Lila's Loves (Haven, Texas 1)

“How is she?” Trace asked coming through the kitchen door.

“Good, more color in her cheeks. She’s tucked into bed. I was just going to get us some lunch.”

“She scared me. When I think about something happening to her…” Trace trailed off. Gavin turned to him and clapped him on the back, the manly equivalent of a hug.

“She’ll be okay,” Gavin reassured her. “We’ll make sure of it.”

“My hands are itching to burn her butt for not taking her phone with her.”

Gavin snorted and piled a tray high with sandwiches, water and iced tea. “You and me both, bro, in fact, I already gave her a few warning swats. As soon as she’s feeling better that ass is mine.”

Trace nodded. “I think I’ll give the doctor a call, make an appointment. It was probably just exhaustion but I’d be happier if the doc looked her over.”

“Good thinking. I’ll take her in tomorrow morning.”

“I can stick around this afternoon if you have things to do, keep an eye on her.”

Gavin nodded, grateful his brother was here. That was a plus side of sharing a woman, one of them could usually be around to give her extra attention when she needed it.

Whether she thought she did or not.

Chapter Five

Colin shook off his fatigue as he pulled into his driveway. The first day he’d arrived here, in

Clay’s truck with Gavin and Trace beside him, Colin had been a fearful, scrawny eleven year old. He’d been terrified about where they were going, about the big man who was now his guardian.

When his parents died he’d been understandably devastated, suddenly his whole world was turned upside down as he found himself in a foster home with strangers who didn’t really care if he got enough to eat or went to bed on time or did his homework. If it hadn’t been for Trace and Gavin he knew things could have gone horribly wrong for him. He’d been scrawny for his age, easy pickings for older kids.

But one thing he was grateful for was that they’d kept him and Trace together. If they’d moved them to another home he knew they probably would have been separated. Clay had come for them before that happened.

He’d saved them.

Colin stopped his truck and looked at the house that had become his home.

“Miss you, Dad,” he whispered. “More than you will ever know. Thank you for my family.”

His family. Trace, Gavin and Lila.

A surge of energy raced through him at the thought of Lila inside. He was nervous that this couldn’t last, worried constantly that she’d change her mind, but he couldn’t help but be excited about coming home to her. He climbed out of his truck and walked into the house, washing his hands in the mudroom and taking off his boots before stepping into the kitchen.

Gavin was there, cooking something that smelled delicious. Roast beef. Trace and Lila were nowhere to be seen.

“Hey, man, where are Lila and Trace?” he asked.

Gavin turned to look at him, his face tired.

“What’s wrong?” Colin asked.

“Nothing,” Gavin sighed. “Sorry, just been a long day. Lila’s upstairs in bed. Trace is having a shower.”

“In bed?” Colin queried.

“Yeah. She fainted today.”

“What?” Fear surged through him. “Is she okay? What did the doctor say?”

“Got an appointment first thing in the morning. She’s okay, irritated at having to lie around in bed, but she’s slept most of the afternoon so I know she needs it.” Gavin told Colin what happened.