The Hero (Thunder Point #3)(65)

“I can see that,” Ray Anne said a little spitefully.

Lou flashed her a small smile. They’d spent many years as rivals and now were dueling friends. “He adores me,” Lou said.

Ray Anne leaned an elbow on the bar and put her head in her hand. “Why can’t I have some stud sneak into my bed around midnight?”

Lou put her hand over Ray Anne’s and frankly, she didn’t understand it herself. Ray Anne was perpetually sexy with her boobs, tight skirts, jeans and heels. But she said, “Because you have sinned and you must repent.” Then she grinned at Ray Anne. “Now who’s going to the game with me?”

“I’ll go till halftime,” Carrie said. Mornings in the deli came early for Carrie—she rarely stayed out late.

“I can stay for the game,” Ray Anne said. “And for your information, I’m not sure I’ve sinned enough. Are we ready?”

As usual, most of Thunder Point turned out for the game and while the marching band played on the field, the women found their usual spot, reserved by Mac and Gina, Cooper and Sarah, Austin and Devon and Mercy. The stands were teeming with fans and their girls, Eve and Ashley, were down on the field with the other cheerleaders, warming up the crowd.

“I think it’s time for us to have a sky box,” Lou said.

“Put it on your Christmas wish list,” Mac advised.

But what Lou was thinking was that she had everything she’d ever imagined wanting. She pulled Dee Dee, Mac’s youngest, close, hugging her and asked her if she was warm enough. Then she joined her group in cheering as the team ran onto the field and the game began. No one enjoyed high school football more than this town. Two hours later, celebrating a nice big win, Lou was saying good-night to friends and family and driving toward Coquille to a little house on Bayberry Road.

She walked into the kitchen through the garage. He’d left the light under the microwave on for her and she would leave it on for him. She took a deep breath and felt that amazing sense of being where she was supposed to be. After all the years either on her own or with Mac’s family, she was really home.

Lou had certain rituals. She put on her pajamas, texted Joe to say she was home, sat on the bed with the TV on and a book in her lap. When she was at Mac’s she hid in her room in the evenings to get a break from kids. After teaching all day and dealing with nieces and a nephew after school till almost bedtime, she needed a little time to herself. Now she shared the space with Joe.

Her light was off by eleven-thirty and she dozed, but at twelve-thirty she heard him come into the bedroom. He was quiet while getting out of his trooper uniform, but she stole a peek. Lou really thought he was too handsome for her, but he was persistent and convincing and here they were. He got down to nothing—forget pajamas or boxers. He liked sleeping nude.

He curled around her and she wiggled against him. He chuckled deeply.

“So, you are awake,” he said. “Good.” He gave her shoulder a tug and she was on her back.

“Lotta bad guys tonight?” she asked.

“Two idiots and a few dipshits. Uneventful.” Then he kissed her. “Mmm. Perfect.” He pushed against her. She could feel his grin against her lips. “Let’s get you naked.”

“I might need to sleep,” she said.

“All right. Then sleep naked.”

She touched his shoulder. “I’m kind of surprised by this,” she said. “I was a little afraid we wouldn’t work. I’ve never shared space with a lover. Never. I wondered if I’d get claustrophobic or maybe drive you crazy.”

“You do drive me crazy. Who won tonight?”

“We did,” she said, sliding off her pajamas. “We have tomorrow off.”

“Do you have Aunt Lou duties?”

She shook her head. “Of course, it’s always possible someone could call, looking for help with something.”

“As long as they don’t call before six,” he said. He never complained about her familial obligations. With two grown children, he had his own to think about.

“As far as I can recall, you’re the only person in my life who’s been able to tolerate me before six.”

He gave a shrug. “Because I love all of you. And I’m a damn lucky man.”

* * *

Eric Gentry had a date with his new daughter, seventeen-year-old Ashley James. He hadn’t known she existed until last spring when her mother sought him out in search of medical history from his side of the family. Oh, he’d been more than aware that Gina told him she was pregnant almost eighteen years ago, but his life had taken a bad turn at about that same time and being the young fool he had been, he’d never confirmed that she really had been pregnant or that she’d chosen to have the baby. He rationalized that if he’d been Gina, pregnant with such a loser’s baby, he probably wouldn’t have taken the chance.

But...Gina had brought their child to life and raised her, and had done an amazing job with just the help of her mother. And he’d missed his daughter’s entire childhood, but he could see very clearly that she’d probably turned out so well because he hadn’t been involved. Seems it had taken him a lot longer to grow up than it had taken Gina.

He was due to pick up Ashley at noon at her new residence, the McCain household. Gina and Mac had married and combined families and Ashley seemed to be very happy. He’d offered to take her to lunch and a little shopping in Bandon. School had just started and he wanted to contribute a little something. Like school clothes. Gina was okay with that idea, except... “Don’t throw a lot of money around, please,” she had asked. “We’ve always lived on a tight budget and it works for us. I’d rather you be generous with your time than your big bucks.”