Page 30 of The Widow's Dom

She snorted. “I’m not even sure I can run, besides, that’s why I have the horses. They do the running for me.”

He laughed hard.

“So, I called because I talked to the boys.”

“Yeah, what did they say?” Nick asked.

“I threatened to punish them.”

“Uh-oh, why?”

“Because both of them couldn’t wait for you to deal with me, so they didn’t have to worry anymore.”

She grinned when Nick laughed hard again.

“Tell them I’m up for the challenge,” Nick said.

“Hey, now. I can punish you the same way I do them.”

“You could try, little squirrel, but I bet you a hundred bucks I’d be able to have you quiet pretty quickly.”

She grunted. “That sucks.”

He laughed. “It’s the way it’s going to be. But I promise I’ll try really hard not to piss you off. How’s that?”

“Fine. I’ll take it. So, when do you want to move in?”

“Today, if you’re not busy.”

“I’m not busy. What can I help with?”

“Nothing. I don’t have a lot. Just a few boxes and bags. I haven’t had to buy household things yet.”

“Now you never have to. All right. I’m going out to care for the horses, but I’ll hear you pull in.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“Okay,” she said.

She walked outside and looked up. For some reason, the sky looked brighter and bluer, the air crisper and cleaner, and the only thing she could think of was that her life was changing and would never be the same.

Chapter Fifteen

Nick sat back in the chair, drinking his coffee and laughing at Macy’s story. His friend had been in all types of trouble, and Nick was shocked that he was still living.

“Now, you can’t pussy out of working out, Nick, just because you’re not living here. We’ll have to find a route that works,” Link said.

“Or Nick could just run the extra few miles to get to us. It’ll be good for him,” Jake said.

“Thanks a lot, shithead,” Nick said, throwing a rolled napkin at him.

As much as they razzed each other, Nick knew they’d lay down their lives for each other, he’d do the same, and he couldn’t ask for better friends.

“Do you need help moving?” Caden asked.

“Nah, I don’t have a lot, and it’s already in my truck. It won’t take long. Tell me about the new business you guys are starting?”

“You know we’ve talked about security,” Link said. “But we might take it a different direction.”