidn’t want to interrupt the moment we were enjoying to suggest it.
Will’sphone went off, and he punched a button. “They’rehere.I’llgo let them in the front.”Hecalled the puppies and they roused from where they’d been lying in the sun to follow him into the house.
Afew minutes later the back door opened, and a tornado of dogs barreled out and down the steps.Lilywas happier thanI’dever seen her; she and the puppies kept running in circles then wrestling with each other, barking and play-growling.
CraigandGregwalked more sedately out onto the deck, followed byWill,ColeandJason.
Willgrinned at the canine cacophony. “Craig, you’ll have to bringLilyto visit more often.BrooksandReinerare going to sleep well tonight.”
“It’sgood to see her play like that.She’sa little shy whenItake her to daycare at the pet resort.”
Felixstirred and stood up. “I’mgoing to go get a shower and change clothes.Youwant me to giveMariposaher insulin?”
“That’dbe great, thanks.”Heleaned over to give me a kiss, then hopped down the steps.Thedogs followed him.Felixwouldn’t let them all in the guest house with the cat, soIfigured they’d come running back soon.
“Sooo.Iwanted to ask this morning, but it didn’t seem like a good time.YouandFelixare dating now, or what?”Jasonsat down across from me.
Iturned toJason, includingWillandCole, who’d wandered up behind him. “Yeah,FelixandIare dating.Boyfriends.”
Thetrio congratulated me.Theywere protective ofFelix, whichIappreciated.
Thethree of them went inside to figure out dinner.Gregvolunteered to help them, leaving me alone withCraig.
Iraised my eyebrows. “Well, shit.Ifyou need to talk to me alone it must be bad news.”
Craigshook his head. “Idon’t think so.RememberItold youI’drun by the house and check to make sure everything was okay each day while you’re here?”
Isat up in my chair. “Yes?”
“Fosterasked me to circle the house, look for footprints, that sort of thing.”
Itensed. “Youfound something?”
Heshook his head again. “TodaywhenIcame out of the backyard there was a woman on the front porch.Shesaid she was your sister.Ellie?”
Ifroze in shock. “What?Really?”Icouldn’t speak for a second. “Whatdid she say?”
“Justthat she’d been trying to find you.Shegave me this for you.”Hepulled a folded envelope out of his pocket.Malcolmwas written across the front.Irecognized the girlish handwriting instantly, even though it’d been over twenty years sinceI’dseen it.
Itook the envelope automatically. “Shedidn’t say anything else?”
Craigshrugged. “Sheasked me if you were well and happy.”
Isnorted, not looking away from the envelope. “Whatthe hell did you say?”
Iheard the smile in his voice when he replied, “Itold her you were recovering from an injury, but you were very happy with your new boyfriend.”
Thatbrought my head up.Craigknew about my parents kicking me out for being bisexual.Ihad no idea how my siblings had reacted to the news.
“Whatdid she say?”Iwhispered.
Hesmiled. “Shesaid she was glad for you, and she hoped she could meet your boyfriend.”
Myeyes filled with tears.Craighanded me a napkin. “Thanks,Craig.”
Hepatted me on the shoulder. “Whydon’t you go to the guest cottage and read it there?”
