"Boys!" Nicholas calls. "Make sure they have hay and water when you're done."
"We know," Nathan yells back. "Ain't our first rodeo, ya'll." The last part is in a fake southern drawl.
I follow Nicholas back to the house, pausing at the base of the steps leading up the deck, turning to take in the sweeping, peaceful view of their property.
I like it out here.
Another hour or so of chit-chat in the kitchen, and then Noelle declares that we need to go.
I'm on the front porch with Panzer, waiting for Noelle to finish her goodbyes. The solid inner door is open, just the screen door preventing bugs from getting inside. Which is how I overhear Noelle getting cornered by her sisters.
"Noelle, wait." Sister One—no clue which; her voice has a slight rasp to it.
"We need to speak with you for a moment." Sister Two; her voice is smoother and more articulate.
Noelle sighs; it sounds annoyed to me. "Yes?"
"This…friend of yours." Sister One, raspy. The doctor. Natasha?
"What about him, Nat?"
"What are you doing?" Nat sounds…almost disgusted.
"Indeed," Sister Two says—Nikki, the news anchor. "I know the breakup with Brennan was rough on you, getting dumped like that. But you can do better."
"He's acriminal,” Natasha says.
"We thought you had standards." Nikki.
My stomach twists, acidic. My impulse is to bolt before I hear anything else, but I resist it. My footsteps will tell them I'm here, listening to their conversation. Also, I'd like to know what Noelle says in response.
Her pause before answering is long and tense. "I don't expect either of you to understand. And I don't need your permissionoryour approval."
"But surely you value our advice," Natasha says.
"We only want what's best for you," Nikki adds.
"Okay, several points," Noelle says. "Number one, Brennan did notdumpme—Ilefthim. He was cheating on me. He is a lying, cheating scumbag, and I hope he gets STDs. Screw Brennan Engler. Number two, Bear is more than just a friend.I care about him…a lot. Number three—I can do better? Go to hell, Nik.Hecan do better thanme. Number four, he’snota criminal. You knownothingabout him—if you’d taken even five minutes to talk to him, to get to know him, you'd know he's smart, kind, gentle, caring, and thoughtful." She lets out a breath. "I feel safe with him. I feel seen. And he makes me feel brave."
"You barely know him." Nat.
"We just want you to be safe." Nik.
"And he doesn't seem very…safe." Nat.
Noelle laughs, and it's not exactly a kind sound. It’s sarcastic, biting. “As I said, I don't expect either of you to understand. You don't know me. You don't know my life." Her voice nears the door. "Now, Bear and I have other things to do. I'll see you later." The door opens and she sees me standing there. "Bear, um…”
Her expression is troubled and concerned. I touch the small of her back. "I heard. It’s okay. Let's just go."
Once we're in the car and heading back toward town, she looks at me apprehensively. "Bear, about my sisters."
"They care about you." I wave a hand. "I understand their concerns. It's okay."
"But…they were being judgmental. It's not okay." She takes my hand. "They should give you a chance."
I shake my head. "They had valid points. I may not be a criminal anymore, but I was. We haven’t known each other very long. Youcando better. They have every right to express their concerns to you. Maybe even an obligation."
She lets out a harsh breath. Shakes her head again. “I guess you’re right about most of that. But I take issue with the idea that I can do better than you."
