Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)
“At about three in the morning, a few cops came to my aunt and uncle’s house, and they sat us all down and told me that my mom was gone.”
“I’ve had to go on too many of those calls.”
She nods. “It must suck.”
“It does.”
“I miss her. She would have been proud of me, and she probably would have moved to Montana with me.”
“And you never heard from your father after that?”
“Why would I? He never paid attention to me before, there’s no reason that I would after. I didn’t go to the trial. He plead no contest, so his sentence would be more lenient.”
“Thank you for sharing all of this with me.”
“You’re welcome. And now we don’t have to talk about it again.”
She yawns and snuggles into me, burying her face in my neck. Before long, she’s breathing with the even, steady breaths of sleep, and I’m still turning the story over in my head. I don’t feel bad for her; she wouldn’t want that. But I wish she’d had a better father in her life.
It’s amazing to me that she’s as healthy as she is, given the circumstances of her childhood.
She’s strong. And brave. And she’s mine.
***
Sadie meets me at the door at lunchtime. I walk inside and find a glassy-eyed Hannah sitting on the couch, staring at nothing in particular. She’s wearing my T-shirt again, and Sadie returns to her side.
“Hi there,” I say, and she looks up at me and offers me a small smile.
“Hi.”
“Are you just waking up?”
“Yeah.” She pets Sadie’s head. “Don’t judge me. I haven’t had a hangover since I was twenty-one.”
“You had a lot of fun last night.”
“Yeah, and then I was up fucking for the rest of it.” Her eyes light up when she sees the coffee in my hand. “Is that for me?”
“Of course.” I pass it to her. “This is too. It’s a breakfast sandwich.”
“You’re really good to me.” She takes a sip of her coffee, closes her eyes, and smiles. “This is nice. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Were you on time for work this morning?”
“Of course,” I say and scoop her up in my arms, then sit and settle her in my lap. “I’m never late.”
“You were up all night, too.” She sips her coffee and then lays her head on my shoulder. “Should I feel guilty?”
“For what?”
“For your lack of sleep.”
I chuckle and kiss her head, smelling her hair. “No. It’s my own fault for not being able to keep my hands off of you.”
“You always say sweet things. And you do sweet things. You’re just a sweet man, Brad.”
“Don’t let it get out. I have a reputation to protect.”
“Ah yes, your badass Chief Sexypants reputation.”
“Sexywhat?”
“Sexypants. It’s your name when you’re not around.”
I stare down at her in surprise. “That’s what you call me when I’m not around?”
“Only to Jenna and Grace, and not all the time.” She grins and kisses my chin. “Don’t be mad. It’s a complimentary nickname.”
“If you say so.”
“I’m glad you’re here. It’s easier to wake up when you’re here rather than by myself.”
“Well, you have me for about twenty more minutes. Then I have to go back to work.”
“Already?”
“It’s noon, Hannah. I can’t take the rest of the day off.”
“What am I going to do all afternoon?”
“Take Sadie for a walk.”
She sips her coffee, giving it thought. “I do need to go get my car.”
“I can drive you to your car.”
“Nah. Sadie and I will walk to get it. I’ll do the walk of shame.” She smiles. “I’ve never done that before.”
“I guess there’s a first for everything.”
She laughs and settles against me, and it feels like heaven to just hold her in my arms for a moment, enjoying the calm.
“How is work today?”
“Busy. There was a home break in last night, and a car accident this morning, with one fatality.”
Her arm squeezes my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. So, I’ll be busy this afternoon.”
“What do you have planned for this evening?” she asks.
“I’m open.”
“Good. I’d like to treat you to dinner.”
“We’ve discussed this. I buy dinner.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine, I’d like to go out for dinner.”
“Done.”
“You’re difficult.”
“You just told me yesterday that I’m easy going and steady.”
“Until you’re difficult.”
Chapter Thirteen
~Hannah~
I’VE CLEANED THE HOUSE. Sadie and I walked to town to get my car.
I even cooked dinner.
Brad should be home any minute, and I feel about as domestic as I ever have in my life. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I mean, I feel good about it, but it’s new. Should I be wearing an apron? Should I be naked except for the apron?
That would make him smile.
But then dinner would go cold because I’m quite sure he’d fuck me against the kitchen counter. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t.
So I’ll keep my clothes on for now.
Also, why am I overthinking this? It’s dinner. And by dinner, I mean chicken enchiladas that I slapped together because like I told him last night, I’m not a great cook.