“Drew wants a puppy for his birthday,” I said, trying to change the subject.
Aspen leaned against the fence. “He and Charlie have been asking forever. Luke will even get in on the action sometimes. Think Law’ll do it?”
I bit my lip. “I’m going to talk to him about it. I’m home for most of the day, so it seems like it might be feasible.”
“Never hurts to ask, and Damien has a litter of puppies right now. Someone found a stray, and she ended up being pregnant. Gave birth a month or so ago, so I think the puppies will be ready in another couple of weeks.”
The boys would be thrilled. And I wouldn’t mind having a cute, cuddly thing around either. I just had to find a way to get Lawson to talk to me.Reallytalk. But that might take a miracle.
* * *
Drew openedthe door to the house, holding it for me with a smile.
“Well, thank you. Such a gentleman.”
His grin only widened. “The babes love chivalry.”
I laughed, ushering Charlie inside. As we made our way into the living room, I found Luke and Lawson in the kitchen, pulling dinner together. The sight stopped me in my tracks.
They were chopping up vegetables for what looked like stir-fry. They looked so much alike, especially working in tandem. Luke glanced up. “Dad’s trying to cook something new. Everyone beware.”
Lawson sent him a wan look. “Have a little faith in your old man.”
“Bruh,” Drew started. “You only know how to make three things. Maybe Hallie should oversee this.”
Lawson’s gaze flicked to me. As our eyes locked, they held. His attention being on me while I felt the distance hurt.
“I can—”
I cut Lawson off before he could cast me out again. “Let me just wash my hands.”
I set my coat and bag down and headed for the kitchen.
“You can take over for me,” Luke offered. “I need to call Vi.”
“Charlie, want to play some Xbox?” Drew asked.
Charlie grinned. “Yes!”
“Homework?” Lawson asked.
“Finished it in afternoon study hall,” Drew called as he and Charlie raced for the den.
Turning on the water, I dipped my hands in the stream before soaping them up. Once I’d rinsed, I dried them on a towel and donned an apron. “What can I do?” I asked Lawson.
His throat worked as he swallowed. “Snap peas would be good.”
I took Luke’s place and began chopping as Lawson sliced the red pepper. He didn’t say a word. Didn’t ask about my day or the boys. Everything about it felt wrong. The silence was oppressive.
My mind swirled with what to say, something to close the distance.
Lawson started to hum. The tune wasn’t familiar, but just the faint musical trill had my palms dampening. My breaths came quicker, turning into short pants, one tripping over the next. Black spots danced in front of my vision as memories assailed me.
The bite of a knife slashing my skin, digging into my flesh. The burn of the branding iron on my hip.
I dropped the knife. “Please, stop.”
My words were barely audible, but Lawson froze.
